Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Mar 13, 2017)

The unemployment rate dipped from 4.8% to 4.7% as expected but average hourly earnings was a notch short at 0.2% versus 0.3%. Only the Fed Labor Market Conditions Index is due today and traders are likely to position ahead of the FOMC rate increase.

EUR

The euro also kept up its climb until the end of the week as the shared currency got a strong boost from Draghi's less dovish tone during the ECB presser earlier on. Actual economic data was mostly subpar as the German trade balance, French industrial production, and Italian quarterly unemployment rate missed expectations. On the other hand, German WPI was stronger than expected at 0.5%. Italian industrial production is due, along with another speech by Draghi.

GBP

The pound was in a weak spot as European flows went to the euro and away from the UK currency. UK manufacturing production was weaker than expected with a 0.9% slide versus the projected 0.6% dip. Goods trade balance showed a smaller than expected deficit, though, which could be positive for trade and overall growth. There are no reports due from the UK today.

CHF

The franc had a mixed performance as it reacted mostly to country-specific events in the absence of top-tier reports from Switzerland. There are still no reports due from Switzerland today so risk sentiment could push the franc around.

JPY

The yen gave up ground to its peers as US bond yields rose and revived demand for the dollar. Over the weekend, Japan's core machinery orders report printed a weaker than expected 3.2% slide versus the projected flat reading while PPI came in at 1.0% as expected. Tertiary industry activity is due next and a 0.2% uptick is eyed.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

Canada printed a stronger than expected employment change figure of 16.3K versus the projected 0.6K gain. This was enough to bring the unemployment rate down from 6.8% to 6.6%. Over the weekend, New Zealand reported a 0.2% uptick in its food price index, slower than the earlier 2.8% gain. There are no other reports due from the comdolls for today, but Chinese industrial production numbers are lined up for the next Asian session.

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way