Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Mar 2, 2016)

Data from the US economy was actually stronger than expected, as the ISM manufacturing PMI rose from 48.2 to 49.5, outpacing the consensus at 48.5. The ADP non-farm employment change report is due today and a 185K increase in hiring is expected, slower than the previous 205K gain. 

EUR

The euro advanced against the dollar and yen but was no match to comdoll strength. Data from the region was mostly in line with expectations, with the unemployment rate improving from 10.4% to 10.3%. Only the Spanish unemployment change report is due today and a 0.2% increase in joblessness is expected. 

GBP 

The pound bounced back against the lower-yielding currencies but gave up ground to commodity currencies as risk appetite returned to the markets. Data from the UK was weaker than expected, as the manufacturing PMI fell from 52.9 to 50.8, worse than the projected drop to 52.3. The construction PMI is due today and an improvement from 55.0 to 55.5 is eyed. 

CHF

The franc returned some of its recent gains even when data from Switzerland came in stronger than expected. Retail sales ticked up 0.2% versus the projected 1.2% drop while the manufacturing PMI rose from 50.0 to 51.6 instead of dropping to the estimated 49.6 figure. Swiss GDP data is due today and a 0.2% expansion is expected. 

JPY

The yen was in a very weak spot when risk appetite returned yesterday. There were no major reports out of Japan yesterday and there are still no reports due today, leaving market sentiment in play. 

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD) 

The comdolls scored big wins against their forex counterparts when data came in strong and risk appetite returned. Canada's GDP showed a 0.2% expansion for December, higher than the projected 0.1% uptick, and New Zealand's GDT auction showed a 1.2% rebound in prices. Earlier today, Australia reported a 0.6% GDP reading for Q4 2015 while the previous figure was upgraded from 0.9% to 1.1%. Crude oil inventories data are due today. 

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way