Forex Major Currencies Outlook (Apr 1, 2016)

Data from the US economy came in mixed, with initial jobless claims slightly missing expectations and the Chicago PMI coming in above consensus. According to Fed official Dudley, negative interest rates aren't an option for the US economy just yet. The NFP is due today and a 206K gain in hiring is expected. 

EUR

The euro was able to rake in gains when most of the data from the region came in stronger than expected. Only the German retail sales, Spanish flash CPI, and German unemployment change fell short but the French consumer spending, preliminary CPI, and euro zone final CPI readings posted strong readings. Final manufacturing PMI readings are due from the top euro zone economies today. 

GBP 

The pound was one of the weaker currencies as the UK current account balance posted a record deficit, overshadowing the positive revision in the Q1 GDP from 0.5% to 0.6%. The UK manufacturing PMI is due today and a rise from 50.8 to 51.4 is expected. 

CHF 

The franc advanced to the dollar despite the lack of data from Switzerland, as the currency likely took its cue from the euro. Swiss retail sales is due today and a 0.5% year-over-year increase is eyed. 

JPY

The Japanese yen took advantage of the risk-off environment spurred by its downbeat Tankan survey results. The manufacturing component fell from 12 to 6, worse than the estimated drop to 8, while the non-manufacturing component slid from 25 to 22 instead of just dipping to 24. No other reports are due from Japan today. 

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls reacted positively to the Chinese PMI releases, as both the official and Caixin versions of the report printed improvements. The former climbed from 49.0 to 50.2 while the latter rose from 48.0 to 49.7. In Canada, the monthly GDP showed a 0.6% expansion versus the projected 0.3% growth figure. No other reports are due from the comdoll economies today. 

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way