Disappointing Eurozone retail sales were expected. Comments from Lagarde and Powell perhaps less predictable ahead of U.S NFP numbers later today...
It was a quieter day on the economic data front. Eurozone retail sales figures were in focus.
In April, retail sales fell by 3.1%, month-on-month, reversing most of a 3.3% increase from March. Economists had forecast a more modest 1.2% decline.
According to Eurostat,
Ahead of today’s numbers the EUR had risen to a pre-stat high and current day high $1.21322 before easing back to a pre-stat and current day low $1.21041.
In response to today’s stats, the EUR fell to a post-stat low $1.21085 before striking a post-stat high $1.21177.
At the time of writing, the EUR was down by 0.04% to $1.21111.
ECB President Lagarde and FED Chair Powell ahead of U.S non-farm payrolls…
The markets are expecting Lagarde to reassure and NFP numbers to surge. Comments from Powell are less predictable, however, on the asset purchasing program.
With over 20 years of experience in the finance industry, Bob has been managing regional teams across Europe and Asia and focusing on analytics across both corporate and financial institutions. Currently he is covering developments relating to the financial markets, including currencies, commodities, alternative asset classes, and global equities.