Following the OPEC meeting this week and the surprisingly strong US payroll data, three interest rate decisions are scheduled next week. Other than Central Banks, the event of the week is the UK Parliamentary Election on Thursday.
Monday – 09 December 2019
- RBA’s Governor Lowe speech (AUD, GMT 22:05) – Due to speak at the AusPayNet Summit, in Sydney.
Tuesday – 10 December 2019
- Consumer Price Index (CNY, GMT 01:30) – September’s Chinese CPI is seen unchanged at 0.7% while the PPI figure is expected to decline further to -1.2%. The overall reading for CPI is estimated to post a gain up to 2.9% y/y.
- ZEW Economic Sentiment (EUR, GMT 10:00) – Economic Sentiment for October is projected at -27 from the -22.5 seen last month, as the current conditions indicator for Germany turned negative. The overall Eurozone reading though is expected to decline slightly further to -33.0 from -22.4. A lower than expected outcome, ties in with the stagnation in market sentiment at the start of the month.
Wednesday – 11 December 2019
- Inflation Rate (USD, GMT 13:30) – A 0.2% November headline CPI rise is expected with a 0.2% core price increase, following respective October readings of 0.4% and 0.2%. As-expected gains would result in a headline y/y increase of 2.0%, up from 1.8% last month. Core prices should set a 2.3% pace for a second consecutive month. We expect an up-tilt in y/y gains into Q1 of 2020 due to harder comparisons and some lift from tariff increases that should leave gains in the 2.4% area, which may help ease concerns about persistent inflation undershoots of the Fed’s 2% objective.
- Interest Rate decision and conference (USD, GMT 19:00) – The FOMC is widely seen on hold even after the robust payroll data, with no shift in rate policy for the foreseeable future. Indeed, the data validated the pause and left policymakers in a state of Fed Nirvana, at least for now. Fed Chair Powell will reiterate the economy and policy are in a “good place.” There is little risk of any downside “material changes” in the outlook anytime soon given the solid path for jobs growth. And, GDP will likely continue to modestly outpace the official Fed estimates, just as a benign inflation trajectory caps risk of rate hikes from the Fed as well. Hence, the focus will be on the Fed’s quarterly forecast update (SEP) and Chair Powell’s press conference.
Thursday – 12 December 2019
- Parliamentary Election – Brexit will be a focal point with the December 12 election. While the Conservative party with a working majority is the clear odds-on favourite outcome of the election, the outcome of the general election is by no means a sure-fire certainty, however, especially in light of the predictive failures of pollsters and betting markets at elections in the UK and elsewhere in recent years.
- SNB Interest Rate Decision and Conference (EUR, GMT 08:30) – The central bank is widely expected to keep policy settings unchanged as ongoing uncertainty on the global growth outlook, along with weakness in the Eurozone economy, support the view that the central bank’s negative interest rate and the threat of ad hoc currency interventions remain necessary to keep the franc under control, and prevent inflation from falling. The central bank has kept the door to additional measures open as it keeps a close eye on geopolitical trade tensions and Brexit developments.
- ECB Interest Rate Decision and Conference (EUR, GMT 12:45 &13;30) – Lagarde’s first press conference. The “risk” is that it will be equally uneventful as her testimony before the European Parliament. It is very likely on Thursday, to be confirmed that: The ECB remains ready to act again and tweak all its measures if necessary, but has already done a lot and now needs to keep an eye on the side effects of the very expansionary monetary policy, while politicians need to do their bit to support the economy.The ECB won’t be reducing the degree of stimulus any time soon and we effectively see the central bank on hold through next year, unless there is a major change in circumstance.
Friday – 13 December 2019
- Retail Sales and Industrial Production (USD, GMT 13:30) – A gain is expected up to 0.3% November for both the retail sales headline and the ex-auto figures, following a 0.3% October headline with a 0.2% ex-auto figure. There’s considerable uncertainty, however, given seasonal distortions around the holidays, especially including Black Friday and Cyber Monday swings, and with six fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex
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