The Day Ahead Thursday, April 17 – Market Snapshot
In the US, traders will be watching March housing starts and building permits for signs of real estate momentum, while initial jobless claims and the Philly Fed index offer fresh insight into the labour market and regional manufacturing sentiment.
Overseas, Japan reports its March trade balance, Germany releases its March PPI—a key inflation gauge—and Australia’s labour force survey will be crucial for AUD positioning. Canada’s February international securities transactions could offer clues on capital flows.
Central banks are in focus with the ECB rate decision front and centre, which could move EUR pairs. Fed speakers Schmid and Barr are also on the radar for any policy tone shifts, while BoJ’s Nakagawa and the Bank of England’s Q1 credit conditions survey could influence JPY and GBP, respectively.
On the earnings front, TSMC will set the tone for semiconductors, and Netflix gives a look into streaming and consumer sentiment. Key financials like UnitedHealth, American Express, Charles Schwab, Blackstone, and Truist Financial all report, along with DR Horton for housing and ABB for the global industrial read.
The US also auctions 5-year TIPS, which could move inflation expectations and impact rate-sensitive trades.
