ISM Manufacturing & ISM Services PMI Combined show trigger levelISM Manufacturing and ISM Services PMI Combined 🪢
This week the ISM PMI's were released as follows:
🚨ISM Manufacturing PMI = 47.2 (contractionary)
✅ISM Services PMI = 51.5 (expansionary)
With both metrics offering mixed signals, I decided to make a chart that combines the ISM Manufacturing and ISM Services PMI into one dataset on the chart.
Interestingly it provided a clean chart with many patterns to observe, and useful forward looking trigger levels to keep an eye on. Don't forget you can update on this chart data anytime on my TradingView page with one click.
At present you can see that the data is compressed into a something resembling a "Darvas Box". I understand this not price but data, however this economic data is clearly in a compressed channel and appears uncertain in terms of a definitive direction. It has also never been in a pattern like this for this long in the past, which could mean a break out up or down is closer than it is further away.
Prior patterns have demonstrated that break throughs of both diagonal and horizontal support lines has resulted in significant downward movements. This is evident on the chart and this is something we can watch out for should we break below the box.
Consistent with past recession's the Combined PMI dropped below the 50 level (🔴red circles) way back in Dec 2022. Since then we have oscillated around the 50 level in the compressed box in indecisive fashion.
Never has the data behaved specifically this way in the past, specifically for this long. There are no other compressed boxes of data lasting this long. At some stage the ISM Data will push the its way out of this box I have drawn and it could be a good indicator to observe for early signals of the direction of the economy in the U.S. as a whole (both services and manufacturing combined)
As always, this chart in on my TradingView page, and you can click on it at any stage to get an updated reading on the chart so you can quickly get a visual update on the direction of the U.S. Economy via combined ISM PMI's.
Enjoy
PUKA
Servicespmi
ISM Indices vs. GDP YoY% - Leading Economic IndicatorsBoth ISM Manufacturing Index and Non-Manufacturing Index vs. GDP YoY% for the US economy.
ISM Manufacturing: Yellow
ISM Non-Manufacturing: Blue
GDP YoY%: Green/Red
ISM Manufacturing currently signaling contraction with a level below 50 and the momentum seems lower.
Non-Manufacturing Index is likely to follow the same path although currently signaling growth, but less than before.
GDP YoY% could potentially experience a slow-down within the next 6 Months to a Year.
The FED has being somewhat more Dovish on the latest speech, as they're seeing a negative outcome in keeping Interest Rates higher for much longer.
Macro Monday 34 ~ S&P PMI Composite FlashMacro Monday 34
S&P PMI Composite Flash
This S&P PMI “Flash” Composite is a very useful and relatively new data set made available since Nov 2013 that is particularly useful at providing an advance indication of the ISM Purchasing Managers Index (ISM PMI Index) which is released a week later.
We are aware from prior Macro Mondays that the ISM PMI index is based on data collected through surveys of over 800 companies in the U.S. and covers variables such as sales, new orders, employment, inventories and prices, all of which give us an indication of trends in the economy.
S&P Flash Composite Main Benefits
1. The term "Flash" in the name refers to the fact that it is a preliminary or early quick estimate of the ISM Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) which is released later in the month. For example this month the S&P Flash Composite is released this week on Thursday 22nd Feb whilst the final ISM PMI reading is released Friday 1st March (both readings are for the month of Feb).
2. The S&P PMI Composite Flash is a “composite” insofar as it combines both the manufacturing and services sectors PMI’s into a single index. This provides a more comprehensive overview of economic activity compared to looking at either sector in isolation (however you can also view the flash PMI for Services and Manufacturing separately, these are released on the same day).
So the S&P PMI Composite Flash consists of two main components:
1. Manufacturing PMI: Measures economic activity in manufacturing.
2. Services PMI: Measures economic activity in the services sector.
Both components are based on surveys of purchasing managers and provide insights into factors like new orders, production, and employment. The Composite PMI combines these components to offer an overall picture of economic health, with readings above 50 indicating expansion and below 50 indicating contraction.
How do we get an advance “FLASH” PMI reading and how reliable is it?
The main difference between the data used in the S&P PMI Composite Flash and the final PMI figures lies in the sample size(smaller) and timing (earlier release with most recent data exclusion).
According to Investopedia and a report from S&P Global Flash (Jan 2023), the Flash Composite PMI release is based on about 85% of total PMI survey responses each month. Clearly, a significant portion of survey responses are included in the Flash PMI which would lead you to believe that its reliable early indicator but how reliable has it been historically?
In the aforementioned S&P Global Report it also provided the historical average difference between the flash and final PMI index values (final minus flash) since comparisons were first available, which are;
Composite Difference = 0.1
Manufacturing Difference = 0.0
Services Difference = 0.2
We can see that the Manufacturing Flash PMI release readings are the most reliable and that the Services Flash PMI is less reliable. Whilst both are not far off the mark, it’s a notable difference for services considering that services represents over 80% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thus small differences in services hold more weight. Regardless, we can be relatively satisfied that the S&P PMI Composite Flash Index is a very good and reliable early indicator of the Final ISM PMI. I will certainly be looking at this metric going forward so that I can have a great early indication of the ISM PMI.
When you review the chart of the Flash PMI with the Final PMI, you'll see that the difference appears greater than the marginal difference discussed above. This highlights, how on a chart, the difference a week or a weeks worth of data can make to how a chart appears (with the absent or included 15% of data). You will also notice that the Flash PMI is more volatile with higher and lower swings. It reminds me a little of the CPI headline vs CPI core chart in this respect, as both ultimately move in the same direction but one oscillates less than the other.
I hope the next Flash PMI released this Thursday 22nd Feb will help arm you with what is very reliable early indication of the ISM PMI (released a week later on the 1st March).
Thanks for coming along
PUKA
Macro Monday 35~Richmond Fed Manufacturing and Services IndexMacro Monday 35
Richmond Fed Manufacturing and Services Index
(Released Tuesday 27th Feb 2024 @ 15:00 GMT or 9:00 CT)
The Richmond Manufacturing and Services Indexes measures the conditions of each respective industry for the 5th Federal Reserve District which covers the District of Columbia (Washington DC), Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and most of West Virginia. Both the indexes are derived from surveys conducted each month of relevant businesses in each respective industry.
▫️ The Richmond Manufacturing Index survey focuses on questions related to production, new orders, employment, prices, capacity utilization, and future expectations within the manufacturing sector.
▫️ The Richmond Services Index survey, on the other hand, asks questions about business activity, new business, employment, prices, inventory, capital expenditures, and future expectations within the service sector.
While the specific questions and data points might differ between the surveys, the basic structure and methodology for calculating the diffusion indices remain consistent;
The Chart
You can see that the green zone is expansionary and the red zone is contractionary.
At present Manufacturing (blue line) is in fairly deep contraction at -15 and whilst Services (red line) has recovered from -22 (Apr 2023) to +4 (Jan 2024).
Reading the Chart:
🟢Above 0 is expansionary (green zone)
🔴Below 0 is contractionary (red zone)
Historic Recession Patterns
I have highlighted some patterns on the chart (orange) which demonstrate that historically when Services and Manufacturing declined for a period of between 27 and 45 months a recession can follow such declines. Importantly there was a period of decline in from Apr 2010 – Dec 2013(45 months) which did not result in a recession. During this period Services remained elevated and only fell marginally into contractionary territory for brief spells (which could be a tell of some buoyancy in the market during this period). At present we are 32 months into a general decline in both manufacturing and services. Services have been on the incline since Apr 2023 and recently moved into expansionary territory at +4 in Jan 2024 which is promising and may indicate the beginning of a trend change, however until manufacturing follows this trajectory I believe we are still at risk of repeating history. Manufacturing is down at -15 at present and needs to start as sustainable recovery into expansionary territory. It has remained more a less in contractionary territory since Apr 2022.
Why even consider the Richmond Fed index?
I think the best way to outline the utility of the Richmond Fed is to compare it to the Dallas Fed Index which will be released later today (Monday). I have covered the Dallas Fed on a previous Macro Monday (link will be in the comments) and I will update you on this index when it is released later today also.
Both the Richmond Manufacturing Index and the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index are valuable indicators of regional manufacturing activity, each offering unique insights.
Dallas Fed Index focuses on a major economic manufacturing hub – Texas
(An estimated 14.4 million people are employed in the state of Texas)
The Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index covers manufacturing activity mainly in the state of Texas. The state of Texas ranks 2nd only to California in factory production & comes in at 1st as an exporter of manufactured goods, thus Texas is an important state for gauging manufacturing & production in the U.S. economy (not services is not included here). Texas also contributes an incredible c.10% towards the U.S. Manufacturing gross domestic product making the index an important metric to consider towards potential GDP trends in the U.S. So, the Dallas Fed is very good at gauging manufacturing in the U.S. simply because of the volume of manufactured goods from the region. Whilst the Dallas Fed Index focuses on a high volume of manufacturing activity and production within the state of Texas, it also specifically focuses on durable goods industries like aerospace, energy, and technology whilst the Richmond Index below is much more diversified in terms of its manufacturing industries, its services sector and regionally diverse.
Richmond Index focuses on more economically diverse regions (inclusive of a large services sector)
(An estimated 23 - 25 million people are employed in the fifth federal reserve district)
This Richmond Index covers the Fifth Federal Reserve District, encompassing an incredibly diverse range of industries across six states. Its difficult to portray the expansive array of various manufacturing and services within these regions but I will try. This index goes far beyond the specific performance of durable goods in an isolated state like Texas and reflects manufacturing and services health across various sectors and regions. It offers economists a broader picture of manufacturing health in the U.S. compared to indices focused on specific industries or regions.
To give you an idea of the diverse ranges here:
In Washington DC you have a major corporate & services hub; think Accenture, Deloitte, KPMG, Capital One) combined with tech and comms center with the likes of Amazon web services, Verizon Communications & General Dynamics. You obviously have a strong political and legal presence in this region also.
Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina appear to have a very strong healthcare dynamic with the likes of Bon Secours Mercy Health System, VCU Health System, Duke University Health System and Atrium Health. Baltimore in Maryland has the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System employing over 40,000 employees. All these states appear to have strong university presences also (offering education employment and services) which likely supply the necessary expertise for the medical manufacturing and services that are present across these states.
South Carolina is known for having one of the major three Boeing aircraft manufacturing facilities and is also known the manufacturing of Michelin tires.
Across all six states you have a rich and diverse farming and forestry industry, food production facilities and waste productions plants.
Walmart, Home Depot, Target and Amazon are also present across all these states.
You can clearly see why the Richmond Fed offers a more nuanced and complex picture of the U.S. manufacturing and services economy. This diversity in sectors, regions and employment demographic gives us a different insight against the more centralized manufacturing hub contained in Texas under Dallas Fed Index. Furthermore, in terms of employment the six states included in the Richmond Fed Index is approx. 24 million versus the approx. 14.4 million employed in the state of Texas (under the Dallas fed Index). Both indexes are very valuable and should both be equally considered in our assessments of the U.S. economy.
Thanks for coming along and learning about the chart history on the Richmond Fed Index, the historic trends and the combined utility of both the Dallas and Richmond Fed Index .
PUKA
New Zealand dollar rises on strong services dataThe New Zealand dollar continues to gain ground and has extended its gains for a fourth straight day. In the North American session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.6149, up 0.44%.
New Zealand’s BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index improved to 52.1 in January from 48.8 in December, above the forecast of 49.6. This put the index in expansion territory and marked the highest pace of activity since July 2023. The 50 level separates contraction from expansion. This is welcome news for the economy, which has cooled down due the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s steep rate-tightening cycle.
Is the RBNZ done with raising rates? The markets think so and have priced a rate cut for the middle of the year. The central bank has been more cautious and has pushed back against these expectations. Governor Orr’s said last week that inflation expectations remain too high, the latest salvo aimed at dampening rate cut speculation. At its last meeting in November, the RBNZ said it hadn’t ruled out a rate hike and projected no rate cuts before mid-2025.
New Zealand’s inflation rate is running at 4.7%, more than double the midpoint of the 1%-3% target range. The RBNZ is unlikely to trim rates until inflation falls much closer to 2% and unless inflation drops dramatically, a rate before late in the year is looking doubtful. The RBNZ meets next on February 28th and is expected to keep rates unchanged for a fifth straight time.
NZD/USD is putting pressure on resistance at 0.6168. Above, there is resistance at 0.6211
0.6109 and 0.6066 are providing support
The Business Cycle is turning up ISM Services PMI
Rep: 53.4% ✅ HIGHER THAN EXPECTED ✅
Exp: 51.7%
Prev: 50.5% (revised down marginally from 50.6%)
The reading for ISM Services PMI came in much higher than expected with services remaining in expansionary territory for Jan 2024 (>50 Level)
Whilst ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 49.1 on the 1st Feb (<50 level) and in contractionary territory, it has made a higher low much like Services PMI. Manufacturing has increased from 46 in July 2023 to 49.1 currently.
Services continues to outperform Manufacturing. Both Services and manufacturing appear to be making a series of high lows on the chart which may suggest that this business cycle is starting to turn and curl to the upside.
PUKA
NZD/USD rises on strong Services PMIThe New Zealand dollar has started the week with strong gains. In the European session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.5919, up 0.55%. It was a miserable week for the News Zealand dollar, which fell 1.74%, its worst weekly performance since August.
The driver for today's gains was the New Zealand Services PMI, which rose to 50.7 in September, up from 47. 7 in August. This reading is barely in expansion territory, but it indicates a welcome rebound after three straight declines - the 50 level separates contraction from expansion.
As is the case with most major economies, the services sector is in better shape than manufacturing. Last week's Manufacturing PMI weakened to 45.3 in September, down from 46.1 a month earlier. This marked a seventh straight decline and was the lowest reading since August 2021.
Inflation is still on everyone's mind and continues to have a strong impact on the currency markets. This was reiterated last week with last Thursday's US inflation report, which remained unchanged at 3.7% and was just above the market estimate of 3.6%. The release unnerved investors and sent risk appetite and risk currencies tumbling. The New Zealand dollar was steamrolled, sliding 1.54% on Thursday.
New Zealand will release third-quarter inflation on Tuesday. The market estimate stands at 2.0% q/q, which would be a sharp rise from the 1.1% gain in the second quarter. The sharp rise in gasoline prices is expected to boost inflation. Core CPI, which excludes energy prices, will be closely watched by the central bank and policy makers will be looking for a decline on Tuesday. If that doesn't happen, expectations of a rate hike in November will likely rise.
NZD/USD put pressure on resistance at 0.5942 earlier. The next resistance line is 0.5999
There is support at 0.5888 and 0.5827
New Zealand dollar rises despite soft Services PMIThe New Zealand dollar has started the week in positive territory. NZD/USD is trading at 0.5918 in the North American session, up 0.34%.
New Zealand's Services PMI eased to 47.1 in August, down from 47.8 in July. The reading marked a third straight decline in activity and was the lowest level since January 2022. This comes on the heels of Friday's Manufacturing PMI, which fell to 46.1 in August, down from 46.6 a month earlier. This was the sixth consecutive month of contraction (the 50.0 line separates contraction from expansion).
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has been forecasting a recession and the weak PMIs support this view. New Zealand's economy has cooled down due to the central bank's steep tightening and global demand has weakened, most notably with China experiencing a slowdown and deflation. The RBNZ paused at the August meeting and interest rates may have peaked. If economic data remains weak, I would expect the RBNZ to prolong the pause at next month's meeting.
The US ended last week with mixed releases. The Empire State Manufacturing Index surprised and jumped to 1.9 in September, up from -19 in August and above the market consensus of -10. The UoM consumer sentiment index slowed to 67.7 in September, down from 69.5 in August and shy of the market consensus of 69.1 points. Inflation Expectations fell to 3.1% in August, down from 3.5% in July and the lowest level since March 2021. This is another sign that inflation is weakening and supports a pause at the Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday. The markets have priced in a pause at 99%, according to the CME FedWatch tool, up from 92% one week ago.
NZD/USD is testing resistance at 0.5908. The next resistance line is 0.5936
There is support at 0.5871 and 0.5843
GBP/USD jumps on N. Ireland hopesThe British pound has posted sharp gains on Monday, after falling below the symbolic 1.20 level on Friday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2026, up 0.72%.
In the UK, the economic calendar is unusually quiet this week, with no tier-1 releases. There will be a host of BoE members speaking, including BoE member Broadbent today and Governor Bailey and Chief Economist Pill later in the week. The BoE is widely expected to raise rates by 0.25% at the March 23 meeting, which would bring the cash rate to 4.25%. The UK economy appeared to be well on its way toward a recession, and the BoE signalled at the February meeting that it was considering easing up on the pace of rate hikes due to the slowing economy.
The central bank may have to reconsider its policy after strong economic data was released last week. Services PMI climbed back into expansion territory in January, rising from 48.7 to 53.3. As well, GfK consumer confidence for February improved to -38, up from -43 a year prior. Although consumer confidence remains deep in negative territory, this was the strongest release since April 2022. The improvement in economic activity has caused the markets to fully price in 0.25% hikes in March and May, with a 33% likelihood of the cash rate rising to 5% in August.
The UK left the EU in January 2020, but the vexing problem of the Northern Ireland border has continued to create friction between London and Brussels. There are hopes that the sides will announce as early as today that progress has been made, with speculation that a deal is very close to being reached. An agreement would be a massive victory for UK Prime Minister Sunak, who has been dealing with a lackluster economy and public worker strikes.
GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.2006. The next resistance line is 1.2082
1.1958 and 1.1864 are providing support
USD/JPY eyes inflation, household dataThe Japanese yen is calm on Monday and is trading slightly higher, at 132.27. The yen ended the week on a strong note, posting gains of about 1% on Friday.
USD/JPY has shown significant volatility since late December. Last week, the pair traded in a range of over 500 points, which included breaking below the 130 line for the first time since May. We could see stronger movement again today, as Japan releases Tokyo Core CPI and Household Spending later in the day.
Tokyo Core CPI has been moving steadily higher since January 2022, when it came it a negligible 0.2%. The December report rose to 3.6%, up from 3.4%, and the upward trend is expected to continue, with a forecast of 3.8% for January. After years of deflation, rising prices have become the new norm. The Bank of Japan has repeatedly stated that it will not change its ultra-loose policy due to higher inflation. Governor Kuroda said last month that he expects inflation to fall below the 2% target as the effect of soaring import costs will ease. The BOJ shocked the markets in December by widening the yield curve band, and there is speculation that Kuroda's successor, who will take over in April, could raise the yield targets on long-term bonds, which would be a major policy change.
High inflation has taken a bite out of Household Spending, which fell to 1.2% in October, down from 2.3% a month earlier. The downtrend is expected to continue, with a weak gain of 0.6% expected for November.
The US dollar was lower across the board on Friday, after the US posted some soft data. Nonfarm payrolls was slightly better than expected at 223,000, but wage growth headed lower. Average hourly earnings rose 4.6%, well off the 5.0% estimate and shy of the prior reading of 4.8%. The ISM Services PMI underperformed, slipping to 49.6, down sharply from 56.5 and the forecast of 55.5. This marked the first time the PMI has fallen into contraction territory since May 2020, with a reading below the neutral 50.0 threshold. The drop in wages and the weak services data indicate that the US economy is slowing and is likely to tip into recession, which could force the Fed to reconsider its aggressive rate-tightening policy.
There is weak support at 132.13, followed by 131.14
133.28 and 134.75 are the next resistance lines
NZ dollar slides as risk sentiment fallsThe New Zealand dollar is sharply lower on Tuesday. NZD/USD is trading at 0.6261, down 1.14% on the day.
New Zealand data has been mixed this week. BusinessNZ Services Index rose to 55.2 in May, up from 52.2 in April. This points to stronger expansion in the services area. However, Westpac Consumer Confidence plunged to 78.7 in May, its lowest level ever recorded. This was down from 92.1 in April. Consumers are very unhappy about the cost of living crisis and the survey found that consumers are scaling back on leisure activities, such as dining at restaurants. The double blow of higher mortgage rates and increases in living expenses has taken a large chunk of disposable income. If this results in a decrease in consumer spending, it could lead to a downturn in economic growth.
Consumer angst could have a major effect on the Reserve Bank's policy. If consumer demand sinks, the central bank may have to ease off on the size of future rate hikes. The RBNZ has been tightening aggressively and the cash rate, which is currently at 2%, is expected to rise to 3% by the end of August and possibly to 4% in 12 months' time. The RBNZ is in a fierce battle with inflation and if demand falls, inflation could peak and allow the central bank to ease up on its tightening cycle. The Bank is also monitoring inflation expectations, with policy makers keen to ensure that expectations don't become unanchored.
With no US releases today, Fed Chair Powell's semi-annual appearance on Capitol Hill will take over center stage. Powell will brief lawmakers today and tomorrow, and anxious investors will be on the lookout for clues on where monetary policy is headed. Will Powell signal that he plans to ease on tightening? Powell's testimony could have a strong impact on the financial markets and should be treated as a market-mover for the US dollar.
NZD/USD tested support at 0.6302 earlier. Below, there is support at 0.6209
There is resistance at 0.6408
NZ dollar hits 15-week highThe New Zealand dollar continues to rally and is up 0.82% this week. Earlier in the day, NZD/USD punched above the symbolic 70 line and rose to 0.7034, its highest level since November 2021, before retreating lower.
The US Services PMI for March pointed to continuing expansion, with a reading of 58.3. This was shy of the consensus of 58.9 but an improvement from the February reading of 56.5. The services sector has now grown for the 22nd month in a row, a further indication that the US economy is firing on all four cylinders. The PMI report found that businesses continue to be negatively impacted by supply chain problems and inflation. Inventories remain low as businesses continue to struggle to replenish stocks. On a positive note, the report noted that labor shortages have actually eased, as a downturn in Covid cases has led to officials relaxing health restrictions.
The New Zealand dollar is a commodity-based currency, which has been a godsend in a time of risk apprehension and turbulent markets. The surge in commodities has more than compensated for the currency's sensitivity to risk, and NZD/USD gained 2.35% in March, despite the turmoil over the Russia-Ukraine war. The ANZ Commodity Price index will be released on Wednesday, with the index posting a gain of 3.9% in February, an 11-month high.
We'll also get a look at NZIER Business Confidence for March, which has struggled. The index fell by 28% in February, as businesses remain pessimistic about the economic outlook.
The RBNZ is never far from the headlines, and investors are eyeing a key policy meeting next week. The central bank has embarked on a rate-hike cycle and has raised rates from a record-low 0.25% to 1.00%. Another increase next week would likely propel the New Zealand dollar to higher ground.
NZD/USD broke above resistance at 0.6986 earlier, before retreating. Above, there is resistance at 0.7054
There is support at 0.6863 and 0.6808
Euro recaptures 1.13, German PMI declinesThe euro started the New Year with sharp losses, but the currency has rebounded on Wednesday, posting gains of 0.44% and punching above the 1.13 level.
Germany's service sector showed contraction in December, falling below the 50-level for the first time in eight months. The PMI fell from 52.7 to 48.7 points. The German recovery stalled in December, as the country was hit by a fourth wave of Covid and tighter health restrictions dampened business activity, especially exports. The silver lining is that despite the current difficult conditions, German service providers remain optimistic that business conditions will rebound during the year. The German PMI was significantly lower than the all-eurozone PMI, which came in at 53.1 points.
In the US, the ADP employment report surprised to the upside, with a December reading of 807 thousand new jobs, double the consensus of 400 thousand. The estimate for the nonfarm payroll report on Friday is 424 thousand, but the ease in which the ADP crushed the estimate could mean that the NFP forecast is too low. Still, it is worth noting that the ADP report only covered the first two weeks of December, before the massive spike in Omicron cases.
Later today, we'll get a look at the FOMC minutes from the December policy meeting. The Fed recently abandoned its 'transitory inflation' label, as inflation, which is running at a 40-year high, shows no signs of easing anytime soon. The Fed has shifted to a hawkish stance and plans to double the size of its tapers from USD 15 billion to USD 30 billion. This will be followed by the first rate hike in three years. Lift-off could come as early as March - Fed Watch has priced in a March hike at over 60%. The markets expect the Fed to be more hawkish and have priced in three rate hikes in 2022.
EUR/USD has support at 1.1303. Below, there is support at 1.1232
There is resistance at 1.1456 and 1.1415
July PMI For 4 Major Economies (26 July 2021)Last Friday, IHS Markit released the preliminary PMI data for four major economies. Below are the key points from the individual reports.
United States
Services sector slowed down to a 5-month low pace due to labour shortages.
Manufacturing sector expanded at record high pace.
Prices of goods and services remained steep as firms pass on the high costs to consumers.
Total employment growth eased to 4-month low.
Business confidence declined to 7-month low mainly due to rising inflation, labour and material shortages, as well as rising concerns over the pandemic.
Europe
Services sector expanded at the fastest pace in 15 years due to reopening of economy from the lifting of COVID restrictions.
Manufacturing sector expanded at a slightly reduced pace due to supply constraints, which led to an increase in backlogs of work.
Employment continues to rise sharply.
Prices for goods and services rose as demand surpassed supply.
Business confidence declined to 5-month low as concerns over the COVID Delta variant grow.
United Kingdom
Business activities in the UK slowed down considerably due to shortages of workers and raw materials.
Backlogs declined due to a slowdown in business activities.
Business and consumer confidence fell due to the pandemic and Brexit-related difficulties with export sales.
Employment growth eased to the slowest level since March.
Australia
Services sector slipped into contraction for the first time in 11 months.
Renewed COVID restrictions caused by the spread of Delta variant affected demand and output in Australia.
Decline in demand in the services sector led to a decline in work outstanding.
Manufacturers continue to report shortages of supply, leading to an increase in work outstanding.
Employment in both the services and manufacturing sectors continue to grow.
The GER30 & STOXX50 Indices & Manufacturing & Service PMIIn this video, I break down why the markets closely monitor the Manufacturing & Service PMI survey release to predict the outlook for earnings of companies within the Manufacturing & Service sectors of the European Economy.
Once you watch this video, you will know when to buy or sell stock market indices based on market expectations for growth in GDP.
Enjoy!!
Pound rebounds as retail sales sparklesThe British pound has reversed directions on Friday and posted gains. In the European session, GDP/USD is trading at 1.3881, up 0.32% on the day.
The pound has shown considerable movement this week. The currency started the week in fine fashion, climbing 1.11%. This marked its best one-day performance since January. After pushing above the symbolic 1.40 line, the pound proceeded to retreat and fell back into 1.38 territory. On Friday, GBP/USD has gained ground, buoyed by strong economic data out of the UK.
Retail sales were outstanding in March, with a gain of 5.4% (MoM). This reflects the easing of Covid-19 restrictions on consumer spending. At the same time, retail sales for the first quarter of the year were down by 5.8% compared to Q4 of 2020 - again, this is reflective of the lockdown that was in place for much of Q1, which curbed consumer spending. As the government continues to reopen the economy, with another easing phase scheduled for mid-May, we can expect pent-up demand to translate into robust consumer spending in the coming months.
Aside from Retail Sales, there was also positive news from the manufacturing and services sectors, which showed strong growth in March. Manufacturing PMI for March improved to 60.7, up from 58.9. It was a similar story for services, as the PMI rose from 56.3 to 60.1. Both PMIs beat the forecast of 59.0 points.
These releases show significant growth across the UK economy, but the British consumer remains quite pessimistic about economic conditions. GfK Consumer Confidence came in at -15 in April, almost unchanged from the previous reading of -15. Taking the "glass half-full" approach, this reading was the strongest since the Covid-19 pandemic began, as the index has been moving higher as the government reopens the economy.
GBP/USD is putting strong pressure on resistance at 1.3898, followed by resistance at 1.3956. There is support at 1.3726, followed by a support level at 1.3612
GBP fall below 1.38, Fed minutes loomThe British pound has fallen for a second straight day. Currently, GDP/USD is trading at 1.3717, down 0.28% on the day. The pair is down about 1 percent since Monday and has dropped into 1.37-territory.
The pound is under pressure, and even a strong Services PMI was not enough to prevent losses on Wednesday. Service providers reported growth in March, with the PMI rising from 49.5 to 56.3. A reading over the 50-level indicates growth. The PMI reading was the highest in seven months, although it did miss the estimate of 56.8, which may have soured some investors. With the government gradually relaxing health restrictions, pent-up demand is now translating into economic activity and stronger business optimism.
Last week, Manufacturing PMI rose to 58.9, its highest level since 2011. Construction PMI will be released on Thursday (8:30 GMT), and expectations are for an acceleration to 55.0, up from 53.3 points. If the economy is improving, what's wrong with the pound? One possible explanation focuses on the EU announcement of an improved vaccination outlook. This led to stronger demand for the EUR/GBP cross and sent the pound lower. According to this scenario, the pound's current downswing should be temporary in nature.
Recent employment numbers are pointing to a rapidly improving labour market. Nonfarm payrolls blew the estimate of 652 thousand out of the water, with gain of 915 thousand. This was followed on Tuesday by JOLTS job openings, which improved from 6.92 million to 7.37 million, well above the forecast of 6.91 million. This points to the labor market creating jobs at a much faster pace than expected.
The Fed has repeatedly said that it would not raise rates until the labor market recovered, telling the markets not to expect any hikes prior to 2024. With that recovery looking like it could be ahead of schedule, will the Fed change its timeline for rate hikes? Investors will be looking for such clues in the FOMC minutes later today (18:00 GMT).
GBP/USD is testing support at 1.3742. Below, there is support at 1.3650. On the upside, 1.3889 is the next resistance line, followed by resistance at 1.3944.
Dax daily: 24 Jul 2020For yesterday, we expected the retest of 13 235 followed by a possible correction to the downside. Buyers were not able to get all the way to this level as bears took dominance of the market. The whole intraday session was then characterized in a clear directional move to the downside and this lasted till the close. Dax corrected its uptrend of the past days and the pice is comfortably below 13 119 and near the support of 12 882.
Important zones
Resistance: 13 119, 13 235
Support: 12 882
Statistics for today
Detailed statistics in the Statistical Application
Macroeconomic releases
09:15 - 10:00 CEST - Eurozone PMIs
Today's session hypothesis
After seeing yesterday's price action with the close at its low, the scenario offered itself to break the previous day's low. Regardless, Dax opened with a descending gap and fulfilling this thesis right away. At the time of writing, the price is correcting its drop and chances are to see the gap closure early in the morning trading session. We anticipate today's session to remain above the support level of 12 882.