US Dollar Fuelled by Better-than-Expected Q1 GDP

Q1 GDP increased by 3.2% according to advanced estimates EUR/USD consolidating near recent lows WTI crude oil loses 1.70% to slide to $64.10 a barrel

Xe Corporate

2019年4月26日 4 min read

**Overview:**

  • Q1 GDP increased by 3.2% according to advanced estimates

  • EUR/USD consolidating near recent lows waiting for Spanish elections

  • WTI crude oil loses 1.70% to slide to $64.10 a barrel

**Highlight:**

The greenback continues to trade stronger versus most G10 currencies.  The Euro has been under pressure, losing near 1.4% this week. Weak economic fundamentals have been weighing heavily on the shared currency. The ECB also pointed to more headwinds in the medium-term with exports and manufacturing slowing down. EUR/USD is now entering a critical technical zone with an eye on the 1.11 level.


US DOLLAR

The much-awaited US GDP number is out and significantly beat market expectations. Real gross domestic product (advance estimate) rose by 3.2% for Q1 of 2019. The main drivers behind the increase include improving exports, higher investments and contributions from personal consumption expenditure.

GBP/USD climbed above the 1.29 handle but remains vulnerable to the ongoing Brexit impasse. Talks between the government and the opposition have so far failed to alleviate uncertainty, acting as a drag on consumer confidence and business. The pair is expected to hover around current levels in the absence of any further market-moving data.

The Dollar Index is expected to hold near recent high on the back of growth divergence. Across the Atlantic, the economies are, mildly put, stalling. Politics and soft fundamentals are expected to weigh heavily on the euro and the pound over the coming sessions. WTI oil is also on a slide for the third session in a row after surging to new 2019 highs.


BRITISH POUND

GBP/USD climbed above the 1.29 handle today but remains vulnerable to the ongoing Brexit impasse. Talks between the government and the opposition have failed so far to alleviate uncertainty, acting as a drag on consumer confidence and business. The pair is expected to hover around current levels in the absence of any further market-moving data.


EURO

EUR/USD is trying to hold around the mid-point of 1.11 as the US dollar continues to dominate across the board. The story of economic divergence between the euro bloc and the US is behind recent moves. US Durable Goods Orders increased 2.7% mast March and this morning, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a higher than expected Q1 GDP. The upcoming election in Spain and a stalling German economy are expected to apply pressure on the Euro.


CANADIAN DOLLAR

USD/CAD is trading sideways, with the key 1.35 psychological mark proving to be a hard level to crack. The focus today was on the GDP report card, which once again reaffirmed that the US economy is chugging on a faster track than most global economies. With oil trading lower today, we could see the pair attempting to make further advances towards 1.35.


AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR

In case you missed it, Australia’s CPI or inflation data came in at 0.0% q/q. The Reserve Bank of Australia closely watches this figure, and the market sold off significantly on the back of it. Although this was Australia-specific data, as is often the case, the NZD fell in sympathy.


FEATURED CURRENCY

Dollar-yen showed little reaction to the US GDP number, trading inside yesterday’ session. The US dollar weakened 0.8% yesterday, after touching its highest level in four months. Data out of Japan was mixed. Tokyo core CPI surprised, rising by 1.3% (previous 1.1%) and retail sales jumped higher by 1.0%. Housing starts recorded a robust 10% year on year increase, easily beating market estimates.

On the other hand, the preliminary March Industrial Production was lower 0.9% month on month, reminding the market that the economy is still battling with economic slack.  The Bank of Japan left its accommodative monetary policy unchanged this week.

**Online Money Transfers**

Moving funds between international accounts?
Sign up for XE Money Transfer and transfer money online 24/7.
You get free online quotes, so you know your costs before you book a transfer.

Create your XE account, request a quote on your preferred currency trade, and make a fast money transfer with ease.