Rational FX: German trade balance come in higher than Jan’s [10/02/2011]

Market movers February 9th 2011

• The only piece of data from the euro zone yesterday was from the German trade balance. These figures were released slightly higher than the month prior and continued to show that Germany as an economy is growing stronger and faster than other EU nations. This saw the euro gain against the greenback and sterling after this comments were released.

• Data from the UK came in the way of Trade and goods balance, these were lower than had been expected and came in with little effect to the market as most people are holding their positions ahead of the BoE interest rates decision.

• The main piece data from the United States was from the testimony of US central bank chief Ben Bernanke whose comments were be closely watched by investors, as he normally observes the current US economy condition and state of the US dollar. The main news to come out of the testimony was regarding inflationary concerns, this sent US dollar lower as investors came out of the greenback and move into riskier assets such as commodities  this saw the dollar trade as low as 1.6124 in London trade.

Market movers February 10th 2011

• The first piece of data from the UK is the manufacturing and industrial production figures. Industrial production will be looking to come in slightly higher which will support the pound showing that the UK is on the road to recovery. Manufacturing however is looking to come in lower giving the notion the UK is still finding it difficult to produce after two months of declines.

• Lastly and most importantly is the BoE interest rate decision which will be watched by all investors. This will more than likely come out unchanged, however sterling will move on these figures being released but won’t give a clear indictor until the BoE minutes are released in two weeks time.

• The only piece of data from euro zone is from the monthly report, which will be watched by the market to give an insight to how the European economy is fairing.

• To add to euro zone, Axel Webber will step down this year as Bundesbank chief  later on this year possibly paving the way for him to replace Jean Claude Trichet at the ECB at the end of the year.