The USD dollar could take its cue from Powell’s 60-minute interview: The Week Ahead

The USD dollar could take its cue from Powell’s 60-minute interview: The Week Ahead

Powell’s comments on Sunday could have a direct impact on sentiment at the weekly open. If markets perceive the interview to be dovish, the US dollar could remain on the ropes and risk could rally, helping EUR/USD, AUD/USD etc to extend their gains from Thursday. Also note the RBA’ cash rate meeting on Tuesday along with quarterly forecast and press conference. Whilst no change is expected, any hints of a cut could drive market sentiment for the Australian dollar and ASX 200.

US dollar index analysis (weekly chart):

• The week that was:
• The week ahead (calendar):
• The week ahead (key events and themes):

The week that was:

The week ahead (calendar):

The week ahead (key events and themes):

• Jerome Powell’s pre-recorded interview with 60 minutes
• RBA cash rate decision
• ISM non-manufacturing
• China CPI and loan demand data

Jerome Powell’s pre-recorded interview with 60 minutes

It has just been tweeted by 60 minutes on social media that Jerome had a post-meeting interview with 60 minutes, which is to be aired on Sunday 19:00 EST. Given the Fed pushed back on a March rate cut and market pricing now favours four back-to-back cuts from May, the timing of Powell’s interview is really quite interesting. Will he concede and vindicate dovish pricing? Or is it just another opportunity to push back against current market expectations?

In April 2021, Powell told 60 minutes that the US economy was at “an inflection point”. And perhaps infamously, said the Fed would be cautious in raising rates as to not hinder the economic recovery, and downplayed concerns of inflation. Oops.

Trader’s watchlist: EURUSD, USD/JPY, WTI Crude Oil, Gold, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones

ISM non-manufacturing

Whilst ISM manufacturing suggests a trough for the sector, ISM services is on the brink of contracting for the first time since the pandemic in 2020. And this seems quite significant when you consider that the ISM services headline number has barely spent any time below 50.

If it were to cross beneath 50 to denote contraction and is coupled with slower ‘new orders’ and ‘prices paid’, it could further weaken the US dollar on bets that the Fed will begin cutting rates in May. But if it contracts too fast and prices and new orders also tank, the recession alarm bill could ring and stock markets might actually see bad news as ‘bad’, for the first time in a while.

Trader’s watchlist: EURUSD, USD/JPY, WTI Crude Oil, Gold, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones

RBA cash rate decision, press conference and forecasts

The RBA will release their quarterly SOMP alongside their rate decision on Tuesday, and hold their first post-meeting press conference in response to the RBA review.

Given that Governor Michelle Bullock fumbled the RBA's message during her first couple of public talks, could nerves play a part and sew further confusion over the RBA’s policy? Intentional or not, any hint of a cut could send the Australian dollar lower and the ASX200 to a record high.

Regardless, it seems unlikely that the RBA will cut rates on Tuesday, even if Australian CPI came in softer than expected. But I’m keen to see if or how the RBA acknowledge the softer inflation numbers in their statement or press conference, as it could indicate cuts are in discussion. As could any change to their forecasts.

Note that quarterly retail trade figures will be released three hours to the RBA’s announcement, although it would have to print some pretty severe figures for it to have any impact on their decision.

Trader’s watchlist: AUD/USD, NZD/USD, AUD/NZD, NZD/JPY, AUD/JPY, ASX 200

-- Written by Matt Simpson

Follow Matt on Twitter @cLeverEdge

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