Markets Settle Post Davos

 | Jan 29, 2018 04:02AM ET

There was a general increase in volatility last week across the board due to Davos and a busy economic calendar. On Friday, BOJ’s Kuroda made comments in Davos concerning the Japanese economy, saying the contrast between recovery and inflation stands out more than anywhere else and the economy is expanding moderately and will continue. It’s the second largest expansion post-war. Medium to long-term inflation expectations is expected to rise. The deflationary mindset has been more tenacious than expected. He said that the output gap is closing and that the BOJ will continue aggressive easing. Most risks, from his perspective, were external and there were some indications that wages were rising. This last comment about wages sent USD/JPY lower from 109.542 to 108.360.

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney also made comments at the same event, saying 80% of the G7 recovery is led by investment and trade. The probability of adjustment in asset prices has risen. We have not fully solved too big to fail. The market will decide where asset prices should be and the financial system is unlikely to amplify asset price moves. He also said that higher capital standards would help if there was a disorderly Brexit. EUR/GBP moved higher from 0.87323 before his comments, to finish at 0.87798 afterwards.

UK Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) (Q4) was 0.5% v an expected 0.4%, from 0.4% previously. Gross Domestic Product (YoY) (Q4) was 1.5% v an expected 1.4%, compared to 1.7% previously. GBP/USD went to a high of 1.42853, before selling off to 1.42390 following the data release.