USD: Downside Risk Ahead Of Jobs Report

 | Nov 06, 2015 07:47AM ET

h2 Forex News and Events

RBA keeps all doors open (by Arnaud Masset)

Overnight, the Reserve Bank of Australia released its statement on monetary policy. Just like the BoE did, the RBA lowered its short-term inflation forecast. The bank stated that “wage growth has been broadly in line with expectations” and are not expected to accelerate over the next couple of years. Headline CPI is expected to reach 1.75% by year-end compared to a forecast of 2.5% in August. Likewise, the RBA’s inflation forecast for the year through June 2016 has been trimmed to between 1.5%-2.5% from between 2%-3% in the August statement.

Despite the fact that the RBA cut its growth forecast by a quarter point for 2015 to 2.25%, the bank remains upbeat about the outlook, and especially about the job market. All in all, the RBA seems to be pretty happy with the overall situation but is nevertheless still ready to take further measure to support the economy. Long story short, the Reserve Bank wants to keep all options open, just in case the Chinese situation deteriorates further. AUD/USD still sits on the 0.7139 key level (Fib. 50% on September-October rally).

All eyes on NFPs (by Peter Rosenstreich)

Recent Fed comments have made today’s payroll report the headline event once again. Fed Chair Janet Yellen in her testimony to House Financial Services Committee stated that December is a “live possibility” as long as the US economy remains firm. This suggests that, in Yellen’s view, today’s payroll number will provide critical details. The headline nonfarm payroll is expected to rebound to 185k from last month’s 142k. The unemployment rate is expected to fall 0.1% to 5.0%, while average hourly earnings should rise 0.2% according to consensus. In addition, the low print for the last two reads should see an upwards revision, considering the past trend of revisions. This week’s ADP payrolls printed at 182k indicating that NFP should come in around 185k. US jobless claims increase to 276k above 262k expectations in the week ending October 31 from 260k. This read indicates that the US is close to full employment, which could stimulate the Fed to hike. Further evidence of a strengthening labor market would cement a rate hike in December. From our vantage point any NFP read over 190k today will push the balance towards December. Given the demand for USD and sell-off in treasures we suspect that a disappointing read will trigger greater volatility then a strong read. Elsewhere, St. Louis Fed President Bullard and Governor Brainard will be speaking.