Swiss PMI Reaches 50, Japan's Business Sentiment Increases

 | Jul 01, 2015 06:08AM ET

Forex News and Events

Switzerland's PMI on the rise

In Switzerland, June manufacturing PMI surprised markets to the upside with a reading of 50 versus 49.9 expected and 49.4 in May. The index just reached the 50% threshold, indicating that the industry adapted, to some extent, to a lower EUR/CHF. The index was driven higher by production output (rose from 51.7 to 54.8), stocks of finished goods (50.1 versus 47.1 in May) and purchased prices (43.2 from 40.9 previous reading). However, the picture is not that bright, as the backlog of orders contracted from 51.4 to 51.1, while the quantity of purchases dropped to 50.3 from 52.5.

We, therefore, do not anticipate substantial improvements in the Swiss economy before the very end of the year. Moreover, due to the high dependence of the Swiss economy on its European neighbours, we must see a positive - long-term - resolution of the Greek crisis and a substantial pick up of growth in the eurozone economy, and therefore a weaker Swiss franc, before seeing any improvement in Switzerland’s economy.

EUR/CHF is up 1.50% since Monday, as the SNB announced that it had intervened in the foreign exchange market to limit the appreciation of the CHF against the euro. At the moment, you need CHF 1.0463 to buy €1.

Japan’s business sentiment increases

Today Tankan reports have been released. There are quarterly polls of business confidence issued by the Bank of Japan, which present data for the Japanese Economy. Those data are then used to formulate the monetary policy. 11,000 firms have been asked to assess the Japanese economic conditions. In particular, large firms declared their willingness to increase investments within March 2016 by nearly 10%.

It appears that firms remain confident despite deflation fears persisting. However, Q1 GDP growth was the best quarter in a year. By the way, the figure was revised up to 3.9% annualised earlier this month. For the Bank of Japan, unexpected good data will ease pressure to continue monetary stimulus. Indeed, we think that there is certainly a virtuous circle, which sets to accelerate. Yet, we remain cautious as long as the inflation keeps distant from its target of 2%. Finally, Tankan reports show better data and provide some credit on Shinzo Abe’s policy.

Qualitative easing must be looked, but not overlooked, as only quantitative data will reflect the true state of the economy. We are now waiting for Producer Price Index, and the CPI to be released within the next few weeks to reflect this good sentiment. For the time being, the yen has been strengthening for one month. USD/JPY is trading around 122.64; a break of the support at 121.94 would clearly maintain downside momentum to the pair.

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