U.S. Manufacturing Contracts, According To IHS Markit

 | Aug 23, 2019 04:39AM ET

The flash manufacturing data from the IHS Markit showed that manufacturing PMI contracted. This was the first contraction for the first time since 2009. The manufacturing PMI fell to 49.9 in August. This was below expectations of 50.5 and down from 50.4. The flash services PMI also fell to 50.9, down from 53.0 from the month before.

Eurozone Flash PMI’s Fare Better than Expected

The flash PMI’s from IHS Markit for the eurozone came out better than expected. Manufacturing, services PMI advanced to 47.0 and 53.4 for the month of August. The jump in the PMI’s, though, did not see a much reaction from the euro currency. However, the bond markets reacted favorably with yields accelerating after the release of the report. The data comes after weeks of downbeat data.

EURUSD Turns Flat

The currency pair has been consolidating within the levels of 1.1100 and 1.1065 for the past few days. The range established comes after the bearish flag pattern emerged. A breakdown below 1.1065 is required for the euro to extend declines. The minimum downside target is at 1.1008. However, in the event of an upside breakout from the range, the bearish pattern could be invalidated.