There were no fireworks for the U.S. dollar today despite the biggest jump in U.S. inflation since August 2008. Normally, the greenback would spike on a sharp rise in consumer prices, but it ended the day lower against most major currencies. A hot CPI report was widely anticipated, but also consistently downplayed by Federal Reserve officials. Still, the Fed meets next week and today’s report escalates the growing concern about the central bank’s complacency and the danger that inflation will not fall as readily as it anticipate.
While the 5% year-over-year increase in prices will force the Fed to upgrade its inflation projections in this quarter’s economic forecasts, it is taking a data- rather than forecast-driven approach. In other words, the central bank wants to see evidence of uncontrollable inflation before adjusting policy. Expiring enhanced unemployment benefits is one of the main reasons why the Fed wants to wait. Its concern is that wage pressures will ease as more workers return to the workforce. USD/JPY jumped to 109.80 on the back of CPI, but turned lower by the end of the New York session. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is due for release tomorrow, with further improvements expected.
The European Central Bank’s monetary policy announcement disappointed euro traders who were hoping for more. The ECB upgraded its inflation and growth projections for 2021 and 2022 but avoided any talk of taper. Like the Fed, ECB President Christine Lagarde sees the increase in inflation as transitory and feels that underlying inflation remains subdued. Prices could rise further in the second half of the year but should decline as “temporary factors fade out.” For these reasons, it expects headline inflation to remain below its “aim over the projection horizon.” Lagarde also didn’t sound overly excited about the economic boost from reopenings, as she pointed to little movement in the labor market and described overall risks as broadly balanced. The main takeaway from the ECB is that accommodation is here to stay and, like the Fed, it wants to be data rather than forecast driven. The euro traded lower against all of the major currencies on the back of the ECB meeting.
The focus turns to sterling tomorrow, with UK industrial production and trade data scheduled for release. Sterling was one of the best performers today versus the euro and the U.S. dollar because the sharp rise in manufacturing PMI signals stronger IP and trade.
Although virus cases are rising in the UK, restrictions are easing and economic activity is growing. Sterling traders should keep an eye on the headlines because there’s growing talk that the June 21 reopening could be delayed. If that happens, sterling could fall quickly and aggressively.
All three commodity currencies traded higher on Thursday, with the Australian and New Zealand dollars leading the gains. AUD was supported by stronger inflation expectations and new home sales. Tonight, New Zealand’s manufacturing PMI report is due for release. Investors will be keen to see if the sharp drop in the index last month continued in May. A recovery is anticipated and necessary for NZD to extend its gains.