- ECB’s Nowotny: EUR/USD still in range of long-term band. Euro rising on the back of an improved economic outlook (he doesn’t sound concerned about the euro strength)
- Euro zone economic sentiment rises to 89.2 in January from 87.8 in December, better than Reuters’ median forecast of 88.2
- Japan’s Abe: Changing BOJ law remains an option. Priority is to quickly achieve inflation target
- Spain’s prelim Q4 GDP -0.7% q/q, -1.8% y/y, touch weaker than Reuters’ median forecasts of -0.6% -1.7% respectively
- Swiss UBS consumption indicator for December 1,34, up from 1.23 in November
- Swiss KOF leading growth indicator falls to 1.05 in January from revised 1.29 in December (prev 1.28), weaker than median forecast of 1.20
- Italian January manufacturing business confidence falls to 88.2 from 88.9 in December
- UK December mortgage approvals 55,785, up from 54,011 in November and better than Reuters’ median forecast of 54,500. Highest since September 2012
- One in three Greek families mull a ‘Grexit’ - ekathimerini
EUR/USD up at 1.3550 from early 1.3485, having been as high as 1.3563. They’re calling it the ‘Jamie Coleman effect’ Well done pumpkin
Along the way barrier options at 1.3500, 1.3505, 1.3525 and 1.3550 have all been taken out.
Obviously the lack of concern over euro strength voiced by Nowotny, and stronger than expected euro zone economic sentiment data, have both helped accelerate the single currency’s gains.
EUR/JPY is up at 123.73 from early 122.60, having been as high as 123.87. There is talk of 124.00, 124.50 and 125.00 barrier option interest in place.
USD/JPY up at 91.30 from early 90.90. US treasury yields continue to firm which will be aiding the pairings’ cause. The benchmark 10 year treasury yield is up at 2.0261% from the 1.9991% I jotted down around the North American close Tuesday.
Cable little changed, marginally firmer at 1,5765 from the 1.5745 which greeted me.
