The Bureau of Statistics business indicators data for the March quarter, showed a mixed outcome. The bad news was an unexpected slump in gross operating profits at Australian firms. After seasonal adjustments, profits dropped by 4.7% to $59.295 billion between January to March compared to the prior quarter, a figure that was well below expectations for an increase of 0.2%. The slump left gross operating profits down 8.4% on the same quarter a year earlier. It was the largest year-on-year decline registered since 2012, and was also the lowest quarterly figure since Q1 of 2010. Most of the slump in profits was due to three industries - mining, manufacturing and financial/insurance services. Mining profits slumped 9.6%, manufacturing 14.5%, and financial and insurance services saw gross operating profits collapse by 69.4%. This slide in corporate fortunes was partly offset by a surprise rise in wages and salaries, which rose 0.6% in the March quarter. The other boost to Wednesday's GDP number was an unexpected 0.4% rise in inventories, which were expected to stay flat. While this should add around a percentage point to GDP in the first quarter, this boost is likely to be unwound in coming quarters as these inventories are sold down. Overall, most economists are leaving their GDP forecasts unchanged for now.
German business confidence improved more than expected in May, hitting its highest level in five months, and supporting optimism that Euro zone's biggest economy will extend its surprisingly strong start to the year into the second quarter. The German research institute report showed that Business Climate Index picked up to a seasonally adjusted 107.7 this month from a revised 106.6 in April, exceeding forecasts for 106.8. Thus, combined with the stronger PMI numbers, the Ifo provides an upbeat picture of the economic development of Germany. Meanwhile, a separate report showed that the Current Assessment Index rose to 114.2 in May from 113.2 in previous month, beating expectations for 113.2. In addition, the Business Expectations Index that measures attitudes toward business prospects over the next six months, increased to 106.6 this month from 100.4 a month earlier, surpassing expectations for 100.8. The German economy expanded by 0.7% in the first three months of 2016, indicating its strongest quarterly growth rate in two years, driven mainly by soaring private consumption and higher construction investment. Though, analysts expected the economy to lose steam over the summer months, the Ifo index for May suggested that any slowdown could be very limited.
Upcoming fundamentals: Focus on Europe as US markers are closed
EUR/USD to near 200-day SMA at 1.1097
Daily chart: Upward-revised US statistics and hawkish Fed Chair Yellen sent the EUR/USD cross down by nearly 82 pips to 1.1111, the lowest marker since mid-March. We foresee more losses on the Euro's side amid Fed hike expectations. Now the 200-day SMA at 1.1097 is at the serious risk of being penetrated. If successful, the bears will considerably strengthen their dominance in the market. The second daily demand is represented by the weekly S1 at 1.1067, while from the upside the cap is provided by the weekly pivot at 1.1155, followed by the 100-day SMA at 1.1171.SWFX sentiment remains Euro-positive
Spreads (avg,pip) / Trading volume / Volatility
Average forecast says EUR/USD will trade at 1.13 by August
Meanwhile, traders, who were asked regarding their longer-term views on EUR/USD between April 30 and May 30 expect, on average, to see the currency pair around 1.13 by the end of August. Though 55% of participants believe the exchange rate will be generally below 1.14 in ninety days, with 42% alone seeing it below 1.10. Alongside, 24% of those surveyed reckon the price will trade in the range between 1.14 and 1.20 on August 31.