The number of job openings in the United States increased more than expected during the sixth month of the year, official data showed on Wednesday. According to the US Department of Labor, the number of positions waiting to be filled rose to 5.62 million in June, following last month's upwardly revised figure of 5.51 million. Market analysts anticipated a slight increase to 5.52 million in the reported month. Furthermore, there were 5.1 million hires and 4.9 million separations with 2.9 million quits in June. The JOLTS report is closely followed by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen, who often cites it when assessing the state of the labour market. US crude oil inventories rose for the third consecutive week, surpassing analysts' expectations, the weekly report from the Energy Information Administration revealed on Wednesday. US commercial crude inventories increased by 1.1 million barrels in the week ended August 5, following the 1.4 million barrel rise posted in the previous seven days. Meanwhile, markets expected a decrease of 1.3 million barrels in the reported period. Recently, the International Energy Agency revised up significantly its 2017 global oil demand growth forecast to 97.4 million barrels per day, whereas the World Bank downgraded its 2016 global growth forecast to 2.4% from January's 2.9%.
Germany's trade surplus rose more than expected in the month of the EU referendum, fresh figures from the Federal Statistical Office revealed on Tuesday. The trade surplus in the Euro zone's largest economy grew to 24.9 billion euro in June, compared to May's 21.0 billion euro surplus, whereas market analysts pencilled in an increase to 23.8 billion euro in the reported month. German exports grew 0.3% on a monthly basis in the sixth month of the year, following the preceding month's 1.8% drop. Nevertheless, economic desks anticipated an acceleration of 1.3% in the reported period. Meanwhile, German imports advanced 1.0% during the first month of summer after rising just 0.1% in May, whereas markets expected a 1.3% increase. Other data released by the Federal Statistical Office on the same day showed that the German current account, a measure of the country's balance payments with the rest of the world, rose to 26.3 billion euros in June from the preceding month's upwardly revised figure of 18.4 billion euros, whereas economic desks predicted a slight increase to 20.9 billion euros in the reported period.
Upcoming fundamentals: US jobless claims and import prices
The EUR/USD pair on Thursday will be affected from the side of the US, as two data releases are set for the day. US Initial Jobless Claims for August 6 are forecasted to be at 264,000 this week. In the meantime, US Import Price Index for July will be published today, and it is forecasted to be a negative 0.2%. Both data releases will happen at the same time, at exactly 12:30 GMT.
EUR/USD around 1.1170 on Thursday morning
Daily chart: The common European currency surged to 1.1176 against the US Dollar on Wednesday, and on Thursday morning the rate had slightly retreated, as by 5:00 GMT the currency exchange rate was at 1.1170. However, during the morning, the currency pair had fluctuated more to the upside and almost touched the weekly R1 at 1.1197, which might have provided the upside pressure, which made the EUR/USD pair change its direction. As the Euro depreciates against the Buck, it is most likely to find support in the 55-day SMA at 1.1150.SWFX sentiment unchanged on Thursday
Spreads (avg,pip) / Trading volume / Volatility
Average forecast says EUR/USD will trade at 1.10 in November
Meanwhile, traders, who were asked regarding their longer-term views on EUR/USD between July 11 and August 11 expect, on average, the currency pair around 1.10 by the end of October. Though 55% of participants believe the exchange rate will be generally below 1.10 in ninety days, with 26% alone seeing it below 1.06. Alongside, 37% (-2%) of those surveyed reckon the price will trade in the range between 1.11 and 1.18 on October 30.