Latest data released by Eurostat – 15 January 2021
– €25.9 billion; revised to €25.2 billion
On the month, exports grew by 2.0% while imports grew by 2.3%, leading to the marginally tighter trade surplus in November. Overall, trade conditions are still gradually picking up towards the end of last year so that is a positive

The new rules will come into force on 18 January
Reuters reports, citing a French government document showing that non-EU travellers will not be able to use antigen tests for the coronavirus – one that can deliver results in minutes – to get into the country upon testing negative.

What are some other risk factors to be mindful of right now?
Powell vs Biden debate
Italian politics
Another government reshuffle is on the cards in Italy and there are only a few options left, being a new majority being formed, a technical government takes over, or a very distinct possibility of early elections.

Comments by German economy minister, Peter Altmaier
– Government will continue strong response to pandemic
– But measures can only be temporary
– We will do everything in our means to guarantee this will be the a recovery year
Given how the virus restrictions are still likely to stay in place throughout Q1 and potentially until April, that does

Powell will be participating in a Princeton Economics‘ webinar
If you’re wondering what will be discussed, the event agenda highlights that Powell is slated to touch on an array of topics as per the following:

The market is not interested in committing to anything until we get to Powell and Biden’s speeches later today
The DAX is up 0.2% as European indices in general are posting slight gains but overall keeping little changed. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures are up 0.1%, Nasdaq futures are down 0.4%, and Dow futures are up 0.3%

GBP/USD keeps a more bullish near-term bias but gains remain limited by the 1.3700 handle in trading this week
The push higher stalled at the key level before retreating back towards the swing region around 1.3620-30 as buyers continue to keep a more bullish near-term bias in the pair.

Comments by French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire
The question about spending is pretty much an eternal tale as this point. A way to look at spending is that it is a reflection of tax timings. So, as much as governments are obligated to talk about who is going to pay for all of this and

Latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association for the week ending 8 January 2021
– +1.7%
– Market index 965.2 vs 827.2 prior
– Refinancing index 4,706.3 vs 3,917.6 prior

AUD/USD falls back to test its key hourly moving averages
The dollar is keeping firmer on the session as we see the push and pull in the market this week continue to play out. Following the move lower yesterday, the greenback is returning back to favour amid the tepid mood in the market today.