Understanding What It Means to Work as a Financial Advisor 0 (0)

<p class=“MsoNormal“>A career as a financial
advisor can be a great experience since it involves advising and guiding people
on building a <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://kaarat.com/“ target=“_blank“>financial or investment plan</a>
that works for their situation. To become one, you need to be licensed, work in
a firm, and gain experience.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Here’s further
information that you need to know about working as a financial advisor.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Financial Advisor in a
Nutshell</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>A financial advisor is
a financial expert specializing in providing clients with consultations and
recommendations related to financial planning, including investments,
insurance, and savings, among other things.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Financial advisors can
also assist in other financial matters besides giving investment advice. They
can guide you on retirement planning, tax management, marriage, and childbirth.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>The Job of Financial
Advisors</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Financial advisors
offer various services that aim to achieve the same objective. Helping clients
meet their financial goals.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Still, analyzing
investments and strategies is a big part of their job as advisors. That
includes staying updated with the latest trends, knowing how different assets
work, and when to buy and sell them.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Meeting clients is also
another essential part of a financial advisor’s job. Meeting clients would
allow them to understand their clients and gain information about their
financial needs and situation, factors that would help determine suitable
investments and approach for them.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Not All Financial
Advisors Are the Same</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>While several financial
advisors are stock brokers with the necessary licenses and enough understanding
of the financial industry to help clients choose appropriate investments and
approaches, some advisors deal with more particular financial matters.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Such advisors include
financial planners who work with clients to develop a detailed financial plan,
investment advisors who handle investors’ money, and analysts who look into
certain investments.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Here are some of the
financial advisors with more specialized skills:</p><p class=“MsoListParagraph“>· Certified Financial
Planner (CFP)</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>A CFP is a financial
advisor whose main job is to develop an in-depth financial plan for their
clients, usually individual investors.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>The requirements to
become a CFP are pretty difficult to acquire. You will need to complete a
challenging education program, pass a CFP exam, prove your experience in
financial planning, and pass CFP fitness standards.</p><p class=“MsoListParagraph“>· Chartered Financial
Analyst (CFA)</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>CFA is a designation
given to financial experts certified by the CFA Institute.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>CFAs mainly work on investment
analysis and determining the value of assets that investors buy and sell. Their
professional knowledge and experience are crucial to research analysts and
asset managers.</p><p class=“MsoListParagraph“>· Registered Investment
Advisor (RIA)</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>An RIA is a company
that provides investment advice to clients who are usually high-net-worth
individuals and institutional investors.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>RIAs operate under the
supervision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or individual
states. This financial expert hires individual financial advisors to make
investment decisions for clients. They may also manage investment portfolios on
their clients’ behalf.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Knowing if a Financial
Advisor Career is For You</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Working as a financial
advisor has benefits and opportunities that would allow you to help people with
their financial and investment planning. Still, not everyone is fitted to
become a financial advisor.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Being a financial
advisor involves handling clients who may be worried or upset about their
current financial state.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>In addition, you need
to be adept at dealing with numbers and have a solid grasp of different
financial concepts. You must also practice discipline and be organized to
properly keep up with the condition of clients’ accounts.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>That said, working as a
financial advisor may suit you if you’re a hard worker and have a substantial
interest in helping others <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://kaarat.com/signup“ target=“_blank“>make sound
decisions</a> with their finances and investments.</p>

This article was written by ForexLive at www.forexlive.com.

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Oil suffers another beating again, down over 4% on the day 0 (0)

<p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>The recent fall in oil was somewhat defended around $88, near the 61.8 Fib retracement level at $88.04 and we are seeing that be called into question again today. Oil is being taken to the dumps after the recent bounce at the end of last week failed to get above $95 and its 200-day moving average (blue line).</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>Recession worries are a key headwind for oil at the moment and the latest headlines from China today will provide very little comfort on that front. All of this just adds to the recent controversy over the data that is also helping to drive sentiment in the oil market. Adam had a good post on that at the start of this month <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/the-data-thats-driving-the-rout-in-oil-prices-is-barely-believable-20220804/“ target=“_blank“>here</a>.</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>Anyway, the technicals are now doing the talking for oil and if we do see a firm break below $88 then that will open up room to roam to the downside towards $80 next.</p>

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

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The weekend forex technical report for the week of August 15, 2022 0 (0)

<p>In this video, I preview the upcoming week in the forex market with the focus on the major <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/terms/c/currencies/“ target=“_blank“ id=“a2f59963-20d4-4f98-a1fa-bba46ae77d17_1″ class=“terms__main-term“>currencies</a> vs the USD. </p><p>I also talk a little a bit about some of the things I hope you can get out of the videos that I have been doing to make you a better trader. </p><p>Please free to comment or give a thumbs up or thumbs down. </p>

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

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Bitcoin technical analysis, bulls might be giving up soon 0 (0)

<ul><li> Today’s daily candle, while closing only in apx 4 hours, is now showing a sign that bulls are failing to break the presented channel to the upside, following this 4th attempt to do so, on the daily timeframe. </li><li> Even if we had a coin flip (50% chance to win, 50% chance to lose) for this trade, the reward vs risk merits to short BTCUSD here. Why? Because the profit potential is double the risk, for the first part of this trade plan, and the profit potential is 4 times the risk, for the 2nd part of the trade plan, as shown within today’s BTCUSD technical analysis video</li></ul><ul><li> Furthermore, some traders can leave 25% of the position riding the possible down movement, since this channel, is also a potential bear flag</li></ul><p>Bitcoin technical analysis: Oscilators for BTCUSD on the daily timeframe</p><ul><li>Cryptocurrency ‚Fear and Greed Index‘ is now at neutral. This supports a notion that the size of the upcoming price moves in BTCUSD, up or down, are probably going to be neutral and not extreme. Thus, traders may want to take partial profits once the move of the trade goes in their favor. Still, this contrarian gauge is a delayed indicator, and future moves in crypto can always be surprising. As such, traders, at their discretion, may want to leave a part of the trade to run further, following their partial profit taking. On the stop loss side, traders should set that according to the BTCUSD price chart and their reward vs risk appetite and trade plan.</li></ul><p>An interesting double resistance on the BTCUSD price chart</p><p>Some traders seeking to short, may want to wait to possibly catch a more attractive entry price at the double resistance in the price range of $25250 to $25500. This would be above the round numer of $25k, which has got some ‚magnet‘ pull power for BTCUSD. The low of 12 May, an important pivot point in the price chart, is at $25338, and one of the two resistances shown in the image below:</p><ul><li>Addition to the bitcoin technical analysis on the hourly timeframe: An early sign of a failed breakout above the 25k key leve</li></ul><p>Interested in crypto? Visit ForexLive for <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis“>technical analysis</a> and <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/Cryptocurrency“>crypto news</a>.</p><p>Tags: , BTC, BTCUSD, bitcoin , bitcoin price forecast, bitcoin trade idea</p>

This article was written by Itai Levitan at www.forexlive.com.

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ICYMI – BlackRock’s new private trust offers US institutions direct exposure to bitcoin 0 (0)

<blockquote>There are not a lot of details available from BlackRock as yet. A statement from the firm:“Despite the steep downturn in the digital asset market, we are still seeing substantial interest from some institutional clients in how to efficiently and cost-effectively access these assets using our technology and product capabilities”</blockquote><p>BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager, with circa US$9.5 trillion in assets under management.</p><p>BTC update:</p>

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.

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China’s low interest rates are failing to spur lending in the economy – ‚liquidity trap‘ 0 (0)

<p>Data from China on Friday on financing. New loans slumped, even as money supply (M2 +11%) grew strongly – i.e. plenty of cash sloshing about but its not in demand:</p><p>The chief China economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics says such a combination of data is a “classic sign of a liquidity trap” .</p><ul><li>“Liquidity is ample, but no one wants it.”</li></ul><p>The remarks come via a Bloomberg piece (gated, but an ungated one <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/china-hits-liquidity-trap-low-004245788.html“ target=“_blank“ rel=“nofollow“>can be found here</a>):</p><ul><li>The mismatch between <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.cfdmagnates.com/fm/education/terms/edit-term/633aaf0b-b4a1-40c5-8fbe-bf158af520a1″ target=“_blank“ id=“633aaf0b-b4a1-40c5-8fbe-bf158af520a1_3″ class=“terms__main-term“>liquidity</a> and bank lending is also raising financial risks as market interest rates drop well below policy rates set by the central bank.</li><li>“Liquidity is piling up in the interbank market and there’s even a risk of money being directed out of the real economy and into markets,” said Ming Ming, chief economist at Citic Securities Co.</li></ul><p>–</p><p>Risk of money being directed into markets could very well translate to a bullish input for Chinese stocks. </p><p>ps. Coming up on Monday is a maturing MLF. A majority of analysts expect the PBOC to not fully roll the amount maturing (that is, a net withdrawal of cash). On the 20th we get the monthly loan prime rate setting from the PBOC (<a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/tentative-signs-of-a-pboc-rate-cut-by-the-end-of-next-month-20220810/“ target=“_blank“>preview here</a>).</p>

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.

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Newsquawk Week Ahead – 15th-19th August 0 (0)

<ul><li>MON: BoC Loan Officer Survey; Japanese GDP (Q2), Chinese Retail Sales & Industrial Output/Production (Jul), US NY Fed Manufacturing (Aug), NAHB Housing Market Index (Aug)</li><li>TUE: RBA Minutes (Aug); UK Unemployment (Jun) & Claimant Count/HMRC (Jul), Indian WPI (Jul), German ZEW (Aug), Canadian Housing Starts (Jul), US Building Permits/Housing Starts (Jul), Canadian CPI (Jul), US Industrial Production/Manufacturing Output (Jul)</li><li>WED: FOMC Minutes (Jul), RBNZ Policy Announcement; Japanese Trade Balance, UK CPI (Jul), Norwegian Consumer Confidence (Q3), EZ Employment (Q2), GDP Flash/Estimate (Q2), US Retail Sales (Jul)</li><li>THU: Norges Bank & CBRT Policy Announcements; Australian Unemployment (Jul), EZ HICP Final (Jul), US IJC (w /e 8th Aug), US Philadelphia Fed (Aug), Existing Home Sales (Jul), Canadian Producer Prices (Jul), New Zealand Trade Balance (Jul)</li><li>FRI: UK GfK (Aug), Japanese CPI (Jul), UK Retail Sales (Jul), EZ Current Account (Jun), Retail Sales (Jun)</li></ul><p>NOTE: Previews are listed in day-order*</p><p>CHINESE RETAIL SALES & INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT (MON): July Retail Sales data is expected to tick higher to 5.0% Y/Y from 3.1% in June, whilst Industrial Production is forecast to rise to 4.5% from 3.9%. The month saw no new major COVID-related curbs since the easing of measures in June. The July Caixin PMI can be dissected for some vague clues regarding the upcoming data. For the Retail Sales “Total new order growth meanwhile accelerated slightly on the month but remained modest overall. While service providers saw a solid upturn in sales, manufacturers noted only a marginal rise in new order intakes.” For the IP data, the Caixin Manufacturing release suggests “Supply and demand improved. Manufacturing production grew for the second straight month. The sub indexes for output and total new orders both remained in expansionary territory, but came in lower than in the previous month, indicating a slowing recovery. Electricity shortages faced by some companies and scattered Covid outbreaks in some regions were among factors that cut into market demand and confidence in July”.</p><p>RBA MINUTES (TUE): RBA will release the minutes from the August 2nd meeting where it hiked the Cash Rate Target by 50bps to 1.85%, as expected, while it reiterated that the Board expects to take further steps in the process of normalising monetary conditions and is committed to doing what is necessary to ensure that inflation in Australia returns to the target over time but noted that it is not on a pre-set path. Furthermore, it reaffirmed its view that inflation is expected to peak later this year and then decline back towards the 2–3% range and stated that a key source of uncertainty continues to be the behaviour of household spending. The announcement by the RBA immediately pressured AUD/USD given the lack of any major hawkish surprises, while the RBA’s quarterly Statement on Monetary Policy released a few days following the meeting was met with a muted reaction as it largely stuck to the script regarding expectations of taking further normalisation steps and the central bank’s reference to not being on a pre-set path.</p><p>UK JOBS (TUE): Expectations are for the unemployment rate in the three months to June to remain at 3.8%, employment change to slow to +170k from +296k, headline wage growth is forecast rising to 6.7% from 6.2% with the ex-bonus metric seen remaining at 4.3%. The prior report was characterised by the judgement that although the labour market was tight, it was no longer actively tightening with May’s 0.8% 3M/3M increase in the workforce being the largest since 1984. This time around, analysts at Pantheon expect the data to “bring further signs that employment growth is cooling, just as the workforce is starting to rebound”. More specifically, PM forecasts 3M/3M growth in employment slowing to around 250k in June vs. 297k in May, whilst the workforce likely rose around 0.8% in Q2 which would push the unemployment rate to 3.8.% in June from 3.7% in March and therefore match the latest forecast from the MPC. On the wages front, the consultancy has pencilled in earnings growth (ex-bonus) at 4.5% (prev. 4.3%) which suggests wage growth has remained above the levels consistent with the 2% target for CPI inflation, but has not risen materially further”. In terms of guidance from the MPC, August policy statement noted that “Although the labour market may loosen only slowly in response to falling demand, unemployment is expected to rise from 2023”.</p><p>CANADA CPI (WED): Currently, there are no broad expectations for the overall data but some calendars have the Y/Y print expected to accelerate to 8.4% from 8.1%. The M/M previously rose 0.7% while the Core CPI was at 0.3% M/M in June and 6.2% in the Y/Y. Despite the expectation of an acceleration to 8.4%, the recent decline in energy prices should help alleviate some of the broader pricing pressures. The US CPI saw a steep 4.6% decline in the overall energy prices while gasoline fell 7.7%. However, with the Y/Y headline figure expected to accelerate any hopes of inflation peaking may be premature. As well, the BoC eyed measures will also be in focus, in June the average of the three rose to 5.0% from 4.93% (revised higher from 4.73%), above the BoC’s 2% inflation target, while BoC Governor Macklem had noted that inflation is probably going to rise a little further before it starts coming down. The BoC have been quiet since their 100bp hike in July but that is expected to be a one off surprise move after it was accompanied with the removal of language about acting in a „forceful“ manner but it did signal rate hikes are to continue with the path being decided by its ongoing assessment of the economy and inflation. Currently, markets are fully pricing in a 50bp move with a 25% probability of a 75bp hike in September and the upcoming data will be used to help shape expectations, although if it is a similar outcome to the cool US CPI report, chances of a 75bp hike will diminish further.</p><p>FOMC MINUTES (WED): The FOMC lifted rates by 75bps to 2.25-2.50%, as was expected, taking rates back to neutral for the first time since 2019. The only major tweak to the statement was its reassessment of the economy; the Fed now acknowledges that “recent indicators of spending and production have softened” (recall, it previously said that “overall economic activity appears to have picked up after edging down in the first quarter”). This change was to be expected given the softening in many key macro indicators. The statement offered no clues about what the Fed will do at its September meeting, however during the press conference Fed Chair Powell abandoned concrete forward guidance and said decisions will be dependent upon data and taken upon a meeting-by-meeting basis. We will look at the minutes to see how many participants agreed with this approach. Since the meeting, plenty of Fed speakers have been using the data dependent line for their next decisions but it is clear appetite is for either another 75bps hike in September, or a slower 50bp hike (market pricing is now leaning towards 50bp after the latest CPI report, but the minutes will not incorporate that data, so there is a risk of the minutes sounding more hawkish, but it also will not incorporate the hot July jobs report). Looking ahead, Governor Bowman had suggested rate hikes of a similar magnitude should continue until inflation returns to target, which SGH Macro’s Duy says „This could be a clever way to keep 75bp on the table without it really being on the table“. At the press conference, Fed Chair Powell was quizzed on the rate path, and he suggested the Fed wants to get to „moderately restrictive territory“ by year end, which to him implies a rate of 3.00-3.50%. Since then, other speakers have been maintaining their rate forecasts with Evans in line with Powell suggesting a rate of 3.25-3.50%, while Kashkari leans more hawkish seeing rates at 3.9% by year-end – in fitting with Bullard who sees rates between 3.75-4.00%. Given the hot jobs report and cool CPI since the latest meeting, the minutes may be deemed quite stale given the Fed’s data dependent stance. Nonetheless, any views on the outlook will be key, particularly on the terminal rate view after Powell noted it has evolved for all participants – but did not provide much clarity. Analysts at Credit Suisse expect the minutes to show „officials expect the pace of rate hikes to slow unless inflation continues to run at extremely elevated levels“. Adding, „Officials likely discussed the recent slowdown in growth data but refrained from the possibility of a rate cut next year“.</p><p>RBNZ ANNOUNCEMENT (WED): RBNZ is expected to increase rates for a 7th consecutive meeting next week with OIS pricing in over an 80% probability for the central bank to maintain the current pace of 50bp rate hikes which it delivered in its prior three rate decisions, while all analysts surveyed by Reuters forecast a 50bps hike in the OCR to 3.00%. As a reminder, the central bank noted at the last meeting in July that it remains appropriate to continue to tighten policy and that the Committee is resolute in its commitment to ensure price inflation returns to 1%-3% target range. It also agreed to maintain its approach of briskly lifting the OCR and remained comfortable with the projected path of the OCR it outlined in May, while it stated that there were near-term upside risks to consumer prices but also noted medium-term downside risks to economic activity. Since the last meeting, the rhetoric from the central bank has been light with nothing to suggest a deviation from the hawkish market perception and although it announced a new standing repurchase facility to allow eligible counterparties to lend NZD through the standing repurchase facility at the OCR less 15bps, this aims to improve the anchoring of wholesale short-term interest rates to the OCR and concerns policy implementation not the central bank’s policy stance. The recent inflation data from New Zealand also supports further rate hikes after CPI for Q2 rose by 7.3% vs. Exp. 7.1% (Prev. 6.9%) which was the fastest pace of increase in 32 years, while the RBNZ Sectoral Factor Model Inflation Index increased to 4.8% (Prev. 4.2%, Rev. 4.6%) which prompted ASB Bank to raise its view for the OCR to peak at 3.75% vs prev. forecast of 3.50% and ANZ Bank also now sees the RBNZ’s OCR to peak at 4.00% vs prev. forecast of 3.50%. Conversely, ING sees the risk of a dovish tilt at the upcoming meeting whereby the central bank could reduce its terminal rate projection by 25bps or 50bps from the current 4.00% view due to a deteriorating outlook for growth and falling house prices, but also suggested that the RBNZ could opt to maintain its rate forecasts “to avoid an unwanted impact on inflation expectations” which ING thinks would then make an adjustment in the rate projection later this year quite likely.</p><p>UK CPI (WED): Expectations are for Y/Y CPI to climb to 9.7% from 9.4% with the core metric (ex-food and energy) seen holding steady at 5.8%. The previous report saw the headline Y/Y rate advance from 9.1% to 9.4% amid a near 10% M/M increase in petrol and diesel prices with food prices also continuing to climb. This time around, analysts at Investec (exp. 9.7% Y/Y CPI) suggests that although “the easing in supply chain pressures may have contained core inflation, which we expect to have nudged up only marginally, to 5.9%, higher food prices in particular may have made a mark on headline inflation.” Looking ahead, Investec notes that downside in global commodity prices and action taken by the BoE could help ease price pressures, however, it is likely that any respite will be temporary given the anticipated pain from the OFGEM price cap increase in October. As a reminder, the most recent MPR from the BoE noted that CPI inflation is expected to rise from 9.4% in June to just over 13% in 2022 Q4, and to remain at very elevated levels throughout much of 2023, before falling to the 2% target two years ahead. From a policy perspective, current market pricing assigns a 77% chance of a 50bps hike in September (pricing was bolstered by the latest UK GDP data) with 116bps of tightening seen by year-end. Needless to say, an above forecast inflation print would see pricing move more in favour of a larger-than-usual move by the MPC.</p><p>US RETAIL SALES (WED): Headline US retail sales is expected to rise 0.1% in July, cooling from June’s 1.0% rise, while the ex-autos metric is seen declining 0.1% from the prior 1.0% gain. The retail control will be used to help gauge initial expectations for Q3 GDP after the two consecutive quarters of contraction this year as it is a good gauge of consumer spending, a large component of GDP. With retail sales being reported on a nominal value, the slowing price declines could act as a headwind in July after the cooler than expected July CPI report, after the June Retail Sales were supported by higher prices. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow model is tracking Q3 growth at 2.5%, but this will likely change throughout next week as the retail sales, housing data, and industrial production will all feed into the tracker. Analysts at ING write „Retail sales at the headline level will be modestly depressed due to falling gasoline prices weighing on gas station sales as it is a nominal dollar figure. However, this frees up cash to spend on other goods and services so the “core” rate of retail sales growth should rebound and help to translate into rising real consumer spending.“</p><p>NORGES BANK (THU): At the last gathering, where an above-expected 50bp hike was delivered taking the Key Policy Rate to 1.25%, the Norges Bank guided participants towards a 25bp hike in August. Adding, that the policy rate could be lifted more than projected in the scenario of a weaker NOK and sustained global inflationary pressures. Most recently, July’s inflation print was 4.5% (exp. 3.8%, prev. 3.6%) for the Core (ATE) YY – a measure which surpassed the Norges Bank’s 3.2% expectation for this period and their 4.09% (Dec 2022) peak forecast. Unsurprisingly, in the wake of the hot data, the likes of Nordea have altered their call and now look for a 50bp hike in August; though, they caveat that if this does not occur, then such a move is surely on the cards for September. Inflation aside, EUR/NOK has slipped from circa. 10.45 to 9.89 between the June meeting and going into the August event, an appreciation that would typically push against hawkish pricing. However, given the magnitude of the inflation increase in July, this offsetting factor will likely not prove sufficient to dissuade the Bank from undertaking another 50bp move.</p><p>CBRT ANNOUNCEMENT (THU): The Turkish Central Bank is expected to maintain its Weekly Repo Rate at 14.00% at its upcoming meeting. Turkey’s recent monetary policy decisions have not been based on economic fundamentals, with late 2021 seeing a cumulative 500bps cut in rates in a matter of months to current levels. In December last year, the Turkish Central Bank introduced a “Lira deposit scheme” to stem the decline in the currency. On the data front, July CPI Y/Y (79.60% vs exp. 80.50%) and M/M (2.37% vs exp. 2.90%) printed cooler-than-expected but still hotter than the prior but PPI rose to an eye-watering 114.61% from 138.31%. The CBRT survey upgraded its end-year CPI forecast to 70.60% from 69.94%, whilst also upping its USD/TRY forecast to 19.6480 from its prior forecast of 18.9881. The survey also upped its 12-month Repo Rate forecast to 16.5% from 15.0%. “The authorities will probably continue to implement ad hoc measures as long as they can in order to sustain what we view as this ultimately unsustainable policy stance”, analysts at Credit Suisse say, “Our 12-month policy rate forecast of 14.00% does not imply that we think the current policy stance is sustainable for 12 months.” The Swiss bank also highlights that policy adjustment “will also crucially hinge, in our view, on political considerations, in particular the presidential/parliamentary elections that will be held no later than in mid-2023.”</p><p>AUSTRALIAN JOBS (THU): July Employment Change is expected to show the addition of 25k jobs (vs prev. 88.4k), while the Unemployment Rate and Participation Rate are seen steady at 3.5%, and 66.8% respectively. Analysts at Westpac expect a +50k metric for the Employment Change, with the rationale being – “Business surveys, consumer sentiment surveys and job vacancies all point to continuing solid demand for labour. Weekly payrolls for July did reveal some weakness but these are not seasonally adjusted and the ABS noted higher than usual absences for illness and holidays which will affect hours worked rather than employment.” From a policy perspective, the RBA’s priority, for the time being, is inflation. In the latest statement (2nd Aug), Governor Lowe suggested “Employment is growing strongly, consumer spending has been resilient and an upswing in business investment is underway… The Board is committed to doing what is necessary to ensure that inflation in Australia returns to target over time.”</p><p>NEW ZEALAND TRADE BALANCE (THU): There are currently no expectations for the NZ Trade Balance, but the release will likely be overshadowed by the RBNZ policy decision on Wednesday, whereby a 50bps hike is expected to be accompanied by hawkish rhetoric. Nonetheless, Westpac expects the M/M July Trade Balance to post a wider deficit of NZD 1.25bln vs the prior deficit of NZD 701mln amid agricultural exports slowing down seasonally alongside elevated oil prices.</p><p>UK RETAIL SALES (FRI): Expectations are for July’s retail sales to be unchanged on a M/M basis with the core reading forecast at -0.4%. Note, the presence of the June Platinum Jubilee holiday could create some distortions from a M/M basis. In terms of recent retail indicators, July’s BRC retail sales metric rose 1.6% Y/Y with the consortium noting that “sales improved in July as the heatwave boosted sales of hot weather essentials… However, with inflation at over 9% many retailers are still contending with falling sales volumes during what remains an incredibly difficult trading period”. Elsewhere, Barclaycard said UK consumer spending rose 7.7% Y/Y in July which was boosted by clothing, beauty and staycations, whilst it noted that UK consumers are starting to cut back on overseas travel, eating out and drinking to offset higher outgoings.</p><p>This article originally appeared on <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://newsquawk.com/daily/article/?id=2586–week-ahead-preview-highlights-include-fomc-minutes-us-retail-sales-uk-and-canadian-cpi-rbnz-decision&utm_source=forexlive&utm_medium=research&utm_campaign=partner-post&utm_content=week-ahead“ target=“_blank“ rel=“nofollow“>Newsquawk</a></p>

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More cities in China sent into COVID lockdown as cases mount 0 (0)

<p>An acceleration of coronavirus cases late in the week has plunged more areas in China into tighter restrictions and complete lockdown.</p><p>Including:</p><ul><li>In the southern province of Hainan two cities (total population just under 1 million), Dongfang and Chengmai, extended the lockdowns currently in place. The 3 data lockdown are now for around a week, so far anyway. Further cases will of course raise the probability of restrictions extending in time, and area.</li><li>Also in Hainan, provincial capital Haikou locked down its 2.9mn people, between 0700-1800 local time.</li><li>Tibet’s biggest city Lhasa told residents not to go out unless they have special and urgent matters to attend to between Friday and Monday.</li><li>Korla city in western Xinjiang imposed lockdowns (ps. you’ll see the newish term “static management” for lockdowns in China now) starting Saturday for at least five to seven days.</li></ul><p>There are more, but you get the idea. </p><p>-</p><p>Of course, its up to each country to decide its own health policy and we wish the people impacted well. China is of particular interest for its role in the global economy. Domestically, activity is being hit by the debt-fuelled implosion and contagion sweeping the property sector. Lockdowns don’t help economic activity. If there is bright spot its that critical hubs such as Shanghai are not locked down at present. </p><p><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/terms/e/eur/“ target=“_blank“ id=“b0427fd7-674c-4ad1-b689-22d1f8b087b0_1″ class=“terms__main-term“>eur</a> (please ignore this word) </p>

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.

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Forexlive Americas FX news wrap:USD moves higher as flows shift from other currencies 0 (0)

<ul><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/major-us-indices-close-higher-for-the-4th-consecutive-week-20220812/“>Major US indices close higher for the 4th consecutive week</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/key-economic-releases-and-events-next-week-20220812/“>Key economic releases and events next week</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis/wti-crude-oil-futures-settle-at-9209-20220812/“>WTI crude oil futures settle at $92.09</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-indo-pacific-coordinator-chinese-pelosi-visit-as-pretext-to-launch-pressure-campaign-20220812/“>US, Indo Pacific coordinator: Chinese Pelosi visit as pretext to launch pressure campaign</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/baker-hughes-weekly-oil-rig-count-3-to-601-20220812/“>Baker Hughes weekly oil rig count +3 to 601</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/wall-street-journal-chinese-president-xi-to-meet-with-us-pres-biden-20220812/“>Wall Street Journal: Chinese President Xi to meet with US Pres. Biden</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/german-dax-leads-the-way-in-the-european-stock-market-despite-rhine-river-concerns-20220812/“>German DAX leads the way in the European stock market despite Rhine river concerns</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/a-german-container-operator-said-they-are-to-all-operations-to-the-upper-rhine-20220812/“>A German container operator said they are to all operations to the upper Rhine</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/fed-barkin-would-like-to-see-a-period-of-sustained-inflation-under-control-20220812/“>Fed Barkin. Would like to see a period of sustained inflation under control</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/u-of-michigan-consumer-sentiment-prelim-survey-for-august-rises-to-551-vs-525-estimate-20220812/“>U. of Michigan consumer sentiment prelim survey for August rises to 55.1 vs. 52.5 estimate</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/rhine-river-in-germany-falls-to-critical-40cm-mark-at-a-key-german-waypoint-20220812/“>Rhine River in Germany falls to critical 40cm mark at a key German waypoint. EURUSD falls.</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-import-prices-for-july-fell-by-14-vs-10-estimate-20220812/“>US import prices for July fell by -1.4% vs. -1.0% estimate</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis/the-usd-is-the-strongest-and-the-gbp-is-the-weakest-as-the-na-session-begins-20220812/“>The USD is the strongest and the GBP is the weakest as the NA session begins</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/forexlive-european-fx-news-wrap-dollar-firms-on-more-pensive-mood-in-markets-20220812/“>ForexLive European FX news wrap: Dollar firms on more pensive mood in market</a></li></ul><p>The USD moved higher in trading today as focus shifted from the lower inflation seen this week in the US to the troubles in other nations. German’s Rhine River, moved below a critical navigational level which could impact energy (coal travels the river), hydro power, trade, slow growth and increase inflation. That is not good new for the EU. The GBP was impacted as well as it too is suffering from higher energy costs with higher temperatures. </p><p>The GBP, JPY and the EUR are ending the day as the weakest of the major currencies, while the NZD and the USD are the strongest. </p><p>Next week the RBNZ is expected to continue their tightening program with another 50 basis point hike. The US Fed will release the minutes of the last FOMC rate meeting where the Fed tightened by 75 basis points and moved the target rate to „neutral“ at 2.5%. </p><p>Today, Richmond Fed’s Barkin reiterated a number of Fed officials sentiments, by saying he wants to see inflation remain lower for an extended time period and until the rate reaches their target level of 2%, the Fed would continue to tighten policy. He did not commit to 50 or 75 basis points citing the number of inflation and employment reports yet to be released. </p><p>The Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index came out better than expected, but was mixed in the details. Although expectations saw a bump up to 54.9 from 47.3, the current conditions moved to 55.5 from 58.1 last month. Inflation expectations were also mixed with the 1 year expectations moving lower to 5.0% from 5.2%, the 5 year expectations ticked up to 3.0% from 2.9% last month. </p><p>In other markets heading into the weekend:</p><ul><li>Spot gold is trading at $1801.44 that’s up $12.06 or 0.67% today. For the week, the precious metal is up 1.54%, and is up 7.16% from its July 21 low.</li></ul><ul><li>Spot silver is up $0.51 or 2.46% at $20.80. For the trading week the price is up 4.61%</li><li>WTI crude oil is trading down $2.45 at $91.89. For the week, the price is still up 3.77%</li><li>Bitcoin is trading at $24,254. From the close last Friday the price is up 4%.</li></ul><p>In the US debt market, yields are mixed in trading today:</p><ul><li>2 year 3.246%, +2.3 basis points</li><li>5 year 2.960%, -3.0 basis points</li><li>10 year 2.838% -5.1 basis point</li><li>30 year 3.114%, -6.5 basis points</li></ul><p>For the trading week the:</p><ul><li>2 year yield move down -2.8 basis points</li><li>5 year yield is flat</li><li>10 year yield is flat</li><li>30 year yield is up 4.3 basis points</li></ul><p>In the US stock market today, the week ended with solid gains led by the Nasdaq which rose over 2%. For the week, the major indices notched their 4th consecutive gain. The gains for the week showed:</p><ul><li>Dow, +2.92%</li><li>S&P +3.25%</li><li>Nasdaq +3.08%</li></ul><p>The Nasdaq is now up 23.4% from its low, but still remains -16.6% from the high. The Dow is only down -7.2% from its all time high and the S&P is still down -10.18%. </p><p>For the week, the biggest gainers in the Dow 30 were:</p><ul><li>Disney +14.01%</li><li>Dow, +8.62%</li><li>Travelers, +7.93%</li><li>Caterpillar, +6.18%</li><li>Goldman Sachs, +5.72%</li></ul><p>The Dow laggards included:</p><ul><li>J&J, -3.4%</li><li>Visa, -2.10%</li><li>Salesforce, -0.15%</li><li>Verizon, +0.44%</li><li>Coca Cola, +0.5%</li></ul><p>The week was once again dominated by the so-called meme stocks:</p><ul><li>Bed Bath and Beyond, rose 58.7%</li><li>Express rose 17.2%</li><li>AMC rose 8.96%</li></ul><p>Other big gainers included:</p><ul><li>First Solar, +15.76% after the inflation reduction act was passed</li><li>Snap, +14.15%</li><li>Chewy, +12.47%</li><li>Netflix, +9.93%</li><li>Meta, +8.01%</li></ul>

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

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Equities hold higher for now but will the tide turn before the weekend? 0 (0)

<p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>The bond market was the first to turn after the US CPI data, with yields reversing higher. One can argue stocks already did see a bit of a turn with a more or less flat finish in Wall Street yesterday following modest gains at the start of the session. For today, the dollar is now seen holding slightly firmer but equities are holding a little higher as we approach North American trading.</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>I would say this is broader markets looking to reassess themselves, taking a cue from Treasuries. With yields turning higher and 10-year yields continuing to knock at the 100-day moving average, perhaps the knee-jerk reaction to the slightly softer US consumer inflation numbers was a bit much.</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>This looks like a market that is looking for further confirmation from either the data or Fed speakers in reassessing the outlook on inflation, the economy and how central banks are going to respond to the balance between all of that.</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>I shared some thoughts on that yesterday in this passage:</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>“Coming back to the report, there’s just too much to decipher based on one set of numbers. I would take it that there is some evidence that inflation pressures are easing and yes, it may be caused by declining energy prices for the most part. The core reading continues to be rather sticky, even if there are signs that the surge in price pressures is cooling off slightly. The fact that it sits near 6% means the Fed is still a long way from delivering on its mandate. </p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>In short, it is too soon to be calling this a turning point or a confirmation that a Fed pivot will be coming soon. If anything else, this is just first base. We’re going to have to wait until the bases are loaded by getting confirmation from the data in the months ahead before angling for that home run. </p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>But take nothing away from the numbers and markets‘ constant need to simplify their focus and approach. It is what it is. And this is a start at least.“</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>For now, equities are holding slightly higher with S&P 500 futures up 13 points, or 0.3%, on the day. European indices were tepid early on and are also mildly higher, though gains are rather muted at the moment I would say. As much as risk trades will pounce on any opportunity to be greedy, a lack of coherence from other asset classes is something that could bring back some anxiety before the weekend.</p>

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

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