EUR/USD. September 01, 2020 | Euro approaches 2-year highs in the 1.20 areaOn Tuesday, the euro continues to approach the highs of April 2018 at 1.2000. At the beginning of the new trading week, dollar sales resumed after the publication of data from China: the growth of activity in the service sector in August increased from 54.2 to 55.2 points. The index of business activity in the industrial sector in August was 51.0 against 51.1 in July. The lull in US-China relations has also supported the bullish trend in risky assets.
Today we should pay attention to the data on inflation in Germany, which turned out to be worse than expected. Labor market statistics turned out to be better than forecasted: the number of unemployed in Germany in August fell by 9 thousand – to 2.915 million people. Unemployment remained at 6.4%, the August 2015 high.
Consumer prices in the euro zone in August fell by 0.2% in annual terms. The fall in prices in annual terms was recorded for the first time since May 2016. Experts predicted an average growth of 0.2%. Unemployment in 19 eurozone countries rose to 7.9% in July, the highest level since November 2018.
At the same time, the epidemiological situation in Spain and France continues to deteriorate, which may put pressure on the euro in the short term.
In the evening hours, data from the US will be of interest: on the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector for August, as well as the ISM manufacturing index for August and data on the change in the volume of expenses in the construction sector for July.
Brent. September 1, 2020 | Oil trades in different directionsOil prices show mixed trading dynamics. Yesterday, Brent quotes rose to the level of $46.50, but in the end the initiative remained with the sellers, who sent the asset to $45.30 per barrel. The current Brent quote is $45.80.
Local support to prices was provided today by data from China, according to which the index of business activity in the non-manufacturing sector in August rose from 54.2 to 55.2 points. The dynamics of growth has been maintained for the sixth month in a row. The last decline under the 50 level was recorded in February. Additional positive for oil prices is brought by the weakness of the US dollar throughout the Forex market.
At the same time, the data on the volume of oil production in the USA exerted pressure on prices. According to the EIA, production in June increased by 4.2% and reached 10.4 million barrels per day. However, further increases in production are in question as Hurricane Laura severely damaged a number of refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.
The further dynamics of oil prices will be influenced by tomorrow's report from the US Department of Energy on crude oil reserves in the country. If the data shows a decrease in volumes, then buyers will have a good reason to renew the highs.
Regards, ForexMart PR Manager