In Europe, Manufacturing PMI figures have shown a consistent theme of contraction across key economies—Spain’s PMI at 51.5, Italy at 48.7, France at 47.1, and Germany at a particularly low 42.5, all indicating the manufacturing sector’s struggles.
Notably, the Eurozone’s Core CPI Flash Estimate year-over-year rose to 3.1%, exceeding the anticipated 2.9%, hinting at inflationary pressures that might influence ECB’s future policy moves.
For the GBP, recent data highlighted economic challenges, with the Nationwide HPI month-over-month at 0.7%, and the Final Manufacturing PMI at 47.5, both reflecting underlying economic pressures.
Looking ahead, there are no immediate US data releases, but the market is bracing for significant reports on Friday, including the Non-Farm Employment Change expected at 190K and the Unemployment Rate projected to remain steady at 3.7%.
In Europe, upcoming data like the French Government Budget Balance and the Spanish Unemployment Change, alongside the Sentix Investor Confidence, are anticipated to further guide the EUR/USD and GBP/USD pairs.
The Dollar Index slightly declined by 0.03%, settling at 103.881. This minor drop places the index just above a pivotal level, marked by the pivot point at $103.82. Looking ahead, immediate resistance is identified at $104.24, with subsequent levels at $104.44 and $104.69 posing potential challenges for upward movement.
Conversely, support is found at $103.60, followed by $103.43 and $103.16, offering cushioning against further drops. The 50 EMA stands at $103.97, slightly above the current price, while the 200 EMA matches the pivot, at $103.82, suggesting a balanced view between short-term and long-term trends.
The Dollar Index displays a bullish inclination above the $103.82 mark, indicating potential for growth if it sustains above this crucial threshold.
Arslan is a finance MBA and also holds an MPhil degree in behavioral finance. An expert in financial analysis and investor psychology, Arslan uses his academic background to bring valuable insights about market sentiment and whether instruments are likely to be overbought or oversold.