#FOMC: Tapering expected by 10B down to 35B. At this pace, #QE will be over by end of year. If data remains positive, #Fed could focus on new unemployment threshold or how big of a gap between end of QE and first rate hike. #BOE Minutes: Set to be released today. Signs of dissent among members possible regarding the timeline for the first rate hike. #Merkel: Seeking a fourth term as Federal election gets closer. #ISIL: Fighting with Iraq #army near Baghdad and with Kurds in Kirkuk. #Russia: Discussing cease fire with #Ukraine following Gas pipeline sabotage, threatening supplies towards #Europe. #Japan: Weak demand from US and #Asia led to first drop in exports in 15 months. #Credit Agricole: #GBP likely to get a boost as dominant sentiment remains with earlier than expected tightening. #FX Majors: #Dollar maintaining bullish bias. #Euro mid 1.3500s. Cable still under 1.7000. Dollar Swiss around 0.9000. #FOMC likely to decide fate of Dollar today. #Yen Crosses: Higher as #Dollar Yen holds above 102. Still bearish and could see new downside on safety linked demand. #Metals: Higher after dipping into new weekly lows. Gold close to 1270 but likely to face new downside pressure. #Energies: Higher as Oil trades above 106 again. More upside likely since the overall trend remains bullish. Equities: Holding steady ahead of #FOMC event later today. Dow futures mid 16700s. #EU Open: #Dax +0.13%, #CAC +0.13%. #Asia Close: #Nikkei -0.93%. #NZX -0.17%.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 07:51:32 +0000