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Pound at a loss, but does not lose optimism

Hopes of the British pound to rise gradually fade, but the probability of growth still remains, analysts say. The currency of the United Kingdom slightly grew on the positive news last week, but this effect was short-lived.

Recall, last Friday, analysts marked a rally of the pound, which has risen in price on the wave of new optimism regarding a possible deal on Brexit. This rise was triggered by the comments of Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, who stated the likelihood of Britain leaving the EU with an agreement. However, the official did not disclose the details of this decision, in connection with which experts considered the position of the pound to be rather unstable.

The experts were right in many respects: on Monday, September 23, the British currency tried to break through strong option levels on the news about alternative solutions to the problem of the Irish border, proposed by the government of Boris Johnson. Some of them even won the approval of Brexit's main opponents without a deal, the Northern Ireland Democratic Union Party (DUP). Many representatives of the EU leadership, including Juncker, softened the general rhetoric, but the signal that the EU was ready to amend the agreement and approve the deal turned out to be false. As a result, the last chance to retain Britain as part of the EU was lost.

The unstable political situation shook the British currency. It still clings to its former optimism, but it is fading before our eyes. At the same time, the GBP/USD currency pair is traded in the structure of the first impulse of decline. The goal is the level of 1.2444, and then a correction to 1.2515 is expected. In the future, analysts do not rule out a fall to the level of 1.2444 and lower, to 1.2360.

On Friday, it became clear that no real breakthrough regarding Brexit is expected. Boris Johnson is quite happy with the country's exit from the EU without a deal, and an attempt to organize new negotiations is unlikely to drastically change the current state of affairs.

In this situation, not only the pound and the entire British economy will suffer, but also the eurozone economy, analysts at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are certain. They confirmed the negative scenario in the event of a "hard" Brexit, which would hit the eurozone GDP, reducing it by 0.5 percentage points (pp), while UK GDP would fall by 2 pp.

Currently, the GBP/USD pair is trying to "hold face" and not slide to the lows, however, analysts are at a loss to answer how long the pound will last. Like a true English gentleman, it seeks to remain steadfast and a good face in any game.

In the short term, the British currency can test the range of 1.2700-1.2720, analysts said. However, the market still hopes for growth, although the priority in terms of volume remains with deferred sales. Moreover, even a slight negative signal against the GBP/USD pair will throw it into a strong resistance zone to the level of 1.2250, analysts said.

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BoJ's Masai Says Ready To Ease Policy Further If Required

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The Bank of Japan is ready to take additional easing measures if the momentum towards achieving the inflation target is lost, Board Member Takako Masai said Wednesday.

The bank will thoroughly examine risks to overseas economies and carefully assess how those risks affect Japan's economic activity and prices, Masai told business leaders in Mie.

The banker expressed concerns about developments in overseas economies namely, fast approaching Brexit deadline and trade issues between the United States and China.

Masai said she intends to continue to conduct monetary policy appropriately toward achieving the price stability target while considering all conceivable adverse effects and positive effects from every angle.
 
UK Car Production Rises For First Time In 15 Months

UK car production increased for the first time in 15 months in August, data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed on Thursday.

Car production grew 3.3 percent on a yearly basis in August as factories kept production lines rolling throughout the month after they brought forward planned summer shutdowns to April in preparation for the original Brexit deadline.

The increase in August couldn't offset the substantial losses posted in April. Only 2,903 more cars were produced in August 2019 than in the same month last year, the agency noted.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, "While growth is always welcome, today's figures mask the underlying downward trend and strengthening global headwinds facing the sector, including international trade tensions, massive technological upheaval and, in the UK, political and economic uncertainty."

Production for the domestic market advanced 15.2 percent in August. Meanwhile, output for exports grew marginally by 0.6 percent.

This disguised ongoing weakness in major global markets with production for China down 43.8 percent, exports to the US falling 9.1 percent and those to the EU dropped 13.7 percent in the first eight months.

The year-to-date production plunged 17 percent. Output failed to reach one million units by August for the first time in five years, the lobby noted.

The SMMT repeatedly called for Brexit deal to maintain competitiveness and safeguard jobs.

SMMT Chief Executive Hawes said the mere threat of no deal has undermined investment and the potential imposition of tariffs, border delays and additional administrative burdens would damage competitiveness.

"We now need parliament and government to redouble efforts to get a deal that maintains free and frictionless trade," said Hawes.

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UK Consumer Confidence Improves In September

UK consumer confidence improved in September, survey results from the market research group GfK showed Friday.

The consumer confidence index rose to -12 in September from -14 in August. "Since the Brexit referendum we have witnessed a long succession of negative Overall Index scores with the overall trend downwards," Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, said. "This month, British consumers appear to be treading water during this wait-and-see run-up to October 31st."

The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last 12 months climbed three points to +2. Likewise, the forecast for personal finances over the coming year gained two points to +4.

The measure for the general economic situation over the last year also increased two points, to -32. At the same time, expectations for the general economic situation rose three points to -35.

Further, the major purchase index improved two points to +3. The savings index also rose two points to +23.

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China Manufacturing Sector Expands Most Since Early 2018

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China's manufacturing sector expanded at the fastest pace since early 2018 in September despite ongoing trade disputes with the United States, survey data from IHS Markit showed on Monday.

The Caixin factory Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 51.4 in September from 50.4 in August. Any score above 50 indicates expansion in the sector. This was the highest score since February 2018.

The official data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the factory sector continued to contract in September. However, the manufacturing PMI climbed to 49.8 from 49.5 a month ago.

New orders increased at the fastest rate since March 2018, while new export orders decreased slightly in September, IHS Markit reported. Companies said that the ongoing China-US trade dispute had continued to dampen foreign sales.

Employment level remained unchanged for the second month in September. Outstanding business increased amid stagnant payrolls and rise in orders.

Higher volumes of total new work led firms to expand production again in September. The rate of growth was the fastest seen since August 2018.

Input buying rose for the third month in a row and stocks of purchased items expanded slightly.

Input costs increased at the end of the third quarter and the output cost remained broadly unchanged compared to the previous month.

Nonetheless, goods producers continued to express a relatively subdued level of confidence towards future output, as worries persisted over the outcome of the ongoing China-US trade negotiations.

"Growth in manufacturing demand was mainly driven by the domestic market as China-U.S. trade conflicts still restrained overseas demand," Zhengsheng Zhong, director of macroeconomic analysis at CEBM Group, said.
 
Australia Cuts Key Rate By 25 bps

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Australia's central bank reduced as much as possible, on Tuesday.

Bank of Australia, governed by Philip Lowe, decided to reduce the cash rate by 25 basis points to 0.75 percent.

The bank had a lower rate in June and July. The back-to-back rate cut in July was the first since mid-2012.

In Australia to reach full employment and achieve the inflation target, "the bank said in a statement.

"The Board will continue to monitor developments, including in the labor market, and seek to achieve sustainable growth in the economy," the bank said.
 
Japan Corporate Inflation Expectations Remain Stable

Japanese firms' inflation expectations held steady in the third quarter, the Tankan summary of "Inflation Outlook of Enterprises" from Bank of Japan showed Wednesday.

Companies expect annual inflation of 0.9 percent in the year ahead, unchanged from the previous outlook.

Similarly, the three-year ahead inflation is seen at 1 percent, the same rate as estimated in June. The projection for next five years was retained at 1.1 percent.

The central bank aims at achieving price stability of 2 percent since 2013. Although the bank unveiled various quantitative and qualitative easing, inflation still remains well below the target.

The Tankan survey results published on Tuesday showed that the business conditions for large manufacturers declined moderately to 5 in the third quarter from 7 in the second quarter.

Likewise, the business conditions index for non-manufactures dropped to 21 from 23.

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Japan Services PMI Falls To 52.8 In September - Jibun

Japanese firms' inflation expectations held steady in the third quarter, the Tankan The services sector in Japan continued to expand in September, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from Jibun Bank revealed on Friday with a PMI score of 52.8.

That's down from the 22-month high of 53.3 in August, although it remains well above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Individually, output was up solidly in September, although new orders grew at a pace below trend for 2019. Selling charges increased only fractionally.

The survey also showed that the composite index came in at 51.5, down from 51.9 in August.

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China's Forex Reserves Decline In September

China's foreign exchange reserves declined in September, figures from the People's Bank of China showed over the weekend.

Forex reserves totaled $3.092 trillion at the end of September compared to $3.107 trillion in August. The expected level was $3.105 trillion.

The currency exchange rate and changes in asset prices affected the level of foreign exchange reserves.

Martin Lynge Rasmussen, an economist at Capital Economics, said the central bank relied on state banks during August to contain forex volatility, but the latest forex reserves figures suggests that last month this may have been either replaced with, or supplemented by, direct forex sales by the PBoC.


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At a breakneck height: recession as a "lift" for gold

Statements by a number of economists about the risk of a recession in the US economy are gaining momentum. Experts analyzed how the implementation of such a scenario will affect the price of gold, and concluded that the precious metal will appreciably rise in price.

Strategists at Goldman Sachs, the largest US bank, are confident that in the fourth quarter of this year, the cost of the yellow metal will rise to $1,600 per ounce. The reason for this, analysts believe a high probability of a recession in the US economy. Analysts of the leading analytical company Independent Strategy agree with them. They claim that in 2020, the price of gold may increase by 30% from the current key value of $1,500. Accordingly, it can reach $2000 per ounce, according to the Independent Strategy.

The appreciation of precious metals will be facilitated by the desire of market participants to maintain their capital. It is known that gold is best suited for this purpose, and the increased demand for yellow metal pushes its value up. Analysts are very optimistic about the future prospects of the gold market. They are confident that the precious metal will receive support for growth amid fear of a recession in the US economy. Note that the main threats to financial markets are weak data on the US labor market and a slowdown in economic growth.

Currently, the XAU/USD pair is trading near the levels of 1502-1503. According to analysts, the price of gold has generated two signals over the past month, one of which shows a direction to increase, the other - to decline. After the breakdown of the support level of 1487.70, the price of the precious metal may fall to the target level of 1418.25. In the case of a positive scenario and an update of the level of 1557.20, gold can reach the target level of 1595.00, analysts said. In the long run, due to increasing instability in the global economy, analysts recommend opening long positions in precious metals.

At the moment, the yellow metal is trading in the range of $1,505– $1,507 per ounce, completing the correction phase. Gold prices recovered the lion's share of the previous loss in relation to major currencies, as global stock markets fell after the US due to the weakest data on production in the US. At the moment, the score is 1:0 in favor of the precious metal, which plays into the hands of the high probability of monetary policy easing by regulators of Australia and Japan.

In the short term, the yellow metal could quickly return to local resistance at $1,530 per ounce, analysts warn. For further take-off to multi-year highs, powerful geopolitical or economic triggers will be required, the main of which may be the risk of a recession in the United States. Goldman Sachs analysts emphasize that the long-term forecast for the cost of precious metals is highly dependent on economic growth in the United States. Analysts recall the growing risk of a recession in the US economy, which is increasing annually. Goldman Sachs believes that the recession in the United States will become a kind of "lift" for gold, capable of pushing the precious metal to the next price peaks.

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Australia Consumer Sentiment Weakest Since Mid-2015

Australia's consumer confidence weakened to the lowest level in more than four years in October despite interest rate reductions, survey results from Westpac showed Wednesday.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment dropped to 92.8 in October from 98.2 in September. This was the lowest score since July 2015.

Typically, an interest rate cut boosts confidence particularly around consumers' expectations for and assessments of their own finances.

However, in this survey the indicator measuring assessment of current family finances dropped 4.9 percent to 80.2 and that for future family finances slid 3.7 percent to a five-year low of 93.3.

Despite the rate cut, assessment for the economy for the next year plunged by 6 percent to 87.1 and the five-year outlook declined 9.1 percent to 88.9.

Consumer attitudes towards spending also deteriorated in October. The 'time to buy a major household item' sub-index declined 4.2 percent to 114.5.

Global events also contributed to the weak result in October with the deterioration in US-China trade relations weighing on the global economy amid speculation of a recession in the US, Bill Evans, chief economist at Westpac, said.

Evans noted that the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia is likely to take some time to assess the impact of the three rate cuts before deciding to move again.

Westpac expects that next move will be a further cut in the cash rate to 0.5 percent in February next year.

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Australia Home Loans Climb 3.2% In August

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The total number of home loans in Australia was up a seasonally adjusted 3.2 percent on month in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday - coming in at 33,468.

That exceeded expectations for an increase of 2.3 percent following the upwardly revised 4.3 percent increase in July (originally 4.2 percent).

Personal finance commitments fell 2.2 percent in August following a 3.8 percent fall in July and was down 12.9 percent on August 2018.

The value of new lending commitments for owner occupier dwellings rose 1.9 per cent nationally in August, with rises in all states and territories apart from the Northern Territory.

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Sri Lanka Central Bank Keeps Rates Unchanged

Sri Lanka's central bank left its key interest rates unchanged despite weak economic growth and higher inflation.

The monetary board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decided to keep the Standing Deposit Facility Rate and the Standing Lending Facility Rate steady at 7.00 percent and 8.00 percent, respectively, the bank said in a statement on Friday.

The bank had reduced the rate by 50 basis points each in May and August.

The economic growth eased to 1.6 percent in the second quarter as the Easter Sunday attacks weighed heavily on the service sector activity. The central bank forecast economic growth to remain subdued this year but a gradual recovery is expected over the medium term.

Further, the bank expects inflation to stabilize well within the desired range of 4-6 percent with transitory supply side price pressures easing.

The vulnerability of the currency is likely to be a key barrier to looser policy in the near term, Alex Holmes, an economist at Capital Economics, said.

Global sentiment should start to improve around the middle of next year, and this could allow the central bank to cut interest rates further, Holmes noted. The economist expects a 50 basis point reduction in the second half of next year.

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New Zealand Services Sector Slows In September - BusinessNZ

The services sector in New Zealand continued to expand in September, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from BusinessNZ showed on Monday with a Performance of Services Index score of 54.4.

That's down from 54.6 in August, although it remains well above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Among the individual components of the survey, sales (54.4), supplier deliveries (50.5), stocks (51.8), employment (52.7) and new orders (59.3) all continued to expand last month.

"The fact that new orders/business (59.3) improved to its highest result since January should assist with general business activity going forward. However, looking more broadly the gap in performance between the services and manufacturing sectors persists. With other key economic data showing a general trend decline, the question becomes to what degree will the services sector be affected by slowing influences elsewhere in the months ahead," BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope said.

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China Consumer Prices Climb 3.0% On Year In September

Consumer prices in China were up 3.0 percent on year in September, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

That exceeded expectations for 2.9 percent and was up from 2.8 percent in August.

On a monthly basis, inflation rose 0.9 percent - accelerating from 0.7 percent in the previous month.

The bureau also said that producer prices contracted 1.2 percent on year, matching expectations following the 0.8 percent decline a month earlier.

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New Zealand CPI Climbs 0.7% In Q3

Consumer prices in New Zealand were up 0.7 percent on quarter in the third quarter of 2019, Statistics New Zealand said on Wednesday - surpassing expectations for an increase of 0.6 percent, which would have been unchanged from the previous three months.

Housing and household utilities rose 1.2 percent on quarter, influenced by higher prices for property rates and related services (up 4.9 percent).

Food prices rose 1.3 percent, influenced by higher prices for meat, poultry, and fish (up 3.4 percent).

On a yearly basis, consumer prices advanced 1.5 percent - again exceeding expectations for 1.4 percent and down from 1.7 percent in the three months prior.

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Australia Unemployment Data Due On Thursday

Australia will on Thursday release jobless numbers for September, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 5.3 percent, with the addition of 15,000 jobs following the gain of 34,700 jobs in August. The participation rate is called unchanged at 66.2 percent.

Singapore will provide September numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In August, imports were worth SGD41.00 billion and exports were at SGD45.18 billion for a trade surplus of SGD4.18 billion.

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Chinese Data Due On Friday

China is scheduled to release a raft of data on Friday, headlining a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. On tap are Q3 numbers for gross domestic product and September figures for industrial production, retail sale, fixed asset investment and unemployment.

GDP is expected to rise 1.5 percent on quarter and 6.1 percent on year, slowing from 1.6 percent on quarter and 6.2 percent on year in the three months prior.

Industrial production is tipped to add 5.0 percent on year, up from 4.4 percent in August. Retail sales are expected to add an annual 7.8 percent, up from 7.5 percent in the previous month.

Fixed asset investment is called steady at 5.5 percent, while the jobless rate is predicted to be unchanged at 5.2 percent.

Japan will see September data for nationwide consumer prices, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 0.2 percent on year - slowing from 0.3 percent in August. Core CPI is pegged at an annual 0.3 percent, down from 0.5 percent in the previous month.

Hong Kong will release unemployment numbers for September; in August, the jobless rate was 2.9 percent.

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New Zealand Credit Card Spending Falls In September

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New Zealand's credit card spending declined in September after rising in the previous month, figures from Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed on Monday.

Credit card spending fell to 0.1 percent month-on-month in September, after a 2.5 percent increase in August. In July, credit card spending declined 1.6 percent.

Domestic billing dropped 0.2 percent monthly to NZ$3.43 billion and overseas billings rose 0.3 percent to NZ$586 million.

On a year-on-year basis, overall credit card spending grew to 4.8 percent in September, but slower than 6.0 percent growth logged in the previous month.
 
Hong Kong Inflation Data Due On Tuesday

Hong Kong is on Tuesday scheduled to release September figures for consumer prices, highlighting an extremely light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

In August, inflation was up 3.5 percent on year.

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