Week Ahead Fed’s Yellen, US Sales and Inflation in Focus

U.S. President Donald Trump pledged on Friday to announce a “phenomenal” tax reform. Most of the dollar gains after the surprising election win came with the end of political uncertainty and promise of fiscal stimulus and infrastructure spending. The first three weeks of the Trump administration had not made much inroads on his pro-growth agenda, favouring instead an “America first” protectionism which have weakened the USD. His comments on Friday put the reflation trade back in focus. A faster pace of economic growth in the U.S. would be accompanied by higher interest rates as the Fed keeps the economy from overheating.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen will testify before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday, February 14 at 10:00 am EST (3pm GMT). With limited appearances since the much awaited interest rate hike in December, Yellen’s take on the U.S. economy will be followed closely by investors. Fed members have given mixed signals on way the central bank should do next and the CME FedWatch tool shows the market views a 86.7 percent probability of the rate staying put in March and dropping below 50 percent in June. This could change as Trump gives more details on tax reform and infrastructure plans. The resignation of Fed governor Daniel Tarullo also opens the door for Trump to reshape the central bank going forward.

The mixed U.S. non farm payrolls (NFP) report showed a strong number of jobs being added (227,000), but disappointed in the monthly wage growth of 0.1 percent. Retail sales and inflation data will be released on Wednesday, February 15 at 8:30 am EST (1:30 pm GMT). Sales in the U.S. are expected to continue growing as lower unemployment and rising wages of a confident consumer base. The biggest question mark is what President Trump could do to help or hurt sales as his anti-trade rhetoric has been aimed at exporting nations that run a surplus versus the United States.

The EUR/USD lost 1.113 percent in the week. The single pair is trading at 1.0649 after rising anxiety about the French elections, Greek debt and growing concerns about the German elections. The rise of Marine LePen and her comments about repaying debt in French francs has given more credence to a French exit from the European Union. Scandals are plaguing the front runner in the polls in a possible three horse race between Francois Fillon, Marine LePen and Emmanuel Macron with voters ready to cast their ballot on April 23. A second round would be needed with probabilities favouring Macron. Even though LePen might not win, the seeds of the populist movement have been planted and will sooner or later bear fruit as they have done in other places in Europe.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Eurozone lenders will meet with the Greece government to reach an agreement regard