Talking Points:

Soft German IFO Report Unlikely to Yield Lasting Follow-Through
Euro May Decline if January’s CPI Reading is Revised Downward
Japanese Yen Rose on Haven Flows as Stocks Sank in Asian Trade

Germany’s IFO Survey of business confidence headlines the economic in European trading hours. The headline Business Climate index is expected to tick gently lower to 110.5 in February compared with 110.6 in the prior month, snapping a three-month winning streak. Eurozone economic news-flow has increasingly disappointed relative to expectations since late January (according to data from Citigroup), which would be consistent with a pullback in sentiment. The ECB’s decision not to expand stimulus efforts at February’s policy meeting may have likewise soured survey-takers’ disposition.

A disappointing release may apply near-term downward pressure on the Euro, but lasting follow-through may be hard to come by. The ECB’s narrow mandate puts issues of price stability at the forefront, meaning signs of deteriorating business sentiment are unlikely to have much impact if they don’t necessarily translate into easing speculation. Drawing such conclusions would probably prove difficult considering the central bank’s refusal to act despite the slide in headline CPI readings and priced-in inflation expectations over recent months.

With that in mind, a downside revision to January’s final Eurozone CPI figure (if one is to materialize) is likely to produce a stronger response from the single currency than a dip in sentiment. Mario Draghi and company seem determined to wait for the completion of their Asset Quality Review (AQR) – due by November – before introducing policy changes. A drop below the four-month low of 0.7 percent on the year-on-year CPI growth rate may still compel speculation however.

The Japanese Yen outperformed in otherwise quiet overnight trade as Asian stocks declined, boosting demand for the safe-haven currency. The MSCI Asia Pacific regional benchmark equity index slid 0.5 percent. Newswires attributed the negative mood to a report from Shanghai Securities News saying several of China’s top lenders including Industrial Bank Co. are pulling back on offering credit to the property sector and related sectors.

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Asia Session

GMT

CCY

EVENT

ACT

EXP

1:30

CNY

China January Property Prices

–

2:00

NZD

Credit Card Spending (MoM) (JAN)

1.0%

–

-0.7%

2:00

NZD

Credit Card Spending (YoY) (JAN)

9.2%

–

4.7%

European Session

GMT

CCY

EVENT

ACT

EXP