By Craig Erlam
A quiet end to the week with European indices treading water and economic data highlighting the challenges facing the bloc.
Nowhere is that more evident than in Germany which appears to be on the brink of a double-dip recession and facing immense uncertainty over its budget for next year as it scrambles to patch up finances for the current one.
A supplementary budget next week, alongside a proposal to suspend the debt brake now looks likely. But even this is just a temporary solution that won’t give investors much confidence in the outlook for an economy already under significant strain.
The economy was confirmed on Friday to have contracted by 0.1% in Q3 and as we move into the final month of Q4, it’s likely data early next year will confirm the country is back in recession.
The Ifo business climate survey was a little better and appears to be turning a corner, which is hopefully a good sign, but at 87.3, it’s still printing figures near historical lows.
The early months of the pandemic were understandably much worse, but that aside, recent readings have fallen close to 2001 and 2009 levels.
UK consumers buoyed by improving earnings
UK consumer confidence is also improving, albeit from very weak levels.
At -24, the Gfk survey is 25 points from last September’s lows, but still some way below all surveys from mid-2013 through to the pandemic.
Still, the direction of travel is more promising and inflation is now running below wage growth which should continue to support that.
Calm after OPEC+ postponed meeting
It could have been a nervy end to the week in oil markets had OPEC+ not pushed back its meeting from this Sunday to next Thursday. Instead, it’s all looking a little calm.
While I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see leaks or comments over the weekend that still have an impact on the oil price on the open next week, the actual meeting now occurring Thursday could put traders’ minds somewhat at ease.
Gold not giving up on $2,000
Gold continues to flirt with $2,000, despite repeatedly failing to break and hold above the psychological resistance zone.
We saw that on a number of occasions at the end of October and again earlier this week, buoyed on this occasion by a less hawkish Fed and favourable inflation and jobs reports from the US.
It will be interesting to see how explosive the move is if the price does break significantly above, with it having taken some effort to break down.
on the other hand, a rebound lower could set up an interesting battle at the November lows around $1,930.
Craig Erlam is Senior Market Analyst, UK & EMEA at OANDA
Opinions are the author’s, not necessarily that of OANDA Global Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. Losses can exceed investments.
