Market Summary by AFORTI: Interest rates hold, negative economic data from Germany, ceasefire agreement
Macroeconomic situation
Poland:
1. MPC decision to maintain interest rates at 5.75%;
2. CPI (y/y) (Dec): value: 4.7%; forecast 4.8%; previously 4.7%;
3. CPI (m/m) (Dec): value: 0.0%; forecast 0.2%; previously 0.5%;
4. core CPI (y/y) (Dec): value: 4.0%; forecast 4.3%; previously 4.7%;
Eurozone:
1. CPI (y/y) (Dec): value 2.4%; forecast 2.4%; previously 2.2%;
2. CPI (m/m) (Dec): value: 0.4%; previously -0.3%;
3. Core CPI (y/y) (Dec): value: 2.7%; forecast 2.7%; previously 2.7%;
4. Trade balance (€bn, Nov): value: 16.4; forecast: 11.8; previously 8.6;
Germany:
1. CPI (m/m) (Dec): value 0.5%; forecast 0.4%; previously -0.2%;
2. CPI (y/y) (Dec): value 2.6%; forecast 2.6%; previously 2.2%;
3. GDP (y/y): value -0.2%; forecast -0.2%; previously -0.3%;
France:
1. CPI (m/m) (Gru): value 0.2%; forecast 0.2%; previously -0.1%;
United Kingdom:
1. GDP (m/m, Nov): value 0.1%; forecast 0.2%, previously -0.1%;
2. CPI (y/y) (Dec): value 2.5%; forecast 2.6%; previously 2.6%;
3. CPI (m/m) (Dec): value: 0.3%; forecast 0.4%, previously 0.1%;
4. retail sales (y/y) (Dec): +3.6%; forecast 4.2%, previously 0.0%;
5. trade balance (£bn, Nov): value -19.31; forecast -18.00; previously -19.33;
USA:
1. PPI (Dec): value 0.2%; forecast 0.4%; previously 0.4%;
2. CPI (y/y, Dec): value 2.9%; forecast 2.9%; previously 2.7%;
3. CPI (m/m, Dec): 0.4%; forecast 0.4%; previously 0.3%;
4. Declared initial jobless claims (thousands): value: 217; forecast; 210; previously 203;
5. retail sales (m/m; Dec); value: 0.7%; forecast: 0.4%; previously 0.4%;
6. Base retail sales (m/m; Dec); value: 0.4%; forecast: 0.5%; previously: 0.2%;
7. crude oil inventories (mn); value -1.962; forecast -3.500; previous -0.959;
8. Philadelphia Fed industrial index: value 44.3; forecast -5.0; previous -10.9.
Foreign exchange market:
The Polish zloty (PLN) held its value against the euro (EUR) and oscillated between 4.2551 and 4.2778.
Meanwhile, against the dollar (USD), the Polish zloty (PLN) weakened by 0.35% and oscillated in a range of 4.1185-4.1941.
Oil and gold market
The price of BRENT crude oil rose by 1.37% in the past week and oscillated in a range of USD 79.70-82.56/barrel.
The price of gold, on the other hand, rose by 0.83% and settled in a range of US$2,672.89-2,758.39/ounce.
Stock market
The WIG index gained 1.78% this week and oscillated in a range of 80 732-83 802.
Cryptocurrencies
The price of Bitcoin (BTC) rose 9.46% this week and oscillated between 380,015 and 437,450.
Summary
There is still a great deal of uncertainty in the financial markets due to the inauguration of the new US President. The closure of US markets due to the national holiday further amplified these fluctuations, particularly evident on the dollar/PLN currency pair, where the rate fluctuated by up to 8 cents.
Germany, one of the main engines of the European economy, is facing consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. In spite of this pessimistic situation, the German DAX stock index reached new records. Such a gap between the actual economic situation and optimism on the stock market may be due to investors' expectations of future actions by central banks and governments to stimulate the economy.
In global markets, the announcement of a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a significant event. This agreement, although fragile, offers hope for a de-escalation of tensions in the region. The exchange of prisoners of war that has begun is the first step towards a full resolution of the conflict.
In Poland, the Monetary Policy Council decided to keep interest rates unchanged. The President of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapinski, has signalled concerns about rising inflation, suggesting that rate cuts are not imminent. Analysts forecast that any easing of monetary policy may not take place until the second half of the year.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
AFORTI.BIZ