Market Summary by AFORTI: Interest rate cut, USA and UK agreement, Polish CPI and GDP.
Economic indicators
Poland:
1. Interest rate decision (May): value 5.25%; forecast 5.25%; previously 5.75%.
2. foreign exchange reserves (EUR) (Apr): 213.18B; previously 219.35B.
Eurozone:
1. Sentix investor sentiment (May): value -8.1; forecast -14.9; previously -19.5.
2. PMI for services (Apr): value 50.1; forecast 49.7; previous 51.0.
3. PPI (y/y) (Mar): at 1.9%; forecast 2.0%; previously 3.0%.
4. PPI (m/m) (Mar): value -1.6%; forecast -1.4%; previously 0.2%.
Germany:
1. Factory orders (m/m) (Mar): value 3.6%; forecast 1.4%; previously 0.0%.
2. Exports value (m/m) (Mar): value 1.1%; forecast 1.0%; previously 1.8%.
3. Imports (m/m) (Mar): value -1.4%; forecast 0.4%; previously 0.5%.
4. Industrial production (m/m) (Mar): value 3.0%; forecast 0.9%; previously -1.3%.
5. Trade balance (mar): value 21.1B; forecast 19.0B; previously 17.9B.
France:
1. Car registrations (y/y) (Apr): value -5.6%; previous -14.5%.
2. PMI for services (Apr): value 47.3; forecast 46.8; previous 47.9.
3. industrial production (m/m) (Mar): value 0.2%; forecast 0.4%; previously 1.0%.
United Kingdom:
1. PMI for services (Apr): Feb: value 49.0; forecast 48.9; previous 52.5.
2. Composite PMI (Apr): 48.5; forecast 48.2; previously 51.5.
3. Interest rate decision (May): value 4.25%; forecast 4.25%; previous 4.50%.
USA:
1. services PMI (Apr): 51.6; forecast 50.2; previous 50.8.
2. ISM employment services index (Apr): 49.0; forecast 47.0; previously 46.2.
3. S&P Global composite PMI (Apr): 50.6; forecast 51.2; previously 53.5.
4. Services PMI (Apr): 50.8; forecast 51.4; previous 54.4.
5. 3-year Treasury note auction: up 3.824%; previously 3.784%.
6. API weekly crude oil shares: value -4.490M; forecast -2.500M; prior 3.760M.
7. Unemployment claims: value 1.879K; forecast 1.890K; prior 1.908K.
8. Declared initial jobless: value 228K; forecast 231K; prior 241K.
9. Atlanta Fed's GDP-Terminal Model (Q2) P: value 2.2%; forecast 1.1%; prior 1.1%.
10. Interest rate decision: value 4.50%; forecast 4.50%; previously 4.50%.
China:
1. Caixin services PMI (Apr): value 50.7; forecast 51.7; previous 51.9.
2. CPI (m/m) (Apr): 0.1%; forecast -0.4%.
3. CPI (y/y) (Apr): -0.1%; forecast -0.1%; previously -0.1%.
Foreign exchange market
The euro (EUR) weakened sharply against the zloty (PLN) this week, particularly after Thursday's conference by the President of the National Bank of Poland. The euro price fell by 0.91% oscillating between 4.2277 and 4.2851.
The dollar (USD) also weakened by 0.50 against the zloty (PLN), with the dollar price oscillating between 3.7508 and 3.7931.
Oil and gold market
The price of BRENT crude oil rose by 4.00%, and oscillated in a range of USD 58.79 - 64.11/barrel.
The gold price increased by 2.54% and oscillated in a range of USD 3245.02 - 3441.42/ounce.
Stock market
The valuation of the WIG index increased by 6.30% and oscillated in the range of 97,941 - 103,368.
Cryptocurrencies
It was a good week for cryptocurrencies, with the price of Bitcoin (BTC) rising by 6.01%, oscillating in the range of 349 369 - 389 000 and exceeding the equivalent of $100 000.
Important events of the past week
Monetary policy in Poland: On Wednesday, 8 May 2025, the Monetary Policy Council cut interest rates in Poland by 50 basis points to 5.25%. The President of the NBP, Adam Glapinski, explained that the decision was only an ‘adjustment’ and did not herald a cycle of interest rate cuts. He indicated that a rate cut in June was unlikely and that the key period for further decisions would be autumn. A fall in current inflation (to 4.2% in April), lower forecasts, weakening wage pressures and weaker economic data were cited as justifications for the cut. At the same time, the Governor warned of risks to a further decline in inflation, linked to uncertainty over energy prices in the second half of the year and loose fiscal policy.
USA trade agreement with the UK: President Donald Trump announced a framework trade agreement with the UK on Thursday, describing it as a ‘historic’ achievement and a ‘significant breakthrough’. Under the agreement, the USA has pledged to cut tariffs on British cars to 10 per cent and to eliminate them on steel and aluminium. In return, the UK will reduce its tariffs on USA goods to 1.8%, giving it better access to its market. However, it should be noted that this agreement does not constitute a comprehensive deal and leaves a number of key issues unresolved, such as the UK's digital services tax and USA tariffs on pharmaceuticals. Despite some discrepancies in the official communiqués, investors generally reacted positively, which helped to boost stock market sentiment, partly based on hopes for an easing of global trade tensions.
Election of a new Pope: on 8 May, Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago was elected as Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American and the first Augustinian to the throne of Peter. Born in 1955 in Chicago, he did missionary work in Peru. In his first address, he emphasised peace and unity. His American background has sparked discussions about his impact on conflict and migration, where he has different views to the previously criticised Trump.
Escalating India-Pakistan conflict: On 7 May, India attacked Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir with rockets in retaliation for an attack that killed 26 Indian tourists and a Nepali. Pakistan saw this as an ‘act of war’, responded with fire and shot down Indian aircraft. The tension has raised fears of escalation due to nuclear weapons and has negatively affected markets. Despite Trump's reported truce, the situation remains tense and the world is calling for de-escalation.
Events worth watching this week
Polish CPI and GDP: On Thursday, 15 May, data on the consumer price index (CPI) and gross domestic product (GDP) of the Polish economy will be published. These are important indicators both for the Monetary Policy Council when deciding on interest rates and for foreign institutions considering investments in Poland. Positive data may result in a strengthening of the zloty, while negative readings may contribute to its weakening.
Economic sentiment in Germany and the Eurozone: The ZEW economic sentiment reading from Germany and the Eurozone will be published on Tuesday, 13 May. This index is based on analysts‘ and institutional investors’ predictions of the current economic climate. Higher values than the previous reading signal optimism in the markets and could strengthen the euro, while a worse reading reflects analysts' pessimism, which will potentially depress the valuation of the single currency.
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