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Market Summary by AFORTI: Market Summary by AFORTI: Positive data from the Polish market, stabilizing oil and gold prices, and expected developments in global currency markets.

2024-05-28

Last week brought us quite a lot of good news from the Polish market. The April data positively surprised analysts with regard to industrial production, which, instead of the expected 5.9% year-on-year, was up by 2 percentage points - or 7.9% year-on-year. Good data were registered for construction and assembly production, where we had some duality in growth - month-on-month up 9%, but already 2 percentage points lower than in the year-on-year comparison. The economists, however, note that april had 2 working days more, which translates into the above indicators. 

We also learned about retail sales data. This rose by 4.1% year-on-year, which was 1 percentage point worse than expected. This situation was also somewhat surprising, as wages grew very strongly again. The latest reading in the corporate sector was 11.3% year-on-year, taking the average wage to PLN 8271.99 gross. 

At the same time, the Central Statistical Office, reported that nominally the value was down by 1.6% (m/m) compared with March. Payments of annual bonuses, quarterly bonuses, overtime settlements and retirement allowances are cited as reasons for the decline. 

Looking at global markets, we had interesting data as usual from the US. In the latest summary of the FOMC (The Federal Open Market Committee) meeting, they made it clear that interest rates would remain unchanged for a few more months. Fears of a return of inflation and problems with the possibility of it slipping out of the now stabilised values even prompted the summary to include expectations that the cost of money might even be too low. However, the message did not influence markets in valuing the possibility of 1-2 cuts - in the last two months of 2024. 

In contrast, markets are waiting for the ECB to make its first cut in a long time at its upcoming meeting on 6 June 2024 and the current rate of 4.50% will be changed. The rate cut is expected to be a symbolic 0.25% (percentage point) - but it is an important signal to markets to show that inflation is under control and markets are likely to see cheaper money and growth investment opportunities - on more favourable terms. 
Admittedly, looking at the data from the USA measured by the PMI index - we have a fairly clear signal that entrepreneurs are optimistic about the future. For industry, the index was 50.9, and for services it was 54.8. Let us remind ourselves that a value above 50 - is considered a signal of recovery and development of the economy in the branches concerned. Thus, as we can observe, the high cost of money has not stifled the economy; in fact, we can speak with very high financial results from the largest companies. Here, it is worth taking a look at the results of NVidia - which has recently published data - achieving revenues of just over USD 26m billion, exceeding analyst expectations by USD 1.5 billion.

Mentioning yet another upcoming Central Bank meeting - our MPC will meet a day earlier than the ECB - i.e. on 05 June. Here, in line with market predictions, we do not expect any change, especially as inflation linked to the reintroduction of 5% VAT is already noticeable in current readings. After the latest PLN CPI of 2.4%, analysts are closer to 2.7%, but some economists fear it will exceed 3.0%. 

So how did the zloty behave? In the last week we were dealing with the EUR/PLN 4.2500-4.2700 corridor and moving in a sideways trend - which was even narrowed twice to 4.2510-4.2570. Stable quotations on EUR/USD meant that the zloty quoted to EUR did not have any impetus to break out towards 4.3000, but also, as we had the opportunity to observe, EUR/PLN is apparently returning to support at EUR/USD 4.2500. We have already mentioned that good data from the Polish economy, may cause the next range to be 4.2200-4.2500, and in the longer perspective of a few months - towards EUR/PLN 4.0000, which has always been a certain psychological level and often even converted exactly in this proportion. 

EUR/PLN - perspective on the last 10 days

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Looking at the US currency, the zloty remained in the USD/PLN 3.9100-3.9500 corridor. Here, volatility was slightly higher and resulted from an additional 'bonus' from fluctuations on EUR/USD. These, however, finally closed in the corridor around the central axis of EUR/USD 1.0850 (1.0800-1.0880), which for the zloty translated into an additional 2-2.5 cents of volatility.  The previous week, similarly to EUR/PLN, did not end with the breaking of the USD/PLN 3.9100 psychological support. However, looking at the current situation and the gaining zloty - similarly to EUR and USD, it may lose and the zloty opens up the potential for a long-term strengthening. The nearest strong support level after 3.9100 is estimated by the market at 3.8700. 

USD/PLN in the perspective of the last 10 days

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EUR/USD quotes, as we mentioned above, have recently been moving in the 1.0800-1.0880 corridor. As you can see, the markets are currently awaiting the upcoming FED and ECB central bank meetings and the publication of further macroeconomic data. So there is quite a good chance that the consolidation around EUR 1.0850 will continue. It should be noted here that this week is a holiday in the US (Monday 27.05) and in the UK (also 27.05), so Monday's trading in the underlying currency markets was lower.  

EUR/USD in perspective for the last 10 days

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How have oil prices behaved in the current situation? The situation in the Middle East was no longer the factor that had previously pushed prices up. Break the consolidation around 84USD/barrel and the price markets started to lose another $3. We now have a correction to 83USD/barrel, but this clearly shows that the market has entered a phase of stabilisation. 

BRENT crude oil - last 3 months USD/barrel

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Gold - after another break of USD 2,400/ounce it rises to a sideways trend of USD 2,300-2,4000/ounce. Once again we have a strong resistance at 2.400 broken and a correction/realisation of gains. As you can see, we are currently exactly in the axis of the corridor and it will be interesting to watch if a break of the consolidation in the middle of the corridor, will trigger another attack on USD 2,400.  

Gold - last 3 months USD/ounce

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Finally, a brief look at our stock market. The WIG was close to breaking the 90,000 level and we are experiencing a short-term correction. 

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Szymon Jańczak

Director of Treasury Department

AFORTI.BIZ

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