A swathe of data set for release today, but market attention will turn towards the UK for significant economic data.

The euro continues to struggle, unable to shake off a stronger USD. The EUR/USD opened at $1.16586 and struggled to stay near that for most of the session. The pair managed a quick spike to a high of $1.16640 but then began its slide down until it hit a low of $1.16010. It was able to regain most of those losses at one point, but the gains were only temporary. It is currently trading at $1.16417. The GBP/USD opened at $1.31119 and was able to reach a high of just $1.31162 a few hours later. The pair then weakened and took a sharp turn down as it hit a low of $1.30087. It clawed back a chunk of those losses as the session went on, to a point where it is now trading at $1.30743.

The Dow once again performed strongly after opening at 25,127.92. It traded in a tight range early in the session before dropping to a low of 25,088.76 mid-session. The Dow turned it around from that point, surging to a high of 25,202.95 in late trading. It is not far from those highs, trading at 12,189.65. The Dax remained quite steady throughout the session, stabilising after the big rally it had the day before. The Dax opened at 12,723.05 and fell to a low of 12,704.85 during the first hour of trade. It rebounded off that low to reach a high of 12,783.75 a short time late. The Dax has come off those highs slightly, but traded near that level for the rest of the session, where it closed 12,756.80.

The day ahead sees the release of some significant economic data from the UK. The UK is publishing Retail Sales figures later tonight. This is important economic data as retail goods sold is an indicator to consumer confidence and economic growth, as retail goods tend to be purchased using a consumer’s discretionary funds. Other data set for release today and the early hours of tomorrow morning includes:

Europe – Swiss Trade Balance

Canada – ADP Non-Farm Employment Change

Japan – National Core CPI

NZ – Visitor Arrivals

Australia – Employment Change, Unemployment Rate, NAB Quarterly Business Confidence

US – Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, Unemployment Claims, CB Leading Index, Natural Gas Storage, FOMC Member Randal Quarles speaks

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