Forexlive Americas FX news wrap: Consumer confidence slumps

• US December consumer confidence 104.7 vs 113.3 expected
• US November new home sales +5.9% vs -14.8% prior
• US November durable goods orders -1.1% vs -0.4% expected
• Canada GDP for October 0.3% m/m vs 0.1% expected
• Canada November PPI +2.2% vs +1.1% y/y prior

Markets:

• Gold down $10 to $2610
• Bitcoin down 3% to $93,800
• US 10-year yields up 6 bps to 4.58%
• WTI crude flat at $69.50
• S&P 500 up 0.7%
• USD leads, CHF lags

The final week of the year started off with mixed signals. The equity market continued its rebound from the post-Fed rout as the Nasdaq rose 1%. It didn’t start out that way as futures pointed to a lower open, but Santa Claus might arrive after all, with steady bids throughout the day, particularly after Europe went offline.

Unfortunately, the Christmas cheer didn’t spread to bonds or FX. Yields rose across the curve with 10s and 30s up to the highest since May. That underpinned a US dollar bid early in the day, though it faded some what on a better risk trade later.

Economic data didn’t appear to have a large effect but there was a solid schedule as stats agencies rush to publish ahead of the holiday. US consumer confidence saw a sharp drop in lower expectations, highlighting some angst about Trump policies.

For the euro, yen and pound it was mostly sideways trading in North America after earlier moves lower in the trio. It was the commodity currencies that came to life late in solid rebounds that erased earlier losses. The loonie got a better October GDP number but the November monthly reading was negative, highlighting the risks headed into the new year.

Have a Merry Christmas!

This article was written by Adam Button at www.forexlive.com.