The numbers were expected to turn out weaker due to the impact of the coronavirus worldwide. However, the outcome shows that commercial activity continues to grow at a good pace, boding well for the economic recovery that could be reflected in the rest of the growth figures.
Such a result happened even though the evolution of the pandemic keeps showing us that it is far from being controlled. Cases are rebounding in Europe and the United States, although the health impact is less severe due to the increase in vaccination.
This could have an impact on the inflation data published today in the United States. The June CPI is expected to continue rising with a forecasted interannual Core CPI forecast of 4% vs 3.8% the previous month.
The Fed has already made its stance on inflation clear – it considers the current rebound to be transitory. However, the more it lasts, the more it could lead the markets to discount a tapering by the Fed earlier than expected. We recall that the Fed had already postponed the tapering process at its last meeting when there was much more significant progress towards achieving the dual objective of full employment and price stability. In this regard, Powell's appearance will be important, as he will speak today and tomorrow at the semi-annual conference on monetary policy before Congress, where he is expected to keep the same message.
The U.S. Dollar is awaiting these figures and Powell's statements without relevant movements after the strengthening it experienced in recent weeks.
USD/JPY, with a high positive correlation with U.S. bond yields, is moving slowly towards the near-term resistance zone around 110.40, but without much momentum at the moment. Above this level, it would find the first resistance at 111.00 before the last high at 111.60.
On the other hand, the United States Senate resumes talks today to approve the infrastructure plan valued at $1.2 trillion that should go ahead before August. If approved, this plan could positively impact the North American stock markets, which remain at their highest levels with minimal advances on a day-to-day basis.
The USA30 index is near the resistance level located at 34865 above, which new all-time highs will be reached, paving the way for further gains and predictably more bullish momentum.
Sources: Bloomberg, reuters.com.
