All eyes on the UK unemployment rate figures

All eyes on the UK unemployment rate figures

14.12.2021

Yesterday, the three major U.S. stock indices all fell, leading to a risk-off market characterized by falling stock prices, lower interest rates, and cheaper crude oil. WTI crude oil dropped by about 3% to $70.50. Meanwhile, OPEC indicated that the impact of the Omicron variant on demand would be limited and revised its oil demand forecast for the first quarter of 2022 upward.

In the foreign exchange market, the pound is facing resistance at higher levels. GBP/JPY fell by approximately 90 pips during yesterday’s U.S. trading session and has now broken below the key level of 150.00, trading around 149.79. Technically, GBP/JPY is already trading below the 200-period simple moving average (SMA) on the hourly chart, and as it continues to form lower highs on the 4-hour chart, we will be closely monitoring the situation to see if the decline continues.

Today, at 4:00 p.m. CET, the UK unemployment rate and Turkish housing import prices will be released; at 4:30 p.m. CET, Swiss producer import prices; at 7:00 p.m. CET, EurozoneIndustrial Production at 19:00, the US NFIB Small Business Optimism Index at 20:00, the US Producer Price Index at 22:30 (US time), remarks by RBNZ Governor Orr at 28:00, and New Zealand’s Q3 Current Account Balance at 6:45 the following day. I’d like to keep an eye on the direction of the pound while monitoring changes in today’s UK unemployment rate.

Past Market Reports

1. 17.04.2026New

   Will the market wait and see how much further the U.S. dollar can rise against the yen?

2. 16.04.2026New

   Will the weakening Swiss franc recover? Attention is turning to price movements during European trading hours.

3. 15.04.2026New

   Market participants are likely keeping a close eye on the upside potential of the euro, which has risen against the U.S. dollar

4. 14.04.2026New

   Should we keep an eye on remarks by key figures in the U.S. and try to gauge the direction of currency strength?

5. 13.04.2026New

   Market participants are likely watching for signs of a rebound in the Canadian dollar, which fell against the U.S. dollar following the release of employment figures

6. 10.04.2026

   Will the weakening Swiss franc continue to strengthen against the yen, or should we wait and see?

7. 09.04.2026

   Will the U.S. dollar, which has fallen against the yen, continue its downward slide, or should we wait and see how the market moves?

8. 08.04.2026

   Should we keep an eye on the upside for European currencies that have risen against the U.S. dollar?

9. 07.04.2026

   Market participants may be wary of further downside potential for the U.S. dollar, which has weakened amid concerns over the situation in Iran

10. 06.04.2026

    Investors should be wary of sudden spikes in volatility while major markets are closed