Today at 1:30 pm BST we will learn US retail sales data. After a strong rebound in July, a slowdown is expected for August, due to weakness on the auto sales side. However, as data from the last 30 years shows, retail sales rebounded 3-4 months after the first interest rate cut.
Will the data justify the need for a bigger cut?
August data will almost certainly show a decline in retail sales, given the sales figures in the auto sector. It's also worth remembering the fairly strong rebound in overall sales in July, resulting in a fairly high base. Today's data would have to show not only a stronger decline in overall sales, but also a decline in underlying sales to ensure that the Fed cuts interest rates by 50 basis points. What are our market expectations ahead of today's reading?
- Retail sales are expected to fall 0.2% m/m compared to July, when sales rose 1.0% m/m. Real sales are expected to fall 0.3% m/m.
- Core sales (excluding car sales) are expected to rise 0.2% m/m, with the previous increase of 0.4% m/m. In real terms, core sales are expected to rise 0.1% m/m.
- Core sales excluding automobiles and fuel are expected to rise 0.3% m/m, with a previous increase of 0.4% m/m.
- The control group (which excludes food, cars, fuels and building materials) is expected to rise 0.3% m/m and 0.1% m/m in real terms.
- Bloomberg Economics points out that retail sales typically rebounded for 3-4 months after the Fed made its first interest rate cut. Lower interest rates on credit cards and consumer loans should lead to a slight recovery in consumption.
Sales nominally rose 1.0% m/m recently. Realistically, however, we had a rebound after several months of stagnation. Due to the high base in July, sales are now expected to decline: nominally and real. Source: Bloomberg Finance LP, XTB
Most sales categories (except food) are expected to show slower-than-normal sales. Source: Bloomberg Finance LP
How will the market react?
The market is now pricing in a greater than 70% probability of a 50 basis point interest rate cut by the Fed. The data would have to perform significantly worse than expectations today to push the probability above 80%. A decline in overall sales is rather strongly likely, but a surprise of no change from the previous month would be a sign of strong consumer sentiment, which could have a positive impact on the dollar. Note, however, that changes in the currency market today will be rather limited, looking ahead to tomorrow's very important event.
EURUSD is rising moderately today ahead of the data release. The pair retreated only minimally after the publication of extremely weak data from Germany on analyst and investor sentiment. Stronger data (no change from the previous month) could lead the pair to retreat to the vicinity of the 1.1100 level. On the other hand, if core sales did not rise contrary to expectations, it would be a sign of strong weakness in the US public, which would probably lead to a rise between 1.1160-1.1180.
Source: xStation5
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