IC Markets – Europe Fundamental Forecast | 17 August 2026

IC Markets – Europe Fundamental Forecast | 17 August 2026

What happened in the Asia session?

Japan’s Q2 GDP release, which showed the economy grew 0.3% quarter-on-quarter and 1.1% annualised, well below the 0.5% q/q and 2.0% annualised forecasts. The weaker growth was driven mainly by softer household consumption and business investment, although exports remained relatively resilient. Despite the miss, markets continued to price a meaningful possibility of a Bank of Japan rate hike, helped by persistent inflation and a weak yen. The JPY/USD (USDJPY) was therefore one of the key FX instruments affected, with the yen strengthening modestly toward the 159 area.

What does it mean for the Europe & US sessions?

Today’s session is relatively light on major U.S. data, making Canada’s CPI the standout scheduled release. The bigger theme remains whether softer U.S. economic momentum will continue to pressure the dollar and reduce expectations for further Fed tightening. At the same time, elevated oil prices and geopolitical tensions could reintroduce inflation concerns. Traders should therefore watch CAD volatility around the CPI release, USD direction, Treasury yields, oil prices and equity-market sentiment, while keeping an eye on Wednesday’s FOMC minutes for the next major U.S. catalyst.

The Dollar Index (DXY)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from DXY today?

The U.S. dollar is starting the week under pressure, with the Dollar Index near a two-month low as markets continue to reduce expectations for further Federal Reserve rate hikes. Recent U.S. data have pointed to softer economic momentum, particularly weaker consumer spending, while subdued inflation and a softer labor market have pushed the probability of a September Fed hike down to around 30% from roughly 47%. Today, traders will be watching the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index and other U.S. economic indicators for further clues about the strength of the economy. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield is around 4.69%, still elevated but slightly lower today, which is also limiting support for the dollar.

Central Bank Notes:

• The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% at its July 28–29, 2026, meeting, marking the fifth consecutive meeting without a policy change. The Committee voted 9–3 to maintain rates, with three members dissenting in favor of a 25-basis-point rate hike, highlighting growing concern among some policymakers that inflation remains too high.
• The Committee reaffirmed its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. Officials noted that the labor market remains resilient, with job gains broadly keeping pace with labor force growth and the unemployment rate remaining relatively stable. The FOMC continues to view employment conditions as consistent with a healthy economy while remaining vigilant for signs of labor market weakening.
• Inflation remains the Committee’s primary concern. While some recent inflation data have shown moderation, overall price pressures remain above the Fed’s 2% target. Policymakers emphasized that elevated inflation continues to be driven in part by higher energy prices and persistent supply-side pressures, leading the Committee to maintain a restrictive monetary policy stance.
• Economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty. Strong productivity growth, business investment, and continued spending related to artificial intelligence remain supportive of economic growth. However, the FOMC acknowledged that geopolitical tensions, particularly developments affecting global energy markets, continue to pose risks to both inflation and the broader economic outlook.
• The July meeting highlighted increasing divisions within the Committee. Three policymakers—Beth Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie Logan—voted against the majority, preferring an immediate rate increase. This unusually large number of dissents reflects growing concern among some officials that inflation could remain persistent and may require additional policy tightening if progress stalls.
• Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated that future policy decisions will remain strictly data-dependent. He avoided providing explicit forward guidance, emphasizing that upcoming decisions will depend on incoming inflation, employment, and growth data. Warsh also stressed that the Committee remains fully committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective and is prepared to act if inflationary pressures intensify.
• The FOMC continues its balance sheet normalization program without changes. The Federal Reserve will maintain Treasury runoff caps at $5 billion per month and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) runoff caps at $35 billion per month, while continuing to ensure ample reserves remain available within the banking system.
• The next meeting is scheduled for 15 to 16  September 2026.

Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish

Gold (XAU)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from Gold today?

Gold is starting the week on a bullish note, trading around $4,390–$4,405 per ounce, supported mainly by a weaker U.S. dollar and declining expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike. Spot gold was up roughly 0.4%, while markets have significantly reduced the probability of a September Fed hike following weaker U.S. employment, inflation and consumer-spending data. The U.S. dollar index is weakening, which makes gold cheaper for non-dollar buyers and is providing additional support. Treasury yields have also eased, improving the appeal of the non-yielding precious metal.

Next 24 Hours Bias   
Weak Bearish

The Euro (EUR)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from EUR today?

The euro is starting the week with a mildly bullish bias, supported mainly by continued weakness in the U.S. dollar and growing expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) could raise interest rates again in September. Reuters reports that 83% of economists surveyed expect a September ECB hike, which would take the deposit rate to 2.50%, as eurozone inflation remained elevated at 2.9% in July, partly due to higher energy prices. At the same time, softer U.S. economic data, particularly the 0.6% decline in July retail sales and weaker employment/inflation signals, have reduced expectations for further Federal Reserve tightening, putting additional pressure on the dollar and supporting EUR/USD.

Central Bank Notes:

• The Governing Council kept all three key interest rates unchanged at its 22–23 July meeting, maintaining the deposit facility at 2.25%, the main refinancing operations rate at 2.40%, and the marginal lending facility at 2.65%. The ECB reiterated that monetary policy will remain meeting-by-meeting and data-dependent, with no pre-commitment to a future rate path.
• The euro area economy continues to expand at a modest pace, with growth expected to remain below trend but resilient. While domestic demand and the labor market continue to provide support, elevated uncertainty, higher energy prices, and weaker external demand are expected to limit the pace of expansion through the second half of 2026.
• Balance-sheet normalization continues as planned. The APP and PEPP portfolios continue to decline predictably as the Eurosystem no longer reinvests maturing securities. The ECB has indicated that liquidity conditions remain orderly and that it stands ready to preserve the smooth transmission of monetary policy if necessary.
• Inflation risks remain tilted to the upside. Renewed volatility in oil and natural gas prices following geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could keep headline inflation above the ECB’s 2% target for longer. Policymakers are closely monitoring the persistence of energy-driven inflation, wage developments, and any potential second-round effects.
• The ECB is expected to maintain a cautious policy stance into August. Future policy decisions will continue to depend on incoming inflation data, wage growth, underlying inflation measures, credit conditions, and the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission. While markets see the possibility of further tightening later in the year if inflation remains persistent, the ECB has not committed to additional rate increases.
• For the euro (EUR), the outlook remains balanced. Stable ECB policy provides support, but renewed energy-price shocks and global risk sentiment may generate two-way volatility. The euro could strengthen if euro-area inflation remains sticky or economic data outperform expectations, while weaker growth or a more hawkish Federal Reserve could weigh on the currency.
• Euro-area bond markets are expected to remain sensitive to inflation expectations and geopolitical developments. Front-end yields should remain relatively anchored while the ECB stays on hold, whereas longer-dated yields will continue to respond to energy-price developments, inflation expectations, and global risk sentiment.

​The next meeting is on 9 to 10 September 2026

Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish

The Swiss Franc (CHF)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from CHF today?

The Swiss franc (CHF) remains supported by its safe-haven appeal and Switzerland’s stronger-than-expected economic performance. The latest major development is Switzerland’s Q2 GDP growth of 1.5% quarter-on-quarter, the fastest expansion since 2021, driven mainly by the chemicals and pharmaceutical sectors. However, this strength came ahead of the impact of new U.S. tariffs, creating uncertainty for Swiss exporters and potentially limiting the franc’s upside through weaker future growth.

Central Bank Notes:

• At its monetary policy assessment on 18 June 2026, the Swiss National Bank left the SNB policy rate unchanged at 0.00%, in line with market expectations. Policymakers maintained that the current policy setting remains appropriate given low inflation and ongoing global economic uncertainty.
• Inflation remains exceptionally subdued in Switzerland. Recent data show consumer price growth staying comfortably within the SNB’s price stability range, with headline inflation around 0.6% year-on-year in May 2026, while underlying inflation pressures remain limited despite higher global energy prices.
• The SNB continues to view medium-term inflation pressures as largely unchanged. While energy prices linked to Middle East tensions have temporarily lifted near-term inflation expectations, the stronger Swiss franc has helped offset imported inflation, supporting the central bank’s decision to maintain rates at current levels.
• External risks remain elevated. Policymakers highlighted ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties, and slower global growth prospects, particularly in key export markets such as the Eurozone and the United States. These factors continue to warrant a cautious policy approach.
• Swiss economic activity remains resilient but modest. GDP growth is expected to remain around 1–1.5% in 2026, supported by domestic demand, although manufacturing and export-oriented sectors continue to face challenges from a strong franc and softer foreign demand.
• The SNB reiterated its readiness to act if necessary. The Governing Board emphasized that it remains willing to intervene in foreign exchange markets to counter excessive Swiss franc appreciation and stands prepared to adjust policy should inflation or economic conditions deviate materially from expectations.

The next meeting is on 24 September 2026.

Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish

The Pound (GBP)

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from GBP today?

The British pound starts the week with a mildly bullish tone, with GBP/USD trading around 1.3550–1.3560, helped by a softer U.S. dollar and expectations that the Federal Reserve may be less aggressive on rates after weaker U.S. consumer-spending data. The bigger focus for sterling this week is UK inflation, employment and retail-sales data, which could significantly influence expectations for the Bank of England’s next moves. The BoE currently has the Bank Rate at 3.75%, with its next policy decision due on 17 September. At the same time, concerns are building that higher energy prices could push UK inflation higher again, potentially keeping the BoE cautious about cutting rates or even raising rates later in the year.

Central Bank Notes:

• The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 29–30 July 2026, with the decision and updated Monetary Policy Report scheduled for publication on 30 July. The previous meeting in June resulted in a 7–2 vote to maintain the Bank Rate at 3.75%, with Megan Greene and Huw Pill voting for a 25-basis-point increase to 4.00%. The July meeting is particularly important because it includes a new Monetary Policy Report and updated economic projections.
• UK inflation has continued to move closer to the Bank’s 2% target. CPI inflation fell to 2.6% in June 2026, from 2.8% in May, while core CPI remained at 2.6%. Services inflation also eased from 3.7% to 3.6%, suggesting that underlying domestic price pressures are gradually moderating. Nevertheless, services inflation remains above the 2% target and continues to be an important consideration for the MPC.
• The inflation outlook remains complicated by energy-market developments. The earlier Middle East energy shock pushed inflation higher and created uncertainty around the speed at which inflation would return sustainably to target. Although energy prices have fallen from their earlier peaks, they remain elevated relative to pre-conflict levels. The MPC therefore continues to monitor the potential for energy costs to feed into wages, services prices and inflation expectations.
• The UK economy remains relatively subdued, with weak demand and signs of cooling in the labour market weighing against the upside inflation risks. The combination of slower economic activity and easing inflation creates a difficult policy balance for the MPC: keeping rates restrictive for too long could weaken growth further, while easing policy prematurely could allow persistent domestic inflation pressures to return.
• Wage growth and services inflation remain key risks for monetary policy. Although headline CPI has fallen substantially from earlier 2026 levels, the MPC is likely to remain cautious until there is greater evidence that domestic inflation pressures are sustainably declining. The moderation in services inflation to 3.6% is encouraging, but it remains above levels consistent with the Bank’s 2% inflation target.
• Quantitative tightening (QT) remains part of the Bank’s broader monetary-policy framework. The MPC continues reducing the stock of UK government bonds held for monetary-policy purposes through its balance-sheet reduction programme. At the June meeting, the stock of government bonds held for monetary-policy purposes stood at approximately £522 billion.
• The policy outlook remains highly data-dependent. With inflation moving lower but services inflation and wage pressures still elevated, the MPC faces a delicate balance between maintaining sufficiently restrictive policy and avoiding unnecessary damage to economic growth. Market participants had previously placed substantial probability on the Bank Rate remaining at 3.75% through the July meeting, although expectations for later meetings showed greater uncertainty, including the possibility of rate increases if inflation proves persistent.
• The next meeting is on 17 September 2026.
  
  Next 24 Hours Bias
  Weak Bullish

The Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Key news events today

CPI m/m (12:30 pm GMT)

Median CPI y/y (12:30 pm GMT)

Trimmed CPI y/y (12:30 pm GMT)

Common CPI y/y (12:30 pm GMT)

What can we expect from CAD today?

Canadian dollar is starting the week on a firmer footing, with USD/CAD trading around 1.3863–1.3870, as higher crude-oil prices and broad U.S. dollar weakness continue to support the loonie. The CAD recently reached a two-month high, helped by rising oil prices, which are particularly important for Canada as a major energy exporter.

The main event for CAD today is Canada’s July inflation report. A stronger-than-expected inflation reading could support the CAD by reducing expectations for Bank of Canada easing, while a softer reading could put renewed pressure on the currency.
​
Central Bank Notes:

• At its 15 July 2026 meeting, the Governing Council maintained the overnight rate target at 2.25%, marking a sixth consecutive decision at this level and extending the policy pause that began in late 2025. The decision was in line with market expectations. It reflects the Council’s view that the current stance remains appropriately restrictive to return inflation sustainably to the 2% target over the projection horizon while balancing two‑sided risks.
• External conditions remain challenging, with persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ongoing U.S. trade frictions continuing to weigh on global sentiment and supply chains. Council minutes and external commentary highlight that these risks are asymmetric, with the potential either to slow foreign demand or to heighten volatility in global energy and other commodity prices, warranting a nimble policy stance.
• Real GDP appears to have resumed growth in Q2 2026 after stalling earlier in the year, with the Bank and private forecasters now expecting output to expand at roughly a 2.3–2.5% annualized pace, slightly above the April baseline. Growth remains supported by resource shipments and exports amid robust global energy demand, while domestic activity is gradually broadening as consumption and housing stabilize and business investment shows tentative improvement from earlier weakness.
• The labour market remains tight but continues a gradual rebalancing: employment rose by about 18,000 positions in June, and the unemployment rate edged down to 6.5%, tying its lowest level since mid‑2024. Wage growth has cooled from prior peaks, and regional participation increases are consistent with easing wage pressures over time, although pockets of labour scarcity persist in energy‑related and some service sectors.
• Headline CPI has drifted above 2% and was around 3.2% year‑over‑year in May, with inflation expected to remain elevated in June before gradually easing as energy effects fade. Core measures have moved closer to 2% on average, and the share of CPI components running above 3% has fallen back toward historical norms, suggesting underlying inflation is moderating even as near‑term headline readings remain somewhat higher. The Bank continues to project inflation returning to the 2% target in early 2027, conditional on oil prices stabilizing near their assumed range.
• High‑frequency indicators point to continued expansion in manufacturing and exports into early summer, with Purchasing Managers’ Index readings still in positive territory, supported by solid energy‑sector activity and demand for intermediate goods. However, surveys indicate that firms’ capex intentions remain cautious in light of trade uncertainty and past weakness in domestic demand, suggesting investment may recover only gradually.
• Credit growth remains moderate, and bank lending spreads and deposit pricing show limited additional pass‑through from recent global rate moves, keeping domestic financial conditions relatively stable. Mortgage rates remain somewhat elevated compared with pre‑tightening levels but have been broadly unchanged in recent months, contributing to a measured moderation in housing activity rather than an abrupt adjustment.
• The next meeting is on 2 September 2026.

Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bullish

Oil

Key news events today

No major news event

What can we expect from Oil today?

Oil prices are starting the week higher, with Brent crude trading around $89.40 per barrel and WTI around $82.83, as stalled U.S.–Iran peace talks and sharply reduced tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz raise renewed concerns about supply disruptions. Only five vessels reportedly passed through the Strait on Saturday and none on Sunday, compared with 31 the previous weekend. Recent attacks on tankers linked to ADNOC and concerns around regional energy infrastructure have added to the geopolitical risk premium. OPEC has reduced its 2026 global oil-demand growth forecast, while the IEA expects global supply to decline significantly this year before rebounding in 2027.

Next 24 Hours Bias
Weak Bearish