btc-usdSkerdian Meta•Thursday, March 13, 2025•3 min read Add an article to your Reading ListRegister now to be able to add articles to your reading
Today the UK GDP is expected to show a slowdown to 0.1% in January, after a spike to 0.4% in December due to Christmas.
Stock markets performed well as there were no major new tariff developments, despite the US imposing a 25% tax on steel and aluminum imports. In response, Europe and Canada introduced minor duties on US exports, while Trump confirmed upcoming auto and car part tariffs affecting both regions, set to take effect on April 2.
The latest US CPI report showed inflation cooling, with both headline and core CPI rising 0.2% month-over-month, below the 0.3% forecast. Annual headline inflation came in at 3.2%, matching expectations but lower than the previous 3.3%, while core CPI dropped to 3.1%, the lowest level since 2021. The data reinforced expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts, with market pricing now reflecting 76 basis points of easing in 2025, up from 70 basis points previously.
The Bank of Canada (BoC) also cut rates by 25 basis points to 2.75%, citing concerns over inflationary pressures, slowing growth, and uncertainty caused by US tariffs. This marked the seventh consecutive rate cut, totaling 225 basis points over nine months, making the BoC one of the most aggressive central banks globally.
Despite the BoC’s neutral stance, rising oil prices supported the Canadian dollar, causing USD/CAD to decline. The OPEC report showed an increase in February crude production, but yesterday’s EIA crude oil inventory data revealed a smaller-than-expected build, adding further support to oil prices.
Today’s Market Expectations
Today, Commerce Sec. Lutnick will be meeting with Canadian officials to further discuss USMCA and what the tariff situation might look like. The outcome might give shivers to the markets again, but let’s see.
The headline and core measures of the US PPI producer inflation are expected to be 0.3% when it is issued today. Number-crunchers will be able to see the PCE statistics for February, which are expected to be revealed later this month, thanks to the combination of the CPI and the PPI. A weaker PPIU number today is probably going to further hurt the USD while boosting sentiment in stock markets.
The preliminary University of Michigan (UoM) consumer sentiment index in the U.S. came in at 63.8, down from the previous 64.7, signaling a decline in consumer confidence. Meanwhile, inflation expectations in the preliminary UoM survey remained at 4.3%. Federal Reserve policymakers are closely monitoring these figures, as weakening consumer sentiment raises concerns about economic growth.
Yesterday the volatility in some markets such as equities and cryptocurrencies was pretty high, and we saw a coupe of reversals in forex and commodities such as Gold and crude Oil. That got traders on the wrong foot and we had three losing signals, however we closed 4 winning forex signals as well, after 7 trades during yesterday.
Gold Resumes the Upside Momentum
Gold, which experienced a sharp drop in February, briefly rebounded above $2,900 before pulling back again. Despite struggling to hold new highs, demand for the metal remains strong in both risk-on and risk-off market conditions. Over the past two days, buyers have stepped in near the $2,832 support level, lifting GOLD past $2,915. Yesterday the bullish momentum resumed again, sending XAU to $2,940.
XAU/USD – H4 Chart
USD/CAD Reverses at Resistance After the BOC Rate Cut
USD/CAD – Daily Chart
Cryptocurrency Update
Bitcoin Fails at the 200 Daily SMA
BTC/USD – Daily chart
Ripple XRP Tests the 20 Daily SMA
XRP/USD – Daily Chart
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