Dear Reader,

Today's overview of economic news and market action

• Overall, there was a positive tone to investor sentiment last week …
• The better than anticipated US data sparked a slight firming in US market rate expectations …
• However, the dollar was under some downward pressure last week …
• Furthermore, the greenback has started this week on the back-foot also …
• Sees EUR/USD open close to the midpoint of $1.10-1.11 …
• GBP/USD is in the top half of $1.29-1.30 …
• EUR/GBP is in the lower half of 85-86p …
• This week, the main data releases will be the flash PMIs for August …
• The Fed Jackson Hole Economic Symposium will also garner attention …

All rates quoted are indicative market rates.

The ECB meeting for July saw the Governing Council keep its key interest rates unchanged. This means that the Deposit rate remains at 3.75% while the refi rate stays at 4.25%. The ‘hold’ on rates in July follows the 25bps rate cut implemented in June to the main interest rates. This represented its first rate change in six meetings after previously being on a rate hiking cycle.

AIB PMI® survey data indicated the slowest rise in total activity in the Irish service sector for three months in July, but growth of new business accelerated and the year-ahead outlook improved. Outstanding business increased at the strongest rate in ten months and employment growth picked up from June's recent low. 

AIB Ireland Manufacturing PMI® indicated a broad stabilisation in operating conditions across the Irish manufacturing sector at the start of the third quarter, thereby ending a four-month period of deterioration. Underlying data hinted at early signs of recovery in demand conditions. Meanwhile, output was raised for the first time since February.