American focus : dollar fell against major currencies

The U.S. dollar weakened across the board after the published statistics. Manufacturing activity in the U.S. this month weakened. This is evidenced by the preliminary report of Markit, presented on Thursday . Nevertheless , one of the factors weakening activity can be extremely cold weather . Preliminary Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the manufacturing the United States in January fell to 53.7 from December's final value of 55.0 . In Markit reported that the January preliminary value that is based on approximately 85 % of the normal monthly number of responses , " signaled the slowest in three months improving the business environment ."

Another report showed that the index of economic activity for the region of Chicago gave considerably smaller increase in December , as the sub- indices related to employment and production figures have decreased compared to the previous month . According to the report , the economic activity index of the Chicago Fed declined to 0.16 in December from 0.69 in November. More important indicator , namely the three-month moving average fell to 0.33 from 0.36 . Recall that the index is a weighted average of 85 economic indicators of national economic activity. A value of zero indicates economic expansion near the current trend indicators and a positive value indicates about the above-average growth .

With regard to labor market data , the number of applications for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week , although the overall level indicates a marked improvement in the labor market . According to the report , the seasonally adjusted number of initial claims for unemployment benefits rose for the week ending January 18 , 1000 , reaching a level with 326 thousand Many experts expect that the number of applications will increase to 331 thousand to 326 thousand , of which initially reported last week. In addition, it was reported that the average number of applications for benefits over the past four weeks decreased by 3750 - to the level of 331,500 .

Euro rate previously increased significantly against the U.S. dollar in anticipation of data on business activity , and on the background of the publication itself . It is learned that the business activity in the euro area private sector has grown considerably in the month of January , when showing the highest growth in the last 31 months . This was stated in the study results , which were issued by Markit Economics. The data showed that the composite PMI , which assesses the effectiveness of the manufacturing sector and the services sector rose to 53.2 in January from 52.1 in December , reaching its highest level since June 2011 . Economists had expected a rise to 52.5 . We also add that the activity index for the services sector rose to a four-month high in January , namely to 51.9 points from 51 in December. Economists had forecast an increase to 51.5 . Meanwhile, the purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing rose to a 32-month high in January , reaching 53.9 points , compared with 52.7 in December. According to forecasts, this figure should make 53.2 . We add that the production index rose to 56.7 from 54.9 in December. It was the highest value in 33 months.

Pleased also another report which showed that the current account surplus of the eurozone rose unexpectedly in November , registering with the second monthly increase in a row, which primarily was due to a significant increase in exports. According to the report , the current account surplus rose to a seasonally adjusted level of 23.5 billion euros in November , compared with 22.2 billion euros in October. The surplus in trade in goods rose to 18.6 billion euros from 16.6 billion euros. Meanwhile , we add that the surplus on services decreased to 9.5 billion euros from 10.1 billion euros. In addition, data showed that revenue rose to 5 billion euros from 4.9 billion euros, while the current account deficit increased transfers to 9.5 billion euros from 9.4 billion euros in October.

Pound continued its yesterday's gains against the U.S. dollar , while setting a new yearly high . Increased risk appetite supporting sterling today. Positive so far for a pound a week contributes to the continuation of its strengthening levels above $ 1.6600 , where the couple was not since August 2011 . A recent report to the Bank of England combined with data on employment contributed to the development of the current bullish bias. In light of the recent fall in unemployment in the UK to 7.1% , economists note that the unemployment rate has all the chances to reach the target mark of 7.0% Bank of England next month. Nearest labor market report is scheduled for February 19. Meanwhile , its decision on monetary policy the Bank of England will announce on February 6 and inflation report released on February 12 . "

The Swiss franc has risen sharply against the U.S. dollar against the backdrop of the Swiss National Bank raised its capital buffer requirements for banks , they should have to mortgage lending. Note that the SNB is supported by the Government now requires mortgage lenders have to have a 2% higher weighted assets in relation to mortgage risk to maintain their lending , against 1% , introduced in February 2013 . New rules on capital reserves associated with a mortgage, come into force on June 30 this year .

"Strengthening of the franc against the background of this decision may lead to repatriation franc as Swiss banks try to replenish their capital ," - said Valentin Marinov, currency strategist at Citigroup. Despite this, the bank holds a negative outlook on the franc against the euro and the dollar. Other analysts agree that the current dynamics of the currency will be short .