Monthly Archives: February 2026
Canada’s wholesale sales rose 2.0% month on month in December, missing the 2.1% forecast.
Written on February 17, 2026 at 6:09 pm, by davin
Canada’s wholesale sales rose 2% in December, slightly missing forecasts—another cooling signal. With softer inflation and jobs, rate hikes look unlikely, boosting bets on a weaker loonie and protective hedges. – vtmarketsmy.com
In January, Canada’s BoC core CPI slipped to 2.6% year over year, down from 2.8% previously
Written on February 17, 2026 at 6:09 pm, by davin
Canada’s core CPI cooled to 2.6% in January, stoking bets the Bank of Canada will cut rates sooner. Markets price April cuts, pressuring CAD and shifting strategy toward rate and FX options. – vtmarketsmy.com
In January, Canada’s BoC core CPI slowed to 2.6% year over year, down from 2.8% previously
Written on February 17, 2026 at 6:08 pm, by davin
Canada’s core inflation just cooled to 2.6% from 2.8%—a key crack in BoC’s stance. Markets now expect spring rate cuts, weaker CAD, and fresh opportunities in rate and FX options. – vtmarketsmy.com
February’s Empire State manufacturing index in New York topped forecasts, rising to 7.1 versus 6 expected
Written on February 17, 2026 at 5:09 pm, by davin
New York’s Empire State Manufacturing Index beat forecasts (7.1 vs 6), signaling stronger growth. Combined with sticky inflation and strong jobs, Fed cuts may slip. Consider higher-rate trades, cyclical upside, Nasdaq hedges, stronger dollar. – vtmarketsmy.com
Weak UK jobs data pressures sterling, ends GBP/JPY gains and turns near-term bias bearish below 210.00
Written on February 17, 2026 at 5:09 pm, by davin
GBP/JPY slid to 207.28 as weak UK jobs data fuels BoE rate-cut bets. Yen stayed firm. Charts turn bearish below 210. Options favor breakouts: calls above 209, puts below 206.5. – vtmarketsmy.com
In January, the US ADP four-week average employment change rose to 10.3K from 6.5K previously
Written on February 17, 2026 at 5:09 pm, by davin
A tiny ADP bump in 2024 signaled surprising strength, delaying Fed cuts. Now 2026 data cools: 70% odds of May cut. Traders eye SOFR options, VIX hedges, and weaker dollar. – vtmarketsmy.com
Savage says lower JGB yields and strong five-year demand have eased fiscal fears, boosting the yen since the February election
Written on February 17, 2026 at 5:09 pm, by davin
Japan’s post-election shift is reshaping global trades: stronger JGB demand, falling yields, a flatter curve, and a firmer yen. Watch USD/JPY 150 as stocks slide and risk-off hedges rise. – vtmarketsmy.com
For a second session in a row, EUR falls against USD after weak Eurozone sentiment data disappoints investors
Written on February 17, 2026 at 4:10 pm, by davin
EUR/USD slid to 1.1830 as weak ZEW sentiment hit the euro and the dollar stayed firm. Yet 2026 hints at recovery: sticky core inflation could turn ECB hawkish, favoring bullish options. – vtmarketsmy.com
During the European session, GBP/USD regained half of its earlier losses but remained down 0.23% near 1.3600
Written on February 17, 2026 at 4:09 pm, by davin
Sterling slid on weak UK jobs data, then rebounded slightly, leaving GBP/USD near 1.3600. Rising unemployment and slower wage growth boost March BoE cut bets, risking a break below 1.3500. – vtmarketsmy.com
BBH’s Elias Haddad expects the RBNZ to hold rates at 2.25% and signal earlier hikes, supporting the NZD
Written on February 17, 2026 at 4:09 pm, by davin
RBNZ may hold rates at 2.25%, but the real story is its new forecast: earlier hikes amid high inflation and a tight labour market, potentially boosting NZD and options plays. – vtmarketsmy.com
