The European Central Bank is likely to keep interest rates the same in its next decision, providing limited guidance. They are expected to say that the current situation is stable enough for now, but any future rate cuts will need solid reasons.
In the US, the upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Jobless Claims figures are set to show Core CPI Year-over-Year at 3.1% and Core Month-over-Month at 0.3%. If the CPI report turns out weaker than expected, the chance of a 50 basis points rate cut could rise to between 40% and 60%. However, a strong report might lead to a slight shift towards a more hawkish stance.
US Jobless Claims Forecast
The US Jobless Claims data will be released alongside the CPI. Initial claims are forecasted at 235,000, down from 237,000. Continuing claims are expected to rise slightly from 1,940,000 to 1,951,000. Recent Non-Farm Payroll reports have raised concerns about the job market, but jobless claims data hasn’t shown major red flags.
If both reports are strong, any hawkish adjustments could be more pronounced. Conversely, weak CPI and Jobless Claims data could lead to more dovish expectations. However, if the CPI is soft but Jobless Claims are strong, there may still be a possibility of a short-term rate cut while maintaining longer-term forecasts.
Today is September 11, 2025, so we should focus on the upcoming US data release. The European Central Bank’s decision is expected to be a non-event. With the ECB likely holding rates steady, movements in European assets like the EUR/USD or DAX index futures will probably be influenced by US data. Therefore, we should prepare for potential volatility during the US trading session.
A weak Consumer Price Index report would significantly change the outlook for the Federal Reserve’s next decision. If Core CPI comes in below the expected 0.3% monthly increase, traders might expect Fed funds futures to strongly adjust for a 50 basis point cut, pushing the probability of such a cut over 50%. Traders should consider buying call options on Treasury note futures or put options on the US dollar, as these could benefit from a more dovish Fed.
Market Reactions to Reports
On the other hand, a robust CPI report would strengthen the case for a cautious central bank. While a 25 basis point cut in September seems likely, a high inflation number could cause traders to sell futures contracts linked to 2026 interest rates, reversing bets on future cuts. This might lead to a spike in the 2-year Treasury yield, currently around 4.20%, creating opportunities in short-term interest rate derivatives.
The Jobless Claims data is the critical factor that could amplify market movements. Recent Non-Farm Payroll reports have fallen below expectations, with August adding only a disappointing 150,000 jobs. If initial claims exceed 250,000 today, it would confirm fears of a weakening labor market and could prompt a strong dovish response, even if inflation aligns with forecasts.
Given the uncertainty around this data release, strategies that benefit from increased volatility should be considered. Options straddles on the S&P 500 or major currency pairs could be effective, regardless of the data’s direction, as a surprise in either the CPI or claims data is likely to result in significant market movement. The VIX index has already increased to 16 this week, indicating that the market is preparing for potential shifts.
This situation is reminiscent of the mid-2019 environment when the Fed began its last cutting cycle. At that time, every piece of inflation and employment data was carefully analyzed to gauge the pace and extent of rate cuts. We can expect a similar sensitivity today, where even small deviations from expectations can create large reactions in derivative markets.
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