USD 
The US Dollar strengthened during Thursdays session after data revealed the
number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly
fell last week. This pushed the average over the past month to the
lowest level in eight years and signalling that employers are hanging on to
workers as the economy improves.

Firings are hovering around the lowest in almost a decade as employers retained

USD 
The US Dollar strengthened during Thursdays session after data revealed the
number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly
fell last week. This pushed the average over the past month to the
lowest level in eight years and signalling that employers are hanging on to
workers as the economy improves.

Firings are hovering around the lowest in almost a decade as employers retained
their workforce to meet rising demand. This excellent jobs
figure is continuing the positive trend from the first nine months of
the year.  It also lays the ground for stronger gains in hiring and
wages that will give the world’s largest economy a boost even as global
growth is expected to cool.

The U.S. economy is predicted to grow 2.2 percent this year, compared with a
1.7 percent projection in July,the International Monetary Fund said this
week. Federal Reserve policy makers are watching for evidence the labour
market has been restored to full health before raising interest rates, which
have been held near zero since December 2008. Most Fed policy makers indicate
they expect an initial rate rise next year.

EUR 
The euro declined against the dollar as European Central Bank President Mario
Draghi said the central bank must lift inflation from an “excessively low”
level.  Stating that “We are accountable to the European people for
delivering price stability, which today means lifting inflation from its
excessively low level,” Draghi told Group of 20 finance ministers and central
bankers gathered in Washington. “And we will do exactly that.” Quite how Draghi
intends to achieve increased inflation figures is currently unknown, but
economic stimulus is being muted as a possible option. 

European Central Bank president has stopped short of large-scale sovereign-bond
purchases as efforts to mollify Germany’s political elite do little to silence
criticism of his ever-more expansionary measures. Support for anti-euro groups
such as Alternative for Germany has risen and the ECB’s latest plan to buy
assets sparked an outcry within all major parties. 

Key Announcements:
9:30 BST  GBP: UK Trade Balance  expected to improve to
 -9.6B from -10.2B

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