USD Overview (17 August 2020)

Last Friday, USD weakened against most major currencies except NZD and CAD.

The retail sales data released last Friday indicated an increase in consumer spending in July for the third straight month although at a slower pace due to a decline in auto sales.

• Core Retail Sales m/m (Actual: 1.9%, Forecast: 1.3%, Previous: 8.3% revised from 7.3%)
  
• Retail Sales m/m (Actual: 1.2%, Forecast: 2.0%, Previous: 8.4% revised from 7.5%)
  

The Preliminary UoM Consumer Sentiment data (Actual: 72.8, Forecast: 72.0, Previous: 72.5 revised from 73.2) released indicated a slight improvement in the level of consumer confidence in the U.S. economy.

The U.S. and China trade deal review which was initially scheduled to take place over last weekend is now postponed with no new date been agreed at the moment.