FX markets face a data-heavy period in the coming days, led by US inflation releases and late-week flash purchasing managers’ indexes (PMIs). 

Regional data and central bank expectations in Japan, Europe, and Australia may influence cross-currency moves, particularly if outcomes differ from expectations.

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Quick facts:

• US Personal Income and Outlays is a key inflation release this week, closely watched by policymakers.
• Flash PMIs across the US, Eurozone, Germany, and the UK offer a timely read on growth momentum.
• Australian data, including labour market indicators, remains important for AUD sensitivity and Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) expectations.
• FX markets can be sensitive when data outcomes differ from expectations.

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USDJPY

What to watch

US attention centres on inflation and activity data, particularly the Personal Income and Outlays report and the PCE price index, alongside late-week flash manufacturing and services PMIs.

These releases are closely followed by markets for their potential influence on rate expectations and USD sensitivity.

On the JPY side, Bank of Japan (BoJ) developments remain relevant, although US data has often been a key driver of recent moves.

Key releases and events

• Fri 23 Jan (US): US Personal Income and Outlays (including PCE inflation)
• Fri 23 Jan (US): Manufacturing and services PMI

Technical snapshot

USDJPY continues to trade above its rising 200-day moving average, with recent daily candles showing greater overlap and smaller ranges over recent weeks.

• Price has remained above the long-term average since late September, with higher swing lows still visible.
• Momentum appears to have moderated since early January, consistent with slowing follow-through rather than reversal.
• Daily ranges have narrowed compared with the October to November advance, again suggesting short-term consolidation.

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EURUSD

What to watch

Eurozone flash PMIs and Germany producer price index (PPI) data provide insights into regional growth momentum and whether inflation pressures are building.

While these releases may influence immediate EUR sentiment, EURUSD continues to trade in the broader context of US data outcomes and global risk conditions.

Key releases and events

• Thu 22 Jan: Germany Producer Price Index (PPI)
• Fri 23 Jan: Eurozone / Germany flash PMIs (manufacturing and services)

Technical snapshot

EURUSD is trading above its rising 200-day moving average (daily chart), although price action since July suggests the market has become more range-bound rather than directional, following the advances in the first half of 2025.

• The broader upward structure has been in place since the beginning of 2025, although progress higher has stalled over recent months.
• Momentum readings have drifted toward neutral since late November, consistent with balanced conditions.
• Average daily range has continued to compress since July, consistent with a flattening of the trend.

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GBPAUD

What to watch

Australian labour market data remains central for AUD sensitivity and RBA expectations. UK CPI is also due this week, which may contribute to cross volatility, particularly if it shifts expectations around the UK rates outlook.

Late-week PMI releases can also influence short-term direction, especially where they add to or challenge the current growth narrative.

Key releases and events

• Wed 21 Jan: UK CPI
• Thu 22 Jan: Australia Labour Force, Australia (December 2025)
• Fri 23 Jan: UK flash PMIs (manufacturing and services)

Technical snapshot

• GBPAUD continues to trade below its long-term moving average, with price action remaining in a downside direction since late November.
• The long-term average flattened through September and has turned lower since October, with the price remaining below and showing recent signs of a greater gap between the price and the moving average.
• Momentum has remained below neutral over recent months, with any retracements to the upside showing limited follow-through.
• Daily ranges have narrowed compared with earlier swings, suggesting a consistent but controlled drop in price rather than impulsive movement.

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Bottom line

With multiple data releases due across key regions, FX markets may remain sensitive to outcomes that differ from expectations.

Existing technical conditions suggest that reactions may vary by pair, with some markets consolidating while others could retain recent directional characteristics.

US and European market attention this week is centred on the US Personal Income and Outlays report (which includes the PCE price index), late-week flash PMI releases, and a continued ramp-up in the US earnings season. 

Alongside key data, geopolitical developments, including renewed discussion around Greenland and tariff threats, remain part of the broader risk backdrop.

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Quick facts:

• US PCE inflation: Closely watched by policymakers as an important inflation measure (released within the Personal Income and Outlays report).
• Flash PMIs: US, Eurozone, Germany, and the UK are due late week, offering a read on growth momentum.
• US earnings: Large-cap and index-heavy companies shaping sentiment at elevated index levels.
• Geopolitical headlines: Greenland and proposed tariff measures add a layer of uncertainty to broader risk sentiment.
• Equity indices: Trading at elevated levels, which may increase sensitivity to data and earnings surprises.

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United States

What to watch

US markets reopen after the Juneteenth holiday, with the US data calendar featuring the PCE price index and core PCE measures. Outcomes that differ from expectations can influence interest-rate expectations and near-term risk sentiment.

Later in the week, flash PMIs offer a more current snapshot of activity across manufacturing and services. US earnings remain a key driver of sentiment, and with indices at elevated levels, valuation and guidance narratives may be tested as results are released.

Key releases and events

• Thu 22 Jan (US): BEA GDP release — Q3 2025 (Updated Estimate)
• Thu 22 Jan (US): BEA Personal Income and Outlays (Oct & Nov 2025) — includes PCE price index and core PCE
• Fri 23 Jan (US): S&P Global flash PMIs (manufacturing and services)
• Throughout the week: US earnings season continues

How markets may respond

• Equities: Indices have been trading at elevated levels. As of 10:30am AEDT, 20 January 2026, the S&P 500 was within ~50 points of its record high.
• USD: PCE results that differ from expectations can contribute to volatility in FX and USD-linked assets, while PMI data can influence shorter-term momentum. 
• Earnings: In a market trading at elevated levels, earnings results and forward guidance can generate volatility even without large headline misses. Forward guidance and margin commentary are likely to be closely watched.

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UK and eurozone

What to watch

In the UK, CPI and labour market data can influence rate expectations and perceptions of growth momentum. In Germany, producer price data offers insight into pipeline inflation pressures. Flash PMIs across the Eurozone, Germany, and the UK complete the week’s calendar and may influence near-term growth assessments.

Key releases and events

Eurozone and Germany

• Thu 22 Jan: Germany PPI
• Fri 23 Jan: Eurozone flash manufacturing PMI (with services PMI)
• Fri 23 Jan: Germany flash manufacturing PMI

United Kingdom

• Wed 21 Jan: UK CPI
• Thu 22 Jan: UK labour market report
• Fri 23 Jan: UK flash manufacturing PMI (with services PMI)

How markets may respond

• DAX: The German index has been trading at elevated levels. PMI and PPI outcomes may influence cyclical sectors, notably industrials and exporters.
• FTSE 100 and GBP: UK CPI and labour market data can affect rate expectations and GBP sensitivity, while PMI outcomes may influence sector-level performance within the index.
• EUR: Euro moves may reflect PMI momentum and inflation signals, though direction can still be heavily influenced by US outcomes and global risk sentiment. 

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Geopolitics

Reporting has focused on renewed discussion around Greenland and associated tariff threats. Reporting also outlines tariff rates and potential escalation timelines, though details and implementation remain subject to change, and the situation is fluid.

Market reaction has been limited so far. If rhetoric escalates, markets could see intermittent volatility across equities, commodities, and FX. safe-haven moves (including in gold) are possible, though reactions can be uneven and may reverse.

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US and Europe calendar summary

• Wed 21 Jan: UK CPI
• Thu 22 Jan (US) / Fri 23 Jan(AEDT): 
  
  • US GDP (Q3 2025 updated estimate)
  • US Personal Income and Outlays (Oct/Nov, includes PCE) 
  • UK labour market report
• Fri 23 Jan: Flash PMIs (US, Eurozone, Germany, UK)

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Bottom line

• The Personal Income and Outlays report (including PCE inflation measures) is one of the key US macro events this week and may influence rate expectations if outcomes differ materially from expectations.
• With equity indices trading at elevated levels, markets may be more sensitive to negative surprises and guidance downgrades than to confirmatory data.
• European releases — particularly UK CPI and the flash PMIs — remain important locally but may still trade in the context of US outcomes and broader risk sentiment.
• Geopolitical developments around Greenland and tariffs remain a secondary but persistent source of uncertainty.

Asia-Pacific markets head into this week focused on China’s growth data, potential JPY volatility with a Bank of Japan (BoJ) meeting week, and Australia's labour force report and commodity prices. Geopolitical events also remain in focus globally, and the US earnings season’s progression may indirectly influence sentiment.

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Quick facts:

• China: Q4 GDP and December industrial production data will be read as a test of whether growth is stabilising or simply slowing more gradually.
• Japan: The BoJ meets 22–23 January, and Japan CPI (Dec) is due on 23 January, keeping USD/JPY and rates in focus.
• Australia: Labour Force (Dec) is the key local catalyst, alongside whether metal prices continue to support the materials sector.

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China

What to watch:

China’s focus shifts to hard activity data, with Q4 GDP and December activity indicators offering a read on growth momentum into 2026. Markets are increasingly focused on whether recent policy support is translating into clearer traction in the real economy.

Key releases:

• Mon 19 Jan: Q4 GDP, December industrial production (primary). Retail sales and fixed asset investment (secondary).

How markets may respond:

• Growth-sensitive sectors in Chinese equities may react if the data reinforces that domestic demand remains soft, especially if headline GDP diverges from expectations.
• Australian assets may respond to GDP and industrial output outcomes, with implications for materials stocks. The data may also influence AUD sentiment following recent consolidation.

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Japan

With the BoJ meeting later in the week, markets may see pre-decision volatility as positioning shifts around how hawkish the BoJ narrative may be. While consensus expectations often lean toward no change, the statement and press conference will be watched closely for any change in tone.

Key events:

• Fri 23 Jan: Bank of Japan rate decision and press conference (high sensitivity)
• Fri 23 Jan: Japan CPI (Dec) (medium sensitivity)
• Thu 22 Jan: Trade statistics — first 20 days of Dec (provisional) (low sensitivity)

How markets may respond:

• USD/JPY: Often acts as a fast channel for repricing Japan risk during BoJ weeks, particularly if guidance shifts expectations for the next move.
• Nikkei 225: Japanese equities can remain responsive to FX stability, particularly across exporter-heavy sectors. All-time high levels of 54000 will be watched as a key level.
  

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Australia

Australia’s week is dominated by the employment data, with external influences from China’s data and broader global risk conditions also in view. Markets will likely focus on the balance between employment growth and participation and what it implies for Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) expectations.

Key release:

• Thu 22 Jan: Labour force, Australia (Dec) (high sensitivity)

How markets may respond:

• ASX 200: Domestic cyclicals can react to the rates takeaway more than the headline jobs number. After the material-driven move back over 8800, this week will be key in determining whether a test of the psychologically important 9000 is on the cards.
• AUD/USD: Rate expectations can shift quickly. A stronger-than-expected jobs result could support the AUD, while a weaker print (or a rise in unemployment) could weigh on it.
  

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Asia-Pacific calendar summary (AEDT)

• Mon 19 Jan: China GDP (Q4), industrial production and retail sales
• Tue 20 Jan: China Loan Prime Rate (1Y/5Y) (Jan)
• Thu 22 Jan: Australia employment (Dec); Japan trade statistics — first 20 days of Dec (provisional)
• Fri 23 Jan: BoJ rate decision and press conference; Japan CPI (Dec). PMI manufacturing in Australia and Japan.

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Bottom line

Asia-Pacific markets enter the week with China’s growth data setting the regional tone, Japan facing heightened FX sensitivity into a BoJ meeting, and Australia focused on labour-market signals alongside commodity price direction.

Chinese GDP and industrial production are a test of whether activity is stabilising, with implications for regional risk appetite, materials pricing and the AUD. 

In Japan, any shift in BoJ communication could drive USD/JPY volatility and spill into broader equity sentiment. For Australia, local employment data and external influences, particularly China and global risk conditions, are likely to shape short-term expectations across rates, equities and currency markets.

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