–UK CML Dec Mortgage Lending Stg11.7bn Versus Nov’s Stg13.2bn LONDON (MNI) – The Council of Mortgage Lenders said today that UK gross mortgage lending totalled an estimated Stg11.7 billion in December, an 11.6% fall from the Stg13.239 bln seen in November but up 11.5% from the Stg10.493 billion seen in December 2010. The CML data, [...]

Will review the EU sanctions no later than May1. Measures will include an oil import embargo with exemptions for existing contracts until July 1 and a ban on petrochemical imports from May1 Officials have also agreed to impose sanctions on Iran’s central bank and 8 other entities The move is expected to be formally approved later [...]

Morning all , rustled up the following so far…. EUR/USD: Offers 1.2940/50, buy stops 1.2950/55, ahead of offers at 1.2990/00. Bids down at 1.2850/60 and 1.2830/40 with sell stops down through 1.2830 GBP/USD: Offers 1.5550/60 and 1.5570/80. Bids 1.5515/25 and 1.5500. Sell stops down through 1.5490 EUR/GBP : Offers 0.8330/40 (0.8333=1.20 GBP/EUR), Bids 0.8275/85 USD/JPY: [...]

Sit presently at 1.2932 having been as high as 1.2942. Talk of buy stops gathered up in 1.2950/55 area.  Can’t think they’re that lumpy. I wouldn’t put my stop/s there if I had any. Above there,  sell orders clustered 1.2990/00.  If they get done sometime this week I’ve got some nice celebratory music (shit there [...]

EUR/USD has rallied strongly above 1.2900.  As I guessed in the AUD/USD comment below, I’ve subsequently had confirmation from every source that Middle East has indeed been in buying EUR/USD.  We ‘re up at 1.2940 at writing. If we eva get up to 1.2980 again I’m saying nuffink

And I mean “touch.” We’re up 10 whole pips since I parked my bum, presently at 1.0492. Middle East said to have been buying in recent trade. (probably buying EUR/USD as well given the spike over 1.2900 at writing) Are we going to see a “pop goes the weasel” headline very soon. I surely hope [...]

Another Super Bowl appearance Shame they couldn’t cover the spread, would have made me a few bob what with the Giants winning as well.  But guess we shouldn’t be picky

FRANCE DATA: January mfg sentiment 91 vs December 94 – Below expected; MNI analysts survey median forecast 94 – Execs’ own-company outlook -6 vs December -1 (-2) – Sector production outlook -37 vs December -36 (-37) – See MNI MainWire for details

From unrevised 94 in December, much worse than median forecast of 95.  Ooh la la!!

We’re presently at 1.2890.  Reports have ACB sitting on the bid 1.2885/90, which is lending some rather tenuous support. Below there buy orders seen clustered down at 1.2850/60.  

Manufacturing Confidence – January - Median Forecast 94 High forecast 95 Low forecast 92 Previous period 94 - Number of responses 12 - 4Cast 93 Barclays Cap. 95 BNP Paribas 92 Capital Economics 95 Citi 93 Commerzbank 95 Natixis 93 Soc. Generale 94 Standard Chartered 95 UBS 94 Unicredit 94 West LB 93 ———————————————————————- * [...]

Bild Zeitung reports that Troika inspectors were “shaken” by the state of Greece’s administation. The paper didn’t say where it got the information. Given the wealth of misinformation spewed out last week on the Greek debt swap situation, I’m very wary about what I actually believe now.  :)

Dow Jones reports.

Financial bookies see European stocks opening marginally firmer; FTSE, DAX and CAC 40 seen up between +0.1% and +0.3%.

Got any ideas you’d like to share with your fellow readers, then here’s where to stick ‘em.

– Sales Post 5th Straight Y/Y Drop But Clothing Up On Cold Weather TOKYO (MNI) – Sales at supermarkets in Japan open for at least a year fell 0.6% in December from a year earlier to Y1.257 trillion, posting the fifth straight year-on-year drop mainly due to sluggish sales of food and household goods, an [...]

By Steven K. Beckner (MNI) – The National Association for Business Economics’ January Industry Survey, findings of which were released Monday, yielded a relatively upbeat appraisal of economic conditions and prospects. The NABE survey of 63 of its members found hope for somewhat faster GDP growth, some improvement in the labor market, increased capital spending [...]

US DATA: NABE Jan industry survey (conducted Dec 15-Jan 5) finds 2/3 looking for 2%+ real GDP in ’12, and says over 80% of respondents reported unch or rising sales and margins. Also sees greater stability in prices. “Nearly all respondents expect that non-labor input prices will remain unchanged or rise by 5% or less. [...]

Reports suggest that Italy wants EU bailout fund doubled Bondholders could face additional losses on Greek debt- FT IIF say creditors have reached their voluntary limit Croatia votes to join EU EZ FinMins meet today German and French bill auctions later today Australian Q4 final goods PPI +0.3% QoQ, +2.9% YoY Much of the regions [...]

This is the first I’ve heard about it so I’m guessing that its not a very big barrier at 1.0500. The high on Friday was 1.0494, which does suggest that there might be something just above.