EIA reports a second-straight weekly rise in U.S. crude supplies

Oil prices turned lower Wednesday after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that domestic crude supplies rose 1.9 million barrels for the week ended Feb. 2. Analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts had forecast a climb of 2.8 million barrels, but the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported a decline of 1.1 million barrels, according to sources.

US Trade Balance deficit rose to $53.1 billion

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that the goods and services deficit was $53.1 billion in December, up $2.7 billion from $50.4 billion in November, revised. December exports were $203.4 billion, $3.5 billion more than November exports. December imports were $256.5 billion, $6.2 billion more than November imports.

ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI beat market expectations

The NMI® registered 59.9 percent, which is 3.9 percentage points higher than the seasonally adjusted December reading of 56 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector at a faster rate. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index increased to 59.8 percent, 2 percentage points higher than the seasonally adjusted December reading of 57.8 percent, reflecting growth for the 102nd consecutive month, at a faster rate in January. The New Orders Index registered 62.7 percent, 8.2 percentage points higher than the seasonally adjusted reading of 54.5 percent in December.

USD - Major events in the week ahead

Events that marked the week:

On Wednesday ADP job figures were released.  Private sector employment increased by 234,000 jobs from December to January according to the January ADP National Employment Report. “We’ve kicked off the year with another month of unyielding job gains,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “Service providers were firing on all cylinders, posting their strongest gain in more than a year. We also saw robust hiring from midsize and large companies, while job growth in smaller firms slowed slightly.” Read more...