REAL ESTATE: FLYFP (BBB+) & COLSM (Baa1/BBB+): Board Approves Full Merger

The Spanish manufacturing PMI was notably weaker than consensus at 50.9 (vs 53.5 cons, 53.3 prior). While still in expansionary territory for the 12th consecutive month, this was the lowest reading since August. 

• Uncertainty weighed on demand, especially in export markets, while there was an uptick in input cost and output charge inflation.
• Note that Eurozone flash PMI did note that the pace of growth in the region ex-France and Germany did slow from December.

Highlights from the release:

• “Although demand was reported to have remained positive, some panellists noted a degree of uncertainty amongst clients. This was especially evident in export markets, with foreign sales rising only marginally since December”.
• “Whilst some panellists reported stronger demand from North Africa, there were reports of weaker sales to key European and Latin American markets.”
• “Reflective of slower output and order book gains, panellists reduced their purchasing and employment growth in January”
• “Input price inflation picked up noticeably”… “Inputs like steel were said to have risen in price, whilst higher transport expenses added to cost burdens”.
• “Firms chose to raise their own output charges quite markedly in January, and therefore signalled a return to rising factory gate prices following four months of decline”.

• RES 4: 0.6429 High Dec 12 
• RES 3: 0.6384 High Dec 13               
• RES 2: 0.6311/31 50-day EMA / High Jan 24  
• RES 1: 0.6220 Intraday high 
• PRICE: 0.6141@ 08:19 GMT Feb 3 
• SUP 1: 0.6088 Intraday low      
• SUP 3: 0.6045 1.500 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
• SUP 3: 0.6000 Round number support
• SUP 4: 0.5931 1.764 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing

The medium-term trend condition in AUDUSD remains bearish and the pair has traded to a fresh cycle low, today. This confirms a resumption of the downtrend and maintains the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. A continuation would open 0.6045, a Fibonacci projection. Moving average studies are in a bear-mode position and this highlights a dominant downtrend. Key resistance is at 0.6311, the 50-day EMA. 

• MNI: SPAIN JAN MANUF PMI 50.9 (FCST: 53.5); DEC 53.3