Strong US labour market figures support December lift-off

October employment report, which showed much stronger-than-expected rises in non-farm payrolls and pay growth, alongside a further fall in the unemployment rate, has lent support to recent statements by Fed Chair Yellen, Vice-Chair Fischer and New York Fed President Dudley that a rise in the policy rate at the December FOMC meeting remains firmly on the table. 

Meanwhile, remarks from Governor Brainard, who had previously argued against an early hike in the absence of clear evidence that inflation was set to return to target, struck a more conciliatory tone. This week will see several other FOMC members add their voices to the policy debate. Of particular interest will be the views of the Chicago and Boston Fed Presidents, Evans and Rosengren respectively, both of whom have previously argued against an imminent rate rise.

Otherwise, it is a quiet week for US data with both October retail sales (Fri) and preliminary November University of Michigan consumer sentiment index (Fri) expected to support the robust domestic picture.