Source: ForexYard
Today, traders are advised to follow constant daily development coming out of the U.S. economy, such as the release of Prelim GDP figure. This indicator might provide for extreme market volatility in the major currency pairs. Traders may find good opportunities to enter the market following this vital announcement at 12:30 GMT.
Economic News
USD – GDP Report on Tap – Will USD Weakness Continue?
The U.S. Dollar traded weakly in yesterday’s session as it witnessed depreciation against all of its currency rivals. Plunging toward the critical levels of 1.4000 against the EUR and 1.6000 against the GBP, the greenback’s recent weakness doesn’t appear to have an end in sight for today.
With an expectant worry that today’s data releases will put investor focus on America’s increase in debt issuance, thus resulting in a higher Treasury yield; the market may continue to go bearish on the USD. As expected, higher yielding assets and currencies like the EUR and GBP may then gain significantly from these speculations. Positive economic data in Europe throughout the week has also resulted in dramatic investment shifts towards a diversified portfolio for many traders who wish to increase their risk and pull away from safe-haven investments.
Looking forward to today, forex traders will no doubt be marking the multitude of European data releases as Britain’s HPI housing report may show a sudden return to market weakness, and the Euro-Zone’s M3 money supply report has the potential of showing a drop in the level of currency available throughout the European forex market. In the United States, the Preliminary GDP report is scheduled to be released at 12:30 GMT and may show the U.S. economy shrinking less than last quarter, a sign that the economy could be entering a solid recovery. With a focus on America’s debt issuance, USD weakness is anticipated to continue throughout the end of the week.
EUR – EUR’s Recent Gains on Unsteady Ground
The EUR has been the beneficiary of the market’s recent increase in risk appetite considering it has appreciated against almost all of its currency rivals over the past week. The 16-nation currency climbed towards the psychological barrier of 1.4000 against the USD, temporarily breaching the resistance line before falling back under the mark. With the recent dash to sell off the JPY, the EUR apparently received the bulk of investor flight, climbing as high as 135.40 against the island currency.
With the surge of consumer confidence in some of Europe’s largest economies, there exists a moderate level of hope in a speedy recovery for the Euro-Zone’s regional economy. German market data has displayed a wide array of positive results which have helped convince many weary traders that the worst may indeed be over. In a rush to diversify trading portfolios for riskier assets, the EUR appears to have been one of the primary choices for this move. The question remains, however, as to whether this move towards Europe will continue. Some analysts say it marks the beginning of a recovery, but will not sustain itself at this pace in the short-term.
As for today, there are two important data releases which forex traders need to keep an eye on. The first is the Nationwide HPI report in Britain which may show the housing market declining once more. This report is scheduled to be released at 6:00 GMT. The second is the report on the M3 money supply in circulation throughout the Euro-Zone. With a direct correlation to interest rates, the money supply is an important gauge of currency valuation. With negative results, we could see a temporary reversal to the EUR’s recent trends through the end of today’s trading.
JPY – JPY-Funded Carry Trades Returning?
The Japanese Yen saw one of its most bearish sessions in months. Dropping back towards the 97.00 level against the USD, and the 155.00 level against the GBP, the island currency witnessed a rash sell-off in Thursday’s mid-day trading sessions. There was a growing concern that Japanese equities were more resilient than previously forecast which led to an increase in risk appetite for many safe-haven investors. This generated an investment flight towards Europe in search of higher yielding assets. Some analysts believe the JPY-funded carry trade may be on the return, which will eventually push the value of the Yen towards the lows of 2007-2008.
As for today, there aren’t many data releases expected from Japan. However, last night’s consumer pricing reports indicated a decrease in price for Japanese goods and services, highlighting a weakened demand for these sectors of Japan’s economy. This may also have generated a strengthened push to flee from JPY safe-haven investments. Unless news from the Euro-Zone or U.S. comes out highly negative throughout the day, the JPY will likely continue getting weaker.
Crude Oil – Crude Oil Price Meets Little Resistance
After climbing to a record high not seen since November, the price of Crude Oil has stabilized for the moment. With a sudden flight from safe-haven investments such as the JPY and USD, commodity prices appeared to gain a strong boost from the weakness of the Dollar. Crude Oil spiked to the price of $65 a barrel in mid-day trading yesterday. Only in today’s early trading hours did the price begin to settle just under this price barrier.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed not to change production levels for the time being, with the assumption that doing so may destabilize weakened economies. A report showing a sharp decline in oil inventories also supported this move as a boost to demand and consumption is expected in the coming weeks. With this information in mind, forex traders may understand that long-term pressure continues to show upward momentum, meaning the price of oil may continue on up towards $75 a barrel in the coming months.
Technical News
EUR/USD
The bullish trend is loosing its steam and the pair seems to consolidate around the 1.3980 level. The pair currently sits near the upper border of the daily chart’s RSI, suggesting a downward correction may be imminent. When the downwards breach occurs, going short with tight stops appears to be preferable strategy.
GBP/USD
The 4-hour chart is showing mixed signals with its RSI fluctuating at the neutral territory. However, the daily Chart’s RSI is already floating in the overbought territory indicating that a bearish correction might take place in the nearest future. When the downwards breach occurs, going short with tight stops appears to be preferable strategy.
USD/JPY
There is a fresh bearish cross forming on the daily chart’s Slow Stochastic indicating a bearish correction might take place in the nearest future. The downward direction on the 4-hour chart’s Momentum oscillator also supports this notion. When the downward breach occurs, going short with tight stops appears to be preferable strategy.
USD/CHF
The pair has been range-trading for a while now, with no specific direction. The Daily chart’s Slow Stochastic providing us with mixed signals. The 4-hour charts do not provide a clear direction as well. Waiting for a clearer sign on the hourlies chart might be a good strategy today.
The Wild Card – Crude Oil
Crude Oil prices rose significantly in the last two weeks and peaked at $65.30 per barrel. However, the daily chart’s RSI is floating in an overbought territory suggesting that a recent upwards trend is loosing steam and a bearish correction is impending. This might be a good opportunity for forex traders to enter the trend at a very early stage.
Forex Market Analysis provided by Forex Yard.
© 2006 by FxYard Ltd
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