Swiss Franc Hits 2-Month Low Amid Low Inflation
Solid ECN - The Swiss franc fell below 0.88 against the US dollar in February, hitting its lowest point in over two months, following an unexpectedly low inflation report. This report supported those in the Swiss National Bank who favor less aggressive monetary policy. In January, Switzerland’s consumer price index increased by 1.3% compared to the previous year, missing the expected increase of 1.7% and marking the lowest rise over two years.
This was also the seventh month in a row that inflation stayed under the SNB’s preferred maximum of 2%. The drop in inflation came even as there were expectations for higher figures amidst the country’s gradual removal of electricity subsidies and adjustments to the value-added tax system. This led to increased speculation that the SNB might reduce its key interest rate sometime in the year’s first half, possibly as early as March. Additionally, the franc’s value was further lowered as the SNB grew its foreign exchange reserves in January for the second consecutive month, signaling a recovery from a continuous decrease over the last two years, bringing the reserves to their lowest in seven years.
GBPJPY Breaks January Record: Trading Above 188.8 Support
Solid ECN - The GBPJPY currency pair trades above the 188.8 support after it broke the January all-time high on Tuesday. As seen in the GBPJPY 4-hour chart, the primary trend is bullish, but the pair bounced from 190.0, perhaps to test the blue trendline, which acts as double support to the price.
Interestingly, the technical indicators show signs of divergence, which can be interpreted as the beginning of a consolidation phase or a trend reversal. Therefore, the uptrend would continue if the GBPJPY price can maintain its position above the 23.6% of the Fibonacci retracement level.
On the other hand, if the price falls below the Fibo level mentioned above, the consolidation phase might extend to the 50% Fibonacci level, which is backed up by the Ichimoku cloud.
Yen Drops to 3-Month Low Amid US Inflation Surge.
Solid ECN - The Japanese yen fell below 150 against the dollar, reaching its lowest point in three months due to unexpectedly high US inflation rates, which reduced the likelihood of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates soon. This significant drop in the value of the yen led Japan’s finance minister, Shunichi Suzuki, to warn that the government is closely monitoring market movements. However, he did not confirm any plans for intervention.
Masato Kanda, the Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs, also mentioned that Japan might take necessary measures in the forex market if the yen continues to drop, as it negatively affects the economy. Economically, Japan faced a setback with a 0.1% decrease in its GDP for the last quarter, contrary to the anticipated 0.3% growth, and after a 0.8% decline in the previous quarter. The economy saw a 0.4% reduction yearly, marking two consecutive quarters of decline.
Canadian Dollar Dips Amid US Inflation Concerns
The Canadian dollar dropped below 1.35 against the USD, getting close to the almost two-month low of 1.345 it hit on February 9th. This happened because persistent inflation in the US made people think the Federal Reserve might not lower interest rates soon, which made the US dollar stronger.
This drop comes after the Canadian dollar had improved last week, thanks to positive job reports in Canada. In January, Canada added almost 40,000 jobs, and nearly 20,000 fewer people were unemployed, bringing the unemployment rate down for the first time since December 2022. This was a sign of hope amid growing concerns that high-interest rates set by the Bank of Canada (BoC) are slowing down the economy, even as the threat of rising inflation continues.
Gold Hits $2000 Amid Economic Concerns.
Solid ECN - The price of gold climbed to $2,000 per ounce last Thursday, boosted by a weaker dollar and lower bond yields. This increase came as investors welcomed the latest U.S. economic figures and looked forward to insights from Federal Reserve officials regarding when they might start reducing interest rates. U.S. retail sales fell significantly more than expected in January, and the number of people filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly hit a four-week low, hinting that the economy could be weaker than previously believed.
Austan Goolsbee, the President of the Chicago Federal Reserve, expressed concern on Wednesday about the risk of delaying interest rate cuts too long. At the same time, Michael Barr, the Federal Reserve’s Vice Chair for Supervision, mentioned that recent inflation numbers suggest achieving the 2% inflation goal could be challenging.
UK Retail Sales Surge in January 2024
Solid ECN - In January 2024, the UK saw a significant jump in retail sales, increasing by 3.4% from the previous month after a sharp decline of 3.3% in December. This increase surpassed the expected 1.5% rise and marked the most significant monthly growth in retail since April 2021. This growth spanned across most sectors except for clothing stores. Food store sales, particularly in supermarkets, increased by 3.4%, recovering from a 3.1% drop in December. Sales in non-food stores also saw a rebound, improving by 3.0% after a 3.9% fall in December.
Specifically, department stores and other specialized stores, like those selling sports equipment, enjoyed increases of 5.4% and 6.2%, respectively. This was partly attributed to the beneficial effects of January sales events. Sales in stores selling household goods, especially hardware stores, rose by 1.8%, whereas clothing stores experienced a 1.4% decrease. Furthermore, sales of automotive fuel saw a significant rise of 5.4%, aided by lower fuel prices.
USDCAD Analysis: Bullish Trendline Supports Above 50% Fibonacci Level
Solid ECN - The USDCAD currency pair dipped to 1.3447 in today’s trading session. The current USDCAD price is 1.348, which is above the 50% Fibonacci retracement level. This deck is further supported by the Ichimoku cloud and the bullish trendline, both visible in red on the USDCAD 4-Hour chart. From a technical perspective, if the bulls maintain the market above the 61.8% Fibonacci support, the bullish trend will likely persist. In this scenario, the following targets could be the 23.6% retracement level, followed by the recent peak of 1.3585.
Conversely, if the bears manage to lower the price below the 1.3447 support and stabilize it there, the downward momentum could extend to the 1.3357 support level.
USDCHF Analysis: Bearish Flag Test and Fibonacci Support
Solid ECN - Sellers of the USDCHF have tested the lower band of the bearish flag at the 0.8782 mark. Interestingly, the price rebounded from 0.8782 and is attempting to stabilize within the channel and above the 78.2% Fibonacci level. The technical indicators remain neutral, with the RSI hovering around the median line and the bars of the Awesome Oscillator striving to stay above the signal line.
From a technical standpoint, the bullish outlook will remain valid if the USDCHF price stays above 0.8782. In this scenario, the bulls will likely aim for the high of February 13th, the 0.8885 mark.
On the other hand, if the value of the Canadian dollar surpasses 0.878, the bullish scenario should be invalidated. The next bearish target could be the 50% Fibonacci support level, further reinforced by the Ichimoku cloud.
Silver Prices Rise Amid U.S. Economic Shifts
Solid ECN - The price of silver climbed to almost $23 for each ounce as market participants weighed the possibility of the Federal Reserve reducing interest rates in May, following the latest economic indicators from the United States. The drop in U.S. retail sales was unexpectedly sharp at 0.8% for January, representing the most significant fall since March of the previous year.
Surprisingly, new unemployment claims fell to the lowest point in four weeks, mitigating the impact of the previously non-farm solid payroll figures. Additionally, Austan Goolsbee of the Chicago Federal Reserve advised caution against delaying interest rate cuts. In parallel, Michael Barr, the Federal Reserve’s Vice Chair for Supervision, remarked that the recent inflation figures suggest a challenging journey to achieving the 2% inflation goal.
EURUSD Correction Phase and Fibonacci Retracement
Solid ECN - The EURUSD currency pair entered a correction phase after the bears hit the 1.06946 bottom. Currently, the price of the most traded currency pair is 1.0758, and it is about to test the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level, which also aligns with the Ichimoku cloud. The main barrier for further rise is the 1.0805 resistance. Should this level be breached, the consolidation phase would extend to the 38.2% Fibonacci resistance, the upper band of the bearish flag.
On the flip side, if the EURUSD price falls below 1.07316, the downtrend is likely to continue, and the first target would be the February 14th low, the 1.0694 mark.
GBPUSD Tests Ichimoku Resistance: Bullish Trend Insight
Solid ECN - The GBPUSD pair is currently testing the Ichimoku cloud resistance. Interestingly, this level is backed up by the descending trendline, depicted in red. The price of the GBPUSD stands at 1.261, and the technical indicators show signs of the bullish trend that began last week.
From a technical standpoint, the uptick momentum will likely continue if the bulls stabilize the price above the descending trendline. If this scenario comes into play, the next bullish target would be the 61.8% Fibonacci resistance level.
Conversely, the 1.2590 level supports the bullish scenario mentioned above. However, should the bears breach this level, the price would likely experience a further decline to 1.255, followed by 1.251.
AUDUSD Price Analysis: Testing Fibonacci and Trendline Resistance
Solid ECN - The AUDUSD price stands at 0.653 at the time of writing. Currently, the pair is testing the 0.654 high, which aligns with the 23.6% Fibonacci level. Interestingly, the bulls have managed to cross above the descending trendline, depicted in blue, and are now attempting to stabilize above this level. Regarding technical indicators, they promise a continuation of the uptick momentum that began on February 13th, starting from the 0.6442 lower low.
From a technical standpoint, if the price holds above the ascending trendline, depicted in red, the bulls will likely rise and test the 0.6623 resistance, backed up by the 38.2% Fibonacci level.
Conversely, the bullish scenario would be invalidated if the AUDUSD price falls below the ascending trendline, precisely the 0.6497 mark.
Aluminum Prices Dip Amid Global Demand Concerns
Solid ECN - Aluminum prices dropped to around $2,200 per ton in February, the lowest in a month, due to growing negativity around the demand for metals worldwide. Recent reports from China, the leading buyer, show a weakening economy and lower consumer interest, affecting the expected purchases by major producers. The situation worsened as the UAE stepped in to help with the export of bauxite from Guinea following an explosion at a fuel tank, which posed risks to aluminum production logistics.
Meanwhile, the market is also considering how new EU sanctions on Russian aluminum could affect its availability. These sanctions could expand the existing prohibitions on various aluminum products. However, the European Aluminium association mentioned that the current sanctions cover only 12% of the EU’s aluminum imports, leading to calls for a broader ban.
Bitcoin’s Uptrend Momentum: A Market Analysis
Solid ECN - The momentum of Bitcoin’s uptrend eased after it surged as high as $52,866. This digital gold has risen since January 20, while the RSI indicator has been hovering in the overbought area for a week now. Interestingly, sellers in the market have created a bearish, long-wick candlestick on the daily chart, which could signal an end or a pause in the bullish market.
Based on the data we’ve received for the candlestick patterns and the technical indicators, waiting for the BTCUSD price to end its consolidation phase before placing new bets on the bullish trend is recommended. The 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level, which aligns with the $49,000 support, could be a decent offering price.
GBPUSD Price Decline: Ichimoku Cloud and Channel Analysis
Solid ECN - The GBPUSD price has declined from 1.2629, which aligns with the Ichimoku cloud and the descending trendline, depicted in red. The pair is currently testing the 23.6% Fibonacci support level, which appears weak and may not keep the price from falling. Moreover, the technical indicators support the bearish market, with the RSI indicator hovering below the middle line and the Awesome Oscillator flipping below the signal line.
From a technical standpoint, the downtrend will likely continue as long as the GBPUSD price maintains a position below the 1.2629 resistance. The next target could be 1.2550, followed by 1.2517, the lower low of February 5th.
On the flip side, to invalidate the bearish scenario, the bulls must close and stabilize the price above 1.2629.
Australian Dollar Stabilizes Above Fibonacci Support Against U.S. Dollar
Solid ECN - The Australian dollar stabilizes the price above the 23.6% Fibonacci support level against the U.S. Dollar. Currently, the AUDUSD pair is trading around 0.655. The technical indicators signal a continuation of the bullish bias that began on February 13th. The RSI indicator floats above 50, and the awesome oscillator bar in the 4-hour chart turned green. Meanwhile, 0.6497 serves to support the upward trend. The next likely bullish target will be the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level, corresponding to the 0.662 resistance area.
On the other hand, if the AUDUSD price falls below the ascending trendline, depicted in red, the bullish scenario could be invalidated. In this case, the U.S. Dollar would likely test the 0.6442 support.
GBPJPY Crosses Minor Resistance
Solid ECN – The GBPJPY currency pair has crossed above the 189.5 minor resistance in the 4-hour chart and is currently testing the broken resistance. The GBPJPY chart above shows that the bulls have successfully stabilized the price above the 23.6% Fibonacci support. Furthermore, the technical indicators are supporting the current bullish trend. The RSI indicator hovers above 50, while the AO (Awesome Oscillator) bars are green and positioned above the signal line.
From a technical standpoint, as long as the GBPJPY trades above the ascending trendline, depicted in blue, the trend will remain bullish and likely aim to break the 190.0 ceilings.
On the flip side, if the price falls and stabilizes below the 23.6% Fibonacci support, the decline from February 12 from the 190.0 mark would extend to the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level, followed by the 50% level.
Saudi Arabia’s Dec 2023 Trade Surplus Dips Amid Lower Sales
Solid ECN - In December 2023, Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus shrank to SAR 38.2 billion from SAR 44.2 billion the year before. The country’s exports dropped by 9.7% to SAR 98.5 billion, mainly due to a 15.8% decrease in oil product sales, which make up 73.1% of total exports. Also, non-oil product exports decreased by 3% to SAR 19.15 billion, with a significant fall in plastics and rubber goods sales by 7.6%.
The main export destinations were China (14.8%), Japan (11%), and India (8.8%). On the other hand, imports decreased by 7.1% to SAR 60.4 billion, though there was a rise in the intake of machinery, appliances, and electrical gear by 21.5% and transportation equipment by 20%. China was the largest source of imports, accounting for 21%, followed by the US (8.1%) and UAE (7.8%).
USDCHF Bullish Trend Supported by Ichimoku Cloud
Solid ECN - The USDCHF currency pair trades sideways above the 0.8782 resistance level inside the Ichimoku cloud. It’s worth mentioning that the Ichimoku cloud adds an extra layer of support to the bullish trend that began on February 2 from the 0.8852 mark. The technical indicators on the 4-hour chart don’t provide significant data, so we should rely on the horizontal channel depicted in blue on the 4-hour chart.
From a technical standpoint, the upward trend on the 4-hour chart should continue if the bulls cross above the 0.8839 level. This scenario is likely due to the primary USDCHF trend and the awesome oscillator bar turning green in the current trading session.
Conversely, the bears need to stabilize the price below the 0.8782 support to target the 38.2% Fibonacci level. If this scenario comes into play, the high of February 12 can be considered the new higher high, and the price might experience a further decline to the 50% Fibonacci retracement level.
USDCAD Tests Fibonacci Resistance Amid Bullish Wave
Solid ECN – The USDCAD pair is testing the 23.6% Fibonacci resistance at the 1.3529 mark, following the bullish wave that began on February 15th from the 1.3447 mark, the 61.8% Fibonacci support level. The 4-hour chart shows that the bulls have crossed above the bearish trendline with a long-bodied candlestick. This could be interpreted as a continuation of the uptrend momentum. Interestingly, the technical indicators back up this momentum, with the relative strength index pointing upwards and the awesome oscillator flipping above the signal line.
From a technical standpoint, the U.S. dollar is likely to gain more against the Canadian dollar, and the next target for the buyers could be the 1.3585 resistance.
On the flip side, the bullish trendline is the primary support for the uptrend. The uptrend scenario outlined above should be invalidated if the price falls below this level corresponding to the 50% Fibonacci level or the 1.3471 mark.