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HotForex_Broker July 24, 2015, 9:20am 41

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD price, continues to bounce from the May lows near 1.0820. This corrective bounce has attempted, but so far failed, to print a new lower top from the previous 1.1216 high. Yesterday’s high of near 1.1018 was a good attempt at the 1.1030’s, my previous article forecasted lower top. Traders should expect for the market to range between the 1.1030’s and 1.0870’s, now that the previous resistance turned support 1.0970’s area has been deemed invalid, as price has tested the 1.0970’s area both from below and above. Relevant support levels are now observed at 1.0920, 1.0870 and 1.0820, while resistance levels are spotted at 1.1030, 1.1087 and 1.1216. Given that the EURUSD price action is still firmly within the downward slopping price channel, as well as the fact that bullish momentum is observed within the Stochastic Oscillator analysis, I continue to be on alert for sellers to emerge around the 1.1020’s-30’s for a re-test of the 1.0820’s; any breach of the 1.0820’s will open up the way towards the 1.0750’s.

Eurozone Jul PMIs disappointed today, with readings falling slightly from June. The manufacturing PMI dipped to 52.2 from 52.5 and the services to 53.8 from 54.4. However, data continues to show ongoing expansion across the Eurozone manufacturing sectors, which supports the ECB’s view that the recovery remains intact and is broadening if not accelerating.

As for next week’s U.S. Fed policy statement, it should support Fed Chair Yellen’s testimony where she said that the “FOMC is likely to begin liftoff this year, provided the economy continues to improve as forecast.” Traders should prepare for a relatively positive assessment of the U.S. economy.

HotForex_Broker July 27, 2015, 5:53am 42

S&P 500 TRADING NEAR LEVELS THAT SHOULD ATTRACT BUYERS

S&P 500, Weekly

At the time of writing Asian shares are on decline with Nikkei down by 1.2%, Nifty 0.97% and Hang Seng Composite down by over 3% and according to Bloomberg Shanghai Composite is down by 8% even in the government managed market. The US stock market finished Friday in the red, with S&P500 index losing 1.07%. Apart from the Fed expressing their commitment to raise interest rates market participants have been worried about valuations getting dear. S&P 500 P/E is getting close to 18 and disappointments with Caterpillar, 3M, IBM and Biogen Ideg’s earnings reports added to the worries of this market not being healthy enough to push into new highs. Additionally we had Apple publishing a record high quarterly result but the stock was hammered down by 9% the next trading day. This is not a sign of a bullish market but rather indicates that the willingness and commitment to pay higher prices and keep the uptrend intact is weak. China PMI being negative and a 6.8% drop in the US June New Home Sales report added to the negative sentiment. A look at the sectors reveals weakness in key sectors. All sectors came down last week but Industrials, Semiconductors, Basic Materials and Energy Stocks show signs of technical weakness.

S&P 500 e-mini future (ES) fell down from the resistance as expected and finished Friday’s trading inside the supportive range published in my previous reports. It is now trading near levels that should attract buyers .The price is at weekly pivot and fairly close to the lower Bollinger Bands and a 50 week SMA. Last week’s high was a lower high and suggests technical weakness in this index and price has now opened outside the up trending regression channel after wedging and then breaking out of the wedge.

S&P 500, Daily

ES reached my support range of 2073 – 2080 on Friday’s trading and the low of the day coincided with a 61.8% Fibonacci level. Stochastic oscillator is oversold and price is trading near pivotal support. As we have industrials etf XLI still is some distance away from the support levels I am expecting that ES cannot yet move higher but will either consolidate or correct further before finding serious demand. Financial sector also has space to correct lower and the same applies to Technology as well. This in fact applies to quite a few other sectors too and is likely to drag the US stocks lower before buyers emerge. Support and resistance levels in ES are at 2078 and 2116.50.

S&P 500, 240 min

Price is trading between two intraday support levels at 2064.50 and 2078 while Stochastics is at the oversold threshold. The nearest 4h resistance level is at 2091.50 where a declining trendline coincides with the level. There was a hammer candle on Friday night but no follow through after the candle was formed. Market has been dropping for 4 days so we might get a move against this trend and a test of next resistance level. If ES can create a higher intraday low and hold above 2078 price can move higher towards the next resistance at 2091.50.

Conclusion

Long term picture in S&P 500 index has turned more bearish with the index making a lower high. The supports however are still in place and should attract buyers at levels not far from the current price action. This will probably lead to rally but due to the overall weakness in different sectors I expect that this rally will lead to another lower high and more sideways ranging before the market can become directional again.

Intraday chart shows some signs of buying in a form of a hammer in the 4h chart. This was probably short covering before the weekend and this morning the quiet market has been ranging sideways with low liquidity. After moving lower for four days it would not be a surprise to see a move higher but we need to see how traders will react once the US market opens and some serious volume comes in. Look for momentum reversal signals at support levels.

HotForex_Broker July 27, 2015, 7:13am 43

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD price, at the time of writing, price has penetrated the higher channel line within the above daily chart to clear the higher end of the 1.1080’s resistance levels. When a market has a breakout, we look for it to make an initial move beyond nearby support and resistance. Those traders that have been following my daily analysis of the EURUSD, would not be surprised by the recent surge in price, as I have been writing about the possibility of the pair printing out a new lower top below the 1.1220’s within the above chart downward price channel. I now remain on the watch for a breach above the 1.1210’s – 1.1220’s area for clues of a daily chart trend reversal, otherwise I would expect for price to halt its three month corrective bounce and resume its move lower towards a retest of the 1.0870’s with the possibility of reaching my 1.0750’s target area.

The EUR received a boost in early European market trading as the German July Ifo Business Climate unexpectedly bounced back with the overall reading rising to 108.0 from 107.5 in the previous month. The expectations reading rose for the first time since March and it seems the Greek bailout deal has boosted future optimism. The retail trade index meanwhile fell back slightly, as did the construction index. All in all, a positive number, which together with the effective stabilization in German ZEW and PMI readings confirms that the German economy remains on track.

Traders should expect further EURUSD price action later today as the U.S. June Durable Goods Orders are due. June durable goods orders are expected to grow by 2.0%., Shipments and Inventories are expected to remain unchanged.

HotForex_Broker July 28, 2015, 7:50am 44

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD price, after breaking out of the six week downward sloping price channel, looks set to continue to bounce off of May’s low at 1.0820. Price action during Monday’s trading sessions was supported by the German Ifo report; the market viewed the results as strong enough to allow the pair to confirm a new short term resistance level at 1.1129. Technically, I now seek a return move towards the previous day’s low near the 1.0970’s, before we see a retest of the 1.1120’s.

The euro outperformed as more Grexit risk premium was unwound. Further, the July German Ifo survey beat expectations and boosted EUR longs. Market participants, as it seems, are adjusting expectations on the performance of the Chinese economy as the Chinese stock market closed down 8.5% on Monday. It is yet to remain seen, if the Chinese slowdown is a domestic issue or if it will spread into the global economy.

The dollar shrugged off the better durables report, which was beefed up by Boeing orders. The U.S. Dallas Fed’s manufacturing index improved to -4.6 in July versus -7.0 in June. It’s been in negative territory for 7 straight months given the region’s exposure to the oil recession.

HotForex_Broker July 29, 2015, 7:30am 45

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD, Since the recent advance through the upper daily chart channel line was penetrated, and the fact that price remains within a 12 month decline, a further corrective bounce for medium term traders towards the 1.1220’s should not be ruled out. We will likely witness a potential breakdown back towards the 1.0870’s, ahead of my longer term price projection near the 1.0750’s. Swing traders with a short term view may look for price to return towards the 1.0970’s before flipping to the long side for a retest of the 1.1120’s.

The EUR has been trading off of the back of positive data this week, as German business and consumer confidence data came in firmer than expected; earlier today the German July Gfk held unchanged from June at 10.1. The consensus had been for a slight dip, to 10.0. High employment and expectations for higher pay underpinned the report. The EURUSD price advanced from Monday’s solid German Ifo results may consolidate ahead of today’s U.S. FOMC Statement.

Traders are waiting on the FOMC in the U.S., which concludes its two-day meeting today. No surprises are likely, and while the overall tone is expected to be more upbeat than the previous FOMC in June, the Fed is not likely to commit to a September rate lift-off. This is due to key data releases, concerns about China’s financial markets and Greece, and given recent oil price declines.

HotForex_Broker July 30, 2015, 5:31am 46

GERMAN UNEMPLOYMENT CHANGE ROSE AT 9K VS -5K (EXP)

German jobless numbers unexpectedly rose in July, with the seasonally adjusted total up 9K over the month, leaving the jobless rate at a very low 6.4%. Jobless numbers remain down 99K over the year. The German labour market still looks tight and this has contributed to a wave of industrial action this year and wage gains will be sizeable, which adds support to consumption trends in the short run, but will also boost inflation pressures, while undermining German competitiveness in the medium term.

HotForex_Broker August 3, 2015, 7:23am 48

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD, continues to seek support from buyers as price remains above the downward channel line. The EUR found support around the 1.0920’s, as the USD dropped on Friday following weaker than expected U.S. Q2 ECI data. In my July 29th analysis, I reported that EURUSD price “may return towards the 1.0970’s, before flipping to the long side for a re-test of the 1.1120’s.” The fact that recent price action has exceeded the 1.0970’s to test and establish a higher low at 1.0920 from the July 20th low of 1.0808, opens up a renewed recovery towards the July 27th 1.1120’s resistance area. Price may now attempt to extend the recovery to the 1.1220’s before resumption of the multi-week decline.

Friday saw better EU inflation data as inflation remained stable at 0.2%, although, it was weaker than U.S. employment data, which sent the EURUSD sharply lower. The move was seen by the market as overdone and the EURUSD quickly made it back to test the 1.10’s.

The U.S. Fed funds median still shows a 25 bp rate hike in September, Key reports are on tap this week, including payrolls, PMIs, income, and spending.

moreoption August 4, 2015, 4:05am 49

EUR is trading around 1.09 range, if the price move out of this range, just make correspond trades. (not sure)

HotForex_Broker August 4, 2015, 6:07am 50

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD, continues to trade within a multi-week downtrend; this is confirmed by the fact of lower tops and bottoms on price. The failed attack on the 31st of July to break above the 1.1120’s also supports the view that the bears are in control of the medium term EURUSD market. However, for the moment, price seems to be consolidating between a tight range within the 1.0920’s and 1.0970’s with traders seeking direction from the U.S. NFP release, due out on Friday. Technically, I would like to see price hold above the 1.0810’s – 1.0920’s after the upcoming NFP release for a potential short term price recovery to re-visit the 1.1220’s, before resuming the multi-week downtrend to reach my target price near the 1.0750’s.

The EU Outlook was revised down to negative from stable by S&P. The ratings agency is worried about the EU’s continual use of the balance sheet to provide higher risk financing to members without the members paying in capital.

The U.S. Market ISM manufacturing index inched up to 53.8 in July, from a 20-month low of 53.8 in June. This is the first pick up in manufacturing activity since March, but is the slowest pace of purchasing activity in 18 months. U.S. personal income rose 0.4% in June with spending up 0.2%, a little better than forecast; however, May’s 0.5% income gain was revised down to 0.4%.

HotForex_Broker August 5, 2015, 7:16am 51

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD, closed sharply lower on Tuesday in the wake of fresh comments from the U.S. Fed’s Lockhart who suggested that “upcoming U.S. economic data would have to disappoint significantly to get the FOMC to delay a tightening in September.” The market reacted to the hawkish comments with the fresh buying of U.S. dollars, accelerating the downward pressure on the EURUSD pair. Now that the EURUSD has broken through the support turned resistance area of the 1.0920’s, and the fact that price has failed to hold a new higher low above the 1.1120.s, as well as, bearish momentum oscillator analysis, this leads me to hold firm my view that EURUSD prices will continue to trade firmly lower within the multi-week downward price channel towards my target area near the 1.0750’s over the coming days.

As the interest rate spread between the USD and the GBP against the EUR widens, and the expectation that the U.S. and the U.K will begin to raise rates, further supports the buying interest in the U.S. dollar and the British pound in the near term. Traders should also take note of the recent hawkish comments from the BoE and the Fed board members who have been dropping clues of pending rate hikes.

The AUD made a large move on Tuesday following better than expected trade and retail sales data, and then a change in language in the RBA statement following the anticipated decision to leave the cast rate at 2.0%. The Board said in its statement that “the Australian dollar is adjusting to the significant declines in key commodity prices.” The AUDUSD rallied nearly 165 pips on the statement.

HotForex_Broker August 6, 2015, 5:52am 52

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD has a short term support level near the 1.0850’s and resistance levels around 1.0990’s – 1.1020’s. The short term trend is now negative, and trading in line with the ECB’s dovish position to increase the supply of EURs on the market. Short term EURUSD traders may look to re-sell into strength if prices extend past the 1.0990’s – 1.1020’s resistance levels, ideally between the 1.10’s – 1.1050’s for a 1.0750’s price target.

Further negativity on the EUR comes from the much weaker than expected Eurozone retail sales, which fell 0.6% m/m, keeping the euro under pressure, offsetting an upward revision in final Eurozone services and composite PMI survey data for July. The fact that both the U.S. and the U.K. are seeking to raise their rates is giving traders enough reasons to support both the US dollar and the British pound, adding to EUR selling pressures.

On Wednesday, the U.S. ADP employment report missed expectations; however, the July services ISM posted a 10-year high. The EURUSD rallied to session highs around 1.0930 after the employment data, and then fell to session lows near 1.0850 following the ISM outcome.

HotForex_Broker August 7, 2015, 7:06am 53

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD price continues to contract and trade within a narrow three day range ahead of today’s U.S. Nonfarm payrolls economic data release. The Bollinger band EURUSD trend analysis on the daily chart indicates that volatility is narrowing, which is typical before the release of a major economic report. Price over the last three trading sessions has stayed below the 20 period simple moving average, however, a bullish cross is observed within the Stochastic Momentum Oscillator indicator. The fact that price remains well contained within the multi-week downward moving channel and the bullish cross observation that has accrued below the Stochastic 20 level indicates oversold market conditions in the short term.

The Bank of England’s first “Super Thursday” sent Sterling down sharply; the BoE left monetary policy unchanged. The BoE is slowly preparing for the first rate hike, however, they are in no rush to move. The GBPUSD closed sharply lower for the day down around 170 pips from the day’s high in the wake of the day’s heavy GBP economic calendar.

The USD backed off during N.Y. trade on Thursday after decent weekly jobless claims gave the USD some early support. Real U.S. GDP grew 2.3 percent in the second quarter, according to the advance estimate from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Asian stock markets were mixed in overnight trade, with China and Japan up. The Bank of Japan left policy unchanged, as widely expected.

HotForex_Broker August 10, 2015, 4:40am 54

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD price continues to recover from oversold market conditions as the USD traded lower on Friday, even though the jobs report largely met expectations. The odds for a U.S. Fed September rate hike seem more likely with the non-farm payroll report pointing to strong U.S. job growth. The EUR barely changed in early Monday trade against the dollar but is up against most other currencies. The European calendar is pretty quiet today, with French business confidence from the Bank of France and Sentix Investor Confidence for the Eurozone. Technically, the EURUSD is holding a multi-week succession of lower tops and bottoms. We could see a third attempt for an upward attack on the 1.1120’s as a price bounce off the 1.0850’s, ahead of the resumption of the multi-week price decline from the June 18 high of 1.1436; this is before we see prices grind lower towards my medium term price target area near the 1.0750’s.

German data weakens, with industrial production unexpectedly dipping 1.4% m/m in June data (the median forecast had been for a 0.9% rise). The unexpected sharp contraction in German June production will cast a shadow over Q2 GDP estimates. However, the EUR seems to be ignoring this as EUR buyers are emerging on short term oversold conditions. Early-week markets in Asia are consolidating after Friday’s U.S. jobs report market volatility. Speculation that Beijing will speed up mergers of state owned companies helped support shares, while Japan’s Nikkei was driven by earnings reports, and the Australian market was supported by a strong rebound in bank shares.

Friday’s headline U.S. report printed a 215k July payroll rise with a 0.2% hourly earnings gain that exactly matched estimates, but tiny gains of 101k for civilian jobs and 69k for the labor force after June declines were a disappointment. There was a drop in the jobless rate to a 5.26% cycle-low from 5.28%, though the labor force participation rate remained at a 38-year low of 62.6%. The FOMC is on the verge of its first rate hike since June 2006. However, a tightening is still not guaranteed and there remain some risks that could keep the Fed sidelined

HotForex_Broker August 11, 2015, 8:27am 55

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD has been rising for the last four trading days after it created a higher low at 1.0848 weekly support. This has brought the pair conclusively out of the bear channel after a breakout at the end of July failed. This first failed attempt but was a hint of things to come and market was able to create a higher low on August 5th. Yesterday was the first time EURUSD stayed outside the channel for a full trading day thus confirming that the downside dynamics that were in place in July are not dictating the market moves any longer. Therefore, I expect that this week’s price action will be bound between major weekly support and resistance levels at 1.0848 and 1.1189. I am seeing a support area in the daily resolution between 1.0848 and 1.0934 while the nearest resistance area is between 1.1114 and 1.1189 and 50% and 61.8% Fibonacci levels coincide with these levels. However, before EURUSD can move up there, it has to deal with a resistance created by upper 2 stdv Bollinger band and 50 day moving average (currently at 1.1090). I expect the area between 1.1061 and 1.1130 to limit today’s trading on the upside and then look for a move to 1.0870.

German ZEW unexpectedly dropped in August, with the expectations reading falling to 25.0 from 29.7. The current conditions reading still improved to 65.7 from 63.9 and the expectations number still remains firmly in positive territory, indicating that optimists far outnumber pessimists. Still, the fact that investor confidence dropped again, despite signs that Greece is heading for a third bailout highlights that concerns about the impact of the Fed’s lift off and the outlook for the Chinese economy overshadow a more stable situation in the Eurozone. The strong current conditions reading, which ties in with a marked rise in German orders in Q2, suggest the recovery remains on track in Q3, but concerns about the longer term outlook seem to be on the rise. Bund futures extended gains on the weak number and the September 10-year contract is now up 44 ticks at 154.39.

China devalued yuan after July exports we down by 8.3%. Currencies were impacted by the PBoC’s devaluation of the yuan, with the AUD and NZD both losing over 1% to the USD in the wake of the move, while the won and the yen were hit by a lesser extent. An indirect bid for dollars saw EURUSD tumble back to the mid-1.09s after foraying above 1.1000 after the London close yesterday. The PBoC lowered the yuan’s daily fix to the U.S. dollar by 1.9% to 6.228, the largest devaluation since the central bank dropped its peg against the greenback. The move follows dismal trade data out of China over the weekend, and is apparently a one-off initiative intended to converge onshore and offshore pricing as a new pricing regime is put together ahead of the key IMF SDR inclusion vote later this year, according to the FT. AUDUSD dove over a big figure in making a one week low at 0.7305. USDJPY lifted to a two-day peak of 124.89.

European stock futures are heading south, in tandem with U.S. stock futures following China’s move to devalue its currency, which will add to concerns about the health of the Chinese economy, while prompting concerns that the devaluation will hamper exporters elsewhere as it will artificially boost the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturers. This could put fresh pressure on other central banks to take their own currencies more into account. The DAX was looking forward to an expected improvement in the ZEW after yesterday’s robust gains.

Fed’s Lockhart is still disposed to September lift-off though waiting a month or two won’t be decisive for the economy and a gradual tightening pace means something less frequent than a hike at each meeting. He sees some evidence of inflation heating up, though low global commodity prices could be a concern if they signal weak global demand. Lockhart considers progress on inflation important in setting the pace of rate hikes after lift-off. He views immediate risk of Greek spillover as passed, but any agreement still needs to be implemented. Seems he’s left himself some wiggle room on lift-off on the inflation threshold, despite still favoring a September move.

HotForex_Broker August 12, 2015, 3:57am 56

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

EURUSD rallied to the 1.1090 resistance identified in my report yesterday. The pair reacted lower but then attracted buyers at an intraday support at 1.1012. This has led to a fifth consecutive up day with price once again trying to challenge the resistance area above 1.1090. EURUSD is trading inside the upper Bollinger Bands (1.5 and 2 stdv) and the Stochastics is getting overbought. Trend in 4h resolution has been strong and suggest that this will be another day without a significant correction in EURUSD but the upside is indeed getting limited as the resistance area is near. EURUSD is trading near levels that have been able to turn price lower before, therefore I expect that in today’s trading upside will be limited to 1.1090 – 1.1130 range.

The PBoC devalued again, shifting the yuan’s reference rate to 6.3306 versus the dollar, which is a 1.6% weakening of the Chinese currency relative to yesterday’s 6.228 (which itself marked a 1.9% depreciation). There seems a degree of acceptance in markets, with Credit Suisse economists, for instance, calculating that the yuan was 5 to 10% overvalued going into the devaluations, adding that anything more than a 10% shift in the currency would spark political backlash. Incoming Chinese data today, including production, retail sales and fixed-asset investment, showed weakness.

German lawmakers not ready to wave through Greek bailout. There are reports that German Chancellor Merkel is facing opposition to the plan to let lawmakers vote on the third Greek bailout package early next week. A deputy to Finance Minister Schaeuble told ARD television that “one needs to look closely” and “ask the Bundestag for approval when the common understanding is that this will hold for three years”. If there is a delay it could derail Greece’s close time table and the race to get political approval before Greece faces another big ECB repayment on August 20.

German insolvencies are falling sharply, with the overall number down 6.6% y/y in the year to date and down 10.6% y/y in May alone. This is another sign of a relatively robust domestic economy, but also a reflection of the fact that especially small companies in Germany are facing fewer financing constraints than companies elsewhere in the Eurozone. The low interest rate environment and robust domestic demand are also helping t hem to perform.

Yesterday US wholesale sales edged up 0.1% in June and inventories rose up 0.9%. The 0.3% May sales gain was nudged down to 0.2%. May’s 0.8% jump in inventories was revised lower to 0.6% (0.4% April). The inventory-sales ratio increased to 1.30 from 1.29 (revised from 1.29). Gains in most of the nondurable sales components slightly offset broad-based declines in the durable goods sales. Inventories were boosted by autos and drugs. The data will help fine tune GDP estimates.

HotForex_Broker August 12, 2015, 9:29am 57

UPDATE ON US STOCK MARKETS AND MSCI WORLD

Dow Jones Industrial Average future, Weekly

For the first time since the year 2011 the Dow Jones Industrial index futures are now moving below the 50 week moving average for more than two consecutive weeks. This speaks of a changed market psychology and is in line with my predictions in May. Also, China’s decision to devalue Yuan twice hit the market sentiment from two directions. First of all, it is a sign that China’s economy needs artificial support from a lower exchange rate and secondly now the products imported into China are more expensive and therefore less competitive. For German companies for instance China is an important export market. As a result Dax is trading almost 2.5% in the red today. Also, this move has been interpreted a sign of desperation on behalf of Chinese officials.

On May 7th I tweeted on MSCI World Index saying that the bull market for stocks is over. I pointed out that MSCI World etf charts (weekly and monthly) indicate that the markets have entered to a volatile topping phase. This phase typically takes place after a long move higher and leads to a severe correction or a period of bear market. Monthly chart showed an increase in volatility and a bearish shooting star candle with the next candle moving well below the shooting star low. The weekly chart showed how this MSCI World index tracking etf had moved outside the up trending regression channel, a clear sign of increased volatility and weakness.

Since my tweet in May, the technical picture in many of the stock indices has continued to degrade. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has moved sideways and has been weaker than both Nasdaq and S&P 500 indices. Just lately DJIA created a lower high that eventually led to index breaking below the 50 week moving average. After such a long move higher this is a bearish indication. Many other indices have also given clear bearish warning signs and suggest that for long term investors it is the time to gradually move money from long stock positions to inverse ETFs and into trading the short side opportunities with CFDs. Let’s take a look at what the other indices are signalling on the state of the global stock markets.

HotForex_Broker August 13, 2015, 8:15am 58

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

Yesterday’s rally exceeded my expectations for the day as EURUSD blasted through the resistance at 1.1130. However, it still is inside the range I said I would expect to contain this week’s price action. I suggested in my report on Tuesday that EURUSD would not trade beyond 1.1189 resistance. There was a quick move some 25 pips higher but it was quickly rejected by the sellers and the pair is currently trading at 1.1119. EURUSD is now moving lower towards an intraday support area between 1.1030 and 1.1070. The next support level after this intraday support is the weekly high at 1.10996. This weekly high is fairly near to the support area above it and therefore adds to its significance. Nearest daily support and resistance levels are at 1.0934 and 1.1214.

The PBoC devalued the CNY for a third day, but at a decreasingly aggressive pace of 1.1%, comparing to 1.6% yesterday and the initial 1.9% devaluation of Monday. The central bank held a press conference to explain the devaluation — in contrast to the two previous occasions — arguing that there was no economic basis for the currency to continue depreciating, and that it would keep it stable. The PBoC had also intervened during its overnight session, when it trimmed losses in the CNY of nearly 2% to just 1%.

The central bank also said that the way the reference rate for the new session was modified would now incorporate the currency’s close from the previous session, as well as demand and supply conditions. All this mollified broader market concerns. Most other Asian currencies managed to rebound, and stock and commodity markets picked up.

Final German HICP inflation was confirmed at 0.1% y/y, CPI at 0.2% y/y, as expected. The breakdown showed seasonal price drops for clothes and shoes over the month, which were compensated by a rise in holiday related prices. The annual rate continues to reflect the impact of lower energy prices, with household energy down 5.7% y/y, a further acceleration in the pace of decline, driven by a 22.4% y/y drop in prices for heating oil. Headline numbers remain very low, not just in Germany, but deflation risks are now longer a major concern for the central bank, as core inflation starts to rise.

US Treasury posted a $149.2 bln budget deficit in July, a 57.7% erosion versus the $94.6 bln shortfall a year ago. Spending surged 21.2% y/y, while receipts rose only 5.1% y/y. The fiscal year deficit now stands at $465.5 bln, worsening 1.1% y/y compared to the $460.5 bln red ink for the same 10-month period of fiscal 2014. Also for the fiscal year to date, receipts are up 8.0% y/y, with outlays up 6.9% y/y. We’re still forecasting a $430 bln deficit for the current fiscal year, which compares to the -$483.3 bln for FY2014.

September liftoff is far from a done deal thanks to China’s devaluations and the broad impacts and implications rippling around the globe. For the time being we’ll maintain our call for a 25 bp hike in September. But the Fed funds futures market is now showing only about a 40% chance for action. Odds were closer to 70% after the July jobs report. Factors that have the potential to cause the FOMC to delay are the risks of global economic weakness, the renewed threat of disinflation with the plunge in commodities, potential devaluations of other Asian currencies, and the stronger dollar which could be a net headwind to US growth. It’s too soon for Fed officials to start making pronouncements on China, as indicated by Dudley earlier. While data will continue to be the Fed’s guiding light, policymakers have already shown their sensitivities to global dynamics, and overseas events could take precedence in the September rate decision if the markets become unglued.

HotForex_Broker August 14, 2015, 8:31am 59

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

With money continuing to flow into the USD and the GBP, traders continue to bet if the Fed will move to raise rates before the Bank of England. The EURUSD is set to consolidate after a six straight trading day advance from the 1.0850’s with the recent price advance stopping just short of the 1.1220’s resistance levels. Technically, I am expecting the EURUSD to dip towards the 1.1080’s – 1.0980’s as buyers may emerge at those levels before any attempt to test towards the 1.1260’s. The EUR market continues to re-price, at least in the short term, to reflect the diminished GREXIT concerns.

German Q2 GDP expanded 0.4% q/q, a slight acceleration from the 0.3% q/q in Q1, which brought the working day adjusted annual rate to 1.6%, up from 1.1% y/y in the previous quarter. French non-farm payrolls raised 0.2% q/q in Q2, while wage growth slowed to 0.3% from 0.5%. Overall, French unemployment remains high, especially among the under 25s, but this is also due to France’s ongoing structural issues and low growth potential. Greek parliament approves 3rd bailout after an all night debate that showed the strains in Tsipras’ coalition. The vote paves the way for an agreement by Eurozone finance ministers at the Eurogroup meeting this afternoon.

Markets are trading cautiously after a choppy week in the wake of China’s unexpected devaluation of the yuan, but the move has been generally accepted by the markets. Wall Street also shrugged off the ongoing slide in crude oil below $42 for the time being. Firmer U.S. retail sales data was offset somewhat by negative trade price data and an uptick in jobless claims.

HotForex_Broker August 17, 2015, 7:44am 60

GOLD RALLY HALTED NEAR RESISTANCE

Gold, Weekly

I pointed out in my previous report that the long term picture stays weak and suggests lower prices for gold. However, I noted that in short term we should see 1080 support holding and market testing the 1130 – 1146 resistance area. If price moves to this resistance area we should monitor price action for potential signs of momentum reversal at levels identified in this report.

Market has since moved roughly as expected with the price of gold moving briefly below the 1080 support. This intraday move was quickly rejected and price closed above the support. This was followed by a sideways move and then a rally that almost reached the lower end of my resistance range last week. The long term weekly picture remains bearish with gold trading near previous support areas. The 23.6% Fibonacci level coincides with the 1130.40 low and therefore suggests increased significance of that level. Other resistance levels are approx. at 1142 and 1160.

HotForex_Broker August 18, 2015, 4:37am 61

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS

EURUSD, Daily

The dollar continued on a steady-to-firm path during pre-European trade session in Asia, despite weakness in US Treasury yields amid growth worries and talk the FOMC will delay lift-off beyond September. EURUSD ebbed to a six-day low of 1.1051, and USDJPY lifted to the 124.50 area, though the pair remained well within its Monday range.

For the last three weeks the Stochastics Oscillator has been giving high quality signals at both ends of its range. This happens when market moves sideways in a well-defined range. I said in my Aug 11th report that I expect this week’s price action to be bound between major weekly support and resistance levels at 1.0848 and 1.1189. The upper end of the range was tested over the next three days but price failed to penetrate the level on a closing basis. Since then the pair has been drifting lower. The key word here is drifting. Price move hasn’t been strong and volatile but rather quite gradual. The pair has now reached the support range I mentioned in my Aug 13th report (1.1030 – 1.1070) and trades at 1.1060 at the time of writing. Therefore, I expect price will find support very close to the current price. The proximity of the 38.2% Fibonacci level at 1.1044 supports the idea. Reaction higher however, could be short lived to as there is resistance in 1.1114 – 1.1125 range. If this I’m right and this resistance holds the support area between 1.08048 and 1.0934 becomes a likely target area for shorts.

German Financial Minister Schaeuble calls on lawmakers to back Greek aid package. He sends a strong signal off support for Greece’s 3rd bailout package ahead of Wednesday’s vote in Germany’s lower house of parliament, where Schaueble and Merkel are facing growing dissent from their own party. Schaeuble told public broadcaster ZDF that he sees a dramatic change in the government’s readiness to reform and that: “I can argue with full conviction, partly because I haven’t taken this decision lightly myself… that the right thing to do is to vote for this”. Schaeuble, like Merkel before him, seemed to be trying to play down difference with the IMF over Greece’s debt sustainability and stressed that he is sure that the IMF will be involved in the program.

US NAHB homebuilder sentiment index rose to 61 in August from 60 in June and is the highest since November 2005. The single family sales index edged up to 66 versus 65 last month (revised from 66). The future sales index was steady at 70 (July revised down from 71). The index of prospective buyer traffic improved 2 points to 45 versus 43 previously, and is the best reading of the year, underpinned by the gains in employment and still low mortgage rates.