EUR/USD Weekly Summary: Risk appetite helps Euro hold above technical support

The EUR/USD had a bearish momentum this week. Opened at 1.2892, price bottomed at 1.2643, which is the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of 1.5140 - 1.1876, and closed at 1.2710 on Friday. On daily chart below we can see that price has been indecisive from Wednesday to Friday after dropped significantly on Tuesday. Price made some attempts to break below the trend line support but a serial of better than expected economic data from UK (Halifax HPI),  US (Trade balance, Unemployment Claims)  and Euro zone itself (French Industrial Production)  triggered risk appetite sentiment and hold the Euro above trend line support. I still believe that the major technical scenario remains bearish. Judging from the price action after the data release, the bullish reactions were short lived indicating bearish pressure is still alive and kicking. For the upcoming week, my technical focus remains to see what happen to the trend line support. Consistent move below the trend line support and 1.2643 could trigger further bearish continuation at least testing 1.2523 even lower. But if we keep seeing rejection to move below the trend line support, the bearish pressure may get exhausted and on the other hand, the upside pressure could gain some momentum testing 1.2770. Break above that area could trigger further upside pressure testing 1.2850 - 1.2930 region. Let's see what will happen and hope we can react correctly to any facts in the market.

AUD/USD Weekly Technical Forecast (Sep 6-10 2010)

After a great week, another busy one expects Aussie traders. The RBA’s rate decision and employment figures are the highlights. Here’s an outlook for Australian events and an updated technical analysis for AUD/USD.

AUD/USD daily graph with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:



The Aussie enjoyed lots of good figures, with the Q2 GDP growth of 1.2% being a great positive surprise. The better-than-expected retail sales figure and especially building approvals, showed that also in Q3, the Australian economy is warming up once again. Will this lead to a renewal of rate hikes?

1. MI Inflation Gauge: Published on Monday at 12:30 GMT. The Melbourne Institute’s inflation gauge fills in for the government, that publishes an official inflation figure only once per quarter. According to MI, inflation slowed down from 0.5% three months ago, down to 0.1% last month. A similar 0.1% rise is expected this time.


2. ANZ Job Advertisements: Published on Monday at 1:30 GMT. The amount of jobs published in the media serves as a good indicator for the official employment figures released 3 days later. Last month saw a smaller growth in ads, only 1.3%, and indeed, the gain in jobs was slower than previous months. This time, the rise in ads is expected to slightly stronger.


3. AIG Construction Index: Published on Monday at 23:30 GMT. The Australia Industry Group showed that the construction sector is slowing down, even contracting in the past two months. The index was under the critical 50 point mark, and this shows an economic squeeze. This goes hand in hand with the slowdown in other housing sector figures – a result of the rate hikes. It’s expected to recover, but remain under 50 points this time.


4. Rate decision: Published on Tuesday at 4:30 GMT. 4 months have passed since the last rate hike, the sixth since the financial crisis. The hikes took their toll on the economy, and especially on real estate, so Glenn Stevens and his colleagues at the RBA decided to pause on recent months. Also now, the Cash Rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.50%. The focus will be on the accompanying statement which will hint about future moves.


5. Home Loans: Published on Wednesday at 1:30 GMT. This important housing sector figure always rocks the Aussie. After a sharp fall of 3.9% last month and many bad months beforehand as well, the number of loans is expected to grow by 1.1% this time, boosting the Aussie.


6. Employment data: Published on Thursday at 1:30 GMT. After months of excellent figures, last month’s employment numbers were somewhat mixed. Employment Change rose by 23.5K, slightly better than expected, but the unemployment rate jumped to 5.3%, which was a quite a disappointment. A similar gain in jobs, 25.3K is expected now. The unemployment is expected to fall back down to 5.2%. Any result will rock the Aussie.


7. Guy Debelle talks: Starts speaking on Thursday at 3:00 GMT. RBA deputy governor Dr. Guy Debelle might say more about the fresh rate decision, and add prospects about the future. It’s important to note that in a speech last week, Debelle didn’t mention anything related to monetary policy.


8. Chinese Trade Balance: Published during Friday. Australia’s main trade partner has a strong impact on the Aussie. This time, the trade balance of the world’s second largest economy will be closely watched. This figure is also sensitive for the value of the Chinese yuan, which is closely monitored by the US. China’s surplus is expected to squeeze from 28.7 to 26.9 billion.

AUD/USD Technical Analysis

The Australian dollar dropped gradually at the beginning of the week, and found support at the 0.8870 line (mentioned in last week’s outlook). It then made a sharp recovery, crossing 0.90 easily, struggling with 0.9080 and finally jumping above 0.9135 to close at 0.9143.

The Aussie is now bound between the 0.9135 line which worked as support back in April, and 0.9220, which was a support line in March and also capped the Aussie at the beginning of August.

Looking down, 0.9080 is the next support line. It was a double top in July and the Aussie leaped above it during a weekend. Lower, the round number of 0.90 provides support. This psychological number was also a swing low in March.

The 0.8870 line was tested in the past week and also capped the pair twice in recent months. It now serves as strong support. 0.8735 was a low point in December 2009 and also in July – minor support now.

Lower, 0.8567 was a support line back in 2009, and also worked as resistance in May. Below, 0.8316 was a double bottom in July and provides strong support. The final line is the year-to-date low 0f 0.8066.

Looking up above 0.9220, the next line is a very strong one – 0.9327. It capped the Aussie many times in the past year. A break above this line will send the pair towards immediate resistance at 0.9366, which was a stubborn line in April.

The 2009 high of 0.9405 is the next resistance line, and it’s followed by 0.95, which was last reached only in 2008.

I remain bullish on the Aussie.

The past week’s strong GDP figures, and a good outcome from the job figures on this busy Australian week, should provide the basis for further gains.

USD/CAD Weekly Technical Forecast (SEP 6-10 2010)

A very busy week expects loonie traders, including a rate decision and employment data. Here’s an outlook for the Canadian events, and an updated technical analysis for USD/CAD.

USD/CAD daily graph with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:



Canadian GDP for the second quarter, completed with the past week’s release for June, was somewhat disappointing, after two great quarters. The overall situation is still good. This week’s 7 important Canadian releases will shed a lot of light on the current situation. Let’s start:

1. Building Permits: Published on Wednesday at 12:30 GMT. This is a volatile, yet important gauge for the Canadian economy. Last month’s 6.5% rise in permits boosted the Canadian dollar and corrected the 8.2% fall that was seen in the previous month. The see-saw is predicted to continue with a drop of 5.8%.


2. Rate decision: Published on Wednesday at 13:00 GMT. There is no clear consensus about this rate decision. After two rate hikes, Mark Carney’s BOC is in a dilemma. On one hand, the economy is doing quite well, and there’s a fear of rising inflation. On the other hand, Canada’s main trader partner, the US, is suffering from a slowdown, that can undermine growth in Canada. So, both an unchanged Overnight Rate of 0.75% and a hike to 1% are equally possible. This means higher than normal volatility around the release. Aslo note the accompanying statement which will indicate future moves. A hike with a statement that there will be a pause from now on can weaken the loonie.


3. Ivey PMI: Published on Wednesday at 14:00 GMT. The Richard Ivey School of Business disappointed in its last release. The score fell to 54 points, showing that purchasing managers see less expansion. A similar number is expected this time. Only a rise above 50 points, as seen three months ago, will boost the loonie.  A rise to 55.8 is expected.


4. Housing Starts: Published on Thursday at 12:15 GMT. Complementing on the figure from the previous day, this housing figure wasn’t too good – it fell for the 4th straight month to 189K, the lowest level since February. Another curb is due now, to 185K.


5. Trade Balance: Published on Thursday at 12:30 GMT. Canada enjoyed a surplus in its trade balance up to April, but the number then turned negative, and even deteriorated to a deficit of 1.1 billion in last month’s release. This deficit will probably squeeze to 0.8 billion. Note that the American trade balance is released at the same time, making the timing very volatile for USD/CAD.


6. NHPI: Published on Thursday at 12:30 GMT. The last housing figure is an official release of the change in prices of new homes. After 3 months of a 0.3% rise, this stable indicator rose by only 0.1% last month. A stronger rise will probably be seen now. Due to the timing of the publication, together with the trade balance, the impact will probably be quite modest.


7. Employment data: Published on Friday at 11:00 GMT. The best is kept for last. After three superb months of big gains in jobs, including a surge of 93K jobs one time, last month saw a correction with a loss of 9300 jobs and a rise of the unemployment rate back to the round number of 8%. A gain of 17.6K in jobs is expected now, but the unemployment rate is likely to remain unchanged at 8%.

USD/CAD Technical Analysis

The Canadian dollar had a bad start to the week – USD/CAD failed to break below 1.05 and jumped towards the stubborn 1.0680 line (mentioned also in last week’s outlook). It then made another failed attempt to go under 1.05, but on Friday, this line finally broke and USD/CAD even extended its fall below the 1.04 line.

USD/CAD now trades between support line of 1.0280 and 1.04, which was a long-term bottom border of wide range. It’s now a minor resistance line.

Looking up, the next resistance line is at 1.05, which worked as a strong support line during most of the past week. Higher, the 1.0680 line was successfully tested for a second week in a row, making it a very strong resistance line.

Above, the 1.0750 line was the top border of a long term range, and also a swing high in May. Another swing high in May, the 1.0850 line, works as the next line of resistance, after working as such back in 2009 as well.

Lower, the 2009 low of 1.02 serves as the next line of support. Below, 1.01 capped the pair after it reached parity in April, and also was a low point a few weeks ago.

The ultimate line of support is parity – which got closer in the past week. Beyond parity, 0.98 and 0.97 provide support. They’re far now.

I remain bearish on USD/CAD.

The improvement in US jobs is good for Canada as well, as the US is Canada’s main trade partner. This week is very important for the loonie. A rate hike and positive job figures can send USD/CAD for another attempt on parity.

EUR/USD Weekly Technical Forecast (June 28-July 2 2010)

The troubled Euro expects inflation and employment figures in the upcoming week. Here’s an outlook for the events that will move the Euro, and an updated technical analysis for EUR/USD.

EUR/USD daily chart with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:



In the past week, the Euro got a positive indicator from the German Ifo Business Climate, but the impact was very limited. This week has more significant indicators. Let’s begin:

1. German CPI: Published on Monday. After showing some signs of picking up, inflation returned to normal in the past two months, rising by 0.1% last month, after a drop in the same small scale beforehand. The initial version of the CPI is collected from the various German states throughout the day. A small rise is expected this time.


2. M3 Money Supply: Published on Monday at 8:00 GMT. The amount of money in circulation usually rises, but the drop seen in the past 3 months is another evidence of less economic activity and an upcoming double-dip recession. Another drop of 0.1% is expected this time.


3. German Unemployment Change: Published on Wednesday at 7:55 GMT. This important figure shows that Germany continues to be the locomotive of the Euro-zone. The number of unemployed people squeezed by 45,000 people, for a third month in a row. Another small drop is expected now. Note that the actual figure was usually better than early forecasts.


4. CPI Flash Estimate: Published on Wednesday at 9:00 GMT. Following Germany’s first release for the inflation figures, the figure for the whole continent is also published. The annualized level of inflation rose to 1.6% last month – still under control. Only a jump above 2% could be significant for the Euro, and this isn’t expected now.


5. Unemployment Rate: Published on Friday at 9:00 GMT. The all-European unemployment rate is very problematic – 10.1%. The area of 10% has been with us for the past 7 months and this isn’t about to change. Any rise will be a burden on the Euro, and only a fall to a single digit figure will boost the common currency.

EUR/USD Technical Analysis

The Euro began the week by descending from a failed attempt to break above 1.2460, and eventually dropped below 1.2330. A false break under 1.2250 was followed by a jump, and the pair closed at 1.2375.

The Euro’s range is 1.2330 to 1.2460. Note that more lines were added on last week’s outlook. The trading ranges of the pair are more narrow now.

Above the strong line of 1.2460, a minor resistance line appears at 1.2520, which was a swing low when the pair was dropping from higher levels. Higher, 1.2670 provides strong resistance, being the highest level in over a month.

Higher, 1.2880 is the next minor line, followed by 1.3114, which was tested from both directions, but that’s quite far now.

Looking down, the Lehman levels at 1.2330 continue to play a small role. The next level of support is at 1.2250, which the pair failed to break in the past week. 1.2150 is a very strong line – it held the pair for some time, and when it collapsed, the fall was quite strong.

1.20 is a round number eyed by many, so it provides further support, and the last line is 1.1876, the year-to-date low.

I remain neutral on Euro/Dollar.

As mentioned last week, range trading indeed continued for another week. Given the looming double dip recession, the European debt issues and risk aversive trading due to slowdown in the US as well, the long term sees further drops. But for now, the narrowing ranges are still with us.

FOREX Fundamental Analysis Defination with Description.

Most FOREX traders rely on analysis to make plan their trading strategy. This article will discuss fundamental analysis. The other common form of analysis is technical analysis. After reading this article you should have a better understanding of fundamental analysis and how to use it as part of your FOREX strategy.

Political and economic changes are the basis of fundamental analysis. These can frequently affect currency prices. Traders that take advantage of fundamental analysis will gather their information from a variety of news sources. They are looking for information about unemployment forecasts, political ideologies, economic policies, inflation and growth rates.

Fundamental analysis will provide you with an overview of currency movements and a broad picture of the economic conditions. Most traders then will combine their fundamental analysis with technical analysis to plot actual entrance and exit points as well as confirming the information provided by their fundamental analysis.

Just like most markets the FOREX market is controlled by supply and demand. Many economic factors can affect the supply and demand but the two most critical ones are interest rates and the strength of the economy. The over all strength of the economy is affected by changes in the GDP, trade balances and the amount of foreign investment.

There are many economic indicators released by government and academic sources. These indicators are usually released on a monthly basis but will sometimes be released weekly. These are pretty reliable measures of economic health and are closely followed by all traders.

There are many indicators that are released but some of the most important and commonly followed are : interest rates, international trade, CPI, durable goods orders, PPI, PMI and retail orders.

Interest Rates - can cause a currency to either strengthen or weaken depending on the direction of movement. In some cases high interest rates will attract foreign money, however high interest rates will frequently cause stock market investors to sell of their portfolios. They do this believing that the higher cost of borrowing money will adversely affect many companies. If enough investors sell of their holdings in can cause a downturn in the market and negatively affect the economy.

Which of these two affects will take place depends on many complex factors, but there is usually an agreement among economic observers as to how the current change in interest rates will affect the general economy and the price of the currency.

International Trade - If there is a trade deficit (more items imported than exported) it is usually considered a negative indicator. When there is a trade deficit it means that more money is leaving the country to buy foreign goods than is entering the country and this can have a devaluing effect on the currency. Usually though trade imbalances are already factored into the market consideration. If a country normally operates with a trade deficit then there should not be an affect on the currency price. The currency price will normally only be effected by trade differences when the deficit is greater than the market expected.

The measurement of the cost of living (CPI) and the cost of producing goods (PPI) are a couple of other important indicators. You should also watch the GDP which measures the value of all the goods produced in a country and the M2 Money Supply which measures the total amount of currency for a country.

In the US alone there are 28 major indicators, these can have a strong effect on the financial market and should be closely watched. This information can be found many places on the internet and is provided by many brokers.

Related Blogs

• How to Gather Server Hardware Information
• FAIR Blog » Blog Archive » We're All Deficit Hawks--Not
• No Quick Recovery for the US Economy
• What Is It Teens Love About Country? | CMT Blog
• SCOTUSblog » Analysis: Hints on texting privacy