The U.S. Core CPI is the primary publication today that is set to determine the level of the dollar when the report is released at 12:30 GMT. The other main releases that are set to dominate forex trading, especially for currencies such as the dollar and euro is the publication of the U.S. TIC Long Term Purchases and Prelim Consumer Sentiment at 13:00 GMT and 13:55 GMT respectively. Traders may find good opportunities to enter the market following these vital announcements.
Economic News
USD – USD Falls on Negative Economic Data
The dollar fell broadly against most of its major currency pairs on Thursday, as soft inflation and manufacturing data added to concerns about the strength of the U.S. economy. By yesterday’s close, the dollar fell around 1.5% against the EUR to 1.2940, a 2-month low. The dollar experienced similar behavior against the GBP and closed at 1.5455.
U.S. producer prices declined for a third straight month. The data came just a day after minutes of the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting revealed that policy makers think they may need to do more to boost the economy if a sputtering recovery slows any further. The news helped push the EUR to its highest against the dollar since May.
Another leading indicator released yesterday was U.S. Unemployment Claims. This number handedly beat last week’s result but failed to provide strength to the dollar as investors may be waiting for key data due to be released today to implement their trading strategies.
As for today, data releases are expected from the U.S. economy. These figures are expected to set the tone for the USD’s pairs and crosses. Special attention should be given to the Core CPI which is expected to be unchanged from its previous reading. Traders pay close attention to this figure as it has a strong correlation with the value of the U.S. dollar. Also today, the Prelim UoM Consumer Sentiment is scheduled and should also have an impact on the market because if it delivers unfavorable figures it will validate a problematic U.S. economy, and the USD is likely to weaken as a result.
EUR – EUR/USD Hits 2-Month High
The EUR strengthened against most of its major counterparts yesterday, continuing to prove for the time being that this is a solid currency that traders can rely on to provide them with steady profits. The 16 nation currency extended gains versus the USD on Thursday, nearing 1.2940 for the first time in 2 months after the Philadelphia Federal Reserve’s business conditions index fell sharply in July. The EUR experienced similar behavior against the JPY and closed up at 113.10.
Weakness in the Philadelphia’s Fed’s mid-Atlatnic district added to concern about the U.S. economy, which has been heightened in recent days by a clutch of disappointing inflation, manufacturing and retail sales data.
The single currency, which slid below $1.19 in June on euro-zone debt trouble, has since risen by more than 8% after smooth government debt auctions in Greece, Portugal and Spain eased concerns.
JPY – Yen Experiences Mixed Results against Major Currencies
The yen completed yesterday’s trading session with mixed results versus the other major currencies. The JPY was broadly unchanged versus the CHF yesterday and closed its trading session around the 83.85 level. The JPY also saw bullishness against the USD and closed at 87.50.
The JPY’s trends will be affected by the rallies of its primary currency pairs today. It seems that the USD and EUR are expected to continue a volatile trading session today, especially against the Japanese currency. Traders should keep a close look on the news coming from the U.S. and Europe as these economies will be the deciding factors in the JPY’s movement today, especially the U.S Core CPI at 12:30 GMT. It is also advisable for traders to follow any unexpected comments coming from key Japanese governmental figures, as this is also likely to lead to further JPY volatility.
OIL – Oil Prices Fall Based on Weak U.S. Data
Oil fell below $77 a barrel on Thursday after disappointing U.S. economic data curbed expectations for future demand growth. Oil prices fell as low as $75.80 before it rebounded again and closed at $77.35
Oil has traded between $70 and $80 this month as investors ponder how much a pullback of government stimulus spending could undermine global economic growth and crude demand in the second half.
However, Crude oil prices were supported by the weekly inventories report from the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration on Wednesday, which showed crude supplies shrank more than analysts had forecasted, a sign demand may be improving.
Technical News
EUR/USD
Bullishness in the pair continues as the price breached and closed above the upper channel line that the pair has been trading in since early June. The close was also above the 100-day simple moving average line. The 10-day RSI is sloping sharply higher, indicating that the momentum is to the upside. Near term resistance for the pair rests just below 1.3100.
GBP/USD
The pound was a strong mover in yesterday’s trading as the cable closed above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level for the long term downward trend, as well as a close above the long term downward sloping trend line that began in July of 2008. Traders should be long on the pair with a minimum target at the resistance level of 1.5520.
USD/JPY
A significant drop in the value of the pair was registered yesterday as the pair fell as low as the support level at 87, the year to date low. The downward momentum looks to continue as an absence of technical resistance on the charts could move the pair as low as 84.80, the November 2009 low.
USD/CHF
Yesterday the pair breached below the near term resistance levels of 1.0480 and 1.0430, ending the short term consolidation that the pair had experienced. The next target for the pair will be the 74.6% Fibonacci retracement level from the previous bullish trend at a price of 1.0350.
The Wild Card
Oil
The daily chart shows two candlestick patterns that hint to a slowdown of the recent bullishness of spot crude oil. Wednesday’s trading ended slightly higher but formed a doji candlestick, signaling potential short term weakness. Yesterday’s trading was more volatile with the pair falling as low as the support level of 75.80 and rising as high as 78.06, forming a long legged doji candlestick. This shows indecisiveness on the part of traders and signals wavering support for the bullish move. CFD traders may want to tighten their stops on any long positions they may have in spot crude oil.
Written by Forexyard.com