Today’s US Dollar Trading
• USD reverses to go two-way after London fix
• US data considered unfriendly to equities and USD
• Traders note stops above the market
Overnight Preview
• Look for the USD to hold gains
• Two-way action likely overnight as well
Looking Ahead to Thursday
All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
• 8:30am USD Unemployment Claims
• 10:30am USD Natural Gas Storage
• Tentative USD President-Elect Obama Speaks
• 3:00pm USD Consumer Credit m/m
Summary
The USD reversed again after the London fix today as the majors made highs and then retreated as the end of the New York session drew closer; Cable and EURO both retreated over a big figure after posting highs near technical resistance. High prints in GBP at 1.5284 came around the London fix as a very large buy order hit the market into the fix; traders note that thin conditions likely exacerbated the move and the highs were sold by short-term accounts as well. The rate fell back to the low 1.5100 handle and looks ready to close under the 1.5100 area as well; traders note a long selling wick on the daily chart suggesting that the technical objective for the short-term longs was reached as the rate scored 1.5250 area. EURO advanced as well making highs at 1.3748 tracking GBP higher but traders note that the major push was likely from EURO-Sterling cross traders again. Conditions remained thinner on the move and a large selling wick likely means the rally was a dead cat bounce into the end of the week. Although the rally was welcome in both EURO and GBP the failure to hold gains into the close today suggests more two-way action is coming and likely the USD will cover the same ground again; aggressive traders need to consider getting flat both pairs if long and possibly buying the next dip. USD/JPY had the pressure on all day as equities melted down in New York; dropping through support at 92.50 for a low print at 92.42 before bouncing early in the session the rate failed to show any strength and faded back from the 93.00 handle late. Today’s ADP employment data was unfriendly to the equities markets and likely helped to pressure the pair as well. USD/CHF gave a wild ride to traders today initially dropping to fresh lows for the session at 1.0868 and then rallying back to hold above the 1.1000 handle for parts of the day; high prints overnight at 1.1208 went unchallenged so far in New York. USD/CAD rallied as the USD found buyers for a high print at 1.2004 making a case for a short-covering rally in the pair. With a test of the 1.1750 area finding no major stops the rotation higher was to be expected. In my view, today’s action was just another day of volatility and thin conditions making a stop-driven mess of balance sheets across the board. With the USD set to rally again overnight as the two-way whipsaw continues I would be very cautious about holding USD shorts overnight. Look to sell a rally back to resistance as the majors are willing to cover a lot of ground during this consolidation.
GBP/USD Daily
Resistance 3: 1.5420
Resistance 2: 1.5350
Resistance 1: 1.5280
Latest New York: 1.5111
Support 1: 1.4800
Support 2: 1.4720
Support 3: 1.4660
Comments
Rate makes highs into early New York; probes for stops over the 1.5000 and 1.5100 handle; inexplicable rally to the 1.5280 area finds more stops driving the thin market higher. Still seeing two-way and firmer action due to cross-spreaders liquidating EURO-Sterling; repatriation also lending to the firm tone. Rate likely to have a knee-jerk reaction to more rate cuts due tomorrow morning. Probabilities are good that any rate cut is factored in. Spillover from EURO not there today as spreaders unwind. Traders note solid two-way action. Sellers hold control above 1.5100 area so far but if unable to make a new low or test the low—expect a short-squeeze..
Data due Thursday: All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
Tentative GBP MPC Rate Statement
7:00am GBP Official Bank Rate
EURO/USD Daily
Resistance 3: 1.3850
Resistance 2: 1.3800
Resistance 1: 1.3750/60
Latest New York: 1.3621
Support 1: 1.3300
Support 2: 1.3250/60
Support 3: 1.3200
Comments
Rate two-way and presses to highs as stops above the 1.3580 area are cleared; more noted above 1.3660 and 1.3720. Cross-liquidation continues but rallies back hard as official bids absorb offers under the 1.3350 area yesterday. Traders note sovereign offers seen above the 1.3640 area but those absorbed so far. Aggressive liquidation by EURO-Sterling cross spreaders providing the main selling. Late longs are under pressure and can’t ignore a break of the 50% fib defense numbers. Bears took a stand at 1.4700 area last year and likely have reached technical levels around the 1.3300 area so expect some firmness in this area. Correction lower is likely near it’s end, likely at a buy point.
Data due Thursday: All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
2:00am EUR German Trade Balance
5:00am EUR Consumer Confidence
5:00am EUR Unemployment Rate
6:00am EUR German Factory Orders m/m
Forex Trading Analysis by: Forexpros.com – Written by Jason Alan Jankovsky
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