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U.S. Dollar Trading (USD) was strong even as stock markets remained positive as the EUR/USD slumped after the ECB announcement and USD/JPY rallied on increasing US Bond Yields. Weekly Jobless Claims improved to 469k vs. 496k. January Pending Home Sales fell -7.2% tracking a broad set of weak housing data in January. In US stocks, DJIA +47 points closing at 10396, S&P +4 points closing at 1122 and NASDAQ +11 points closing at 2292. Looking ahead, February NonFarm Payrolls forecast at -50k vs. -20k previously and the Unemployment rate is forecast at 9.8% vs. 9.7%.
The Euro (EUR) lost ground after the ECB held rates at 1.0% and described the current levels as appropriate with economic growth uneven. EUR/JPY held its own as stock markets improved but EUR/AUD slumped back close to the key 1.50 handle. Also released, Q4 GDP confirmed at 0.1%. Overall the EUR/USD traded with a low of 1.3551 and a high of 1.3714 before closing at 1.3570. Looking ahead, January Factory Orders are forecast at 1.5% vs. -2.3% m/m.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) suffered a major reversal of fortune against the USD with the 3 month Libor turning to the dollars favor for the first time since August 2009. General USD strength and solid crosses also underpinned. GBP/JPY is beginning to rally from 9 month lows at Y132. Overall the USDJPY traded with a low of 88.12 and a high of 89.27 before closing the day around 89.10 in the New York session.
The Sterling (GBP) rallied on heavy GBP/JPY buying in New York to trade above 1.5100 but this was short lived as the Euro fell back late in the day and the pair ended on a slightly weakish footing. EUR/GBP moved lower but is still contained inside the 90-91 range. The BOE held at 0.5% and kept the Asset Purchase Program at 200bn. Overall the GBP/USD traded with a low of 1.5004 and a high of 1.5139 before closing the day at 1.5040 in the New York session. Looking ahead, February PPI input is forecast at 0.25 vs. 2% previously m/m.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) tracked the EURO lower as AUD/JPY broke down through Y80 in early Europe before heavy buying emerged later in New York to keep the AUD/USD near the 0.9000 level. January Trade Balance was at -1.2bn vs. -1.5bn forecast. Overall the AUD/USD traded with a low of 0.8977 and a high of 0.9056 before closing the US session at 0.9040.
Oil & Gold (XAU) fell back as the strong USD discouraged commodity buying. Overall trading with a low of USD$1125 and high of USD$1142 before ending the New York session at USD$1132 an ounce. Held ground as the improving sentiment countered the stronger dollar. Crude Oil was down -$0.30 ending the New York session at $80.60.
| Currency |
Sup 2 |
Sup 1 |
Spot |
Res 1 |
Res 2 |
| EUR/USD |
1.3436 |
1.3552 |
1.3580 |
1.3736 |
1.3788 |
| USD/JPY |
87.37 |
87.74 |
89.10 |
89.50 |
90.36 |
| GBP/USD |
1.4855 |
1.4959 |
1.5030 |
1.5136 |
1.5209 |
| AUD/USD |
0.8863 |
0.8936 |
0.8995 |
0.9086 |
0.9147 |
| XAU/USD |
1121.00 |
1125 |
1132.00 |
1144 |
1161.00 |
| OIL/USD |
78.00 |
80 |
80.50 |
82.00 |
82.50 |
Euro 1.3580
Initial support at 1.3552 (Mar 4 low) followed by 1.3436 (Mar 2 low). Initial resistance is now located at 1.3732 (Mar 3 high) followed by 1.3788 (Feb 17 high)
Yen 89.10
Initial support is located at 87.74 (Dec 10 low) followed by 87.37 (Dec 9 low). Initial resistance is now at 89.50 (Feb 26 high) followed by 90.36 (Feb 23 high).
Pound 1.5030
Initial support at 1.4959 (Mar 3 low) followed by 1.4855 (Mar 2 low). Initial resistance is now at 1.5136 (Mar 4 high) followed by 1.5209 (Mar 1 low).
Australian Dollar 0.8995
Initial support at 0.8936 (Mar 1 low) followed by the 0.8863 (Feb 26 low). Initial resistance is now at 0.9086 (Mar 3 high) followed by 0.9147 (Jan 21 high).
Gold 1132
Initial support at 1125 (Mar 4 low) followed by 1111 (Mar 1 low). Initial resistance is now at 1144 (Mar 3 high) followed by 1161 (Jan 11 high).
Oil 80.50
Initial support at 80.00 (Intraday Support) followed by 78.00 (Intraday Support). Initial resistance is now at 82.00 (Intraday Resistance) followed by 82.50 (Intraday Resistance).
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