Forex Strength And Comparison Week 38/2017
Forex Technical Analyst Trader | Sep 18, 2017 12:59AM ET
In the Currency Strength table, the GBP was the strongest currency while the JPY was the weakest. There were some significant changes last week with the GBP gaining 4 points, the NZD gaining 2 points, the JPY losing 2 points and the CHF losing 3 points. The other currencies remained around the same level of last week with a maximum change in the strength of just 1 point.
13 Weeks Currency Score Strength
The 13 Weeks Currency Strength and the 13 Weeks Average are provided here below. This data and the "13 weeks Currency Classification" are considered for deciding on the preferred range. Because it is not ideal nor desired to change the range for a currency every single week, we perform several checks to avoid this.
- First of all the strength over a period of the last 13 weeks is considered. See each row for more information.
- Next, the 13 weeks average is considered, see the last row called "Avg. 13 wks."
- The number of weeks that a currency was stronger than another currency can also be considered.
- The Technical Analysis (TA) Charts for each Time Frame could also be consulted.
Average 13 wks. Score
When looking at the Average 13 wks. Score we can see the currencies grouped together according to their classification. There may be some doubt and in that case it could be a currency that will change its classification in the coming weeks. The NZD and the JPY are such currencies and changed Classification last week.
- Strong - We can see that the EUR, AUD and the CAD are clearly grouped together as Strong currencies around an Average 13 wks. Score of 6.
- The CAD is the strongest currency and continues to deliver high Scores while the AUD, being a Strong currency, is showing a bit of weakness in the last 2 weeks.
- Neutral - The NZD and CHF are grouped together around an Average 13 wks. Score of 4.
- The NZD was a Strong currency but is now in the Neutral currency group.
- Weak - The USD, JPY and GBP are grouped together around an Average 13 wks. Score of 2 to 3.
- The USD lost a lot of strength in the lasts week and is now the Weakest currency of all, this was the GBP for a long time.
- The JPY was a Neutral currency but is now in the Weak currency group.
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Classification review
This week we take a look at the Classification changes. The most striking is the performance of the NZD which was a Strong currency. Although the Score of last week was better than the previous weeks, it could not prevent that the currency has changed its Classification. It is now a Neutral currency.
6 weeks ago the JPY reached a high with a Score of 7 but went down again after that. It is the weakest currency of this week and changed Classification from neutral to Weak.Below you can see the Weekly Currency Score Chart with the 6 months' data as a reference.
For analyzing the best pairs to trade looking from a longer-term perspective the last 13 weeks Currency Classification can be used in support.
This was updated on 17 September 2017 and is provided here for reference purposes:
Strong: EUR, AUD and CAD. The preferred range is from 6 to 8.
Neutral: NZD and CHF. The preferred range is 4 to 5.
Weak: USD, JPY and GBP. The preferred range is from 1 to 3.
Currency Score Comparison
"Comparison table" and the "Ranking and Rating list"
The Forex Currency Comparison Table compares each currency with its counterpart based on the Currency Score. For more information about the currency Score of this week, you can read the article "Forex Ranking, Rating and Score" which is published every week together with this article.
By using the comparison table directly below you can get a view without the volatility and statistics as opposed to the "Ranking and Rating list". Only the strength of each currency against the counterparts is analyzed by using the Technical analysis charts of the 4 Time Frames that are also used for the "Ranking and Rating List".
The information from the Comparison Table is the source for calculating the "Ranking and Rating List" where this list additionally uses the volatility and statistics for creating the best and worst performer in the list from number 1 to 28.
The information is published once a week and be aware that rates change during this period. The mentioned scores also change and different opportunities may show up. There are many ways to follow the rate changes. This can be done e.g. by looking at the charts and checking e.g. the Ichimoku and/or MACD in the Weekly and Daily chart. There are also many tools, apps and websites where the movement of trading rates of currencies is shown in different automated ways. This may be in pips or through percentage differences or by comparing the values of indicators like the RSI, Moving Averages, MACD, Ichimoku etc. On my blog a Heatmap is available that can be of use also.
"Comparison table" and the "Currency Score Chart"
The additional value of this table compared to the Currency Score table is that the Comparison Table compares the strength between the currencies of each pair. By subtracting the strength of the weaker currency from the stronger currency we have a way to compare each pair combination.
The comparison table provides a way to compare currencies from a longer-term perspective of 13 weeks and also simultaneously taking the current trend into account. By coloring the currencies in the X and Y axis according to their Classification we can show what the best combinations are.
Comparison table Guide
- First of all better-classified currencies in combination with weaker-classified currencies can always be traded and vice versa. The Currency Score difference may be negative. In that case, the trade should be made after a pullback. In other words, a trade can then only take place after a recovery and the main trend being confirmed again.
- Second, only equally classified currencies are approved when there is a positive Currency Score difference. Also here, the trend has to be confirmed again.
The difference between point 2 and 1 is that the long trend is not clear with 2 equally qualified currencies because that pair is in a sideways market. For that reason, the Currency Score difference cannot have a negative difference. A positive difference confirms the momentum for a short revival. - Third, only Neutral currencies are Approved against a better-classified currency when there is a Currency Score difference of at least +4. In the case of a currency worse classified, the Currency Score difference has to be at least -4.
The above-mentioned situations applicable to this point may happen when there is a clear reversal and the chart is showing a new trend with good entries in the new direction. The difference between point 3 and the previous 2 points is that with point 3 a reversal in the whole market is possible when looking at all the currencies together. This gives a better chance when a trend reversal takes place compared to point 1 and 2! - By preference, each currency should be selected for a trade with a score difference as far apart from each other as possible in the range from 1 to 8. However, these opportunities are rare and for that reason point 1 offers flexibility and is the best choice to trade, point 2 is the second best and point 3 is the third best choice.
- The classification of the currencies in question may change in the longer term. Even though currencies may be in the same category a currency may be in a weaker/stronger period and may even change its classification in the future. See the current classification for the coming period at the beginning of this article.
Putting the pieces together
Based on the last "13 Weeks currency classification" and the "Currency Comparison Table" the most interesting currencies for going long seem to be the:
CAD, EUR and AUD.
These are Strong or Neutral currencies from a longer term perspective when looking at the last "13 Weeks currency classification".
For going short the same analysis can be done and the following currencies seem to fit best:
USD, JPY and CHF.
These are Weak or Neutral currencies from a longer term perspective.
Currencies with a high deviation seem less interesting to trade because they are less predictable. A good example now is/are e.g. the:
GBP.
Besides this article, I also use the Forex "Ranking, Rating and Score" which is also available once a week on my blog. In the article "Ranking, Rating and Score" we look in more detail at the absolute position of the currencies and pairs.
It is recommended to read the page "Currency score explained", "Introduction to the FxTaTrader Forex Models" and "Statistics and Probabilities" for a better understanding of the article. If you would like to use this article then mention the source by providing the URL FxTaTrader.com or the direct link to this article. Good luck in the coming week.
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