FX Overview: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD.
SGT Markets | Apr 18, 2017 05:16AM ET
EUR/USD
The dollar slumped broadly after U.S. President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal that the dollar "is getting too strong" and that he would prefer the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low, and lower-than-expected CPI confirmed that sentiment.
German ZEW Economic Sentiment was very good but the outside chance of a victory by far-right parties in France is becoming a central topic. The market is also starting to factor in recent developments regarding North Korea and Syria.
Fed Chair Janet Yellen said that the Federal Reserve's plans to raise U.S. interest rates gradually are aimed at sustaining full employment and near-2-percent inflation without letting the economy overheat.
German Unemployment Change again better than expected (for the sixth time in a row) but Inflation data on downbeat.
1.072 area is a very important resistance, we exclude a breakout of that barrier in the short-term. 1.067 support level breached: as we wrote in the previous commentaries, a breakout of 1.062 can lead down to 1.056 and 1.056 reacted. Now we are consolidating back around 1.065 in sideways market movements and in 1.072 area there is a very important resistance. Please, consider also that 1.062 area is a very weak support, a breach of that level would extend the fall down to our first support, which is 1.056.
Our special Fibo Retracement is confirming the following S/R levels against the monthly and weekly trendlines obtained by connecting the relevant highs and lows back to 2012:
Weekly Trend: Neutral
1st Resistance: 1.0679
2nd Resistance: 1.0724
1st Support: 1.0560
2nd Support: 1.0506
EUR
Recent Facts:
31st of January, German Unemployment Change
Better than expected.
31st of January, Eurozone’s CPI and GDP preliminary release
Better than expected.
1st of February, Eurozone Manufacturing PMI
As expected.
9th of February, German Trade Balance
Worse than expected.
10th of February, French Industrial Production + French Non-Farm Payrolls
French Industrial Production worse than expected, French Non-Farm Payrolls better than expected.
14th of February: German GDP (Preliminary release) + German ZEW Economic Sentiment + Eurozone GDP (Preliminary release)
German GDP worse than expected, German ZEW worse than expected, Eurozone GDP worse than expected.
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15th of February, Eurozone Trade Balance
Better than expected.
21st of February, German Manufacturing PMI
Better than expected.
23rd of February, German GDP
Worse than expected.
1st of March, German Manufacturing + German Unemployment Change
German Manufacturing worse than expected, German Unemployment Change better than expected.
2nd of March, Eurozone Inflation data
In line with expectations.
3rd of March, German Services PMI + Eurozone Retail Sales
Worse than expected.
7th of March, Germany Factory Orders
Worse than expected.
8th of March, German Industrial Production
Better than expected.
9th of March, ECB Interest Rate decision + ECB Press Conference
Interest Rates unchanged, ECB President Dovish (can be cut again in the future if necessary).
14th of March, German CPI + German ZEW Economic Sentiment
German CPI as expected, German ZEW worse than expected.
24th of March, German Manufacturing PMI
Significantly Better than expected.
30th of March, German CPI
Lower than expected.
31st of March, German Unemployment Change + Eurozone CPI
German Unemployment Change better than expected (for the sixth time in a row), Eurozone CPI worse than expected.
3rd of April, German Manufacturing PMI
As expected.
11th of April, German ZEW Economic Sentiment
Better than expected.
USD
Recent Facts:
2nd of December: Nonfarm Payrolls + Unemployment Rate
Better than expected.
27th of January, GDP + Durable Good Orders
GDP Significantly worse than expected, Durable Good Orders as expected.
1st of February, ADP Nonfarm Unemployment Change + U.S. Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing
Better than expected (ISM Manufacturing at its highest level since November 2014).
3rd of February, Nonfarm Payrolls + Unemployment Rate
Nonfarm Payrolls better than expected, Unemployment Rate worse than expected.
14th of February, Producer Price Index (PPI)
Better than expected.
15th of February, Core CPI (Consumer Price Index) + Retail Sales
Better than expected.
16th of February, Building Permits + Initial Jobless Claims + Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
Better than expected.
21st of February, Manufacturing PMI + Services PMI
Worse than expected.
27th of February, Core Durable Good Orders + Pending Home Sales
Worse than expected.
28th of February, GDP (Preliminary release)
Worse than expected.
3rd of March, ISM Non-manufacturing PMI + Fed Chair Yellen Speech
ISM Non-manufacturing PMI better than expected, Yellen noted that a rate increase at next meeting "would likely be appropriate" insisting on the condition that data on employment and inflation have to move in line with expectations.
8th of March, ADP Nonfarm Employment Change
Better than expected.
10th of March, Nonfarm Payrolls + Unemployment Rate
Better than expected.
14th of March, Producer Price Index
Higher than expected
15th of March, Core CPI + Retail Sales
As expected.
15th of March, FOMC Economic Projections + FOMC Statement + Fed Interest Rate Decision + FOMC Press Conference
The Federal Reserve increased interest rates by 0.25% to a 0.75-1% range. Dovish speech of Chairwoman Yellen.
16th of March, Building Permits + Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
Building Permits worse than expected, Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing better than expected.
24th of March, Core Durable Goods Orders
Worse than expected.
24th of March, Manufacturing PMI + Services PMI (preliminary release)
Worse than expected (4th time in a row).
28th of March, Conference Board Consumer Confidence
Better than expected (the highest since December 2000).
30th of March, GDP
Better than expected.
5th of April, ADP Nonfarm Employment Change + ISM Non-Manufacturing Employment + ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI
ADP Nonfarm Employment Change better than expected.
ISM Non-Manufacturing Employment + ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI worse than expected.
7th of April, Nonfarm Payrolls + Unemployment Rate
Nonfarm Payrolls worse than expected, Unemployment Rate better than expected.
14th of April, Core CPI + Retail Sales
Core CPI (Inflation) Lower than expected.
Retail Sales worse than expected.
GBP/USD
UK Job Market with stable Unemployment Rate but toughly increasing Job Claimants.
UK Inflation Data on the upbeat while last Manufacturing Production data and Trade Balance were below expectations.
UK Services PMI seen back to 55, far better than the 53.3 of previous month, while UK Manufacturing PMI dropped below previous one, for the second time in a row. UK GDP YoY was worse than expected.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is formally filing paperwork to leave the European Union. Some unresolved tension with Scotland and Northern Ireland, which voted against leaving the EU. May provided no clear plan about the comprehensive “free-trade” partnership with EU members she wants to achieve.
As we wrote in the previous commentaries, 1.2530 is very important resistance and the consolidation around 1.238 area already exhausted. Now market is ranging between 1.238 and 1.253 levels waiting for the news and events scheduled next days.
Our special Fibo Retracement is confirming the following S/R levels against the monthly and weekly trendlines obtained by connecting the relevant highs and lows back to 2001:
Weekly Trend: Overbought
1st Resistance: 1.2530
2nd Resistance: 1.2705
1st Support: 1.2380
2nd Support: 1.2200
GBP
Recent Facts:
4th of August, Bank of England Interest Rates decision (expected a cut)
Bank of England lowers Interest Rates as expected (record low of 0.25%) and increases purchase program.
20th of January, Retail Sales
Worse than expected.
26th of January, GDP (Preliminary release)
Better than expected.
1st of February, UK Manufacturing PMI
As expected.
2nd of February, Construction PMI
Worse than expected.
3rd of February, Services PMI
Worse than expected.
10th of February, Manufacturing Production
Better than expected.
14th of February, Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Worse than expected.
15th of February, Job Market
Better than expected.
17th of February, Retail Sales
Worse than expected.
1st of March, Manufacturing PMI
Worse than expected.
2nd of March, Construction PMI
Better than expected.
3rd of March, Services PMI
Worse than expected.
10th of March, Manufacturing Production + Trade Balance
UK Manufacturing Production worse than expected, Trade Balance better than expected.
15th of March, Job Market
Better than expected.
16th of March, Interest Rates Decision + BoE Meeting Minutes
A Bank of England policymaker unexpectedly voted to raise interest rates.
21st of March, CPI
CPI Higher than expected.
23rd of March, Retail Sales
Better than expected.
31st of March, GDP YoY
Worse than expected.
3rd of April, Manufacturing PMI
Worse than expected.
5th of April, Services PMI
Better than expected.
7th of April, Manufacturing Production
Worse than expected.
11th of April, UK CPI
Higher than expected.
12th of April, UK Job Market
Worse than expected.
USD
Recent Facts:
See above.
AUD/USD
RBA Meeting Minutes showed caution and dovish tone.
China Industrial Production far above expectations drove YoY GDP to +6.9% (better than +6.8% Expectations).
Australia Employment Change growing higher than expected.
Weeks ago Australia's central bank held steady as expected in its latest interest rate decision:
The depreciation of the exchange rate since 2013 has also assisted the economy in its transition following the mining investment boom. An appreciating exchange rate would complicate this adjustment.
Last reading of China Inflation data is lower than expected. Australia Retail Sales worse than expected while Chinese factory activity grew at fastest pace in nearly 5 years.
A joint committee of ministers from OPEC and non-OPEC oilproducers has agreed to review whether a global pact to limit supplies should be extended by six months. Oil sector analysts said the lack of an immediate extension could drag on crude prices.
As we wrote in the previous commentaries, we expected a test around 0.7506 area. That happened and now we are back to the important resistance around 0.757 area.
Our special Fibo Retracements are confirming the following S/R levels against the monthly and weekly trendlines obtained by connecting the relevant highs and lows back to 2012:
Weekly Trend: Neutral
1st Resistance: 0.7570
2nd Resistance: 0.7735
1st Support: 0.7460
2nd Support: 0.7425
AUD
Recent Facts:
1st of November, RBA Interest Rates Statement
RBA’s Governor Lowe signals tolerance for weak inflation and bets seem off for future rate cuts.
3rd of November, RBA Monetary Policy Statement + Retail Sales
RBA said it is focused on the medium-term inflation target.
Retail Sales better than expected.
8th of November, ELECTION OF THE 45th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Donald Trump elected President.
9th of November, Reserve Bank of New Zealand Interest Rate Decision + Monetary Policy Statement
Interest Rates cut to 1.75% from 2.00% as expected.
19th of December, Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook
Scott Morrison announced lower than an original prediction of A$37.1 billion, investors see it as promising to stave off a downgrade of its AAA (triple A) rating from S&P Global.
9th of January, Retail Sales
Worse than expected.
19th of January, Employment Change
Better than expected.
25th of January, CPI (Consumer Price Index measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer)
Lower than expected.
1st of February, AIG Manufacturing Index
Worse than expected.
2nd of February, Building Approvals + Trade Balance
Better than expected.
7th of February, RBA Interest Rates Decision + RBA Rate Statement
RBA held steady as expected at a record low 1.50%, while noting better economic conditions with China.
8th of February, New Zealand Interest Rate Decision + RBNZ Monetary Policy Statement
Interest Rates unchanged and RBNZ’s agenda contains no changes for 2017.
16th of February, Employment Change
Better than expected.
28th of February, New Home Sales, Current Account, Private Sector Credit.
1st of March, Australia GDP
Better than expected.
16th of March, Employment Change + Unemployment Rate
Worse than expected.
2nd of April, Retail Sales
Worse than expected.
4th of April, RBA Interest Rate Decision
Interest Rates Unchanged, as expected. Dovish tone in Philip Dowe’s Speech.
9th of April, Home Loans
Worse than expected.
13th of April, Australia Employment Change
Better than expected.
18th of April, RBA Meeting Minutes
Dovish.
USD
Recent Facts:
See above.
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