The Euro surged to 1.3105 for the first time since May shortly after U.S. equity markets opened, but was unable to hold this level as stocks corrected sharply during the trading session. The subsequent break triggered volatile moves throughout the session with the market retracing inside the 1.3105 to 1.3059 range several times.
The EUR USD began to break out to the upside last night buoyed by strong European earnings reports and the dim outlook for the U.S. economy. Some traders are factoring in the possibility that the European Central Bank may be in a position to raise its benchmark interest rate before the Fed acts upon the U.S. borrowing rate.
Technically the Euro is in a strong uptrend. The breakout above the last swing top at 1.3028 reaffirmed the trend as well as the crossing of the .618 retracement level at 1.2998. In order to sustain this rally, the currency has to close above 1.2998.
The British Pound traded higher but barely held on to earlier gains following a test of a major 50% level at 1.5635. Slowing the Sterling’s upside momentum today is a U.K. housing price report which showed that home values fell in July for the first time in five months. Tighter lending conditions and concerns that government spending cuts will slow economic growth were to blame for the drop.
Last week it was reported that the U.K. economy grew more than expected during the Second Quarter but that was before the implementation of new government austerity measures. Concerns that new taxes and spending cuts will hurt the economy could be the factors which contribute to the start of a short-term decline. Technically, investors should begin to watch for a technical closing price reversal top to signal the end of the current rally. At a time today, the Sterling was close to forming a reversal top, but bargain hunters were buying aggressively on the dips.
The New Zealand Dollar traded weaker versus the U.S. Dollar after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiked its key lending rate by 25 basis points to 3.00%. Although this hike was expected, the main reason behind the weakness is the comment from RBNZ Governor Alan Bollard. The central bank Governor stated after the report that the “pace and extent” of future increases would be more moderate than previously projected. Investors read this a sign that the central bank will refrain from an additional rate hike at its next meeting on September 15.
Technically the Kiwi reached its closing price reversal top objective at .7211. A normal reaction to this pattern is a 2 to 3 day decline of 50% of the last swing up. Further weakness will be indicated if .7211 fails to hold as support. Weakness in U.S. equities may trigger a further decline on Friday.
Tomorrow the U.S. will release its preliminary Second-Quarter GDP Data. Investors are looking for this report to reveal a softening economy. Analysts expect U.S. GDP slowed last quarter to an annual rate of 2.5% from 2.7% in the first. A number showing a greater than expected decrease could drive equity and commodity markets sharply lower, setting off the possibility of a major flight to quality rally in the Dollar. Given the recent slew of weak economic data and the dim outlook for the economy by Fed Chairman Bernanke, this is one report that should be watched carefully.
Local: 312-896-3930
Toll Free: 800-971-2440
Email: Info@BrewerFX.com
Website: www.BrewerFX.com
DISCLAIMER: Forex (off-exchange foreign currency futures and options or FX) trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. The value of currencies may fluctuate and investors may lose all or more than their original investments. Risks also include, but are not limited to, the potential for changing political and/or economic conditions that may substantially affect the price and/or liquidity of a currency. The impact of seasonal and geopolitical events is already factored into market prices. Prices in the underlying cash or physical markets do not necessarily move in tandem with futures and options prices. The leveraged nature of FX trading means that any market movement will have an equally proportional effect on your deposited funds and such may work against you as well as for you. In no event should the content of this correspondence be construed as an express or implied promise or guarantee from Brewer Investment Group, LLC or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates that you will profit or that losses can or will be limited in any manner whatsoever. Loss-limiting strategies such as stop loss orders may not be effective because market conditions may make it impossible to execute such orders. Likewise, strategies using combinations of positions such as “spread” or “straddle” trades may be just as risky as simple long and short positions. Past results are no indication of future performance. Information contained in this correspondence is intended for informational purposes only and was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Information is in no way guaranteed. No guarantee of any kind is implied or possible where projections of future conditions are attempted.
