• Dollar Folds as BoJ Stimulus Leverages Speculation Over Fed’s Potential and Investor Sentiment
  • Euro Boosting its Profile as One of the Few Alternative Currencies Left, Or at Least Evens the Playing Field
  • Japanese Yen’s Losses Reserved after Remarkable Monetary Policy Expansion Effort but for How Long?
  • Australian Dollar Speculators only Temporarily Knocked Off Their Pace by an RBA Hold
  • British Pound Ignores Improvement in Service Sector Report as Support for Stimulus Grows
  • Canadian Dollar Advances ahead of Ivey Business Activity Report

Dollar Folds as BoJ Stimulus Leverages Speculation Over Fed’s Potential and Investor Sentiment

For those that only scratch the surface of fundamentals, the plunge for the dollar Tuesday may come as a surprise. Given the performance of the day’s top-tier economic release, it would seem that the currency would be encouraged into a rally. And, even if we go one level deeper by connecting the data’s influence in reducing the necessity of additional stimulus from the Federal Reserve; we would still miss the principal concern for the benchmark currency: risk appetite trends. While the dollar performance recently has deviated from the ebb and flow of risk appetite trends, the currency will readily fall back into its role should the winds really pick up (for better or worse). More remarkable for price action over the past 24 hours than traditional economic indicators was the marked surge in investor sentiment. As a benchmark for this speculative drive, the S&P 500 produced a clean break from a three-week period of congestion to trade at near-five month highs. This advance would further bleed into corporate bond yields, speculative commodities (like crude oil) and high-yield / high-potential currencies. What makes it even more interesting is that gold (a favored safe haven) surged while the Aussie dollar stumbled. Interesting developments are afoot.

In the past month, fundamental dollar traders have had to make an adjustment in their analysis to interpret the greenback’s health. While the flow of speculative capital still caters to (and weighs on) the currency’s safe haven status, risk trends have actually cooled. In its place, speculation surrounding the possibility of Fed stimulus expansion has stepped up. Should the central bank increase its bond purchase program (be they acquisitions of Treasuries, agency debt or even corporate bonds), the net result is an influx in the supply of dollars in the system and a degradation of the economy’s fiscal and monetary integrity. What’s more – and what we saw in price action Tuesday – is the condition whereby an increase in stimulus placates the ‘simplistic’ growth and capital-dependant markets, thereby simultaneously boosting risk appetite and undermining the appeal of the nation’s currency. Visions of an impending increase in Fed buying come November 3rd wasn’t necessarily the result of any particular US event through the previous session, rather it was speculative interpretation following the Bank of Japan’s remarkably expansive shift much earlier in the day. A rate cut and new program aimed at lowering rates, boosting growth and fighting deflation suggests to traders that the US central bank is more likely to follow through on a stimulus hike at its own meeting. Is this the case? Probably not; but the market is a collective of investors’ biases. Price will go where bid and sell orders encourage it.

If the dollar was preoccupied with the fallout of the BoJ’s policy decision, did the US data even register? Certainly. The services sector accounts for approximately 90 percent of output from the business side of the economy; and therefore the ISM figure carries significant weight. The unexpectedly robust increase in the figure offers evidence of support for the economy. And, though this indicator alone won’t thwart Fed stimulus expansion, the improvement in new orders (which hit a three-year high), employment and new orders is encouraging. Looking at tomorrow’s docket, risk appetite dominants for potential; but the ADP private payroll figure will offer a lead in to speculation surrounding Friday’s NFPs.

Related: Discuss the Dollar in the DailyFX Forum, John’s Analyst Picks: EURJPY Hits its First Target, AUDUSD and AUDCAD May See More

Euro Boosting its Profile as One of the Few Alternative Currencies Left, Or at Least Evens the Playing Field

The euro was particularly strong Tuesday; and this wasn’t just a performance evaluation against the weak US dollar. The shared currency advanced against all of its major counterparts through the day through developments from with its own docket and also in reference to the global response to the BoJ’s stimulus efforts. With the expansive step from its economic peer, Europe’s assets and its fiat currency look increasingly attractive because it represents a diversified alternative that is seeing its disadvantages dimming. Essentially, the euro’s counterparts are depreciating while the currency holds steady. What’s more, fears over a coming financial crisis in Europe eased further Tuesday. While Moody’s said it would put Ireland through a three-month review to assess the necessity of a downgrade, the same group said it was “impressed” by Greece’s recent budget efforts. In fact, the ratings agency said the risk would be “to the upside” if they maintain their efforts.

Japanese Yen’s Losses Reserved after Remarkable Monetary Policy Expansion Effort but for How Long?

For influence, Japan’s fundamental developments were clearly dominant Tuesday. While the market was generally pricing in an increase in the BoJ’s stimulus efforts at the conclusion of its meeting, most believe the result would be an expansion of its 30 trillion yen liquidity facility. What they saw was a cut in the rate to a range above zero and a new 5 trillion yen program to buy funds. Will this be effective though? Probably not.

Australian Dollar Speculators only Temporarily Knocked Off Their Pace by an RBA Hold

Just as it was with the BoJ, the outcome of the Australian central bank’s policy meeting was a surprise to speculators. The market and economists had priced in a 25 bps rate hike to the primary rate to 4.75 percent. Instead, the group maintained the rate. The immediate reaction was a sell off to account for this mispricing. That being said, they did leave the door open to future hikes; and therefore the Aussie recovered.

British Pound Ignores Improvement in Service Sector Report as Support for Stimulus Grows

There was one prominent economic release on the UK’s economic docket through the previous session; but its impact has proven lax. The service sector PMI figure for September unexpectedly climbed to a 52.8 reading; but sticklers would point out that new orders dropped to a yearly low. Adding to the negative sentiment, the Institute of Directors (a business lobby) backed BoE Posen’s call for stimulus expansion.

Canadian Dollar Advances ahead of Ivey Business Activity Report

With the market’s appetite whetted for high yield and high potential currencies, the Canadian dollar found itself with something of an undeserved bid Tuesday. Going forward, if the speculative drive is still strong, the loonie will likely tap the mass sentiment for direction. However, in the event that risk appetite trends temper, the Ivey PMI for September will step in. This business report will feed growth and interest rate expectations.

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**For a full list of upcoming event risk and past releases, go to www.dailyfx.com/calendar

ECONOMIC DATA

Next 24 Hours

Currency

GMT

Release

Survey

Previous

Comments

GBP

23:01

BRC Shop Price Index (SEP)

1.7%

August reading beat 1.5% July gain.

GBP

New Car Registrations (YoY) (SEP)

-17.5%

Declined annually in last 2 months.

CHF

7:00

Foreign Currency Reserves (SEP)

218.1B

Reserves dropped in last 3 months.

EUR

9:00

Euro-Zone GDP s.a. (QoQ) (2Q F)

1.0%

1.0%

European exports surged the most on record and corporate spending rebounded from a two-year slump in 2Q, aiding the euro zone’s fastest economic expansion in four years.

EUR

9:00

Euro-Zone GDP s.a. (YoY) (2Q F)

1.9%

1.9%

EUR

9:00

Euro-Zone Household Consumption (QoQ) (2Q F)

0.5%

0.5%

EUR

9:00

Euro-Zone Gross Fixed Capital (QoQ) (2Q F)

1.8%

1.8%

EUR

9:00

Euro-Zone Government Expenditure (QoQ) (2Q F)

0.5%

0.5%

EUR

10:00

German Factory Orders s.a. (MoM) (AUG)

0.9%

-2.2%

German factory orders declined in July for a second time in 3 months.

EUR

10:00

German Factory Orders n.s.a. (YoY) (AUG)

17.2%

17.7%

USD

11:00

MBA Mortgage Applications (OCT 1)

-0.8%

Apps fell in the last four weeks.

USD

11:30

Challenger Job Cuts (YoY) (SEP)

-54.5%

ADP employment fell in August for the first time in seven months.

USD

12:15

ADP Employment Change (SEP)

20K

-10K

CAD

14:00

Ivey Purchasing Managers Index (SEP)

62.0

65.9

Index beat expectations in August.

USD

14:30

DOE U.S. Crude Oil Inventories (OCT 1)

413K

-475K

Crude refinery inputs averaged 14.7 million barrels per day during the week ending September 24.

USD

14:30

DOE U.S. Gasoline Inventories (OCT 1)

-250K

-3469K

USD

14:30

DOE U.S. Distillate Inventory (OCT 1)

-1000K

-1265K

SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS

CLASSIC SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE – 18:00 GMT

Currency

EUR/USD

GBP/USD

USD/JPY

USD/CHF

USD/CAD

AUD/USD

NZD/USD

EUR/JPY

GBP/JPY

Resist 2

1.4200

1.6375

89.00

1.0460

1.0922

1.0000

0.8230

127.60

146.05

Resist 1

1.3900

1.5965

86.00

0.9950

1.0750

0.9850

0.7650

120.00

140.00

Spot

1.3847

1.5900

83.19

0.9664

1.0167

0.9713

0.7490

115.19

132.26

Support 1

1.3300

1.5500

83.00

0.9650

0.9950

0.9100

0.6850

103.80

125.00

Support 2

1.2500

1.5300

80.00

0.9500

0.9700

0.8100

0.6585

100.00

119.00

CLASSIC SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE EMERGING MARKETS 18:00 GMTSCANDIES CURRENCIES 18:00 GMT

Currency

USD/MXN

USD/TRY

USD/ZAR

USD/HKD

USD/SGD

Currency

USD/SEK

USD/DKK

USD/NOK

Resist 2

14.4500

1.6755

8.7915

7.8165

1.4945

Resist 2

7.7500

5.7800

6.2750

Resist 1

13.8500

1.4865

8.3675

7.8075

1.4655

Resist 1

7.5800

5.5400

6.1150

Spot

12.4925

1.4283

6.8883

7.7565

1.3096

Spot

6.6974

5.3831

5.8178

Support 1

12.0500

1.4070

6.6950

7.7490

1.3000

Support 1

6.6150

5.3000

5.8000

Support 2

11.7200

1.3665

6.4300

7.7450

1.2500

Support 2

6.4440

5.1000

5.6000

INTRA-DAY PIVOT POINTS 18:00 GMT

Currency

EUR/USD

GBP/USD

USD/JPY

USD/CHF

USD/CAD

AUD/USD

NZD/USD

EUR/JPY

GBP/JPY

Resist 2

1.4003

1.6039

84.41

0.9777

1.0317

0.9836

0.7591

116.27

133.51

Resist 1

1.3925

1.5969

83.80

0.9720

1.0242

0.9775

0.7540

115.73

132.89

Pivot

1.3781

1.5861

83.38

0.9683

1.0198

0.9658

0.7449

114.81

132.39

Support 1

1.3703

1.5791

82.77

0.9626

1.0123

0.9597

0.7398

114.27

131.77

Support 2

1.3559

1.5683

82.35

0.9589

1.0079

0.9480

0.7307

113.35

131.27

INTRA-DAY PROBABILITY BANDS 18:00 GMT

Currency

EUR/USD

GBP/USD

USD/JPY

USD/CHF

USD/CAD

AUD/USD

NZD/USD

EUR/JPY

GBP/JPY

Resist. 3

1.4033

1.6081

84.18

0.9791

1.0297

0.9860

0.7607

116.96

134.33

Resist. 2

1.3986

1.6036

83.93

0.9759

1.0264

0.9823

0.7577

116.52

133.81

Resist. 1

1.3940

1.5991

83.68

0.9727

1.0232

0.9787

0.7548

116.08

133.29

Spot

1.3847

1.5900

83.19

0.9664

1.0167

0.9713

0.7490

115.19

132.26

Support 1

1.3754

1.5809

82.70

0.9601

1.0102

0.9639

0.7432

114.30

131.23

Support 2

1.3708

1.5764

82.45

0.9569

1.0070

0.9603

0.7403

113.86

130.71

Support 3

1.3661

1.5719

82.20

0.9537

1.0037

0.9566

0.7373

113.42

130.19

v

Written by: John Kicklighter, Currency Strategist for DailyFX.com

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