2014-01-23

Talking Points:

Can the Dollar Hold Steady Until the Fed?

British Pound Surges as Market Sees BoE Bending On Rate Hold

Euro Pairs Next in Line for Event-Driven Volatility

Can the Dollar Hold Steady Until the Fed?

Breakouts are best served by an optimal mix of an unstable technical picture, a fundamental catalyst that can focus the market’s attention and an underlying theme that can maintain momentum after an initial move. The dollar is missing some of these elements. More precisely, their relative timing is off. The dollar is facing breakout pressure on a number of its pairings. EURUSD is being held to an 80-pip range above 1.3500, USDJPY is being held back below 104.75 and GBPUSD is within reach of the year’s 1.6600 high (a dollar-bearish contrast). There is relatively little room for these pairs to move, making a breakout a high probability event. Yet, the docket looks like it would struggle to tap one of the two major fundamental themes that can override speculators’ many preoccupations: general risk trends and a Fed Taper drive. The former has been elusive for some time and market participants know the latter will be defined by next Wednesday’s FOMC decision.

This is not to mean that can’t generate a break for individual pairs or for the dollar in general. Rather, it is far more difficult to establish the kind of break that can develop into a meaningful trend. From the risk perspective, the greenback is finding little appeal for its traditional haven appeal. Yet, this may change in the next 48 hours. The S&P 500 – a traditional barometer for investor sentiment – has worked its way into an extremely tight trading range that has no doubt led traders on both side of the market to place orders for the eventual break. An escalation of risk deleveraging or influx of fresh capital to drive the multi-year long trend beyond 1 to 2 percent move however requires conviction. On the docket, there are a few noteworthy pieces of event risk with this kind of influence ahead. The Chicago Fed’s National Activity index for December, Markit’s January manufacturing activity index and the NAR’s December existing home sales figures are all important economic readings; but are unlikely to distract traders’ attention from next week’s monetary policy decision.

Despite the data’s likely shortfall, a calendar item worth taking note of is the planned auction of 10-year inflation-protected Treasuries (TIPS). The appetite for this asset can measure risk-free demand as well as inflation expectations – a key aspect to the removal of accommodation. Meanwhile, the strongest demand for 1-month notes in two years yesterday may reflect a growing need for ‘cash equivalents’ (safety).

British Pound Surges as Market Sees BoE Bending On Rate Hold

The sterling rallied across the board Wednesday, forcing EURGBP to 12-month lows and nearly driving GBPUSD above the multi-year high set on January 2. The impetus for this move was interest rate expectations (again relative monetary policy showing it is the FX market’s most proactive driver). Traders latched onto data that showed the unemployment rate down to 7.1 percent. For those keeping score, that is 0.1 percentage point above the level which the Bank of England (BoE) had said was its target for considering rate hikes. This is well ahead of the central bank’s schedule and seems to vindicate heavy speculation that a hike will come sometime this year – rather than 2015 as the BoE had projected. The group’s minutes reiterated that hitting the target does not necessitate immediate action. However, at this pace, holding through the rest of the year with the rate below the target would undermine the central bank’s credibility. Either they hike in 2014 or change guidance.

Euro Pairs Next in Line for Event-Driven Volatility

The Pound, Aussie and Loonie pairs were all tremendously active this past session – coerced into action by scheduled event risk. The Euro may prove that news-derived market mover Thursday. Though we have seen the market overlook fundamentally-important headlines so far this week, EURUSD is running in a dwindling range and the growth-related Eurozone PMI figures for January are due. These measures are comprehensive and historically draw the market’s attention. However, fundamental traders should also make note of recent, underlying developments like this past session’s €10 billion sale 10-year Spanish bonds – a record. Speculative appetites have grown extreme…

Yen Crosses Notably Complacent After BoJ Maintains Policy

In contrast to the heavy volatility and speculation that followed the UK event risk this past session, the yen crosses were virtually unmoved by the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) policy decision. The central bank left its open-ended QE program untouched. While this maintains an unrivaled stimulus effort, the markets have priced in a lot of yen weakness via this channel. If markets fear a QE upgrade isn’t at hand, they may ease up.

Australian Dollar Rally Cools Following Strong Inflation Reaction

It seems the market has looked up further out along the horizon to recognize that the RBA will eventually return to rate hikes. The 4Q CPI reading showed price pressures will make future rate decisions a more difficult decision. Though, in a market where there are definitive steps – Taper, expected BoE hike, promised RBNZ hike – this is considered ‘vague’. The Aussie has given back all of its Wednesday morning gains.

Canadian Dollar Plummets, USDCAD Above 1.1000 on BoC Dovishness

The loonie dropped an astounding 0.9 to 1.7 percent against its major counterparts this past session. The collapse (leading to the biggest USDCAD rally in 7 months) was the result of Bank of Canada’s (BoC) policy decision. Lowered inflation projections, noted benefit in currency depreciation for Canadian exports and concern about foreign demand spelled ‘dovish’ to FX traders.

US Oil Posts Best Close of 2014 on Biggest Rally in 6 Weeks

A 1.8 percent rally from US oil Wednesday represents the market’s biggest one-day advance in six weeks. The rally didn’t generate much in the way of additional volume or open interest via futures market. Looking more closely, the US contracts spread to the UK Brent dropped to a multi-week low, open interest is leveling off at substantial lows and the market is in backwardation for the first time in three-months.

Gold at Risk as Market Dangles Above $1,235

From bulls’ push to overtake $1,250, we now find gold trying to hold its head above recent support seen around $1,235. The prevailing bear trend has reared its head as the greenback has refused to offer the metal alternative appeal and risk trends hold relatively stable. Meanwhile, the CBOE’s Gold Volatility Index jumped from its 9-month low, but didn’t make it beyond 16 percent – its 1-month average is 18.3 percent. **Bring the economic calendar to your charts with the DailyFX News App.

ECONOMIC DATA

GMT

Currency

Release

Survey

Previous

Comments

0:00

AUD

Consumer Inflation Expectation (JAN)

2.1%

Yesterday’s CPI print beat, lending the Aussie some much needed support.

1:45

CNY

HSBC/Markit PMI Manufacturing (JAN)

50.3

50.5

Estimates called for 50.5 last week.

7:45

EUR

French Business Survey Overall Demand (JAN)

1

Business Confidence in the Manufacturing Industry is at highs not seen since late 2011.

7:45

EUR

French Business Confidence Indicator (JAN)

100

100

7:45

EUR

French Business Confidence (JAN)

95

94

8:00

EUR

French PMI Manufacturing (JAN P)

47.5

47

8:00

EUR

French PMI Services (JAN P)

48.0

47.8

8:30

EUR

German PMI Manufacturing (JAN A)

54.7

54.3

Being the last major data print for the EU this week, volatility is likely to occur with these key PMI prints. PMI Services and Manufacturing are pressing highs not seen since 2011 and have shown relatively good momentum as of late.

8:30

EUR

German PMI Services (JAN A)

54.0

53.5

9:00

EUR

Euro-Zone PMI Manufacturing (JAN A)

53.0

52.7

9:00

EUR

Euro-Zone PMI Services (JAN A)

51.4

51

9:00

EUR

Euro-Zone PMI Composite (JAN A)

52.5

52.1

9:00

EUR

Euro-Zone Current Account s.a. (euros) (NOV)

21.8B

9:00

EUR

Euro-Zone Current Account n.s.a. (euros) (NOV)

26.2B

13:30

CAD

Retail Sales (MoM) (NOV)

0.2%

-0.1%

The Bank of Canada rate decision sent USDCAD to fresh multi-year highs on Wednesday.

13:30

CAD

Retail Sales Less Autos (MoM) (NOV)

0.3%

0.4%

13:30

USD

Initial Jobless Claims (JAN 18)

330K

326K

Market participants will be looking for a better Continuing Claims figure following last week’s disappointment and the FOMC will certainly be eyeing whether existing home sales were able to pick up despite higher 30yr mortgage rates. Sales have been declining MoM since August.

13:30

USD

Continuing Claims (JAN 11)

3030K

13:30

USD

Chicago Fed National Activity Index (DEC)

0.6

13:58

USD

Markit Purchasing Manager Index (JAN P)

54.4

54.4

14:00

USD

House Price Index (MoM) (NOV)

0.3%

0.5%

15:00

USD

Existing Home Sales (DEC)

4.93M

4.90M

15:00

USD

Existing Home Sales (MoM) (DEC)

0.6%

-4.3%

15:00

USD

Leading Indicators (DEC)

0.1%

0.8%

15:00

EUR

Euro-Zone Consumer Confidence (JAN A)

-13.0

-13.6

The print has been on the rise since January, 2013.

GMT

Currency

Upcoming Events & Speeches

5:00

JPY

Bank of Japan Economic Report

18:00

USD

US to Sell $15 Bln in 10-year Inflation-Protected (TIPs) Bonds

SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS

To see updated SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS for the Majors, visit Technical Analysis Portal

To see updated PIVOT POINT LEVELS for the Majors and Crosses, visit our Pivot Point Table

CLASSIC SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE

EMERGING MARKETS 18:00 GMT

SCANDIES CURRENCIES 18:00 GMT

Currency

USD/MXN

USD/TRY

USD/ZAR

USD/HKD

USD/SGD

Currency

USD/SEK

USD/DKK

USD/NOK

Resist 2

13.4800

2.3800

11.8750

7.8165

1.3650

Resist 2

7.5800

5.8950

6.5135

Resist 1

13.3300

2.3000

11.0000

7.8075

1.3250

Resist 1

6.8155

5.8475

6.2660

Spot

13.2758

2.2520

10.8441

7.7572

1.2783

Spot

6.4818

5.4997

6.1694

Support 1

12.6000

2.1000

10.2500

7.7490

1.2000

Support 1

6.0800

5.3350

5.7450

Support 2

12.4200

1.7500

9.3700

7.7450

1.1800

Support 2

5.8085

5.2715

5.5655

INTRA-DAY PROBABILITY BANDS 18:00 GMT

\CCY

EUR/USD

GBP/USD

USD/JPY

USD/CHF

USD/CAD

AUD/USD

NZD/USD

EUR/JPY

Gold

Res 3

1.3665

1.6594

105.36

0.9179

1.1059

0.8941

0.8396

143.12

1262.71

Res 2

1.3641

1.6565

105.11

0.9160

1.1037

0.8919

0.8374

142.75

1257.52

Res 1

1.3617

1.6535

104.87

0.9140

1.1016

0.8897

0.8352

142.39

1252.33

Spot

1.3569

1.6477

104.39

0.9101

1.0973

0.8853

0.8308

141.65

1241.95

Supp 1

1.3521

1.6419

103.91

0.9062

1.0930

0.8809

0.8264

140.91

1231.57

Supp 2

1.3497

1.6389

103.67

0.9042

1.0909

0.8787

0.8242

140.55

1226.38

Supp 3

1.3473

1.6360

103.42

0.9023

1.0887

0.8765

0.8220

140.18

1221.19

— Written by: John Kicklighter, Chief Strategist for DailyFX.com

To contact John, email jkicklighter@dailyfx.com. Follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JohnKicklighter

Sign up for John’s email distribution list, here.

The information contained herein is derived from sources we believe to be reliable, but of which we have not independently verified. Forex Capital Markets, L.L.C.® assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions in these materials, nor shall it be liable for damages arising out of any person’s reliance upon this information. Forex Capital Markets, L.L.C.® does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these materials. Forex Capital Markets, L.L.C.® shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation losses, lost revenues, or lost profits that may result from these materials. Opinions and estimates constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.
Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from FXCM.

Show more