USD Dollar (USD)

The Dollar gained versus most majors as Industrial Production came out weaker, lowering risk appetite. Industrial Production came out 0.1% versus 0.4% expected. PPI came out weaker with 0.3% versus 0.6% forecast. TIC Long-Term Purchases came out better with 40.7B versus 27.3B expected. NASDAQ and Dow Jones rose slightly by 0.27% and 0.29%. Crude gained by 0.68% closing at 79.44$ a barrel and Gold (XAU) remained almost unchanged with 0.16% change closing at 1140.5$ an ounce. Today, Building Permits are expected higher with 0.59M versus 0.57M prior and Core CPI is expected with 0.1% versus 0.2% prior. Housing Starts are expected higher with 0.61M versus 0.59M and Crude Inventories are expected with 1.2M versus 1.8M prior.

EUR/USD – Last: 1.4870

GBP/USD – Last: 1.6800

USD/JPY-Last: 89.17

CAD/USD – Last: 1.0535

Research by http://www.ufxbank.com

USD/CAD:

The Canadian Dollar from a technical standpoint is giving every indication it is going to breakout.   Price has been consolidating for several weeks.  You can see more clearly the consolidation in the Chart below depicted by the orange triangle.

Typically we draw a triangle where only one side represents the slope.  However, the triangle drawn below is indicative of investor’s uncertainty with regards to the CAD.  The Canadian economy is holding strong.  The CAD is a commodity currency and will rise and fall as commodity prices rise and fall (in particular Oil).  The Dollar has been rallying which should mean a weaker Loonie, but this rally stems from positive U.S economic data.  The U.S economy and that of their northern neighbor are linked to a certain extent as they feed off of one another.  Therefore, positive U.S data should also be good for the CAD.  Therein lies the conflict and thus you have a dual sided sloping triangle.

The CAD is currently trading above its 50 day MA.  Similar to the AUD and NZD it failed to breach the 100 day MA in spite of the Dollar rally.  As the CAD wedges itself into the triangle we are looking for the following to occur in order to trip an entry signal.  If the Loonie produces a candle south of the 50 day MA and south of the bottom slope of the triangle then look to enter a Long CAD position.  Alternatively, if the CAD produces a candle body north up the upper slope of the triangle and the 100 day MA then enter a Short CAD position.  Lastly, if a Short CAD signal triggers we see a near term take profit level at 1.0880 coinciding with the Fibonacci 23.6% Retrace level.  We view this level as strong point of resistance.

Oil Takes Off by GoLearn Forex

The FOMC meeting came and went without stirring the waters.  In the Euro-zone and London, Equity Markets finished their sessions in positive territory ahead of the highly anticipated U.S FED rate decision.  The accompanying FOMC statement was intentionally left mostly unchanged so as not to roil markets. It served its purpose well as the DJIA finished the day off slightly lower by 10.88 points to close at 10,441.12 while the tech heavy NASDAQ closed up 5.86 points to 2,206.91.

In the Currency Markets the Dollar followed Equity Markets finishing the session nearly flat against its G-7 counterparts.  The AUD gave up .61% still reeling from CB comments that took on a more dovish tone in regards to any near term future rate hikes.

Oil soared to 73.54 during intra-day trading before leveling off the day at 72.66, a gain of $1.97.  Gold climbed $12.70 an ounce to 1,137.90.  On the Agricultural front Soybeans, Cotton and Sugar continued to rally while Copper, Wheat and Corn declined on Dollar strength.

On the economic data docket for today we have the BOJ rate decision to be announced, although no change is expected.  In the U.K, Retails Sales are set to be released while in Canada CPI data will hit the wire.  In the U.S, Jobless Claims will print as will the measure of Leading Indicators and the Philadelphia FED survey.

Upcoming Forex Events for December 17, 2009

GBP  Retail Sales (MoM) Forecast  0.50%  Previous  0.40%

CAD  Core CPI (MoM) Forecast  0.10%  Previous  0.10%

USD Initial Jobless Claims Forecast    470.00K  Previous  474.00K

JPY Interest Rate Decision  Forecast  0.10%  Previous  0.10%

Analysis by http://www.golearnforex.net

EUR/USD – Last: 1.4410

GBP/USD – Last: 1.6275

USD/JPY-Last: 89.65

USD/CAD – Last: 1.0615

Research by http://www.ufxbank.com

Key Support & Resistance (S/R) Levels:

As the Greenback continues to rally heading into the end of the year we thought it would be a good time to review a couple key S/R levels.  Traders generate S/R based on a number of factors.  One key factor is based on the tenor of the chart the trader is using.  A trader using a tick or minute chart will be less concerned about S/R generated from a 4 hour chart that is 100+ pips from the current handle.  However, that same trader will want to know where the longer term S/R levels sit. If price moves towards those points he can integrate them into his trading strategies thereby profiting and or avoiding losses.

GBP/USD:

The Cable is currently sitting below its 100 day MA which generates an already negative bias.  A candle body below 1.6198 would generate the next Short entry point  Near term profit taking would be the 200 day MA.  If the 200 day MA is breached we would target the low of this range bound period near 1.5683 which also represents the Fibonacci  38.2% Retrace level.  The 38.2% Retrace level was generated from the Sterlings turn around in January of this year.

AUD/USD:

The Aussie has shown great resilience and for good reason.  The RBA had taken a hawkish stance on rates as it was amongst the first to raise rates.  The Australian economy is in relatively good shape.  Additionally, the AUD is a commodity currency and it has ridden the commodity rally. Currently the AUD is sitting just below the 50 day MA.  A candle body appearing below .8944 equal to the Fibonacci 76.4% Retrace level, which also coincides with recent support levels would trigger a near term Short entry.  We would increase the Short position with a close below the 100 day MA, currently holding at .8834.  A long signal would be generated with a close well above near term resistance at .9325.

With the EUR taking a sharp nose dive yesterday it prompts us to look at recent relative price levels on the G-7.  The EUR/USD is the most commonly traded pair in the world.  The price of the EUR has broad implications on the relative value of other G-7 currencies.  Although the below data can be shown graphically it is easier to view price differentials in a table.  If the EUR is a leading indicator of relative  value then the CAD, AUD, and GBP may be in for a minor drop.

Historical

Date  EUR  CAD  AUD  NZD  JPY  GBP

2009-10-02 1.4576  1.0797 0.8652 0.7160  89.8050 1.5946

2009-10-01 1.4545  1.0839  0.8697  0.7149  89.6050 1.5955

2009-09-30 1.4640  1.0695  0.8828  0.7232  89.7050 1.5982

2009-09-29 1.4587  1.0846  0.8703  0.7143  90.0885 1.5961

Current

Date  EUR  CAD  AUD  NZD  JPY  GBP

2009-12-15 1.4533  1.0611 0.9067 0.7224  89.6355 1.6272

USD Dollar (USD)

The Dollar gained versus 15 of the 16 majors as Industrial Production rose by 0.8% versus 0.6% expected signaling U.S economy is expanding. The FOMC is still expected to keep the Interest Rate today at 0.25% but more economists expect a rate increase to 0.5% until June 2010. PPI came out stronger with 1.8% versus 0.8% expected and TIC Long Term Purchases came out weaker with 20.7B versus 38.3B prior. NASDAQ and Dow Jones declined by -0.50% and -0.47% respectively as wholesale inflation raised concerns the Fed will be forced to raise interest rates. Crude gained by 0.17% closing at 70.81$ a barrel ending a 9 day declining streak. Gold (XAU) gained by 0.29% closing at 1125.70$ an ounce. Today, Building Permits are expected with 0.58M versus 0.55M prior. CPI is expected with 0.4% versus 0.3% prior and Core CPI is expected with 0.1% versus 0.2% prior. Investors are waiting for the FOMC Interest Rate decision that is expected to remain at 0.25%.

EUR/USD – Last: 1.4535

GBP/USD – Last: 1.6275

USD/JPY-Last: 89.65

USD/CAD – Last: 1.0615

Research by http://www.ufxbank.com

NZD/USD:

The New Zealand Dollar is starting to falter and like most of its G-10 counterparts it is holding at pivotal levels against the Greenback.  One slip either way may send the currency tumbling or ready to resume its advance on the Dollar.  We have mentioned the Kiwi in the past as we feel it may yield the biggest percentage loss when the Dollar does finally rally.

In the graph below we see the formation of a downward sloping Triangle beginning to emerge.  The Kiwi has been riding the 50 day SMA as support on its path to .7600.  You can observe that NZD peaked in late October but after 3 attempts it has failed to break the October high.

Short term support has been holding near .7100 represented by the bottom leg of the triangle.  As the hypotenuse converges on near term support the more likely it is that a breakout will occur in the direction of the slope.  We have also diagrammed a pattern we use often to identify trend and that is a step pattern whereby there are lower high’s and lower lows (or vice versa as the case maybe).  Typically we like to see more obvious lower lows than what the Kiwi has shown us thus far.

The NZD is currently sitting below its 50 day MA, which we mentioned prior, represented support for the NZD’s move over the last 9 months.  During the Dollar’s rally last week the Kiwi was able to bounce off of the 100 day MA but was not able to bounce back above the 50 SMA.  As price action moves into the wedge of the triangle it may force price below the 100 SMA.

For good measure we added a Fibonacci Retrace starting back in March when the Kiwi dipped below      .50 running through its most recent high in October when the NZD struck .7635.  This data range produces the 23.6% Fibo Retrace at a handle of .6988.  To trigger a strong short signal the Kiwi would need to take out the 100 day MA, near term support (the base leg of the triangle), and the Fibo 23.6% level, as we then target a .6500 handle.  In order to resume a Long NZD position at this point the NZD would need to break north of the hypotenuse, the 50 day MA, and near term resistance at .7525.

Short term support has been holding near .7100 represented by the bottom leg of the triangle.  As the hypotenuse converges on near term support the more likely it is that a breakout will occur in the direction of the slope.  We have also diagrammed a pattern we use often to identify trend and that is a step pattern whereby there are lower high’s and lower lows (or vice versa as the case maybe).  Typically we like to see more obvious lower lows than what the Kiwi has shown us thus far.

The NZD is currently sitting below its 50 day MA, which we mentioned prior, represented support for the NZD’s move over the last 9 months.  During the Dollar’s rally last week the Kiwi was able to bounce off of the 100 day MA but was not able to bounce back above the 50 SMA.  As price action moves into the wedge of the triangle it may force price below the 100 SMA.

For good measure we added a Fibonacci Retrace starting back in March when the Kiwi dipped below      .50 running through its most recent high in October when the NZD struck .7635.  This data range produces the 23.6% Fibo Retrace at a handle of .6988.  To trigger a strong short signal the Kiwi would need to take out the 100 day MA, near term support (the base leg of the triangle), and the Fibo 23.6% level, as we then target a .6500 handle.  In order to resume a Long NZD position at this point the NZD would need to break north of the hypotenuse, the 50 day MA, and near term resistance at .7525.

USD Dollar (USD)

The Dollar weakened slightly versus the majors as the Dollar rally took a relief. NASDAQ and Dow Jones gained by 0.99% and 0.28% respectively as Dubai\’s bailout calmed investor fears. Crude weakened for the 9th straight day lowering by -0.43% closing at 69.57$ a barrel. Gold (XAU) gained by 0.54% closing at 1123.30$ an ounce. Today, PPI is expected with 0.8% versus 0.3% prior. Industrial Production is expected with 0.6% versus 0.1% prior. TIC Long Term Purchases is expected with 38.3B versus 40.7B prior.

EUR/USD – Last: 1.4655

GBP/USD – Last: 1.6300

USD/JPY-Last: 88.75

USD/CAD – Last: 1.0580

Research by http://www.ufxbank.com

EUR/USD:

The EUR is perilously close to falling into a tailspin.  We have been stating for some time that a candle appearing below the 50 day Moving Average (MA) would generate a strong signal for a Short entry.  As you can see in the Graph below that signal occurred last week, with the 50 day MA currently holding at 1.4880 while the EUR is trading at 1.46.

The EUR is now on the cusp of an even larger fall. It closed last Friday’s session at the 100 day MA an even more significant breach than the 50 day MA.  Perhaps even more troublesome for the EUR is that it is just a hairsbreadth above 61.8% Fibonacci level at a handle of 1.4621.

INSERT CHART EUR

A close below the 61.8% Fibo level coupled with a close below the 100 day MA as they converge may equal real trouble for the EUR.  The EUR has not been south of the 100 day MA since April 2009 which coincidently occurred when the 100 day MA and Fibo 23.6% level converged.  The EUR proceeded to advance 14.6% from that point.  We therefore target the 50% Fibo level with a handle of 1.4184 as the next support level should the EUR breach the 61.8% Fibo level.

USD/CHF:

The CHF is another currency holding at a very pivotal level.  With Friday’s session closing just below the 100 day MA the CHF is trying to hold its ground against the Greenback.  The Swiss Franc has been one of the benefactors of Gold’s jump in value.  However, as the Dollar has rallied and Gold prices have begun to fall so has the CHF.

The Franc closed above its 50 day MA for the first time since August, representing only the 3^rd such close since April of 2009. This coincided with it’s last close above the 100 day MA.  The Franc has another issue to contend with and that is the 23.6% Fibonacci Retrace level created from the CHF low of 1.20 back in March of 2009.

INSERT CHART CHF

If the CHF closes above the 100 day MA and the 23.6% Fibonacci level at a handle of 1.0402 is breached then we would expect the CHF to test support at the 38.2% Fibo level or 1.0701.

USD Dollar (USD)

The Dollar continued rallying versus most majors on Friday after Retail Sales and Michigan\’s Consumer Sentiment came out stronger than expected signaling economy is recovering improving Fed Rate Outlook. NASDAQ ended almost flat with -0.03% change and Dow Jones gained by 0.63%. Crude weakened by -1.39% dropping below 70$ for the first time since October closing at 69.87$ a barrel and Gold (XAU) dropped by -0.91% closing at 1114.55$ an ounce on a stronger Dollar. No economic data expected today.

EUR/USD – Last: 1.4620

GBP/USD – Last: 1.6200

USD/JPY-Last: 88.40

USD/CAD – Last: 1.0610

USD Dollar (USD)

The Dollar traded with a narrow range versus most majors as mixed data was released in the US. The initial Jobless claims rose by 17K coming at 474K but the trade balance deficit in the U.S. unexpectedly narrowed in October to -32.9B as rebounding economies overseas and a weaker dollar pushed exports up for a sixth consecutive month. NASDAQ and Dow Jones rose by 0.33% and 0.67% respectively, following the trade balance. Crude oil decreased by 0.2% closing at 70.54$ a barrel. The oil traded the first time this month below 70$. Gold (XAU) rose by 0.5% closing at 1125.7$ an ounce. Today, Retail Sales is expected at 0.6% vs. 1.4% previously and Michigan Consumer Sentiment is expected at 69.1 vs. 67.4.

EUR/USD – Last: 1.4725

GBP/USD – Last: 1.6312

USD/JPY-Last: 88.70

CAD/USD – Last: 1.0512

Research by http://www.ufxbank.com