EUR/USD: looking for a trigger

EUR/USD Current price: 1.0968

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The FX Market ended another volatile day with the dollar mixed across the board. As for the Euro, the common currency managed to advance up to 1.1013, but once again, the pair was unable to sustain gains beyond the 1.1000 level, settling mid range by US close. The main fundamental release of the day came from the US, with Durable Goods Orders that unexpectedly plunged 1.4% in February, boosting the dollar's decline intraday. In Europe, Greek jitters continue to capture the headlines, as latest news say that  the EU has gave Greece until Monday to deliver a plan of its reform commitments, according to some EU officials. Nevertheless, EUR buyers seem not concerned over the possibility of a Greek default at the time being, with   the main focus still being whether the FED will raise rates in June or September. 

Technically, the 1 hour chart presents a mild positive tone, with the price consolidating above its 20 SMA, and the technical indicators above their mid-lines, showing no directional strength. In the  4 hours chart the 20 SMA maintains a strong bullish slope, currently offering dynamic resistance around 1.0910, whilst the technical indicators have turned sharply lower, still above their mid-lines. The pair has found a comfort zone between 1.09/1.10 and will need a strong catalyst to break in one direction, something that may be delayed until Friday, with the US  GDP figures.  

Support levels: 1.0955 1.0910 1.0890 

Resistance levels: 1.1000 1.1040 1.1085

EUR/JPY Current price: 131.15

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The EUR/JPY pair recovered above the 131.00 mark on the back of renewed EUR demand, but traded within a tight range for most of the last 24 hours. The short term technical picture favors the upside, as the 1 hour chart shows that the price develops below its 100 and 200 SMAs, both well below the current level, whilst the technical indicators aim slightly higher above their mid-lines. In the 4 hours chart, the price held above its 100 SMA, although the Momentum indicator has turned sharply lower above its mid-line, whilst the RSI aims higher around 62, limiting the upside at the time being. The price needs to break above the 131.50 area, where it has several intraday highs and lows, to be able to extend its gains further in the short term.

Support levels: 130.80 130.30 129.90 

Resistance levels: 131.50 131.85 132.30

GBP/USD Current price: 1.4879

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The GBP/USD enjoyed some limited demand early in the US session following the release of weak US data, surging up to 1.4953 before turning back lower. There have been no relevant news in the UK, except by Mortgage Approvals that rose above expected in February, a 5-month high. The rise has been however, moderated, and therefore not enough to spur concerns over a housing bubble. The UK will release its Retail Sales figures for February this Thursday, expected to have increased by 0.4% monthly basis, something that may give some support to the British Pound. In the meantime, the short term technical picture presents a neutral-to-bearish stance, as in the 1 hour chart, the price is aiming to break below its 20 SMA, whilst the technical indicators aim lower around their mid-lines. In the 4 hours chart however, the outlook is bearish, as the price was unable to establish above its 20 SMA, while the Momentum indicator crossed its 100 level to the downside. The 1.4830 is now the immediate support, with a break below it favoring some additional declines towards the 1.4760/70 price zone.

Support levels: 1.4830 1.4800 1.4765 

Resistance levels: 1.4920 1.4950 1.5000 

USD/JPY Current price: 119.63

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The Japanese yen saw some intraday demand that drove the USD/JPY to the base of its latest range around 119.20, from where the pair bounced back up to current level. Buying interest around the mentioned low is quite strong, as the pair managed to recover, despite the overall negative stance of stocks in the American afternoon. Technically, the 1 hour chart shows that the technical indicators are aiming higher and about to cross their mid-lines, anticipating some further intraday gains, although the price stands well below its moving averages, with the 100 SMA, offering now dynamic resistance around 120.00. In the 4 hours chart, the technical indicators are also heading higher, but remain still below their mid-lines, supporting the shorter term view. Sellers have been containing the upside around the 120.00 figure, which means some follow through beyond the level is required to confirm a steadier advance.

Support levels:  119.20 118.80 118.50

Resistance levels: 120.00 120.35 120.80

AUD/USD Current price: 0.7838

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The Australian dollar lost its latest charm, easing against the greenback to a 2-day low of 0.7828, consolidating by the end of the day a few pips above the level. There will be no relevant data in Australia during the upcoming Asian session, which means the pair may continue following technical studies during the upcoming hours. Short term, the 1 hour chart shows an increased bearish potential as the price stands below a bearish 20 SMA and the technical indicators heading lower in negative territory. In the 4 hours chart the price is breaking below a bullish 20 SMA, whilst the technical indicators present strong bearish slopes near their mid-lines, about to signal additional declines. A downward continuation below the 0.7790 support should see the pair accelerating lower, eyeing as next short term target, the 0.7750 price zone.

Support levels: 0.7815 0.7790 0.7750 

Resistance levels: 0.7860 0.7900 0.7940