It has been a very hectic session following the FOMC outcome. Despite a fairly benign outlook from the Fed, who replaced the phrase” considerable time” with need for “patience” in their forward guidance, the dollar is generally a fair bit stronger at the time of writing following Janet Yellen’s press conference.More choppy trade looks to be in store in the session ahead and a fairly nimble stance is required as liquidity becomes increasingly thin. Later on we get the German IFO, US Flash Services/Composite PMI’s Philly Fed Mfg Survey.
EUR/USD: 1.2340
The dollar generally recovered ahead of the FOMC, unexcited by the EU CPI which came in as expected at 0.3% yy and then ignoring the weaker than expected US CPI, with the Euro falling to a low of 1.2385 before a small bounce to 1.2400. Elsewhere the Russian Ruble has made a partial recovery, trading at close to 60.00 right now against the dollar, having yesterday reached 79.51.
The FOMC meeting has removed the term “considerable time” from the statement and has replaced it with a need for “patience”, thus keeping their bets fairly open with the forward guidance really more or less unchanged. This mildly dovish tone has seen the dollar give up some of its ground, currently trading at 1.2440 at the time of writing, as it appears as though the Fed will retain an accommodative stance for a more extended period of time than previously considered likely. The general consensus though is that there will be a rate rise at some stage in 2015 with the jobs market in particular heading in the right direction. Janet Yellen’s press conference while being very cautious has a positive tone and has seen the dollar head to new session highs at the time of writing.
The downside will find bids at minor Fibo support 1.2325 ahead of 1.2300. Below here would head back to the trend low at 1.2246 which in turn lies just ahead of the next major level at 1.2225 (200 Month MA) and will act as strong support.
As we said before, if/when the 200 MMA is taken out, the Euro would then head towards the major rising trend support (joining the 2005, 2010, 2012 lows) at around 1.2140, and then to 1.2100 which is the 50% pivot of the rally from the Euro Oct 2000 low to the July 2008 high and again, should also provide decent support. Under that, which would see the long term head/shoulder neckline being broken, we have the July 2012 low at 1.2041 and the June 2010 low 1.1876, which both come ahead of 1.1743, where the Euro was initially pegged to the dollar in January 1999.
The immediate resistance now comes at comes at around 1.2380 (minor), above which see a return above 1.2400 and beyond towards 1.2470 and then to the session high at 1.2515, although this is now looking rather distant. Above 1.2515 would then head towards the pink descending trend resistance line at 1.2570, and with the dailies pointing higher then look for the chance of a run up to the 19 Nov high at 1.2490. A break of 1.2500 would trigger stops to potentially take the Euro on towards the 26 Nov high at 1.2531, above which, the first major Fibo resistance is not seen until we reach 1.2590 (23.6% of 1.3699/1.2246), with the greater Fibo level not seen until 1.2656 (23.6% of 1.3993/1.2246).
Watch out later today for the German IFO and the US flash Services PMI and the Philly Fed Mfg Survey
Economic data highlights will include:
German IFO, US Flash Services/Composite PMI’s Philly Fed Mfg Survey.
Meta Trader – AxiTrader EUR/USD: 4 Hour
AUD/USD: 0.8130
Having broken down through 0.8200 yesterday to meet the 0.8145 objective in reaching a low of 0.8139, the Aud then rebounded but was unable to reach 0.8200 again, and since the FOMC outcome it was fallen to a new trend low of 0.8106 and is currently hanging on precariously above the lows.
Technically, a break of 0.8100 would mean a run lower to test the May 2010 lows at 0.8066 and below that here is not too much to hold it above 0.8000 and it looks as though the RBA are, slowly but surely, going to get their wish for the Aud to head towards 0.7500!
The topside currently looks capped by 0.8150, above which could see a squeeze towards 0.8200 although this looks unlikely today. If wrong the 100 HMA at 0.8225 should provide ample cover.
The short term charts are showing some potential bullish divergence, so we should be prepared for a bit of a short squeeze, although the longer term strategy remains unchanged in looking for a lower Aud, so looking to sell short term rallies remains the plan.
Economic data highlights will include:
RBA Quarterly Bulletin, China House Price Index..
Meta Trader – AxiTrader AUD/USD: 4 Hour
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD holds above 0.6500 in thin trading
The Australian Dollar managed to recover ground against its American rival after AUD/USD fell to 0.6484. The upbeat tone of Wall Street underpinned the Aussie despite broad US Dollar strength and tepid Australian data.
EUR/USD comfortable below 1.0800 lower lows at sight
The EUR/USD pair lost ground on Thursday and settled near a fresh March low of 1.0774. Strong US data and hawkish Fed speakers comments lead the way ahead of the release of the US PCE Price Index on Friday.
Gold pulls away from daily highs, holds above $2,200
Gold retreats from daily highs but holds comfortably above $2,200 in the American session on Thursday. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield stays near 4.2% after upbeat US data and makes it difficult for XAU/USD to gather further bullish momentum.
Google starts indexing Bitcoin addresses
Bitcoin address data is live on Google search results after users realized on Thursday that the tech giant started indexing Bitcoin blockchain data. However, mixed reactions have followed the tech giant's reversed stance on the cryptocurrency.
A Hollywood ending for fourth quarter GDP
The latest revisions put Q4 GDP at 3.4%, the second fastest quarterly growth rate in two years. Much of the upside was attributable to stronger consumer spending, yet fresh profits data affirmed it was a good quarter for the bottom line as well with profits up by the most since the Q2-2022.