EURGBP declines off 0.9033 range top

KBC Market Research Desk KBC Bank

Dollar fails to extend rebound

An improvement in global risk sentiment and a rise in US yields supported a modest USD rebound yesterday. (US) data were mixed and had no significant impact on trading. EUR/USD finished the session at 1.1770 (from 1.1791). USD/JPY finished at 113.06 (from 112.88). So, the dollar traded off Wednesday's lows, but the rebound was far from impressive.

Asian markets show somewhat of a diffuse picture overnight. Most indices opened with good gains in the wake of yesterday's strong WS close. However sentiment dwindled throughout the session. Mainland China indices even trade in the red as the PBOC added liquidity to the system. The dollar came under pressure early in Asia on headlines that President Trump's election campaign received a subpoena of special Counsel Robert Mueller on the links between the campaign leaders and Russia. USD/JPY dropped from the 113+ area and set a minor new low for the week in the 112.40 area (currently 112.55). EUR/USD returned north of 1.18.

The eco calendar is thin today. The EMU current account is no market mover. US housing starts and permits are expected to rebound after a mediocre performance of late. These data will only be of second tier importance for USD trading. There were quite some conflicting headlines overnight from the US. Congress made some progress on a tax reform bill, but there was negative political noise from Special council Mueller's subpoena. Asian equity markets modestly trade in positive territory, but the intraday swings suggest some underlying uncertainty. It's far from sure that the risk rally will continue in Europe and/or in the US. It looked that the dollar could enter calm waters yesterday after a potential ST trend reversal sign on Wednesday. The dollar indeed regained slightly further ground, but the gains were unconvincing. The overnight price action also suggests that underlying sentiment on the US currency remains fragile. The dollar at least doesn't receive much support from a rise in ST US yields/interest rate differentials. We keep a close eye at the 1.1861/80 top. This level can again come under pressure if risk sentiment turns negative again. The overnight price action in USD/JPY doesn't give much comfort for USD bulls.

From a technical point of view, EUR/USD set a new post-ECB low on Tuesday last week, but the move petered out. EUR/USD this week regained intermediate resistance at 1.1690/1.1837, but the 1.1880 MT correction top was left intact. A break above the latter would suggest a full retracement to the 1.2092 correction top. We don't preposition for such a scenario yet unless there comes real negative news from the US. Wednesday's intraday price action suggested that a ST EUR/USD top could be in place , but this isn't confirmed yet. We look out whether 1.1861/1.1880 resistance can do the job. USD/JPY's momentum was positive in past months. The pair regained 110.67/95 resistance and tested the 114.49 MT range top. The attempt failed. A sustained break would improve the technical picture. However, last week's price action was unconvincing despite a solid interest rate support. The pair dropped temporary below the 112.96 support early this week and struggles to prevent further losses. We see no sign yet of a sustained USD/JPY rebound.

EUR/GBP declines off 0.9033 range top

EUR/GBP traded in the mid 0.89 area yesterday morning, off Wednesday's top. Sterling profited from the better risk sentiment. Wednesday's potential trend reversal signal in EUR/GBP (and in EUR/USD) also weighed on the euro cross rates. UK retail sales were marginally stronger than expected at 0.3% M/M, but printed the first negative Y/Y reading since 2013 (-0.3%). Sterling finally gained slightly further ground, especially against the euro. Press headlines indicating that UK and EU politicians acknowledge the need for an orderly, well-organised Brexit may have been slightly supportive for sterling. EUR/GBP closed the session at 0.8921. Cable finished the day at 1.3195.

There are no important UK data today. The focus for sterling trading will on politics/Brexit. UK PM May will meet several EU leaders, including EU president Tusk, at a summit on Labour and social reform in Gothenburg. It is unlikely that there will be an outright agreement e.g. on the amount of the divorce bill. However, politicians from both sides might hold a positive tone after informal meetings, indicating further progress in the run-up to the EU summit. We expect sterling to hold a wait-and see modus. Investors probably don't want to be positioned aggressively short sterling as more constructive Brexit news remains a potential positive event risk for sterling. In technical trade, sterling might regain some further ground. We changed our ST bias on EUR/GBP from positive to neutral yesterday. We maintain this assessment. Further overall euro gains remain a risk to this approach.

MT technical: Sterling rebounded in September as the BoE prepared markets for a rate hike. This rebound ran into resistance and sterling declined again as markets anticipated that any rate hikes would be very gradual and limited. EUR/GBP trades in a 0.8733/0.9033 consolidation range. Earlier this week, the EUR/GBP rebound ran into resistance just ahead of the 0.9033 range top. The 0.9015/33 area might be tough to break short-term.

Download The Full Sunrise Market Commentary Currencies

Author

KBC Market Research Desk

KBC Bank

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.