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US Consumer Confidence Rises Slightly in February

Consumer confidence, as measured by the Conference Board saw a modest increase in February. The data showed that the consumer confidence index rose to 130.7 from a downward revised 130.4 in January. The data was below estimates of 132.5. The markets brushed aside the data, amid more important global narratives prevailing at the moment.

German Economic Growth Stalls in Q4

Germany’s economic growth in the final three months of 2019 stagnated. The data, provided by statistics agency Destatis showed that GDP was flat on the quarter. This comes after a 0.2% increase in the previous quarter. The revised estimates were also unchanged from the preliminary estimates released a few weeks ago.

Is the EUR/USD Reversing the Trend?

The common currency is once again on the front foot picking up some bullish momentum. The gains come following prices bottoming out near the 1.0800 handle. After establishing support at 1.0840, the current gains will see EURUSD testing 1.0897. Further gains will depend on how price reacts to this resistance level.

EURUSD

Oil Maintains Bearish Trend on Economic Weakness

Crude oil prices continue to remain bearish. Price fell sharply on Monday after many other countries reported on the coronavirus. OPEC member nations including Russia are due to meet at the end of next week. However, prospects of a production cut remain questionable. This arises due to the disagreements between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

WTI Crude Oil Back in a Slump

Oil prices are bearish, losing over 1.5% on an intraday basis. This follows the strong declines from the day before. After failing to break the resistance level at 51.65, WTI crude oil is inching lower. We expect a test of 50.00 level in the near term once again. However, there are some early signs of a bullish divergence forming, which indicates that the declines could be overdone.

WTI

Gold Retreats from a Seven-Year High

The precious metal was trading a tad weaker on Tuesday. However, price action indicates that the market is well-positioned. Fears of an economic slowdown, amid muted central bank monetary policy, has pushed investors into the safe-haven asset.

Will Gold Rebound from the Correction?

XAU/USD is down over 0.70% on an intraday basis. This comes right after price rose to a seven-year high. However, it is too early to write off the rally. Depending on the fundamentals, the direction might very well change. For now, minor support looks to be forming near 1645.

XAUUSD

Author

John Benjamin

John is a market analyst for Orbex Ltd. and is a forex and equities trader having been involved in trading since late 2009. John makes use of a mix of technical and fundamental analysis and inter-market relationships.

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EUR/USD: US Dollar to remain pressured until uncertainty fog dissipates

Unimpressive European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting. The United States first-tier employment and inflation data is scheduled for the second week of February. EUR/USD battles to remain afloat above 1.1800, sellers moving to the sidelines.

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: Volatility persists in commodity space

After losing more than 8% to end the previous week, Gold remained under heavy selling pressure on Monday and dropped toward $4,400. Although XAU/USD staged a decisive rebound afterward, it failed to stabilize above $5,000. The US economic calendar will feature Nonfarm Payrolls and Consumer Price Index data for January, which could influence the market pricing of the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and impact Gold’s performance.

Week ahead: US NFP and CPI data to shake Fed cut bets, Japan election looms

US NFP and CPI data awaited after Warsh’s nomination as Fed chief. Yen traders lock gaze on Sunday’s snap election. UK and Eurozone Q4 GDP data also on the agenda. China CPI and PPI could reveal more weakness in domestic demand.

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.