USD reverts back to mark-up phase

Russell Shor, CFTe, MFTA FXCM

The above is a daily chart. The USD’s green 5-day EMA has crossed back above its orange 13-day EMA. This has effectively moved the greenback into a mark-up phase which is typically defined by a bullish EMA formation. I.e. the green 5-day EMA > the orange 13-day EMA > the black 34-day EMA. Moreover, the RSI(9) is above 50 and indicative of bullish momentum (blue rectangle).

If the mark-up phase holds and given that the USD is typically the first in a chain of causality, other instruments will potentially line up as well. The USD responded well to core CPI data, which increased by 2.2% on an annual basis ending May. That is the biggest advance since February 2017. The tone of the FOMC statement today will be important in determining future USD direction. Economists are divided as to whether the Fed favours three or four rate hikes in 2018 and today’s release should make it clearer.

Author

Russell Shor, CFTe, MFTA

FXCM

Russell Shor (MSTA, CFTe, MFTA) has an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of South Africa and holds the coveted Certified Financial Technician and Master of Financial Technical Analysis qualifications from the Interna

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.