|

EUR/USD clocks two-week high, options regain bull bias

  • EUR/USD clocked two-week high of 1.2429 in Asia. 
  • One-month risk reversals have regained topside bias. 
  • Focus on EZ GDP release and trade war fears. 

EUR/USD rose to 1.2429 in Asia - the highest level since Feb. 19 after Gary Cohn, advocate for free trade in the White House, announced his resignation boosting fears of a trade war. 

Also, the EUR/USD one-month 25 delta risk reversals have turned positive, meaning the implied volatility premium for EUR calls (bullish bets) is more than the implied volatility premium for EUR puts (bearish bets). As of writing, the risk reversals are being paid at 0.07 EUR calls vs. 0.275 EUR puts on Mar. 2. It indicates the options market has regained EUR bullish bias. 

Eurozone Q4 GDP is due at 10:00 GMT

The data is expected to confirm the economy expanded 0.6 percent quarter-on-quarter and 2.7 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter as shown by the preliminary estimate released in February. That said, an upward revision of the GDP could yield another leg higher in the EUR.  

Focus on trade war talk

It is feared that Gary Cohn's resignation will embolden anti-free trade forces in the US. So, the EUR (backed by EZ current account surplus) will likely remain bid against the USD. Also, the greenback would take a beating if new Chief Economic Advisor is a "trade hawk" (someone who believes in protectionist policies). 

EUR/USD Technical Levels

As of writing, the pair is trading at 1.2418. A move above 1.2461 (76.4 percent Fibonacci retracement of Feb. 16 high - Mar. 1 low) would expose 1.25 (psychological hurdle) and 1.2556 (Feb. 16 high). On the downside, breach of support at 1.2403 (Asian session low) could yield a re-test of 1.2311 (10-day moving average). A close below the said level would allow a sustained drop to 1.2259 (50-day moving average). 

 TREND INDEXOB/OS INDEXVOLATILY INDEX
15MBullishNeutral Low
1HBullishNeutral Low
4HOverbought Low
1DBullishNeutral Low
1WBearishNeutral High

Author

Omkar Godbole

Omkar Godbole

FXStreet Contributor

Omkar Godbole, editor and analyst, joined FXStreet after four years as a research analyst at several Indian brokerage companies.

More from Omkar Godbole
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD defies Iran war jitters as RBA hike bets double

The Australian Dollar rallies for the fourth straight day against the US Dollar as market mood remains positive amid high tensions in the Middle East, pointing to a resumption of hostilities, as reported by recent news. Despite this, the AUD/USD trades at 0.7027, up 0.44%.

USD/JPY remains confined in a familiar range below 158.50

USD/JPY sees some dip-buying in the Asian session on Wednesday, though it remains confined within a multi-week range near 158.50 as the uncertainty over the timing of the next BoJ rate hike keeps Japanese Yen bulls on the defensive. Meanwhile, hawkish Fed expectations, bolstered by inflation risks stemming from volatile oil prices, underpin the US Dollar. However, looming intervention fears could limit JPY losses and cap the currency pair.

Gold advances modestly; targets $4,150

Gold prices manage to reverse three consecutive daily declines, trading just below the $4,150 mark per troy ounce on Wednesday. The precious metal’s recovery comes amid a slight drop in the US Dollar, mixed US Treasury yields across the board and a widespread cautious tone from the US-Iran front.

XRP and XLM regain momentum as derivatives activity picks up

Ripple and Stellar are regaining momentum on Wednesday, mirroring gains across major digital assets. XRP has climbed above $1.36, while XLM has reached $0.1854, reinforcing support levels recently tested. This gradual price increase comes amid sticky inflation in the United States and ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary decision next week.

What the midterm elections mean for Treasury yields, the Dollar and Gold
Democrats are priced to take the House, so November 3 comes down to the Senate and how much Washington can borrow without the other party. Treasury yields will show the answer first, then the Dollar and Gold. On November 3, Americans vote for all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats. For bond prices, the result comes down to one thing: how much the government will borrow over the next two years.
The US Dollar fell. Gold didn't rally. That tells you everything
Gold (XAU/USD) is struggling to capitalize on a weaker US Dollar (USD), after repeatedly failing to establish itself above the $4,200 level. The precious metal remains confined to a relatively narrow trading range despite a combination of developments that would normally support higher prices.