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EUR/JPY Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 122.73; (P) 123.56; (R1) 124.19; More...

No change in EUR/JPY's outlook as consolidation from 125.80 is still in progress. Deeper fall could be seen but downside should be contained by 38.2% retracement of 114.84 to 125.80 at 121.61 to bring rise resumption. We're staying mildly bullish in the cross. And, break of 126.09 key resistance will extend the whole rebound from 109.03 to 100% projection of 109.03 to 124.08 from 114.84 at 129.89. Nonetheless, firm break of 121.61 will dampen our bullish view and bring deeper fall to 61.8% retracement at 119.02.

In the bigger picture, focus is staying on 126.09 support turned resistance. Decisive break there will confirm completion of the down trend from 149.76. And in such case, rise from 109.20 is at the same degree and should target 141.04 resistance and above. Meanwhile, rejection from 126.09 and break of 114.84 will extend the fall from 149.76 through 109.20 low.

EUR/JPY 4 Hours Chart

EUR/JPY Daily Chart

EUR/AUD Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.4961; (P) 1.5034; (R1) 1.5095; More...

The break of 1.4927 support in EUR/AUD indicates short term topping at 1.5226, on bearish divergence condition in 4 hour MACD. Intraday bias is turned to the downside for deeper pull back to 38.2% retracement of 1.3980 to 1.5226 at 1.4750. At this point, we'd expect strong support from 1.4669 to contain downside and bring rebound. Larger rise from 1.3642 is expected to resume later after the pull back completes.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 1.6587 medium term top are viewed as a corrective pattern. Such correction should be completed at 1.3624 after defending 1.3671 key support. Rise from 1.3642 is now expected to target 61.8% retracement of 1.6587 to 1.3624 at 1.5455. Sustained break there will pave the way to retest 1.6587. In any case, outlook will now stay cautiously bullish as long as 1.4669 support holds.

EUR/GBP Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.8700; (P) 0.8727; (R1) 0.8763; More...

Intraday bias in EUR/GBP remains neutral for consolidation below 0.8766 temporary top. Further rally is still expected as long as 0.8654 support holds. Above 0.8766 will target 0.8786 resistance and then 0.8851. Decisive break of 0.8851 will pave the way to retest 0.9304 high. However, break of 0.8654 will indicate short term topping on bearish divergence condition in 4 hour MACD. In such case, intraday bias will be turned back to the downside for 55 day EMA (now at 0.8585).

In the bigger picture, price actions from 0.9304 are viewed as a medium term corrective pattern. The leg from 0.9304 should have completed after testing 0.8332 structural support. But it's too early to say that larger rise from 0.6935 is resuming. Rejection from 0.9304 will extend the consolidation with another falling leg. Meanwhile, firm break of 0.9304 will target 0.9799 (2008 high). In case of another decline, we'd expect strong support from 0.8116 cluster support (50% retracement of 0.6935 to 0.9304 at 0.8120) to contain downside and bring rebound.

EUR/GBP 4 Hours Chart

EUR/GBP Daily Chart

EUR/CHF Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.0836; (P) 1.0850; (R1) 1.0860; More...

No change in EUR/CHF's outlook. Corrective fall from 1.0986 might extend. But downside downside should be contained by 1.0791/0872 support zone, probably around 55 day EMA (now at 1.0829). Rise from 1.0629 is expected to resume later. Above 1.0902 minor resistance will turn bias back to the upside for 1.0986/0999.

In the bigger picture, the price actions from 1.1198 are seen as a corrective move. Such correction could have completed after defending 38.2% retracement of 0.9771 to 1.1198 at 1.0653. Decisive break of 1.0999 resistance will target a test on 1.1198 high. For now, this will be the preferred case as long as 1.0791 support holds.

GBPUSD in Consolidation Around 1.29; Uptrend from March Intact

GBPUSD remains neutral in the near-term while maintaining a medium-term bullish market structure.

The pair has been pivoting around the key 1.2900 level while trading in a range since mid-April between 1.2755 and 1.3045. The market is waiting for a catalyst for the next sustained directional move.

Upside momentum could challenge the May 18 high of 1.3046. A break above this resistance level would trigger a move towards 1.3450, close to the top of a previous range (from July to September 2016).

Support lies at the bottom end of the current range near 1.2755. A deeper decline would target 1.2574 – which is the 50% Fibonacci level of the upleg from 1.2108 to 1.3046.

The broader technical picture looks bullish and the market has only retraced 23.6% of the rise from 1.2108 to 1.3046, keeping the uptrend still intact. There was a bullish crossover of the 50-day moving average with the 200-day MA. This suggests there will be relatively limited downside risk for GBPUSD in the near-term, although a flat RSI indicates that the consolidation phase will likely continue for now.

A drop below the 200-day MA and the 50% Fibonacci would negate the bullish structure from March.

Trade Idea: EUR/JPY – Stand aside

EUR/JPY - 123.04

Recent wave: wave v of (C) ended at 94.12 and major correction in wave A has ended at 149.79

Trend: Near term up

Original strategy:

Bought at 123.75, stopped at 123.15

Position: - Long at 123.75
Target: -
Stop: - 123.15

New strategy :

Stand aside

Position: -
Target:  -
Stop:-

As the single currency has fallen again after brief recovery and indicated previous support at 123.16 was penetrated, suggesting further consolidation below recent high of 125.82 top would be seen and test of another previous support at 122.56 cannot be ruled out, however, break there is needed to retain near term bearishness for the erratic fall from 125.82 to bring retracement of early upmove to 122.00, then towards 121.25-30 with is likely to hold from here.

In view of this, would not chase this fall here and would be prudent to stand aside in the meantime. Above 123.55-60 would bring recovery to 124.00, however, only break of 124.70-75 would suggest the retreat from 125.31 has ended, bring a stronger rebound to 125.00 and possibly towards 125.31. Looking ahead, above 125.31 would extend gain towards strong resistance at 125.82 but break there is needed to confirm recent upmove has resumed and extend headway to 126.20-30 and possibly 126.60-70.

Our latest preferred count is that wave (ii) is ABC-X-ABC which ended at 123.33 and wave (iii) is unfolding with wave iii ended at 100.77, followed by wave iv at 111.57 and wave v as well as the wave (iii) has ended at 97.04, followed by wave (iv) at 111.43 and wave (v) has ended at 94.12 which is also the end of the larger degree v, this also implied the major wave (C) has also ended there, hence major correction has commenced from there with (A) leg unfolding in its lower degree wave c which has possibly ended at 145.69. Under this count, A-B-C wave (B) has commenced with A leg ended at 136.23, wave B at 143.79 and wave C has possibly ended at 149.79.

Our larger degree count is that the decline from 139.26 is wave (C) and is sub-divided into a diagonal triangle i-ii-iii-iv-v with wave i - 105.44, wave ii- 123.33, wave iii - 97.03, wave iv - 111.43, followed by the final wave v as well as the end of wave (C) at 94.12, this also mark the bottom of larger degree wave B. Under this count, major rise in wave C has commenced as an impulsive wave with minor wave III ended at 145.69, wave V is still in progress for further gain to 150.00. Having said that, this so-called wave V could well be the first leg of larger degree 5-waver wave C and this wave C should bring at least a retest of wave A top at 169.97 (July 2008).

Aussie Jumps on GDP; Gold at 1-Month High ahead of Risk Events

The Australian dollar rallied on upbeat GDP data while the greenback steadied after sharp declines this week. Upcoming key risk events tomorrow dampened risk appetite in the markets as investors were cautious ahead of the UK elections, the European Central Bank meeting, and the testimony to a Senate committee by former FBI Director James Comey. This helped support gold near seven-month highs.

The aussie was one of the best performing major currencies against the US dollar in the Asian session as it rose to a one-month high of $0.7543 from $0.7500. Markets were expecting a weaker GDP number but data showed the Australian economy grew 0.3% over the first quarter versus 0.2% anticipated and 1.7% in the year to March compared to a 1.5% rise that was forecast.

Sterling remained resilient ahead of the UK general election tomorrow and traded in a tight range against the dollar, close to the key $1.2900 level.

The euro has been moving sideways all week just below $1.1285. Focus is shifting to the ECB policy meeting tomorrow and expectations are for the central bank to have a more hawkish tone with regards to the Eurozone economy and may even hint that it is exiting from its quantitative easing program soon.

The dollar stabilized against the yen after a big sell-off yesterday and hovered near six-week lows of 109.20 yen. The greenback is being weighed by uncertainty around Thursday's testimony at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing by James Comey, the former FBI Director who was fired by President Donald Trump. He is expected to testify whether Trump asked him to drop the FBI investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Gold gained 1% yesterday to reach its highest level since early November at $1295.97 an ounce. Prices steadied in Asian trading today but the safe haven asset remains supported due to risk aversion and a broadly weaker dollar.

WTI oil prices rebounded to test the $48 a barrel level but gains were capped as the commodity is being put under pressure by tensions in the Middle East amongst oil producers due to a diplomatic rift with Qatar.

Trade Idea: AUD/USD – Buy at 0.7500

AUD/USD – 0.7556

Recent wave: Wave 5 ended at 1.1081 and major correction has commenced for fall to 0.7000 and then towards 0.6500-10

Trend: Near term down

Original strategy :

Buy at 0.7420, Target: 0.7570, Stop: 0.7360

Position: -
Target:  -
Stop: -

New strategy :

Buy at 0.7500, Target: 0.7650, Stop: 0.7440

Position: -
Target:  -
Stop:-

As aussie has surged again after brief pullback and the breach of indicated resistance at 0.7518 confirms our view that another leg of rise from 0.7329 low is underway and bullishness remains for this move to extend headway towards 0.7592, then test of resistance at 0.7611, however, break of latter level is needed add credence to this bullish count and encourage for subsequent upmove towards resistance at 0.7680 but price should falter below chart point at 0.7750.

In view of this, we are looking to buy aussie on dips as 0.75000 should limit downside and bring another rise. Below support at 0.7457 would abort and suggest top is possibly formed, bring weakness to 0.7415-20 but price should stay well above key support at 0.7372, bring another rebound later.

On the 4-hour chart, the move from 0.8066 is the wave 5 with i: 0.8860, ii: 0.8315, wave iii is an extended move ended at 1.0183, iv: 0.9706 and wave v has ended at 1.1081 (also the top of entire wave 5). The subsequent selloff is the major correction which is unfolding as ABC-X-ABC and 2nd A leg has ended at 0.8848, followed by a-b-c wave B which ended at 0.9758, hence, 2nd C wave is now in progress and indicated downside target at 0.7000 and 0.6950 had been met, so further fall to 0.6710-20 cannot be ruled out.

All Eyes On The Upcoming General Election

The market-focused UK general election date is tomorrow, Thursday, June 8th.

The left-wing Labour party's manifesto includes cancellations of university tuition, free school meals, increasing government spending on social benefits, nationalising and capping fares of train companies, water utilities and energy utilities.

In general, the Conservatives lead Labour across all ages, apart from the 18 to 34-year-old groups. As Labour focuses are on the welfare of the middle and lower classes which are widely welcomed by most citizens and young people.

Compared to Theresa May's Brexit negotiation stance of “no deal is better than a bad deal”, the Labour Party will strive to keep the UK a major driver in the single market and the custom union. The latter is beneficial to the UK trade; however, it will likely result in the UK paying a hefty bill to leave the EU.

The Labour Party plans to fund their plans by increasing government borrowing, corporate tax and income tax for those earning more than £80,000 a year. If the Labour Party wins the election, it will benefit most citizens. Nevertheless, we will likely see a surge in government deficit. In addition, some corporations and high earners will likely move abroad to avoid higher taxes.

The weather this week has been changing. If the weather on the election day (Thursday, June 8th) is poor, then it will likely reduce the turnout ratio of voters, especially for young age group, which will likely affect Labour's young vote.

GBP/USD has been oscillating in a range between 1.2850 – 1.2950, and EUR/GBP has been oscillating in a range between 0.8700 – 0.8760 over the past two days. Markets appear to hold ahead of the election unless there are further polls to be released.

Former FBI Director James B. Comey will testify under oath before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday June 8th. He is expected to be questioned about whether Russia interfered in the US presidential election. Trump fired Comey in May as he was probing into the Former National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn. Trump fired Flynn in February after it was revealed that Flynn had conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in December about lifting US sanctions.

On Tuesday, the dollar index hit a new post US presidential election low of 96.45. It was reported that Comey will likely reveal some details about his interaction with Trump related to the Russian leak scandal. If there the findings are adverse to Trump it will likely result in a falling USD. USD prospects appear to be under pressure during the investigation process.

Foreign Exchange Market Commentary: EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, GOLD, WTI CRUDE, DJIA, FTSE100, DAX

EUR/USD

Majors had quite an active day, although the common currency saw little action against the greenback. The EUR/USD pair traded within a tight 40 pips range this Tuesday, ending it higher, and a couple of pips below its yearly high. The cautious stance ahead of the ECB prevailed alongside with broad dollar's weakness. Risk aversion was a theme, following news that several Middle East countries cut ties with Qatar, accusing this last of backing religious extremism, and leading to equities' losses worldwide, and sharp gains in safe-havens yen and gold.

In the data front and specifically for the EUR/USD pair, the Euro Area released April Retail Sales figures, presenting a modest uptick in the month that missed expectations. Sales rose by 0.1% when compared to March, and by 2.5% when compared to a year earlier, while a local investors' confidence index up to 28.4 from previous 27.4 for June, in line with latest growth supportive data in the region.

The technical picture keeps favoring the upside, as intraday buying interest surged on approaches to the 20 SMA in the 4 hours chart, while the RSI indicator maintains its upward slope, currently at 59. The Momentum indicator in the same time frame eased towards its mid-line, rather reflecting the limited interest around the pair than suggesting an upcoming slide. Holding at highs, the pair needs to break through 1.1299, the high posted as an immediate reaction to US election outcome, to be able to extend its advance towards 1.1460 a long term strong static resistance.

Support levels: 1.1220 1.1180 1.1125

Resistance levels1.1300 1.1345 1.1390

USD/JPY

The USD/JPY pair entered a selling spiral this Thursday, trading at fresh 2-month lows ahead of the Asian opening near 109.20, with the Japanese yen benefited by a risk-averse environment. Tensions in the Middle East coupled with critical events later this week, which include former FBI director Comey testimony before the Senate intelligence committee. Bonds were on demand, resulting ht eh 10-year note benchmark falling down to 2.129% intraday, its lowest since the US presidential election last November. Japan will release its preliminary April leading index during the upcoming Asian session, although seems more than likely that the pair will continue to react to sentiment. Technically, the pair is now poised to retest this year low set last month at 108.12, although some consolidation could be expected ahead of another leg lower. In the 4 hours chart, the price is now developing well below its 100 and 200 SMAs, with the shortest accelerating below the largest, whilst the RSI indicator continues heading lower, despite being at 22, while the Momentum indicator turned strongly higher, still within positive territory, this last showing decreasing selling interest at this point.

Support levels: 109.20 108.85 108.50

Resistance levels: 109.75 110.10 110.50

GBP/USD

The GBP/USD pair retreated from a fresh weekly high of 1.2949 achieved early Asia to end the day in the red and in the 1.2880 region, flat for the week. Poll's headlines kept leading the way for Pound, with the latest showing that the Labour party keeps closing the gap on Conservatives, these lasts barely 1 point ahead on intention vote. Also, a YouGov opinion model showed that May's Conservative party is likely to fall 22 seats short of majority in the upcoming June 8th election, all of which weighs on Pound. If the slide is contained, is just because dollar's broad weakness. From a technical point of view, intraday readings favor the downside, given that in the 4 hours chart, the price has settled below its 20 SMA, whilst technical indicators are crossing their mid-lines, entering negative territory. The pair has an immediate support at 1.2840, a magnet level for these past two weeks, while a break below 1.2800 is required to confirm a new leg lower that can extend down to the 1.2750/60 price zone.

Support levels: 1.2840 1.2800 1.2760

Resistance levels: 1.2920 1.2950 1.3000

GOLD

Spot gold surpassed its previous 2017 high by a few cents this Tuesday, as political uncertainty fueled demand for the safe-haven commodity. Gold traded as high as $1,295.96 a troy ounce before retreating modestly, to settle at 1,291.40, still sharply higher on the day. Mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East alongside with cautious mood ahead of the upcoming US ex-FBI director Comey before the US Senate, favored the bright metal. Having stalled below the 1,300.00 threshold, the risk is clearly towards the upside according to technical readings, given that in the daily chart, the 20 SMA heads north well below the current level and above the 100 and 200 SMAs, whilst technical indicators turned north, with the RSI at a fresh 2-month high around 68. Shorter term, and according to the 4 hours chart, the upside is also favored, as the 20 SMA gathered upward momentum well below the current level, whilst technical indicators have eased from extreme overbought readings, but remain well into positive territory, and far from suggesting an upcoming downward corrective move.

Support levels: 1,287.80 1,276.60 1,266.90

Resistance levels: 1,295.90 1,303.10 1311.80

WTI CRUDE OIL

Crude oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures ending the day at $48.10 a barrel, as despite tensions in the Middle East, traders are looking forward, pricing in another weekly draw-down in oil stockpiles. The EIA report is expect to show a 3.4 million barrels' drop for the week ended June 2nd. In the meantime the US Energy Information raised its U.S. production outlook for 2018, according to a monthly report issued this Tuesday, up to 10.01 million barrels a day for the year, up 0.4% from the previous outlook, which should keep gains in check, despite the ongoing turmoil in the energy market. Technically, the daily chart shows that the recovery stalled below Monday's intraday high, whilst the price keeps developing far below its moving averages, as technical indicators consolidate within bearish territory, all of which maintains the risk towards the downside. In the 4 hours chart, the price settled above a bearish 20 SMA, but remains below the 100 and 200 SMAs, whilst technical indicators lost upward momentum after entering positive territory, indicating decreasing buying interest at this point.

Support levels: 47.90 47.20 46.65

Resistance levels: 48.60 49.30 50.10

DJIA

US equities edged lower this Tuesday, weighed by political woes denting investors' mood and with retailers suffering the most. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 47 points and settled at 21.136.23, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.33%, to 6,257.06. The S&P lost 6 points and closed the day 2,429.33. Wall Street followed the lead of its overseas counterparts, down on Middle East tensions, weighed additionally by mounting concerns over Trump's leadership, ahead of former FBI director Comey testimony before a Senate special committee. Wall-Mart led declines within the Dow, shedding 1.67%, followed by Boeing that closed 1.12% lower. Exxon Mobile was the best performer, up 1.30%, followed by Chevron that added 0.3%. The daily chart for the Dow shows that technical indicators have retreated modestly, but are still well above their mid-lines, whist the index keeps developing above its moving averages. In the 4 hours chart, the scale leans towards the downside, as technical indicators head south below their mid-lines, whilst intraday advances were contained by selling interest around the 20 SMA.

Support levels: 21,125 20,080 20,041

Resistance levels: 21,184 21,228 21,260

FTSE100

The FTSE 100 closed the day virtually unchanged at 7,524.95, down 0.01%. Sharp losses from ConvaTec, down by 3.95%, after two investors sold a stake in the firm and Burberry that shed 3.7% after HSBC cut its rating on the company to "reduce" from "hold" were offset by soaring mining-related equities. Fresnillo topped gainers list, up 3.21%, followed by Randgold Resources that added 2.67%, and Anglo American, up by 1.85%. A weaker Pound by the end of the day, help maintaining the index afloat. The daily chart for the index shows that it fall further towards a bullish 20 SMA, holding near its weekly lows, as technical indicators keep retreating within positive territory, in line with further declines. In the 4 hours chart, technical readings present a neutral-to-bearish stance, as the index stands right below a horizontal 20 SMA, whilst technical indicators present modest bearish slopes within neutral territory.

Support levels: 7,492 7,457 7,405

Resistance levels: 7,541 7,588 7,620

DAX

The German DAX fell 131 points or 1.04%, ending the day at 12,690.12 as risk aversion led equity traders ever since Monday's headlines announcing geopolitical woes in the Middle East. Healthcare equities were among the worst performers, while mining-related ones led advancers. Within the DAX, only five components closed with gains, with RWE AG leading winners' list with a 2.99% advance, followed by E.ON that added 2.22%. Volkswagen led decliners with a 2.07% lost, followed by Deutsche Bank that shed 1.98% and Bayer, down 1.80%. The daily chart for the index shows that it extended its slide in after hours trading, now standing a few pips below a horizontal 20 DMA, whilst the RSI indicator heads south around 53 as the Momentum retreats from its 100 line, both anticipating additional declines. Shorter term, and according to the 4 hours chart, the downward risk is also present, as the index is trading right below its 20 and 100 SMAs, whist technical indicators are crossing their mid-lines into negative territory.

Support levels: 12,620 12,575 12,521

Resistance levels: 12,707 12,760 12,810