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The CAC has posted slight gains in the Thursday session. Currently, the index is trading at 5,355.27. On the release front, German and Eurozone Services PMIs continued to show expansion and were above expectations. Eurozone Retail Sales posted a gain of 0.3%, above the estimate of 0.1%. Later in the day, ECB President Mario Draghi will speak at an event in Switzerland. On Friday, the Eurozone publishes Retail PMI, and the US releases wage growth and nonfarm payrolls reports.

The eurozone has enjoyed a solid first quarter, and more growth has meant more jobs and lower unemployment figures. Just a year ago, the eurozone unemployment rate was at 10.3%, but the rate has been steadily decreasing since then. The March release remained unchanged at 9.5%, within expectations. Germany has led the way, with the unemployment rate dropping to 5.9% in February. Unemployment rolls continue to shrink in Germany, and the decline of 15,000 unemployed persons was better than the estimate of 10,000. Services PMI reports for March have also looked solid, with the Eurozone and Germany releases pointing to expansion.

As widely expected, the Federal Reserve stayed on the sidelines on Wednesday, holding the benchmark rate at 0.75 percent. However, the Fed rate statement was hawkish, as policymakers emphasized the positives and donwplayed a soft first quarter for the US economy. The statement noted that consumer spending remains strong and that inflation was "running close" to the Fed's 2 percent target. The Fed's message is clearly one of optimism, as the central bank remains on track to raise interest rates twice more in 2017. The Fed's bullish statement immediately raised the likelihood of a rate hike at June meeting, which jumped to 74 percent after the statement, up from 63% before meeting. The Fed has two key goals which have been achieved, namely full employment and an inflation rate of 2%. One area of concern is the balance sheet, which stands at $4.5 trillion. The minutes of the March meeting stated that policymakers want to start reducing this figure before the end of 2017, and we could see another reference to the balance sheet in the April minutes.

Just a few days ahead of the French election, Emmanuel Macron and Marie Le Pen faced off in a highly-anticipated television debate on Wednesday. Polls taken after the feisty debate showed that 64% of viewers felt Macron won the debate. With a 20-point lead in the polls, Macron had the most to lose from the debate, but he kept his cool and acted presidential, in contrast to Le Pen. Barring a dramatic event in the next few days, such as a terror attack, all signs are pointing to Macron becoming France's next president. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for June, so the French political landscape will remain uncertain until then. Macron's En Marche! party is expected to win the most seats, and has an outside short at forming a majority in parliament.

The crucial US labour market data for April will be released this Friday May 5, at 13:30 BST. It includes non-farm payrolls, unemployment rate and average hourly earnings.

Please note that the release of US labour market data will likely cause volatility for USD, USD crosses and commodities.

Spot gold has retraced around 3.6% since mid-April as it neared a significant resistance level at $1300.

Following the first-round of the French presidential election market concerns about a collapse of the EU have eased somewhat and thus further weighed on the price of gold.

The recent FOMC meeting has left the door open for a June rate hike which has pushed USD higher and resulted in spot gold falling below a significant psychological level at $1250.

On the 4-hourly chart the current price is still trading along the lower band of the Bollinger Band indicator suggesting the trend remains bearish. The downtrend is likely to test the support line at $1230.

If the upcoming non-farm payrolls for April is in line with, or above, expectations of 180K and accompanied by an upward revision of the previous figure, along with rising wages and a stable unemployment rate – then the support at $1230 will likely be broken.

Conversely, if the upcoming non-farm payrolls is far below expectations, accompanied by a downward revision of the previous figure, low wage growth and a rising unemployment rate -then it will likely result in a weaker USD and a rebound in gold prices.

The resistance level is at $1237.00, followed by $1240 and $1244.

The support line is at $1230, followed by $1225 and $1220.

Be aware that, based on prior experience, market trends sometimes reverse within 1-2 hours after the initial move.

Canada's trade deficit narrowed to $135 million in March (previously $1.1 billion), as a 3.8% rise exports outpaced the 1.7% increase in imports. In real terms, the picture was even better, as export volumes were up 2.5% and imports slipped 0.2%.

The rise in exports was widespread, led by energy, consumer goods and metal and non-metallic mineral products which were all up by 7% during the month. The jump in energy exports was driven largely by higher natural gas and coal exports. A decline in motor vehicle and metal ores and non-metallic minerals provided some offset.

Canada's trade surplus with the U.S. narrowed to $4 billion in March (previously $4.5 billion), while its deficit with the rest of the world narrowed to $4.1 billion (previously $5.6 billion).

Key Implications

The bounce back in export volumes is certainly a welcome development, but strong imports and weak exports earlier in the year means that net trade will weigh on economic growth in the first quarter of this year. Even with this drag, the Canadian economy is still on track to advance by a robust 3.4% in Q1. Moreover, March's trade data will provide a solid hand off for the second quarter.

Going forward, the recent momentum in exports should continue, as the Canadian dollar remains under pressure - the loonie fell below 73 US cents this week for the first time in over a year - and economic activity in the U.S. is set to pick up after a slow start to the year.

The key risk to the outlook remains any potential changes to trade policy with the United States. Last week's (preliminary) announcement that Canadian softwood lumber exports will be hit with a hefty tariff shows that the new President intends to make good on his promise to ensure fair trade for America. While a NAFTA re-negotiation is almost certain to come, we suspect that the agreement will remain largely intact given the close trading relationship between these two countries and effectively balanced trading relationship when services are accounted for.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 112.22; (P) 112.49; (R1) 113.04; More...

Intraday bias in USD/JPY remains on the upside as rise from 108.12 continues and is picking up momentum again. As noted before, corrective fall from 118.65 has completed with three waves down to 108.12 already. Current rise should target 115.49 resistance. Break of 115.49 will resume larger rally from 98.97 to 125.85 high. On the downside, below 111.95 minor support will turn bias neutral and bring consolidations first.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 125.85 high are seen as a corrective pattern. It's uncertain whether it's completed yet. But in case of another fall, downside should be contained by 61.8% retracement of 75.56 to 125.85 at 94.77 to bring rebound. Meanwhile, break of 115.49 resistance will extend the rise from 98.97 to retest 125.85. Overall, rise from 75.56 is still expected to resume later after the correction from 125.85 completes.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.9908; (P) 0.9928; (R1) 0.9965; More.....

Intraday bias in USD/CHF remains neutral for the moment. With 0.9999 minor resistance holds, deeper decline is mildly in favor. Below 0.9890 will target 0.9812 and below to extend the correction from 1.0342. But break of 0.9812 should be brief and we will look for bottoming signal below there. On the upside, above 0.9999 minor resistance argues that fall from 1.0107 is finished, with bullish convergence condition in 4 hour MACD. In that case, intraday bias will be flipped back to the upside for 1.0107 resistance first.

In the bigger picture, we're still maintaining that firm break of 1.0342 key resistance is needed to confirm underlying bullish momentum in the pair. However, the corrective nature of the fall from 1.0342 is starting to give the medium term outlook a bullish favor. Hence, in stead of looking for topping signal around 1.0342, we'd now pay closer attention to upside acceleration as USD/CHF approaches this level again.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.2838; (P) 1.2893; (R1) 1.2921; More...

GBP/USD is still staying in consolidative trading in range of 1.2755/2965 and intraday bias remains neutral. Another rise is mildly in favor with 1.2755 support intact. Break of 1.2965 will target 161.8% projection of 1.2108 to 1.2614 from 1.2365 at 1.3184. At this point, price actions from 1.1946 are still seen as a correction pattern. Therefore, we'd expect strong resistance below 1.3444 to bring larger down trend resumption. On the downside, break of 1.2755 minor support will turn bias to the downside. Further break of 1.2614 resistance turned support will now indicate near term reversal.

In the bigger picture, fall from 1.7190 is seen as part of the down trend from 2.1161. There is no sign of medium term reversal yet. Sustained trading below 61.8% projection of 2.1161 to 1.3503 from 1.7190 at 1.2457 will target 100% projection at 0.9532. Overall, break of 1.3444 resistance is needed to confirm medium term bottoming. Otherwise, outlook will remain bearish.

USD/CHF - 0.9923

New strategy  :

Stand aside

Position : -

Target :  -

Stop : -

Despite yesterday’s brief fall to 0.9891, lack of follow through selling on break of previous support at 0.9893 and the subsequent rebound has retained our view that further consolidation is in store and test of 0.9966-69 resistance cannot be ruled out, however, a break of 0.9981 is needed to signal low is formed, bring a stronger rebound to 1.0000-08 resistance, above there would confirm a temporary low has been formed at 0.9891, bring retracement of recent decline to 1.0020-30 (61.8% Fibonacci retracement of 1.0108-0.9891) but price should falter well below resistance at 1.0067.

On the downside, below 0.9905-10 would bring retest of 0.9891 but break there is needed to confirm recent decline from 1.0108 top has resumed and extend weakness to 0.9865-70 (2 times extension of 1.0108-1.0008 measuring from 1.0067), however, support at 0.9831 would hold from here, bring rebound later. As near term outlook is still mixed, would be prudent to stand aside for now.

GBP/USD - 1.2900

Original strategy :

Buy at 1.2790, Target: 1.2910, Stop: 1.2755

Position : -

Target :  -

Stop : -

New strategy  :

Buy at 1.2790, Target: 1.2910, Stop: 1.2755

Position : -

Target :  -

Stop : -

Although cable has rebounded after intra-day brief fall to 1.2831, reckon upside would be limited to 1.2910-15 and near term downside risk remains for the corrective fall from 1.2965 to bring retracement of recent upmove, below said support at 1.2831 would extend weakness to 1.2790-95 (38.2% Fibonacci retracement of 1.2515-1.2965) where renewed buying interest should emerge, bring another rise later. Above 1.2948 would bring retest of 1.2965, break there would confirm upmove has resumed for headway towards 1.2990-00 (1.236 times projection of 1.2109-1.2616 measuring from 1.2365 and psychological resistance). 

In view of this, would not chase this rise here and would be prudent to buy cable on further subsequent pullback as downside should be limited to 1.2790-95. A drop below previous support at 1.2757 would abort and signal top is formed instead, bring correction to 1.2740 (50% Fibonacci retracement of 1.2515-1.2965) first. 

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.0865; (P) 1.0900 (R1) 1.0919; More....

EUR/USD recovers strongly today after being supported above 4 hour 55 EMA. But it's staying below 1.0949 temporary low. Intraday bias remains neutral for the moment. At this point, further rise is still in favor as long as 1.0851 minor support holds. However, choppy rebound from 1.0339 is seen as a correction. Hence we'd look for topping again on next rise. Meanwhile, on the downside, break of 1.0777 will turn turn bias to the downside for 1.0851 support first.

In the bigger picture, as long as 1.1298 key resistance holds, whole down trend from 1.6039 (2008 high) is still expected to continue. Break of 1.0339 low will send EUR/USD through parity to 61.8% projection of 1.3993 to 1.0461 from 1.1298 at 0.9115. However, considering bullish convergence condition in weekly MACD, break of 1.1298 will indicate term reversal. This would also be supported by sustained trading above 55 week EMA.

Dollar trades softer against European majors as the brief lift from FOMC statement fades. Economic data from US are solid but provide little support to the greenback. Initial jobless claims dropped -19k to 238k in the week ended April 29, below expectation of 246k. Continuing claims dropped 23k ti 1.96m, lowest in 17 year. Challenger report showed -42.9% yoy fall in planned layoff in April. Trade deficit narrowed slightly to USD -43.7b in March. Non-farm productivity dropped -0.6% in Q1 while unit labor costs rose 3.0%.

French stocks and Euro surges

French stocks and Euro surges as pro-Euro centrist Emmanuel Macron performed well in the final TV debate against EU-sceptic far-right Marine Le Pen. CAC is trading up 0.95% at the time of writing and hit the highest level in more than nine years. According to a viewers poll by French broadcaster BFMTV, 63% of viewers voted Macron as the "most convincing" of the pair after the debate. According to latest running poll average, Macron is still having 18% lead over Le Pen and is still widely tipped to win the presidential election this Sunday. Released from Eurozone, retail sales rose 0.3% mom in March. Eurozone services PMI was revised higher to 56.4 in April. Italy services PMI rose sharply to 56.2 in April. Also from Europe, SECO consumer confidence dropped to -8 in April.

UK PMI services shone

UK PMI services rose to 55.8 in April, up from 55.0, and beat expectation of 54.6. That's also the highest level this year. Markit noted that "UK business activity growth gained momentum for a second successive month in April, with a hat-trick of faster growth signalled by the three PMI surveys." And, "the improvement in the survey data indicates that economic growth has revived after having slowed sharply in the first quarter of the year." Countering weakness in household-facing business, UK economy could achieve 0.4% growth in Q2 as a whole. Also from UK, mortgage approvals dropped to 67k in March. M4 Money supply rose 0.3% mom in March.

Aussie catching up the slump iron ore prices

Recent decline in Australian dollar is viewed as a catch-up of the selloff of the iron ore price from its February peak. Spot price for 62% benchmark iron ore slumped more than 30% in 2 months after reading a peak of US$90/tones on February 21. During the period, AUDUSD had been trading within a broad range and dropped around -2%. The relatively resilience in Aussie was likely driven by the broad-based weakness in the greenback as soft dataflow had diminished expectations of a rate June rate hike. Recall the selloff of iron ore prices accelerated in March, after China's pledge reduce steel capacity. The tighter liquidity conditions in China's money markets have reinforced concerns over the government's efforts to crack down the steel industry. More in Australian Dollar Dived On Concerns Over China's Iron Ore Demand Outlook

EUR/USD Mid-Day Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.0865; (P) 1.0900 (R1) 1.0919; More....

EUR/USD recovers strongly today after being supported above 4 hour 55 EMA. But it's staying below 1.0949 temporary low. Intraday bias remains neutral for the moment. At this point, further rise is still in favor as long as 1.0851 minor support holds. However, choppy rebound from 1.0339 is seen as a correction. Hence we'd look for topping again on next rise. Meanwhile, on the downside, break of 1.0777 will turn turn bias to the downside for 1.0851 support first.

In the bigger picture, as long as 1.1298 key resistance holds, whole down trend from 1.6039 (2008 high) is still expected to continue. Break of 1.0339 low will send EUR/USD through parity to 61.8% projection of 1.3993 to 1.0461 from 1.1298 at 0.9115. However, considering bullish convergence condition in weekly MACD, break of 1.1298 will indicate term reversal. This would also be supported by sustained trading above 55 week EMA.

Economic Indicators Update