EURUSD, Daily
EURUSD has been rising for the last four trading days after it created a higher low at 1.0848 weekly support. This has brought the pair conclusively out of the bear channel after a breakout at the end of July failed. This first failed attempt but was a hint of things to come and market was able to create a higher low on August 5th. Yesterday was the first time EURUSD stayed outside the channel for a full trading day thus confirming that the downside dynamics that were in place in July are not dictating the market moves any longer. Therefore, I expect that this week’s price action will be bound between major weekly support and resistance levels at 1.0848 and 1.1189. I am seeing a support area in the daily resolution between 1.0848 and 1.0934 while the nearest resistance area is between 1.1114 and 1.1189 and 50% and 61.8% Fibonacci levels coincide with these levels. However, before EURUSD can move up there, it has to deal with a resistance created by upper 2 stdv Bollinger band and 50 day moving average (currently at 1.1090). I expect the area between 1.1061 and 1.1130 to limit today’s trading on the upside and then look for a move to 1.0870.
German ZEW unexpectedly dropped in August, with the expectations reading falling to 25.0 from 29.7. The current conditions reading still improved to 65.7 from 63.9 and the expectations number still remains firmly in positive territory, indicating that optimists far outnumber pessimists. Still, the fact that investor confidence dropped again, despite signs that Greece is heading for a third bailout highlights that concerns about the impact of the Fed’s lift off and the outlook for the Chinese economy overshadow a more stable situation in the Eurozone. The strong current conditions reading, which ties in with a marked rise in German orders in Q2, suggest the recovery remains on track in Q3, but concerns about the longer term outlook seem to be on the rise. Bund futures extended gains on the weak number and the September 10-year contract is now up 44 ticks at 154.39.
China devalued yuan after July exports we down by 8.3%. Currencies were impacted by the PBoC’s devaluation of the yuan, with the AUD and NZD both losing over 1% to the USD in the wake of the move, while the won and the yen were hit by a lesser extent. An indirect bid for dollars saw EURUSD tumble back to the mid-1.09s after foraying above 1.1000 after the London close yesterday. The PBoC lowered the yuan’s daily fix to the U.S. dollar by 1.9% to 6.228, the largest devaluation since the central bank dropped its peg against the greenback. The move follows dismal trade data out of China over the weekend, and is apparently a one-off initiative intended to converge onshore and offshore pricing as a new pricing regime is put together ahead of the key IMF SDR inclusion vote later this year, according to the FT. AUDUSD dove over a big figure in making a one week low at 0.7305. USDJPY lifted to a two-day peak of 124.89.
European stock futures are heading south, in tandem with U.S. stock futures following China’s move to devalue its currency, which will add to concerns about the health of the Chinese economy, while prompting concerns that the devaluation will hamper exporters elsewhere as it will artificially boost the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturers. This could put fresh pressure on other central banks to take their own currencies more into account. The DAX was looking forward to an expected improvement in the ZEW after yesterday’s robust gains.
Fed’s Lockhart is still disposed to September lift-off though waiting a month or two won’t be decisive for the economy and a gradual tightening pace means something less frequent than a hike at each meeting. He sees some evidence of inflation heating up, though low global commodity prices could be a concern if they signal weak global demand. Lockhart considers progress on inflation important in setting the pace of rate hikes after lift-off. He views immediate risk of Greek spillover as passed, but any agreement still needs to be implemented. Seems he’s left himself some wiggle room on lift-off on the inflation threshold, despite still favoring a September move.
Currency Movers Charts
AUD was hit today as China decided devalue its currency. The move was seen as a sign of weakness in Chinese economy and as AUD really trades on Chinese fundamentals it was sold off. After being down most against the safe haven currency CHF AUD is now down most against the EUR. However, there are losses against most of the other major currencies as well. The news brought AUDUSD to lower Bollinger Bands in 4h resolution while EURAUD broke out of a tight range it had been over the last four trading days. GBPAUD reacted by rallying to a resistance at weekly pivotal candle low. AUDCAD dropped significantly from a resistance on the devaluation news as Crude Oil has seen some strength from a major support. Significant daily support and resistance levels for these pairs are:
Main Macro Events Today
German August ZEW investor sentiment was expected to be rising to 31.0 (median 32.0) from 29.7 in July. However, the figure was down from the previous and came in at 25.
US Wholesale Trade: June wholesale trade data is out today and is expected to show a 0.8% (median 0.5%) increase for June with inventories up 0.7%. Data in line with this forecast would leave the I/S ratio steady at 1.29 from April. The May release had shipments up 0.3% in May and inventories up 0.8%.
US Productivity: The first release on Q2 productivity is due to be released today and should reveal a 2.0% (median 1.5%) headline which follows a -3.1% headline in Q1. Unit labor costs are seen at -0.5% (median 0.3%) after a 6.7% in Q1. Productivity was negative in both Q1 and Q4 of last year but is now poised to post gains.
Canada Housing Starts are expected to improve to a 205.0k unit rate in July from the 203.0k pace in June. Forecast Risk: The economies of Canada’s energy producing regions have taken well publicized hits from the fall in energy prices. We expect slower activity in those markets to continue. However, mortgage rates are lean, which has boosted activity in other regions and helped maintain momentum in construction activity. Market Risk: The Bank decided that the threat from falling oil prices was the challenge facing Canada’s economy, and the downside risks to growth were enough for an insurance ease. Such a move would seem to increase the risk of a housing bubble. Not to worry, as the Bank says that easier policy will help assure incomes do not dive which will in turn allow households to service debt.
