The USD, over the last 5 trading sessions, has out-preformed its peers as markets adjust to expectations that the U.S. Fed will begin to introduce a gradual rate raising policy, beginning in December. The atmosphere moving forward for the markets is fast shifting from a “will there be a rate hike?” to a “how much of a rate hike is expected?” approach.
The USD traded mostly mixed on Monday. For the most part, it was a risk off session with U.S. markets selling off on Monday in what appears to be a delayed reaction to the increased odds of a December Fed rate hike. This is supported by the strong U.S. jobs report that was released on Friday.
Overnight, FX action gave little direction in currency markets, which were largely unaffected by the biggest drop on Wall Street in six weeks and mostly lower stock markets in Asia, nor by data showing a sub forecast Japanese current account surplus, and a further slowdown in Chinese inflation.
EURUSD, Daily
The surprise increase in the U.S. jobs report, and the fact that the E.U. continues to provide hints that they will increase QE, is supporting the ongoing trend for a shift out of the EUR and into the USD. Since price broke the 1.0810 support now turned resistance, but failed to touch the 1.0660 next relevant support level, this leaves me with the view that price may attempt to trace out a short term measured move higher to create a new lower top below 1.0870 before we see a test of the April 21 low (1.0660). The risk however, with this type of trade set-up, since momentum analysis remains firmly to the downside, is that we cannot rule out any sudden sharp declines if price fails to make any progress towards the 1.0810 area.
GBPJPY, Daily
GBPJPY has been in a recovery from 180.60′s lows through last Thursday’s recovery high at 187.68. Upside price potential looks limited in the short term to 188.00, since price remains above the valid upward slopping trend line with buyers emerging to support price after a touch of the 50 SMA. Although stochastic momentum analysis may be slowing, the macro environment does support GBP strength and a weaker JPY since for the foreseeable future the BoE and BoJ have contrasting monetary policies.
