Forex Market Update
The US Dollar started the week on a mixed note, as investors eye the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy meeting’s outcome during the week, amid increased expectations pointing towards yet another policy taper by the FOMC members.
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund’s Managing Director, Christine Lagarde at the World Economic Forum, cautioned markets about the downside risks to the global economy due to the reduction in the pace of the monthly bond purchases by the US Fed and falling prices in the Euro-zone.
The Euro is trading tad lower against the USD, amid rising concerns over the impact of the Federal Reserve scaling back its stimulus program. In a noteworthy development, Moody’s rating agency, over the weekend, reaffirmed its “Negative” outlook for France.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank’s (ECB) President, Mario Draghi, stated that the economic recovery in the bloc is still weak and that the inflation would continue to remain at current levels over the period of two years.
In economic news, the German IFO indicated that its business climate index advanced to 110.6 in January, surpassing market forecasts for a reading of 110.0 and up from 109.5 in December, indicating that businesses in the Euro zone’s largest economy had a strong start to the year.
Over to the Asia Pacific, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) released the minutes of its latest policy meeting, which revealed that the policymakers see no urgent requirement to increase the stimulus in the nation.
EUR USD
This morning at 10:40 GMT, the EUR is trading at 1.3677 against the USD, tad lower from the New York close. Earlier, the Euro rose after data released this morning indicated that German business confidence advanced to the highest level in two-and-a-half years in January. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.3717 and a low of 1.3671. Yesterday, the EUR traded 0.12% lower against the USD in the New York session, and closed at 1.3678, after the ECB Chief, Mario Draghi, at the World Economic Forum annual meet in Davos, stated that the recovery of the Euro-zone is still “fragile” as the region still continues to witness uneven growth.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.3650 and first resistance at 1.3722.
GBP USD
At 10:40 GMT, the GBP is trading at 1.6561 against the USD, 0.38% higher from the New York close. With no economic releases on the deck today, all eyes are now set on the UK’s fourth quarter GDP data to be released later tomorrow. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.6573 and a low of 1.6474. Yesterday, the British Pound traded 0.10% lower versus the Dollar in the New York session, and closed at 1.6499.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.6482 and first resistance at 1.6633.
USD JPY
The USD is trading at 102.59 against the JPY at 10:40 GMT this morning, 0.16% higher from the New York close. The BoJ’s last policy meeting’s minutes revealed that the policymakers believe that there no immediate requirement to increase the size of the monetary stimulus and that the inflation would continue to rise in the future. In economic news, Japanese trade deficit unexpectedly widened in December. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 102.78 and a low of 101.73. In the New York session yesterday, the USD traded tad higher against the JPY, and closed at 102.43.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 101.96 and first resistance at 103.01.
USD CHF
This morning at 10:40 GMT, the USD is trading at 0.8960 against the Swiss Franc, 0.12% higher from the New York close. In the absence of any major macroeconomic data from Switzerland, traders would look into global macroeconomic data for further guidance. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 0.8964 and a low of 0.8931. In the New York session yesterday, the USD traded marginally higher against the CHF, and closed at 0.8949.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 0.8919 and first resistance at 0.8984.
USD CAD
At 10:40 GMT, the USD is trading at 1.1062 against the CAD, 0.07% lower from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.1074 and a low of 1.1050. Yesterday, the USD traded slightly lower against the CAD in the New York session, and closed at 1.1070. In economic news, the Canadian consumer prices rose in December. The Statistics Canada indicated that the consumer price index (CPI) in Canada rose 1.2% (YoY) in December, below market expectation for a 1.4% rise and compared to a gain of 0.9% reported in the preceding month.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.1038 and first resistance at 1.1099.
AUD USD
The AUD is trading at 0.8731 against the USD, at 10:40 GMT this morning, 0.26% higher from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 0.8739 and a low of 0.8676. AUD traded modestly lower against the USD in the New York session, and closed at 0.8708.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 0.8681 and first resistance at 0.8760.
Gold
At 10:40 GMT, Gold is trading at $1268.59 per ounce, 0.08% lower from the New York close. This morning, Gold traded at a high of $1279.60 and a low of $1266.32 per ounce. In the New York session yesterday, the yellow metal traded tad lower, and closed at $1269.56.
Gold has its first support at $1258.89 and first resistance at $1278.94.
Silver
Silver is trading at $19.92 per ounce, slightly higher from the New York close, at 10:40 GMT this morning. This morning, Silver traded at a high of $20.09 and a low of $19.83. Silver traded 1.55% lower against the USD in the New York session, and closed at $19.92.
Silver has its first support at $19.67 and first resistance at $20.23.
Crude Oil
At 10:40 GMT, Oil is trading at $96.97 per barrel, 0.10% higher from the New York close. This morning, Oil traded at a high of $97.18 and a low of $96.60. Yesterday, Oil traded 0.24% lower in the New York session, and closed at $96.90.
It has its first support at $96.32 and first resistance at $97.56.
Economic Snapshot
Ifo business climate index in Germany increased more than expectations in January
Happy pips.