Forex Market Update
This morning, the greenback is trading mostly lower against most of the major currencies, ahead of Janet Yellen’s first public speech as the head of the Federal Reserve. Additionally, a speech by the Philadelphia Fed President, Charles Plosser, will also gain market attention today.
In the UK, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) raised the nation’s growth projection for 2014 and further indicated that the economy may gain strength from business investment this year.
The Euro is trading higher against the US Dollar. Earlier today, German Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble opined that the recent turmoil in the emerging markets would have a negative impact on the Euro-zone’s export sector. He also agreed to the ECB President Mario Draghi viewpoint and indicated that falling prices were not a danger for the Euro-zone, despite a drop in the bloc's inflation rate to 0.7% last month and warnings from the IMF that deflation is a potential risk.
Yesterday, the Canadian Dollar declined against the greenback after data showed that housing starts in Canada slowed more than analysts’ expectations in January. The Canadian Dollar also faced some resistance after the Bank of Canada (BoC) Deputy Governor, John Murray stated that a weakness in the Loonie and strengthening of the global economy would foster broader economic growth in the Canada.
The greenback traded mostly lower in the New York session yesterday, against the key currencies.
EUR USD
This morning at 10:40 GMT, the EUR is trading at 1.3672 against the USD, 0.21% higher from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.3684 and a low of 1.3644. Yesterday, the EUR traded 0.07% higher against the USD in the New York session, and closed at 1.3644, after Euro-zone Sentix investor confidence rose unexpectedly in February.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.3635 and first resistance at 1.3697.
GBP USD
At 10:40 GMT, the GBP is trading at 1.6425 against the USD, 0.13% higher from the New York close, after the CBI upgraded its 2014 growth projection for the Britain’s economy. In economic news, the BRC retail sales monitor in the UK advanced more than analysts’ expectations in January. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.6442 and a low of 1.6400. Yesterday, the British Pound traded marginally higher versus the Dollar in the New York session, and closed at 1.6403.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.6393 and first resistance at 1.6450.
USD JPY
The USD is trading at 102.41 against the JPY at 10:40 GMT this morning, 0.14% higher from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 102.49 and a low of 102.11. In the New York session yesterday, the USD traded 0.13% higher against the JPY, and closed at 102.26.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 102.10 and first resistance at 102.60.
USD CHF
This morning at 10:40 GMT, the USD is trading at 0.8955 against the Swiss Franc, 0.16% lower from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 0.8972 and a low of 0.8948. In the New York session yesterday, the USD traded slightly lower against the CHF, and closed at 0.8969.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 0.8936 and first resistance at 0.8978.
USD CAD
At 10:40 GMT, the USD is trading at 1.1059 against the CAD, tad higher from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.1092 and a low of 1.1056. Yesterday, the USD traded 0.19% higher against the CAD in the New York session, and closed at 1.1058. The Canadian Dollar declined against its US counterpart after the housing starts in Canada fell more-than-expected in January. Meanwhile, the BoC Deputy Governor, John Murray highlighted the need of a weaker Loonie for the growth of the Canadian economy.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.1028 and first resistance at 1.1091.
AUD USD
The AUD is trading at 0.9027 against the USD, at 10:40 GMT this morning, 0.85% higher from the New York close. Earlier today, in Australia, data showed that home loans declined in December while the house prices rose 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Separately, the National Australia Bank reported that business conditions in the nation rose to the highest level in nearly three years in January. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 0.9040 and a low of 0.8946. AUD traded 0.18% higher against the USD in the New York session, and closed at 0.8951.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 0.8951 and first resistance at 0.9072.
Gold
At 10:40 GMT, Gold is trading at $1283.35 per ounce, 0.67% higher from the New York close. This morning, Gold traded at a high of $1287.80 and a low of $1273.91 per ounce. In the New York session yesterday, the yellow metal traded marginally higher, and closed at $1274.85.
Gold has its first support at $1274.15 and first resistance at $1290.17.
Silver
Silver is trading at $20.17 per ounce, 0.43% higher from the New York close, at 10:40 GMT this morning. This morning, Silver traded at a high of $20.27 and a low of $20.06. Silver traded 0.75% lower against the USD in the New York session, and closed at $20.08.
Silver has its first support at $20.04 and first resistance at $20.30.
Crude Oil
At 10:40 GMT, Oil is trading at $100.35 per barrel, 0.40% higher from the New York close. This morning, Oil traded at a high of $100.49 and a low of $99.88. Yesterday, Oil traded 0.38% higher in the New York session, and closed at $99.98. An industry report revealed that oil production by the OPEC nations edged higher by 150,000 barrels per day in January.
It has its first support at $99.61 and first resistance at $100.82.
Economic Snapshot
UK BRC retail sales rose more than forecasts in January
On an annual basis, like-for-like retail sales in the UK rose 3.9% in January, compared to a 0.4% rise recorded in the previous month. Markets were expecting the UK retail sales to rise 0.8% in January.
CBI upgraded UK’s 2014
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has forecast that the UK’s economy would expand by 2.6% in 2014, up from its November forecast for a growth of 2.4%. Meanwhile, it downgraded UK’s 2015 growth forecast to 2.5%, from its earlier estimate of 2.6%.
Home loan approvals in Australia fell unexpectedly in December
On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, home loan approvals in Australia fell 1.9% in December, following a revised 1.4% increase recorded in the preceding month. Market had expected Australia’s home loan approvals to rise 0.7% in December. Meanwhile investment lending in Australia rose 2.9% in December, following a revised rise of 2.0% recorded in the previous month.
Australia NAB business confidence advanced in January
Business confidence in Australia advanced to a level of 8.0 in January, compared to a reading of 6.0 recorded in the previous month. Similarly, business conditions in Australia rose to a reading of 4.0 in January, from a revised level of 3.0 in the previous month.
Australian house prices rose more than forecasts in Q4 2013
On a quarterly basis, the house price index (HPI) in Australia rose 3.4% in Q4 2013, compared to an upwardly revised rise of 2.4% recorded in the previous quarter. Market had expected the house price index to rise 3.0% in Q4 2013.
Happy pips.