Forex Market Update
This morning, the greenback is trading mostly lower against most of the major currencies, ahead of the commencement of the US Fed two-day policy meeting.
The EUR managed to withhold some of its initial gains against the USD even after data showed that economic confidence in the Euro-zone unexpectedly dropped for the first time since April 2013 this month; however consumer confidence improved to the highest level since November 2007, in April. Yesterday, the ECB President, Mario Draghi projected inflation in the Euro-zone economy to remain at current low level for some more time but at the same time also hinted that the central bank is still far from opting for QE to spur economic recovery in the region.
The GBP is trading higher against the USD, reversing its initial losses, triggered by a downbeat UK GDP data, which showed that UK economy grew slower than analysts’ expectation in the first quarter but faster compared to the previous quarter.
Demand for the NZD fell overnight after data showed that New Zealand’s trade surplus widened less than economists’ expectation to $920 million in March.
Yesterday, in the New York session, the greenback traded higher against the key currencies after data showed that pending home sales in the nation rose at the fastest pace since May 2011 in March and after the Dallas Fed reported a more-than-expected rise in manufacturing business index for April.
EUR USD
This morning at 9:40 GMT, the EUR is trading at 1.3869 against the USD, 0.13% higher from the New York close, benefited from data that showed consumer confidence in the Euro-zone improved to its highest level since November 2007 in April. However, economic sentiment indicator in the region unexpectedly fell for the first time since April 2013 this month. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.3879 and a low of 1.3852. Yesterday, the EUR traded 0.14% lower against the USD in the New York session, and closed at 1.3851.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.3846 and first resistance at 1.3886.
GBP USD
At 9:40 GMT, the GBP is trading at 1.6817 against the USD, 0.05% higher from the New York close. However, earlier the GBP declined for a brief period of time after data showed that UK economy grew by 0.8% (QoQ) in the first-quarter, less than market expectations for a growth of 0.9%. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.6848 and a low of 1.6806. Yesterday, the British Pound traded 0.22% lower versus the Dollar in the New York session, and closed at 1.6808.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.6787 and first resistance at 1.6853.
USD JPY
The USD is trading at 102.66 against the JPY at 9:40 GMT this morning, 0.16% higher from the New York close, in a holiday-thin trading session. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 102.69 and a low of 102.48. In the New York session yesterday, the USD traded 0.24% higher against the JPY, and closed at 102.49.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 102.36 and first resistance at 102.82.
USD CHF
This morning at 9:40 GMT, the USD is trading at 0.8796 against the Swiss Franc, 0.09% lower from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 0.8806 and a low of 0.8792. In the New York session yesterday, the USD traded 0.31% higher against the CHF, and closed at 0.8804.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 0.8775 and first resistance at 0.8815.
USD CAD
At 9:40 GMT, the USD is trading at 1.0990 against the CAD, 0.34% lower from the New York close, ahead of a planned speech by the BoC Governor, Stephen Poloz. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 1.1030 and a low of 1.0989. Yesterday, the USD traded marginally higher against the CAD in the New York session, and closed at 1.1028.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 1.0969 and first resistance at 1.1026.
AUD USD
The AUD is trading at 0.9261 against the USD, at 9:40 GMT this morning, tad higher from the New York close. During the session, the pair traded at a high of 0.9271 and a low of 0.9237. AUD traded 0.22% lower against the USD in the New York session, and closed at 0.9260, hurt by a fall in iron-ore prices due to stricter Chinese rule over its use in financing deals.
The pair is expected to find its first support at 0.9226 and first resistance at 0.9295.
Gold
At 9:40 GMT, Gold is trading at $1290.40 per ounce, 0.49% lower from the New York close. This morning, Gold traded at a high of $1297.10 and a low of $1286.10 per ounce. In the New York session yesterday, the yellow metal traded 0.51% lower, and closed at $1296.70, as improving economic-outlook of the US economy and a decline in net flow of physical gold in China from Hong Kong weighed on the demand prospect of the commodity.
Gold has its first support at $1283.03 and first resistance at $1300.83.
Silver
Silver is trading at $19.43 per ounce, 0.94% lower from the New York close, at 9:40 GMT this morning. This morning, Silver traded at a high of $19.63 and a low of $19.34. Silver traded 0.63% lower against the USD in the New York session, and closed at $19.61, amid broad gains in the US Dollar.
Silver has its first support at $19.26 and first resistance at $19.68.
Crude Oil
At 9:40 GMT, Oil is trading at $101.37 per barrel, 0.50% higher from the New York close. This morning, Oil traded at a high of $101.40 and a low of $100.81. Yesterday, Oil traded 0.37% lower in the New York session, and closed at $100.86, as concerns on the supply outlook of the commodity eased after reports showed that Libya lifted force majeure at an eastern oil port of Zueitina. However, imposition of new sanctions on Russian by the Western powers limited the gains in the crude prices.
It has its first support at $100.67 and first resistance at $101.74.
Economic Snapshot
UK GDP rose less than anticipated in Q1 2014
On an annual basis, preliminary GDP in UK rose 3.1% in the Q1 2014, less than market expectation of a 3.2% rise and following a 2.7% rise recorded in the previous quarter.
Euro-zone final consumer confidence rose more than the preliminary estimate in April
The final consumer confidence index in the Euro-zone rose to a level of -8.6 in April, higher than the preliminary estimate of a level of -8.7 and compared to a reading of -8.7 reported in the previous month.
Euro-zone business climate indicator fell in April
The business climate indicator in the Euro-zone dropped to a level of 0.27 in April, compared to a revised reading of 0.40 reported in the previous month. Meanwhile, the industrial confidence indicator in the Euro-zone fell to a level of -3.6 in April, compared to a reading of -3.3 reported in the previous month. The economic sentiment indicator in the Euro-zone eased to a level of 102.0 in April, compared to a revised reading of 102.5 reported in the previous month. The services sentiment indicator in the Euro-zone dropped to a level of 3.5 in April, compared to a revised reading of 4.5 reported in the previous month.
German Gfk consumer confidence remained steady in May
The GfK consumer confidence index in Germany remained steady at a level of 8.5 in May compared to the previous month, in line with market expectations.
France consumer confidence fell unexpectedly in April
The consumer confidence index in France declined to a level of 85.0 in April, compared to a reading of 88.0 reported in the previous month. Markets had expected the consumer confidence index to remain unchanged in April.
Italy retail sales fell in February
On an annual basis, non-seasonally adjusted retail sales in Italy fell 1.0% in February, compared to a 0.9% fall in the previous month.
Italy business confidence rose more than market estimate in April
The business confidence index in Italy rose to a level of 99.9 in April, higher than market expectation of a level of 99.5 and compared to a reading of 99.3 reported in the previous month.
Spain unemployment rate rose more than market expectation in Q1 2014
The unemployment rate in Spain rose to 25.93% in Q1 2014, compared to a revised rate of 25.73% recorded in the previous quarter. Markets were expecting the unemployment rate to rise to 25.85% in Q1 2014.
Good trades.