USD remains soft despite yield rising

USD found some support yesterday as the 10 year treasury yields rose, however remained soft. The rise of the yields stemmed from expectations that the Fed will maintain its 4 rate hike path in 2018 despite criticism by president Trump. Analysts stated that the US economy is in a very healthy state overall and that currently it is unimaginable that the Fed would stop raising interest rates. Should there be further headlines strengthening that scenario, we could see the USD getting further support.

USD/JPY rose yesterday breaking the 111.30 resistance line, correcting somewhat during today’s Asian session. We see the case for the pair to continue in a sideways movement today, maybe with some bullish tendencies. The pair could prove to be sensitive to any further rise of the US treasury yields as well as any tweets from president Trump regarding monetary policy. It also may prove sensitive to any announcements by the Bank of Japan regarding its QE program. Should the pair come under selling interest we could see it breaking the 110.75 support line while should it find extensive buying orders along its path, we could see it breaking the 111.30 resistance line, aiming for the 112.05 resistance hurdle.

PFXS news for week ahead (July 23rd -27th)

On Monday, in the American session we get the Canadian Whole Sale Sales for May. The previous reading release in June was at 0.1%. Any reading above that figure should be taken as good news for the CAD while on the opposite any reading below could be taken as negative and could hurt the Loonie. Later in the American session we get US Existing Home Sales for June. The rate is forecasted to increase and reach 5.44 M compared to previous reading of 5.43 M while the Existing Home Sales are expected to increase to +0.5% mom from previous reading of -0.4% mom.

Should the actual rates meet the forecast we could see the USD caught in mixed financial data, as it would indicate the monthly rate increased but the overall reading has a minor decrease in home sales for June. Please be advised that Existing Home Sales are a very important indication of a healthy economic outlook.

On Tuesday, we get a number of PMI’s from Asia and Europe. Early in the Asian session, the Japanese Manufacturing PMI for July is to be released. The rate has no forecast at the moment, however, the previous reading was at 53.0. A higher figure than the one previously released could be taken as positive for the JPY.

In the European session we get Germany’s, France’s and Euro-zone’s preliminary PMI’s for July. Please note all European PMI’s are set to drop and should the actual readings meet the forecast we could see the common currency weakening as such readings could be regarded as a continuation of Euro-zone’s lukewarm to negative financial indicators. Please note, on the same day the EU Finance Ministers Meeting will take place but the start time is undisclosed.

On Wednesday, in the Asian session we get Australia’s inflation data for June. The quarterly CPI rate is forecasted to accelerate and reach +0.5% yoy compared to previous reading of +0.4% yoy as well as the yearly CPI rate which is forecasted to reach +2.2% yoy compared to previous reading of +1.9% yoy.

Should the actual rates meet the forecasts we could see the Aussie strengthening. We would also like to stress the fact that in the previous week Australian labour market report came out impressively strong for June. It was noted that with the labour supply still growing, less upward pressure was applied on wages and inflation so Reserve Bank of Australia is not expected to rate hike anytime soon.

In the European session we get German Ifo Business Climate Index for June. The rate is forecasted to drop at 101.5 from previous release 101.8. Should the actual rates meet the forecast we could see the common currency weakening somewhat, though it must be noted that due to the small decrease the market could perceive it as a muted event. However, any greater reading both negative and positive could create volatility for the EUR.

In the US session we get the US New Home Sales rate for June. The US New Home Sales rate is forecasted to drop and reach 0.670 M compared to previous reading of 0.689 M. Should the outcome be the same with the forecast, the greenback could weaken. However, the difference is not so significant, so the reaction could be rather minor.

On Thursday, in the European session, ECB will announce its interest rate decision. The bank is widely expected to remain on hold at 0.00%, as EUR OIS imply a probability for the bank to remain on hold at 97.61%. If the interest rate decision comes out as expected, we could see the market’s attention shifting to the accompanying statement and the following press conference. Should there be any signs of the bank starting to unwind its QE program as suggested by ECB officials previously, we could see the common currency gaining ground. Please be advised that the interest rate decision and the following press conference may leverage volatility on EUR crosses. It is expected that the asset purchases could end this year, as announced, and the market doesn’t expect an update on the policy path until March.

In the US session, we get the US New Home Sales for June. The forecast implies in increase to +2.5% from a previous count of -0.4%. Please be advised the USD could strengthen on the release of the news, should the forecast be realized.

On Friday, early in the European session we get UK’s Nationwide HPI readings for July. The UK’s yearly Nationwide HPI rate previous reading of +2.0 % yoy while the monthly Nationwide HPI headline CPI rate’s last reading was +0.5% mom.

Should the release exceed the previous readings, we may see the GBP gaining some momentum. However, most of the attention in the UK is placed on the Brexit as it is turning out to be a very difficult topic to deal with. The UK remains divided on how the matter should be dealt with and so Cable has been kept down lately.

In the American session we get the US GDP rate for July. This is the most significant event for the day and the US GDP rate is forecasted to accelerate to +4.1% qoq compared to previous reading of +2.0% qoq. Should the headline rate’s actual reading meet the forecast and the US GDP rate accelerate as well, we could see the greenback getting some support. In addition and regarding the US, during the past week Powell said the Fed will continue to slowly raise interest rates for now’ in order to keep inflation near target amid a robust conditions in the U.S. labour market.

USD gains amidst confusion

USD gained yesterday amidst confusion regarding the US-Sino trade war issue. The confusion was provided by statements of US officials, as no clear path was given for new US regulations regarding acquisitions of US high tech companies by foreign investors. However, the opinion that some kind of control over foreign investments in the US will be imposed, seems almost certain. The USD seems to be taking advantage of the confusion and should there be negative headlines we could see volatility rising.

EUR/USD dropped yesterday, breaking the 1.1640 support line and during today’s Asian session, tested the 1.1550 support line. Technically the pair seems to be forming a downward trend line, since Monday. The downward trend-line was tested on Tuesday and today during the Asian session the RSI indicator touched the reading of 30, in the 4 hour chart. We could see the pair stabilizing somewhat and continue in a bearish market. Please bear in mind that the pair may prove sensitive to today’s financial releases, especially relating to the EUR as well as any fundamentals deriving from the EU summit that begins today. Should the pair continue to be under selling interest we could see it breaking the 1.1550 support line and aim for the 1.1470 support barrier. Should it find extensive buying orders along its path, we could see it aiming if not breaking the 1.1640 resistance level.