Hot Forex - Market Analysis and News.

[HFM.]

Date : 09th March 2020

Events to Look Out For Next Week 09th March 2020.

Leading indicators such as US Inflation and GDP from Europe and the US dominate the releases next week. The highlight of the week is the ECB rate decision, while markets are going to remain focused on the threat Covid-19 poses.

Have a look at the most important events of the coming days in our usual weekly publication.

Monday – 09 March 2020

• Industrial Production and Trade Balance (EUR, GMT 07:00) – German Industrial Production growth is expected to have stood at 1.5% seasonally adjusted m/m in January, compared to the -3.5% decline seen in December.
• Housing Starts (CAD, GMT 12:15) – Canada’s improvement in January housing starts tracks the expected housing boost to Q1 GDP. In February, the index is expected to slip lower to 205K from 213.2K.

Tuesday – 10 March 2020

• Producer Price Index (CNY, GMT 01:30) – Chinese February PPI is expected to have remained at the same levels as in January, at 0.1% y/y.
• Consumer Price Index (CNY, GMT 01:30) – Chinese inflation is expected to drop in February as coronavirus cases soar. The overall outcome is seen at 4.9% from 5.4%, while the monthly reading should be at 0.8% from 1.4% last month.
• Gross Domestic Product (EUR, GMT 10:00) – Eurozone seasonally adjusted GDP for Q4 2019 is expected to remain unchanged on an annualized and quarterly rate.

Wednesday – 11 March 2020

• Gross Domestic Product (GBP, GMT 09:30) – The UK economy’s most important figure, GDP is expected to be lower at 0.2% m/m following the 0.3% reading for December.
• Industrial and Manufacturing Production (GBP, GMT 09:30) – The two indices are expected to have both grown to 0.4% m/m in January, with industrial production recovering significantly from the 0.1% in the prior month.
• Consumer Price Index (USD, GMT 12:30) – Expectations have been set flat for February headline CPI figure with a 0.2% core price increase, following respective January readings of 0.1% and 0.2%. As-expected February figures would result in a headline y/y increase of 2.2%, down from 2.5% in January. Core prices should set a 2.3% y/y rise for a fourth consecutive month. We have seen an up-tilt in y/y gains into Q1 of 2020 due to harder comparisons, though this lift is being capped in February and March by price weakness related to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Thursday – 12 March 2020

• ECB Interest Rate Decision and Conference (EUR, GMT 12:45 & 13:30) – The ECB is under pressure to step in as virus developments hit the markets. The ECB may have planned to focus on the strategic policy review this year, but recent market developments have increased the pressure on the central bank to act sooner rather than later to address the impact of Covid-19. There isn’t much room for rate cuts, although a 10 bp cut in the deposit rate is a possibility and now pretty widely expected. If the ECB goes down that route it will likely expand the exclusion band to limit the hit for banks. In this situation where supply disruptions are increasingly apparent, lower rates may not help much, but the move would have a signaling effect, which could help to bolster sentiment.

Friday – 13 March 2020

• Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 07:00) – The German HICP inflation for February is seen steady at 1.7% y/y.
• Michigan Sentiment (USD, GMT 15:00) – US consumer sentiment was revised up to 101.0 in the final February print from the University of Michigan survey, versus the 100.9 in the preliminary, and it’s up 1.2 points from January’s 99.8. This is the highest since March 2018 (which was the best since January 2004). The preliminary March Michigan sentiment reading is anticipated to decline to 97. On the flip side, a better than expected report, though it’s not likely to assuage COVID-19 fears.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.


Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 11th March 2020.

Central Banks – Race to the Bottom – Again? 11th March

GBPUSD, H1

The latest Central Bank to act (in another surprise and unscheduled announcement) is the Bank of England. The BoE slashed rates by 50 basis points (bp) to address Covid-19 impact. The BoE cut bank rate to 0.25% from 0.75%, saying that the decision was made at a special meeting on March 10. There will also be a new funding scheme to support lending to small businesses impacted by the fallout from the virus. Although that is the plan these funds (expected to be around 100 million GBP) usually end up supporting the UK mortgage market. At the press conference, just completed, Carney emphasized that the total package was a “big package, a big package” a number of times and clearly wanted that to be the clear message. But also caveating the message that the COVID-19 impact is likely to be short, sharp potentially significant but ultimately short-lived. The first emergency move since the financial crisis highlights the impact of the virus on the economic outlook and comes a week after the Fed cut rates by 50 bp and a day before the ECB meeting, which is also expected to bring additional easing measures. The decision was unanimous and the bank said in a statement that “although the magnitude of the economic shock from Covid-19 is highly uncertain, activity is likely to weaken materially in the United Kingdom over the coming months”.

President Trump continued the pressure on the Fed yesterday with tweets aimed squarely at Jay Powell and the slow response (in his opinion) of the FED to cut rates. The ECB is expected to cut rates by at least 10bp tomorrow and with more stimulus also likely. The FOMC and BOJ also have scheduled meetings next week with more action by both anticipated, then if not before. Volatility and uncertainty persist and volumes in markets all remain elevated.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 12th March 2020.

Morning Update – March 12 2020 12th March

FX News Today – Wednesday washout is becoming Thursday fallout. Equities closed down 5% and now down 20% from February peak and in a BEAR market, TRUMP bans travel from Europe (26 countries) – but not bizarrely the UK. Triggers further selling in Asia Nikkei down 4.4%, ASX down 7% . – JPY, CHF up, Treasuries in demand – Oil down again Gold also slips.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.


Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 13th March 2020.

Morning Update – March 13 2020 13th March

FX News Today – Good Morning – The DJIA suffered its biggest 1 day fall since Black Monday 19 October 1987 – Trump travel ban, disappointment from ECB and pandemic panic gripped markets. The FED and other central banks and governments have been forced to intervene. USD sees increased demand. Volatility n Uncertainty persist.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.


Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 16th March 2020

Events to Look Out For Next Week 16th March 2020.

Another eventful week is over, while an even more busier is expected. A policy-packed week once again, with monetary policy meeting in the world’s major economies, and the potential for guidance regarding future interest rate actions, from Fed, BoJ and SNB. The focus remains squarely on COVID-19. Assuming the coronavirus continues to spread exponentially, which is what the epidemiologists are warning, global markets are likely to ensure further panicky risk-off phases.





Tuesday – 17 March 2020

• RBA Minutes and House Prices (AUD, GMT 00:30) – The RBA minutes should provide guidance as to how whether the RBA members actually are prepared for further easing. The bank signalled in its last meeting that it is ready to do more in a coordinated fiscal-monetary policy action.
• Average Earnings (GBP, GMT 09:30) – Average Earnings excluding bonus are expected to have grown by 3.3% in January. The ILO unemployment rate is expected to have remained at 3.8%.
• Economic Sentiment (EUR, GMT 10:00) – German March ZEW economic sentiment is expected to have sharply declined to -23.4 compared to 10.4 in February.
• Retail Sales ( USD, GMT 12:30) – February gains of 0.2% are anticipated for headline retail sales and 0.3% for the ex-auto figure, following January gains of 0.3% for both measures. A -3.5% drop is seen for the CPI gasoline index, with an associated drop in service station sales.

Wednesday – 18 March 2020

• CPI Inflation (CAD, GMT 12:30) – Canadian core inflation is expected to have declined to 1.7% y/y, compared to 1.8% y/y in January.
• Fed Interest Rate Decision and Conference (USD, GMT 18:00) – Fed announced on March 12, a massive repo term operations of a maximum of $500 bln in 1- and 3-month repos across the maturity spectrum. The market is still looking for aggressive easing by the FOMC next week, with another 50 bp rate cut with potential for move before FOMC meeting on 17th, 18th. Some Fedwatchers are projecting a 100 bp easing.
• Gross Domestic Product (NZD, GMT 21:45) – New Zealand Q4 GDP is expected to have dropped by 0.5% q/q, compared to 0.7% q/q in 2019Q3.

Thursday – 19 March 2019

• Employment Data (AUD, GMT 00:30) – Both the unemployment Rate and the employment change are expected to have eased in February, decreasing to 5.2% and 11.6k respectively.
• BoJ Interest Rate Decision and Conference (JPY, GMT 03:00- 06:00) – Shadowed by the Covid-19, the BoJ has less room for monetary policy manoeuvre, with Japan not depending of foreign investment inflows to sustain financing and with Japanese investors apt during times of risk aversion in global markets to repatriate capital from the sale of foreign assets, and/or put on currency hedges on foreign assets. Survey data released showed large Japanese manufacturers’ business sentiment fell to a nine-year low in Q1, which will keep the BoJ under pressure to loosen monetary policy at its upcoming policy review on March 18th-19th, however markets anticipate no change in the rates by BoJ .
• SNB Interest Rate Decision (CHF, GMT 08:30) – The SNB is not expected to surprise markets as the Swiss rate is forecast to remain at -0.75%.

Friday – 20 March 2020

• PBoC Interest Rate Decision (CNY, GMT 01:30) –The People’s Bank of China injected $79 billion into the economy through a reduction in reserve ratios for banks, while it offered discounts to banks’ reserve ratios of between half and 1 percentage point from their original level.
  Retail Sales (CAD, GMT 12:30) – Canada’s retail sales contracted in Q4, tracking expectations for a slowing in GDP. In contrast to Q4 outcome, January 2020 sales volume is forecasted at 0.3% gain from the flat December reading.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.



Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 17th March 2020.

What is a Circuit Breaker and How it Works? 17th March 2020

The FOMC’s historic reactions to the COVID-19 spread, with its emergency 100 bp rate cut on Monday 16th of March pledging infinite liquidity, did nothing to soothe investor worries, and indeed may have sharpen recession concerns. Those fears, along with Fed coupon purchases, underpinned a strong bid in Treasuries which saw yields from the belly outward richen over 20 bps.

Hence Monday’s opening was delayed as the indexes were limit down. After the FOMC’s action, the USA30 posted its largest point decline in history, sliding -2997 points (-12.9%), and the USA500 fell 11.5%, both triggering an automatic 15-minute halt. This is the third time in the past two weeks that major US and foreign indices hit their emergency circuit breaker as the market opened; this isn’t the first time that a market has been halted due to massive volatility, however it is not something that you see often. Last time it was the turmoil of the 2008 housing crisis that put the country into recession.

But what is a circuit breaker and how does it work?

Circuit breakers were introduced to prevent another event like the Black Monday of 1987, when the Dow Jones fell by 22.6%, in a single trading day, by pausing trading if the S&P 500 price falls too low.

After being tested for the first time in 1997, they were triggered again in March 2020. So, why did that happen and how do circuit breakers work?

What are circuit breakers?

Circuit breakers, which are calculated daily, are set at 7%, 13% and 20% of the closing price of the S&P500 for the previous day. If the price drops 7% in a single session, trading is halted for 15 minutes, and, depending on what happens next, trading may be halted again temporarily or for the rest of the day.

How do circuit breakers work?

There are three levels:

A level 1 circuit breaker is applied when there is a single-day, single-session decline of 7%. Trading is paused for 15 minutes to give traders the chance to reevaluate their options and stop panic selling.

If there is improvement when trading is reopened after the break, the session will continue as usual. If the drop continues and reaches 13% before 3:25pm (New York time), a level 2 circuit breaker will be applied and trading will be stopped for another 15 minutes.

If the drop continues still further and reaches 20%, the situation is considered critical and a level 3 circuit breaker will come into force. At this highest level, trading is stopped for the rest of the day regardless of what time it is.

Are circuit breakers used only for market indices?

No, they’re not! Individual securities have their own circuit breakers, known as the “Limit Up-Limit Down rule”, which means that trading is stopped whenever the price moves too far up or down away from predetermined acceptable levels.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.


Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 18th March 2020.

FX Update – March 18 – King Dollar 18th March 2020

The Dollar has remained firm amid nervous global markets, with demand for cash dollars remaining high while some traditional safe haven assets, such as gold and US Treasuries, have nonetheless remained under pressure as investors rebalance portfolios and build cash cushions to cover margin calls. US bonds have been falling despite the Fed buying up to $40 bln worth daily in its revamped QE program. Some market narratives are also pointing to concerns about the US fiscal position light of the US government’s announcement for a $1.2 tln stimulus package. Gold prices are down 1.5%, though remain off the three-and-a-half-month low seen on Monday. Stock markets turned lower during the Asian session and opened in Europe down some 3-4%.

In currencies, movements have been relatively contained so far today. The Yen has outperformed, though concurrent Dollar strength has seen USDJPY lift back above 107.00 from a 106.76 low. The commodity and most developing world currencies remained under pressure. AUDJPY declined by over 1%, and has breached the 11-year low seen yesterday, trading at S1 – 63.80. AUDUSD remained heavy, also breaching the 17-year low seen yesterday at 0.5960, it trades at 0.5936. NZDUSD printed a fresh 11-year low at 0.5911. USDCAD, amid its biggest monthly gain since January 2015, remained buoyant but still held below the four-year high seen yesterday at 1.4276.

USOil prices hit a new major-trend low at $25.50, which is the lowest nominal level traded since May 2003. EURUSD ebbed back under 1.1000, but has so far remained shy of the three-week low seen yesterday at 1.0956. Regarding the coronavirus, there are concerns that the massive global fiscal and monetary stimulus measures, even when targeted well, will simply not be able to fully mitigate the impact of draconian lockdowns in an increasing number of economies.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.


Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 20th March 2020.

European FX Update – 20 March 2020 20th March 2020

Interventions and the threat of interventions has seen the dollar soften while commodity and many developing world currencies have rebounded strongly following a period of pronounced underperformance. Also in the mix is the plethora of central bank actions to shore up liquidity and loosen monetary policy, along with the massive fiscal rescue packages being assembled by governments across the world, which have given markets opportunity to settle from coronavirus anxiety. Russia and Brazil have intervened in forex markets over the last day, buying their domestic currencies and selling dollars. The Russian ruble crashed by over 34% from early January levels before the Russian central bank stepped in yesterday. The Norwegian central bank also threatened to intervene yesterday following a similar 30%-odd dive the crown. South Africa and Australia have also signalled readiness to intervene to support their currencies. For many countries with borrowings in dollars, the massive depreciation in their domestic currencies, and strength in the dollar, has been increasingly threatening at a time when most emerging market and developed-world economies are either headed to or are already in recession. There is rising odds for coordinated action to blunt dollar strength. Demand of cash dollars has been intense in recent weeks due to the funds need to cover losses and meet fund redemptions.

Among the main currencies today, the narrow trade-weighted dollar index (DXY) has declined by 1.3%, to 101.50. The index peaked at a 38-month high yesterday at 102.99. EURUSD has concomitantly lifted by over 1% to levels above 1.0800. Cable rallied by nearly 3% to levels back above 1.1800, up from yesterday’s 35-year at 1.1451. USDJPY dropped back to the lower 109.00s from levels above 111.0, though the yen still weakened against many other currencies.

Biggest (FX) Mover @ (09:30 GMT) AUDUSD (+3.48%) – Rallied from 0.5680 at open, over 0.5800 & 0.5900. The MA’s aligned higher, RSI (67) positive, MACD histogram & signal line rising and breached 0, Stochastics moving higher but not yet into OB zone. – H1 ATR 0.0063, Daily ATR 0.0205.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.


Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 24th March 2020.

FX Update – March 24 2020

AUDUSD, H1
Currencies moved in a risk-on formation, with the Dollar, Yen and Swiss franc weakening against most other currencies, with the commodity and many developing-world currencies outperforming. This came with S&P 500 futures rallying strongly, more than reversing the 2.9% closing loss the cash version of the index saw yesterday on Wall Street. Oil, most base metals and other commodity prices also rose. Asian stock markets also rallied. The massive $2 tln coronavirus stimulus bill in the US looks near to being passed in the Senate. The Fed’s ultra-aggressive pledge of unlimited dollar funding also appears to be having some success. The US 2-year note yield dropped yesterday to a near seven-year low of 0.79%, which, although higher today, concomitantly put a lid on the Dollar. The narrow trade-weighted USDIndex dropped by about 1% in printing a four-day low at 101.45, extending the correction from the 38-month high that was seen last Friday at 102.99. EURUSD and Cable concurrently lifted just over 1%, to respective five-day and intraday highs at 1.0866 and 1.1695. The biggest mover out of the main dollar pairings and associated crosses has been AUDUSD, which lifted by over 2%, making a four-day peak at 0.5975. The Aussie dollar has now rebounded by over 8% from the 18-year low it saw last week, at 0.5507. With oil prices posting a near 5% rally, USDCAD turned lower, back below 1.4400, though the pair remained above yesterday’s low at 1.4335.

As for the coronavirus, more countries have been going lock-down, the latest of note being the UK, and the major question about how long it will be before something approaching normal economic activity resumes. Incoming preliminary March PMI survey data have and will continue to paint a grim picture of the economic consequences to date.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 25th March 2020.

FX Update – March 25 – USD Cools

USDCAD, H1
The commodity (AUD again today’s best performer) and many developing world currencies have continued to rebound, while the Dollar, Yen and Swiss franc have traded generally softer. This comes with Asian stock markets rallying and European markets opening positively after the DJIA equity index posted its biggest single-day rally on Wall Street since 1933. The US Senate and White reached agreement on a $2 tln fiscal stimulus package, which joins a growing list of countries around the world to have unveiled bazooka-sized spending packages, joining ambitious central bank monetary stimulus efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of virus containing measures. This comes amid tentative signs that the lockdown in Italy is starting to work, as new cases and the death rate ebb. There are also other signs of encouragement, such as news that 20% of US companies in China have reported that they have returned to normal operations, showing that there is economic life after lockdown.

Among the main currencies, USDJPY has traded neutrally so far today, while most Yen crosses, especially those with a commodity or developing world currency counterpart, have lifted. USDJPY has held with a range of 110.75-111.50, narrow by recent standards and well within the bounds of yesterday’s range. EURJPY has posted modest gains, but remained below yesterday’s peak. AUDJPY, amid its fifth consecutive up day, posted a 10-day high at 67.25. AUDUSD lifted by 1.2% in printing an eight-day high at 0.6060, extending the rebound from last week’s 18-year low of 10%. USDCAD fell to a five-day low at S2 and below 1.4300 at 1.4299, with the Canadian Dollar continuing to correlate closely with oil prices, which today extended over 3% higher to five-day highs, but remains capped at $25.00. EURUSD has traded higher, to the mid 1.0800s, but has remained comfortably within Tuesday’s range.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 26th March 2020.

GER30: Back to risk-off….but for how long?

EGBs have rallied with Treasuries and with Eurozone spreads coming in after the ECB confirmed that it will drop issuer limits in its EUR 750 bln QE program. Tapping the ESM and finally using Draghi’s OMT program are also on the cards for the Eurozone as governments try to limit the impact of the pandemic. Despite the massive US stimulus package and additional promises from European officials, stocks markets headed south in Europe and US futures are also broadly lower, ahead of likely dismal US jobless claims.

The 10-year Bund yield was down -3.9 bp at -0.308%, the Gilt yield down -3.7 bp at 0.398% US Treasury yields had declined -6.1 bp to 0.806%. Greek 10-year rates dropped nearly 34 bp as Eurozone spreads narrowed. GER and UK100 meanwhile are both down -2.1%.

FX market volatility has been on the decline this week, as massive global stimulus has ratcheted markets away from panic mode that prevailed last week. However the market will continue to remain subject to high volatility and overall underperformance as long as the coronavirus contagion remains in a state of increasing spread.

The plethora of global monetary and fiscal responses have helped stocks finding a sustainable reprieve, however so far today as volatility remains high we have seen pullbacks. Whether these are corrections or signs of reversal, no one knows yet!

In the EU, GER30 in contrast with UK100, has gain some ground, having a distance of more than 1600 points from 7-years lows. This reflects to more than 35% reversal, but does it look sufficient enough in order to believe in a reversal? Technically responding, the sentiment that we have seen that last few sessions presents positive bias in the short term, with the asset holding bottom above 9,500 (23.6% Fib. level at 9,523) despite the doji Wednesday. This provides relief, that 38.2% Fib is still on the cards. A breakout above the short term pennant formation could open the doors towards a retest of 38.2% Fib. retracement level at 10,358 (this could fill March 12 gap) .

In the medium term meanwhile, daily momentum remain negative even though they are giving signs if weakness. RSI recovered from oversold levels but remains below neutral zone and MACD is at the negative are however it is extending above its signal line suggesting decreasing negative bias.

There is clearly plenty of volatility still to play out, but the way this move is shaping, weakness is now being bought into.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 27th March 2020.

FX Update – 27 March 2020.

USDJPY, H1
The Dollar declined and then recovered some of its losses, which saw the narrow trade-weighted USDIndex print a nine-day low at 99.15 before recouping levels back above 99.40. At the lows, the index was showing a correction of 3.2% from the 38-month high that was seen last week, which can be credited to the Fed’s ultra-aggressive dollar printing activity. There has also been a side theme of pronounced losses in USDJPY and Yen crosses, which look out of sync with the usual correlative pattern in light of a backdrop of mostly-higher stock and commodity markets in Asia today (which often times, especially in the prevailing crisis, would be associated with a softening in the Japanese currency). The demand for Yen was reportedly driven by repatriation of Japanese investment funds, according to several market reports and narratives, even though the timing — just a few days before Japan’s financial year end — seems a little strange. USDJPY, aided by broad Dollar weakness, dropped by about another 1% in printing a one-week low at 108.25. EURJPY, AUDJPY and most other Yen crosses declined, too, which amounted to a correction. Subsequently, the Yen gave back up to half of its gains as the European interbank market picked up the reins, and expectations, should risk appetite hold up, the Yen could soften from here. The USDJPY and the crossing EMA strategy (H1) closed out in the last hour as the 9-period EMA was broken at 108.89 from an entry at 111.14 on March 25, a 220 pip move.

Elsewhere, EURUSD edged out a 10-day high at 1.1088, before ebbing back under 1.1050. Cable printed an eleven-day high, at 1.2306. As for the coronavirus, the exponential rate of new cases has continued. Cases in the US have surged, and it might be several weeks before the fruits of the global lockdown is seen. Few are now expecting a V-shaped economic recovery out of this, such as was seen following the SARS epidemic in Asia in 2003. The key question is how wide the “U” will be in a U-shaped recovery? An old market adage has always been to, never try to catch a falling knife.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 30th March 2020.

MACRO EVENTS & NEWS OF 30th March 2020.

All major countries across the world are effectively locked down now as virus developments remain in focus, with ever bigger aid packages. The data this week especially from the US were highly infected by the pandemic. Hence, as disruptions from COVID-19 have begun to catch up to the soft data measures, the impact will likely be greater in the late-month measures of sentiment. Recession fears could be further escalated if we see any effect in the March US jobs.

Monday – 30 March 2020

• Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 12:00) – The German HICP preliminary inflation for March is anticipated to decline at 1.4% y/y from 1.7% y/y.
• Pending Home Sales (USD, GMT 14:00) – Pending home sales rebounded in January to 5.2% m/m, however, for February we could see a big -0.3% pull-back.

Tuesday – 31 March 2020

• Manufacturing PMI (CNY, GMT 01:00) – The NBS Manufacturing PMI is expected to massively decline to 4.4 in March from 35.7, as a subsequence of the shut down after the lunar new year holiday.
• Gross Domestic Product (GBP, GMT 06:00) – GDP is the economy’s most important figure. Q4’s GDP is expected to be unchanged at 0% q/q and 1.1% y/y.
• Unemployment data (EUR, GMT 07:55) – The German unemployment rate in March is expected to have increased to 5.1% from 5.0%, while unemployment change is expected to have peaked to 30K from February’s drop to -10K.
• Consumer Price Index (EUR, GMT 09:00) –HCPI inflation dropped back to 1.2% y/y in February from 1.4% y/y in the previous month, while core inflation actually moved up to 1.2% y/y from 1.1% y/y in January. This month’s core is expected unchanged, while HICP is anticipated lower at 0.8% y/y/.
• Gross Domestic Product (CAD, GMT 12:30) – Canada GDP results for January are seen to be slowing down, at a monthly rate of 0.2% compared to 0.3% last month.
• CB Consumer Confidence (USD, GMT 14:00) – The Conference Board Index is expected to have decreased to 121.0, compared to 130.7 in the previous month.

Wednesday – 01 April 2020

• Caixin Manufacturing PMI (CNY, GMT 01:45) – The Caixin manufacturing PMI is expected to spike to 46.5 from 40.3 in February.
• ADP Non-Farm Employment Change (USD, GMT 12:15) – The ADP Employment survey is seen at 216k for March compared to the 183K in February.
• ISM Manufacturing PMI (USD, GMT 14:00) – The ISM index is expected to fall to 43.0 in March from 50.1 in February, compared to a 14-year high of 60.8 in August of 2018.
• EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change (USOIL, GMT 14:30)

Thursday – 02 April 2020

• Trade balance (USD, GMT 12:30) – The US trade deficit narrowed -6.7% to -$45.3 bln in January following the 11.0% December jump to -$48.6 bln. February’s one is expected to widen further.

Friday – 03 April 2020

• Retail Sales (AUD, GMT 00:30) – February’s Retail sales could be improved by 0.4%, following a 0.3% January loss.
• Event of the Week – Non-Farm Payrolls (USD, GMT 12:30) – A -100k March nonfarm payroll drop is anticipated, following 273k increases in both February and January. This is based on assumptions such as the -20k factory jobs drop in March, and a 47k boost from assumed Census hiring as this temporary job count starts to climb more rapidly. The jobless rate should rise to 3.8% from 3.5%, as COVID-19 disruptions start to take their toll.
• ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI (USD, GMT 14:00) – The ISM-NMI index is expected to fall to 49.0 from 57.3 in February, versus a recent low of 53.5 in September of 2019 and a 13-year high of 61.2 in September of 2018. The “soft data” measures are finally starting to show a hit from coronavirus disruptions and the emerging OPEC price war, and these hits should be bigger for the late-March reports than the early-March reports.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 31st March 2020.

Dead cat Bounce!

Dead cat Bounce! A new term? Not really but definitely something that we haven’t seen for more than a generation.

In general, investors throughout the years invented this term as a follow up to a market free fall. By definition, the “Dead cat Bounce” is simply a market phenomenon that translates into temporary small and short-lived rebounds of an asset’s price within a prolonged period of downside. This term is based on the idiom that “even a dead cat will bounce if it falls far enough and fast enough“. Hence in the financial market it is said that even if an asset falls with a considerable speed, it would rebound as even a dead cat would bounce. However, every time there is a rebound, the overall initial trend is then anticipated to resume, bringing the bearish influence back into play.

In addition, the phenomenon can occur in any market, yet is particularly prevalent in equity markets. It is often the case that it is considered a continuation pattern.

Why are we raising this topic now? This March, was the first time after Black Monday 1987 that we have seen the worst intraday selloffs in stock markets. Since February 20th, the stock market entered an aggressive bear market with a few days of an absolute rally. An example was the 13th of March in which the stock market roared back in the biggest one-day rally since 2008 after its worst single-day crash in 33 years just a day before. This is the classic dead cat bounce.



If you closely observe stock market behaviour in March you will notice that there is a dramatic decline, with a number of days when the market reversed some of its losses, but failed to take the bait, and eventually fell back down again. This is a situation of portfolio managers wanting to sell some of their positions and when they see some strength in the market, decided to unload. This is what we call a “dead cat bounce” after it falls from high enough. Remember however that not every correction/reversal can be interpreted as a dead cat bounce.

Theoretically this term is defined as the term in which,

• A stock in a severe steep decline has a sharp bounce off the lows.
• A small upward price movement in a bear market after which the market continues to fall.

Unfortunately, I need to highlight that there is not an easy way to determine in advance whether an upwards movement is a dead cat bounce which will eventually reverse quickly or whether it is a trend reversal. There is nothing easy in identifying the bottom of the market. However to a large extent a dead cat bounce is a retracement, in comparison to a reversal, i.e. it is temporary.

Dead cat bounce as a technical analysis tool and more precisely as a continuation pattern could be tradable from short-term or medium term traders. Having explained this phenomenon, a follow-up article will elaborate on how market participants can trade a dead cat bounce.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 1st April 2020.

All eyes on Commodity Currencies.

Asian stock markets are lower, while European and US equity index futures are showing losses of around 3%. Data out of Asia today were nothing short of dismal, showing manufacturing contracting across most of the region, highlighting the economic toll that virus-containing measures are having.

The main concern remains that the massive global stimulus measures simply won’t be fully effective while many economies remain in a state of lockdown of as-yet unknown duration.

Commodity currencies have come under pressure as the winds of risk aversion picked up again.The Canadian dollar was the main loser so far today , while it has remained under pressure with oil prices sinking back toward major-trend lows as crude storage facilities burst at the seems from excessive supplies.

USDCAD has gained up nearly 2% in making a 1.4230 high, though the pair so far has remained below yesterday’s peak at 1.4350. This is due to the fact that crude prices are down by over 65% year-to-date. This level of price decline in Canada’s principal export, while it sustains, marks a significant deterioration in the Canadian economy’s terms of trade. Given the glut of crude flooding the market, and given that supply is increasing as demand will remain weak for a historically protracted amount of time, Canadian Dollar is anticipated to remain apt to underperformance. The likes of the Norwegian krona, which like the Canadian dollar is an oil-price correlator, and many developing world currencies have also come under pressure.

From the technical perspective, USDCAD overall outlook remains positive with asset holding above all three daily SMAs since January, and momentum indicators positively configured. RSI at 59 recovery from a pullback last week, Stochastic rebound from oversold territory and MACD presents some decline of the bullish momentum but holds well above 0. That said, USDCAD revisiting its recent 17-year high at 1.4669 seems likely before long.

Intraday meanwhile, the rebound of USDCAD looks to run out of steam, however only a move below 1.4050 could suggest a reverse of the outlook.

AUDUSD tipped over 1% lower in making a 5-day low at 0.6064 amid weaker Gold prices (end-of-quarter flows). The Aussie still remains comfortably above the 17-year low that was seen on March 19th at 0.5507. The Kiwi dollar has also taken a tumble.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 2nd April 2020.

FX Action – 2nd April 2020.

A 10%-plus rebound in crude prices catalyzed gains in oil-correlating currencies, including the Canadian Dollar and Norwegian krona, and other commodity currencies, while helping give stock markets a lift after a sputtering session in Asia. The wake of ugly 6.6 mln surge in US jobless claims, which was about double the consensus forecast, weighed on global markets. US equities reversed lower as risk appetite eroded again, taking back earlier gains, while Aussie for example has more than given up intraday gains, with AUDUSD presently pushing on lows at 0.6019, down just over a big figure from the intraday high that was seen during the Sydney session.

The massive gain in initial claims, which followed a similarly hefty rise the previous week, was well anticipated but provided a timely reminder of what is to come.

USDCAD has dropped by over 0.6%, driven by a bid for the Canadian Dollar amid a 10%-plus oil price surge. The pair posted a low at 1.4079, though has so far remained above its Wednesday low at 1.4060. A Bloomberg report, citing sources with inside knowledge, said that China is moving forward with plans to buy oil for its emergency reserves. Beijing is reportedly aiming to build up a crude stockpile that would cover 90 days of net imports with the possibility of expanding this to 180 days. China is the world’s biggest oil importer and is taking advantage of the 60%-odd collapse in oil prices. USOIL prices posted a 6-day high at $22.55, but still remain down by just over 65% from the highs seen in early January. This level of price decline in Canada’s principal export, while it sustains, marks a significant deterioration in the Canadian economy’s terms of trade. Assuming that China’s buying spree won’t close this gap substantially, given the glut of crude flooding the market, and given that demand will remain weak for a historically protracted amount of time, CAD should remain apt to underperformance. In the medium term, USDCAD could retest its recent 17-year high at 1.4669.

Both the AUDUSD and NZDUSD rallied, although both remained within their respective Wednesday ranges against the US Dollar.

USDJPY and most yen crosses, in particular those involving a commodity currency, have gained concomitantly with the improvement in risk appetite, which saw the yen’s safe haven premium unwind some.

GBP is again ranking among the currency outperformers today, gaining over 0.7% versus the Dollar and by over 0.8% against both the Euro and Yen on the day so far. Market narratives have been pointing to the impact of the Fed’s launching of a new “FIMA” facility (announced Tuesday) , which will start on April 6 and allow foreign central banks to obtain Dollars without selling Treasuries. This will run alongside the swap lines created with 14 central banks, and the two should ease strains in global dollar funding. This is seen as a particular positive for the Pound, given the UK’s recently proven vulnerability to global liquidity shortages, with its large financial sector and dependence on foreign investment inflows (equivalent to about 4% of GDP) to finance its large current account deficit.

The Pound had underperformed even commodity currencies during the worst of the recent global liquidity crunch, which ran from about March 10th through to March 19th, before measures by the Fed and other central banks provided a mitigating impact. Sterling lost about 10% of its value in trade-weighted terms over this period, and tumbled by 12% versus the Dollar, hitting a 35-year low, and an 11-year low against the Euro. The worst now looks to be over for the Pound, especially with markets starting to bet that the UK will ask the EU for an extension of its post-Brexit transition membership of the Union’s customs union and single market. Neither the UK nor EU has the resources to conduct detailed trade negotiations under the prevailing circumstance of the coronavirus crisis. This is seen as Sterling positive as it will avoid the possibility of the UK leaving the transition period and shifting a big chunk of its trade onto less favourable WTO trade terms.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 3rd April 2020.

Inured to the bad news.

The markets are relatively inured to the bad news, as the weekly jobless claims have already given us the increasingly ugly news on the labor market. US equities are modestly weaker amid risk-off sentiment and an employment report that revealed a much larger than anticipated -701k plunge in March and a jump in the jobless rate to 8.7% from 7.0%.

Meanwhile, the Dollar showed mixed reaction to the employment report. These numbers were worse than expected, though shouldn’t really be a surprise given the more timely surge in jobless claims figures seen the past two weeks. USDJPY initially fell to 108.25 before turning back up again at 108.60, while EURUSD fell to 1.0780 from 1.0800. USDCHF extended gains up to 0.9794, reversing nearly 76% of the decline seen since March 20.

EURUSD concurrently carved out a 9-day low at 1.0774, making this the 5th consecutive day of lower lows while extending the correction from the 17-day high that was seen last Friday at 1.1148. The pair still remains above the low seen during the recent Dollar liquidity crunch, at 1.0637, before the Fed and other central banks stepped in to try and satiate the demand for cash dollars. Its overall outlook meanwhile, remains negative, with the asset extending well below all 3 daily SMAs and with its daily momentum indicators negatively configured. Hence the Dollar bid looks to hold.

The March establishment and household employment surveys captured more of the early layoffs than the markets had assumed, with massive declines for payrolls and hours-worked, big drops for civilian employment, the labor force, and the participation rate, and the start of the upward march for the jobless rate. Wages were also firm, likely due to the concentration of job loss among lower-paid workers.

The specifics: March nonfarm payrolls dropped -701k after February’s 275k increase (was 273k), which ended a 9.5 year run of employment gains. The employment in the goods-producing sector fell -54k from the 57k (was 61k) rise. Service sector jobs slumped -659k after rising 185k (was 167k) in February. Leisure/hospitality jobs plunged -459k from the prior 45k (was 51k) increase. Education/health care jobs were down -76k versus a 65k (was 54k) increase previously. Government jobs edged up 12k, with 18k added to the Federal payroll. The unemployment rate jumped to 4.4% (4.38%) from 3.5%. Average hourly earnings rose 0.4% versus the prior 0.3% gain.

The weakness captured in the mid-month March jobs report may prompt downward revisions in the Q1 GDP estimate, on the assumption that the Quarter may capture more of the economic plunge than previously assumed.

Beyond the timing of Q1 versus Q2 growth figures, however, the surprise in today‘s report is more the degree to which the surveys captured late-March events than the magnitude of declines, since the bulk of the jobs loss will still be captured in the surveys for April.

Since the Fed is already in maximum easing mode, it is unlikely that reports like today‘s will alter the monetary policy path.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 6th April 2020.

Events to Look Out For Next Week

It’s a holiday shortened week ahead as most markets will be closed on Friday for the Easter holidays, however the novel coronavirus remains the focal point. The rapid upswing in market volatility seen in March should continue in April as governments, central banks, households and businesses further adapt to the ongoing pandemic and uncertain outlook. Hence this will be another week of increased attention to the data which will incorporate more of the impacts of the global shutdowns and will help start to quantify the severity of the economic impacts amid still very uncertain times.

Monday – 06 April 2020

• OPEC Meeting (USOIL, GMT 19:00) – Azerbaijan’s energy ministry said that a meeting of the OPEC+ group of oil producers is planned for April 6 and will be held as a video conference.

Tuesday – 07 April 2020

• Interest Rate Decision and Monetary Policy Statement (AUD, GMT 04:30) – Positioning in 30-day interbank cash rate futures this week implied a 60% chance for the RBA to cut its benchmark interest rate to zero from 0.25% at the upcoming policy meeting, which is up from odds of 31% for such a move that were being discounted just over a week ago. However in the March RBA minutes, they provided colour around the 25bp rate cut and the adoption of QE but they made clear that there is no appetite for negative interest rates.
• JOLTS Job Openings (USD, GMT 14:00) – JOLTS define Job Openings as all positions that have not been filled on the last business day of the month. February’s JOLTS job openings is expected to fall slightly at 6.476M, following the 6.963M in January.
• Ivey PMI (CAD, GMT 15:00) – A survey of purchasing managers, the Index provides an overview of the state of business conditions in the country.
• API weekly Crude Oil Stocks (USOIL, GMT 20:30)

Wednesday – 08 April 2020

• EIA weekly Crude Oil Stocks Change (USOIL, GMT 14:30)
• FOMC Minutes (USD, GMT 18:00) – The FOMC Minutes report provides the FOMC Members’ opinions regarding the US economic outlook and any views regarding future rate hikes. In the last FOMC statement, on March 15, the FOMC slashed rates 100 bps to 0% – 0.25% in an emergency move, getting ahead of the curve.

Thursday – 09 April 2020

• ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts (EUR, GMT 11:30) – The ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts provide information with regards to the policymakers’ rationale behind their decisions. At the same time, in the last meeting, ECB announced a EUR 750 bln pandemic emergency program (PEPP) and introduced new QE measures worth EUR 120 bln and additional loan programs, while they left rates unchanged at the March policy meeting.
• Producer Price Index (USD, GMT 12:30) – The Headline PPI is expected to decline to a -0.2% March PPI headline with a 0.2% increase in the core index. The continued energy price pull-back through the month likely weighed on the headline.
• Employment Change (CAD, GMT 12:30) – Employment change is seen spiking to 10.0k in the number of employed people in March, compared to the spike at 30.3k in February. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 5.6%.
• Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (USD, GMT 14:00) – The preliminary April Michigan sentiment reading is forecast at 95, up from the 89.1 in March.

Friday – 10 April 2020

• Consumer Price Index (CNY, GMT 01:30) – The March’s Chinese CPI is expected to remain unchanged on a monthly and yearly basis.
• Consumer Price Index and Core (USD, GMT 12:30) – The headline CPI has been estimated to a -0.2% March headline CPI drop with a 0.2% core price increase, following respective February readings of 0.1% and 0.2%. As with PPI, the headline inflation figures will be depressed well into 2020 from the OPEC price war, though the core figures will face divergent pressures that are partly downward due to diminished demand with COVID-19, but upward due to supply shortages that may prompt some erratic swings.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 7th April 2020.

FX Update – April 7 – A wee bit more Risk.

Trading Leveraged Products is risky

AUDUSD & GBPUSD, H1
The commodity currencies outperformed some more, as did many developing-world currencies amid a backdrop of rising stock and commodity markets. Equity markets are amid day two of a rally pinned on tentative signs that the global coronavirus infection and mortality rates might be near to peaking. The Fed’s decision to finance new “payroll protection” loans has also bolstered the US economic response plans. AUDUSD has rallied 1.7% in printing a one-week high at 0.6192, while AUDJPY has rallied by 1.4% in making a high at 67.38. The Aussie dollar is now up 3% from last Friday’s closing levels. The Kiwi and Canadian dollars are also up. USDCAD has dropped to an eight-day low at 1.4011. The Dollar, Yen and, to a lesser degree, the Swiss Franc, have continued to underperform most other currencies. The narrow trade-weighted USDIndex has declined by 0.6% in pegging a five-day low at 100.79, while EURUSD concurrently lifted by 0.7% in making a five-day high, at 1.0876. The pair is up by just over 1% from its Monday lows. The combination of risk-on positioning in markets and the Fed’s aggressive dollar liquidity provisions, which forms part of a crisis-era level of monetary accommodation, have been bearish tonic for the Dollar. Dollar underperformance saw USDJPY dip back under 109.00, though the Yen itself trader softer against most other currencies as its safe-haven premium is whittled down.

Sterling dipped on the news that PM Johnson was moved to ICU and had received oxygen, although Downing Street stated that he was still conscience and that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will lead the UK government as long as Johnson is incapacitated. From lows of 1.2162 earlier, a weaker USD, has Cable rally over 170 pips to 1.2335. Next resistance is R2 and the upper Bollinger band around 1.2375, 1.2400 and then R3 at 1.2420. Support sits at 1.2300 and the Daily Pivot Point, a 50.0 Fibonacci level and 200hr moving average at 1.2250.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

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Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

 

[HFM.]

Date : 8th April 2020.

April 8 – Europe and EUR update.

Sentiment collapsed further in European session on the news that EU finance ministers failed to reach deal and also on the announcement from German institutes, which they estimated nearly 10% contraction in Q2, the sharpest decline since records began in 1970. This topped the concerns of pandemic and related shutdown of the economy.

EU leaders will meet again tomorrow. Discussions on how to finance a European wide response package to the pandemic have not yet found a compromise. Demands for Eurobonds clashing with the red lines against mutualising debt in countries such as Germany, which would make the introduction of new financing measures a lengthy affair even if officials were to agree to such a step. The southern European states (especially Italy) are keen to have debt mutualisation (“coronabonds”) as part of the package. The most likely outcome is a use of ESM funds to finance immediate aid measures, coupled with funds from the EU budget and the EIB investment bank to finance economic measures not just through the immediate crisis, but to kick start the recovery once lock downs have been lifted.

Last but not least for European economy, is the fact that ECB lowers collateral standards, to keep credit flowing. The central bank announced that it will temporarily lower standards for the collateral that banks can use to access ECB funds. The move is aimed at keeping credit flowing through the crisis and will also allow Greek debt to be used. Furthermore the haircut applied to collateral, which will allow banks to borrow more money against the same amount of collateral. As a result the ECB will take on more risk onto its own balance sheet, but the hope is that by strengthening banks’ access to funds the central bank can boost lending to households and businesses. For Greece it will also give the government more room to finance its measures to get the economy through the pandemic. The central bank stressed that the “measures are temporary for the duration of the pandemic crisis” and will be reassessed later in the year.

Hence as risk-on has turned today into a risk-off, the EUR weakens so far today on USD strength. It will be very important for the long term stability of the bloc that there will be a clear signal of solidarity at tomorrow’s juncture.

EURUSD concurrently declined by almost 0.5% in making a low at 1.0829, resuming the bearish outlook in the daily picture for the asset. Yesterday’s rally spread concerns whether the EURUSD possible trend revernsal however today’s swing lower again along with the decline for 7th consecutive day below 20- and 50-day SMA suggest that yesterday’s rally was just a correction.

In the 1-hour chart, EURUSD is moving within a tight downchannel since 1.0925 peak, with lower ups and downs seen since then. Hence in the near term any recovery within the channel could be interpret as a correction prior a pullback. Intraday momentum indicators are mixed with RSI at neutral zone posting lower lows since yesterday, while MACD lines have been zeroed suggesting that bulls have lost the control today. Additionally, the mark of a hummingbird by Bollinger bands pattern, which indicates a bearish signal in the daily chart, could signal further weakness in the near term.

In order the near term picture to turn to positive again, the hourly RSI needs to sustain a move above 50, while we need to see a swing outside the channel and above the confluence of the latest up fractal and the 20-hour EMA, at 1.0892. Meanwhile, in the medium term outlook, the asset is facing a strong Resistance area at 1.0950-1.0965 (50% Fib. retracement from 1.1146 downleg and 50-day SMA). A decisive breakout above this area could imply to the continuation of a recovery for the asset.

Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.

Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.

Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work.

Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.