Hot Forex - Market Analysis and News.

[HFM.]

Date : 15th September 2020.

What you need to know today?

Trading Leveraged Products is risky
Risk seemed to bounce back yesterday, but investors turned cautious again as the FOMC meeting comes into view. Data out of China, including industrial production and retail sales, beat expectations and the PBOC injected 600 bln yuan via a 1 year MLF, which helped China bourses to move higher. Hang Seng and CSI 300 meanwhile are up 0.5% and 0.7%, also helped by comments out of China that a vaccine could be taken in November.

The main US equity indexes closed on Wall Street yesterday with gains of over 1%, and USA500 mini is up 0.5% in overnight trading. Positive news on the Covid-19 vaccine and treatment front, news of some mega mergers, along with above-forecast data out of China, have collectively floated investor spirits.

Elsewhere Asian markets traded mixed, however Eurozone peripheral markets are mostly outperforming slightly, after ECB officials including President Lagarde strengthened the central bank’s message on the EUR since last week’s policy announcement. The message that if the exchange rate threatens to undermine the inflation projection, the ECB will act, is getting clearer and has already seen peripheral markets rallying yesterday.

GER30 and UK100 futures are both up 0.1% at the moment, underperforming versus US futures, which are up around 0.5% after a mixed session in Asia overnight. The GER30 and UK100are hardly changed as the focus turns to the FOMC meeting, which starts today and its policy statement and new Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) on Wednesday.

Chair Powell largely pre-empted this meeting in terms of policy with his Jackson Hole announcement of the FOMC’s new strategies where it will pursue an average inflation target and monitor any shortfall in employment. An upward revision is seen in the Fed’s GDP and inflation outlooks, and a downward bump to unemployment, as a consequence of its regime change. The upward revisions to growth may give the US Dollar a lift, though the lower-for-longer strategy on interest rates may offset.

The BoE, which announces its policy decision on Thursday, is also expected to keep overall settings on hold, against the background of Brexit and virus jitters. PM Johnson managed to get his controversial Internal Market Bill through the first reading in parliament yesterday and that leaves the risk of a no-deal scenario firmly on the table.

In FX markets

The USD and JPY softened against their peers amid a background theme of mostly higher stock markets. Among currencies, the USDIndexprinted a 5-day low at 92.84. Sterling remained heavy, though remained above above recent lows. The UK government’s controversial Internal Markets Bill was passed in the House of Commons, and will now go the House of Lords.

As for the Euro, attention will be on the latest ZEW investor sentiment survey, which is the first major confidence data of September. A slight decline in the expectations reading is expected to 71.0 from 71.5. Nothing yet to shake the ECB’s baseline scenario, with Brexit and virus/casedemic developments the key factors that policymakers will be watching closely. EURUSDconcurrently pegged a 5-day high at 1.1900. USDJPY flatlined in the mid-to-upper 105.00s (PP at 105.80).

AUDUSD rallied by over 0.5% to a 12-day high at 0.7336 but retreated to 0.7310. The release of the latest RBA minutes, although stating “a lower exchange rate would provide more assistance to the Australian economy,” sparked initial Aussie Dollar buying as markets deemed the minutes to be less dovish in overall tone than had been anticipated. The Aussie was subsequently given a further lift by above forecast Chinese data. .

USDCAD has been playing a narrow range in the mid 1.3100s, below the 3-week high that was seen last Wednesday at 1.3261. Oil prices have stabilized in recent days following a near 20% tumble, which has arrested the recent decent in oil-correlating currencies, such as the Canadian Dollar. The flattening out in the recovery pace of the global economy, juxtaposed to large global crude stockpiles and uncertainty about Chinese demand (which has been importing crude in record quantities in recent months, but may now be ready to slow this process down), caused the rotation lower in oil prices.

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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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 : 16th September 2020.

FX Update September 16 – A weaker USD ahead of the FED.

EURUSD has rallied by just over 50 pips from the intraday low in posting a high at 1.1882. This swings yesterday’s six-day peak at 1.1901 back into scope. Dollar weakness is driving the move, which is being facilitated by strong gains in Cable (0.6%) and in the AUDUSD and NZDUSD (both 0.5%). USDJPY touched the key psychological 105.00, S2 and new seven-week low from a pivot yesterday at 105.50 and highs last week of 106.38.

Regarding the FOMC, no changes are expected in policy, and while the central bank will likely present upward revisions to US economic projections, the recently codified lower-for-longer monetary policy regime is driving a bearish dollar sentiment. The Dollar is also correlating inversely with global stock markets. These factors appear to be outweighing recent ECB signalling about its concerns about euro strength, which partly counterbalances the easing measures implemented earlier in the year. The Pound has rallied to six-day highs against both the Dollar and Euro.

Cable‘s high is 1.2976. The gains in the UK currency have been concurrent with market narratives showing a measure of incredulity about the UK government’s insistence that it is serious about its threat to leave the EU’s single market at year-end without a new trade deal, given the massive near-term disruptive impact it would have on the economy and the divisions appearing within the Conservative Party and among UK nations. Even though the controversial Internal Market Bill sailed through the House of Commons, the proposed legislation is likely to have a tougher time in the House of Lords, and in any case there are suspicions that the legislation is merely a gambit of PM Johnson and his cabinet to up the ante and strengthen their negotiating position into the final weeks of talks. This fits with expectations that a more practical attitude will be seen in trade negotiations once state leaders become directly involved in the run-in to the October 15th-16th EU summit. This backdrop has lessened the bearish conviction markets have with regard to the Pound.

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 : 17th September 2020.

The Guppy dips to 135.00, having stalled at 136.00.

GBPJPY, Daily

Both the UK and Japan are in the middle of political upheavals, (the Brexit Trade talks and Internal Market Bill on one side and the handover from one political dynasty to his trusted lieutenant on the other. Earlier today we had the BOJ signalling No Change to current policy as the new PM Suga completes his first few days in the role. The BOE has just published their statement¹ and minutes from their latest meeting, and again it’s no change across the board, (excuse the pun), although the spectre of negative interest rates in the UK is more firmly “in the toolbox” than ever before. The BOE continues to negotiate the tricky ground around monetary policy with the backdrop of deteriorating UK-EU relations and the likelihood of PM Johnson overseeing a very limited trade deal with the EU, if one is agreed at all. The Brexit endgame showdown is very much “in-play”.

BOE highlights include – “stands ready to adjust monetary policy”, and to
“keep under review the range of actions” – taken as a nod to possible negative rates next year with the statement that the MPC has been briefed on the BoE’s plans to explore how a negative bank rate could be implemented effectively. It also “does not intend to tighten monetary policy until there is clear evidence that significant progress is being made in eliminating spare capacity and achieving the 2% inflation target sustainably.”

Cable continues to rotate around 1.2900 today, whilst EURGBP jumped from 0.9090 to 0.9150 and GBPJPY plunged to 135.00 a level not seen since July 20, some 42 trading days ago.

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 : 18th September 2020.

FX Update September 18 – A volatile 24hrs.

The Dollar has scraped out a two-day low at 92.76 in the narrow trade-weighted USDIndex, with EURUSD concurrently pegging a two-day high at 1.1868, gaining quite sharply from yesterday’s five-week low at 1.1736. A steadying in stock markets today has seen the Dollar ebb back after finding safe haven demand during the worst of this week’s sharp sell-off across global equity markets.

The Pound has come under modest pressure against most other currencies. Cable posted an intraday low at 1.2941. The WHO is warning of a serious second wave of SARS-CoV-2 in Europe¹ (Germany recorded 2,179 cases yesterday) on the back of a surge in new cases (despite data showing a continued very low rate of death alongside a relatively low incidence of Covid being listed on death certificates). In the UK, coronavirus cases and, with it, corona-panic are surging. Localised lockdowns are now affecting 10 million people in the UK, and the government’s scientific advisory group are, according to an FT report, advising the government to implement a two-week national lockdown. The embattled Health Secretary (Matt Hancock) this morning called it a “last line of defence” but “will do whatever is necessary”. This is a negative backdrop for the Pound, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit endgame, and with the minutes from the BoE MPC meeting yesterday affirming that the central bank is at full steam on contingency planning for negative interest rates (although stressing that it is not ready to do so yet).

Elsewhere, USDJPY has settled in the mid 104.00s, testing the seven-week low seen yesterday at 104.52. Yen crosses have also rebounded out of lows. Both EURJPY and AUDJPY lifted above their respective Thursday highs. Japan’s core CPI came in at -0.4%y/y, matching expectations, but the NZDJPY was the biggest mover, moving over +0.6% as the Kiwi holds its bid.

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 : 21st September 2020.

Events to Look Out for This Week.

After an exciting week, the markets continue to digest central bank decisions while waiting for a fresh catalyst. Rising virus infections around the world remain in focus as there is the fear that the equality of hospitalization and deaths will change if the virus spreads from young holiday markets to older generations, and with restrictions ramped up again there is concern that economic activity will be hit again. Meanwhile US-China tensions and no-trade deal Brexit is back in play after BoE was briefed on negative rates. Markets will also be guided by hard economic data.

Monday – 21 September 2020

• Inflation Report Hearings (GBP, GMT N/A) –The BOE Governor and several MPC members testify on inflation and the economic outlook before Parliament’s Treasury Committee.

Tuesday – 22 September 2020

• RBA’s Debelle, BoE’s Governor Bailey and Fed Chair’s Powell speech

Wednesday – 23 September 2020

• Interest Rate Decision & Policy Report (NZD, GMT 02:00) – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is widely expected to keep the OCR (Official Cash Rate) at the current record low 0.25%. RBNZ Governor Orr, speaking in the first week of September, stressed again that the central bank is actively preparing a new package of measures to implement if necessary. That could include negative wholesale interest rates, further quantitative easing and direct lending to banks. The RBNZ is in the low-for-longer whatever-it-takes boat with the bulk of the world’s central banks.
• Markit Services and Composite PMIs (EUR, GMT 07:30-08:00) – The prelim. EU Markit PMI Indices are expected to continue above 50, but slightly decline on Services, which could result in a composite PMI for September at 51.6 from 51.7.
• Markit Services and Composite PMIs (GBP, GMT 08:30) – The prelim. UK Markit Service PMI Indices is expected to have improved in September to 59.5. The ongoing recovery in the service sector could continue to be the dominant upward driver of the composite figure. The government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme is behind the so far strength in activity.
• Markit Services and Composite PMIs (USD, GMT 13:45) – The prelim. US Markit Service PMI for September is seen lower at 54.9, after the 55.0 in the final read for August. In August the composite index dipped to 54.6 in the final version versus the 54.7 preliminary, though it’s up from July’s 50.3.
• Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes (JPY, GMT 23:50) – The BOJ minutes, similar to the ECB Reports, provide a detailed assessment of the bank’s most recent policy-setting meeting, containing in-depth insights into the economic conditions that influenced the rate decision. They are usually a cause for FX turbulence.

Thursday – 24 September 2020

• Interest Rate Decision & Policy Report (CHF, GMT 07:30) – The influence of the SNB’s intervening hand may have been in play this month. Total Swiss sight deposits of Francs have risen by 130 bln since the pandemic and consequential lockdowns took a grip on global markets back in March. Sight deposits can be viewed as a proxy marker of SNB intervention to sell Francs in forex markets (after buying foreign currencies), which results in the crediting of newly created Francs in commercial banks sight accounts. The rise in sight deposits also reflects SNB operations to boost liquidity via the COVID-19 refinancing facility. The advent of the EU’s recovery fund (a new liquid AAA fund that also reduces Eurozone breakup risks), seen as a milestone by many analysts, has by many accounts caused a re-weighting of the common currency in portfolios, which will help the SNB combat what it sees as a chronically overvalued Franc. The SNB would like to step out of the negative interest rate policy sooner rather than later, but with the world economy still in the grip of Covid-19 and data releases highlighting the fallout from the crisis, there is little the central bank can do if it wants to keep the currency under control.
• German IFO (EUR, GMT 08:00) – German IFO business confidence is expected to rise to 94 from 92.6 in August.
• Jobless Claims (USD, GMT 12:30)– US initial jobless claims fell -33k to 860k in the week ended September 12 after a revised 893k print in the September 5 week. This is the fourth reading with claims below 1 mln since the surge in the March 20 week.
• BoE’s Governor Bailey speech (GBP, GMT 14:00)

Friday – 25 September 2020

• Durable Goods (USD, GMT 12:30) – Durable goods orders are expected to rise 2.0% in August with a 3.1% climb in transportation orders, after an 11.4% headline orders climb in July that included a 35.7% transportation orders surge. The durable orders rise ex-transportation is pegged at 1.5%. Defense orders are pegged at 0.9%, following a 33.4% July pop. Boeing orders rose to 8 planes from zero orders in July. The vehicle assembly rate should improve to 12.1 mln from 11.9 mln units in July, versus a 0.1 mln trough in April. Durable shipments should rise 2.5%, and inventories should fall -0.6%.

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 : 22nd September 2020.

FX Update September 22 – USD, YEN, AUD & GBP all in play.

Trading Leveraged Products is risky

AUDJPY, Daily
The Dollar and Yen have remained firm and pushed ahead of Monday’s highs. The Australian Dollar has been the major mover of note out of the main currencies we track, falling to new lows after RBA deputy governor Debelle said that the central bank is watching the currency “carefully” and that forex intervention is a policy option, as is negative interest rates (while stressing that this doesn’t mean it’s on the table). AUDUSD hit a low at 0.7177 to post a new four-week low, while AUDJPY posted a fresh seven-week low at 75.10. Elsewhere, EURUSD moved lower to post a new seven-week low at 1.1724. Cable also remained heavy, pushing to 1.2710, before recovering the 1.2800 handle following Governor Bailey’s defence of the need to use negative interest rates. The governor said that “we have looked very hard” at ways of adding further monetary stimulus, including negative interest rates. Bailey, who was speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce, subsequently said that last week’s note in the minutes from the MPC meeting, that members had been briefed on negative interest rate preparations, “did not imply” that the BoE would adopt negative rates. This seemed to inspire the snap back in the Pound. USDJPY settled in the mid 104.00s after rebounding out of yesterday’s six-month low at 104.00, and what appears to be BOJ intervention. EURJPY also traded above yesterday’s low, though ebbed back under 123.00 after peaking at a rebound high at 123.35. GBPJPY broke below 133.00 briefly, but rallied to hold 134.00, following the Governor’s comments.

A risk-off theme has continued in global markets, although price changes in assets and currencies have moderated somewhat today relative to yesterday. This backdrop is supportive for the Dollar and Yen, though some market narratives are pointing to a rise in some inflation-adjusted (aka real) JGB yields as being yen positive. Japanese markets reopened from a long weekend. The Nikkei 225 managed a modest gain, but this was the exception as most Asian markets continued to drop, and some quite sharply (South Korea’s KOPSI, for instance, racking up a loss of over 2.5%). S&P 500 minis have also declined in its overnight session, although only moderately. Most commodity prices have managed to steady, however, and the pace of declines in global stocks has, overall, lessened. Nonetheless, the prevailing bias across markets is one of caution. Many European countries are implementing restrictions in the face of a surging coronavirus case-demic (still no significant correspondence in public health issues, i.e. hospitalisations, mortality), which has clobbered stocks in the airline and hospitality sectors. The US Congress remains deadlocked over the size and shape of a new fiscal support bill, while uncertainty about the upcoming US election (6 calendar weeks but only 31 trading days away) is also causing market participants to tread cautiously.

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 : 23rd September 2020.

FX Update – September 23 – Day 3 of Dollar Gains.

EURUSD, H1
The Dollar is up for a third consecutive day, even managing gains against the Yen as global stock markets lifted out of recent correction lows. Solid US data yesterday, including the August existing home sales and the September Richmond Fed index, have been in the mix, alongside a flurry of dovish signalling from central bank policymakers. BoJ Governor Kuroda earlier stressed that the Fed’s recent policy regime change is similar to the stance the Japanese central bank took in 2016, which he described as an overshooting strategy. He said that the BoJ won’t hesitate to take additional easing steps if necessary. Policymakers at the ECB, BoE and RBA have been similarly ramping up dovish signalling in the wake of the Fed’s move in late August, not wanting to see their respective currencies rise against the Dollar in these disinflationary times. ECB’s Mersch is the latest, cited by Bloomberg today saying that it is obvious that the exchange rate influences inflation.

Expectations for the RBA to cut rates again are also cementing, which has been concomitant with recent declines in iron ore and other commodity prices. The flagging pace in global economic growth is marring the outlook for resources, which is the prime influencer of the export-oriented Australian economy’s terms of trade. Westpac analysts are expecting an easing at the October 6th RBA policy review, while a NAB research note is calling for a rate cut at either the October or November meetings. AUDUSD dropped 0.6% in posting a six-week low at 0.7113, extending losses from last week’s highs around 0.7350. AUDJPY fell by 0.5%, foraying further into 10-week low terrain. The USD Index (DXY) printed an eight-week high at 94.24, while EURUSD lifted to an eight-week low at 1.1673. USD-PY edged above 105.00. Cable hit a two-month low at 1.2681, marking a 6% decline from the high seen in early September. The Pound also saw moderate declines versus the Euro and Yen, among other currencies, amid a bearish mix of new Covid restrictions in the UK, the upcoming expiry of the government’s wage support scheme, and Brexit endgame uncertainties.

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 September 2020.

US Claims Disappoint, again & Equities under pressure.

USA500, H1 & Daily

A 4,000 initial claims rise to 870,000 in the third week of September followed a -27,000 drop to 866,000 in the BLS survey week, leaving a disappointing rise as we now log the fourth week with the new additive seasonal factors. We saw a -167,000 continuing claims drop to a modestly higher than expected 12.58 million in the BLS survey week, after a downward bump that left a -797,000 decline to 12.747 million in the first week of September. The insured jobless rate fell to 8.6% from 8.7%, versus a 17.1% peak in the second week of May and a 1.2% cycle-low for nearly two years ending in mid-March.

Initial claims are averaging 875,000 thus far in September, versus higher prior averages of 992,000 in August and 1.34 million in July. The 866,000 BLS survey week reading undershot prior BLS survey week readings of 1.104 million in August and 1.422 million in July. We saw a 4.442 million peak in April and a 203,000 prior cycle-low in April of 2019. We now have a continuing claims drop of -1.912 million between the August and September BLS survey weeks, though this measure is clouded by the seasonal adjustment switch that left one procedure for the August figure and another for September. We saw prior declines of -2.459 million in August, -2.28 million in July, and -1.61 million in June. September nonfarm payroll consensus remains around 900,000, though today’s data adds some risk to the forecasts and could be amended into next week.

The US Equity markets, which have seen Futures under pressure all day following yesterday’s significant declines (Nasdaq closed down by over 3% and the S&P 500 lost over 2.3%) are weaker again, with the USA500 trading at 3230 in early trades, 30 points above the key 3200 support level, but still 130 points above the vital 200-day moving average at 3,100.

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 : 29th September 2020.

Time for the first face-off.

The first presidential debate is due to take place today, ahead of an election that is turning into a major event risk.

At the same time markets are waiting for developments on further US stimulus measures as US Democrats released a USD 2.2 trillion proposal in a bid to break the deadlock in talks with Republicans. The debate is at 01:00 GMT while the focus turns on any potential market fallout especially as it coincides with indications of a possible approval of the fiscal stimulus but crucial with the approach of month- and quarter-end which could exacerbate volatility.

Additionally in the US this week, there is also the threat of massive layoffs/furloughs from the airlines come October 1 as the CARES package provisions expire. Data remains thin for now. September consumer confidence headlines Tuesday, and is followed Wednesday with the ADP private payroll report, September ISM, vehicle sales, August income and consumption. Thursday has the high frequency jobless claims before Friday’s September nonfarm payrolls release.

Now in regards to tonight’s debate, the importance of it does not rely solely due to the fact that is the every first debate but mainly because it might present the clear winner especially this year in which the candidates have not been as highly visible with limited campaigns done because of Covid-19.

The candidates will be questioned for 90 minutes, without commercial breaks, according to the Commission on Presidential Debates. Ahead of the debate the vulnerable one look to be Trump following a New York time report that the president paid no income tax for 11 years. However is an excellent brutally effective debater so it will interesting to see how he will overcome any attacks. Please note that in some states voting has already started via mail or in person.

The debate will take place at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, while the topics selected by Wallace, moderator of the first 2020 presidential debate, are the:

• The Trump and Biden Records
• The Supreme Court
• Covid-19
• The Economy
• Race and Violence in our Cities
• The Integrity of the Election

Below you can also find the latest national polls prior the debate.

Based on UBS research below we enclose the campaign policy platform of each Party:

What is the 2020 Republican Party platform?
President Trump abandoned the usual practice of endorsing a lengthy campaign policy platform in conjunction with the GOP national nominating convention. Instead, he released an abbreviated written agenda for a planned second term in office. The GOP policy statement is largely aspirational, with fewer details than one is accustomed to seeing from a presidential candidate. The president’s proposed fiscal policies include additional tax cuts for individuals and federal tax credits and deductions for corporations that repatriate jobs to the US from overseas locations. The statement also explicitly supports additional capital gains tax relief through an expansion of the Opportunity Zone program.

Numerous provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, but the president does not discuss how the resulting tax hikes will be averted. Absent additional congressional action, the individual income tax cuts, an increase in the standard deduction, and the expanded child tax credit will all revert to prior levels in just over five years. Voters are left to assume that the president will be able to convince Congress to make the tax cuts permanent.

The policy statement, which was released in conjunction with his acceptance speech, also focuses on the adoption of a more adversarial posture toward China, strict enforcement of immigration laws, and support for law enforcement personnel. While all three are viewed by the GOP as winning campaign strategies, the reference to “ending our reliance on China” suggests that the president is willing to continue to use tariffs as a tool of foreign policy if elected to a second term. He has threatened to selectively impose tariffs upon, and to strip government contracts from, companies that refuse to relocate their operations to the US.

Meanwhile, in a rare instance of tacit agreement with his challenger, the president reaffirmed a desire to cut prescription drug prices, lower healthcare insurance premiums, and require coverage of all preexisting conditions. On the whole, the impact of the president’s policies on Treasury receipts (and on the US economy generally) is difficult to calculate. Whether or not this is purposeful is debatable, but the inevitable conclusion is that a second Trump administration would be similar to the first and forced to rely on deficit financing to accomplish its goals.

What is the 2020 Democratic Party platform?
In contrast to the president’s abridged policy statement, the Democratic Party platform is a protracted recitation of policies as disparate as the need for federal bankruptcy reform, a Green New Deal, and reinvestment in rural America. The Biden campaign has not released a consolidated fiscal plan but instead weaved his call for higher taxes to partially fund a series of spending proposals related to infrastructure investment, climate change, and an expansion of healthcare coverage. At its core, however, the Biden campaign is focused on strengthening the federal regulatory regime, reversing many of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and increasing federal funding of long-time Democratic policy priorities.

The former vice president advocates an increase in the highest marginal tax rate to 39.6%, and higher payroll taxes for individuals earning more than USD 400,000 a year. He also proposes to tax capital gains at the same rate as ordinary income for taxpayers earning more than USD 1 million. The corporate tax rate is targeted for an increase, albeit less than the rate prevalent before the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The corporate tax rate would increase from 21% to 28%, and an alternative minimum tax of 15% would be levied on companies that report more than USD 100 million in book income.

The Democratic campaign platform also takes aim at the estate tax by recommending a reduction in the exemption to USD 3.5 million and the elimination of the stepped-up basis rule. Tax preferences for the fossil fuel industry would be eliminated, while those for energy efficiency would be increased. With the exception of the payroll tax increase, most of Biden’s fiscal policy platform could be implemented with a majority vote in the Senate through budget reconciliation.

The Tax Policy Center has estimated that Biden’s tax proposals would increase federal revenue by about USD 4 trillion between 2021 and 2030, or 1.5% of GDP over a decade.1 Roughly half of the revenue gain would be derived from higher taxes on US households, with the remainder coming from businesses and corporations. The Tax Foundation expects the Biden tax plan to reduce after-tax income for the top 1% of taxpayers by 7.8%. The top 5% would see their after-tax income drop by 1.1%, with diminishing reductions thereafter as income declines.

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
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HotForex

 

[HFM.]

Date : 30th September 2020.

ADP, NFP and the change in their correlation.

Today ADP reported a 749k sure in private payroll employment in September, almost double the 400k expectation, after an upwardly revised 481k (was 428k) increase in August.

There were solid gains across industries. The service sector added another 552k jobs, with the goods sector adding 196k. Manufacturing jobs were up a hefty 130k. In services, trade/transport posted a big 186k gain, while leisure/hospitality jobs increased 92k, and education/health employment was up 90k. Professional/business services added 78k jobs. The ADP gains have massively undershot improvement in BLS payrolls and other labor market indicators since the growth rebound began, suggesting that this could continue despite this month’s solid gain. However please note that during the pandemic year ADP has done an awful job as an indicator of NFP number. In general after since May we have seen the absence of correlation between the ADP employment change figures with Nonfarm Payrolls.

The September Nonfarm Payroll gain is seen at 900k, as most measures of output extended their rebounds in September. Initial claims have slowly tightened, and we saw another big -1,912k continuing claims plunge between the August and September BLS survey weeks. The jobless rate is expected to hold steady from 8.4%, alongside a 0.8% September hours-worked increase with a 34.6 workweek and hourly earnings to be unchanged, following August’s 0.4% rise, as the measure gives back more of the 4.7% April pop with the shift in the composition of jobs back toward lower-paid workers. The nonfarm payroll forecast assumes a 1,075k private jobs increase.

Seasonal Trends and Weather

For disruptions to employment from weather as gauged in the household survey, the biggest disruptions occur in the winter months generally with the average peaking in February. There is an additional climb through the late-summer months due to disruptive hurricanes in some years. This September has seen hurricane activity but they’ve been less disruptive than some of the major events in years past, leaving modest upside weather-risk for payrolls. Of course, any weather related disruptions will be eclipsed by COVID-19.

Hourly Earnings

As stated above, a flat figure for September average hourly earnings is anticipated, after gains of 0.4% in August and 0.2% in July, but drops of -1.3% in June and -1.1% in May, as we further unwind the 4.7% April surge. Job losses have been skewed toward lower paid retail, leisure and hospitality workers, and this prompted the April spike in average hourly earnings that is now being reversed. A 4.6% y/y increase in September from 4.7% in August is forecasted.

Continuing and Initial Claims

Continuing claims fell -1,912k between the September and August BLS survey weeks, after a drop of -2,459k between August and July, and a -2,280k drop between June and July survey. The economy is unwinding the 24,912k continuing claims peak in the second week of May. Initial claims fell to 866k in the September BLS survey week from 1,104k in the August survey week, and 1,422k in the July survey week. The September initial claims anticipate to average at 870k from 992k in August.

Conclusion

Employment should rose further with output in September, despite delayed stimulus and ongoing disruptions in the re-opening process. The September hours-worked is expected to increase of 0.8%, with a 34.6 workweek, while hourly earnings remain flat. The jobless rate should hold steady at 8.4%, leaving the rate below the 9.98% cycle-high from the last recession in October of 2009.

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 October 2020.

Brexit headlines driving the markets.

The UK currency took a sharp rotation lower on Brexit related developments. Weighing were reports that the EU and UK are struggling on key issues in trade negotiations, and with the European Commission president von de Leyen announcing that the EU has taken the first step in a legal infringement procedure against the UK in relation to the controversial Internal Market Bill. However later on an FT report cited UK officials with inside knowledge saying that the EU and UK have reached a compromise on the state aid issue, contrary to an earlier Reuters article, which had cited EU sources. Fishing rights remains a sticking point, apparently.

The EU recovery fund is likely to be delayed just as nearly all European countries are ratcheting up Covid restrictions. And this comes amid the ECB campaign of verbal intervention to keep a lid on the Euro. Similar messaging from other central banks, including the BoE and RBA, has also contributed to an overall weakening in the strongly bearish Dollar bias that forex market participants had until recently. The rhetorical interjections countervail the impact of the Fed’s regime shift to a lower-for-longer stance on interest rates.

In Europe, positive Covid test results have continued to soar in most countries. Covid hospitalisations and mortality, while bumping higher over the last week in many countries, still remain at basement levels relative to the March/April peak. The ratio between Covid-caused death and flu- and pneumonia-caused death also remains low, again contrasting markedly to the March/April situation. Nonetheless, the trend in most countries in Europe is for tighter restrictions and more localized lockdowns, which should limit the upside scope of the Euro.

EURUSD earlier posted a 9-day high at 1.1769. EURJPY gained, too, with both the Dollar and Yen having softened amid a backdrop of mostly higher global stock markets. EURGBP dove about 90 pips in returning to levels around 0.9065-75. Heads of state will bring the issue to a resolution at the October 15th-16th EU summit. The odds for a deal being struck now appear much greater, though how extensive any deal will be remains uncertain, and there is a risk that the UK will see a downward jolt in its terms of trade when it leaves the EU’s single market on January 1.

European stock markets have pared early gains. The UK100 outperformed as the Pound sold off and the UK Gilt future is currently down by 0.2%, while the GER30 underperformed and lost most of its early gains amid the rise in local virus case numbers and with Bayer AG under pressure after a profit warning. This comes in contrast to the European final manufacturing PMIs, which confirmed the improvement in sentiment.

The UKGilt has had a key downside move that is potentially outlook changing, breaking the 200-Day MA and resuming the 2-month downtrend. The UKGilt is heading towards the support band 135.30/135.00. The rebound from 134.20 to 136.98 last week is now the medium term resistance area. Given the deterioration in momentum we have seen, with RSI into the 40s and MACD lines sustaining a move into negative area, the outlook is becoming increasingly worrying for the bulls. If this 200-Day MA at 136 continues to be seen as a sell zone, the downside pressure will grow. Initial Support, at 50% Retracement level on year’s rally and 50-week SMA, is a key level. If this is breached on a closing basis it would open 132.80-132.00 which is the year’s low area, however a strong obstacle will be the 61.8% fib level at 134.00. How the market reacts around 134.00 would then be the key as to whether this is a near term upswing or something far more bearish.

Generally though investor sentiment was boosted by headlines suggesting progress on the next US stimulus package, and US futures are up 0.8 to 1.3%, with the USA100 outperforming. The vote on the Democratic proposal was delayed to give negotiators more time to come up with a compromise deal as Fed officials warn against delaying a new aid deal until next year.

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 : 2nd October 2020.

FX Update October 2 – Ahead of NFP.

USDJPY, H1
The Yen has rallied versus other currencies amid a pronounced risk-off positioning theme in global markets on news that President Trump, along with the First Lady and White House public relations counsellor, have tested positive for Covid.

S&P 500 E-minis are 1.4% lower, and Asian & European stock markets have also taken a hit. USDJPY dove by over 0.5% in pegging a low at 104.94. EURJPY fell to a four-day low and the high beta AUDJPY cross plummeted by over 1% to two-day lows under 75.00.

Following the positive Covid test news, Trump’s age and health is an added item on a growing worry list. Trump is now self-isolating, and at the least his pre-election campaigning will be greatly curtailed. The next Presidential debate is scheduled for October 15. CDC data shows a 94.6% survival rate for people over 70, though presumably this is better for people in their early-to-mid 70s, like Trump, as the data will be skewed by people over 80, who are at greater risk.

Among other currencies, EURUSD dipped to a two-day low at 1.1694 before rebounding quite sharply to a 1.1738 peak. Cable saw a similar price action, bouncing out of a low at 1.2838 and rallying 100+ pips to 1.2952 following news of a meeting between UK PM Johnson and European Commission President Von der Leyen scheduled for tomorrow. AUDUSD posted a two-day low at 0.7132. USDCAD lifted back above 1.3300 and matched yesterday’s peak at 1.3329.

In Japan, August unemployment came in at 3.0%, matching expectations and having no impact. Chinese and South Korean markets remained closed. Ahead, the flash September estimate of Eurozone CPI is up, where we expect a -0.4% y/y outcome after -0.2% y/y in the prior month. In the US, the September payrolls report is up. We expect it to show a continued rebound as workers have returned to work, but there will still be a net drop in employment for 2020 overall. Political negotiations on a new fiscal relief package in the US remain ongoing. The mood music has improved somewhat, with some Republicans eager to strike a deal with the Democrats before the November 3 elections. The Covid situation in Europe remains a concern, with the new case rate high and new restrictions in one form or another being introduced seemingly daily in many countries.

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 : 5th October 2020.

Events to Look Out for This Week.

The announcement on Friday that US President Trump, the First Lady and White House counsel Hope Hicks had all tested Covid positive rattled market sentiment. This comes on top of many European countries renewing travel restrictions and quarantine measures and introducing new virus measures and regional lockdowns. Globally, concerns that the still fragile recovery will be disrupted have left markets looking for additional monetary and fiscal support, with the latter once again lagging while central banks are keeping their options open. Hence, the week’s focus will remain on the health of the President and wider virus issues, and concerns the recovery is losing momentum. The US Presidential Elections, surprisingly, may take a back seat, while from a data perspective, the FOMC minutes and RBA rate statements are the week’s top releases.

Monday – 05 October 2020

• Retail Sales (EUR, GMT 09:00) – Retail sales across Europe are expected to show a bounce back during August as many markets opened and in limited numbers, Europeans went on holiday. MoM growth is expected to turn positive (0.9%) from -1.3% in July whilst the YoY figure is expected to rise to 0.6% from 0.4% in July.
• ISM Services PMI (USD, GMT 14:00) – Services data, the bedrock of high income countries’ economic data, for the US is expected to slip slightly this month to 56.0 from the August reading of 56.9 and the July reading of 58.1.

Tuesday – 06 October 2020

• Trade Balance (AUD, GMT 00:30) – Tuesday’s import/export and trade balance data will likely show a continued decline, with Australia’s second city Melbourne (and the wider state of Victoria) starting to emerge from a second strict lockdown.
• Event of the Week – RBA Interest Rate Decision & Statement (AUD, GMT 03:30) No change in interest rates from the RBA is expected and as with other central banks the mantra of lower for longer will persist. What will be of interest is the Bank’s perspective on moving lower still and the possibility of negative interest rates before year end.

Wednesday – 07 October 2020

• Event of the Week II – FOMC Minutes – (USD, GMT 18:00) – The minutes from the Sept 15-16 meeting are likely to show no major surprises and confirm the shift to average inflation targeting. The reference to the measures taken to contain the virus continued to have substantial impacts on economic activity. The view on inflation is that the negative effects from COVID-19 on aggregate demand have more than offset upward price pressures.

Thursday – 08 October 2020

• Initial Jobless Claims (USD, GMT 12:30) – Last week there was better than expected numbers for the first time in 3 weeks with claims coming in at 837K, some 13k under 850k expectations. Today a further fall to 825k could be expected.
• BOC’s Governor Macklem (CAD, GMT 12:30) – The Governor is expected to re-iterate the Banks view of aggressive stimulus posture, reiterating forward guidance and the continuation of its QE program until “the recovery is well underway.”

Friday – 09 October 2020

• GDP (GBP, GMT 06:00) – Following the unexpectedly higher than forecast rise in July to 6.6%, monthly UK GDP is expected to fall under 6% to 5.7% for August.
• Employment Change & Unemployment Rate (CAD, GMT 12:30) – Little change is expected in this month’s employment data, which is expected to show a 15.6K decline from 245.8k last time to 230.2k today. The Canadian unemployment rate is expected to remain steady at 10.2%.

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
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 October 2020.

US Trade Deficit at 14-year high.

The US trade deficit widened almost exactly as expected to a 14-year high $67.1 bln that slightly beat the $67.0 bln gap in July of 2008, leaving the largest gap since the $68.3 bln figure in August of 2006. We saw prior gaps of $63.4 (was $63.6) bln in July, $53.5 bln in June, and $57.9 bln in May. Though the deficit rise tracked estimates, it incorporated small but offsetting downside surprises for both exports and imports. Exports rose 2.2% to $171.9 bln and imports were up 3.2% to $239.0 bln, following respective July gains of 8.3% to $168.3 bln (was $168.1 bln) and 10.9% to $231.7 bln.

Excluding petroleum, the deficit expanded to -$68.6 bln from -$65.4 bln (was -$65.7 bln). The “real” August goods balance widened to -$92.3 bln versus July’s -$91.1 bln (was -$90.5 bln). We saw a slight August narrowing in the bilateral trade deficit between the US and China to -$30 bln from -$32 bln, though both figures reflect elevated import levels as suppliers respond to the intense inventory liquidation through the three quarters through to Q2. The data track robust bilateral export data from China through August.

Foreign trade was impacted harder by shutdowns than the other GDP components, and activity hit a bottom in May, versus lows for most other measures in April. We had a much bigger hit for exports than imports, and the rebound for service exports has been disappointingly small. Expectations for GDP growth now fall in the 31.5-33.0% range for Q3 and 5.5-6.0% in Q4, following the record -31.4% in Q2.

The Dollar was steady after the trade report, which showed the deficit widening more than consensus forecasts. EURUSD remains near two-week plus highs, topping at 1.1807, just above its 50-day moving average, while USDJPY sits near mid-range around 105.60.

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 : 7th October 2020.

Tonight October 7 – Pence & Harris – Does it matter?

In short yes. Tonight (October 7) is the vice-presidential, one and only, head to head debate and after last week’s bad tempered, chaotic first presidential debate expectations were limited. Indeed little attention or significance is traditionally given the V-P debate, however, the debate has taken on a new significance following the news flow in the last few days. “Expect the unexpected” is a bit of a cliché and one often used to describe the first four years of the Trump presidency but the last few days have been just that.

Tonight, it is the turn of Vice-president Mike Pence and the lady who would like his job, Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris to debate the issues that matter most to Americans and to their respective chances of success on November 3rd. The ages of their immediate bosses (Trump is 74 and Biden 77, making them 78 and 81 respectively in 2024) is always on the radar, a risk factor that has heightened interest following the President’s Covid-19 hospitalization. The reins of power pass to the vice-president if the President becomes incapacitated, for any reason, for any period of time. Pence, 61, and Ms. Harris, 55 are renowned for their debating and oratory skills and tonight’s debate should be much more mannered and coherent, even with its added significance.

Five key areas of interest tonight could be:

COVID-19 – The president’s handling of the crisis and his very own infection is likely to be a point of sparky debate and hold attention of the live audience in the University of Utah as well as the millions tuning-in on TV. Pence will clearly defend the administration’s handling of the crisis (after all he chairs the White House task force) and the Presidents infection and apparent rapid recovery. Ms. Harris, chosen by Biden, particularly for her “attack-dog” style will be promoting the inverse story of needless deaths and incompetency by the administration.

The Economy – Old, safe ground and simple messages from Pence reiterating the “best ever” economy “making America great again” pre-pandemic. The economy is safe in the president’s hands and taxes will be reduced. How Pence deals with the sudden ending of additional fiscal support talks by the President earlier today is a curved-ball he will have to deal with. Ms. Harris on the other hand will point to the millions of jobless Americans, the preference the administration has shown to big business and the imbalances and stuttering recovery of the US economy.

Other hot topics which are polarizing the electorate include the state and future direction of Healthcare, Law & Order (including Policing, the Gun lobbies and the summer of disorder) and the Supreme Court and the likely nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court to replace Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Foreign policy, Trade and the Environment are likely to receive less airtime.

If the Polls are to be believed the Democrats could not only win the Presidency, but the Senate too, but with over three weeks to polling day, the outcome is still far from certain. The key swing states and potentially, just a few voters within those swing states, could determine the result on November 3.

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 : 8th October 2020.

FX Update – October 8 – Post Schnabel, Bailey, Jordan & Pre-Claims & Macklem.

EURUSD, H1

EURUSD has settled to near net unchanged levels near 1.1750 after ebbing back from a 1.1781 high, which was set in early London trading. Dollar weakness had been a driver earlier, and the currency has seen recouped lost ground. Uncertainties prevail about next month’s US election and the risk that it will be contested, about the Brexit endgame, and, increasingly, about new Covid restrictions and lockdowns in North America and, more especially, Europe. More dovish remarks have come from ECB policymakers, who have recently made known their concern about the recent rise in the euro’s effective exchange rate, given its tightening impact on real interest rates at a time when new Covid restrictions are crimping economic activity. ECB’s Schnabel also warned about credit cycle risks further down the track, especially when support measures are withdrawn, which could equally be applied to the UK, the US and many other economies given the large debt levels that have been built up over the last decade.

Overall, there is no strong directional bias at play in EURUSD at the current juncture. New positive Covid test outcomes continue to shoot up in Europe, but the rate of serious illness (as measured by ICU admissions) and mortality rates remain at low levels, although bumping up in many countries, as indeed are the same metrics for other respiratory disease in the usual seasonal pattern. Tentatively, there is little sign as yet that another big wave impact on public health, as witnessed in March and April in Europe, is happening. But most governments are nervous and firmly set on pursuing virus-suppression-until-vaccine strategies. Northern states in the US, as in Canada, are also seeing spikes in positive Covid tests, which is also leading to the implementation of new restrictions. Weekly jobless claims data and Fed speakers will feature later in the US along with a keynote speech from the BOC’s Macklem.

USDCAD posted a 17-day low at 1.3228, weighed on by a combo of US Dollar weakness and a 1% rise in oil prices. On Canada’s domestic front, rising positive Covid tests are becoming a problem as they are leading to economically disruptive restrictions. Canada’s September employment report is up on Friday, where expectations are for a 100,000 headline gain after the 245,800 rise in August, with unemployment seen ebbing to 10.0% from 10.2%.

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 : 9th October 2020.

The last leg of EU-UK trade talks OR Not?

The outlook isn’t good for either the UK or Europe given the surge in new Covid cases. New restrictions, from travel limitations to pub closures to local lockdowns, are being introduced almost daily in the UK, and this will have a negative impact on economic activity. The government’s furlough scheme is being withdrawn this month, and being replaced by a narrower, more targeted wage protection scheme, though the Chancellor has announced there will be a new scheme to support those affected by local lockdowns. Dovish signalling has come from the BoE governor this week, similar to policymakers at other central banks.

Attention remains fixated however……
Attention remains fixated on the final phase of talks between the EU and UK, with less than one week to go until the EU’s summit. Despite the public brinkmanship, there have been reports from behind the scenes of motion toward finding a compromise on key issues from both UK and EU sources. Any news of a deal would likely boost Sterling over the near term.

But even with a deal, and even with UK progress in signing continuity agreements with non-EU trading partners, the UK will see its terms of trade position deteriorate. It has also become increasingly clear that London’s European dominance in financial services will erode, deal or not. The technical picture of Cable is overall neutral after Tuesday’s bearish engulfing candlestick pattern at the 1.3000 area. However the asset reversed again to the upside retesting that area once again. Interestingly an inverse head and shoulders looks ready to be formed, however how the market will respond and whether or not it will confirm the formation depends on next week’s summit. A decisive move above 1.3000 and the 50-DMA could indicate a boost to August highs, while a pullback to 1.2700 lows would increase the negative momentum.

Next week’s Summit
The October 15 EU summit that was originally seen as the deadline for Brexit talks, and which Boris Johnson still flags as the point where the UK will walk away even if there is no deal, is just a week away and the chances that there will be an agreement at that point is almost non-existent, despite latest comments from officials. EU Commission President Von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Johnson may have agreed to extend official talks during a recent phone conversation, but the fact that these seem to still be regular talks, rather than “tunnel” discussions based on agreed “landing points” on key issues, highlights that differences remain too large to get a deal done quickly.

Listening to the UK side, the question of how to deal with fisheries and future access to UK borders is the key point, but while that clearly is important as a signaling factor for the UK public and important for some EU member states, the more pressing issues for the EU are level playing field rules, the governance of any agreement and the future cooperation on data sharing on security and crime fighting. Indeed, level playing field rules and governance could be the key to any agreement.

Not that EU states are in any mood to give ground on fishing at the moment and indeed, while it seems at first sight that the UK has every right to exclude the EU’s fleet from its own waters, most of the fish found in UK waters is actually sold and eaten in the EU. The fishing issue, which is a big part of the UK government’s narrative at home (more so than the right to subsidise companies) clearly is a bargaining chip that national heads of state don’t want to give up as long as talks remain at negotiator level.

Next week’s summit will bring an opportunity to take stock and maybe pave the way for “landing zones” that would allow the move towards “tunnel talks” later in the month.

That would push the timing of the likely showdown into early November. Given that any agreement still has to go through a legislative process on both sides of the Channel and that there is a clear risk that the EU parliament will reject any deal if the UK’s Internal Market Bill is not scrapped or modified by then and that Johnson may face defeat if he makes too-big concessions on fisheries, there are still pitfalls ahead.

Ultimately both sides want a deal and it is widely hoped that there is very likely going to be one, although it is also likely to be limited in scope. For the Brexiteers the opportunities that await outside of the EU and its regulations make up for that. The recent agreement with Japan was a case in point, with the UK barely able to match the agreement the EU has with Japan. At the current juncture, the best the UK can hope for is to replicate the deals the EU already has.

Even with a tariff free, quota free deal, the UK’s loss of unfettered access to the single market and customs union would lead to trade destruction.

UK exporters would face cost-increasing non-tariff barriers, such as customs formalities and regulatory barriers. The same would be the case for EU exporters to the UK, though the impact would be much magnified on the UK side of the Channel. Productivity would also be impacted, given reduced competition and reduced scope for businesses to benefit from economies of scale.

Financial services — a golden goose that accounts for 22% of government tax receipts — is a particular concern. A Bloomberg article highlighted the steady stream of financial services resources that are being moved out of the UK to the Eurozone, and the fact that even with an EU trade deal in place, London will likely continue to lose business to Eurozone financial centres as the “equivalence” regime on rules would leave firms with long-term uncertainty.

Hence with or without this year’s pandemic, the transition would have been difficult. The UK is likely to also face a huge rise in structural unemployment, as Brexit will cut off access to the cheap workforce in Eastern Europe, while a large part of those losing their livelihoods now – first and foremost those in services sector – won’t be able to just retrain as builders and benefit from the building boom the government is trying to generate.

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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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 : 12th October 2020.

Events to Look Out for This Week.

The risk that virus developments will disrupt the recovery is back in play and very real globally. The lack of another round of stimulus in the US, ongoing US-China frictions and US elections weigh further on a potential economic recovery, as, after all, there is still a long way to go. The EU summit and Q3 earnings season kick off in the next week, with most of the large financials reporting. Data-wise, in focus will be inflation data from the biggest economies in the world, including the US, China and Europe.

Tuesday – 13 October 2020

• Trade Balance (CNY, GMT N/A) – Chinese trade is expected to see a decline in September, at $50.5B from the $58.9B last month.
• Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 06:00) – The German final HICP inflation for September is anticipated to be at -0.1% y/y.
• Average Earnings (GBP, GMT 06:00) – Average Earnings excluding bonus are expected to have grown by 0.6% (3Mo/Yr) in August. The ILO unemployment rate is expected to have steadied to 4.1% in the three months to August.
• Consumer Price Index (USD, GMT 12:30) – Consumer Price Index is seen at 0.2% September gains for both the CPI headline and core, following 0.4% gains for both in August. The headline will be restrained by an estimated -0.3% September drop for CPI gasoline prices.

Wednesday – 14 October 2020

• Producer Price Index (USD, GMT 12:30) – For September both the headline and the core PPI are forecasted at 0.1%. As expected readings would result in a y/y headline PPI metric of 0.2%, up from -0.2% in August. A modest decline in energy prices will weigh on the headline. The y/y core reading is assumed to remain in the 0.9%-1.2% area over the near future, with a downward hit from reduced aggregate demand but a boost for prices from supply disruptions.

Thursday – 15 October 2020

• European Council Meeting -Event of the week – With political heavyweights now getting directly involved, we will find out over the next week (into the EU’s October 15th-16th summit) what degree of compromise both sides are willing to make to reach their shared goal of tariff free, quota free trade. Johnson reportedly wants to persuade the EU to enter in “the tunnel” (known as “submarine” in EU parlance), which refers to a media blackout period, to allow the final phase of negotiation to be uninterrupted by media or other criticism. Von de Leyen rejected that this is happening, however. The EU position has been that this would only happen when compromise positions have been established, which has not happened yet, with fishing rights and EU level playing field rules, the latter of which includes the state aid issue, remaining sticking points.
• Employment Data (AUD, GMT 00:30) – The unemployment rate is an important national priority for RBA, hence the employment change is key for the RBA this week. However, another sign of economic contraction it is expected as the s.a. reading is seen at -50K in September.
• Consumer Price Index (CNY, GMT 01:30) – Consumer Price Index is seen unchanged for September at 2.4% y/y and 0.4% m/m.

Friday – 16 October 2020

• IMF Meeting
• European Council Meeting -2nd day
• US Presidential Debate – Cancelled and postponed until 22nd of October.
• Consumer Price Index (EUR, GMT 09:00) – Inflation remains too low and against that background the ECB clearly is on course to strengthen the low for longer message by switching to a fixed inflation target. Eurozone CPI is anticipated steady at -0.4% m/m and core at 0.2% m/m for September.

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 : 13th October 2020.

Equity markets rally loses some momentum in EU session.

Risk aversion picked up again, underpinned by negative vaccine news amid reports that Johnson & Johnson halted its Covid-19 trial due to “unexplained illness”.

The December 10-year Bund future is up 1 tick, while in cash markets Treasury yields have dropped back -1.2 bp to 0.76% after yesterday’s holiday. In FX markets EUR and GBP both declined against a largely stronger US Dollar. Negative vaccine headlines weighed on sentiment overnight, but tech stocks remained supported and the prospect of additional monetary and fiscal stimulus should help to underpin sentiment.

European stock markets are narrowly mixed in opening trade, with the UK100 up 0.04%, GER30 down -0.14% and the Euro Stoxx 50 down -0.03%, while US futures are narrowly mixed, with only the USA100 future managing fractional gains.

The ECB is clearly readying a strengthening of the PEPP program, the BoE is stepping up the preparations for a move towards negative rates and ECB President Lagarde also stressed again the need for fiscal stimulus to support the wave of monetary stimulus as the renewed surge in virus cases is threatening the still fragile recovery. An ongoing salvo of dovish signalling from ECB policymakers has resulted in outright Euro and GER30 declines, though has likely been contributory in offsetting dollar weakness recently. Aside from the Fed itself, and partly in response to, many other central banks have been conducting similar messaging campaigns.

Further pressure has been added to both EUR and GER30 despite after the release of German HICP inflation earlier. German HICP inflation confirmed at -0.4% y/y in the final reading for September. The national CPI rate was confirmed at -0.2% y/y, with the temporary cut to the VAT rate as well as the decline in energy prices the main reasons for the negative headline rate. Excluding household energy and petrol, CPI would have been 0.6% y/y. Still, while is not real deflation, the officials are clearly concerned that a prolonged period of negative headline rates against the background of new virus restrictions and rising unemployment will lead to a more permanent shift in inflation expectations that could lead to a deflationary spiral down the line. For the dovish camp at the ECB, the numbers will provide further ammunition in the push for additional stimulus measures and a further extension and strengthening of the PEPP program.

GER30, despite a decline on opening, retains the support at the 50-period SMA in the 1-hour chart. Although the asset has reversed nearly all the year’s losses and is trading clear above 12,500, the outlook is still not decisively positive, but neutral. It has been in a new uptrend since the beginning of October but momentum looks neutral with bulls struggling for a second day to move above 13,200 (76.4% FIb level) after a weak close yesterday. The improvement in momentum indicators will clear the strength level of the trend, as MACD is being tested around neutral as RSI slips lower towards 50. Immediate Resistance is in place at yesterday’s high, and the 13,200 at 76.4% Fib. The bulls need to show a breakout of this area. A pullback below 61.8% Fib. level at 13,027 but more precisely below the round 13,000 would seriously challenge whether bears are slowly taking the control again.

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 : 14th October 2020.

Big Bank Earnings & PPI lift sentiment.

USA500, Daily

Bank of America (BoA) and Goldman Sachs (GS) both reported third-quarter earnings earlier that beat estimates.

BoA reported net income of $4.9bn, or 0.51 cents per share (EPS) compared to the consensus estimate of 0.49 cents EPS. Revenue in the same quarter last year was $5.8bn and only $3.5bn for the second quarter of 2020. Like JPMorgan and Citibank yesterday, the recovery in Q3 was the reduction in provisions for bad loans down to “only” $1.4 bn from the colossal $5.1bn in Q2. Total revenues were lower at $20.3bn. Shares closed down 2.84% yesterday at 24.95 and are down a further 2.9% in out-of-hours trading today at 24.21.

Goldman Sachs (GS) figures were significantly better than consensus, with EPS at an impressive $9.68 versus expectations of just $5.57 – a beat in excess of 73% and a record for a quarter. Net revenues for the quarter were $10.78 bn versus $9.45 bn, a beat of some 14% and 30% better than the same quarter in 2019. Shares closed down 1.55% yesterday at 210.81 and are up 2.0% in out-of-hours trading today at 215.10.

US headline PPI rose 0.4% in September, with the core rate up 0.4% as well, both hotter than forecast, following respective August gains of 0.3% and 0.4%. The core price ties with August for the firmest since April 2019. Prices have recovered from big and record drops in April of -1.3% for the headline and -0.4% on the core. The 12-month pace climbed to a 0.4% y/y rate from -0.2% y/y previously, and the core rate surged to a 1.2% y/y clip versus 0.6% y/y. Goods prices increased 0.4% on the month from August’s 0.1% gain, with food prices jumping 1.2% from the prior -0.4% decline, while energy prices fell -0.3% after slipping -0.1% previously. Services prices were up 0.4% from 0.5% in August.

The Dollar edged lower following the September PPI print. USDJPY hit near two-week lows of 105.21, down from near 105.30, as EURUSD headed to intraday highs of 1.1764 from near 1.1755. The Dollar has been on the decline generally since before the open. Equity futures remains mixed with USA500 trading at 3519, up from earlier lows at 3502 but down from European session highs at 3532.

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.