Thread: Daily Market Analysis from ForexMart

GBP/USD. June 29, 2020 – Sterling down to 1.23

The British sterling continues to decline at the beginning of a new trading week. The current quotation of the pair is 1.2300. Last Friday, the United States presented macroeconomic data that signaled in favor of further strengthening of the US currency. In particular, personal expenses of US citizens in May grew by 8.2% mom after a decrease of 12.6% mom in April. Analysts expected an increase of 8% m/m. Revenues, on the other hand, decreased by 4.2% m/m after rising by 10.8% m/m in April. Investors expected a decrease of 6% m/m.

In addition to statistics, the dollar was supported by reports from the Fed that the regulator suspended cash injections into financial markets and launched the reverse process. Thus, the balance of the Federal Reserve for the week decreased by $ 75.5 billion, and a week earlier – by $ 28 billion.

At the same time, pressure on the sterling continues to exert uncertainty on Brexit. Last week, Britain’s chief negotiator, David Frost, accused the EU of creating a deadlock in the negotiations. And EU negotiator Michel Barnier expects a breakthrough in resolving the issue only in October. Negotiations on Brexit will start today, however, the participants are skeptical in advance about its effectiveness. Thus, a further decline in the pound to the level of 1.23 seems quite probable.

EUR/USD. June 30, 2020 – Euro consolidated at 1.12

On Tuesday, the EUR/USD pair continues to decline, breaking the level of 1.12. The euro was pressured by weak macroeconomic data from the eurozone: the consumer and business confidence index in June recovered from 67.5 to 75.7 points, which was worse than analysts' forecasts, expecting the indicator to rise to 80 points.

In the United States, on the contrary, economic statistics provided substantial support to the US dollar: pending sales in the secondary housing market in May rose to 44.3% m/m compared to a decline of 21.8% in April.

Today, the eurozone has presented preliminary data on the consumer price index for June: annual inflation accelerated from the May level of 0.1% to 0.3%. According to preliminary estimates, core annual inflation this June was 0.8%.

In the evening hours, attention should be paid to the speech by the head of the US Federal Reserve, J. Powell, which will help market participants understand the regulator's further actions to stimulate the US economy.

EUR/USD. July 02, 2020 – Euro rose to the level of 1.1300, but failed to overcome it

The pair EUR/USD yesterday managed to grow to the level of 1.13, however today the quotes turned down to the level of 1.1275. Pressure on the euro was exerted by statements by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that EU members are far from an agreement on a restoration fund and budget. An additional negative brought data on the producer price index in the eurozone for May, reflecting an insufficient recovery of the indicator (-0.6% against the forecast -0.5%).

Yesterday, the USA presented data on the labor market from ADP: in June, the number of jobs increased by 2.369 million, which significantly exceeds the «failure» in May by 3.065 million. The forecast assumed a recovery of the indicator by 2.850 million. Today we should pay attention to unemployment statistics and the number of people employed in the non-agricultural sector in June. The dollar is likely to receive significant support after publication.

However, one should also take into account the fact that a certain appetite for risky assets has returned to the market, so the euro will feel confident during the day. Moreover, unemployment data in the eurozone turned out to be better than expected (7.4% against the forecast of 7.7%), which will also support the European currency.

Brent. July 03, 2020 – Potential for rising oil prices is almost exhausted

Oil prices on Friday continue to trade above $42 per barrel. The current Brent quote is $42.60. Support for the asset this week was provided by data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the US Department of Energy on crude oil reserves in the country, reflecting a decrease in reserves of 8.1 million and 7.1 million barrels, respectively.

However, despite a local recovery, Brent quotes may go down already in the near future amid a general deterioration in market sentiment due to the aggravation of the epidemiological situation in the world, which poses a threat to global hydrocarbon consumption.

Additional pressure may come from comments by Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak that he hopes to achieve a balance or deficit in the global oil market in July. Market participants saw in these comments a hint of Russia's unwillingness to participate in the further extension of the OPEC ++ energy deal. Thus, in the short term, oil prices may begin to decline to the area of ​​$42 per barrel or lower.

EUR/USD. July 06, 2020 – The euro strengthened to 1.13, but failed to gain a foothold above this level

At the beginning of the new trading week, the European currency showed strengthening to the level of 1.13, but could not rise higher. The euro was supported by signs of economic recovery in Germany, as well as hopes for additional incentives in the near future.

In particular, the volume of production orders in Germany grew in May by 10.4% after quarantine restrictions were relaxed in the country. Since this country is Europe's strongest economy, its restoration gives hope to other European countries.

In addition, market participants are waiting for a decision to create a restoration fund in Europe. On Thursday, a meeting of EU finance ministers will take place, and on July 17-18, a summit of regional leaders is planned.

Today is not rich in publishing important macroeconomic data. One should pay attention only to business activity indices in the construction sector throughout Europe: all indicators showed growth. Additional support for the euro today was provided by data on retail sales in the eurozone in May. Sales in the region grew by 17.8% compared with April -12.1%.

GBP/USD. July 07, 2020 – Sterling is trying to gain a foothold above the level of 1.25

The British currency continues to stay in the area of ​​local maximums – above 1.25. The GBP/USD pair is under the influence of multidirectional news, which does not allow sterling to decide on the movement vector.

On the one hand, the pound received support from data on business activity in the country's construction sector: the indicator unexpectedly rose to 55.3 points against 28.9 points a month earlier. Experts predicted growth to 47 points.

At the same time, the currency is under pressure amid growing tensions between the UK and China. In June, Britain announced its readiness to offer citizenship to nearly 3 million Hong Kong residents whose civil liberties are threatened by a new national security law. The British authorities also thought about introducing a ban on the participation of the Chinese company Huawei in the deployment of fifth-generation networks (5G). China also promised to take action in response.

Thus, the UK may be drawn into a trade war with China, which will inevitably lead to a deterioration in the country's economic condition, already undermined by the protracted negotiations on Brexit.

Brent fundamental analysis for July 8th

Brent crude oil continues to trade above $43 a barrel. Market participants are waiting for data on US crude oil inventories from the US Department of Energy. Also, the absence of a certain dynamics of quotes is explained by the reluctance of traders to take risks amid the deteriorating epidemiological situation in the world.

The number of new Covid-19 diseases in the USA continues to grow, exceeding 50 thousand per day. Experts note that concerns about the second wave of the epidemic could provoke the reintroduction of restrictive measures, which will slow down the global economic recovery and again reduce the demand for hydrocarbons.

Moreover, the economic crisis in China casts doubt on the ability of the Celestial Empire to fulfill its obligations under a trade deal with the United States. According to the latest data, oil exports from the US to China in May amounted to only $2 billion. If relations between countries continue to deteriorate, the risk of a new round of trade war will be another threat to global economic growth.

Today, attention should be paid to data on stocks, as well as oil production in the United States. Analysts forecast a 3.1-million-barrel reduction in stocks. If recent data show growth, Brent quotes will return to the level of $43 per barrel.

GBP/USD. July 09, 2020 – The sterling rushed to the level of 1.27

The British currency continues to grow steadily on Thursday, approaching 1.27. The growth is primarily due to the weakening US dollar amid growing demand for risky assets. At the same time, the sterling itself received support after the British government announced its latest economic recovery plan after the pandemic in the amount of 30 billion pounds ($38 billion).

The plan includes a reduction in taxes on the purchase of housing, discounts in restaurants for all citizens, as well as a cash bonus for employers who do not fire their employees.

At the same time, the growth potential of the sterling is limited, since the main driver of the growth of the British currency today are the trade negotiations between the European Union and the UK, and they still look rather uncertain.

Thus, the growth of the GBP/USD pair may be limited by the level of 1.27. The RSI indicator is growing slightly from the neutral zone, which confirms this scenario.

EUR/USD. July 10, 2020 – The dollar is strengthening after the release of labor market data

The pair EUR/USD on Friday shows a recovery to the level of 1.13 after falling to 1.1250. Yesterday, it became known that the US Supreme Court allowed the New York attorney to receive D. Trump's financial statements, which poses certain risks for him on the eve of the presidential election.

Market participants also drew attention to the growing number of cases of new coronavirus diseases in the United States. In some states, the country reintroduces quarantine restrictions.

Yesterday, the States presented data on the labor market: the number of claims for unemployment benefits for the week amounted to 1.314 million, a decrease of 99 thousand, better than the forecast. Today, attention should be paid to data on producer prices, the decline rate of which should slow down from -0.8% to -0.6%. If the forecasts are confirmed, the US currency will be able to complete the week on a major note.

Brent. July 20, 2020 – Oil is moderately reduced

At the beginning of the week, Brent crude oil shows a moderate decline to $42.76 per barrel. The asset is under pressure from the OPEC+ decision to increase oil production, as well as an increase in the number of new cases of Covid-19 infection in the world. According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in the world has exceeded 13.6 million.

Last week, OPEC+ countries agreed to cut their supply caps in August from 9.7 million barrels to 7.7 million barrels per day. At the same time, countries that did not fulfill their obligations in May and June, on the contrary, will have to cut production in August even more.

The dynamics of Brent are also affected by the likelihood that in August, the growth of oil supply will provide American oil producers. According to a report from Baker Hughes, the total number of oil rigs in the US last week decreased by only 1 unit, from 181 to 180. It is quite possible that only an increase in the number of installations will follow, and this will be an extremely negative factor for Brent quotes.

EUR/USD. July 20, 2020 – Euro growth was suspended at 1.1460

The euro suspended its growth at 1.1465. Earlier, the currency was supported by the continuing interest in risky assets and the expectations of the results of negotiations of the EU leaders on the formation of a fund for the recovery of the European economy in the amount of $750 billion. Market participants are sure that politicians will be able to reach an agreement one way or another, but so far they have not succeeded.

Today trades promise to be calm, because the macroeconomic calendar is almost empty. On Thursday, you should pay attention to the data on the consumer confidence index: the indicator in July could improve to -12 points from the June value of -15.

On Friday, the block of preliminary statistics on the index of business activity in the service sector of the euro zone and individual EU countries for July will be of interest. Experts predict that indicators have improved in all regions.

The dynamics of the pair today will mainly depend on the final results of the meeting of the European leaders. If the agreement does not succeed, the pair will begin to decline to the 1.1400 area.