Thread: Daily Market Analysis from ForexMart

Brent. December 21, 2020 – Oil starts to decline on news of Covid mutation

At the beginning of the week, Brent crude oil shows a decline from the $52.30 area to $49.25 per barrel. The current Brent price is $50.30 per barrel.

The decline was driven by the return to the market of fears regarding the mutation of the coronavirus in the UK. The British authorities said that a new strain has been identified in the country, the spread of which is several times higher than previous indicators. The same mutation of the Covid-19 virus has been found in the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia, according to WHO.

Oil market participants fear that a new mutation will call into question the economic recovery in the world and again negatively affect the demand for hydrocarbons.

Another factor in the weakening of the asset is the potential growth of the world oil supply, which may increase by 1 million barrels already in January due to additional supplies from OPEC+ countries, Libya, the United States and Iran.

EUR/USD. December 21, 2020 – Euro started a protracted correction

As predicted by last week's forecasts, the euro rate has moved to a retreat from the highs. The current quote for the EUR/USD pair is 1.2168. The dollar is on the side of a whole set of factors: here and the mutation of COVID-19 in the UK, and Brexit, and the vote in the US Congress on fiscal stimulus.

Despite the fact that lawmakers were able to agree on the volume of a new stimulus package in the United States, it is too early to talk about a complete solution to the issue. Now the bill must pass a vote in two chambers of the US Congress. And it is possible that a failure is possible here.

News from Britain that a new Covid-19 stamp has been opened, the spread of which is several times higher than previous indicators, exerted strong pressure on the euro. Epidemiologists fear that recently developed vaccines may be powerless against the new threat, and economists are already questioning economic growth next year.

In the UK, there is another factor of pressure on the pound and the euro – Brexit, the issues and disputes of which have not yet been resolved. The risks are high that instead of one big agreement, the parties will have to sign several different agreements.

Thus, the downward correction of the euro is only gaining momentum. The forecast for today assumes further strengthening of the dollar below the level of 1.2150.

EUR/USD. December 22, 2020 – Euro strengthens again on fundamental background

During morning trading, the EUR/USD pair showed some weakening, dropping to the level of 1.2200. Both houses of the US Congress approved a $892 billion fiscal stimulus package, which could slightly improve US economic performance in the first quarter of the new year.

However, almost immediately, the euro began to strengthen again amid positive news on Brexit. The current quote for the pair is 1.2230. Today it became known that the UK and the EU may agree on fishing quotas, which brings back hopes for a full Brexit deal before the end of this year.

EUR/USD was also supported by statements from the WHO, which announced that the new Covid strain found in the UK is less transmissible than other infections. This means that existing vaccines can handle it as well.

Thus, the decision of Congress and the breakthrough in the Brexit negotiations provided strong support for the bulls on EUR/USD. The next target for the asset is 1.2250 and above.

Brent. December 23, 2020 – Oil declines for the third day in a row

Oil quotes are declining during Wednesday morning trading: the current price of Brent is $49.90 per barrel. The asset was pressured by data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), according to which US oil reserves rose by 2.7 million barrels over the week (to about 497.7 million), while analysts predicted a decline of 3.2 million barrels.

Additional pressure on Brent continues to be exerted by concerns about a further drop in demand for hydrocarbons amid prolonged lockdowns in many countries.

In addition, US President Donald Trump threatened yesterday not to sign a bill on measures of financial assistance to the US economy in the amount of $892 billion, calling for an increase in the amount of payments to citizens from $ 600 to $ 2 thousand. It is worth noting that if Trump does not approve the new law by the end of this year, a recession for the United States will become almost inevitable.

EUR/USD. December 23, 2020 – Euro returns to 1.22 level after decline a day earlier

The US dollar on Wednesday again declines against the euro after some strengthening a day earlier. The day before, the American currency received support amid growing demand for safe assets after the news of the coronavirus mutation appeared. Then the dollar managed to strengthen to the level of 1.2950. The current quote for EUR/USD is 1.2190.

Today the pressure on the dollar is exerted by the approval of the US Congress of a new stimulus package. The adoption by the American authorities of measures to support the economy, as well as the expectation of an early vaccination, support the optimism of investors regarding the future prospects of the global economy. And this, in turn, leads to a weakening of the greenback.

American lawmakers have agreed on a program to support the economy, including direct payments to citizens in the amount of $600. However, Donald Trump demanded that Congress increase payments to $2 thousand or $4 thousand for spouses.

The euro is growing today also due to a breakthrough in the Brexit negotiations. The fishing issue has not yet been resolved, but sterling (and after it the euro) is showing significant growth, which suggests that investors still believe in the signing of a trade agreement.

EUR/USD. December 24, 2020 – Consolidation at 1.22

The EUR/USD pair is showing consolidation in the area of ​​local highs at 1.2200.

Yesterday's weak statistics put some pressure on the dollar rate. In particular, the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits did not increase as much as analysts predicted, but still the figure is still above 800 thousand, which is a high figure. Moreover, in November, the growth in durable goods orders slowed, personal income and expenses fell, and new home sales fell sharply.

In addition, the consumer confidence index in the US fell to 88.6 points in December, while experts had expected the index to rise to 97 points.

At the same time, the European currency is supported by the approaching final in the Brexit negotiations. Experts note that the main controversial issues have already been practically resolved, and if an agreement between the EU and the UK is adopted, the euro may rush to the area of ​​1.2300.

Today the macroeconomic calendar is almost empty, the markets are getting ready for Christmas. In the United States, it is a shortened day, and European exchanges do not work at all throughout the day. However, today you should still pay attention to the statistics on basic orders for durable goods in the US in November.

GBP/USD. December 24, 2020 – Sterling continues to storm the area of ​​local highs

The British sterling was the leader on Wednesday trading, confidently moving to a local maximum at around 1.3570. Negative factors in the form of the emergence of new strains of coronavirus and the lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations have not yet put pressure on the British currency, but everything can change at any time.

The pressure on the US dollar was exerted by yesterday's weak statistics. In particular, the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits did not grow as much as expected, but still the figure is still above 800 thousand.Moreover, in November the growth in the volume of orders for durable goods slowed down, income and expenses of individuals decreased. and new home sales fell sharply.

At the same time, the sterling is supported by the hopes of investors for the successful completion of negotiations on Brexit, despite the fact that the deadline for making a decision on a trade deal is rapidly approaching. Negotiations between the EU and the UK lasted all night, and if an agreement is reached, the pound will rush to new highs in the 1.40 area. If the negotiations fail, the dynamics of the British currency will depend on whether the debate continues in the future.

Today the macroeconomic calendar is almost empty, the markets are preparing for Christmas, so the movement of the pair will be limited by a narrow range below the 1.3570 level.

GBP/USD. December 28, 2020 – Pound falls despite achieving Brexit trade deal

The pound sterling declines on Monday despite the successful completion of post-Brexit deal negotiations. The current quote for the EUR/USD pair is 1.3480.

The UK and the European Union have nevertheless managed to agree on the terms of a trade deal, according to which free trade between Britain and the EU countries will be preserved, as well as visa-free travel and balanced access to markets and marine resources.

Starting December 31 (the date when London officially leaves the EU borders), trade deals will go without quotas and tariffs, but this does not apply to services and financial offers. Experts note that reaching an agreement is an excellent sign for the pound sterling, however, the further exchange rate will adjust to the circumstances.

EUR/USD. December 28, 2020 – The pair is storming again in the last week of the outgoing year

At the beginning of the last trading week of the outgoing year, the EUR/USD pair continues to demonstrate multidirectional dynamics. In the morning the quotes reached the level of 1.2250, but immediately dropped to 1.2200.

Most of the factors that increase uncertainty in the markets have already ceased to be relevant, but the pair continues to storm. The UK was finally able to agree with the EU on Brexit, and Donald Trump in the US still approved a $2.3 trillion economic aid project adopted by Congress. These events imply a sharp rise in demand for risky assets, but the euro is in no hurry to storm resistance levels.

The fact is that many investors have gone on vacation or are waiting for new drivers, which can be taken into account in building a trading strategy for the next year.

In addition, market participants are very interested in the success of vaccination in the cut of the global economic recovery, as well as Joe Biden's policy to further stimulate the US economy. If the Fed maintains its plan to inject large amounts of money into the economy, the EUR/USD pair could rise to 1.30 early next year.

Brent. December 29, 2020 – Oil market demonstrates growth in the pre-New Year week

Oil prices are steadily growing during trading on Tuesday amid growing investor appetite for risky assets. A strengthening factor was the adoption of new stimulating measures in the United States. The cost of February futures for Brent rose to $51.65 per barrel, while the price of WTI reached $48.30 per barrel.

On Monday, the House of Representatives of Congress approved an increase in stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 at the request of Donald Trump. Moreover, on Sunday, Trump signed the country's fiscal 2021 budget of $2.3 trillion. It is noted that the budget includes a package of measures to support the economy in a pandemic in the amount of $900 billion.

In addition, the general weakness of the US dollar also supports oil prices. However, experts believe that the growth of the oil market may be suspended due to concerns about a new strain of coronavirus and imposed restrictions on the movement of people between countries.

EUR/USD. December 30, 2020 – Dollar has updated two-year lows

On Wednesday, the dollar renewed multi-year lows in pairs with many currencies: paired with the euro, the dollar reached its lowest level in two years at around 1.2300. The pressure on the greenback was put on by the postponement of the immediate consideration of raising household payments to $2,000.

The dollar index fell to 89.711 against a basket of six major currencies, its lowest level in more than two years.

Earlier, the dollar also showed a decline, and risky assets – growth. The reason was the signing by Donald Trump of a bill to help the population and economy in the fight against coronavirus. And while the payout remains uncertain, many analysts predict that the US currency could weaken further next year, as newly elected US President Joe Biden is expected to push for even greater economic support.

Another negative factor for the dollar is the expectation that the US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low for a very long time.

Brent. December 31, 2020 – What awaits the oil market in 2021?

In April 2020, Brent crude hit multi-year lows, falling to $16 a barrel amid the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the price for American WTI crude oil fell into the area of ​​negative values.

Experts note that the consumption of crude oil and liquid fuels in the world for the year decreased by 9% (from 101 million barrels per day in 2019 to 92.4 million barrels). However, an agreement to cut oil production under OPEC + allowed oil to recoup most of the losses by the end of 2020. Today Brent quotes are holding at $51.50 per barrel.

However, it is possible that at the beginning of 2021, quotations may again fall to $30 per barrel amid the announcement of new lockdowns in many countries due to the further spread of coronavirus in the world. But, nevertheless, the market is now dominated by optimism. Analysts still expect the global economy to recover next year, which can support the demand for commodities. The oil price range is expected to be in the range of $40-65 per barrel over the next year.

On the last day of the outgoing year, Brent quotes settled at $51.40 per barrel.

EUR/USD. January 04, 2021 – Dollar falls against most currencies

At the beginning of the first trading week of the new year, the US dollar depreciates against many competing currencies. In a pair with the euro, the greenback fell again to the level of 1.2300. The US currency is under pressure from growing appetite for risky assets amid continued optimism about the global economic recovery in 2021.

The incidence of coronavirus in the world and the beginning of vaccination of the population in many countries remain the main topics of discussion by analysts. Bloomberg experts note that without widespread vaccine distribution, the dynamics of the foreign exchange market will strongly depend on the dynamics of the spread of Covid.

The economic calendar for today is not very diverse. Germany presented data on the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector: the indicator came out worse than expected (58.3 against expectations of 58.6 points). A similar release of data from the euro area also reflected a decrease in the indicator: from 55.5 to 55.2 points.

But the business activity index in the UK came out better than expected: the index rose to 57.5 (forecast 57.3 points). In the evening hours, the US will also release its business activity figures.

Fundamental Brent analysis for January 5, 2021

On Tuesday afternoon, world oil prices shifted to growth amid expectations of an OPEC+ decision to further cut oil production in February. The current quotation of the asset is $52.05 per barrel.

The meeting of all OPEC+ countries was supposed to end yesterday, but the participants in the meeting failed to reach an agreement on the volume of reductions next month, and the debate will continue today. The meeting participants are discussing two proposals: to increase production in February by 500 thousand bpd or to keep production at the January level. Russia and Kazakhstan are in favor of increasing production by 0.5 million bpd from February, while the rest of the countries are in favor of extending production at current levels.

Oil prices are also supported by continued optimism related to the recovery in demand. The start of coronavirus vaccination in many countries gives hope for the early lifting of restrictions on movement, which, in turn, will contribute to the growth of demand for raw materials.

However, despite vaccinations, the world today is still seeing an increase in the incidence of Covid-19, which suggests that in the short term, the increase in demand will still slow down.