Forex Analysis - Daily

Overnight Asia/Europe

• BOE and ECB cut rates, little reaction to the news
• Yen crosses in focus as traders buy Yen
• USD range bound overnight


Today’s Economic Reports
All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
• 8:30am USD Prelim Nonfarm Productivity q/q
• 8:30am USD Prelim Unit Labor Costs q/q
• 8:30am USD Unemployment Claims
• 10:35am USD Natural Gas Storage
• 7:00pm USD FOMC Member Warsh Speaks


Looking Ahead to Friday
All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
• 8:30am USD Non-Farm Employment Change
• 8:30am USD Unemployment Rate
• 8:30am USD Average Hourly Earnings m/m
• 10:00am USD Pending Home Sales m/m
• 10:00am USD Wholesale Inventories m/m
• 3:00pm USD Consumer Credit m/m


Summary
Yen crosses were the focus overnight as the world equity markets gave back Wednesday’s gains; traders continue to buy Yen against all major pairs putting a bit of upside pressure on the USD. However, the big news today is the surprise 1.5 BP cut in interest rates by the BOE. In the statement the BOE said that inflation pressures were dropping and that the need for stimulus was apparent. The vote was probably unanimous but we won’t know that until the minutes are released later in the month. Expecting to follow suit the ECB also cut rates this morning but the amount was less; traders were expecting a 50 BP cut and the bank cut by 50 BP despite late calls for 100 BP. Both EURO and GBP fell sharply on the news but recovered quickly suggesting that the news was probably factored in despite the size of the cuts. Both pairs have fallen dramatically the past 2 months and analysts suggest that the move lower may have been overdone but warn that historically the USD rallies in the first few months of a new US president being in office. GBP high prints at 1.6035 in early New York after the rate announcement will likely be followed by higher pricing during the day. EURO fell to a low print at 1.2808 before bouncing hard to trade 1.2880; high prints remain at 1.2956 so far from European trading. USD/JPY is in a tight range today holding around the 98.50 area after posting a high print at 98.51 and lows at 97.55; traders note that offers are thick above the 100.00 area and the move higher early in the week may be the highs for the week as US data due out today and tomorrow offer little hope for a USD bullish surprise. USD/CHF is also higher likely from softer Gold prices with high prints at 1.1756 overnight and currently trading around the 1.1700/10 area to start New York before falling back a bit to 1.1670 area at this writing. A surprise rate cut by the SNB had little effect on prices. USD/CAD is bouncing off key fib support from yesterday and is trading 1.1700 area this morning; high prints at 1.1756 with lows at 1.1569 making for the largest range on the board so far today. In my view, the election of Senator Obama is having little effect on the markets at this point as traders take the view that there is a lot of work to be done to resolve the financial crisis no matter who is on office; it is likely that the forces in effect will continue to pressure the USD near-term. Look for US data today to be USD-negative as well as Friday’s data but it appears to be factored in.


GBP/USD Daily

Resistance 3: 1.6320/30
Resistance 2: 1.6250
Resistance 1: 1.6100/10
Latest New York: 1.5895
Support 1: 1.5600
Support 2: 1.5550
Support 3: 1.5500


Comments
BOE rate cut fails to pressure GBP; likely factored in. Official buyers in the market lifting rate back to the psychological 1.6000 area; sellers above likely older shorts adding to positions. Fears of a large rate cut confirmed as the cut was 1.5 BP; no appreciable drop in price likely due to players already in. Stops noted on the move back through the 1.6000 area and above. Traders note unwinding of Yen cross-spreads driving a lot of trade after the open. Tighter range suggests lower volatility for the day. Traders note liquidity is better than last week but still low. Aggressive traders can look to buy the next dip. Expect more whippy action. Two-way action likely to continue. Confirmed sovereign interest on the dip overnight in both EURO and GBP; lately Asian names.
Data due Friday: All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
NONE


EURO/USD Daily

Resistance 3: 1.3200/10
Resistance 2: 1.3150
Resistance 1: 1.3030
Latest New York: 1.2770
Support 1: 1.2520/30
Support 2: 1.2500
Support 3: 1.2480


Comments
Rate falls to support and holds as knee-jerk reaction to rate cuts is bought. Traders note large stops at the 1.2770 area. Russians buying EURO around the 1.2860 area traders say. Bids on dips from profit-taking shorts some desks report. Semi-official names on the offer near the highs with stops reported on a move over the 1.2900 area and rate caps at 1.2956. Stops likely cleared. Rate possibly getting spillover effect from GBP. Support also from cross-spreaders as they unwind Yen. Official interest noted traders say. Rate is an absolute screaming buy in my view—I can’t see further weakness being ignored by the buyers. If Oil rallies likely will take EURO with it. Expect more two-way action with upside bias; traders note the rate is finding profit-taking bids on dips so far despite the uncertainty in the market.
Data due Friday: All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
2:00am EUR German Trade Balance
2:45am EUR French Gov Budget Balance
2:45am EUR French Trade Balance
6:00am EUR German Industrial Production m/m

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Analysis Provided by: Forexpros.com - Written by Jason Alan Jankovsky

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