Euro Showing Signs of Strength As Normal Market Conditions Return

Text goes here

In this Issue...

Get up to date - Breaking News

Read what our Top Contributors are saying

By Joel Kruger, DailyFX Technical Strategist

Talking Points

Normal market conditions resume following holiday trade

Euro supported ahead of 1.3000; opens short-term bounce

Currencies better bid following disappointing US NFP data

Softer US employment picture opens door again for additional stimulus

China data comes in mixed; more evidence of hard landing

BOJ leaves policy and outlook on hold; more important policy decision at end of month

EUR/CHF cross remains offered with market still testing SNB resolve

Markets look set to return to normal conditions following the Easter holiday weekend and recent price action could be warning of some risk on trade Tuesday, along with broad currency gains against the buck. In our previous analysis we highlighted the fact that there was some very solid support for the Euro around 1.3000 and the latest setbacks have once again stalled out by the psychological barrier. While our core outlook is still very much Euro bearish, at this point, we would not rule out the possibility for a bit of a bounce back into the 1.3200-1.3300, where a fresh lower top would ultimately be sought out.

Fundamentally, the latest round of minor weakness for the Greenback has unquestionably been driven off of Friday's disappointing monthly jobs report, which fell short of expectations and strengthened the case for Fed policy doves looking for additional stimulus from the central bank. Again, the market reaction since Friday has hardly been reliable given the holiday trade, and we expect to get a better idea of direction in today's trade. Some Chinese data has been factoring on the day thus far, with higher inflation and some weakness in the trade data taking some wind out of the sails of risk traders as the indicators warn of the potential for a hard landing in China.

Moving on, the Bank of Japan has come out and as widely anticipated, left its call rate and outlook unchanged. Market participants now look ahead to the more interesting BOJ policy decision at the end of the month, which comes on the heels of the next Fed meeting. Elsewhere, we continue to keep a close watch on EUR/CHF, with the cross still unable to establish any upside momentum after recently testing the very well publicized 1.2000 SNB floor.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR

TECHNICAL OUTLOOK

EUR/USD:

The latest round of setbacks have stalled ahead of some key multi-week support by 1.3000 and from here there are risks for a shorter-term bounce back towards the 1.3200-1.3300 area, before considering bearish resumption. Ultimately, any rallies towards 1.3300 should be very well capped, while a break and close back under 1.3000, would accelerate declines.

GBP/USD:

Failure to establish any fresh momentum on the recent break above 1.6000, followed by an aggressive bearish reversal, now suggests that the market could finally be looking to carve a top in favor of a more significant decline over the coming sessions. Look for a break and close below next support at 1.5800 to reaffirm outlook, while back above 1.6065 would be required to negate.

USD/JPY:

The market continues to correct from the recent 2012 highs established at 84.20 several days back, and risks still exist for additional setbacks into the 79.00-80.00 area before considering a bullish resumption. Overall, our outlook is highly constructive and we see the pair in the process of carving a longer-term base ahead of the next major upside extension into the 85.00-90.00 area. We would therefore expect to see the shaping of a fresh medium-term higher low over the coming days. Ultimately, only below 78.00 delays outlook and gives reason for concern.

USD/CHF:

Our core constructive outlook remains well intact with the latest setbacks very well supported by psychological barriers at 0.9000. It now looks as though the market could be looking to carve a fresh higher low, and we will be looking for additional upside back towards the recent range highs at 0.9335 over the coming sessions. Above 0.9335 should accelerate gains towards the 2012 highs by 0.9600 further up. Ultimately, only back under 0.9000 delays and gives reason for pause.

--- Written by Joel Kruger, DailyFX Technical Currency Strategist

Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade foreign exchange you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts. Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, or other information contained in this email are provided as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. Dailyfx will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information. The content in this email is subject to change at any time without notice, and is provided for the sole purpose of assisting traders to make independent investment decisions. Dailyfx has taken reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, does not guarantee its accuracy, and will not accept liability for any loss or damage which may arise directly or indirectly from the content or your inability to access the content, for any delay in or failure of the transmission or the receipt of any instruction or notifications sent through this email. Please read the full disclosures here. Additionally, Dailyfx takes your privacy seriously. Please click here to read our privacy policy.

Valuable Resources