| By Joel Kruger, DailyFX Technical Strategist
Talking Points
- Markets still locked in quiet consolidation
- Euro still unsure of next moves; good two-way demand
- Solid US economic data keeps equity markets supported
- US Dollar to eventually emerge as broad outperformer
- Risks of additional QE should diminish as data strengthens
- Softer economic data out of UK and Canada expose local currencies
- Aussie and Yen also at risk for weakness over medium-term
Global markets return to fuller trade on Wednesday following the Tuesday holiday session in many countries. Overall, there has been no real change to the familiar ranges, and volatility remains at exceptionally low levels. The Euro has mostly been locked in tight consolidation above 1.3200, while even the recently wilder Australian Dollar has resigned itself to quieter trade following a surprising 50bp RBA rate cut which resulted in an immediate +1% decline on Tuesday. Some solid ISM manufacturing data out of the US has helped to keep equity markets propped for now, and US stocks are very close to retesting their yearly highs from March. Still, we feel there is an eeriness in price action that could be likened to calm before the storm. Things have been almost too quiet, and we suspect that there will soon be a new catalyst that sparks a major pickup in volatility and opens a clearer direction in the FX markets. Given where most currencies are currently trading, we suspect that the breakout will be in the US Dollar's favor, with most currencies currently trading by some key resistance against the buck. We also suspect that the flip-flopping on views over additional Fed QE implementation, will soon reverse back to a no additional QE consensus (has most recently been more QE positive), and this could indeed open a more substantial rally in the Greenback. Fundamentally, despite the latest bounce in the Euro, there has been nothing too compelling to actually justify the moves, while technically, the moves are still classified as normal corrective action within a broader Euro downtrend.
Other currencies like the Pound and Canadian Dollar have also been very well bid against the US Dollar, but here too we see risks for reversal, especially in light on some softer economic data out of both economies. Meanwhile, the Yen and Aussie also look exposed to weakness against the buck in our view, as here, yield differentials and monetary policy outlooks and actions do not favor strength in these currencies. As mentioned above, the RBA has finally come to its senses after reacting more appropriately to the global macro slowdown with a 50basis point rate cut, while the Bank of Japan continues to expand its monetary easing efforts. Economic data out of the US has also been quite solid, and the more this fact materializes, the greater the chance for a more aggressive push back into the US Dollar. Friday's monthly jobs report will therefore be a significant data release this week, and we suspect that the buzz and anticipation around this event will escalate over the coming sessions. EUR/USD: (This recommendation was issued last week but the entry and stop have been revised. See below.) Although the latest rally has been impressive, we contend the market is still locked within a more well defined medium to longer-term downtrend off of the 2008 record highs, and as such, looking to sell rallies in 2012 is the preferred strategy. The rally has now extended beyond 1.3200 and from here we see scope for additional upside through 1.3300. However, once the 1.3300 level is tested and broken, there is a very compelling technical argument to be made for a bearish resumption. A closer look at the 1.3300 level shows a confluence of resistance which includes the obvious psychological barrier itself, some falling trend-line resistance off of the February 2012 peak, the upper bollinger band, and a very attractive 78.6% fib retrace off of the most recent March-April, 1.34400-1.3000 high-low move. As such, we really like the idea of fading and overshoots beyond 1.3300 and will place our entry accordingly. STRATEGY: SELL AT 1.3320 FOR AN OPEN OBJECTIVE; STOP-LOSS ONLY ON ANY DAILY CLOSE (5PM NY TIME) ABOVE 1.3420. ECONOMIC CALENDAR
--- Written by Joel Kruger, DailyFX Technical Currency Strategist
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