This is a live streaming of the ECB press conference that will take place immediately after the meeting of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank on 7 September 2017. The press conference will start at 14:30 CET.
EUR/USD Weekly Analysis 26 June 2017 – Rangebound in a Quiet Market
The EURUSD remains in a range which forms a bull flag on the longer-term charts. Activity has tapered off ahead of summer holidays, and news flow is expected to be quiet. Both the top and the bottom of the range have already been convincingly tested and held. Fundamentals and the chart pattern still support long term Euro strength, but that may take some time to play out. Longer-term traders should look for long trades at the bottom of the range, while short-term traders can trade within the range.
EUR/USD Weekly Chart – The bull flag enters its 6th week
For more news, analysis and information go to http://www.eurusd.co/analysis/a-well-established-range-26-june-2017.html
EUR/USD Weekly Analysis 19 June 2017 – a Rangebound Market with a Slightly Bullish Bias
The Fed hiked rates as expected and Janet Yellen insisted they will raise rates again this year. The USD did strengthen on the back of these comments, but gave up most of those gains when weak consumer confidence and housing data was released on Friday. The market is not convinced by Yellen’s stance, which is being contradicted by economic data. Trump’s agenda appears to have stalled and he will need to begin to make progress if we are to see USD strength again. In the meantime the market remains rangebound between 1.114 and 1.13.
(EUR/USD Weekly – Coud be a top, but probably a bull flag)
(EUR/USD 4-Hour – Currently Rangebound)
For the complete analysis go to http://www.eurusd.co/analysis/the-retracement-loses-steam-19-june-2017.html
EUR/USD Weekly Analysis 12 June 2017 – Waiting for the Fed
The Euro has lost momentum over the past two weeks, though the fundamentals driving its rally remain in place. Last week the Eurozone news flow didn’t do enough to keep the rally going, and the UK election result weighed on currencies across the Eurozone.
The main event this week is the FOMC rate decision and traders will analyse Janet Yellen’s language concerning the future carefully. If the market interprets her comments as even slightly bullish for the USD we are likely to see a retracement to the 1.08 to 1.10 range. If not, the Euro rally may resume at a modest pace.
(EUR/USD 4-Hour Chart – Resistance at 1.1284)
Want to know more? go to http://www.eurusd.co/analysis/the-euro-has-lost-momentum-12-june-2017.html
EUR/USD Weekly Analysis 5 June 2017 – News Flow to Dominate the EUR/USD Story this Week
The technical picture for the Euro is quite simply that it is going up. The charts are telling us very little about how fast that may be or how deep the corrections may be.
(EUR/USD Weekly Chart – The rally resumes)
However, there is plenty of news and data this week, and fundamentals will probably drive the price. The ECB is meeting, Eurozone retail data will be released and so will US manufacturing data. On Thursday, the UK heads to the polls and James Comey testifies in the US. This is a week where anything could happen. There is a case to be made for a sharp selloff at some point, but that will need a catalyst before it happens.
(EUR/USD 4-Hour Chart – technicals will take a back seat as fundamentals dominate this week)
For the full analysis go to http://www.eurusd.co/analysis/the-euro-next-leg-higher-has-begun-5-june-2017.html
EUR/USD Weekly Analysis 29 May 2017 – Waiting for Employment Data
The Euro-Dollar pair is consolidating ahead of US employment data later in the week. The rhetoric from the Fed and the data over the last few months has some participants believing the FED may not hike rates in June. If this is confirmed by the data, the Euro may extend its gains, while strong data may see a bigger correction as the USD rallies. If the data is difficult to interpret, the indecision will increase and so will volatility.
The underlying trend is still bullish for the Euro, it’s just the size of the corrections that are uncertain.
(EUR/USD Weekly Chart – A pause after a strong move)
In the short term, a break of either side of last week’s trading range is likely to lead to a modest move in the direction of the break.
(EUR/USD 4-Hour Chart – a tight range which could break in either direction)
For the complete analysis and strategy click here http://www.eurusd.co/analysis/consolidating-ahead-of-key-us-data-29-may-2017.html
EUR/USD Weekly Analysis 22 May 2017 – The Euro Gathers Momentum
A combination of Euro strength and Dollar weakness has created a very strong trend for the Euro. This is now prompting dollar bulls to get out of their positions, which adds to the trend.
Before we have a clear idea of where the Euro is headed in the long term we will have to see a test if 1.16, and so price action in the short term will be targeting that level.
(EUR/USD Weekly chart – The Euro needs to test the top of the range)
Right now, the best strategy is to buy dips with a target of 1.1374, but we may have to wait for a bigger correction to 1.0875 to set up a really profitable, high probability trade.
(EUR/USD 4-Hour Chart – A clear medium term target at 1.1374)
There are a lot of speculative Euro longs in the market, and plenty of leverage is being used. That means a correction may be severe, so traders must obey their stops in this environment.
For the complete analysis and strategy click here http://www.eurusd.co/analysis/dollar-bulls-are-liquidating-22-may-2017.html
ECB, RBA Rates Remain Unchanged, Aussie GDP Slowed Most in Two Years
The Reserve Bank of Australia left Cash Rate at 2 percent as weakness in the Australian dollar has cushioned the blow of China’s weakness and lower commodity prices.
Australian GDP revealed its weakest growth in two years as it posted 0.2 percent in the second quarter, mainly due to the weakness in export volumes, the latest report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. Retail Sales posted an unexpected 0.1 percent dip in July, the first monthly decline since May 2014. Trade Balance report showed a lower-than-expected deficit of –AUD2.46 billion (analysts were expecting –AUD3.10 billion).
The European Central Bank also kept its minimum bid rate unchanged at 0.05 percent on Thursday. In the press conference, ECB chief Mario Draghi said the bank is lowering its inflation and growth forecasts. Inflation is expected to pick up slightly towards the yearend, he noted. The ECB also mentioned that it has changed its rules regarding the limit on bond issue share, increasing the limit to bond issues the central bank can hold to 33 percent from 25 percent.
In other news, the UK Manufacturing PMI came in at 51.5 for August, following a small increase to 51.9 in July. Net Lending to Individuals stood at GBP3.9 billion as expected. On the other hand, Construction PMI came in close to expectations at 57.3 (57.6 forecast).
In the United States, Chicago PMI came in at 54.4 versus 54.7 expected. ISM Manufacturing PMI registered its lowest reading since June 2013 at 51.1, while ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI came in at 59.0. Jobless Claims in the prior week increased 282,000, 9,000 more than the median forecast. The Non-Farm Employment Change showed an increase of 173,000 in August, disappointing and diverging from the 215,000 forecast. Average Hourly Earnings picked up 0.3 percent, and Jobless Rate eased to 5.1 percent.
 Commodities
Gold sellers won for the second week but not much new ground has been covered this time. Downside risk remains, as price has not recovered the $1,200 level despite the big pushes seen in August. $1,200 will remains an area for buyers to conquer moving forward.
After an enduring multi-month slide, a volatile week saw Oil move, for the most part, between the $43 and $49 zone. The move this week was not surprising given the relentless downside force exerted on black gold. Bulls need a move through $50 to keep this going.
Currency Pairs
EURUSD is back to its normal trading range after a wild end to the month of August. The pair is back below the 1.1400 resistance level and some buyers are attempting to poke through it again. It retains it bullish bias as long as price is below 1.1100.
GBPUSD posted its ninth straight bearish day on Friday as sellers attempt to push for a 1.5100 break. This pair would remain in seller’s territory if bulls won’t be able to bring this back above 1.5500. Let’s see if that would be a tall order for bulls, given the recent slump.
USDJPY posted its third consecutive bearish weekly close but this time it was engulfed by the prior huge weekly bar. Due to the recent JPY strength, this pair has a short-term bearish bias while price is below 122. Medium term, this pair is bullish as long as it remains above 120.
The Week Ahead
On Monday, keep an eye on Australia’s ANZ Job Advertisement; Japan’s Leading Indicators; Switzerland’s Foreign Currency Reserves; and Germany’s Industrial Production. Canada and the US will celebrate Labor Day.
Tuesday will offer Japan’s Current Account and Final GDP; Australia’s NAB Business Confidence; China’s, France’s, and Germany’s Trade Balance; Switzerland’s Jobless Rate; and US NFIB Small Business Index.
Wednesday will be much more active with Australia’s Westpac Consumer Sentiment and Home Loans; UK Halifax HPI, Manufacturing Production, and Trade Balance; Canada’s Building Permits, BOC Rate Statement and Announcement; and US JOLTS Job Openings.
Thursday will be extra busy with RBNZ Rate Announcement, Monetary Policy Statement, and Press conference; Japan’s Core Machinery Orders; Australia’s jobs data; China’s CPI, PPI, and New Loans; UK MPC’s Asset Purchase Facility and Official Bank Rate Votes and Rate Statement; US Unemployment Claims and Import Prices.
Friday will cap the week with Japan’s BSI Manufacturing Index; Germany’s WPI and Final CPI; ECOFIN Meetings; US PPI and Preliminary UoM Consumer Sentiment.
Yuan Devaluation Rattles Markets; Greece Approves Deal Amid Growing Opposition
China’s central bank rocked global markets this week as it initiated devaluation of the Yuan, saying it would begin setting the daily rate based in part on the prior day’s trading. In a press conference on Thursday, PBOC discussed its recent policy moves and Deputy Governor Yi Gang said “adjustment is almost completeâ€. He further said the possibility of a 10 percent devaluation was “nonsenseâ€, amidst rumors of some government figures pushing for a bigger depreciation. The PBOC started Yuan devaluation on Tuesday by 1.9 percent, 1.6 percent on Wednesday, and finally 1.1 percent on Thursday. Despite the devaluation, PBOC also intervened to manage currency volatility, keeping the market in check.
China’s New Loans surged to CNY1.480 billion in July. This is more than double the median estimate and the third straight monthly increase. M2 Money Supply grew 13.3 percent. Industrial Production and Retail Sales came in at 6 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively.
Japan’s Core Machinery Orders fell 7.9 percent in June, its lowest reading since May 2014.
German ZEW Economic Sentiment slipped to 25.0 from July’s 29.7. This is its fifth consecutive monthly decline. In contrast, the Eurozone German ZEW Economic Sentiment improved to 47.6.
In Greece, the parliament on Friday voted in favor of implementing the measures for the third bailout program. 222 Greek MPs voted Yes and 64 voted No, with a growing number of SYRIZA lawmakers opposing the deal, the third bailout in the last five years. Euro finance ministers will approve lending 85.5 billion Euros in the next three years to Greece for stability support.
 Commodities
Gold recovered this week as it traded within a $37 trading range and pushed through $1,100. An initial bounce toward $1,150 remains possible amidst a bearish backdrop while price is below $1,250.
Oil completed its ninth straight weekly bearish close this week as more sellers joined. The $40 level is now on target, and a move toward the $30-$35 zone is now an increased possibility. Traders should avoid buying any dip.
Currency Pairs
EURUSD recovered this week further after price failed to make a new weekly low. The pair was able to move past 1.1200 but topside selling made it close the week much lower. The goal of buyers for the next few weeks is to sustain momentum and target 1.1400 again.
GBPUSD came close to taking out previous week’s low, but in the end it just formed a bullish weekly inside bar. This was a positive result, which could pave the way for a breakout toward 1.5900 in the coming week or so. This is a big possibility unless support around 1.5400 will be cleared.
The 125 level in USDJPY has been reached but the last three weekly closes has been far from ideal. Most moves towards that level has been thwarted by sellers easily, and this could become a bigger concern for bulls starting this coming week. Sellers could aim for a break of 124 this week.
The Week Ahead
This week will be less active, overall, compared to previous weeks. However, activity would be more evenly distributed.
Monday will offer Japan’s Prelim GDP; Switzerland’s Retail Sales; Canada’s Foreign Securities Purchases; US Empire State Manufacturing Index;
Tuesday will have RBA’s Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes; UK CPI, RPI, PPI Output and HPI; US Building Permits and Housing Starts.
Wednesday will be unusually compact with New Zealand’s PPI Input and PPI Output; Japan’s Trade Balance; US CPI and FOMC Meeting Minutes.
Thursday will have Bank of Japan’s Monetary Policy Statement and press conference; Switzerland’s Trade Balance; UK Retail Sales; Canada’s Wholesale Sales; US Jobless Claims, Existing Home Sales, and Philly Fed Manufacturing Index.
Friday will remain active with China’s Caixin Flash Manufacturing PMI; Flash Manufacturing PMI and Flash Services PMI from France, Germany, and the Eurozone; UK Public Sector Net Borrowing; Canada’s CPI and Retail Sales; and US Flash Manufacturing PMI.
RBA, BOE Put Rate on Hold; Canada, US, NZ, Australia Jobs Outlook Diverge
On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia left the Cash Rate unchanged at 2 percent. Meanwhile, the Bank of England kept its Official Bank Rate at 0.50 percent. The latest Official Bank Rate votes surprisingly showed only one policymaker out of nine, Ian McCafferty, saw the need to raise rates. Analysts expected two BOE MPC members would want to hike rates. The Asset Purchase Facility (APF) and APF votes came in line with expectations (GBP375 billion and 0-0-9, respectively). BOE Governor Carney hinted that the first rate hike could happen next year but would be “data dependentâ€.
On the global employment front, New Zealand’s Employment Change fared lower than forecast at 0.3 percent, while the Unemployment Rate came in at 5.9 percent, as expected. On the other hand, Australia’s Employment Change was much stronger as employers added 38,500 jobs in July, but the Jobless Rate slipped to 6.3 percent from 6.1 percent. In the United States, Non-Farm Employment Change was 7,000 below the 222,000 forecast, while the previous reading has been revised higher to 231,000. US Jobless Rate remained fixed at 5.3 percent for the second month in July, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Canada’s Jobless Rate stayed at 6.8 percent for the sixth straight month.
In other news, Australia’s Retail Sales and Trade Balance came in better than forecast. Home Loans were lower at 4.4 percent, while previous reading was revised lower to -7.3 percent.
In the United States, ISM Manufacturing PMI and ISM Manufacturing Prices slipped to 52.7 and 44.0, respectively. However, ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI jumped to 60.3, its best reading since 2005.
Commodities
Gold posted its second weekly inside bar after price hovered just below the $1,100 area. We could then see a bounce toward $1,150-$1,200 initially. However, downtrend remains firm as long as price stays below $1,250.
Oil tracked lower again this week, printing its eighth straight weekly bearish close. The triple bottom is now fully in play, and we could see fireworks in the coming days or weeks. Price is looking for new lows – new multi-year lows, in fact. It is now staring at a possibility of price heading for the $30-$35 zone.
Currency Pairs
EURUSD has been sticking close to the 1.100 level for several weeks now. With the pair’s failure to create a new weekly low, we can see bulls attempt for a move toward 1.1400 again. This area is possibly rich in armies of sellers.
GBPUSD traders are battling within a tight range for the fifth week now. If this pair wants to track higher, it should take out the 1.5700 this week so it can head to 1.5900. Otherwise, GBPUSD would stay in a range, which could trade as low as 1.5400.
Slowly but surely, USDJPY has been moving higher toward 125 for the past couple of weeks. The pair remains content, for now, in staying below 125 (although this figure has been touched twice this week). If it continues to march higher, the June 5 high below 126 is the next target.
The Week Ahead
Monday will offer Japan’s Current Account, Consumer Confidence, and BOJ Monthly Report; and speeches from US FOMC Member Lockhart and Fischer.
Tuesday will start quite early with UK’s BRC Retail Sales Monitor. This will be followed by Australia’s NAB Business Confidence and HPI; China’s New Loans; Germany and Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment; Canada’s Housing Starts; and US Prelim Unit Labor Costs and Prelim Nonfarm Productivity.
Wednesday will get busy with Japan’s BOJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minute; Australia’s Wage Price Index and Westpac Consumer Sentiment; China’s Industrial Production, Retail Sales, and Fixed Asset Investment; UK Average Earnings Index, Jobless Rate, and Claimant Count Change; and JOLTS Job Openings
Thursday will be critical again for Greece as its set for another Debt Crisis Vote. Other important news to watch out for include New Zealand’s Business NZ Manufacturing Index and FPI; Japan’s Core Machinery Orders; Australia’s MI Inflation Expectations; France’s CPI; ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts; US Jobless Claims, Retail Sales, Business Inventories and Import Prices.
Friday will have moderate news activity with New Zealand’s Retail Sales; Germany’s Prelim GDP; Eurozone Flash GDP; Eurogroup Meetings; Canada’s Manufacturing Sales; US PPI, TIC Long-Term Purchases, Empire State Manufacturing Index, Industrial Production, Capacity Utilization Rate, and Prelim UoM Consumer Sentiment.