Today’s Trades 08.23.2018 EURGBP, EURAUD, USDCAD, USDCHF

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

Most of the major currencies are trading higher this morning ahead of Fed Chair Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole. We know that Powell and Poloz will be the only central bank leaders attending as Draghi, Carney and Kuroda stay behind. Judging from the price action of USDJPY, investors are cautiously concerned that Powell will talk down the dollar because while USD/JPY is holding onto yesterday’s gains, the greenback is trading lower against all other major currencies. AUD/USD traders may be legitimately satisfied with the political resolution in Australia, but relations between the US and China remain chill as their trade talks end with no real resolution. Although the EURO is trading well today, we are growing increasingly concerned about the currency because Italian bond yields are closing in on their highest level in 4 years. We’re only about 4bp from there. Sterling traded strongly overnight and could experience a further squeeze up to 1.29. Higher oil prices and risk appetite is driving USD/CAD lower with the pair likely to make move down to 1.3050. The New Zealand dollar should follow AUD higher especially after last night’s trade data. The greenback is trading with a softer bias ahead of Powell and the selling pressure could remain in place before the Fed Chair speaks.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

-USD
-JPY
+GBP
+AUD
+CAD
+CHF

*Trading Biases*

-USD, -JPY
+GBP, +AUD, +CAD, +CHF, +NZD
+EUR/USD but -EUR vs. other currencies

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Sell USDCAD at 1.3068, Stop at 1.3096, Target 1.3040
2. Sell EURGBP at .9005, Stop at .9033, Target .8977
3. Sell EURAUD at 1.5887, Stop at 1.5915, Target 1.5859
4. Sell USDCHF at .9839, Stop at .9867, Target .9811

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 07.24.2018 EURNZD, GBPCHF, USDCAD, NZDUSD

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

USD/JPY is selling off for the 5th consecutive trading session and this weakness is driving the greenback lower against all of the major currencies. Yesterday’s softer existing home sales report can be blamed but ultimately, it is the trend of softer U.S. data that is encouraging profit taking in the greenback this week. There are no major U.S. economic reports on the calendar until Friday and today’s Market PMI numbers will only have limited impact on the currency. Therefore investors should keep an eye on U.S. yields because its not clear whether the selling will continue. The most important economic report released this morning was Eurozone PMIs but the data failed to help the euro as weaker activity in the service sector was offset by stronger activity in manufacturing. The strongest performing currencies this morning are the Australian dollar and sterling. AUD and NZD benefitting from the rally in the Shanghai Composite index and China’s new policies to support growth while healthier UK CBI data is helping sterling. Looking ahead, we expect the Canadian dollar to trade higher on the back of morning’s rally in oil prices and the U.S. dollar to extend its losses during North American trade.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

-USD
+CAD
+GBP
+NZD
+AUD

*Trading Biases*

-USD
+CAD, +GBP, +NZD, +AUD
Mildly +EUR, +CHF
Neutral JPY

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Buy NZDUSD at .6798, Stop at.6771, Target .6827
2. Sell USDCAD at 1.3152, stop at 1.3180, Target 1.3124
3. Sell EURNZD at 1.7211, Stop at 1.7239, Target 1.7183
4. Buy GBPCHF at 1.3039, Stop at 1.3011, Target 1.3067

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 07.20.2018 AUDUSD, CHFJPY, EURAUD, USDCAD

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

The NY morning starts with a series of damaging trade headlines. President Trump said he’s ready to put tariffs on ALL $505 billion of Chinese goods imported to the U.S. and the German Chancellor Merkel said the E.U. is ready to retaliate against any U.S. auto tariffs. Trade tensions are escalating and not easing causing the Chinese Yuan to fall further. Yuan weakness has been a big story this week and the ramifications will be significant for the region’s economy. But currencies did not have a big reaction to Trump’s latest threats and that could be because investors are growing numb to his antagonistic attitude. With that in mind, we still believe that AUD and NZD will underperform as a result of these latest comments. U.S. yields are also up today, supporting a rally in the U.S. dollar. European Stocks and Dow futures on the other hand have turned negative following the trade talk. The Canadian dollar will be in focus this morning with retail sales and CPI scheduled for release. The lack of U.S. economic reports means the greenback will be trading on headline risk.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

+USD
+CAD (pre-data)
+EUR
-AUD
-NZD

*Trading Biases*

+USD, +EUR, +GBP, +CHF
-AUD, -NZD, -JPY
+CAD pre-data

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Sell AUDUSD at .7361, Stop at .7389. Target .7333
2. Buy CHFJPY at 112.63, stop aa 112.35, Target 112.91
3. Buy EURAUD at 1.4820, Stop at 1.5792, Target 1.5848
4. Sell USDCAD at 1.3250, Stop at 1.3278, Target 1.3222

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 07.17.2018 EURUSD, USDCAD, AUDCHF, NZDJPY

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

It will be a big day in the FX market with Fed Chair Jay Powell testifying before Congress at 10AM NY time. From his prepared remarks we know that he’s optimistic about the U.S. economy but worried about trade tensions. The U.S. dollar is holding strong against the Yen ahead of the release and flat against other major currencies with the exception of the New Zealand dollar, which is up 0.63%. NZD soared on the back of stronger inflation data, taking out stops in the process. UK labor data was in line with expectations but slightly weaker than the previous month. Global bond yields are lower this morning, oil is below $70 a barrel and stocks are flat. The recent decline in oil leads us to believe that the loonie is due for a correction. We don’t expect much in the way of moves ahead of Powell’s speech but there could be some relative value plays.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

+EUR
-AUD
-NZD
-CAD

*Trading Biases*

+EUR. +CHF
-AUD, -NZD, -CAD
Neutral GBP, USD, JPY

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Buy USDCAD at 1.3145, Stop at 1.3117, Target 1.3173
2. Sell AUDCHF at .7362, Stop at .7390, Target .7334
3. Sell NZDJPY at 76.70, Stop at 76.98, Target 76.42
4. Buy EURUSD at 1.1721, Stop at 1.1693, Target 1.1749

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 07.05.2018 AUDCHF, EURUSD, CADJPY, USDCAD

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

All of the major currencies are trading higher this morning on reports that the US and EU could drop their respective auto tariffs. No formal deal has been announced and there’s no mention by President Trump on twitter so it is too early to tell whether this story has real merit but it is driving risk on flows. However with the U.S. holiday bringing lower liquidity (many traders are off through the weekend) and trade war still a major issue the day before tariffs on China begin, investors remain nervous about retaliatory measures from China. Today’s ADP, Challenger and non-manufacturing ISM reports could also have a significant impact on the U.S. dollar ahead of Friday’s non-farm payrolls report. The best performing currency this morning is the euro followed by the deeply sold New Zealand dollar. All of the commodity currencies are trying to claw higher this morning. I like CAD in particular because of the continued uptick in oil along with the rise in Canadian bond yields. Sterling on the other hand saw very little benefit from BoE Governor Carney’s positive comments but that should be temporary following yesterday’s strong PMI services data. With the Fed expected to raise interest rates again this year, investors are hopeful that today’s U.S. economic reports will reaffirm the strength of the labor market.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

+EUR
+CAD
+AUD
-JPY
-CHF

*Trading Biases*

+EUR, +AUD, +CAD, +GBP, +NZD
-JPY, -CHF
+USDJPY

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Buy AUDCHF at .7331, Stop at .7304, .7360
2. Buy EURUSD at 1.1685, stop at 1.1657, Target 1.1713
3. Buy CADJPY at 81.16, Stop at 83.88, Target 84.44

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 06.28.2018 EURJPY, EURAUD, AUDUSD, USDCAD

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

The U.S. dollar is consolidating after yesterday’s strong rally. While USD/JPY remains firm at the start of the NY session, the greenback is slipping versus the euro and Canadian dollar. EURO is supported by positive ECB comments and the prospect of stronger German CPI. The recent rise in oil prices makes it difficult for USD/CAD to extend its gains and this morning it is testing the lower bound of its 6 day range. If USD/CAD breaks 1.3250, we should see a quick slide down to 1.3200. The New Zealand dollar is trading at fresh 1 year lows following the RBNZ rate decision. Sterling also hit one year lows despite positive comments from the BoE and higher UK yields. The problem for many of these currencies is risk aversion -- stocks may be flat today but the Chinese Yuan continues its losing streak and the accompanying weakness in Asian stocks makes investors worried about global growth. US GDP revisions are scheduled for release this morning -- we are also nearing the end of the quarter so watch out for rebalancing flows. Given how much the dollar has risen over the past 3 months, quarter end portfolio rebalancing should involve selling of U.S. dollars.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

+EUR
+AUD
+CAD
-JPY

*Trading Biases*

+EUR, +AUD, +CAD, +CHF, +USDJPY
-JPY, -NZD, -USD
neutral GBP

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Buy EURJPY at 127.62, Stop at 127.34, Target 127.90
2. Sell USDCAD at 1.3281, Stop at 1.3309, Target 1.3253
3. Sold USDCAD at 1.3284, Stop at 1.3312, Target 1.3256
4. Buy AUDUSD at .7353, Stop at .7325, Target .7381

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 06.19.2018 USDCAD, EURJPY, AUDJPY

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

President Trump’s threat to impose another 200B in tariffs on China sent ripples throughout the financial markets. Investors are selling equities, currencies and buying Treasuries. Yields are down across the board and Dow futures, which are down 300 points are pointing to a very ugly NY open. The U.S. dollar is up against all of the major currencies except for USD/JPY and this price action is consistent with risk aversion. While China doesn’t want a trade war, they said they aren’t afraid of one, so headline risk is a serious one over the next few trading days. Expect the language to harden and currencies to soften. GBP/USD is trading at a one year low this morning as pound’s troubles are doubled by Brexit complications -- the government refuses to accept
the Parliament’s proposal on the meaningful vote. EUR/USD is trading below 1.15 as ECB Liikanen’s view that rates can remain unchanged after the 2019 if needed compound the currency’s losses. USD/CAD is trading at a fresh 1 year high on the back of falling oil prices but the worst performing currency this morning is the Australian dollar, which is down across the board following the RBA minutes which showed concern about the rise in the Australian dollar and its impact on growth and inflation. In other words, risk aversion is being compounded by bad news. Looking ahead, we expect all of the major currencies to remain under pressure with further losses likely.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

-USDJPY
-EUR
-GBP
-AUD
-CAD

*Trading Biases*

-EUR, -GBP, -AUD, -CAD
+USD (but -USDJPY)
+JPY
neutral CHF, NZD

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Buy USDCAD at 1.3270, Stop at 1.3242, Target 1.3298
2. Sell AUDJPY at 80.99, Stop at 81.27, Target 80.71
3. Sell EURJPY at 126.91, Stop at 127.19, Target 126.63

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 06.15.2018 EURGBP, CHFJPY, EURJPY, USDCAD

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

At first glance, it appears that the U.S. dollar is under pressure against all of the major currencies as investors wait for Trump’s list of tariffs on China. However on an intraday basis, USD/JPY is holding onto its gains into the NY open and trying to edge slightly higher. With that in mind, a trade war is bad for everyone and negative for risk appetite so its difficult to imagine that we’ll see significant rallies in currencies today. Canada has the largest decline in 10 year yields which explains why CAD is also the weakest currency but after having breached 1.3150, the pair is due for a correction. EUR is struggling to recapture 1.16 and took hit from reports that Angela Merkel’s government is at the brink as its coalition partner plans to end their alliance. While the currency recovered its initial losses this development should limit the recovery in EUR/USD. The Australian and New Zealand dollars are under pressure with NZD leading the slide after weaker manufacturing PMI numbers. The Yen seems to be unfazed by the Bank of Japan’s lowered CPI assessment. The U.S.’ Empire State manufacturing survey and University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment report are scheduled for release today but the main focus will be on China tariffs. One of my strongest views today is GBP outperformance.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

-EUR
-CHF
+CAD
+GBP

*Trading Biases*

+GBP, +USD, +CAD
-EUR, -CHF, -AUD, -NZD
mildly +JPY

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Sell EURGBP at .8730, Stop at .8758, Target .8702
2. Sell CHFJPY at 110.83, Stop at 111.11, target 110.55
3. Sell EURUSD at 1.1589, Stop at 1.1617, Target 1.1561
4. Sell USDCAD at 1.3140, Stop at 1.3168, Target 1.3112

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 06.11.2018 USDJPY, USDCAD, USDCHF

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

The most notable move in the FX markets this morning is in USD/JPY which is testing 110 after having traded as low as 109.25 at the start of the Asia session. There are no U.S. economic reports released today but the dollar is propped by the prospect of a Fed rate hike this week and higher yields. The weakest currency is the Canadian dollar which was hit hard by Trump’s attitude at G7, attack on Trudeau and Canada. Investors are still reeling from Friday’s softer Canadian employment report. The British pound is also under pressure following a series of softer economic reports -- the trade deficit widened and industrial production declined. AUD and NZD are flat but the slide in European currencies and the bid for the USD suggests that these currencies will turn lower during the NY session. The European Central Bank also has a policy meeting this week and while the positive momentum in EUR is fading this morning, we think buyers will swoop ahead of the rate decision.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

+USD
-GBP
-CAD
-JPY
-CHF

*Trading Biases*

+USD
-GBP, -CAD, -JPY, -CHF
mildly -AUD and -NZD
neutral EUR

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Buy USDCAD at 1.2990, Stop at 1.2962, Target 1.3018
2. Buy USDJPY at 110.01, Stop at 109.73, Target 110.29
3. Buy USDCHF at .9868, Stop at .9840, Target .9896
4. Sell GBPUSD at 1.3353, Stop at 1.3381, Target 1.3325

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

Today’s Trades 06.05.2018 – USDCAD, EURJPY, EURAUD

by Kathy Lien Swing

*Good morning/afternoon everyone!*

At the start of the North American trading session, there has yet to be any little consistency in the U.S. dollar’s performance but as the session progresses, we should start to see some moves especially with US yields falling. The USD should slip against JPY and GBP, which is benefitting from very strong data. Sterling is the best performing currency this morning thanks to a hotter PMI services report that has lifted the pair across the board. It should only be a matter of time before 1.3400 is broken. The other currencies are struggling with AUD and CAD leading the slide. AUD declined after the RBA rate decision because policymakers emphasized the need for unchanged policy to spur growth and inflation. They also expressed concerns about low inflation and US-China trade tensions. CAD is being hit by the same trade concerns. EUR is hampered by softer data -- PMI services was revised lower and retail sales came in much weaker than expected. The U.S. non-manufacturing ISM report is the main focus today in the NY session and given the strength of NFPs, the risk is to the upside for the release.

*The MAIN THEMES I see today are*

-USD
-AUD
-CAD
+GBP
+CHF

*Trading Biases*

+GBP, +CHF, +JPY
-USD, -AUD, -CAD
mildly -EUR and -NZD

*Today’s Initial Trades*

Here’s the summary --

1. Bought USDCAD at 1.2975, Stop at 1.2947, Target 1.3000
2. Sell EURJPY at 128.24, Stop at 128.52, Target 127.96
3. Buy EURAUD at 1.5337, Stop at 1.5309, Target 1.5365

Close ALL open day trades by 10:20AM NY / 15:20 GMT

USD/CAD Headed Below 1.28

USD/CAD Headed Below 1.28

by Kathy Lien Chart Of The Day

USD/CAD Headed Below 1.28

The Canadian dollar soared today on the back of the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy announcement. Although interest rates were left unchanged, the BoC made a u-turn in their statement by dropping the reference to being “cautious on rates” and removing the language that pertains to the need for “monetary policy accommodation.” With inflation “likely to be a bit higher in the near term,” and activity “a little stronger than projected,” the BoC expects “solid wage growth” to contribute “positively to housing and consumer demand.” We believe that the Canadian dollar will continue to benefit from this shift in sentiment, leading to further profit taking in USD/CAD.

On a technical basis, USD/CAD has fallen below the first standard deviation Bollinger Band. Although there’s some support at the 20-day SMA near 1.2850, we believe that USD/CAD will fall to at least 1.2790, the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the 2018 rally and the first standard deviation Bollinger Band and most likely to the May low near 1.2725.

USDCAD – On the way to 1.2600?

USDCAD – On the way to 1.2600?

by admin Chart Of The Day

One of the strongest currencies over the past few days has been the loonie. It’s up more than 230 pips against the buck since the start of the week after having failed to take out the upside at 1.3000 level. Higher oil prices. strong funda data and creeping doubt that the Fed will not hike rates more than 2 more times this year have all helped the currency to rally over the past 48 hours.

If the labor data tomorrow surprises to the upside, the markets will begin to price the prospect of BOC rate hikes before the end of summer. Right now the BOC is the only G-7 central bank to seriously consider additional tightening and with the Canadian economy doing better than expected chances are good that BOC may resume its normalization policy soon.

With 1.3000 firmly rejected, the path of least resistance in the loonie is towards 1.2600 and a strong labor number tomorrow could send the pair in that direction before the week is over.