Sunday, February 1, 2015

Australia 200 – Continues on Winning Run Heading Towards 5650

Australia 200 for Monday, February 2, 2015

In the last couple of weeks the Australian 200 index has done well and surged higher to move back above the key 5400 level to a four month high above 5600.  It now has eyes on the longer term resistance level of 5650 which is looming above.  For a few days during last week, the resistance at 5500 stood tall and fended off all advances, however this now been broken strongly through.  The recent move higher from below 5300 to above the key level of 5400 is important as it desperately tries to hang on to this important trading range for the index above 5400.  In the week prior, the Australia 200 Index eased back again under the 5400 level after making numerous attempts to clear it over the last month, which saw it drop to a three week low below 5250 before its recent surge higher.

The moderate support from around the 5300 level held it up well for a a couple weeks before the surge higher. The short-term resistance level at 5500 has returned and now resumes its role of placing selling pressure on the index.  Throughout most of November and December, the Australia 200 Index fell steadily lower down towards support around 5150 and two month lows before rallying back above 5400 again. Over the last few weeks the Australia 200 index has struggled with resistance at 5400 which has forced it lower time and time again. The 5400 level has been a major player for the last 12 months and the index must get back above this level to encourage more buying and bullish sentiment. It enjoyed a solid resurgence throughout October after getting much needed support from the 5200 level, which has resulted in it moving back above the 5400 and 5500 levels, around a two month high.

Throughout most of September the Australia 200 Index declined strongly from its multi-year high after running into resistance around 5650 back to enter its previously established trading range between 5400 and 5500, before falling further below 5200 and to an eight month low around 5120 a few weeks ago. Several weeks ago it received solid support from the 5100 level which saw it rally well to close out a couple of weeks ago. Back in early September the 5400 level was called upon to offer support as the index desperately tried to stay in touch with its range, however it fell through there before rallying strongly back up to 5400. Up until recently, the 5400 level had done well and propped up price to keep it within the range. In its recent fall at the beginning of August it moved down to a three week low around 5375, however it received solid support at the 5400 level which has allowed to consolidate and rally higher.

Australian housing prices rose strongly in January, but the rise was uneven in a ‘two-tiered’ market.  The average rise across the nation’s capital cities was 1.3 per cent, according a CoreLogic RP Data.  The result, flagged by the property market analysis firm last week, was included in more detailed figures released on Monday.  Prices were highest in Sydney, with a median home value of $723,000, and lowest in Hobart, at $341,000.  Sydney also maintained its place at the top of the list of annual price rises, with a gain of 13.0 per cent.  Canberra was at the bottom of the list, with annual price falls averaging 0.3 per cent.  Annual growth came in at 8.0 per cent, down from a peak of 11.5 per cent early in 2014.  “This slower rate of appreciation should provide some comfort to regulators that housing demand is starting to taper, despite the historically low interest rate environment,” CoreLogic RP Data Head of Research Tim Lawless said.

(Daily chart below)

asx_20150202

Australia 200 February 2 at 02:20 GMT   5607   H: 5610   L: 5550

Australia 200 Technical

S3

S2

S1

R1

R2

R3

5400

5150

5100

5650

During the hours of the Asian trading session on Monday, the Australia 200 Index is moving well and is pushing up through the 5600 level with eyes on the longer term resistance level around 5650.

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 5400, 5150 and 5100.

• Above: 5650.

Economic Releases

09:00 EU Manufacturing PMI (Jan)

09:30 UK CIPS/Markit Manufacturing PMI (Jan)

13:30 US Core PCE Price Index (Dec)

13:30 US Personal income & spending (Dec)

14:45 US Manufacturing PMI (Jan)

15:00 US Construction Spending (Dec)

15:00 US ISM Manufacturing (Jan)

* All release times are GMT

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.

OANDA MarketPulse Nominated for FXstreet’s 2015 Forex Best Awards

We are pleased to share the news that FXstreet – Europe’s oldest forex trading portal, published online in more than 50 countries – has nominated your MarketPulse team for the “Best Sell-Side Analysis Team” award again this year (the winners in 2014!), as well as in the category of “Best Analysis”.

The annual Forex Best Awards highlight the best analysis, educational content, and contributors on its website from the preceding year. It is a tremendous honour to be considered for this industry accolade out of the thousands of top tier banks and financial blogs online.

However, in order to win these important awards, we need your help – we need you to vote for us.

China Final HSBC PMI at 49.7 in January

China’s manufacturing sector remained in a poor state in January, a private survey showed on Monday, amid increasing speculation that policymakers will intervene with fresh measures to spur the economy.

The final HSBC Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell 49.7, a touch below its 49.8 flash reading, and after dipping to 49.6 in December. A reading below 50 indicates contraction.

The data comes a day after the government’s official PMI for January also dipped into contractionary territory for the first time in two and the half years, coming in at 49.8 and surprising market watchers who were expecting expansion.

CNBC

AUD/USD – Enjoys Some Support Above 0.77

AUD/USD for Monday, February 2, 2015

The last couple of weeks has seen the Australian dollar fall very sharply and break lower from the trading range that had been established roughly between 0.8050 and 0.8200. This has resulted in a new multi-year low near 0.7700 to close out last week.  The 0.77 range is currently offering some support to the Australian dollar which has allowed it to consolidate a little and temporarily stop the recent decline.  A few weeks ago it made numerous attempts at the resistance level at 0.82 only to be sent back often before finally finishing that week moving through this key level. In doing so it was able to reach a one month high near 0.83 before being sold back down again towards 0.82 as the resistance and selling activity above this level kicked in. Over the Christmas / New Year period, the Australian dollar seemed to have been content with trading in a narrow range below the resistance at 0.82, which continues to remain a key level as it is presently provides resistance.

The Australian dollar experienced a disappointing November and December moving from resistance around 0.88 down to the new lows recently. For a couple of months from September through to November, the Australian dollar did well to stop the bleeding and trade within a range between 0.8650 and 0.88 after experiencing a sharp decline throughout September which saw it move from close to 0.94 down to below 0.8650. Back at the beginning of September the Australian dollar showed some positive signs as it surged higher again bouncing off support below 0.93 and reaching a new four week high around 0.94 however that all now seems a distant memory.

It seems a long way away now but the Australian dollar reached a three week high just shy of 0.9480 at the end of July after it enjoyed a solid period which saw it surge higher through the resistance level at 0.9425 to the three week around 0.9480, before easing back towards that level. The Australian dollar enjoyed a solid surge higher reaching a new eight month high above 0.95 at the end of June, only to return most of its gains in very quick time to finish out that week. Since the middle of June the Australian dollar has made repeated attempts to break through the resistance level around 0.9425, however despite its best efforts it was rejected every time as the key level continued to stand tall, even though it has allowed the small excursion to above 0.95.

Australian housing prices rose strongly in January, but the rise was uneven in a ‘two-tiered’ market.  The average rise across the nation’s capital cities was 1.3 per cent, according a CoreLogic RP Data.  The result, flagged by the property market analysis firm last week, was included in more detailed figures released on Monday.  Prices were highest in Sydney, with a median home value of $723,000, and lowest in Hobart, at $341,000.  Sydney also maintained its place at the top of the list of annual price rises, with a gain of 13.0 per cent.  Canberra was at the bottom of the list, with annual price falls averaging 0.3 per cent.  Annual growth came in at 8.0 per cent, down from a peak of 11.5 per cent early in 2014.  “This slower rate of appreciation should provide some comfort to regulators that housing demand is starting to taper, despite the historically low interest rate environment,” CoreLogic RP Data Head of Research Tim Lawless said.

(Daily chart / 4 hourly chart below)

a_20150202

a_20150202_4hour

AUD/USD February 2 at 01:30 GMT   0.7785   H: 0.7790   L: 0.7749

AUD/USD Technical

S3

S2

S1

R1

R2

R3

0.7700

0.8200

0.8650

0.8800

During the early hours of the Asian trading session on Monday, the AUD/USD is trading in a narrow range between 0.7770 and 0.7790 after dropping sharply throughout last week down to new multi-year lows.  Current range: trading right below 0.7800 at 0.7790.

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 0.7700.

• Above: 0.8200, 0.8650, and 0.8800.

OANDA’s Open Position Ratios

a_20150202_ratio

(Shows the ratio of long vs. short positions held for the AUD/USD among all OANDA clients. The left percentage (blue) shows long positions; the right percentage (orange) shows short positions.)

The long position ratio for the AUD/USD has eased back under 60% as the Australian dollar has dropped sharply back under the resistance level at 0.82 and down to a multi-year low near 0.7700.   The trader sentiment remains in favour of long positions.

Economic Releases

09:00 EU Manufacturing PMI (Jan)

09:30 UK CIPS/Markit Manufacturing PMI (Jan)

13:30 US Core PCE Price Index (Dec)

13:30 US Personal income & spending (Dec)

14:45 US Manufacturing PMI (Jan)

15:00 US Construction Spending (Dec)

15:00 US ISM Manufacturing (Jan)

* All release times are GMT

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.

OANDA MarketPulse Nominated for FXstreet’s 2015 Forex Best Awards

We are pleased to share the news that FXstreet – Europe’s oldest forex trading portal, published online in more than 50 countries – has nominated your MarketPulse team for the “Best Sell-Side Analysis Team” award again this year (the winners in 2014!), as well as in the category of “Best Analysis”.

The annual Forex Best Awards highlight the best analysis, educational content, and contributors on its website from the preceding year. It is a tremendous honour to be considered for this industry accolade out of the thousands of top tier banks and financial blogs online.

However, in order to win these important awards, we need your help – we need you to vote for us.

Looking Ahead in Asia

Asia’s central banks will likely hog the market spotlight this week, while earnings season continues in Japan with Panasonic, Sharp, Toyota Motor, Mazda and Mitsubishi Motors handing in their report cards.  Meanwhile, a private survey of China’s manufacturing activity could provide some insight into the state of the world’s second-largest economy.

After a string of unexpected moves by central banks as of late, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) policy meeting on Tuesday will likely attract more attention than usual.  Analyst expect the RBA to join the easing bandwagon, after its Asian peers India and Singapore recently surprised markets with inter-meeting easing measures. Beyond Asia, the European Central Bank (ECB) unleashed a larger-than-expected bond-buying program on January 22, while the Bank of Canada cut its benchmark rate for the first time since 2010 in the same week.

A 25 basis point reduction in interest rate will make sense as “insurance” to improve the Australian economy, wrote Shane Oliver, head of Investment Strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital, in a note.

CNBC

Asian Equities Start the Week Mixed

Asian stocks started the week mixed, following a rebound in global crude oil prices, but markets remained cautious ahead of the HSBC’s final reading of China’s factory activity for January, due at 0945 SIN/HK.

Economists polled by Reuters see the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) inching up to 49.8, slightly higher than HSBC’s final figure of 49.5 in December and in line with last week’s preliminary reading and an official survey announced at the weekend.

China’s factory sector unexpectedly shrank for the first time since September 2012 in January and firms see more gloom ahead, an official survey showed on Sunday. The 50-point level separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.

CNBC

Friday, January 30, 2015

Weaker U.S. Growth Leaves EUR/USD With Little Room To Move

The GDP numbers out of the United States disappointed by missing the 2014 fourth quarter forecast. In the quarter the U.S. economy expanded at a rate of 2.6 percent, this is lower than the anticipated 3.0 percent. Taken out of context it looks like the U.S. economy is struggling and some the immediate reaction did not take into account the global financial markets. Growth forecasts have been cut around the world so it should not be a total surprise that after an impressive Q3 the U.S. would slow down. Corporate investment was low and with the price of oil at current levels will discourage Energy companies as some are already closing unprofitable wells and new projects are on pause.

The federal reserve can continue to be patient as it is safe to be bullish about the U.S. Economy relative to the rest of the world. Kansas Fed President James Bullard was comfortable with the current rate of growth of the U.S. economy and continues to advocate for higher rates sooner rather than later. He is a non-voting member and a known hawk that is not concerned with current inflation levels. He says a small rate rise soon could give the Fed more flexibility.

The market reaction to the U.S. GDP figures was subdued. Earlier German Retail Sales posted a weak gain of 0.2%, marking a 3-month low. The estimate stood at 0.4%. Eurozone inflation remains anemic, as the Eurozone CPI Estimate came in at 0.6%, its second straight decline. In Spain, CPI followed suit with a decline of 1.4%, although there was good news from GDP, which improved to 0.7% in Q4. The negative data pushed the EUR higher as confidence in the European Central Bank’s quantitative easing program suffered as deflation is advancing while the QE program has been announced, but not launched.

The EUR/USD depreciated as more comments around the U.S. fourth quarter numbers confirmed while lower than expected it still paints the American economies as one oasis amongst an uncertain macro picture.

MarketPulse Economic Calendar

On Tap for Next Week

Central banks continue to be the main drivers of volatility in the forex market. Surprise interventions defined the first month of 2015 and two central banks scheduled next week investors need to prepare ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia Rate Statement on Monday and the Bank of England MPC Rate Statement on Thursday. There market is not anticipating changes to interest rates, but verbal intervention could play a part from both central banks and adding the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to the list as Governor Graeme Wheeler is scheduled to speak on Tuesday.

Global growth concerns will be in focus when HSBC releases its Final Manufacturing PMI estimate for China. Falling below the 50.0 mark last month and expected to continue below the expansion line traders will be watching this release and its impact on commodity prices.

The week will close with U.S. Non-farm Payroll Report on Friday. Given the state of the global economy and a weaker fourth quarter GDP figure the USD would be looking for continued improvement of the labor market. The Fed has stressed the importance of employment before it can give the go ahead to higher rates. Although the conversation has shifted to inflation given the strong state of U.S. jobs, the NFP could still spark a USD rally if the final figure beats expectations of above 231,000 added jobs. The U.S. has not had a below 200,000 NFP since April of 2014 which is another number to consider if the data comes in under expectations but still shows sustained growth.

WEEK AHEAD

* CNY HSBC Final Manufacturing PMI
* USD ISM Manufacturing
* AUD Reserve Bank of Australia Rate Decision
* GBP Bank of England Rate Decision
* USD Change in Non-farm Payrolls
* CAD Unemployment Rate