EUR/USD: business reports from the EU provoke a decline in the dollar
The European currency is strengthening against the US dollar, and the EUR/USD pair is consolidating around 1.0386, supported by positive macroeconomic statistics from the eurozone.
In January, the index of business activity in the German service sector rose from 51.2 to 52.5 points, in France, on the contrary, decreased from 49.3 to 48.2 points, in Italy it decreased from 50.7 to 50.4 points, and the overall indicator for the EU dropped from 51.6 to 51.3 points, remaining in the growth zone. The S&P Global composite index increased from 49.0 to 50.5 points in Germany, remained at 47.6 points in France, and rose from 49.6 to 50.2 points in the eurozone. Additionally, the EU producer price index remained unchanged in December, which was significantly better than the previous drop of 1.2%. Overall, inflation remains under control, which opens up the possibility for the European Central Bank (ECB) to further ease monetary policy.
For the first time in a week, the US currency does not respond to fundamental factors: after the publication of statistics, the dollar adjusted downwards, trading at 107.50 in the USDX index. In January, the index of business activity in the US services sector decreased from 56.8 to 52.9 points, while the ISM index of business activity in the non-manufacturing sector adjusted from 54.0 to 52.8 points.
- Resistance levels: 1.0430, 1.0600.
- Support levels: 1.0350, 1.0210.
USD/JPY: Bank of Japan confirms policy tightening course
The USD/JPY pair continues to decline during the Asian session, developing a downward trend that began in mid-January. Quotes are testing the 152.30 level, updating the lows recorded on December 12. The yen is strengthening its position due to the growing demand for defensive assets, while investors are assessing the consequences of the trade policy pursued by the US republican administration.
Japan's published macroeconomic data show positive dynamics: the Jibun Bank business activity index in the industrial sector rose from 52.7 to 53.0 points in January, and wages increased by 4.8% in December after rising by 3.9% a month earlier, exceeding analysts' forecasts for a slowdown to 3.8%.
Kazuhiro Masaki, Head of the Monetary Affairs Department of the Bank of Japan, confirmed that the regulator is ready to continue raising interest rates if core inflation accelerates to the target level of 2.0%. This statement indicates the authorities' intention to maintain a course towards a gradual tightening of monetary policy, despite the uncertainty associated with US trade tariffs affecting market volatility. Recall that in December, core consumer inflation in Japan reached 3.0% in annual terms, the highest level in the last 16 months. The inflation forecast for fiscal year 2025 has already been revised upward from 1.9% to 2.1%, which reinforces expectations for further steps by the Bank of Japan towards normalization of monetary policy.
- Resistance levels: 152.74, 153.27, 153.70, 154.50.
- Support levels: 151.50, 150.50, 150.00, 149.35.
Silver market analysis
XAG/USD quotes continue their local corrective trend, strengthening after trying to stay below 31.00 at the beginning of the month. The instrument is currently testing the 32.23 level, setting the stage for further growth.
The delayed imposition of trade duties on imported goods from Canada and Mexico, initiated by the administration of Donald Trump, has become a positive factor for the metals market. Washington agreed to postpone the restrictions for 30 days after the governments of the two countries promised to strengthen control over illegal migration and the fight against the smuggling of prohibited substances. However, the ongoing trade tensions continue to worry investors: more than 60% of U.S. silver is purchased from Canada and Mexico, and the dependence of the American market on these suppliers forced the White House to adjust planned tariffs on energy and raw materials in the mining sector from 25% to 10%. Despite this, the expansion of protectionist policies increases the level of uncertainty and stimulates demand for protective assets, including silver.
- Support levels: 31.80, 29.60.
- Resistance levels: 32.60, 34.50.
Crude Oil market analysis
During the morning session, WTI Crude Oil quotes continued to trade near their lowest values since December 30, holding at 71.00 under pressure from the foreign economic policy of the Donald Trump administration, which is accompanied by new trade restrictions.
Since the beginning of February, the White House has imposed increased duties on a number of countries, but then postponed the date of entry into force of sanctions against Mexico and Canada for a month. In response, China announced mirror measures by increasing tariffs on imports of American goods. Now the market's attention is shifting to possible trade barriers between the US and the EU: earlier, Trump said that Europe was behaving "terribly" towards America. Brussels has already made it clear that they are ready to impose retaliatory restrictions if Washington raises taxes on European products.
Additional pressure on prices was exerted by data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA): in the week ended January 31, commercial oil reserves in the United States increased by 8.664 million barrels, significantly exceeding the projected 3.2 million barrels. Similar data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) also recorded an increase in reserves of 5.03 million barrels against 3.17 million a week earlier. Meanwhile, OPEC has been reducing hydrocarbon production for the second month in a row: according to Reuters, in January, production decreased by 50,000 barrels per day to 26.53 million. The largest decrease was recorded in Nigeria and Iran (-60,000 barrels), as well as in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. At the same time, Saudi Arabian Oil Group raised the price of Arab Light oil for the Asian market by $2.40 per barrel in March, which was a record level over the past two years, reflecting higher premiums for Middle Eastern raw materials and improved margins for refineries.
- Resistance levels: 71.00, 71.62, 72.15, 73.00.
- Support levels: 70.00, 69.00, 68.30, 67.00.