EUR/USD: continued decline in the context of a long-term bearish trendAs part of a long-term downtrend, the EUR/USD pair experienced pressure, falling to the lower boundary of the channel near the 1.0600 mark, followed by a correction to the 1.0681 level. Amid expectations of changes in monetary policy, the market is tuning in to a possible rate cut by the European Central Bank as early as June, while the adaptation of the US Federal Reserve's policy is expected no earlier than September.Economic statistics support forecasts of an imminent correction: the March consumer price index of the eurozone showed a decrease to 2.4% per annum, the base index fell to 2.9%. In the US, by contrast, the consumer price index increased to 3.5%, while core inflation remained at 3.8%. Market expectations regarding the easing of monetary policy by Europe are supported by statements by ECB officials who are ready to cut rates in June, unless extraordinary events occur, such as increased geopolitical risks in the Middle East, which can cause an increase in energy prices.Resistance levels: 1.0742, 1.0864, 1.0925.Support levels: 1.0645, 1.0559, 1.0498.GBP/USD: annual inflation rate in the UK dropped to 3.2%In the Asian session, the GBP/USD currency pair shows moderate growth, which began the previous day, and is trying to overcome the level of 1.2470, reacting to the latest data from the British economy.In March, monthly consumer price growth in the UK remained at 0.6%, and the annual inflation rate fell from 3.4% to 3.2%, falling short of the expected 3.1%. Core inflation, which excludes the cost of food and energy, also increased by 0.6%, which led to an annual rate of 4.2%, slightly higher than the forecast of 4.1%. The retail price index decreased to 4.3%, which was worse than the expected 4.2%, indicating a slower than expected decrease in inflationary pressure, which limits the rise of the pound. The market's attention on Friday will be focused on retail sales figures, which, according to forecasts, should show an improvement of 0.3% after stagnation in February.Resistance levels: 1.2520, 1.2690.Support levels: 1.2430, 1.2270.NZD/USD: pair is gaining strength after losses at the start of the weekNZD/USD is showing moderate growth, continuing the positive trend that began after the pair rebounded from the lowest values since the beginning of November 2023. At the moment, the exchange rate is approaching the psychological level of 0.5920, accompanied by expectations of new economic signals.Investors will direct their attention to the upcoming statistics on the American labor market, in particular, data on primary and secondary applications for unemployment benefits are expected: forecasts indicate a slight increase in the number of initial applications from 211,000 to 215,000. In addition, a publication from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector may show a decrease from 3.2 up to 1.5 points in April, which can affect the dynamics of the pair.On the other hand, recent inflation data in New Zealand caused pressure on the national currency: the consumer price index for the first quarter showed a slowdown from 4.7% to 4.0% per annum, which was below expectations, while the quarterly index showed an unexpected increase from 0.5% to 0.6%.Resistance levels: 0.5920, 0.5950, 0.5975, 0.6000.Support levels: 0.5885, 0.5858, 0.5830, 0.5800.AUD/USD: Australian currency is moving away from recent low valuesDuring recent trading, the AUD/USD pair is experiencing an uptrend, moving away from the lows reached on November 14, 2023, with quotes actively attacking the 0.6445 level. Investors are carefully studying the data of the March report on the Australian labor market, published on Thursday.The report showed a decrease in the number of employed by 6.6 thousand, which was a sharp restraint after the previous increase of 117.6 thousand, against the projected 7.2 thousand. At the same time, the number of full-time jobs increased by 27.9 thousand, while part-time employment fell by 34.5 thousand. The unemployment rate increased from 3.7% to 3.8%, which was below analysts' expectations of 3.9%, and labor force participation decreased from 66.7% to 66.6%.The US dollar also received support after recent statements by Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. Although he did not provide a specific time frame for the start of rate cuts, he stressed that it would take more time to stabilize inflation at 2.0%. This led to a revision by investors of forecasts regarding the time of the first interest rate cut this year, while the majority believes that monetary policy easing is possible in September, followed by a possible reduction no earlier than the end of 2024. Up to two rate adjustments of 25 basis points each are expected this year.Resistance levels: 0.6456, 0.6480, 0.6500, 0.6524.Support levels: 0.6420, 0.6388, 0.6356, ...
EUR/USD: economic mood in the eurozone improved to 43.9 pointsThe EUR/USD currency pair is showing moderate strengthening, recovering from a strong bearish trend that began last week and led to an update of the minimum values since November 2 of the previous year. The pair has now tested the 1.0625 level, waiting for new catalysts to move.The euro is supported by the latest data from the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW): the index of economic sentiment in the eurozone increased from 33.5 to 43.9 points in April, which significantly exceeded analysts' expectations of 37.2 points and was the highest result since the spring of 2022. This strengthens expectations of an improvement in the economic situation in the next six months. In addition, the region's trade balance showed a surplus of 23.6 billion euros, almost doubling compared to January, due to an increase in exports of cars and equipment, as well as due to a decrease in energy imports. Today, data on the German wholesale price index for March were also presented, which remained at the level of 0.2% monthly growth, which exceeded analysts' expectations for a decrease to -0.1%, and the annual figure was -3.0%.Resistance levels: 1.0630, 1.0660, 1.0700, 1.0730.Support levels: 1.0600, 1.0561, 1.0530, 1.0500.USD/JPY: stabilization at historically high levelsThe USD/JPY currency pair shows mixed trends, holding near the level of 154.60. Buyer activity remains significant, but new positions are being opened cautiously in anticipation of potential interventions from the Bank of Japan. The regulator expressed concern about the speculative weakening of the yen, which, despite the recent interest rate increase, did not lead to a strengthening of the currency due to bias towards a soft monetary policy. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki confirmed that the monetary authorities are ready for decisive measures to stabilize the yen.Support for the Japanese currency also came from trade data for March: exports increased by 7.3%, despite a slight slowdown compared to February, and imports decreased by 4.9%, resulting in a trade surplus of 366.5 billion yen. In the US, on the contrary, the March data on the construction sector turned out to be less satisfactory: building permits fell by 4.3%, and the start of new construction decreased by 14.7%, which further weakened the dollar against the yen.Resistance levels: 155.00, 155.50, 156.00, 156.50.Support levels: 154.50, 154.00, 153.50, 153.00.USD/CAD: US dollar continues to dominate the currency pairThe USD/CAD currency pair is experiencing a correction, stabilizing at 1.3820 amid the activity of the US dollar and ambiguous Canadian economic statistics.March inflation data in Canada showed a 0.6% monthly increase in consumer prices and an increase in the annual index from 2.8% to 2.9%. However, the base index excluding food and energy prices showed a 0.5% monthly change and a decrease from 2.1% to 2.0% per annum, which was in line with market expectations.On the other hand, the US dollar reached a high level of 106.10 on the USDX index, which was confirmed by retail sales data. Sales in the United States increased by 0.7% monthly in March, exceeding analysts' expectations of 0.4%, and accelerated significantly year-on-year from 2.11% to 4.02%. Underlying sales also showed an increase from 0.6% to 1.1%. In addition, industrial production increased by 0.4% on a monthly basis and recovered to the level of 0.00% per annum after a previous decrease of 0.30%, which adds dynamism to the US dollar in the market.Resistance levels: 1.3850, 1.3960.Support levels: 1.3780, 1.3610.GBP/USD: analysis for the quarterWe present an analysis of the investment prospects of the GBP/USD pair for the medium term.The UK continues to experience economic difficulties caused by persistently high inflation. The actions of the Bank of England to stabilize it have not yet brought the expected result, and the current fluctuations in the pound are due to falling electricity prices on the stock market. Nevertheless, given the recent rise in oil prices, it is possible that the value of the pound will resume rising. The interest rate set by the regulator at 5.25% is likely to be supported at the next meeting on May 9, according to experts' forecasts. The consumer price index in March showed a decrease to 3.2% from 3.4%, and the main index excluding the cost of food and fuel remained at 4.2%. The pound is also feeling pressure from the retail sector: the core retail sales index increased by only 0.2% in February after rising by 3.4% a month earlier and fell by 0.5% in annual terms after an increase of 0.5% in the previous month. At the same time, the volume of retail sales in February remained unchanged, which led to an annual decline of 0.4%, and the GDP indicator for the same period decreased from 0.3% to ...
EUR/USD: euro continues the bearish trend that began last weekDuring the Asian trading session, the EUR/USD currency pair is testing the level of 1.0614, continuing the "bearish" trend that began in the middle of the previous week. Then the euro fell from a peak of 1.0885, not finding support in the latest macroeconomic data.In February, the indicator of industrial production in monthly terms was adjusted from -3.0% to 0.8%, and in annual terms from -6.6% to -6.4%. The March wholesale price index in Germany remained at the level of the previous month (+0.2%), maintaining an annual decline of -3.0%. Today at 11:00 GMT (+2), the report of the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW) on the current state of the German economy is expected to be published, the indicator is projected to improve from -80.5 to a higher level, and the index of economic sentiment may rise from 31.7 to 35.9 points. On Wednesday, key data on consumer inflation in the eurozone for March will come to the market, it is expected that they will confirm the previous level of 0.8% monthly growth and 2.4% annual growth. Representatives of the European Central Bank, including ECB President Christine Lagarde, are also scheduled to speak on this day.Resistance levels: 1.0656, 1.0790.Support levels: 1.0590, 1.0460.USD/CAD: reaching new peaks before the release of Canadian inflation dataThe USD/CAD currency pair is showing unstable growth, trying to overcome the 1.3800 level. Market activity on Tuesday morning remains limited in anticipation of new inflation data in Canada, which is due to be published at 14:30 GMT (+2). The monthly consumer price index for March is projected to increase from 0.3% to 0.7%, and the annual inflation rate will increase from 2.8%.The core inflation indicators from the Bank of Canada remain close to the target values, with the February core inflation rate at 2.1% per annum. The expected statistics on the number of new buildings in Canada started in the reporting month — an important indicator for the country's construction sector - also attracts attention. It is expected that the number of construction projects started will increase from 223.6 thousand to 227.0 thousand, which will potentially strengthen the Canadian dollar.The day promises to be full of speeches by key monetary policy figures, including Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Jerome Powell and head of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem, who can comment on the current policy prospects of their institutions. Market expectations regarding the reduction of interest rates in the United States tend to the fact that the Fed will maintain current rates in June, with a possible easing only by September, with a forecast of only two rate cuts of 25 basis points each in 2024, instead of three, as previously assumed.Resistance levels: 1.3800, 1.3853, 1.3900, 1.3950.Support levels: 1.3750, 1.3700, 1.3650, 1.3616.GBP/USD: pound stabilized at the low levels of November 2023The GBP/USD currency pair is experiencing a moderate decline, stabilizing around the level of 1.2430, which corresponds to the low values recorded on November 17, 2023.The British currency is currently under pressure from the latest data on the state of the UK labor market: the unemployment rate over the past three months has increased from 4.0% to 4.2%, the employment rate has decreased by 156.0 thousand, which turned out to be worse than the previous value of -89.0 thousand, and the number of applications for unemployment benefits in March increased from 4.1 thousand to 10.9 thousand, although it turned out to be lower than the expected 17.2 thousand. At the same time, the average salary, including bonuses, increased by 5.6% in February, exceeding forecasts of 5.5%.On Wednesday at 8:00 GMT (+2), inflation data for March is expected to be published in the UK: the annual consumer price index is projected to decrease from 3.4% to 3.1%, and the monthly increase by 0.6%. The core index, which does not take into account food and energy, may decrease from 4.5% to 4.1%, which will strengthen market expectations regarding a possible reduction in interest rates by the Bank of England. The retail price index is projected to fall from 4.5% to 4.2%. Last week, Megan Green, a member of the bank's board, warned investors that the transition to a softer monetary policy would take time, given the high rate of price growth in the service sector. A number of representatives of the British central bank, including its chairman Andrew Bailey, are expected to speak tomorrow to discuss the latest economic data.Resistance levels: 1.2450, 1.2500, 1.2539, 1.2573.Support levels: 1.2400, 1.2350, 1.2300, 1.2261.NZD/USD: significant potential for strengthening the fall of the currency pairThe NZD/USD currency pair has fallen below the support level of 0.5946 and is moving towards 0.5865 amid the strengthening of the US dollar against major currencies after the release of positive macroeconomic data.Traders will closely monitor the release of data on the New Zealand consumer price index for the first quarter, which will be published on Wednesday at 00:45 GMT+2. The index is expected to show growth of 0.6% in the quarter. If the data is confirmed, the New Zealand dollar may recover to the level of 0.5946. In case of negative developments, the NZD/USD will continue to decline to the next support level of 0.5865, overcoming which will open the way to the level of 0.5789.Resistance levels: 0.5946, 0.6005, 0.6069.Support levels: 0.5865, ...
NZD/USD: The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's interest rate remained at 5.50%The NZD/USD currency pair continues to show moderate growth, strengthening the bullish trend that began at the beginning of the week: currently, the exchange rate is approaching 0.6075, updating the highs since March 21 against the background of the latest decisions of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand on the key interest rate.As expected, the rate remained at 5.50%. The bank's official statement emphasized the importance of inflationary risks, which implies maintaining high rates for a long period. The bank's authorities also expressed the expectation that economic activity in New Zealand and its main trading partners may decline, in contrast to the stability of the US economy. It is assumed that major global central banks may begin easing monetary policy closer to the middle or end of the year, which will provide more data for analysis and subsequent market reaction.Meanwhile, the NZD/USD pair was pressured by fresh data from New Zealand: the business confidence index from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) fell by 25.0% in the first quarter after a 2.0% decline in the previous quarter.Resistance levels: 0.6077, 0.6100, 0.6130, 0.6158.Support levels: 0.6045, 0.6030, 0.6000, 0.5975.GBP/USD: British retail increased by 3.5% in March%The GBP/USD currency pair shows minimal changes, being at the level of 1.2675. The day before, the pair actively grew and reached the highest since March 21, which was caused by the lack of significant macroeconomic data.The March report by the British Consortium of Retailers (BRC) showed an increase in retail sales in the UK by 3.2%, which is significantly higher than the expected 1.8% and the previous month with an increase of 1.0%. Easter celebrations contributed to a significant increase in demand for food, but overall sales growth remains moderate due to adverse weather and high inflation, with a noticeable increase in grocery spending by 6.8% and a decrease in non-food items by 1.9% in the first quarter. In the United States, business optimism data from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) also turned out to be disappointing: the index fell from 89.4 to 88.5 points, falling short of the projected 90.2 points.Resistance levels: 1.2700, 1.2734, 1.2771, 1.2810.Support levels: 1.2650, 1.2600, 1.2573, 1.2539.Gold market AnalysisThe price of gold is in the correction phase within the framework of an uptrend, trading at around 2359.0. A new surge of growth is taking place in the market, which is supported by both private and institutional investors.Since the beginning of the year, a number of factors have favored an increase in quotations. The main support for the precious metals market is the current geopolitical tension: in the context of military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, investors prefer investments in protective assets, among which gold acts as a reliable tool for preserving and increasing capital. This is also confirmed by trading volumes: according to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Group), the average trading volume over the past two sessions reached 306.5 thousand positions, which is significantly higher than 278.0 thousand in early March and 134.0 thousand. at the end of February.Resistance levels: 2375.0, 2450.0.Support levels: 2330.0, 2250.0.Crude Oil market analysisDuring the Asian trading session, prices for WTI Crude Oil are held at around 84.70, as traders refrain from opening new positions ahead of the release of today's US inflation data at 14:30 GMT+2.The price of oil was influenced by the latest forecasts of the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), according to which it is expected that oil production by OPEC+ countries in 2024 will decrease by 930 thousand barrels per day, which is 190 thousand barrels per day more than previous forecasts. By 2025, it is expected to increase production by 750 thousand barrels per day to 36.89 million barrels. Production forecasts for the current year have been adjusted by 470 thousand barrels per day, and for the next year — by 40 thousand barrels. In March, oil prices showed an increase for the third month in a row against the background of geopolitical risks associated with attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. In addition, the market was influenced by data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) on the dynamics of commercial oil reserves: in the week to April 5, inventories increased by 3.034 million barrels, while analysts expected an increase of 2.415 million barrels.Resistance levels: 85.50, 86.00, 87.00, 88.00.Support levels: 84.75, 84.00, 83.00, ...
The foreign exchange market is better known as Forex or FX. Trading in this market has become very popular in recent years. However, this is not the case - Forex trading raises a number of questions. For example: what is the foreign exchange market? Which currency pairs are best to trade? Is currency trading risky? Some of the answers to these questions will be found in this article.What is the Forex market?The foreign exchange market is also called the Forex market or the English foreign exchange market. It is simply a market where currencies are exchanged. According to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the foreign exchange market is the largest market in terms of total volume, with up to USD 5 trillion traded daily. It is not a physical place, but rather an electronic network where institutions or individuals trade with each other.The left-hand currency is called the base currency and the right-hand currency is called the quote currency. The second currency indicates the value relative to 1 unit of the base currency. For instance, the formula EUR/USD = 1.4000 implies that EUR/USD trades at 1.4000, i.e., 1 Euro has a value of $1.40. The first currency is always expressed in the second currency. USD/JPY at 110.50 means that one USD is worth JPY 110.50. EUR/USDWhat are the best currency pairs to trade?The best currency pairs to trade effectively depend on your trading style. If you have a short term strategy, for example, if you like to scalp, then the major currency pairs will be most profitable for you because of the low spreads.On the other hand, for a fundamental trader, smaller currency pairs will be of interest based on long-term analysis. The most profitable currency pairs may be those involving the Australian dollar, Japanese yen or Canadian dollar.The best forex currency pairs:EUR/USD: this pair has the lowest spread and is not very volatile.GBP/USD: this pair is interesting in terms of spreads and possible gaps, but it is quite volatile.USD/JPY: this pair has low spreads and offers some interesting possibilities. GBP/USDHow to get started trading currencies online?To start trading currencies online, follow these steps:- Choose a regulated and reputable broker- Choose a broker by the quality of execution of trading instructions- Decide on the trading style that suits you best (scalping, intraday trading, swing trading - you keep your position open for several days)- Determine the appropriate leverage effect in the stock market according to your strategy and experience.- Do not invest more than you can afford to lose.- Choose an intuitive, simple and secure trading platform such as MetaTrader 4.- Try all the above steps on a demo account, before trading live.Read more: Features of intraday trading on the Forex marketGoldIs online currency trading dangerous?Like any financial investment, currency trading online is subject to risks. However, there are different methods to control these risks:- Determine the price of the currency pair at which you want to close a position if developments are unfavourable (for example, if you buy and the price falls, or if you sell and the price rises),- Determine the size of the trade so that your potential loss should not exceed 2-3% of your capital per trade,- Estimate your risk/return ratio (loss/profit) before you open the trade. By default you should have a greater potential for profit than loss, e.g. risk 50 pips, but try to make a profit of e.g. 100 pips.For proper money management and risk reduction it is advisable to start trading on a demo account and try things out on the dirt first. Such an account will allow you to trade in real market conditions, but with fictitious capital, so that you have a complete understanding of the foreign exchange market without any risk.Read more: Forex broker: how to choose a good ...
