ASIA/EUROPE FOREX NEWS WRAP

FX is a mixed basket this morning as the North American currencies and the Euro round out the top three, while the Australian Dollar and the Japanese Yen – often on opposite sides of the spectrum – are co-laggards. Notably, the July private sector reading of Chinese manufacturing growth, the HSBC Flash Manufacturing PMI survey, came in well-below expectations at 47.7, suggesting that the pace of the Chinese slowdown has accelerated.

Also hurting the Australian Dollar on the day was the softer than anticipated 2Q’13 inflation reading, which saw the headline yearly figure come in below the prior quarterly reading for the first time since the 2Q’12; the Consumer Price Index increased from +1.2% in 2Q’12 to +2.5% in 1Q’13.

In context of the broader slowdown in the Australian economy onset by the end of the global commodity supercycle, the softer inflation figures alongside a pressured labor market give reason to believe that the Reserve Bank of Australia may rethink the ‘pause’ in the rate cut cycle indicated in the July meeting Minutes; and the probability of a 25-bps rate cut at the August meeting has now increased from 28% on July 1 to 39% today, according to the Credit Suisse Overnight Index Swaps.

Elsewhere, the Euro’s resilience has continued amid signs that the Euro-zone may be starting to emerge from the depths of the recession, with the preliminary July Euro-Zone PMI composite ticking up to 50.4, the first reading in expansion territory (50) since January 2012 (50.4). Growth speculation will accelerate should we see two consecutive readings above 50, which hasn’t transpired since July-August 2011.

Read more: Euro Rallies as PMI Knocks Out Expectations

Taking a look at European credit, further gains by the periphery have proven to be supportive of the Euro on Wednesday. The Italian 2-year note yield has decreased to 1.539% (-3.0-bps) while the Spanish 2-year note yield has decreased to 1.860% (-1.6-bps). Likewise, the Italian 10-year note yield has decreased to 4.333% (-3.0-bps) while the Spanish 10-year note yield has decreased to 4.636% (-3.4-bps); lower yields imply higher prices.

RELATIVE PERFORMANCE (versus USD): 10:45 GMT

CAD: +0.13%

EUR: +0.11%

CHF: -0.05%

GBP:-0.12%

NZD:-0.28%

JPY: -0.55%

AUD:-0.79%

Dow Jones FXCM Dollar Index (Ticker: USDOLLAR): +0.24% (-0.35% prior 5-days)

ECONOMIC CALENDAR

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TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OUTLOOK

EURUSD: Yesterday I said: “Price is trading within the July 11 candle range for the seventh consecutive day, but a Bull Flag on lower timeframes (H1, H4) indicates the consolidation could end early this week.” Indeed, this has taken shape, and I noted yesterday in the DailyFX Real Time News feed could see the pair trade into 1.3256/71 before pausing on the way towards 1.3415/44. Failure to achieve the 100% extension target of the Bull Flag would revive the dwindling Head Shoulders bearish scenario.

USDJPY: No change as prices have ranged the past two weeks: “The rejection of the 76.4% Fib retracement at ¥101.35/40 (May high to June low) is only a near-term setback, as the break off of the late-May to mid-June correction in the pair completed the last week of June. …longs preferred into early next week. Indeed, the 50% retracement of the June low to July high at 98.75 held as support and the pair has already bounced higher; a run at 102.00 shouldn’t be ruled out this week. A daily close below 98.75 negates this bias; a move to 97.00 would be anticipated on a reversal lower.” An Inverted Hammer yesterday followed by a strong rebound today would give credence to a bullish bias.

GBPUSD: The past two weeks I’ve maintained that “a rebound could see the pair back up towards $1.5390/400 (38.2% Fib yearly high/low, 61.8% Fib June high to July low), which has proven to serve as both support and resistance since April.” Price topped at 1.5391 yesterday, triggering my short trade and putting focus on 1.5280/85 (50% Fib June high to July low) as support. A breach of 1.5390/400 could see the pair trade back to 1.5575/80 (50% Fib yearly high/low).

AUDUSD: No change, although it should be noted that a daily Bearish Key Reversal (today’s price eclipses yesterday’s high, then trades and closes at lower lows) may be forming, which could indicate a top against $0.9320 should price close below 0.9220. I maintain: “Despite chopping around and through said level, the AUDUSD has more or less held the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement off the 2008 low to the 2011 high at $0.9141. While fundamentally I am long-term bearish, it is worth noting that the most readily available data shows COT positioning remains extremely short Aussie. A Bullish Broadening Wedge may be forming at the lows as a base; 0.9750/75 would be the target on a close above 0.9415.”

SP 500: No change: “The past two weeks I’ve maintained that “a test of the yearly and all-time high at 1687.4 shouldn’t be discounted yet. 1640 is key support for bulls.” Fresh all-time highs has the SP 500 on track for a break of 1700; and given price action since April, 1710/15 looks to be resistance (100% Fib extension April 18 low to May 22, June 24 extension). 1670 is now support followed by 1640.”

GOLD: No change: “The past several weeks I’ve said: “Gold has fallen into the 10/20 RSI support region, where price has held on numerous probes lower ultimately producing a short-term rally. More recently, daily RSI has only dipped into this region in mid-February and mid-April…Basing just below $1200/oz shouldn’t be dismissed, as at 1189.91 lies the 100% extension of March high/April low/April high move, as well as the 61.8% extension of the October high (post-QE3 announcement)/April low/April high move at 1192.” With a break of 50 on the daily RSI – which has helped contain Gold for the past three-plus months – a test of 1325/30 is in order (former swing lows mid-April and mid-May, 23.6% Fib Oct’12 high to Jun’13 low).”

— Written by Christopher Vecchio, Currency Analyst

To contact Christopher Vecchio, e-mail cvecchio@dailyfx.com

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