After some jitters on Iran tensions, Dollar ended up as the strongest one last week. Strong stocks and steady yields provided some support to the greenback. Fed officials also reaffirmed the base stance to stand pat this year. US and China are on track to sign the phase one trade deal this week. Yet, Dollar’s rally was somewhat jeopardized by solid but unspectacular non-farm payroll report. It still couldn’t prove it’s ready for a broad-based, sustainable comeback yet.
Technically, USD/JPY couldn’t break through 109.72 resistance to resume the rise form 104.45. EUR/USD was held above 1.1066 support, keeping the rebound from 1.0879 alive. USD/CHF and USD/CAD are both held by 0.9770 and 1.3102 resistance respectively, keeping near term outlook bearish. Even AUD/USD recovered ahead of 0.6838 support. Dollar will now look into inflation and retail sales data this week, as well as any positive development regarding US-China trade deal phase too.
Fed officials re-affirmed neutral stance ahead
Comments from Fed officials last week reaffirmed the position that there would be no interest rate adjustment unless there are material changes in the outlook. Vice Chair Richard Clarida’s comments best summed up the stance. That is, “as long as incoming information about the economy remains broadly consistent with this outlook, the current stance of monetary policy likely will remain appropriate.” “If developments emerge that, in the future, trigger a material reassessment of our outlook, we will respond accordingly. Fed fund futures are now pricing around 78% chance of interest rate staying at current 1.50-1.75% and above after June FOMC meeting, up from 60% a month ago.
No bullish reversal in Dollar index yet
Dollar index rebounded strongly to as high as 97.58 last week but couldn’t sustain above 55 day EMA yet. Corrective fall from 99.66 could still extend lower through 96.35. However, considering loss of downside momentum as seen in daily MACD, downside should be contained above 38.2% retracement of 88.25 to 99.66 at 95.30. However, break of 97.81 resistance will now be an important sign that such correction has completed. In this case, further rise should be seen to 98.54 resistance for confirmation.
10-year yield gyrated in range
10-year yield continued to gyrate around 55 day EMA last week. Recent development suggests that price actions from 1.971 are merely forming a sideway pattern. With 1.693 support intact, rebound form 1.429 is in favor to extend through 1.971 at a latter stage. If the happens, Dollar index would likely be sent through above mentioned 97.81 resistance. However, we’re still treading the rise from 1.429 as a corrective move. Hence, upside should be limited by 38.2% retracement of 3.248 to 1.429 at 2.123.
USD/CNH could have one more dip before bottoming
USD/CNH resumed the decline from 7.195 as China has finally confirmed to go to sign trade deal phase one with US on January 15. Further fall should be seen towards 61.8% retracement of 6.670 to 7.915 at 6.871. Technically, such decline is seen as a corrective move. Therefore, we’d expect strong support from 6.871 to contain downside to bring rebound. USD/CNH would likely some breakthrough development on phase two negotiations to overcome 6.871 support decisively.
USD/CAD Weekly Outlook
USD/CAD rose to 1.3104 last week but failed to sustain above 1.3102 support turned resistance and retreated. Outlook is unchanged that it’s in consolidation and larger decline is expected to continue. Initial bias is neutral this week first. On the downside, break of 1.2951 will turn bias to the downside for 100% projection of 1.3564 to 1.3016 from 1.3327 at 1.2779 next. However, sustained break of 1.3102 will confirm short term bottoming and target 55 day EMA (now at 1.3149) and above.
In the bigger picture, rise from 1.2061 (2017 low) could have completed at 1.3664, after failing 61.8% retracement of 1.4689 (2016 high) to 1.2061 at 1.3685. However, structure of price actions from 1.3664 argues that it’s probably just a corrective move. Hence, while further fall is expected, downside should be contained by 61.8% retracement of 1.2061 to 1.364 at 1.2673. Nevertheless, sustained break of 1.2673 will put focus on 1.2061 low.
In the longer term picture, outlook remains unchanged that price actions from 1.4689 (2016 high) are forming a corrective pattern. As long as 1.2061 support holds. Up trend from 0.9406 (2011 low) in in favor to resume through 1.4689 at a later stage.
