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Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for August 1, 2018

EUR/NZD tried to break above short-term important resistance at 1.7205 but failed. We think it is just a matter of time before a new attempt to break above this resistance is seen. A firm break above resistance at 1.7205, will confirm that red wave ii has completed and that red wave iii towards 1.7510 and above is developing.

Short-term, support remains seen at 1.7134 and 1.7116. The later should continue to protect the downside for the expected break above 1.7205. An unexpected break below 1.7116, will indicate that black wave ii/ still is in motion for a spike lower to 1.7066 before turning higher in black wave iii/.

R3: 1.7268
R2: 1.7207
R1: 1.7185
Pivot: 1.7165
S1: 1.7137
S2: 1.7116
S3: 1.7106

Trading recommendation:
We are long EUR from 1.7226 with our stop placed at 1.7110. If you are not long EUR yet, then buy a break above 1.7205 and use the same stop at 1.7110.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/JPY for August 6, 2018

EUR/JPY has moved just below the lower boundary at 128.66 (the low has been seen at 158.49). This does fulfill all requirements for our slightly preferred scenario, meaning that a low should be in place for wave ii/ and a new impulsive rally in wave iii/ should be ready to develop. Wave iii/ will ideally make it to 135.74 and possibly even higher.

That said, we need to remember that prices need to prove themselves for a strong rally above 129.62. The possible alternate scenario still remains possible. Under this count, wave ii still is developing as an expanded flat correction. If this count is correct, then we should expect resistance near 129.62 will cap the upside for a final decline towards 126.01 to complete wave ii before wave iii will be ready to take over.

R3: 129.62
R2: 129.18
R1: 129.00
Pivot: 128.77
S1: 128.50
S2: 128.11
S3: 127.69

Trading recommendation:
Our stop at 128.50 was hit for a 45 pips loss. We will re-buy EUR here at 128.72 and place our stop at 128.45.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for August 8, 2018

EUR/NZD is once again testing important resistance at 1.7224, but we need a clear break above here to confirm that the next impulsive rally towards 1.7510 is in motion. As long as resistance at 1.7224 is able to cap the upside as long does the possibility for a final drop into the 1.7033 - 1.7066 area exist, before completing wave ii/.

Longer-term, we remain bullish EUR/NZD for a rally towards 1.8310 and ultimately higher towards 1.98 - 1.99 area.

R3: 1.7305
R2: 1.7251
R1: 1.7224
Pivot: 1.7187
S1: 1.7150
S2: 1.7115
S2: 1.7094

Trading recommendation:
We are long EUR from 1.7226 with our stop placed at 1.7110.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for August 10, 2018

After some sideways consolidation between 1.7352 - 1.7448 more upside will be expected towards the next minor upside targets at 1.7924 on the way higher towards 1.8369 and 1.8423.

Support is now seen at 1.7404 and again at 1.7352. Ideally the later will be able to protect the downside for a clear break above 1.7480 confirming the next part of the uptrend towards 1.7924.

Only a break below support at 1.7301 will question the expected rally higher.

R3: 1.7667
R2: 1.7564
R1: 1.7480
Pivot: 1.7437
S1: 1.7404
S2: 1.7388
S3: 1.7352

Trading recommendation:
We are long EUR from 1.7226 and we will raise our stop to 1.7275.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for August 14, 2018

We are looking for red wave ii to complete in the 1.7196 - 1.7258 target-zone. Once this correction is complete a new impulsive rally to above 1.7487 is expected for a continuation higher to 1.7924 and 1.8369 as the next upside important upside targets. Short-term only a break above minor resistance at 1.7356 will indicate that a corrective low has been seen for red wave ii and red wave iii is taking over for a rally to above 1.7487.

R3: 1.7487
R2: 1.7417
R1: 1.7355
Pivot: 1.7322
S1: 1.7258
S2: 1.7226
S3: 1.7196

Trading recommendation:
We will re-buy EUR at 1.7245 or upon a break above 1.7356.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for August 16, 2018

A break above resistance at 1.7355 is still needed to confirm that red wave ii has completed and red wave iii to above 1.7484 is developing.

Short-term, we see support at 1.7262 and again at 1.7238. The later will ideally be able to protect the downside for the break above 1.7355 towards 1.7484 and above, with the next important targets seen at 1.7924 and 1.8369.

R3: 1.7484
R2: 1.7417
R1: 1.7355
Pivot: 1.7299
S1: 1.7270
S2: 1.7243
S3: 1.7220

Trading recommendation: We are long EUR from 1.7245 with our stop placed at 1.7215.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for August 20, 2018

Nothing happening here. The range-trading between 1.7220 and 1.7310 continues to dominate the picture. We continue to look for a break above resistance at 1.7310 and more importantly a break above resistance at 1.7355 that confirms red wave ii has completed and red wave iii has taken over for the next impulsive rally towards 1.7924 and 1.8369 as the next larger upside targets.

R3: 1.7484
R2: 1.7417
R1: 1.7355
Pivot: 1.7310
S1: 1.7270
S2: 1.7243
S3: 1.7220

Trading recommendation:
We are long EUR from 1.7245 with our stop placed at 1.7215.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/JPY for August 23, 2018

EUR/JPY still has not broken important short-term resistance at 128.48, but then it has not started to move strongly lower as we normally should expect at the completion of an expanded flat.

Therefore we are shifting our preferred count in favor of wave C and II having completed with the test of 124.86 and wave III now in its infancy. Under this count EUR/JPY should make a small downward correction towards 127.23 - 127.33 area in red wave iv and then move higher towards the 128.92 - 129.32 area in red wave v.

This will complete black wave i/ and should set the stage for a corrective decline in wave ii/ towards the 125.76 - 126.44 area before the next impulsive rally higher. That said, the possibility of a final dip closer to 124.62 remains possible, but time is running out fast.

R3: 128.92
R2: 128.48
R1: 128.24
Pivot: 127.93
S1: 127.72
S2: 127.50
S3: 127.33

Trading recommendation:
We are 50% long EUR from 126.26 with our stop placed at 126.84. We will take pro

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

The dollar declined, but it did not last long

The speech of Fed Chair J. Powell at the economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, confirmed that the selected course was during the period of J. Yellen to gradually increase interest rates.

The head of the Central Bank was optimistic about the prospects for further growth of the country's economy, pointing out that "he does not see signals of accelerating inflation much higher than the 2.0% target, as well as the risks of overheating of the US economy." Investors took his words optimistically, despite the fact the continuation of the cycle of raising interest rates in general. It seems that market participants believe that the process of a smooth increase in interest rates gives them the opportunity to "have time" to buy risky assets, making a profit until the moment when rates reach absolute neutral values, which can already be perceived as a signal for large-scale profit-taking.

Investors completely switched to Powell's speech, ignoring the failure of the negotiations between the US and China on customs duties. On other hand, this can be explained by the fact that, very few people in general hoped that they would be positive, and on the other is their influence is already taken into account in market sentiments and quotations. Although Friday was positive, we consider it a temporary phenomenon. Markets will pay attention again to trade wars, and probably, this will push up the US dollar rate again. But at the same time we pay attention to the fact that, the overall lateral dynamics of the dollar paired with major currencies will most likely continue in the short term.

The dollar will be bought for a number of reasons. The first and foremost process is the method of capital transfer to the States from emerging markets and from Europe, where the likelihood of a large-scale financial crisis that raged in Turkey has increased significantly, putting European banks at high risk and investing considerable capital in the country's economy. The next problem is Italy, which can get into the debt "bag" on the background of high public debt. The dollar will also receive support in the wake of the trade war between Washington and Beijing as a currency refuge. And, of course, the Fed's position to smoothly continue, as the process of raising interest rates will be a good incentive for its purchases.

Forecast of the day:

After reaching the local maximum on Friday on the wave of J. Powell's speech, the EUR/USD pair may turn down again if it hover below the 1.1620 level. Against this background, it can adjust to 1.1535 after overcoming the 1.1600 mark.

The AUD/USD pair is trading above the 0.7315 mark. It may continue to adjust down to 0.7255 after overcoming this level. The reason is still the continuing tension between the US and China on customs duties.

* The presented market analysis is informative and does not constitute a guide to the transaction.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Gold threw "bears" overboard

The fastest intraday gold gain over the past five months, against the backdrop of Jerome Powell's speech in Jackson Hole, forced the market to rack his brains over the question: from what level will the speculators start fixing profit in short positions en masse? Their net shorts by the end of the week by August 21 increased to 90 thousand contracts. Commerzbank notes that over the past few weeks, long positions have remained virtually unchanged, while short positions grew. The speech of the FRS chairman squeezed a part of the "bears" from the market.

From what levels will the others run? From January's highs, gold lost about 11% of its value and speculators continued to actively sell in April-August against the backdrop of the strengthening of the US dollar. The latter took away from the precious metal the function of the asset-refuge and grew rapidly during the escalation period of trade conflicts between the US and other countries. At the same time, the divergence in economic growth and the monetary policy of central banks played into the hands of the "bulls" at the USD index. The Fed raised the federal funds rate, and the US GDP grew by 4.1% in the second quarter. Gold fans found it difficult to counter something to their opponents, which led to the growth of net shorts to record highs.

Dynamics of speculative positions on gold

It did not receive support from the precious metal from the side of physical demand. Along with the drop in ETF stocks to the lowest level since 2016 and the reduction of Chinese net imports from Hong Kong to 44 tonnes in July, which is the worst monthly indicator since the beginning of the year, bad news came from India. Heavy rains and floods inflicted $ 3 billion damage to local farmers, which is this class of buyers that is most active in the Diwali wedding season.

Since mid-August, the situation began to change. Donald Trump confused the dollar bulls with comments about his dissatisfaction with the activities of Jerome Powell as chairman of the Fed, to which the latter responded with "dovish" rhetoric in Jackson Hole. The head of the Central Bank is confident that inflation will not go far above the 2% target, and therefore it is not necessary to raise the federal funds rate aggressively. After his speech, the dollar fell out of favor, marking the worst weekly dynamics since February. On the contrary, the bulls on XAU/USD came to their senses after the knockdown.

I do not think that the dollar's positions are hopeless. The extent of the trade conflict between the US and China did not declined entirely. The chances of the four monetary restrictions in the FRS this year are still high (74%), the leading indicator from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta signals a 4.6% increase in US GDP for the third quarter. The market turned out to be too emotional for the performances of the White House and the chairman of the Federal Reserve, but gradually calmed down. According to RBC Wealth Management, only a break of $ 1225 ounce will launch an avalanche of mass closure towards speculative short positions.

Technically, the necessary condition for continuing the rally is the ability of the bulls to gain a foothold above the 1209 mark.
Gold daily chart

* The presented market analysis is informative and does not constitute a guide to the transaction.

*The market analysis posted here is meant to increase your awareness, but not to give instructions to make a trade.


Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/JPY for September 3, 2018

EUR/JPY has declined nicely and is now hovering just below our 128.78 - 129.00 target zone. We are looking for a recovery towards 129.85 next and from there it will be decided, whether more corrective downside pressure is needed or not.

In the short-term, a break above resistance at 129.14 will confirm the expected rally towards 129.85 and maybe even a continuation towards 130.87 and beyond.

If support at 128.54 gives away first, then a minor dip to support at 128.30 should be expected before a recovery is seen, but the potential downside should be limited for now.

R3: 129.85
R2: 129.32
R1: 129.14
Pivot: 128.83
S1: 128.54
S2: 128.30
S3: 127.94

Trading recommendation:
We took profit on our short position at 129.10 for a nice little profit of 58 pips and at the same time bought EUR. We have placed our stop at 128.10.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Brent inspired by hurricanes

While investors are pondering whether OPEC and Russia will be able to compensate for the decline in Iranian exports, the approach of hurricane Gordon to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico allowed the "bulls" of Brent at arm's length to approach the psychologically important mark of $80 per barrel. The share of this territory accounts for about 17% of production and 45% of processing of all American oil, where it does not get agitated and start curtailing production? However, the impact of hurricanes on pricing in the oil market is often temporary. If a natural disaster is not as devastating as originally anticipated, buyers can begin to lock in profits.

According to information gathered with the help of tankers, oil exports from Iran declined by 14% in August. Competent Wall Street Journal sources inside the country report a decrease from 2.3 million b/d in June to 1.5 million b/d in September. Deliveries of oil from the largest OPEC producer are falling by leaps and bounds, and in fact even before the entry into force of US sanctions in early November is still far. Exports to Europe fell by 45% in July, to South Korea-by 40%, India is considering a 50% reduction in purchases, although along with China and Turkey will continue to receive oil from Tehran. The hole should close the cartel, and Bloomberg experts expect production growth to 420 thousand b/d in August, to 32.74 million b/d. If the actual figure is smaller, "bulls" in Brent and WTI will continue their attacks.

Dynamics of oil production by OPEC

Despite the fact that Nigeria has tried to rein in speculators, saying that its efforts and the efforts of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Angola are sufficient enough to compensate for the reduction of Iranian exports, the big banks are reviewing their forecasts upwards. Thus, Barclays believes that the North sea variety under the influence of US sanctions and the decline in production in several producing countries may exceed $80 per barrel in the short term. The average price forecast for 2020 was raised from $55 to $75 per barrel. BNP Paribas doubts that the decline in supplies from Iran, the occasional interruptions in Libya and the decline in production in Venezuela will be offset by an increase in OPEC production. The bank expects to see Brent averaging at $79 per barrel in 2019.

Favorable market conditions can easily be taken advantage of by American manufacturers. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the volume of production in the United States increased from May to June by 230 b/d and at any time could touch on the psychologically important level of 11 million b/d. Alas, the market still ignores this as a "bearish" driver for Brent and WTI, preferring to win back the factors of the hurricane and American sanctions against Iran.

Technically, on the daily chart, Brent achieved a target of 88.6% on the "Shark" pattern, which increases the probability of rollback in the direction of 23.6%, 38.2% and 50% of the CD wave. If the bulls manage to update the September peak and gain a foothold above it, the risks of continuing the upward campaign to the target will increase by 113%.

Brent, daily chart

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

EUR/JPY Testing Support, Prepare For A Bounce

EUR/JPY is approaching its support at 127.94 (61.8% Fibonacci extension, 50% Fibonacci retracement, horizontal pullback support) where the price is expected to bounce up to its resistance at 129.69 (61.8% Fibonacci retracement, horizontal swing high resistance).

Stochastic (55, 5, 3) is approaching its support at 2% where a corresponding bounce is expected.

EUR/JPY is testing its support where we expect to see a bounce.

Buy above 127.94. Stop loss at 127.01. Take profit at 129.69.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for September 11, 2018

EUR/NZD keeps making headway towards the sub-target at 1.7820. Ideally, this resistance will only make a temporary top for the next swing higher towards the more important resistance at 1.8369.

Support is now seen at 1.7668 and if a break below here is seen, then a corrective decline closer to support at 1.7605 could be seen, but it should be short-lived as the steady uptrend continues higher towards 1.8369. R3: 1.8016

R2: 1.7919
R1: 1.7820
Pivot: 1.7738
S1: 1.7701
S2: 1.7668
S3: 1.7605

Trading recommendation:
We are long EUR from 1.7330 and we will move our stop higher to 1.7660.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Intraday technical levels and trading recommendations for GBP/USD for September 13, 2018

The recent bearish movement of the GBP/USD has shown signs of weakness since September 5 when an ascending bottom was established around 1.2800

The GBP/USD pair is currently testing the depicted downtrend line which comes to meet the pair around 1.3025-1.3090.

This price zone (1.3025-1.3090) corresponds to 50% and 61.8% Fibonacci levels where evident bearish rejection should be anticipated.

As long as sings of bearish rejection are demonstrated below 1.3020 (50% Fibo level), the short-term outlook remains bearish towards 1.2840 and 1.2780.

On the other hand, successful bullish breakout above 1.3090 will probably hinder the current bearish movement allowing further bullish advancement to occur towards 1.3200, 1.3250 and 1.3315.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

The pound is waiting for a signal to attack

The meeting of the Bank of England was held without noise and dust, and sterling is preparing to release important statistics on inflation and retail sales, observing the development of the situation in the field of trade wars. According to the regulator, the consequences of the conflict between the US and China for the world economy may be slightly worse than initially expected. The concern of MPC is evoked by developments in emerging markets. The committee unanimously voted to maintain the repo rate at 0.75% and said that by the end of 2019 excess demand could lead to further tightening of monetary policy.

In general, the meeting was held in line with expectations, and the increase in estimates of GDP growth of the UK from 0.4% to 0.5% q/q in the third quarter provided little support to the sterling. Markets were expecting a more positive result amid the acceleration of the average wage to 2.9% y/y and the economy to 0.6% in May-July, however, the central bank cooled the offensive ardor of the bulls with the statement that these figures came in line with the forecast. According to the regulator, inflation is moving in the direction of 2%, which suggests the possibility of using the "let's sit and see" approach.

The pound continues to show increased sensitivity to politics. Rumors that Brussels and London failed to achieve progress on the Irish border, has pushed prices higher, but a statement by the Labour Party that the opposition would vote against Theresa May's plan returned the bulls from heaven to earth. The correlation between the headlines about Brexit and the volatility of the sterling reached a record 70%, which is conclusive evidence that the growth of the GBP/USD is hampered primarily by politics.

Dynamics of correlation between Brexit headlines and sterling volatility

Unlike the volatility of the pound, the volatility of the euro fell to a 5-month low. The ECB's plans to phase out QE and hold rates until at least September 2019 make the monetary policy transparent. Given the fact that the timing of the continuation of the normalization of BoE may shift from the end of 2019 to a later or, conversely, an earlier period, investors have a great opportunity to win back macroeconomic statistics on Britain in the EUR/GBP pair. According to Nomura, the release of retail sales data for August (September 20) looks particularly attractive. A pleasant surprise will contribute to the decline of the euro in the direction of £0.85. It should be noted that the consensus forecast of Bloomberg experts for the end of 2018 is £0.89.

As for the GBP/USD pair, much will depend on the development of the situation in the field of trade wars. Donald Trump threatens to impose additional tariffs of $200 billion on Chinese imports and invites to negotiations. The Chinese media claim that Beijing will not conduct a dialogue at gunpoint. The escalation of the conflict will increase the demand for reliable assets, including the US dollar.

Technically, if the bulls on the GBP/USD pair manage to hold the quotes above the support at 1.3035 and take the resistance by 1.313, the risks of implementing the target by 88.6% on the Shark pattern will increase.

GBP/USD, daily chart

*The market analysis posted here is meant to increase your awareness, but not to give instructions to make a trade.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

The pound has reached a dead end

Can the central bank normalize monetary and credit policy, macroeconomic statistics improve, and the currency fall? Maybe if the weight is attached to its feet by politics. It would seem that the positive signals from GDP, average wages and retail sales should have given the pound an acceleration, because the timing of the next increase in the REPO rate has shifted from early 2020 to summer 2019. Before the Austrian EU summit, everything went smoothly: the GBP/USD pair rose to a two-month high, but Theresa May's speech in Salzburg confused the "bulls" with all the cards.

On the eve of the meeting of representatives of the European Union, the parties were full of optimism. Brussels was determined to provide London with preferential conditions unknown to any other country, Michel Barnier argued that he was ready to work day and night to make the deal happen, and Germany said that it would take the plan in general terms, in order to discuss the details later on. It would seem that everything is going to ensure that, as a last resort, by November, the parties will sign an agreement. However, the EU's rejection of Theresa May's plan has caused heated criticism from the British prime minister. In her opinion, the relationship reached a deadlock, and the UK is better off left without a deal than sign a bad agreement. What is the reason for May's violent aggression? It is unlikely that she was enraged by the reluctance of Brussels to approve the program. Most likely, the head of government needed to get support within the country.

As a result of the sharp speech of the British prime minister, the GBP/USD pair lost about 1.5%, which was its worst daily dynamics in the last 15 months. National Australia Bank claims that 2.5% of the rally of the trade-weighted sterling went too far, its volatility reached its highest level since February, and MUFG notes that the trading range for the analyzed pair can be very wide – from 1.15 to 1.45 – depending on the hard, soft Brexit or lack of agreement on the divorce of the UK with the EU.

The dynamics of the volatility of the pound

The strengthening of political risks and the growth of volatility are important factors that constrain the strengthening of the pound. The higher the volatility of quotations, the less the desire of non-residents to buy British assets. London, on the other hand, needs to finance the current account deficit, so a decrease in capital inflows should be seen as a "bearish" factor for the sterling.

It should be taken into account that there are always two currencies in any pair. And the peak of the GBP/USD pair at the end of the week to September 21 is due, among other things, to a slight recovery of the US dollar. Investors expect an increase in the federal funds rate following the September FOMC meeting, China's reluctance to negotiate with the United States speaks of the escalation of the trade conflict, while the main opponent of the dollar in the face of the euro is burdened by weak statistics on business activity and political problems in Italy.

Technically, there is a struggle for an important level of 1,312. If victory is celebrated by "bears," the risk of a pullback after reaching the target of 88.6% for the the "Bat" pattern will increase. On the contrary, the victory of the bulls will create prerequisites for the continuation of the GBP/USD rally.

GBP/USD daily chart

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

The Fed will open gold eyes

Gold continues to sleep peacefully near the $1200 per ounce mark, but it is unlikely that an experienced investor will be deceived by such calmness. The market is cyclical, trends are replaced by consolidations, trading ranges give way to new trends, so the current sleepy state will probably end soon. We need a reason to wake up. And they are quite capable of becoming the events of the end of September. The Fed meeting, the publication of the draft budget of Italy and the release of data on European inflation will directly affect the USD index, and in fact its dynamics has become the main "bearish" driver for the XAU/USD. Since the beginning of the year, the precious metal has lost about 8% on expectations of an increase in the Federal funds rate and on fears of increased trade tensions.

Despite low prices, physical demand does not support gold. Stocks of the largest specialized stock exchange fund SPDR Gold Shares fell to 742 tons, the lowest level since February 2016. Since the beginning of the year, the figure has lost 11.2%. Rumors of an increase in import duties in India from the current 10% to 12-13%, and possibly up to 20%, increase the risks of reducing demand for precious metals in the country - its largest consumer. At the same time, the People's Bank of China has not purchased gold for two years in order to increase its reserves. However, the holy place is never empty: Russia has claimed the status of the largest buyer, increasing its own reserves to 64.3 million ounces (about 2000 tons). In August, they rose by 31 tons. Bloomberg reports that the official Delhi will leave tariffs at the same level, as it fears an increase in smuggling, and ETF stocks tend to follow the price, and not vice versa.

I believe that the market conditions of the physical asset will gradually improve, and to predict the further dynamics of the XAU/USD it makes sense to look at factors such as trade wars and FOMC meetings. During the current cycle of normalization of monetary policy of the Fed, gold reacted quite clearly to the increase in the Federal funds rate: on the eve of the meetings, it fell, then quickly restored the lost positions. In my opinion, this dynamics is due to the implementation of the principle of "sell on rumors, buy on facts".

Dynamics of gold and Fed rate

The failure occurred in June, when the tightening of monetary policy did not lead to an increase in the value of the precious metal. In summer, investors were keen on buying the US dollar amid divergence in economic growth between the United States and other countries. They believed that China and the developing countries would slow down, while Washington would not feel the pain of trade wars. Currently, the world has changed. The US economy may lose momentum, while EM assets look oversold. In this respect, the former associated with the recovery of gold prices after the FOMC meetings is quite capable of playing.

Technically, the exit of the precious metal from the trading range of $1184-1214 per ounce will allow it to determine the direction of further movement. The breakout of the upper limit will increase the risks of the rally in the direction of $1240 and $1260. On the contrary, a successful storm of support for $1184 will open the way for the "bears" to the south.

Gold, daily chart

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

The dollar returns to the game

The US dollar did what it had to do. It strengthened due to the increase in the Federal funds rate to 2.25% and the Fed's intentions to bring it to 3.5% in 2019. The central bank plans to tighten monetary policy once this year and three times next year, which makes the "greenback" a very attractive currency against the background of the slowness of its main competitors. Yes, the head Of the Bank of Austria Ewald Nowotny requires an earlier increase in the rate on deposits from the ECB, but the "hawks" of the Governing Council would not be "hawks" if they did not make such statements. While core inflation in the euro area is not going to go far from the 1% mark, the European Central Bank is unlikely to change its plans.

The divergence in the monetary policy of the Fed and the ECB is not the only trump card in the hands of the "bears" for the EUR/USD. The peak of the pair in April-August was associated with different rates of economic growth and trade wars, and if investors' views on the conflict between the US and China have changed, hen there is little doubt in the strength of the American economy. The growth in the negative balance of trade led to a deterioration in GDP forecasts for the third quarter from the Atlanta Federal Reserve to 3.8%, but this figure is still impressive. At the same time, the dynamics of business activity in the eurozone indicates serious concerns of the manufacturing sector, and given the close correlation of the purchasing managers' index and GDP, it can be assumed that the economy of the currency bloc is far from its optimal conditions. As if under such conditions, the ECB did not have to postpone plans for the start of the normalization of monetary policy in September 2019 for a later period.

Another problem of the euro is Italy. Eurosceptics secured from the Ministry of Finance of the republic a budget deficit of 2.4% of GDP in order to fulfill pre-election promises. But this figure does not effectively reduce the debt of the country to €2.3 trillion. In its absolute size, Italy is the largest borrower of the eurozone, in relative terms – inferior to one in Greece. Yes, after a compromise in Rome was found, the markets calmed down a bit, and the yield differential of Italian and German bonds could not rewrite the three-month highs recorded at the beginning of September, but who knows what will happen in October?

The dynamics of the spread of interest rates on the debts of Italy and Germany

Thus, the EUR/USD pair has plenty of trump cards to continue the downward campaign, however, I would not write off the euro from accounts ahead of time. First, as the midterm elections in the US approach, the dollar will be worried about political risks. Second, if macroeconomic statistics for the eurozone begin to improve, and Italy's financial markets stabilize, the single European currency will gain ground. In this regard, it is extremely doubtful that the main currency pair could rewrite the August low.

Technically, the "bears" for the EUR/USD pair intend to storm the support at 1.153-1.1535 and activate the subsidiary "shark" pattern with a target of 88.6%. If they succeed, the risks of continuing the peak to 1.135 will increase.

EUR/USD daily chart

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

EUR/USD: the recalcitrant Italians drown the euro

The narrative around the state budget of Italy for the next year continues, putting strong pressure on the European currency. The EUR/USD pair fell to 1.5 – month lows, currently testing a strong resistance level of 1.1520, which is the lower limit of the Kumo cloud on the monthly chart. If the price is fixed under this level, the pair will soon enter the 14th figure, confirming the dominance of bears on the pair.

Despite the fact that the proposed draft Italian budget does not violate the EU requirements in terms of the permissible size of the deficit (not more than three percent), it caused an uproar in Brussels. The EU leadership has strong arguments for its discontent: if last year the Italian authorities laid the budget deficit at the level of 1.6%, now they want to raise this bar to 2.4% at the previously agreed 0.8%. And this is despite the fact that the size of Italy's public debt is one of the highest in the eurozone (here the Italians are second only to the Greeks), and the unemployment rate in some areas of the country reaches 30 percent. But these facts do not confuse politicians who recently came to power on the wave of populist promises. Now they have to fulfill (at least partially) their promises – at the expense of "inflating" the budget.

It is worth noting that the political events in Italy are unfolding quite dynamically – in the last five years the country was led by four prime ministers. None of them held office for more than two years. Representatives of the current coalition are well aware that time is playing against them, and if Brussels wins the "budget battle", their positions will weaken in many ways. That is why the Italian deputy prime minister said today that he will not back down "one iota" from those expenses that were planned in the scandalous draft budget. In particular, we are talking about an increase in pensions and social benefits. In addition, representatives of the "League" want to carry out next year's tax reform by changing the tax rate on personal income: 15% for households with incomes less than 80,000 per year and 20% for those whose income exceeds this level.

These intentions are opposed by Brussels and Italy's Minister of Finance – practically the only influential "opposition" in the current government. In his opinion, the maximum allowable size of the budget deficit is 1.9%, but not the declared 2.4%. He also recalled that the Italian national debt exceeds 130% of GDP (2.3 trillion euros), and the actions of politicians offset the work on reducing the debt burden. It is noteworthy that to date Italy's budget indicators are consistent with the European Union, according to which the deficit was to be reduced from 1.6% of GDP this year to 0.8% in 2019, and in fact to zero in 2020. Now Rome shows the opposite trend - instead of the previously agreed 0.8%, it proposes to set the bar at 2.4% of GDP.

Such a sharp turn provoked a strong reaction from Brussels. According to the Italian press, if Rome implements the stated scenario, the European Commission will reject the draft budget and even consider the issue of applying sanctions against Italy. It is worth noting that we are talking about a fairly broad time frame: until October 20, members of the Italian government must approve the draft budget (in one form or another), before the end of November, this budget will be considered by the European Commission, and the sanctions procedure can be implemented at the beginning of next year. Therefore, if Rome decides on the declared budget deficit, the European currency will be under pressure for a long time.

In general, the EUR/USD pair reacted quite cautiously to the Italian event, until one of the ECB representatives commented on the situation. Thus, the head of the Bank of Finland Olly Ren said that the plans of the Italian government are alarming, and now the regulator is likely to "carefully monitor the risks." Obviously, if the Italian crisis worsens (especially if the European Commission returns Rome's unapproved draft budget), then at the next meeting of the ECB (October 25), the regulator will significantly soften its rhetoric, thereby putting additional pressure on the euro.

The current situation has its consequences, and not only in the context of the foreign exchange market. In particular, the Italian stock index FTSE MIB lost 3.7% amid a selling of Italian government bonds. If panic increases, this trend will continue.

However, in my opinion, the Italian crisis will end quite quickly when a certain peak is reached. Most likely, a compromise will be reached, assuming a reduction in the budget deficit under the two percent mark. On the one hand, Brussels will avoid a political crisis in Italy, and, on the other hand, Italian politicians will be able to partially fulfill their election promises, and the responsibility for the unfulfilled part will be transferred to the shoulders of the European Union, "which did not allow them to implement their plans." From a political point of view, this is a fairly convenient and "safe" position, so it will be surprising if Italian politicians show excessive principledness on this issue.

From a technical point of view, the euro-dollar pair has reached an important support level of 1.1520 (the lower limit of the Kumo cloud on the monthly chart). If bears push this mark, then the next support level will be the mark of 1.1440 (the bottom line of the Bollinger Bands indicator on W1).

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

AUD/USD. The pair is approaching the stronghold of bulls - 0.7000

The Australian dollar paired with the US currency weakened to 2.5-year lows, entrenched in the 70th figure. This dynamics is associated not only with the strengthening of the greenback, although the rhythm of today's trading is set by the US dollar. "Hawkish" comments of the head of the Federal Reserve provoked an increase in the yield of 10-year treasuries, and this fact in turn influenced the dynamics of dollar pairs.

Despite the clear dominance of the US currency, in the context of the AUD/USD pair, it is worth considering that it will be difficult for traders to break through the base of the 70th figure and go lower. The last time such a maneuver was in January 2016 - but even then the bears of the AUD/USD could not keep the price within the 69th figure for more than one week. Therefore, short positions should be treated with extreme caution: the pair is too close to a strong support level.

The long weekend in China (the country celebrates Independence Day throughout the week) shifted the focus of AUD/USD traders' attention to other fundamental factors. The theme of the US-China trade conflict has faded into the background, as the parties have so far "dispersed in the corners of the ring", also due to the national holiday in China. The Australian dollar did not get any benefit from this fact - on the contrary, now the pressure of the US currency has increased due to the tougher rhetoric of the Fed representatives.

And it's not just about Jerome Powell, who yesterday quite transparently hinted at the acceleration of the rate hike. In particular, speakers in recent days, Charles Evans, Eric Rosengren, Lael Brainard stated the need for further tightening of monetary policy ,and Brainard even allowed the possibility of accelerating the pace of the rate hike. Jerome Powell spoke about this, however, not directly, but in very clear hints. The meaning of its position is difficult to distort: apparently, the Fed will raise the interest rate three or four times next year and only in 2020 will it think about the level of the neutral rate.

The overall strengthening of the US dollar has not spared the AUD/USD pair. The yield spread between 10-year US and Australian bonds expanded to record levels in favor of the United States: the last time such dynamics was observed as much was 37 years ago. By and large, at one point connected many factors, the combination of which had a strong pressure on the Australian dollar.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is also not an "ally" of the Australian, as the devaluation of the national currency plays only into the hands of inflationary processes. The regulator has repeatedly stated this fact, each time voicing their concerns, if the AUD/USD exchange rate was approaching the region of the 80th figure. At their last meeting, which took place this week, the members of the RBA took a wait-and-see position, confirming the general expectations of the market about the prospects of monetary policy. According to the majority of traders, the issue of raising interest rates may not be considered until the second half of next year, and RBA members are in no hurry to dissuade the market from this.

Thus, the Australian currency does not have its own strength to resist, so the "aussie" is entirely dependent on the dynamics of the US dollar. In turn, this means that the motion vector of the AUD/USD in the short term depends on the Nonfarms, the release of which is scheduled for tomorrow. If the number of employed in the non-agricultural sector exceeds the 200,000 mark, the unemployment rate will drop to 3.8%, and the dynamics of the average wage will remain within 0.3-0.4%, the US currency will continue its offensive in all dollar pairs (except for the pound-dollar pair, where the subject of Brexit dominates).

Technically, the AUD/USD pair also shows a clearly bearish picture, and on the "higher" timeframes (daily, weekly and monthly chart). On each of them the price is on the lower or between the middle and lower lines of the Bollinger Bands indicator. Ichimoku Kinko Hyo indicator shows a strong bearish "Parade of lines" signal, and oscillators also signal the priority of the downward movement.

You can define several goals of the downward scenario, depending on the timeframe: D1 – 0,7070 (the goal is almost reached); W1 – 0,7055 and MN – 0,7005. When passing the above values, the pair will target the main "price stronghold" – the mark of 0.7000. Here it should be noted that the above support levels are not a reliable stronghold – the main battle will unfold for a decrease in the 69th figure.

Tomorrow's Nonfarms can impulsively reduce the price to the base of the 70th figure, but this price breakthrough should be treated with caution. In the area of multi-year lows, the pair can gradually buy back, and in the first trading days of the next week it can move away from record lows. Short positions in this case are appropriate only in the range of 0.7090-0.7010 or when the pair is fixed in the 69th figure. But to participate in the "battle" for a breakthrough in the 69th figure is very risky, since its outcome is not predetermined.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

The pound gets rid of the ballast

If you get rid of the ballast, it'll be a lot more fun. Over the past few months, the policy has restrained the offensive outbursts of the bulls on the GBP/USD. While most investors sleep and see the pound rise significantly higher, political risks prevent them from starting to form long positions. In past years, the Conservative Party conference invariably turned into a collapse of the sterling, and Theresa May's statement about the impasse in negotiations with Brussels leads its fans to sad arguments.

This time, nothing extraordinary happened at the Tory's meeting. The prime minister was not allowed to doubt the leadership. At the same time, rumors about the advancement of the Irish border issue led to a decrease in the EUR/GBP to the area of 3-month lows. Investors are playing on the contrast: while the fire of the political crisis in Italy is only heating up, in Britain, on the contrary, everything is moving towards the conclusion of an agreement. According to Reuters, London's new proposal to Brussels avoids large-scale checks on the border with Ireland, which signals progress in the negotiations.

Not the slightest role in strengthening the pound is played by the growth of the yield of British bonds to the area of 2-year highs. If the UK manages to achieve an orderly exit from the EU, the risks of continuing the Bank of England's monetary policy normalization cycle will increase. At the same time, the threat of an acceleration in inflation forces investors to flee from local debt obligations. If we add to this London's desire to take a step from fiscal consolidation to GDP acceleration and the potential growth of bond issuance associated with it, it becomes clear why the debt market rates are steadily moving upwards. Their increase raises the attractiveness of British assets, boosts demand for them and contributes to the revaluation of the sterling.

Dynamics of British bond yields

At the same time, there are always two currencies in any pair, so the success of one of them does not necessarily lead to a shift in a certain direction. The dollar also looks very attractive at the moment. The futures market increased the likelihood of three acts of monetary tightening of the Federal Reserve in 2019 from 40% to 42%, the duration of employment growth outside the agricultural sector does not get tired of rewriting records (96 consecutive months), and unemployment fell to a low of almost half a century. Against this background, the rise in the yield of US Treasury bonds to the peak in the spring of 2011 should not be surprising.

In the week to October 12, investors working with the GBP/USD will monitor the political situation in Britain, as well as the release of data on GDP of the UK for June-August and US inflation. In May-July, the economy of the United Kingdom accelerated to 0.6%, and if it continues in the same spirit, the pound will receive an additional trump card.

Technically, after a rollback to 50% of the AD wave of the "Bat" pattern, and the rebound from the lower limit of the upward trading channel, the "bulls" on the GBP/USD launched an attack in order to update the September high. If this happens, the chances of implementing the target by 161.8% on the AB=CD pattern will increase. GBP/USD daily chart

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/NZD for October 11, 2018

The break above resistance at 1.7847 told us that the corrective decline from 1.7929 had completed prematurely and a new impulsive rally towards 1.8030 and 1.8369 should be unfolding.

Despite our expectation of a new impulsive rally towards 1.8030, we should be aware of the possibility of a more complex correction unfolding, but the minimum upside target should be 1.7929 if a larger flat correction is in the making.

R3: 1.8030
R2: 1.7960
R1: 1.7929
Pivot: 1.7882
S1: 1.7835
S2: 1.7800
S3: 1.7774

Trading recommendation:
We are long EUR from 1.7847 and we will place our stop at 1.7780. Upon a break above 1.7882 will will move our stop to break-even at 1.7847.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex

Elliott wave analysis of EUR/JPY for October, 2018

EUR/JPY has seen a low at 129.12 and we are now looking for a break above minor resistance at 129.80 and more importantly a break above short-term important resistance at 130.51. It will confirm that blue wave (2) has completed and blue wave (3) towards 138.10 is developing.
Support is now seen at 129.34 and then at 129.12.
R3: 130.85
R2: 130.51
R1: 130.05
Pivot: 129.80
S1: 129.34
S2: 129.12
S3: 128.99

Trading recommendation: We will buy EUR at 129.10 or upon a break above 129.80.

Analysis are provided by InstaForex