Forex Analysis by LiteForex - page 5

 

USD/JPY: general analysis

Current trend

The Japanese Yen continues strengthening against the US Dollar amid the publication of BoJ economic report.

Initial Jobless Claims statistics are due today in the US. Analysts expect the indicator to be down by 1K to 270K. Such dynamics suggests strong labor market conditions and might support the US Dollar.

Tomorrow, attention needs to be paid to Japan’s Unemployment Rate which is expected to increase by 0.1% to 3.2%. Weakness in the labor market affects the country’s economy and the JPY exchange rate

Support and resistance

On the daily chart, the pair is trading near the lower MA of Bollinger Bands. The price remains below the MA50, MA100 and MA144, directed parallel and horizontally. MACD histogram is in the negative zone, its volumes are growing; thus, negative dynamics in the pair is likely to develop.

Support levels: 120.12 (lower MA of Bollinger Bands), 118.80, 118.06, 117.20, 116.19.

Resistance levels: 121.73, 122.00, 122.50, 123.60, 124.25, 125.27.

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened from the level of 120.12 with the target at 121.15 and stop-loss at 119.85.

Short positions can be opened from the level of 119.85 with the target at 119.00 and stop-loss at 120.12.

Validity – 2 days

 

XAG/USD: pair corrected

Current trend

Last week the pair slightly strengthened amid closing of short positions by traders prior to Christmas holidays.

In addition, gold and silver prices were supported by growing oil prices that managed to strengthen after the publication of oil reserves data in the US. The data showed that reserves fell by 5.88 million barrels, while experts predicted a 1.5 million barrels growth.

At the same time, the market attention shifts to fresh macroeconomic statistics that are coming out in the US and which could help to determine future changes in monetary policy.

Support and resistance

Bollinger Bands on the daily chart is moving horizontally while the price range remains unchanged. MACD is growing and giving a weak buy signal. Stochastic is in the overbought zone and trying to turn down.

The indicators recommend waiting for clearer trading signals.

Support levels: 14.30 (local low), 14.20, 14.00, 13.90, 13.82, 13.63 (14 December low).

Resistance levels: 14.48 (local high), 14.63 (7 December high), 14.77, 15.00 (beginning of November high), 15.15, 15.25.

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened after the price rebound from the level of 14.20 (with the appropriate indicators signals) with targets at 14.63, 15.00 and stop-loss at 14.00. Validity – 2-4 days.

Short positions can be opened after the breakdown of the level of 14.20 with targets at 14.00, 13.80, 13.60 and stop-loss at 14.50. Validity – 3-4 days

 

XAG/USD: general review


Current trend

Yesterday the pair fell and lost about 50 points.

Market volatility is expected to be low today. Attention needs to be paid to data on the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices in the US. According to forecasts, the index will fall that might pressure the USD. Also, pay attention to data on Consumer Confidence that is expected to grow by 3.4%.


Support and resistance

On the 4-hour chart, the pair is trading between the upper and middle MA’s of Bollinger Bands. Moving averages with 50, 100, and 144 periods remain above the price and directed down indicating a negative trend. MACD histogram is in the negative zone and its volumes are growing. ADX is falling and DI lines are directed down indicating a fall in the pair.

Support levels: 13.86, 13.67.

Resistance levels: 14.03, 14.19, 14.40.


Trading tips

Long positions can be opened from the level of 14.03 with the target at 14.19. Validity – 1 day.

Short positions can be opened after the breakdown of the level of 13.86 with the target at 13.67. Validity – 1 day

 

XAU/USD: pair remains within range


Current trend

On Monday, the price of gold declined by 0.7% to $1068 per ounce.

US Fed aims at gradual tightening of monetary policy. As long as the US Dollar will be strengthening, the price of gold is likely to remain under pressure. Borrowing costs for purchase and storage of gold tend to increase.

From 3:30 to 8:00 pm (GMT+2) attention needs to be paid to US news releases, among which Consumer Confidence data for December. The indicator is expected to be up to 93.8 from 90.4 points that will support the US Dollar.


Support and resistance

In December, the XAU/USD pair has been trading within the range of 1085.00-1050.00.

On the 4-hour chart, OsMA and Stochastic recommend long positions, but a growth in the pair is limited by the resistance levels of 1075.00 (EMA144) and 1080.00 (EMA200 on the 4-hour chart). On the daily chart, the indicators have started giving sell signals. However, due to a lack of drivers, the price is likely to remain within the range.

Fundamental factors create prerequisites for a further decline in the price of gold.

Support levels: 1071.00, 1067.00, 1060.00, 1050.00.

Resistance levels: 1075.00, 1080.00, 1085.00.


Trading tips

Short positions can be opened from the level of 1068.00 with targets at 1050.00, 1040.00, 1010.00 and stop-loss at 1077.00.

Long positions can be opened from the level of 1082.00 with targets at 1085.00, 1088.00 and stop-loss at 1079.00.

 

XAU/USD: pair remains within range


Current trend

On Monday, the price of gold declined by 0.7% to $1068 per ounce.

US Fed aims at gradual tightening of monetary policy. As long as the US Dollar will be strengthening, the price of gold is likely to remain under pressure. Borrowing costs for purchase and storage of gold tend to increase.

From 3:30 to 8:00 pm (GMT+2) attention needs to be paid to US news releases, among which Consumer Confidence data for December. The indicator is expected to be up to 93.8 from 90.4 points that will support the US Dollar.


Support and resistance

In December, the XAU/USD pair has been trading within the range of 1085.00-1050.00.

On the 4-hour chart, OsMA and Stochastic recommend long positions, but a growth in the pair is limited by the resistance levels of 1075.00 (EMA144) and 1080.00 (EMA200 on the 4-hour chart). On the daily chart, the indicators have started giving sell signals. However, due to a lack of drivers, the price is likely to remain within the range.

Fundamental factors create prerequisites for a further decline in the price of gold.

Support levels: 1071.00, 1067.00, 1060.00, 1050.00.

Resistance levels: 1075.00, 1080.00, 1085.00.


Trading tips

Short positions can be opened from the level of 1068.00 with targets at 1050.00, 1040.00, 1010.00 and stop-loss at 1077.00.

Long positions can be opened from the level of 1082.00 with targets at 1085.00, 1088.00 and stop-loss at 1079.00.

 

Brent: review and forecast

Current trend

Yesterday, the price of Brent crude oil fell when the American Petroleum Institute published its weekly estimate of US crude oil inventories. Last week, crude oil stocks increased by 2.9 million barrels while analysts expected a decline by 2.5 billion barrels.

Support and resistance

Bollinger Bands indicator on the 4-hour chart is directed down so the price is likely to continue declining. Though MACD histogram is in the positive zone, its volumes are falling.

Support levels: 36.80, 36.35, 35.90.

Resistance levels: 38.00, 39.00, 40.00.

Trading tips

Short positions can be opened at the current level with targets at 36.35, 35.90.

Long positions can be opened if the price consolidates above the level of 38.00 with targets at 39.00, 40.00.

 

GBP/USD: general analysis


Current trend

Nationwide Housing Prices data has been released today in the UK. Despite the indicator came in at 4.5% in annual terms, the GBP/USD pair fell to its April lows. At present, a correction might start – the price has turned up and is trading in the area of 1.4823.

Not much macroeconomic data is released ahead of the New Year holidays. Today, attention needs to be paid to Pending Home Sales statistics, due in the US. Analysts forecast the indicator to come in at 0.5% from 0.2% that might support the US Dollar. Nevertheless, no high trading activity should be expected.

Support and resistance

On the 4-hour chart, MA50, MA100 and MA144 are above the current price and directed down, indicating a fall in the pair. MACD histogram is in the negative zone, and its volumes remain almost unchanged. The DI lines of ADX are directed down; according to the indicator, the price tends to decline.

During the day, the pair is likely to be trading within the channel 1.4791-1.4876.

Support levels: 1.4791 (lower MA of Bollinger Bands).

Resistance levels: 1.4876 (middle MA of Bollinger Bands), 1.4922, 1.4963.


Trading tips

Long positions can be opened at the current level with the target at 1.4876 and stop-loss at 1.4800.

Short positions can be opened from the level of 1.4876 with the target at 1.4800.

Validity – 1-2 days

 

GBP/USD: pair trades flat

Current trend

On Wednesday, the GBP/USD pair ended the trading day at the opening level of 1.4815.

Trading volumes remain low today, but the volatility might increase during the publication of ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts and a series of indicators from the US. Tomorrow, financial markets are closed, and trading will resume on Monday, 4 January.

Support and resistance

The GBP/USD pair is trading within a narrow range between 1.800 and 1.4830. The price is in the lower part of a descending channel with the lower border near the level of 1.4770.

On the daily, weekly and monthly charts, OsMA and Stochastic recommend short positions. On the 4-hour chart, the indicators show the pair will be trading flat. In general, the decline in the pair tends to continue.

After the breakdown of 1.4800, the price might move further towards 1.4750, 1.4600 (year lows).

Support levels: 1.4800, 1.4770, 1.4750, 1.4700.

Resistance levels: 1.4880, 1.4925, 1.4985, 1.5025, 1.5080, 1.5100, 1.5140, 1.5230.

Trading tips

Short positions can be opened from the current level with targets at 1.4800, 1.4750 and stop-loss at 1.4860.

Long positions can be opened from the level of 1.4870 with targets at 1.5000, 1.5050, 1.5100, 1.5120, 1.5190 and stop-loss at 1.4820.

 

USD/CAD: general review

Current trend

Last week there were very few macroeconomic publications and the pair was trading in the narrow range. The pair was pressured by poor US data on Jobless Claims and Pending Home Sales that came out worse than forecasts.

Today attention needs to be paid to the ISM Manufacturing PMI in the US that is forecasted to fall to 49.0 points.

Support and resistance

On the daily chart, the pair is trading in the upper Bollinger band. Moving averages with 50, 100 and 144 periods remain below the price and directed up indicating an upward trend in the pair. MACD histogram is in the positive zone and its volumes are falling. ADX is falling, DI lines directed down.

Supportlevels: 1.3772 (middle MA of Bollinger Bands), 1.3591, 1.3592, 1.3454.

Resistancelevels: 1.4000 (middle of December high).

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened from current prices with the target at 1.4000 and stop-loss at 1.3830.

Short positions can be opened after the price consolidation below the level of1.3772 with the target at 1.3660 and stop-loss at 1.3830.

 

USD/JPY: pair fell

Current trend

Since the beginning of the week, the pair significantly fell amid growing tensions in the Middle East where Saudi Arabia on Sunday cut off their diplomatic ties with Iran. At present, investors prefer to switch their funds into safe-haven currencies, one of which is the Yen.

At the same time, the Dollar was unexpectedly supported by poor macroeconomic statistics from the US. The ISM Manufacturing PMI for December fell from 48.6 to 48.2 points, while economists predicted a growth to 49.0 points.

Support and resistance

Bollinger Bands on the daily chart is moving down while the price range is widening. However, the indicator points out to a possibility of the correctional growth in the pair. MACD is falling. Stochastic left the oversold zone and turned horizontally.

The indicators recommend waiting for clearer trading signals.

Support levels: 119.39 (local low), 119.05, 118.67 (yesterday low), 118.24, 118.00.

Resistance levels: 119.69 (local high), 120.00 (psychologically important level), 120.16, 120.34, 120.56, 120.83, 121.00.

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened after the breakout of the level of 120.00 (with the appropriate indicators signals) with the target at 121.00 and stop-loss at 119.50. Validity – 2-3 days.

Short positions can be opened after the breakdown of the level of 119.00 with the target at 118.00 and stop-loss at 119.60. Validity – 2-4 days

Reason: