US Home Sales Signal Market Expansion
Data from the American housing market yesterday also indicated a positive message as new home sales jumped, representing an expanding market in consumer spending, mortgages and bank lending.
Forex Market Trends
Economic News
USD - US Dollar Trading Mildly Bearish, Movement Restrained
The US dollar (USD) was seen trading mildly bearish early Thursday as traders viewed data on housing and manufacturing as a sign of potential bullishness in global markets. The sudden jolt to risk appetite generated by such movement pushed down on the greenback, but seems to have lifted ahead of a string of reports out of the US today which could reverse much of the markets recently acquired short-term stability.
Data from the American housing market yesterday also indicated a positive message as new home sales jumped, representing an expanding market in consumer spending, mortgages and bank lending. The news has done little to the forex market, however, though it could ripple through longer-term analyses on US capital markets towards the end of the year.
As for today, the US economic releases will focus mostly on housing and GDP. Liquidity will likely be higher in today's early trading as several events are being published in rapid succession from Japan, the euro zone and the US. American liquidity will be heightened, and Japan has contributed to today's early movements with its interest rate statements being published earlier this morning.
EUR - Euro Gains from Sudden Interest in Risk
The euro (EUR) is expected to be seen trading with bullish results this morning after a slew of reports from Japan and ahead of news from the region and the United States. Against the US dollar (USD), the euro has been seen trading somewhat bearish as the greenback moves upward against its currency rivals, this morning's maneuvers, however, put the pair on a muted bullish trajectory.
Traders are looking for a way to balance a renewal of risk aversion with continued shakiness in global markets. A mildly pessimistic sentiment towards investing in the US dollar at the moment has many investors on edge. An embattled euro zone, fending off market bears amid turmoil in its peripheral nations, also looks to be losing ground in financial markets as safe haven assets such as the Swiss franc (CHF) and Japanese yen (JPY) make gains.
Sentiment across the euro zone has turned negative, with many analysts and economists expecting moves towards safety by traders this week. Any more bearishly-leaning news out of any major global economy will likely pull down on the EUR even further as investors flee risk. With a heavy news day ahead, many traders are anticipating significant data releases to move the market. If today's data continues to reveal negative market directionality, the EUR is likely to return to a bearish posture.
JPY - Japanese Yen's Strength Challenged
The Japanese yen (JPY) was seen trading mildly lower versus most other currencies this morning as its value as an international safe haven was being challenged by an air of diminished industrial activity and production. Being linked to international risk sentiment, the yen has experienced an expected uptick during a period when shifts away higher yielding assets became prominent. The JPY has been experiencing several long strides lately from the various shifts into riskier assets.
The latest moves of the yen are causing some concerns, however, as many speculators are anticipating some downturn following this week's industrial activity releases. A strengthening yen has benefits for the buying power of the island economy, though its dependence on exports makes a strong yen unfavorable for longer-term growth in Japan's current financial model. As industry slumps in Japan, this uptrend may meet resistance.
Crude Oil - Oil Prices Holding Steady amid Market Turmoil
Crude Oil prices held steady Wednesday as sentiment appeared to favor a mild uptick in global stocks following reports of monetary moves being made by several central banks. Data releases out of Europe and the US last week are beginning to generate some risk taking after statements by the Federal Reserve began to cause investors to seek out higher yields.
An expected dip in dollar values due to this week's risk seeking environment has helped many investors ram up their long-taking positions on physical assets, but with the USD's losses not materializing in large enough numbers, sentiment appears to have the price of crude oil holding steady. Should Crude Oil sentiment continue to flatten this week, oil prices may reach a decision point which forces a wide swing by mid-week.