The U.S. dollar rose against many major currencies on Monday while the euro fell to one-week lows after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi gave hints that the bank will probably not scale back its stimulus program in the near future.
The Aussie gained in Asia on Tuesday as the central bank held steady as expected, while noting better economic conditions with its key trading partner, China.
The dollar posted its fourth straight weekly decline last Friday after the latest U.S. employment report showed that while jobs growth beat expectations last month wage growth remained tepid.
According to the Fed Rate Monitor Tool less than 10% of traders expect the Fed to raise interest rates at its next meeting in March. The chance of a June increase is seen at just below 50%.
The dollar was lower against the yen, with USD/JPY down 0.18% while it reached one-week highs against the sterling with GBP/USD hitting 1.2450. The pound came under pressure as a parliamentary debate on a law giving Prime Minister Theresa May the right to trigger Brexit got underway.
Today, the UK is to publish a report on house price inflation, Canada is to release reports on trade, building permits and business activity and the U.S. is also to release its latest trade figures.
The European Commission is to release its latest economic forecasts for the European Union.
The dollar gained ground against the euro, with EUR/USD falling 0.43% to 1.0736.
In the euro zone, data on Monday showed that German factory growth hit a two-and-a-half year high in January, with factory orders jumping by 5.2%. It was the strongest increase since January 2014.
Another report showed that investor sentiment in the euro area deteriorated slightly in February, amid concerns that the Trump administration’s policies will act as a drag on global growth.
Today, the U.S. will release its latest trade figures and tomorrow the European Commission is to release its latest economic forecasts for the European Union.
Pivot: 1.0755Support: 1.068 1.065 1.0615Resistance: 1.079 1.0775 1.0755Scenario 1: short positions below 1.0755 with targets at 1.0680 & 1.0650 in extension.Scenario 2: above 1.0755 look for further upside with 1.0775 & 1.0790 as targets.Comment: the RSI has broken down its 30 level.
Gold
Gold prices gained on Monday, hitting the strongest level since November as investors sought the perceived safety of the yellow metal amid growing concerns over political risks around the globe. In addition, concerns over Donald Trump's presidential policies and a lack of clarity on the timing of future rate hikes sent the precious metal 2.14% higher last week.
Gold is currently trading above the $1230 per ounce level early on Tuesday, with the market focus shifted towards Trump policies and the direction of the dollar as well as on countries where anti-establishment movements are gaining traction ahead of elections.
Today, the U.S. will release its latest trade figures.
Pivot: 1227Support: 1227 1221 1217Resistance: 1240 1245 1248Scenario 1: long positions above 1227.00 with targets at 1240.00 & 1245.00 in extension.Scenario 2: below 1227.00 look for further downside with 1221.00 & 1217.00 as targets.Comment: the RSI is bullish and calls for further advance.
WTI Oil
Oil prices were modestly lower on Monday, reversing earlier gains as prospects of rising U.S. production weighed on the market. News that the U.S. imposed fresh sanctions on some Iranian individuals and entities, days after the White House put Tehran "on notice" over a ballistic missile test, supported prices.
On Tuesday afternoon, the American Petroleum Institute will release its estimates of U.S. crude and refined product stockpiles. The figures are followed on Wednesday by official data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Analysts expect an inventory increase of 2.38 million barrels at the end of last week.
Pivot: 53.34Support: 52.74 52.54 52.25Resistance: 53.34 53.62 53.89Scenario 1: short positions below 53.34 with targets at 52.74 & 52.54 in extension.Scenario 2: above 53.34 look for further upside with 53.62 & 53.89 as targets.Comment: above 53.34 look for further upside with 53.62 & 53.89 as targets.
US 500
U.S. stocks were lower after the close on Monday, as losses in the Oil & Gas, Telecoms and Financials sectors led shares lower.
At the close in NYSE, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.09%, while the S&P 500 index fell 0.21%, and the NASDAQ Composite index fell 0.06%.
Some of the best performers of the session were Boeing (NYSE:BA) Co which added 0.97% and United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) that was up 0.94% while the worst performers of the session were Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) which fell 1.13% and Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD) that declined 1.08%.
A major part of the drop on Monday, was led by the energy sector as oil prices dropped, while investors await the next run of major earnings reports and seek further clarity on President Donald Trump's economic policies.
Pivot: 2280 Support: 2280 2270 2263 Resistance: 2294 2299 2315 Scenario 1: long positions above 2280.00 with targets at 2294.00 & 2299.00 in extension. Scenario 2: below 2280.00 look for further downside with 2270.00 & 2263.00 as targets. Comment: the RSI lacks downward momentum.