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U.S. Dollar Weakens On Unchanged Fed Forecasts

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Dear Traders,

The market’s response to the FOMC announcement was as expected. The Federal Open Market Committee raised its benchmark interest rate to a range of 0.75-1.00 percent and continued to project two more hikes in 2017. In a nutshell, since the Fed’s rate hike path remained unchanged from December 2016 there was no new hawkish guidance which would have helped to boost the U.S. dollar. Thus, yesterday’s rate hike is interpreted as a ‘dovish hike’.

The U.S. dollar slipped on the unsurprising decision as well as unchanged forecasts and both euro and pound climbed toward higher targets in return. The euro touched a high of 1.0746 while euro bulls were able to pocket a good profit. The euro received an additional boost after a large majority of Dutch voters have rejected anti-European populists. Conservative Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has beaten his far-right rival Geert Wilders in the Dutch elections.

On balance, that’s good news for the euro but what can we expect from a technical perspective? There could still be some room for further upward momentum toward 1.08. If the euro climbs above 1.0750 it may head for a test of 1.08 but gains could be limited until that level. For the euro to continue to rally, it may require a break above 1.0830. If the 1.08-level remains unbroken we expect some corrections towards 1.0650 and 1.0550.

Eurozone Consumer Prices are scheduled for release at 10:00 UTC but those figures are not expected to surprise the market.

The British pound slightly strengthened on a weakening greenback but gains have been limited until the 1.23-resistance area. In case the pound will be able to overcome that hurdle we anticipate a run for 1.24.  On the downside, we will wait for a significant break below 1.22 in order to favor a bearish bias. The 1.2230/10-area could act as a current support-zone for the pound.

Today’s major risk event will be the Bank of England’s monetary policy announcement at 12:00 UTC. While no changes are expected, the BoE’s statement could trigger large market moves in the GBP/USD. Let us be surprised.

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Wild Wednesday: Anything Is Possible, Even A Disappointment Despite Fed Tightening

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Dear Traders,

It’s Fed-decision day and the waiting finally comes to an end. After several days of range-bound conditions and low volatility, traders now prepare for volatile swings and trend-setting movements. The probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike is completely priced in while the U.S. dollar shrugged off the bullish bias. The greenback’s reluctance to commit to further tightening suggests that dollar bulls might be unimpressed by the FOMC policy announcement.

The Fed’s monetary policy decision will be announced at 18:00 UTC but the impact on the dollar could be muted as traders appear to be well prepared for a March rate hike. The spotlight however, will be on the following press conference with Fed Chair Janet Yellen and revised rate path projections. Economists expect the path for rates to include three hikes this year and in case of a steeper tightening path, the dollar will rally. However, there is a greater potential for disappointment and if Yellen sounds more balanced, preferring a wait-and-see mode, the dollar will be vulnerable to losses.

All eyes will be on the FOMC announcement but before that major risk event, traders should also pay attention to U.S. Consumer Prices, scheduled for release at 12:30 UTC.

Apart from the Fed decision, elections in the Netherlands will draw the focus back on the euro’s resilience. The Dutch vote is the biggest test of the strength and resilience of the populist surge this year. The euro could therefore tend to fluctuate sharply towards the end of the American trading session.

EUR/USD

From a technical perspective, we expect bearish momentum to accelerate if the euro falls below 1.0570. Lower targets could then be at 1.05 and 1.0380. A short-term resistance is however seen at around 1.0650. If the euro significantly breaks through that resistance-level we may see further gains towards 1.07 and 1.0790.

 

GBP/USD

Today’s short squeeze in the British pound was an impressive reminder that there is still potential for exaggerated movements. The pound surged to a high of 1.2257, which is considered a current resistance-zone in the cable. Above 1.2260 we may see further gains toward 1.23 but everything is possible today and the price action will also hinge on the appetite for USD. We generally anticipate the cable to remain within a range between 1.24 and 1.21 for the time being. On the bottom side, the pound will need to break below 1.2080 in order to invigorate fresh bearish momentum.

The U.K. employment report is due for release at 9:30 UTC and could have a minor impact on the pound.

 

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Any and all liability of the author is excluded.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved 2017 Maimar-FX.

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Dutch Election Cast Shadows Over EU-Future

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Dear Traders,

Financial markets got off to a relatively quiet start on Monday as investors remained risk-averse ahead of major risk events on Wednesday.

The euro surged briefly to a high of 1.0714 before it started giving up some of its gains. Meanwhile, the outcome of the Dutch election threatens to cast more doubts over the future of the European Union. With only one day to go until the Dutch election on March 15, the euro came slightly under pressure. A victory of the right-wing Populist Party PVV (Party for Freedom) could mean further euro losses. Euro-skeptic Geert Wilders heads up the populist Party of Freedom, which has gathered momentum on growing nationalist and anti-Islamic sentiment.

Traders should pay attention to a renewed break below 1.06 which could possibly send the euro tumbling towards 1.0490. On the upside, the 1.08-level remains in focus.

Today, the only interesting piece of economic data will be the German ZEW Survey, due for release at 10:00 UTC.

The British pound initially strengthened against the U.S. dollar but it was unable to overcome the resistance-level at 1.2250. The U.K. Parliament on Monday passed legislation allowing the government to invoke Article 50, which means the formal start of Brexit. Prime Minister Theresa May plans to trigger Brexit in the last week of March. Thus, the pound could be vulnerable to further losses in anticipation of the possible effects of a Brexit. An important support is seen at 1.21 and the cable will need to break below 1.2080 in order to spark fresh bearish momentum.

Daily Forex signals:

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We wish you good trades and many pips!

Any and all liability of the author is excluded.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved 2017 Maimar-FX.

www.maimar.co