Forex Trading

Today's U.S. Consumer Confidence data release is set to dominate the trading between the Dollar and its major currency pairs. A number of other factors are also likely to impact the forex market today, such as the British BBA Mortgage Approvals at 8:30 GMT. The results of today's data are likely to determine the USD's trend going into rest of the week's trading.



USD - The U.S Dollar Strengthens Against Most Rivals

The greenback rebounded versus major currencies Monday, from a string of recent declines after signals at the weekend that most key central banks backed a policy of keeping their Interest Rates low for the foreseeable future.

Analysts continue to anticipate that at some point signs of strength in the U.S. economy will be read as positive for the nation's currency, ending an inverse relationship since the credit crisis began, where negative news triggered safe-haven buying of the U.S Dollar. That relationship still held back the Dollar's gains on Monday.

The USD also advanced yesterday vs. the EUR and Japanese yen as Wall Street surrendered earlier gains and traders repositioned themselves ahead of U.S. consumer and Housing data due this week. Solid U.S. data and an upbeat assessment on the economy from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke over the weekend earlier pushed investors to take on riskier investments at the expense of the low-yielding Yen and Dollar.

EUR - Sterling Pressured; Hits 11 Week Low vs. the EUR

The EUR erased its gains versus the Dollar yesterday as Treasury yields fell and the European Central Bank (ECB) policy makers warned against succumbing to optimism with regard to the economic situation in Europe. The EUR also reversed again versus the Japanese yen after the Euro-Zone industrial orders came in much higher than expected.

But investors are keen to see how the Euro-Zone economy fares, especially after higher-than-forecast purchasing managers' index readings last week. Traders expect Germany's Ifo survey of business sentiment to be the key event for the European currency this week.

The British pound dropped yesterday against 14 of the 16 most-traded counterparts on speculation the Bank of England will depress yields on gilts, making the U.K.'s assets less attractive to foreign investors. The Sterling declined yesterday to an 11-week low versus the EUR as much as 0.6%, the weakest level since June 8th. Analysts have said that the EUR was pushed past a key options barrier at 87 pence, setting up further gains in the pair, while traders said expectations for persistently low UK Interest Rates were weighing on the British currency.

JPY - The Yen Advances as Stocks Extend Losses

The Japanese yen was broadly firmer on Tuesday as investors took a pause from a recent rush to stocks and higher-yielding currencies, with focus shifting to U.S. data later in the day for clues on an uncertain economic recovery. The low yielding Yen tends to gain when stocks and higher-yielding currencies fall or when weak economic data highlights a long and uncertain road for global recovery.


The JPY rose against all of the 16 most-active currencies after Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks Inc., Georgia's biggest lender, said U.S. financial institutions may report more credit losses as commercial real estate falters. Worries are re-emerging that regional and local banks in the U.S. may be facing more loan losses, hence causing risk aversion and buying of the Yen.

Crude Oil - Oil Trades Near 10-Month High on Economic Optimism

Crude Oil prices rose Monday, briefly touching their highest level in 10 months, as optimism about a rebound in the global economy boosted energy prices. The gains came alongside strength on Wall Street, where the stock market also briefly touched 10-month highs before pulling back slightly after a 4 day rally.

Commodities markets have tracked stocks indexes closely in recent months as dealers view equities as a leading indicator of economic performance. Oil dealers said many investors were also using commodities as a hedge against the U.S Dollar, particularly oil, as OPEC producers work to restrain supply.

However, Crude reduced its earlier gains in afternoon trade as U.S. stocks turned lower. With demand remaining weak and supplies standing abundant, the crude market could be ready for a quick and sharp downward movement.

Article Source - U.S Consumer Confidence will determine Today's Trend