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[HFM]

Date : 20th April 2015

GBPJPY REACTS LOWER FROM CHANNEL TOP.

GBPJPY, Weekly

The pair has been ranging between 175 support and 179.29 resistance over the last three weeks. At the same time Stochastic oscillator has moved to oversold territory and is trying to move higher indicating the downside momentum is weak and might be reversing. This is consistent with the pair being close to support. Additionally, the sideways move has caused the lower Bollinger Bands to draw closer to the current price action and the weekly price bar lows have been moving along the 1.5 Standard deviations Bollinger Band. Until two weeks ago the 50 week moving average has been able to send price significantly higher but now this market fluctuates on both sides of the average. This suggests that the market is less decisive than previously toughing these price levels.

GBPJPY, Daily

Since March 18th GBPJPY has been moving lower in a bearish channel with the March consolidation between 178.80 and 180.08 resisting attempts to move higher. On Friday the pair reacted from the trendline and upper Bollinger Bands creating a shooting star candle. Today we’ve seen some follow through with bears pushing the pair below Friday’s low. This suggests momentum is currently to the downside.

Daily pivot candle high from April 14th coincides with the lower daily Bollinger Bands and could slow the moves lower (at 176.40). Stochastics and RSI are not at overbought levels but they are at levels where they turned lower the last time, and that’s when price turned lower as well. Oscillators do not determine where the price moves to but in context that price is reacting lower from a descending channel top it supports the general idea of price potentially moving lower.

GBPJPY, 240

In the intraday chart GBPJPY can be seen moving below the rising trendline that supported price since April 14th. Price has since corrected lower and after bouncing from 38.2% Fibonacci level is now at the time fighting with a resistance just below the 23.6% Fibonacci level. At the time of writing the latest 4h candle just closed above 177.50 and we now have a hammer candle that indicates lack of downside momentum and suggests traders should choose carefully where to initiate short trades. Next support and resistance levels are at 176.55 (lower Bollinger Bands and a resistance turned into a support) and 178.20, a recent 4h pivot high.

Conclusion

The long term chart draws my attention to the nearby support level but also 50 week moving average and indecisive price action around it. Should price move lower from current levels buyers could be stepping in close to the recent (April 14th) low at 174.88 and if we see confirming price action then we could see a move to the descending trendline in the weekly picture. In a shorter term picture I am following minor time frames (60 min and lower) to see if price action confirms the bearish indications given by the daily time frame shooting star candle that occurs near channel top. At the time of writing this seems to be the case as price has reacted lower from a 50 period MA in an hourly chart but with the 4h hammer candle this market does give slightly mixed signals. With a bearish daily setup it makes sense to sell rallies at resistances if price action confirms the analysis. A 4h hammer candle indicates lack of downside momentum and suggests traders should choose carefully where to initiate short trades.

Please, find today’s high impact economic releases below. For full economic calendar visit HotForex.com.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 21st April 2015

HOW TO FIND HIGH PROBABILITY TRADES?

In my analysis from April 15th I wrote: We could see Gold retesting the resistance levels at 1198 and 1208. The latter coincides with the upper Bollinger Bands and should price rally there we’d be looking for momentum reversal signals close to it.

As we now know, Gold turned at the resistance and provided us with a great shorting opportunity!

Join me in today’s Live Analysis Webinar and learn how to identify similar opportunities over the coming few days. I will teach you how to analyse the markets successfully and how to read price action when entering and exiting your trades.

Twice a month we gather together to a Live Analysis Webinar to study the markets and recent price action. In these sessions I share my thoughts and analysis on currency pairs and teach our traders to understand what is important when looking for high probability trade setups. This is a great opportunity to watch and learn from what I share and get your questions answered. We’ve had excellent feed back from our traders on these sessions. I am convinced that you will benefit greatly by investing an hour of your time with the rest of us. Please, follow the link below and book your seat.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 22nd April 2015

NASDAQ 100 FUTURES TRADING BELOW RESISTANCE.

Nasdaq, Weekly:

Nasdaq was the world’s first electronic stock market when it began trading in 1971. This is very fitting for a technology index that nowadays includes all the major technology names that have a global prescence. In HotForex MT4 platform this index can be traded under the name of USA 100. The biggest stocks in this index include technology names such as Apple, Microsoft and Google. As these stocks are investment driven (when businesses invest in computers, software and infrastructure these companies do well) their price behaviour can be seen as an indication of things to come for the whole of the stock market. Technology is also the heaviest weighted sector in the S&P 500 index which means that movements in technology shares and Nasdaq will have a significant impact on S&P 500. Let’s see how Nasdaq index has been trading lately and what can we learn from its movements.

Since the end of 2012 this market has been trending strongly higher gaining over 60% since the end of 2012. Currently this index is trading close to this year’s highs just below the upper weekly Bollinger Bands. Nasdaq has moved sideways since the end of February and has found support from general region of November 2014 high. This has created a sideways move that is fairly similar to the sideways range that lasted from November 2014 to the beginning of February 2015. This suggests to me that this market is not weak but is slowly working its way higher.

Nasdaq, Daily:

Index is trading at the recent highs and therefore at resistance. Recent high at 4441.50 was able to resist the move higher this morning and index reacted lower at the time of writing. Stochastics, RSI and Money Flow index are right at or very close to overbought levels which means that taking long positions at current levels would be too risky. Market is very thin this time of day as the US main trading session is still hours away. This can make market more volatile than usually. The nearest daily support level is at 4320 while the lower Bollinger Bands are between this and the next support at 4259.

Nasdaq, 240 min:

The 4h chart reveals how Nasdaq has been moving higher in an upward channel whit the lower end of the channel coinciding with a pivot support at 4327.50. Now that index has broken the small bearish wedge that had developed overnight the next significant support level is in the region of 4327.50 to 4350 that coincide with the Bollinger Bands and the channel low. Currently price has attracted some buying at 50 period moving average but this should be considered as a minor support and should we get a rally to 4423 resistance and then a turn around to again to the south there is a good chance price will penetrate this support and move to 4350 or so.

Conclusion

In the longer term picture this market is trading close to the year 2000 highs and therefore momentum can be expected to be weaker than it has been over the year 2014. The Q1 2015 trading gives us some indication of what the price action might be like over the rest of the second quarter. Index has been moving sideways and then has broken above the previous resistance levels without huge rallies. Instead the next range has developed just above the previous one. This means that the support levels are close and this market might not be ready to have major correction lower but move gradually higher. As technology is the biggest (heaviest weighted) sector in S&P 500 it is likely that this lack of technical weakness will turn into strength with S&P 500 as well. Now that Fed is more dovish and crude oil has likely bottomed the energy sector stocks are recovering giving additional support for the US stock market.

In short term Nasdaq is weak as it has not been able to move above the resistance level at 4441.50 but rather corrected lower. Even though there has been some buying at the 50 period MA the major support levels are near the rising trend channel bottom. I am looking for a move to 4350 and then follow minor time frames for buy signals. However, firs this market might rally a bit and test the 4423 resistance. Should we get a rally to 4423 resistance and then a reversal there is a good chance price will penetrate the 50 MA support and move to 4350 or so.

Trade these levels only should the price action confirm my analysis. If you don’t know how to read price action, please join me to our free webinars and learn how to take your trading to the next level.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 23rd April 2015

COFFEE FUTURES REACTING LOWER FROM RESISTANCE.

Coffee, Weekly:

The last time I wrote about market moves in coffee the coffee futures were trading at 152.65 and based on the price action I suggested price should move lower and gave $145 and $125 as my downside targets. Since then target one was hit and price has moved as low as $128.80, close to the target II at $125. The first level was penetrated without any effort but then it turned into a resistance that has kept price capped for almost two months. Price of coffee found support at 161.8% Fibonacci extension level just above my target II at $125 and had a close outside the lower Bollinger Bands. Since then we’ve seen this market moving sideways inside the Bollinger Bands with roughly equal highs at $147. Price has made higher lows suggesting pressure is building against this resistance level.

Coffee, Daily:

The 50 period MA is still pointing lower while price of coffee struggles to close and stay above the $144.92 level. Stochastics are overbought and price has created a shooting star candle right at resistance which coincides with 100% Fibonacci extension level. Also, a regression channel drawn from the November 2014 high comes into play here. Price is trading right at the upper end of the channel adding to the bearish picture. The next important support levels are at 136.80 and 131.95.

Coffee, 240 min:

Price has been trending higher in a channel since the April 14th low. Now that price is moving lower again the lower end of the channel could provide some support as the 50 period MA and lower Bollinger Bands are relatively close to it. The rising trendline is currently at $140.45 while the 50 MA is at $139 and the 1.5 stdv lower Bollinger Band is at 139.12. In addition, there is a level that used to be a resistance roughly at $138.20. Stochastics are approaching the lower end of the range.

Conclusion

This two month sideways move suggests that supply and demand are now more balanced than at the time of my previous analysis on Coffee. Price moved almost to my target level at $125 but then turned around and has been challenging the $145 in several occasions. This could imply that the market participants wanted to cover their short positions before this important $125 support level and are now looking to take the market higher but the latest price action suggests there is still more weakness to come in Coffee. Short term picture is also negative as price has reacted lower from the resistance. I am therefore in a ‘sell rallies mode’ and look to benefit from the downside momentum. Here are my short term targets: target 1 at $138.20 and target 2 at $132. If price breaks below the sideways range a longer term downside target 1 is at $115.

Trade these levels only should the price action confirm my analysis. If you don’t know how to read price action, please join me to our free webinars and learn how to take your trading to the next level.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 24th April 2015

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS.

EURUSD, Daily

Earlier today THE Euro was the strongest currency against the US dollar with a gain of over 0.60%. This rally failed as EURUSD moved to a level where the upper Bollinger Bands and 50 day moving average coincided. Now the pair given up most of the gains and is hovering above yesterday’s close. The nearest daily support and resistance levels are at 1.0667 and 1.0900. If the pair closes below 1.0840, today’s candle will be a shooting star candle but there is some intraday 4h support at 1.0804 region (a previous resistance level) so price might fluctuate a bit more before finding direction.

Currency Pairs, Grouped Performance (% Change)

GBP has been rallying against the dollar since yesterday as the BoE minutes suggested the bank might be raising rates over the coming three year period. NZD has been weak RBNZ since assistant Governor John McDermott said yesterday the bank will ensure that the monetary policy is stimulatory to support output growth above potential and help lift inflation back to target. He said that at present they are not considering any increase in interest rates.

Main Macro Events Today

Eurogroup leaders’ gathering: no great expectations in terms of breakthrough on Greece.

The German Ifo index jumped to 108.6 in April: stronger than expected current conditions reading and rising confidence in the manufacturing sector, while retail sentiment fell back somewhat.

US March Durable goods orders: strong headline print on durables, the ex-transport component disappointed.

Please, click here to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. ​

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 28th April 2015.

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS.

EURUSD, Daily

Yesterday the US Flash Services PMI came in at 57.8 in April, erasing much of the 2.1 point rise to 59.2 in March. It compares to 55.0 in April a year ago. This moved EURUSD up by 70 pips before the pair reacted lower from the upper 1.5 stdv Bollinger Band. Yesterday’s daily candle was a relatively narrow one as market participants are hesitant before the FOMC meeting that starts today. EURUSD is still trading below resistance levels (meaning the DXY trades above support). Next minor daily support at 1.0820 and resistance at yesterday’s daily high at 1.0934. As EURUSD is trading at resistance I don’t expect a lot of strength but rather subdued trading that could turn into weakness ahead of the FOMC meeting.

Currency Pairs, Grouped Performance (% Change)

While USD is trading sideways at support one currency stands out of the crowd. This morning AUD has been strong against all the other currencies while at the time of writing the EUR has been relatively weak. After a quick overview of AUD paired charts it seems like Aussie dollar is trying to push through resistance levels. CAD is the weakest of the lot against the AUD and charts suggest that AUDCAD is in late stages of building a smallish bottoming formation. Last week’s candle was a hammer and even though the pair is at resistance there is a higher low in the four hour chart. This indicates AUDCAD is trying to push higher. Should the attempt be successful, the preferred way to trade the long side is to enter after pullbacks.

Main Macro Events Today

Japan retail sales: dropped more than expected in March compared to last year. Total sales declined 9.7% y/y versus a revised 1.7% y/y slide previously.

UK Gross Domestic Product: Consensus estimate points to a y/y decline of 0.4% at 2.6% while last previous figure was 3.0%

US April consumer confidence: the headline figure should reveal an increase to 104.0 (median 102.5) from 101.3 in March.

FOMC Meeting: The US Fed meets on Tuesday and Wednesday. While no policy changes are expected, the focus will be on the statement and the nuances in the forward guidance language that we doubt will provide any clarity on timing of the first rate hike.

Please, click here to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 28th April 2015 (Second Analysis)

AUDCAD REACTING HIGHER FROM SUPPORT.

AUDCAD, Weekly
The pair has over the past two to three weeks been testing a support area between 0.9402 and 0.9482. This test was successful and the last week’s hammer candle now points to higher prices. Moves below the 1.5 stdv Bollinger Band were rejected by the market and we there has been no close below this band since December 2014. This suggests buying interest in this pair at levels below current price action. There is some resistance ahead though, as the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level (at 0.9578) coincides with the high of last week’s candle while February low at 0.9590 is not far above it.

AUDCAD, Daily

Since April 20th the pair has been making higher daily lows and AUDCAD is now approaching resistance level created by the last week’s high and descending trendline. Stochastics is also getting close to levels it turned lower (together with price) the last time. I expect this will slow the pair down and could even cause it to correct lower. Nearest major support level is at 0.9467 while the next resistance level is at 0.9576. The 0.9636 resistance level coincides with the upper daily Bollinger Bands and has the 50 day MA hovering above. This suggests the level could very well work as a target for swing trades.

AUDCAD, 240 min

Price has moved beyond a resistance level at 0.9544 but has since hit the descending trendline. Stochastics and RSI are overbought and price is trading between the upper 1.5 and 2.0 stdv Bollinger Bands. The important support and resistance levels are pretty much the same as in the daily picture. There is some support at 0.9544 but it is fairly close to a higher time frame resistance levels and therefore should be judged as a minor support.

Conclusion

AUDCAD is still the strongest currency today against the major peers but has many resisting technical factors right above the current price. In short term picture this market is overbought as evidenced by the oscillators in 240 min chart and price trading at upper Bollinger Bands. This suggests that those wanting to trade this market on the long side should be careful right now and look to enter trades after pullbacks at support levels. Should there be a good sized pullback to the proximity of current levels of 50 period MA in 4h chart (0.9493) we should look for buy signals as per my teaching at webinars. Obviously being the strongest of the lot AUD can keep on rising against CAD without giving us a low risk entry but buying at a resistance is a high risk strategy. If there is a possibility to buy in proximity of a decent support (eg at 0.9500) the 0.9636 could be a reasonable Target 1 for swing trades. My Target 2 is at the next daily resistance level at 0.9700.

Trade these levels only should the price action confirm my analysis. If you don’t know how to read price action, please join me to our free webinars and learn how to take your trading to the next level.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 29th April 2015.

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS.

EURUSD, Daily

U.S. consumer confidence defied April gains in all other major confidence measures with a drop to 95.2 from a slightly revised 101.4 (was 101.3) in March, while cycle high was at 103.8 January. This measure was impacted by the recent bounce in gasoline prices and the petro-sector recession. This helped the USD to move lower and EURUSD higher into the resistance area. EURUSD is now trading above the 50 day SMA and inside the upper Bollinger Bands. Current price action takes place in proximity of the level (1.1035) that was able to turn the pair lower. Nearest support and resistance levels are at 1.0848 and 1.1035. EURUSD is moving higher for the 5th day in a row, which means that we are getting closer to the point where this market will correct lower. Therefore, price action around the release of FOMC statement should be monitored closely. This is the fourth time the market moves this high and towards the 1.1035 resistance after creating a higher low on April 13th. This lowers the probabilities of price reacting lower from the same resistance level. Therefore we should be careful and not take it granted that the market will turn lower from the same levels again. It could rally higher before reacting lower again. We should trade what we see, not what we expect.

Currency Pairs, Grouped Performance (% Change)

This morning GBP has been strong and AUD weak. Sterling has advanced most against the Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar while Australian dollar’s weakness has been evident across the board. This has a lot to do with the yesterday’s AUDUSD rally taking the pair to proximity of important resistance level at 0.8033. GBPAUD hit support yesterday at 1.9100 and is now reacting higher from the level. AUDCAD hit my 0.9636 target yesterday and is now reacting lower from the Bollinger Bands above it. AUDCHF has also reached a daily pivot and is ranging in intraday time frames.

Main Macro Events Today

NZ Business Confidence: Strong economic growth and low inflation expectations kept confidence at elevated levels even though the measure declined from 35.8% to 30.2%

US Advance GDP q/q: The first quarter GDP growth is likely to be 0.8% in its first release (the Q4 2014 growth was at 2.2%). Market risk is to the downside as weaker report could delay Fed’s first rate hike.

FOMC Statement: The Fed has indicated that it will stay data dependent. September is the first likely date for a rate hike.

Federal Funds Rate: No changes expected.

RBNZ Interest Rate Decision and Monetary Policy Statement: On April 22ndRBNZ Assistant Governor John McDermott said the bank will ensure that monetary policy is stimulatory to support output growth above potential and help lift inflation back to target. He said that at present they are not considering any increase interest rates.

Please, click here to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 29th April 2015 (Second Analysis)

WHEAT BULLISH AT MAJOR SUPPORT.

Wheat, Weekly

US wheat hit five year low yesterday and bounced higher as traders covered the shorts. Over the last few weeks wheat has moved lower even with dryness in the southern Plains. Now with some rain in the south the dryness worries in the north west of the country could help this bounce to turn into an uptrend. Since failing to penetrate resistance at 544 in the beginning April wheat futures have moved lower. Now that weekly Stochastics are getting oversold price is trading right above an important support level. In fact, price has bounced from 466 support yesterday suggesting that there is more upside than downside potential in this market.

Wheat, Daily

Yesterday’s rally from 466 support created a bullish hammer candle while Stochastics are showing clear bullish divergence. A pivot low from beginning of March capped yesterday’s trading in wheat and price has since then been moving right below this 478 resistance. There is some resistance at 485’5 while the next significant daily resistance area has been created between 495 and 504 by Fibonacci retracement levels and a pivot candle. In addition, the 50 day SMA is hovering at 505’7 at the time of writing.

Wheat, 240 min

In intraday charts Stochastics is overbought which ties together with the price stalling at minor resistance (478’2). As the longer term (weekly) support is just at yesterday’s low it is likely that smaller time frame resistances like this will get broken. The 50% Fibonacci level coincides with the 485’5 level and therefore suggests that in the short term picture this retracement level is more significant than others. The last completed 4h candle is another hammer pointing to higher prices.

Conclusion

Wheat is trading above support created in 2010 and bounced significantly higher the last time it touched this level. Now price action indicates that US wheat will move higher over the coming days and weeks. My short term T1 at 485’5 and T2 at 500. For those interested in longer term trading the 500 level could well be T1 and 530 T2. This bullish view would be negated if price moved below the 466 support with no signs of quick recovery.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

 

[HFM]

Date : 1st May 2015.

TODAY’S CURRENCY MOVERS.

EURUSD, Daily

Yesterday’s US reports were mostly good news for the economy, given a Chicago PMI climb to 52.3, a 34k initial claims plunge to a 262k new cycle-low that signals upside risk to our 220k April payroll estimate, and a firm 0.7% Q1 ECI rise that leaves a steep cyclical climb into 2015. The dollar rallied early in the session, following a 15-year low initial jobless claims print, and an uptick in ECI. After peaking at 1.1250 in London, EURUSD slipped to 1.1117 lows following the data. EURUSD was able to rally slightly higher again in the late night trading and topped at 1.1266 in proximity to the 1.1279 resistance I identified yesterday morning. The pair is trading above the upper Bollinger Bands and Stochastics are starting to move sideways. This suggests the market participants are acknowledging this market is getting overbought and is trading close to a resistance, after a six consecutive up days. EUR is strong across the board this morning but at some point reversion to mean kicks in and and this market will react lower. We should be following price action at resistance levels to get clues on when this might happen. Nearest daily support at 1.1035 and after 1.1279 resistance the next significant level is at 1.1534.

Currency Pairs, Grouped Performance (% Change)

While AUD performance was a bit mixed earlier this morning it is now weakening especially against the EUR and GBP with the CHF also gaining against Aussie. GBP and EUR are strong across the board while the JPY is quite weak against majority of the currencies. EURJPY is the strongest of the lot at the time of writing with a performance of +0.71% while EURNZD has gained 0.68%. GBPJPY follows with a +0.57% performance. GBPNZD looks interesting with strong performance and still some way to go before it hits major daily resistance levels.

Main Macro Events Today

Chinese Manufacturing PMI: China’s official manufacturing PMI was 50.1 in April, as expected and identical to the 50.1 in March. The back to back readings leave this measure skimming just above the contraction/expansion level of 50.0 after it fell below in February to 49.9 and 49.8 in January.

Australian PPI q/q: Q1 PPI rose 0.5% (q/q) after the 0.1% gain in Q4. The measure slowed down to a 0.7% y/y rate in Q1 from the 1.1% y/y growth rate in Q4.

UK Manufacturing PMI: The April Markit manufacturing PMI survey is expected to come in at 54.6 while March figure was 54.4. It was fractionally above survey median for 54.3 and improving from February’s 54.1 reading. March figure was the third consecutive month of improvement, affirming that activity in the sector is reaccelerating after a soft patch in Q4 last year.

US ISM Manufacturing PMI: April ISM is out Friday and is expected at 52.0 (median 52.0) from 51.5 in March and 52.9 in February. Overall, producer sentiment should have been firmer in April with the ISM-adjusted average of all measures increasing to 51 after a dip to 50 in March.

Please, click here to access the full HotForex Economic calendar.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.