Forex: Euro and the Aussie dollar strengthen

The euro is testing resistance at the former support level of $1.40, in the hope that the bailout out-lined today will rescue the euro-zone from its debt crisis. We will probably read fairly disparate views over the next few weeks before the varying viewpoints synthesize into a clear market direction. Reversal below $1.365 would warn of a decline to $.20*, while narrow consolidation below the resistance level would suggest a breakout and advance to the 2011 highs.

EURUSD

* Target calculation: 1.30 – ( 1.40 – 1.30 ) = 1.20

The Pound similarly rallied to $1.60. Respect would re-test primary support at $1.53, while breakout would target $1.67.

GBPUSD

* Target calculation: 1.53 – ( 1.60 – 1.53 ) = 1.46

The dollar broke support at ¥76, continuing its long-term (mega) down-trend against the Yen.  Target for the breakout is ¥72*.

USDJPY

* Target calculation: 76 – ( 80 – 76 ) = 72

The Aussie benefited from the weaker greenback, recovering above $1.04 to signal an attempt at $1.08*. Penetration of the descending trendline indicates that the down-trend is weakening.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 1.04 + ( 1.04 – 1.00 ) = 1.08

The Aussie and Loonie both closely follow commodity prices. Respect of the upper trend channel on the CRB Index would warn of another down-swing.
CRB Commodities Index
Canda’s Loonie is testing resistance at $1.00 against the greenback. Reversal below $0.975 would warn of another down-swing, while breakout above parity would target $1.02*.

CADUSD

* Target calculation: 1.00 + ( 1.00 – 0.98 ) = 1.02

The Aussie dollar completed a double bottom against its Kiwi counterpart (probably due to lost man-hours after celebrating their Rugby World Cup win). Expect a test of $1.32* followed by retracement to confirm support at $1.28.

AUDNZD

* Target calculation: 1.28 + ( 1.28 – 1.24 ) = 1.32

The South Africans went home early (from the RWC) and a descending triangle on the USDZAR warns of  downward breakout to test support at $7.20.

USDZAR

* Target calculation: 7.80 – ( 8.40 – 7.80 ) = 7.20

Euro rallies on hope of bank rescue

The euro is headed for a test of $1.40 against the greenback, on the hope that European banks will be re-capitalized after taking a haircut on the PIIGS bonds. There still appears to be some confusion — I suspect deliberate — as to who will pay, with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble suggesting that banks first attempt to raise money from investors. Given the current state of financial markets, private investment will be scarce and European taxpayers are likely to end up with sizable stakes in a number of banks. Expect resistance at $1.40 to be followed by another test of support at $1.30*.

EURUSD

* Target calculation: 1.40 – ( 1.50 – 1.40 ) = 1.30

The pound is similarly headed for resistance at $1.60. Respect would signal another test of $1.53.

GBPUSD

* Target calculation: 1.53 – ( 1.60 – 1.53 ) = 1.46

Canada’s Loonie and the Aussie dollar both benefited from a surge in commodity prices. Expect the CADUSD to find resistance at parity, followed by another test of support at $0.94.

CADUSD

* Target calculation: 1.00 – ( 1.06 – 1.00 ) = 0.94

The Aussie will find resistance between $1.02 and the descending trendline. Respect is likely and would indicate another test of $0.94.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 1.02 – ( 1.10 – 1.02 ) = 0.94

The Aussie has formed a broad double bottom against its Kiwi counterpart. AUDNZD breakout above $1.28 would signal a primary advance to $1.32*.

AUDNZD

* Target calculation: 1.28 + ( 1.28 – 1.24 ) = 1.32

Support is holding firm on the dollar-yen cross — with assistance no doubt from the BOJ. Expect a narrow range between 76 and 78.

USDJPY

The South African rand is testing support at R7.70 against the greenback, after penetrating its rising trendline. Probably because of all the visitors returning early from the Rugby World Cup. 🙂 Apparently they have invited the referee to run a series of clinics in South Africa on his novel interpretation of the forward-pass rule. I suggest that he decline — it could get violent. Failure of support would offer a target of R7.00*

USDZAR

* Target calculation: 7.70 – ( 8.40 – 7.70 ) = 7.00

Kiwi dollar

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The Aussie dollar found support between $1.23 and $1.24 against its Kiwi counterpart. The trend channel has weakened and AUDNZD is now likely to range between $1.24 and $1.28. The primary trend remains down, however, and failure of support would offer a target of $1.20*.

AUDNZD

* Target calculation: 1.24 – ( 1.28 – 1.24 ) = 1.20

Aussie slides against US and Kiwi Dollar

Flight to safety weakened the Australian Dollar which broke support at $1.04 against the greenback. Expect another test of parity. 63-Day Momentum crossing below zero warns that the primary up-trend may be reversing. Breach of support would confirm.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 1.05 – ( 1.10 – 1.05 ) = 1.00

The Aussie Dollar is also testing support at $1.25 against its Kiwi partner. The primary trend is down and follow-through below $1.245 would indicate a down-swing to the lower trend channel over the next few months.

AUDNZD

* Target calculation: 1.24 – ( 1.28 – 1.24 ) = 1.20