Forexpros.com Daily Analysis - 22/01/2009

Today’s US Dollar Trading

• USD rallies early; reverses hard after the London fix
• Traders note solid two-way flows and good bids in GBP
• Volumes a bit better suggesting late shorts active


Overnight Preview

• Look for the USD to consolidate losses
• Majors likely to follow-on higher to end the week


Looking Ahead to Thursday
All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
• 8:30am USD Building Permits
• 8:30am USD Unemployment Claims
• 8:30am USD Housing Starts
• 10:00am USD HPI m/m
• 11:00am USD Crude Oil Inventories


Summary
The USD suffered massive whipsaw today as stops on the upside got triggered forcing the majors currencies into key support early only to rebound putting the USD mixed on the day holding gains only against the Swissy into the end of New York trade. Earlier reports of solid two-way action into the lows for GBP resulted in new monthly low at 1.3619 only to see a three big-figure rebound making for a near-hook reversal into the end of day as shorts got beaten back hard amid modest flows. Highs in Asia at 1.4025 remain unchallenged as of this writing but with a solid close for equities in positive territory follow-on buying can’t be ruled out. Forex Traders note that most of the action was right around the London fix leaving the late shorts holding the bag. EURO also had a volatile day as selling found stops under the previous lows around 1.2850 area triggered for a low print at 1.2824 only to rally along with cable late in the day to rebound over the 1.2900 handle to close in the 1.2950 area; traders note that EURO has held the 75% retracement of the recent run-up to the Dec highs suggesting that a potential short-squeeze may be in the works there as well. After the New York option cut the USD/JPY fell victim to hard selling with traders noting a huge interest from platform traders to sell on a break of the previous weekly lows around the 88.40 area dropping the rate a full big figure into resting stops under 87.50 for a low print at 87.09; a marginal new multi-year low before bids showed up. USD JPY rallied all day topping the 89.00 handle to end New York around 89.30 area amid modest flows. Technicians remind that the rate has a huge buying wick and likely will follow-on higher into early Asia overnight if equities remain firm. USD/CHF rallied into a high print of 1.1617 before reversing; due largely to reports from the SNB that they will intervene to prevent the CHF from rising further; the Swissy is the only pair to post solid gains on the day and may be up against tech resistance suggesting a drop later is coming. USD/CAD rallied as well to a high print at 1.2769 before dropping back to trade a two full handles lower around the 1.2580 area late in New York. Traders note that volumes were thin into the highs and may have been a bull trap. In my view, the USD is over-bought and with the large swings in price today it looks like a top may be in for the week. Expect more two-way action to consolidate losses with high volatility likely but aggressive traders can stand pat if holding USD shorts into this high.


GBP USD Daily

Resistance 3: 1.4180
Resistance 2: 1.4100
Resistance 1: 1.4020
Latest New York: 1.3975
Support 1: 1.3620
Support 2: ?
Support 3: ?


Comments
Rate falls hard as stops and aggressive selling drive the rate to a new 7.5 year low; cross-spreaders continue to sell GBP across the board but a short-squeeze is in progress. Overnight economic news seen as neutral to bearish; rate trading on technical’s now. Sell-signal from toolbox likely over after three-figure bounce from lows. Signs of the bottom may be showing up as “smart” buyers reported in GBP overnight and after the London fix. Volumes increased on the move suggesting late shorts trying to make for a quick buck only to get cooked. Spillover from EURO likely but modest. Look for two-way action into this bottom. A short-covering rally is increasingly likely now. Late sellers likely in or hurting.
Data due Thursday: All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
6:00am GBP CBI Industrial Order Expectations


EUR USD Daily

Resistance 3: 1.3200/10
Resistance 2: 1.3180
Resistance 1: 1.3100/10
Latest New York: 1.3017
Support 1: 1.2850
Support 2: 1.2800/10
Support 3: 1.2780


Comments
Rate two-way despite sharp fall in GBP; likely cross spreaders supporting on the dip as active sellers attempt to push the rate lower into major support around the 1.2780 area; stops baked on the dip under 1.2850 today but bids were hefty resulting in a rally. Bottom may be forming around the 1.2850 area as it has bounced twice from there. 50 bar MA failed now likely to offer resistance and a close above suggests the bottom will be in. Sell signal from the toolbox validated by the drop but be cautious as trend line support is holding. Semi-official and sovereign bids and offers seen overnight and during the day again. Technical levels around the 1.3300 area now likely to offer resistance so expect two-way action and consolidation. Aggressive traders can look to buy the next dip.
Data due Thursday: All times EASTERN (-5 GMT)
2:45am EUR French Consumer Spending m/m
4:00am EUR ECB Monthly Bulletin
5:00am EUR Industrial New Orders m/m


Join us for the Afternoon US Dollar Wrap-Up daily at 3:15 pm Central/Chicago time (GMT -6)

Analysis Provided by: Forexpros.com - Written by Jason Alan Jankovsky

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