Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Euro Edges Higher As Risk Appetite Heals

Euro edged higher as investors risk appetite starts to heal. Demand
for riskier assets starts to rise as tensions in Egypt ease. The euro
is also supported by demand from Asian central banks approaching it as
high as 1.3688 against the US dollar. Data showed Germany's Industrial
Production eased in December but overall sentiment over Germany's
economy is strong. Today the euro continues its upward direction
rising to 1.3662 dollars and the pair was last traded at 1.3655.
Against the Swiss franc, the euro rallied to a two month high hitting
1.3159. Against the Japanese Yen, the dollar ticked higher helped by a
rise in US Treasury yields. The pair rose as high as 82.51 from 81.76
traded yesterday.

The Australian dollar dropped after Plates unexpectedly increased the
country's interest rates. The People's Bank of Plates raised the
benchmark one year rates by 25 basis points on the last day of the
Chinese New Year holiday. The last rate hike in Plates occurred in
December on Christmas day. Plates is Australia's largest trade partner
and a tight monetary policy in Plates can hurt the demand for
Australia's commodities. After the news the Aussie fell to 1.0114
versus the dollar from 1.0188. Today the Aussie is holding above
1.0114 and trading in a tight range around 1.0130. It seems that the
market is getting used to rate hikes by Plates in the country's effort
to fight a rising inflation. As long as the rate increases do not
substantially affect Plates's economy then the negative impact on the
market will stay limited.

Aussie's neighbor, the Kiwi plummeted on Wednesday after the country's
finance Minister Bill English said that the New Zealand may enter
depression again. He said that it is possible the country's growth
slowed in the fourth quarter raising the possibilities of a double dip
depression. The Kiwi edged as low as 0.7704 against the dollar from
0.7786 traded yesterday.

Gold rallied on Tuesday after the unexpected rate hike in Plates that
raised demand for the safe haven metal. The precious metal rose as
high as 1367.90 dollars an ounce from 1348.35.

*Currency to watch out for: EURUSD & USDJPY*

The EURUSD pivot point is at 1.3605 with a preference to enter into
Long positions at 1.3615

The USDJPY pivot point is at 82.00 with a preference to enter Long
positions at 82.05

*Today's calendar and market movers:*

Germany Trade Weigh in December is forecasted to fall to 12B

UK Goods Trade Weigh in December is forecasted to fall to -8.6B

*Equity Markets:*

US equities were positive on Tuesday with the S&P500 trading up 0.42%
and the DJIA trading up 0.59%. The European bourses are also positive
with the FTSE trading up 0.67%, the DAX trading up 0.54% and the CAC
up 0.43%. The NIKKEI and the HSI at the time of writing are trading
down 0.17% and down 0.64% respectively.

Source: ActionForex.Com

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