Thursday 8th February: Heavy day for the GBP today, traders

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EUR/USD:   

Across the board, the US dollar rose higher against the majority of its trading peers (currently trading at 90.26 on the US dollar index) on Wednesday, consequently placing the single currency under pressure. The euro, as you can see, engulfed both a H4 channel support extended from the low 1.2336 and a psychological support at 1.23, finishing the day at lows of 1.2246.

Meanwhile, over on the bigger picture we can see that weekly sellers are making their presence felt from weekly supply marked at 1.2569-1.2287. Continued selling from this point could lead to an attempt to invade the weekly support at 1.2044, followed closely by the 2018 yearly opening line at 1.2004. On the other side of the coin, however, we have daily price currently shaking hands with the top edge of a daily support area printed at 1.2246-1.2164.

Potential trading zones:

Bids from the top edge of the daily support area will likely pull the unit back up to the underside of the 1.23 region today. Given the number fuses with a nearby H4 channel support-turned resistance, along with weekly price trading from weekly supply, a short from this area could be something to consider. Target objectives are local H4 support circled in green around the 1.2220ish region, shadowed closely by the H4 support level at 1.2195 (both H4 levels are located within the aforementioned daily support area – weekly selling pressure will likely override this).

Data points to consider: German Buba President Weidmann speaks at 8.45am; US unemployment claims at 1.30pm GMT.

EUR08-02

Areas worthy of attention:                        

Supports: 1.2195; 1.2220; 1.2246-1.2164; 1.2044; 1.2004.  

Resistances: 1.2569-1.2287; 1.2359; H4 channel resistance; 1.23 handle.

GBP/USD:

Leaving the large psychological band 1.40 unchallenged, the British pound staged a rather dominant selloff on Wednesday. As you can see, the move enabled the sellers to push the pair beyond the 1.39 handle to a session low of 1.3848. Despite this somewhat bearish tone, the daily support at 1.3878 remains in motion. This level also brings together a daily AB=CD (see black arrows) 127.2% correction point at 1.3883 and a 38.2% daily Fib support at 1.3849. Therefore, although weekly price shows little support on the horizon until we reach 1.3683, the sellers have their work cut out for them should they intend on hunting lower prices today/this week.

Potential trading zones:

Right now, neither a long nor shorts seems attractive.

Not only do we have conflicting opinions coming in from the higher timeframes, we also have limited trade confluence seen on the H4 scale, as a short from the underside of 1.39 has daily buying from the aforementioned daily support to contend with (it’s just too close for comfort, in our view).

Also, let’s keep in mind that we have a heavy day ahead for the GBP today regarding economic data (see below).

Data points to consider: BoE inflation report, MPC official bank rate votes, Monetary policy summary, Official bank rate and MPC asset purchase facility votes all at 12.00pm; US unemployment claims at 1.30pm GMT.

GBP08-02

Areas worthy of attention:

Supports: 1.3878; 1.3883; 1.3849; 1.3683.

Resistances: 1.39 handle. 

AUD/USD:   

Despite printing a healthy recovery from the top edge of a daily demand base at 0.7807-0.7841 on Tuesday, the commodity currency came under renewed pressure during yesterday’s segment.  The daily base, as you can see, remains in play but appears as though it’s on the verge of giving way, which may call for a downside move to daily support pegged at 0.7732.

H4 support at 0.7812 (seen positioned a few pips ahead of the 0.78 handle) is currently holding ground and could encourage further buying back up to retest the recently broken H4 mid-level base at 0.7850. However, with weekly price seen approaching the 2018 yearly opening level seen on the weekly timeframe at 0.7801, the round number 0.78 may be brought into play today.

Potential trading zones:

The current daily demand will, according to weekly structure, likely suffer a breach/fakeout. Breakout sellers will, therefore, likely want to tread carefully here!

Buying from the 0.78 region seems a reasonable location for a bounce, given the connection between this number and the weekly 2018 yearly opening level. In addition to this, stop-loss orders positioned below the current H4 support and the daily demand area will likely be filled should we see an approach to 0.78. These orders, when filled, become sell orders, and therefore provide liquidity for traders to buy from 0.78.

Data points to consider: RBA Gov. Lowe speaks at 9am GMT; US unemployment claims at 1.30pm GMT.

AUD08-02

Areas worthy of attention:

Supports: 0.7812; 0.78 handle; 0.7807-0.7841; 0.7801.

Resistances: 0.7850.

USD/JPY:   

Coming at you from the top this morning, weekly price continues to float ahead of a weekly trendline support etched from the low 98.78 and a nearby weekly support area coming in at 105.19-107.54.  Daily price, at the time of writing, remains locked between a daily support level at 108.78 and a daily resistance line at 110.21.

H4 movement spent the majority of Wednesday’s segment oscillating between the H4 mid-level resistance at 109.5 and the 109 handle (also note February’s opening level jammed inside this area at 109.19). Given that there has not been much structural change to this market, much of the following will echo thoughts put forward in yesterday’s report.

Potential trading zones:

As can be seen on the H4 timeframe this morning, price action is reasonably cramped. Above 109.50, however, we have the 110 handle, followed closely by a H4 trendline resistance extended from the high 111.87 and a H4 supply base at 110.54-110.25. Given that these H4 structures collide with the aforesaid daily resistance level, active selling could be seen from the H4 area marked in green.

Data points to consider: US unemployment claims at 1.30pm GMT.

JPY08-02

Areas worthy of attention:

Supports: 109 handle; 109.19; 108.78; Weekly trendline support; 105.19-107.54.

Resistances: 109.50; 110 handle; H4 trendline resistance; 110.54-110.25.

 

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