MARKET DEVELOPMENT – Japanese Yen vs US Dollar Breakout, USD/JPY Hits 7-Month Peak
Change in | Longs | Shorts | OI |
Daily | 2% | -7% | -1% |
Weekly | 13% | 7% | 11% |
GBP: The Pound has begun the week on a soft note, following another round of dovish commentary from BoE officials with Vlieghe stating that without a significant improvement, further stimulus would be appropriate. Consequently, this led to another boost in BoE easing bets, prompting the Pound to come under renewed pressure. This was further exacerbated by a surprise GDP contraction of -0.3% in the November monthly growth report. However, given that this data captures a period of heightened political uncertainty prior to the UK election results, the most important data points will be the upcoming UK PMI surveys. As it stands, money markets are 50/50 for a 25bps cut at the January meeting, up from less than 5% prior to Governor Carney’s speech. Reminder, dovish dissenter, Saunders is due to speak on Wednesday.
JPY: Weakness in the Japanese Yen persists, which in turn sees USD/JPY trade at its highest level in 7-months, having made a technical break above the descending trendline stemming from the October 2018 peak. That said, as investors await the signing of the Phase 1 trade deal between the US and China, USD/JPY looks to make a push above 110.00 with eyes on for a test of 110.50 (76.4% fib) as equity markets extend gains.
CAD: Marginal gains for Canadian Dollar, despite the slight pullback in oil prices. Subsequently, USD/CAD edges below 1.3050 with investors awaiting the Bank of Canada’s Business Outlook Survey, whereby a better than expected reading could see a return to sub 1.30.
Source: DailyFX, Refinitiv
Economic Calendar (13/01/20)
Source: DailyFX,
WHAT’S DRIVING MARKETS TODAY
- “Gold Price Outlook - Slipping Towards Short-Term Support” by Nick Cawley, Market Analyst
- “British Pound Outlook – GBP/USD Looking to Hold Support” by Paul Robinson, Currency Strategist
- “US Dollar Longs Cut, GBP/USD Bulls at Risk, CAD Longs Rise Sharply - COT Report” by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst
--- Written by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst
To contact Justin, email him at Justin.mcqueen@ig.com
Follow Justin on Twitter @JMcQueenFX