HotForex Daily Technical Analysis

[HotForex]

Syriza Election Victory Did Not Push Euro Lower

Syriza has promised to renegotiate the terms of their debt with the European lenders and is calling for a Europe where tax revenues from northern countries, such as Germany, would be used in Greece to fund the government. This sets Syriza and the new Greek government at a collision course with Germany and other wealthier nations in Europe and could eventually cause Greece exiting the Euro.
The market reactions to news are always interesting and telling. I find it significant that EURUSD, although it is still in a downtrend, has not moved significantly lower on the news Syriza winning the Greek elections. Rather it is ticking higher after the smallish initial drop. This suggests that market participants think that the probabilities of Greece leaving Euro area are now higher. This would be bullish for the currency as it would open the door for other weak economies possibly abandoning the single currency. Euro area would then consist of stronger economies, a reason for the currency to appreciate in value in the long run. Obviously, we have the first ECB QE program just starting and this should mean the pressure on Euro will stay on for quite a while but it does not exclude Euro rallying from time to time and this would give us opportunities against the weaker currencies.

Market reactions are important as was proven with my analysis with Gold. A positive reaction to a news item that should have been negative for Gold hinted that it was time to buy the yellow metal, regardless all the negative fundamental analysis available at the time. This proved to be exactly the right time to buy Gold. Now, this same logic when combined with technical analysis could provide us with a trade opportunity in Euro against weaker currencies.



EURAUD, Weekly
After falling for five weeks the pair found support at a weekly pivot low from September 2014 and reacted higher from the general area close to the pivot. This encourages us to look for buy opportunities in EURAUD. The overall trend is sideways and the pair has moved to the lower Bollinger Bands which most of the time means that the momentum might be reversing. Oscillators confirm the setup by being well into oversold territory. Support and resistance levels: 1.3967 and 1.5022. There is also some resistance 1.4223 which could lead to further sideways move between 1.3967 and 1.4223.



EURAUD, Daily
The daily trend is down but the price has reached a weekly support area and moved sideways above it for the last week. This resulted in a Doji candle signaling a rejection of the 1.3967 level and indicates an attempt to turn this market higher is at hand. Oscillators point sideways after a period of bullish divergence. Weekly support level is below at 1.3967 and the nearest daily resistance level is at 1.4408.



EURAUD, 240 min
Although the longer term trend in this time frame is down we’ve seen sideways movement over the last week. The spikey rejection candle at the 3967 support indicates institutional buying at these levels. Oscillators are pointing higher and should there be moves down to the Bollinger Bands (currently at 4082 and 4040) I would be looking to go long at those levels. The first resistance area at 4329 to 4408 coincides with the upper Bollinger Bands and probably slows the upside momentum down.

Conclusion:
Judging from the weekly chart this pair is at support and has potential to move quite a lot higher as the next weekly resistance area is at 1.5022 once the 4h and daily resistance levels are cleared out. There is a rejection candle in the daily and 4h charts, which suggest that the reversal of downtrend is taking place. In addition, the fact that Greek election was won by a radical left wing party increases the probabilities for Greek exit from Euro which would be bullish event for Euro. I am looking at 1.4372 as my first target, then 1.4780 as target two and then target three at 1.5020. There is some resistance 1.4223 which could lead to further volatility between 1.3967 and 1.4223 and could therefore provide us with long entry opportunities at the lower end of the range.You are welcome to utilize my analysis in your trading providing it agrees with your own market observations and analysis.

I will be presenting a Live Analysis Webinar tomorrow. So if you want to learn how to find, analyse and trade above kind of setups you most warmly welcome to join me! Click  HERE to register and secure your seat!

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

[HotForex]

Apple’s Record Breaking Results and Forex Worries

Apple posted record breaking results yesterday after US markets closed. The company sold 74.4 million iPhones and 21.4 million iPads in the last quarter. The earnings per share ($3.06 vs. $2.60) were even better than the most optimistic expectations from Wall Street analysts. This lifted the stock by 5% in the aftermarket trading. The rise might have been even higher, but for the worries of investors, who are reported to have started having concerns about the impact of strong dollar in future earnings.

Since my last analysis, the financial sector rallied a bit from the rising trend line but then fell back again from resistance. Utilities and healthcare stocks are overbought when compared to the rest of the market, while technology stocks fell back down to the support after rallying since my last report. The energy sector broke out of the wedge formation and the industrials look to me as if they’d be ready to move higher.

All this gives slightly mixed signals. As the dividend paying healthcare, utilities and consumer staples are still very much overbought in relation to the S&P500 index (both in one and three month periods), it suggests that market participants are still safety oriented and hesitant about the future trend. No wonder the market has been in a sideways mode. At the same time the small caps (Russell 2000 index) have been stronger than the S&P over the last week, which means that some of the risk appetite is coming back into the market.



S&P 500

In the weekly picture the index is still inside the uptrending regression channel but has moved sideways since I suggested this in November last year. This also the same period of time that the safe have sectors (Utilities, Health Care and Consumer Staples) have been sucking money from other riskier sectors. We now have another higher weekly low from last week, which is technically an encouraging sign and a support level relatively close at 2014.50. This is also a new potential pivot low in the daily time frame.



S&P 500, 240 min

The four hour picture reveals a sideways move with lower highs below the 2060 target area. This target was hit after my latest analysis and the market has since formed a lower high suggesting that we could see another move lower to the 2026.50 and 2014.50 support area. Should the correction be deeper the next support level is at 1997.50.

Conclusion:

I am still positive on this market eventually moving higher but first we might see some volatility or sideways move accompanied a test (or tests) of the support area between 2026.50 and 2014.50. I would be interested in long entries inside this support range and should we get the signals to go long, then the target levels I am looking at are: Target 1 at 2062 and Target 2 at 2088.

For those who would like to learn how to trade professionally, please join me at my free trading webinars. Over the course of the series, I will take you through all the aspects of analyzing the markets and trading them the way the professionals do. Click  HERE to register and secure your seat!

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

[HotForex]

EURUSD at a resistance level, but potential support is near
https://blog.hotforex.com/eurusd-at-a-resistance-level-but-potential-support-is-near/
Now that the Dollar Index (DXY) has reacted lower from a historical resistance area and EURUSD (the heaviest component in the DXY) has created a narrow range bar in the weekly time frame we have potential in EURUSD for a larger than usual corrective move against the trend. The narrow range candle signals that supply and demand where in balance last week, something that doesn’t sit well with those holding on to their shorts. We’ve also had the pair moving outside the trend channel that used to contain the move. This increases the likelihood that we will get a larger than usual contra trend move. Oscillators are oversold but edging higher with price crossing above the lower Bollinger Bands. Fibonacci levels (23.6%, 38.2% and 61.8%) coincide with the resistance levels I have identified in the chart.



EURUSD, Daily

I wrote on Monday after the Syriza election victory in Greece: “I find it significant that EURUSD, although it is still in a downtrend, has not moved significantly lower on the news Syriza winning the Greek elections. Rather it is ticking higher after the smallish initial drop… Market reactions are important as was proven with my analysis with Gold. A positive reaction to a news item that should have been negative for Gold hinted that it was time to buy the yellow metal, regardless all the negative fundamental analysis available at the time. This proved to be exactly the right time to buy Gold. Now, this same logic when combined with technical analysis could provide us with a trade opportunity in Euro against weaker currencies”. The price action on that day resulted in a hammer bar and the price has moved higher ever since, proving once again that the market reaction to the news is more important than the news itself. Price has reached a resistance level at 1.1540 and Stochastics is getting into overbought area. This has stalled the advance. We have a support level at 1.1368 and the next resistance area coinciding with the 50% Fibonacci level is at 1.1755, fairly close to the upper Bollinger Bands.



EURUSD, 240 min

Price moved outside the regression channel before Greek elections and has now made an over shoot in the opposite direction. A shooting star candle at the 1.1540 resistance indicates selling pressure but there has not been much downside momentum after the candle was created. Stochastics indicate that the momentum is reversing. The nearest support level is at 1.1368.

Conclusion:

The narrow range candle in the weekly time frame signals that supply and demand where in balance last week, something that doesn’t sit well with those holding on to their shorts. We’ve also had the pair moving outside the trend channel that used to contain the move. This increases the likelihood that we will get a larger than usual contra trend move.

EURUSD is overbought in terms of Stochastics in the 4h chart and signals that there is potentially a momentum reversal taking place. However, the downside momentum after the shooting star candle has been sluggish. This could be explained by the 1.1368 support being relatively close. Price can turn lower from here but the shorts trades are likely to be short lived with a daily support area being so close. This might put off some market participants and limit the downside potential from these levels. The 1.1755 is likely to be a better level for high probability trades as several technical factors coincide in the proximity of this level.

 

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

[HotForex]

Increased Volatility in Crude Oil

The price of oil has collapsed with the strengthening dollar and has reached levels that were last seen in the later stages of the financial crisis in 2008. This suggests that the current levels are deeply oversold both fundamentally and technically. The world economy is certainly slowing down but it is in a better shape than it was in the first quarter of 2009 when the US Crude Oil futures dropped to $33.35.  Therefore, it makes sense to expect Crude Oil to be relatively close to the levels it could find a bottom.



Crude Oil, Daily 2009

Over the last 30 years it has taken in average 2 to 3 months for oil to bottom out after a major downside move. It would therefore be safe to assume that the bottoming process will provide us with plenty of opportunities to join the long side, or to scale into long positions thus lowering the timing related risks. In terms of price velocity the downward move seen over the last few months has been similar to the one seen in 2008. When this downside move finally ended the market moved sideways for a period of time allowing low risk entries at Bollinger Bands.



XLE, Daily

I mentioned some time ago in my S&P 500 analysis that the energy sector etf is forming a bullish wedge and that this would be confirmed by a breakout. Now the breakout has happened and we have a higher low in place. This obviously signals that the market participants are turning bullish on energy related stocks, a clear indication that they believe that the downside in oil is in their view limited.



Crude Oil, Weekly

The price of oil is close to the 2009 lows but is still inside a weekly downward trend channel. The latest reaction from a resistance level that coincided with the channel top was relatively strong. However, this kind of volatility is typical when prices get close to levels where the trend might turn. Last week the price closed inside the lower 1.5 stdv Bollinger Band for the first time since September 2014. The nearest support and resistance levels are at 43.58 and 53.60.



Crude Oil, Daily

Price has broken out of the descending regression channel and created a higher high. If we now get a higher low the bullish indication is rather strong but even a roughly equal low would mean that the buyers are gaining control in this market. Volatility has definitely increased which is not only evidenced by the higher high but also by the Stochastic indicator it has not been in overbought territory since July last year.



Crude Oil, 240 min

Price has retraced to 61.8% Fibonacci level that coincides with a descending trendline. Stochastic is oversold and the price is reacting higher from the lower Bollinger Bands.

Conclusion:
The increase in volatility at levels that are close to the bottoming formation from 2009 is a reason to pay attention to the price action in Crude Oil in the near future. This is confirmed by the bullish breakout in the US energy sector shares ETF (XLE). If this turns out to be the range in which the market bottoms then the best levels to be a buyer are those that are close to the bottom of the range. However, the fact that so many technical tools indicate support for Crude Oil in the 4h time frame we could look for intraday buy signals in the general area of current price action.


Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

[HotForex]

GBPUSD moved past several weekly highs - https://blog.hotforex.com/gbpusd-moved-past-several-weekly-highs/

The pair has moved briskly past three weekly highs this week. The move comes after it formed what looks to be a higher weekly low now that the pair has closed above the resistance levels. This is the first time GBPUSD has been able to close above so many weekly highs since the downtrend began in July last year. Even though the weekly candle is still inside the regression channel such strength signals a turnaround in this pair. This is even more likely as the move comes from levels that were able to stop the decline and turn the market into an uptrend in 2013. Stochastics are edging higher and the support and resistance levels are: 1.4954 weekly low and 1.5541 weekly low in proximity of the 23.6% Fibonacci level.



GBPUSD, Daily

The pair has broken out of the descending regression channel. I tweeted yesterday that GBPUSD was at resistance and looking weak. The reasoning behind this was that the candle from day before was a shooting star candle and the hourly chart yesterday showed signs of momentum reversal just below the 1.5269 resistance and the daily Bollinger bands. These indications proved to be wrong and the price shot higher through the resistance. All this put together indicates that the market is pretty firmly in the hands of the bulls. The former resistance levels are now likely to be supports. The current support and resistance levels identified from the daily chart are: 1.4988, 1.5096, 1.5224, 1.5269 and 1.5487 1.5541. The 38.2% and 61.8% Fibonacci levels coincide with 1.5269 support and 1.5487 resistances. Stochastics are getting into the overbought area.



GBPUSD, 60 min

The hourly trend is higher with price at the upper end of the bull channel. The 1.5269 coincides with the lower end of the channel and with the Bollinger Bands. In addition, the 23.6% Fibonacci level is also in the proximity of the channel bottom. The other potential levels are the Fibonacci retracements and the 1.5096 support level should there be a deeper retracement. It always pays to look for momentum reversal signals once price comes back to the levels.

Conclusion:
With such a show of strength the only logical conclusion is to look for buying opportunities until we have price action based evidence to the contrary. Retracements to support levels should be monitored for momentum reversal signals. Levels that have several technical factors supporting the trade idea are always more likely to provide us with good trade entries. In this regard the 1.5260 to 1.5270 region is interesting but should today’s US Non-Farm Payroll figure deviate strongly from the expectations then we could see increased volatility and the lower levels could come into play. For successful swing entries I would be looking the 1.5487 to 1.5541 the target area.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

NFP Release Not Enough to Excite the Stock Markets https://blog.hotforex.com/nfp-release-not-enough-to-excite-the-stock-markets/

The weekly trend in S&P500 is still contained in the bullish regression channel and the weekly support level has formed roughly to the area of the previous pivot high. Financial sector ETF (XLF) has rallied from the rising trendline. This is important as the markets rarely rise without the support from the banking stocks. Friday’s reaction to Non-Farm Payroll figures wasn’t very encouraging as the S&P 500 closed lower and so did the XLF. The support at 1961 to 1974 area has been holding well which will add pressure to the resistance level at 2063 area. In an uptrend it is more likely that a resistance level will give in and the support levels hold. Other key sectors such as energy (XLE), industrials (XLI) and basic materials (XLB) look technically sound in the weekly picture. The utilities sector (XLU) lost 4,12% on Friday suggesting that the run for the safety is now over as the long only funds move money from safety oriented investments to higher beta (more riskier) stocks. Many sectors have risen a lot over the last few days so we might well have a reaction lower from the current levels.



S&P500, Daily

Sideways move has been pretty well defined with the support at 1974 and resistance at 2062.50. Friday’s candle was a no demand candle at resistance and indicates a move lower from the current levels. The daily Bollinger bands coincide with the resistance level and the overbought Stochastics support bearish indication by the no demand candle.



S&P500, 240 min

The short term trend higher from the 1974 support was reversed at resistance and we are looking at support levels that could stop the decline. There is support at 2025 region where a pivot low and the daily Bollinger bands coincide. The pivot low is at 2020.75 and the 1.5 stdv Bollinger band is currently at 2028. This area also has the 50% Fibonacci level at 2021 which together with the other technical factors suggests that this region is a potential support level. Should this level not hold, then the support at 1974 area would come into play.

Conclusion:
The long term technical picture in the US stock market is still healthy but in the short term picture we still have signs of indecision (range bound trading). Friday’s market reaction to better than expected employment figures wasn’t brilliant but at the same time we have money moving away from dividend paying safety stocks (utilities sector) into banks, basic material related stocks and energy stocks which means that the risk appetite is increasing. The overall picture is therefore slightly mixed. This means that the market remains as a traders’ market with opportunities at technical support and resistance levels.  The daily no demand candle from Friday indicates that the levels above the current market price have resistance and we should therefore see a move lower today. The levels with most potential are those at the edges of this sideways move. However, the levels inside the range can provide opportunities as well. Just look for price based confirmation to confirm the analysis before taking trades.

You are warmly welcome to join me to a Live Analysis Webinar tomorrow at 12:30 GMT. Book your seat here! - https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html?refid=37217


Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

EURJPY Close To Weekly Resistance Levels - https://blog.hotforex.com/eurjpy-close-to-weekly-resistance-levels/

The pair has moved significantly lower since the November highs last year and then reversed from a 2013 consolidation area. The weekly pivot candle  had a narrow range between open and closing price and since then price has moved close to 38.2% Fibonacci retracement at 137.64. The level coincides with a weekly high and is therefore a likely resistance level. Stochastics and Relative Strength Index (RSI) are crossing over from oversold levels giving bullish indication. However, the sideways market from July to October last year is a likely resistance area and I am expecting it to bring to price closer to latest weekly lows again.



EURJPY, Daily

EURJPY has broken out of the down trend after an overshoot to the downside. The 26th January candle was a rejection candle and formed the pivot low for this potential bottoming formation. Stochastics has moved into overbought territory for the first time since November last year and price is edging closer to a resistance level at 137.26 and the 38.2% Fibonacci level at 137.72. There is a support level (former resistance) that roughly coincides with the 23.6% Fibonacci level and was supporting price at the time of writing. The next level of support is in the 133.68 region, while the daily Bollinger Bands are also worth keeping an eye on especially when they are in the proximity of the previous downward channel high.



EURNZD, 240 min

Price has reacted from the upper end of a short term bull channel and reached the recent sideways range that is now supporting price. Should this support fail, the next significant support area is at 133.42 to 133.67 where the 50% Fibonacci level, the lower Bollinger bands and the channel low coincide.

Conclusion:
The pivot candle from two weeks ago had a narrow range between open and closing price, which implies that the big time frame supply and demand were in balance at those levels. Stochastics and Relative Strength Index (RSI) are crossing over from oversold levels which together with the weekly pivot candle (being relatively close to the current price) gives a longer term bullish indication. However, the fact that this is taking place just below a sideways range from the latter half of 2014 means that there is resistance above. In the daily picture the Stochastics have moved into overbought territory for the first time since November last year and the pair is now getting closer to a resistance level at 137.26 and the 38.2% Fibonacci level at 137.72. This is a long term bullish but short term bearish indication as the price is likely to correct lower from overbought levels but in the longer term picture this is a sign of the down move is likely now over. As usual, I am interested in shorts against the resistance levels and longs at supports providing the multi time frame analysis and momentum reversal signals confirm the validity of the levels.

If you want to learn the ever so important basics on market analysis or wish to hone your skills with more advanced trading concepts, I encourage you to join me to FREE educational and Live Analysis webinars. Book your free ticket HERE!https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html


Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

Crude Oil Has Been Attracting Buyers - https://blog.hotforex.com/crude-oil-has-been-attracting-buyers/

Crude Oil is now trading at levels near to the 2009 lows. As the world economy is sluggish but nowhere near to the paralysis caused by the 2008 credit crunch it is safe to assume that the levels are oversold both in fundamental and technical sense. The supply of oil has increased as the US shale oil has entered the market and the Saudis have decided to defend the market share rather than price but the ever growing world population means that the limited oil resources have to be shared by an increasing number of consumers. As the population and its wealth grow the consumption of oil can only go up. The passenger trends in air travel are a good example of this. According to the International Air Transport Association the global airline industry is expected see a 7% growth in passenger traffic in 2015 with the average annual growth rate being at 5.5%. This energy intensive industry will therefore be carrying almost 30% more customers in 2020 and is likely to hedge aviation fuel costs at the current price levels. As the global GDP is still expected grow by 3.2% in 2015, it is likely that other likely hedgers include the businesses in other forms of transport and cargo business as well as mutual funds, hedge funds and other institutional investors.



US Dollar index (inverted) and Crude Oil, Daily

As the above chart very clearly shows the price of oil has been inversely correlated with the DXY, US Dollar Index. The blue line is the inverted DXY while the black line is the price of Crude Oil. Now that the trend in DXY is getting showing signs of indecision the Crude Oil price has become more volatile.



Crude Oil, Weekly

The price is fluctuating relatively close to 2009 low and is showing strength by closing last week above the last four weekly highs. This has not happened since last summer. Also, we now have a weekly pivot candle with two higher lows on each side for the first time since the August 2014. This and last week the price has established a new support level at the proximity of the high (48.35) of this pivot candle. The nearest resistance is still at the 53.60 area. Price has traded inside the lower 1.5 stdv Bollinger band for almost three weeks, yet another long term bullish sign. On the bearish side we have a potential long legged Doji candle (looks like a cross) with open and close currently fairly close to each other. While the previous candle showed strength with open way below the closing price the current candle cannot give the same indication unless we will see a strong move higher from current levels. This would in the current context have short term bearish indications.



Crude Oil, Daily

After breaking out of the descending regression channel the price of oil is now moving sideways between the resistance at weekly low at 53.60 and the high of weekly pivot candle at 48.35. We now have a higher high, and two higher lows at 48.35 support which suggests that the buyers are willing support price at higher levels after each retracement from the 53.60 resistance level. If this reoccurs without price creating a lower high it will create pressure against the sellers at the 53.60 resistance area.



Crude Oil, 240 min

The price is now at sideways range in 4h chart and has found support twice from the level just above the 61.8% Fibonacci level. I suggested in my previous analysis that we could look for intraday buy signals at approx. at this level. Now the price is at the upper Bollinger bands and Stochastics (and RSI) is indicating that it is becoming overbought.

Conclusion:

The levels close to previous market low are always interesting and a potential support area. Now that the price is close to 2009 lows it is likely that several hedgers are interested in stepping in. This is very likely already happening as we are seeing many bullish signs in the weekly picture: 1) a close above the last four weekly highs for the first time since the last summer, 2) a weekly pivot candle with two higher lows on each side (the first time since the August 2014), 3) the price has traded inside the lower 1.5 stdv Bollinger band for almost three weeks (again the first occurrence since the last summer). Buyers are taking the upper hand. On the bearish side the weekly chart might create a long legged Doji candle (looks like a cross) with open and close currently fairly close to each other. While the previous candle showed strength with open way below the closing price the current candle cannot give the same indication unless we will see a strong move higher from current levels. This would have short term bearish indications and mean that probabilities for move closer to the bottom end of the range would increase.

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

Several Technical Factors Supporting Gold - https://blog.hotforex.com/several-technical-factors-supporting-gold/

Price corrected lower from the levels around 1280 to 1284 as per my previous analysis and has now reached a key support area (1203 – 1220). The long term weekly trend is still down but the medium term bullish channel is more relevant for the current price action. The last week’s candle has a relatively small range and the close was not that far below from the open. This is  a sign of momentum slowing down. Price is at an area that resisted price moves higher in December last year (now support) and the rising trendline is getting close. In addition, the 50% Fibonacci level is right at the last week’s low. Nearest support and resistance levels are at 1222 and 1251, while the next levels are at 1203 and 1284. Fibonacci retracement levels of 50% and 61.8% coincide with the 1222 and 1203 support levels.

Gold, D

Gold, Daily:

The regression channel tool provides us a slightly different picture of the rising medium term trend. The move above 1284 level was an overshoot and now the price has reached the lower end of the channel. As the lower Bollinger Bands also reside at the current levels it is safe to assume that this is an important price region in technical sense. In addition the Stochastics oscillator is giving a signal that momentum is reversing while the indicator is below the oversold threshold. The nearest important support and resistance levels are the same in the daily time frame: 1222 and 1251.

Gold, 4h

Gold, 240 min:

Price followed roughly the bear trend channel I drew in my previous analysis and provided many shorting opportunities for our traders. Now that the price has reached an important support level it has reacted higher. The Stochastics is getting close to overbought area and the price is approaching both the upper Bollinger bands and a sideways move between 1233 and 1245. This should slow the price down and cause it to test the support area again.

Conclusion:

There is a very good chance that Gold has bottomed and will now create a higher low somewhere close to the current levels. There are several technical factors supporting price and the price movements since the Swiss election (rejecting the increase in country’s Gold reserves) have been pretty much what I anticipated at the time (a move higher to the upper end of the long term channel).  Now price is at key support levels and at the upper end of the potential bottoming formation (between 1131 and 1222). It is likely that this will act as a zone from which the price of Gold can launch higher. This view is confirmed if we’ll now see a higher weekly low (last week’s candle hints that we might get one) close to the current levels. In fact, the whole range As I said before these are the levels where I would be interested in adding to longer term Gold positions. A lower high would be a negative and increase a risk of price moving lower.

In the short term picture, the price is at the time of writing close to a minor resistance level at which the price action should be monitored for momentum reversal signals. As the price usually never turns on a dime, it is reasonable to expect that there will be volatility or sideways move before the price of Gold can turn higher in the weekly time frame. Short term traders should take advantage of this and look for intraday momentum reversal signals (as per my teaching in the webinars) and some of those intraday positions could be turned in to swing trades as the price is at key higher timeframe support levels.

If you would like to learn more or enhance your understanding of market basics,  please join us on FREE Market Basics II webinar on Tuesday 17th February. Register HERE and as usual it is better to log in early to get your seat! - https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html
 

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

I questioned in my previous analysis (https://blog.hotforex.com/coffee-time/) on Coffee in November last year whether the price of coffee can move into new highs and pointed out that there was room for short term long trades from the levels the market was trading at the time. The short term bull moves happened pretty much according to my analysis and the targets were hit as expected and the market was not able to stage another rally into new highs. When a market can’t move higher it is likely to move lower, especially after such a big rally in 2014.

According to Bloomberg news in January it was expected that the rainfall in January and February might not be enough for the coffee crops that are in a delicate blossom phase and could be damaged. This was bullish for coffee but the market participants did not see it that way and the technical picture has since then deteriorated. The rain in February has been below average in key regions in Brazil but as we can see the price keeps on breaking support levels and heading south. This is yet another case where the price action and price reactions to news are more relevant in understanding the market than the fundamental news itself.



Coffee, Weekly

The price of coffee has now broken below a support after it formed a huge top above 159.40. This break is happening with decisively higher participation (volume) which suggests that the move below the support is significant. This former support is now a resistance while there is some support at 144.92, a level that has had a varying role in the past (sometimes support and sometimes a resistance). A Fibonacci extension level coincides approximately with this level suggesting that it could act as a target one for short positions. In addition the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level (drawn from the 2013 low to 2014 high) at 148.80 being in the general area of the level adds to its significance. I have left the retracement levels off the chart for better readability.

Now that the price has broken a neckline in a huge top formation we obviously would be interested in knowing how much lower the current move could take us. Should the width of the top give any clues then the low would eventually be just above 93 dollars, a price level not seen since 2005. This would be a very sizeable move but as we have seen this market is capable of creating huge moves. We have seen excessive moves in the past: 87% from 1997 top to 2001 low and 67% from 2011 high to 2013 low.



Coffee, Daily

In the daily chart we have a downward channel with a bottom coinciding with the 144.90 level further increasing the technical significance of the level. Should the market retrace back to the resistance level just below 160 dollars this would give an opportunity to join this downside move and the region 144.90 would then be a reasonable target level for the trade.



Coffee, 240 min.

The four hour chart gives us some potential intraday reference points with the nearest resistance levels being at 155.28 and 156.36. The latter level coincides with the 23.6% Fibonacci level. These levels create a potential zone for short entries but they should be used only if the lower time frame price action confirms their validity . If market is weak or in other words strongly bearish, it will turn lower from these levels. Should there be a fast move higher and through this zone, then the zone between 157.60 and 159.40 becomes important and a very potential level to look for short trades.

Conclusion:

The rain in February has been below average in key regions in Brazil but as we can see the price keeps on breaking support levels and heading south. This is yet another case where the price action and price reactions to news are more relevant in understanding the market than the fundamental news itself. The price of Coffee is trading below an important level that used to support price and is now a resistance. The move last year was excessive to the upside, therefore the move lower can be very sizeable as well. I look for short signals in lower time frames at the level identified in the above charts. My Target I is at 145 and Target II at 125 dollars.

Join me on Live Analysis Webinar on Tuesday 24th February at 12:30 pm GMT. Register HERE https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html?refid=37217and as usual it is better to log in early to get your seat!

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

S&P 500 in new all time highs - https://blog.hotforex.com/sp-500-in-new-all-time-highs/

I pointed out in my previous S&P 500 analysis that the support at 1961 to 1974 area has been holding well which will add pressure to the resistance level at 2063 area. In an uptrend it is more likely that a resistance level will give in and the support levels hold. I also said that the key sectors such as energy (XLE), industrials (XLI) and basic materials (XLB) look technically sound in the weekly picture while utilities sector (XLU) lost 4,12% on Friday suggesting that the run for the safety is now over as the long only funds move money from safety oriented investments to higher beta (more riskier) stocks. There were some indications of short term weakness as well but they did not materialize. Instead the market broke above the 2062.50 resistance and has since then moved into new all-time highs.

Over the last month the riskier sectors such as Materials, Energy, Technology and Industrials have been outperforming S&P 500 and attracting money more than Utilities, Consumer Staples and Health Care that are viewed as safe havens for long only funds. The Financials have been neutral when compared to the S&P 500.  The Financials sector performance could have been stronger but it has been slowed down by technical resistance at the weekly pivot candle. Other sectors at or near resistance are technology (close to a long term channel top), energy (at a historical resistance) and consumer staples (at the recent highs).

Further sector analysis reveals that over the last six trading days the money flows have once again favoured the Utilities and Health Care sectors over all the others with Energy and Financials lagging the most. All this put together indicates that we could see the S&P 500 slowing down over the next few trading days. However, in the longer term picture the trend and the risk appetite among the professional investors looks healthy.

https://blog.hotforex.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SP-500-W.png

S&P 500, Weekly

The weekly trend is healthy as the market has once again been able to push into new highs after making higher lows in this time frame. However, at the same time the index has been now trading close to upper Bollinger Bands with the Stochastics being in overbought territory. If this week’s close will happen at the current levels then we have a candle that signals demand drying up (upward momentum slowing down). This would not be surprise after market moving higher for over three weeks in a row. The previous resistance levels at 2062.50 and 2088.75 are now support levels. While almost everything else looks rather bullish Money Flow Index is diverging strongly (bearish divergence) suggesting that the current move into new highs was not as strong as the previous one in December.

https://blog.hotforex.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SP-500-D.png

S&P 500, Daily

The daily trend is contained in a relatively narrow channel while the Stochastics, RSI and MFI all are moving almost sideways in the overbought area. The market has not corrected lower for 10 trading days which suggests that an increase in volatility and a correction cannot be that far in the future. The potential support levels are the previous resistance levels: 2088.75 and 2062.50. The upper level coincides with the proximity of 23.6% Fibonacci level and the lower one with 38.2% level.

https://blog.hotforex.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SP-500-4h1.png

S&P 500, 240 min

The 4h trend is showing some signs of weakness. The moves from the supporting uptrend line are getting weaker as evidenced by the red line. In other words the market is wedging which indicates the potential for a correction has increased. The divergence in the Stochastics is in line with this view. The nearest 4h support levels are at 2099.50 and 2082.25.

Conclusion:

The long term trend is healthy but in the medium term the volatility has been so low that we might see some increase and a correction to support levels. As evidenced by the sectors the market participants are not concerned about the safety aspect anymore and have been willing to take bets even in the riskier sectors. However, when turning attention to a shorter term picture it is worth mentioning that the sector analysis also reveals how over the last six trading days the money flows have been once again favouring the Utilities and Health Care sectors over all the other sectors, while Energy and Financials have lagged the most. All this put together indicates that we could see the S&P 500 slowing down and possibly correcting lower in the course of the next few trading days.

In the longer term picture the trend and the risk appetite among the professional investors looks healthy. Short term fluctuations aside this is a sign of a healthy market and moves to support levels should be used as buying opportunities. Index being close to the weekly Bollinger Bands and the 4h chart giving first indications of momentum slowing a correction to these levels should not be that far in the future. However, as usual we want to see the intraday price action confirming the validity of my analysis and suggested support levels.

 
Join me on Live Analysis Webinar on Tuesday 3rd of March at 12:30 pm GMT. Register HERE and as usual it is better to log in early to get your seat! https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html
 

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

Traders Buy the USD as the US Core CPI Came in at +0.2%



After a couple weeks of low volatility the EURUSD moved lower yesterday driven by the US inflation figures. The core CPI (change in the price of consumer goods and services excluding food and energy) rose by 0.2% instead of 0.1% expected by the economists. The CPI that includes the more volatile items (food and energy) fell by 0.7%, most since 1998. This is explained by the substantial fall in Crude Oil prices. The Fed policy makers focus on the Core CPI and therefore markets reacted to the higher than expected figure and bought the dollar as they concluded this will encourage the Fed to raise interest rates this year. However, economists believe that the effects of lower energy prices and a strong dollar will work their way to the Core CPI and cause low reading in the near future.

EURUSD has been really tame since the last time I wrote analysis on it. The weekly picture has not changed much as the downtrend still prevails and there is a shooting star candle indicating that the price will stay in the downtrend. The combination of resistance level at 1.1460 and the 23.6% retracement level held the pair down. The current support and resistance levels nearest to the current price are 1.1098 and 1.1460.



EURUSD, 240 min

Now that the EURUSD has been moving sideways the daily and 4h charts are so similar that I will only comment on the latter. Price is currently resting at a pivot candle high at 1.1203 and the Stochastics are well into the oversold territory while price has moved inside the Bollinger Bands. This suggests that there should be an intraday rebound higher probably to the nearest resistance level at 1.1287. This level coincides with the 50% retracement level drawn from the Wednesday’s high to the latest low yesterday.

Conclusion:

This market is still in a downtrend which means that the support levels are more likely broken and resistance levels honoured. However, the price is now relatively close to the weekly low and sitting at a 4h pivot candle. In addition the price is outside the daily lower Bollinger Bands and the 4h Stochastics are oversold. Therefore a move higher should be in the cards. This should however, be only an intraday rebound as we resistance levels and a sideways range above. Should this move take place I would be looking to benefit from the weekly trend by selling short at the resistance levels, providing the lower time frame charts confirm the idea.

 
Join me on Live Analysis Webinar on Tuesday 3rd of March at 12:30 pm GMT. Register HERE  for FREE and as usual it is better to log in early to get your seat!
https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html
 

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

GBP a safehaven currency in Europe - Read more: http://analysis.hotforex.com/blog/2015/03/02/gbp-a-safehaven-currency-in-europe/



Now that EUR is weak due to both economic, geopolitical and Greece related risks Sterling starts to look like a safe haven currency with its economy rebounding. The UK job market is recovering, Industrial activity expanding and GDP at healthy 2.7% level (almost back to its 2007 pre-crisis levels). This creates a stark contrast to the ailing Euro Area but at the same time the risk is one of contagion: Euro Area being so important trading partner to the UK its can impact the growth in the UK negatively. However, the EURGBP pair is in a downtrend and reflects both the stark differences in the economic front and the interest rate hike expectations. The Bank of England is expected to raise rates either in the third or fourth quarter while the ECB is obviously committed to the QE program announced in January.

Price is now bouncing from general region of a 0.7255 support level, a historical pivot high. Stochastics in both weekly and daily timeframes are oversold and there is no divergence in these time frames. Out of major EUR crosses, it is the EURGBP that is the weakest and therefore makes it an ideal market to sell the rallies. The nearest resistance (a weekly low) is at 0.7340.



EURGBP, Daily

Since my previous analysis price moved lower and is moving sideways in the region of 0.7255 support area. Stochastics is edging closer to its moving average indicating lack of downside momentum at this support. This could of course change later in today’s trading but it shows how relevant this level was for the market participants. The pair is now moving at the lower end of the regression channel but potential resistance levels are not that far from the current levels. The nearest daily resistance levels are: 0.7300, 0.7317 and 0.7348.



EURGBP, 240 min

I expected price find support at 0.7255 and it did almost to a pip, rallied and then was sold again from 0.7300 level. This led to a move that touched the channel line. The current move higher is taking place after a touch at the lower end of a short term bear channel and after there was a higher low in the Stochastics (bullish divergence). There is a resistance area from 0.7300 to 0.7314 that coincides with a midline in the channel. In addition the upper Bollinger Bans are not that far above the zone either.

 

Conclusion:

With price being at a historical pivot high and close to the short term channel bottom it makes sense to wait for better levels to enter into short trades. The zone from 0.7300 to 0.7314 is an area we should be looking for momentum reversal signals as the channel midline and the upper Bollinger Bands coincide with the zone. For UK and Euro Area economic releases, see our economic calendar here: HotForex Economic Calendar https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/economic-calendar.html
 

Join me on Live Analysis Webinar on Tuesday 3rd of March at 12:30 pm GMT. Register HERE for FREE and as usual it is better to log in early to get your seat! - https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html

 

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

Gold Trades Sideways At Key Support Level - http://analysis.hotforex.com/blog/2015/03/04/gold-trades-sideways-at-key-support-level/



Lately many market participants have been focusing on this week’s jobs report from the US. This Friday the US Bureau of Labour Statistics releases the Non-Farm Payroll report, the most important piece of macro data before the next Fed meeting. This report is seen as an important indicator on when the Fed might start hiking the interest rates. Some participants expect the rate hike happen in June while most are looking to September as potential starting point for the Fed’s rate hike cycle. However, some prominent analysts believe that the Fed will be patient and start the rate hikes next year. Higher interest rates support the dollar and historically Gold has not done that well during the periods of rising dollar. At the same time demand for physical Gold is solid in Asia. India alone is consuming 800 to 1000 tons of Gold annually and imports to the country are increasing. In addition, China’s interest rate cuts in November 2014 and last Saturday are an indication that the Peoples Bank of China has moved into an easing cycle. This is a factor supporting demand for Gold in China.

The price of Gold reached the medium term ascending trendline a bit more than a week ago and has since been trading between the support at 1200 and a weekly low from the beginning of February. This level also coincides with the 50% Fibonacci retracement level. Gold is getting oversold in terms of Stochastics and I am looking for a move higher over this week or latest the next week.



Gold, Daily

The resistance level at 1220 coinciding with the 50% Fibonacci level has held the price down while the 1200 area has supported price. Price is ranging sideways which is quite common after downtrend is broken and the market participants fight over the future direction of the gold price. At the moment we have a higher low in place (from yesterday) which indicates that buyers are ready bid for Gold between 1190 and 1200. There is further support from a daily pivot candle from January 2nd this year and the lower Bollinger bands (currently at 1179 and 1188).



Gold, 240 min

Levels outside the lower Bollinger bands and a pivot candle from 24th February have been attracting buyers lately. There was an attempt to take the price higher last week and price was making higher lows and higher highs until the resistance at 1223 proved too much for the buyers. There was rejection candle yesterday (a candle with a long shadow below). This confirms the idea of 1190 to 1200 being an important range for buyers.

Conclusion:

Price is now at key levels and I am looking for a move higher from this support. In the recent past it has taken two to three weeks for the price Gold to turn from support levels. Therefore should there be a rally in not so distant future. But as the market participants are looking at this Friday’s jobs release from the US as a potential indication on when Fed might be raising rates the price of Gold might be moving sideways until Friday. Should Friday’s NFP figures be a disappointment, the likelihood of Fed raising rates early would be smaller and this should support the price of Gold. Levels close to or inside the 1190 – 1200 support range should be monitored for price action based buy signals. If you want to learn about price action based trading signals, just join me to educational and live analysis webinars.

Join me on Live Analysis Webinar on Tuesday 10th of March at 12:30 pm GMT. Register for FREE and as usual it is better to log in early to get your seat! https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html

Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

[HotForex]

S&P Moving Sideways Above The Dec 2014 High - http://analysis.hotforex.com/blog/2015/03/06/sp-moving-sideways-above-the-dec-2014-high/



I suggested in my previous S&P 500 analysis http://analysis.hotforex.com/blog/2015/02/25/sp-500-in-new-all-time-highs/ that the market could be correcting lower. This was based on both technical and sector analysis. On February 25th I wrote: over the last six trading days the money flows have been once again favouring the Utilities and Health Care sectors over all the other sectors, while Energy and Financials have lagged the most. All this put together indicates that we could see the S&P 500 slowing down and possibly correcting lower in the course of the next few trading days.  Index was trading at 2011.25 points at the time of my analysis and is trading at the time of writing at 2098.75 (-87 points).

Today’s an NFP Friday and the markets are likely to be in a waiting mode as the unemployment readings are important indicators for the Fed in deciding the timing of the first rate hike. Consensus expectation is 240K new jobs and should the number deviate strongly to the downside it’d be likely that the Fed would be more patient and delay the start of the rate hikes. Another important data point is the Average Hourly Earnings which will give an indication on the ability of consumers to consume. The Nonfarm Payrolls, Average Hourly Earnings, Labour Force Participation Rate and Unemployment Rate for the month of February are published today at 13:30 GMT. For other economic releases, see the HotForex Economic Calendar here.https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/economic-calendar.html

The last two weekly bars have been narrow bodied Dojis. This indicates lack of demand and increases probabilities that this market will correct lower. As there has been no upside momentum over the last two weeks, Stochastics is overbought and turning lower. In addition, the upper Bollinger Bands are near and have been limiting upside. Support and resistance levels in weekly picture are: 2062.50, 2088.75 and 2117.75.



S&P 500, Daily

After wedging a bit at the time of my previous analysis S&P 500 e-mini future (ES) moved out of the rising regression channel. Price has been supported by the pivot high at 2088.75 and 23.6% Fibonacci level with a new resistance at the latest high (2117.75). Support at 2062.50 coincides with the lower Bollinger Bands and the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement. Should ES correct further the next important support level is 2020.50. The fact that price has been reacting higher from the proximity of 2088.75 level  in suggests that this level is seen as an important support.



S&P 500, 240 min

Index futures have attracted buyers at 2085 area but the resistance from both the descending trendline and the previous support at 2101 level have this far blocked the moves higher. At the time of writing there isn’t much momentum to either direction as market waits for the NFP release but the moves from 2085 have been strong (hammer candles). This suggest there will be buyers at this level today. Should this level be broken the next support level at 2062.50 coincides roughly with the 1.618 Fibonacci extension level. It is also a former resistance which adds to the significance of this level.

Conclusion:

In the longer term picture US stock market is now fairly overbought and the last two weeks’ weekly narrow body candles indicate that there is not much willingness to pay higher prices for equities but no strong need to sell off either. At the same time technology, the heaviest sector in the S&P 500 index is close to channel top and Apple the heaviest weighted stock in this sector looks like it could correct lower after a bearish weekly candle last week. Even if this correction takes place I still believe this market can move higher and therefore look for buying opportunities at support levels.

Technicals and macro view are giving a slightly mixed message: if the employment numbers are weak the Fed is likely to start rate hikes later which would be good for the stock market. However, at the same time strong employment numbers would indicate an improving economy, which again is a reason to stay long in Stocks. Market reactions to today’s NFP release are therefore an important indicator of things to come in the near future. If market finds support either at 2085 or 2062.50 and reacts higher with good momentum (that takes ES into new highs) the technical picture stays positive and supports the long term bullish view.

In regards to short term trading ideas I am looking for minor time frame reversal signals at the above mentioned support and resistance levels once the employment numbers are released and the market is likely to have some volatility again. Market is not likely to move strongly before the employment release later on today. Should there be no strong deviation from the consensus expectation the nearest technical levels will be honoured but higher deviation from expectations will be translated into stronger whipsaws in price. If the latter is the case, then momentum reversal traders should be looking to trade levels further away from the current price.


Join me on Live Analysis Webinar on Tuesday 10th of March at 12:30 pm GMT. Register HERE  for FREE and as usual it is better to log in early to get your seat! https://www.hotforex.com/en/trading-tools/trading-webinars.html

 
Janne Muta
Chief Market Analyst
HotForex

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of purchase or sale of any financial instrument.