EUR/USD

Weekly Analysis: Last week most of the pair’s earlier gains were erased and support was threatened. It seems that once again the bull-bear battle is undecided and without a clear winner.

Technical Outlook

If the current move south finds good support around 1.1100, we might see a bounce higher and a possible continuation of the previous bullish impulse. The 50 period Exponential Moving Average is in close vicinity and can be another reason for a move up but a break below this technical indicator is likely to bring more sellers into the market; however, we are dealing with a strong support zone (1.1040 – 1.0980) that will be tough to break. As long as price stays above the 50 EMA we favor the long side for a continuation of the earlier move up.

Fundamental Outlook

The week ahead begins with the release of the German Manufacturing PMI scheduled Monday and continues Tuesday with the German IFO Business Climate and U.S.  Consumer Confidence. All these are surveys that act as leading indicators of economic health and can strengthen their respective currency but often the impact is mild if the actual number matches analysts’ expectations.

Wednesday’s most notable event is the release of the U.S. New Home Sales and Thursday the Durable Goods Orders come out, as well as the European Final version of the CPI. These are medium impact indicators and the market’s reaction depends many times on the overall environment. Friday will be probably the busiest day of the week as the G20 Meetings start and the German Prelim CPI (main gauge of inflation) is released. Also Friday, the United States will announce the Preliminary version of the Gross Domestic Product; this is the first version and tends to have the biggest impact so we may see a hefty US Dollar reaction.

GBP/USD

The pair remained below the 50 days Exponential Moving Average for the entire last week, showing signs that the long term downtrend might be resuming. Friday the bulls erased some of the losses but overall it was a bearish week.

Technical Outlook

Last week ended above 1.4350 after a bullish bounce at 1.4230 so this impulse is likely to take the pair into the 50 days Exponential Moving Average. If this line is touched, we expect it to act as resistance and to push price lower. A move above the moving average would show that a significant higher low is created (around 1.4230) and would possibly mark an end to the long term downtrend. A push below 1.4230 would open the door for a move into 1.4125 and thus trend resumption. 

Fundamental Outlook

The Pound has a very slow week ahead, with the only major economic indicator being the Second Estimate Gross Domestic Product, scheduled Thursday. The GDP is the primary gauge of an economy’s overall performance but the Preliminary version, which has been already released, tends to have the biggest impact. As always, the pair will be directly influenced by the U.S. releases mentioned earlier.

Written by: Bogdan Giulvezan