Forex News Analysis by LiteForex

XAU/USD: general analysis

Current trend
On Thursday, the XAU/USD pair was falling, being under pressure from the Fed’s decision to increase the interest rate to 0.5 percent from 0.25 percent. Having lost more than 2500 points, the price for gold was moving down towards its year lows, reached at the beginning of December. At present, the price has started correcting up in the area of 1054.35.

Support and resistance
On the daily chart, the pair is trading between the lower and the meddle MAs of Bollinger Bands. MA50, MA100 and MA144 are above the current price and directed down. MACD histogram is in the negative zone. The DI lines of ADX are crossing each other and directed down.
The indicators confirm a downward trend in the XAU/USD pair.
Today, the price is likely to remain within the channel between the lower and the middle MAs of Bollinger Bands.
Support levels: 1049.85 (lower MA of Bollinger Bands), 1049.98 (December low).
Resistance levels: 1067.73 (middle MA of Bollinger Bands), 1084.65, 1099.14, 1120.41, 1133.94, 1165.35, 1191.93.

Trading tips
Long positions can be opened at the current level with the target at 1060.50 and stop-loss at 1051.00. Validity – 1 day.

USD/JPY: BoJ loose monetary policy


Current trend
At the meeting on Friday, the Bank of Japan decided to keep its monetary policy mostly unchanged. BoJ Governor stated the Regulator aims at achieving an inflation rate of 2 per cent; however, much depends on the price of oil. Therefore, Japan’s Central Bank might start taking more decisive action soon.
Today, the US Dollar is gaining back its losses against the Japanese Yen. As the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan have different approaches to monetary policy, the USD/JPY pair tends to be strengthening in the medium term.


Support and resistance
Strong support levels are 121.35 (EMA on the daily chart) and 120.55 (EMA200 and the lower border of an ascending channel on the daily chart, 61.8% Fibonacci). After the consolidation below the level of 120.55, the price might decline further to 120.00 and 118.85.
If the price overcomes the resistance levels of 121.50 (50.0% Fibonacci), 122.10 (EMA200 and EMA144 on the 4-hour chart), 122.50 (38.2% Fibonacci), an upward trend might resume towards 123.70 (23.6% Fibonacci), 124.50 and 125.00 (the upper border of the ascending channel on the daily chart).
On the daily chart, OsMA and Stochastic recommend short positions; on the 4-hour chart, the indicators are turning to long positions, suggesting a downward correction is, possibly, nearing the end.
Support levels: 121.35, 121.00, 120.55, 120.00, 118.85.
Resistance levels: 121.50, 122.10, 122.50, 123.00, 123.70.


Trading tips
Long positions can be opened from the current level with targets at 121.90, 122.10, 122.50, 123.00, 123.50, 123.70, 124.00, 124.50, 125.00 and stop-loss at 121.20.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 121.10 with targets at 120.55, 120.00, 118.85 and stop-loss at 121.60.

GBP/USD: important statistics
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Current trend
Important data on the UK economy is expected during the week.
Tomorrow data on the Current Account is due. According to forecasts, in November the budget deficit increased by about 4.7 billion Pounds. On Wednesday, data on the third quarter GDP is out. The figure is expected to remain at 0.5%, unchanged from the previous quarter. At the same time, latest data on consumer inflation showed a near-zero growth, while producer price indices significantly fell.
Therefore, absence of inflation growth and poor macroeconomic statistics shift the expectations of monetary policy tightening in the UK to the second half of 2016 that will continue pressuring the pair.
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Support and resistance
On the daily chart, the pair is falling towards the lower border if a descending channel near the level of 1.4860.
An upward correction in the pair could continue up to the levels of 1.5000 (ЕМА50 on the 4-hour chart), 1.5085 (ЕМА144), 1.5120 (ЕМА200), 1.5230 (23.6% Fibonacci correction and upper border of the descending channel). At the same time, a breakdown of the level of 1.4860 will accelerate the fall towards 1.4800, 1.4750 and 1.4600 (year lows).
On the daily and weekly charts, OsMA and Stochastic recommend short positions, while on the 4-hour chart the indicators are turning to purchases.
Support levels: 1.4860, 1.4800, 1.4750.
Resistance levels: 1.4960, 1.5000, 1.5085, 1.5100, 1.5120, 1.5230.
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Trading tips
Open short positions from current prices with targets at 1.4860, 1.4800, 1.4750 and stop-loss at 1.4930.
Long positions can be opened from the level of 1.4940 with targets at 1.5000, 1.5085, 1.5100, 1.5120, 1.5190 and stop-loss at 1.4890.

EUR/USD: general analysis


Current trend
The single European currency is trading slightly up against the US Dollar. At present, the pair remains within the range of 1.0910-1.0930. Analysts suggest the USD will continue strengthening as the Fed has started tightening US monetary policy. ECB, in its turn, tends to expand monetary stimulus to boost the EU economy.
GDP data for the third quarter is due today in the US. If the indicator comes in above the forecast of 1.9%, EUR short positions should be placed.*


Support and resistance
The support level is 1.0807.
The nearest resistance level is 1.1009.*


Trading tips
Short positions can be opened from the level of 1.1009 with the target at 1.0815 and stop-loss at 1.1065.

XAU/USD: general analysis
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Current trend
After a strong growth at the beginning of the week, the price of gold declined and was ranging between 1080.68 and 1071.79 on Tuesday. At present, the price remains in the area of 1073.85 and might start correcting up to this week high 1081.60.
Durable Goods Orders statistics for November are due today in the US. This data is an important indicator for the market; its growth has a positive effect on the economy. However, analysts expect a decline to -0.7% from 3.0% in October that might affect the USD and ease the pressure on the XAU/USD pair.
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Support and resistance
On the daily chart, the pair is trading between the upper and the middle MA of Bollinger Bands. MA50, MA100 and MA144 remain above the current price and directed down. According to the indicator, the pair is in a negative trend. MACD histogram is in the negative zone with almost no volumes. ADX indicator suggests a decline in the pair. The DI lines are directed parallel and down, ADX is falling.
Support levels: 1068.46 (middle MA of Bollinger Bands), 1051.22, 1046.43 (beginning of December low).
Resistance levels: 1084.74 (upper MA of Bollinger Bands), 1097.67, 1118.26, 1131.65.
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Trading tips
Long positions can be opened from the current level with the target at 1080.87 and stop-loss at 1068.46.
If the price consolidates below the level of 1068.46, short positions would become valid. Open short positions from the level of 1065.60 with the target at 1051.22 and stop-loss at 1073.00.

USD/JPY: pair declined
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Current trend
Last week, the Japanese Yen gained support when the Bank of Japan decided to keep monetary policy unchanged. BoJ Governor gave a generally favorable outlook of the country’s economy.
At present, the USD/ JPY pair still tends to continue declining.
However, Japan is undergoing a period of a weak growth in Industrial Production, Services PMI and a decline in exports. Moreover, inflation will remain low in the medium term. Thus, BoJ might have to consider further changes to monetary policy.
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Support and resistance
A decline in the pair has stopped at the support level of 120.55 (EMA200 on the daily chart and 61.8% Fibonacci) which is also the lower border of an ascending channel on the daily chart. While the price remains above this level, it tends to grow in the medium term.
The breakout of the resistance levels of 121.35, 121.50 (50.0% Fibonacci), 122.00 (EMA200 and EMA144 on the 4-hour chart), 122.50 (38.2% Fibonacci) would allow the price to strengthen to 123.70 (23.6% Fibonacci), 124.50 and 125.00 (upper border of the ascending channel on the daily chart).
On the 4-hour, daily and weekly charts, OsMA histogram is near the zero line. Amid a decline in trading activity due to the upcoming holidays, the pair is likely to remain near the level of 121.00.
Support levels: 120.55, 120.00, 118.85.
Resistance levels: 121.35, 121.50, 122.00, 122.50, 123.00, 123.70.
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Trading tips
Long positions can be opened from the level of 121.60 with targets at 121.90, 122.00, 122.50, 123.00, 123.50, 123.70, 124.00, 124.50, 125.00 and stop-loss at 121.20.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 120.35 with targets at 120.00, 118.85, 118.00 and stop-loss at 120.75.

AUD/USD: growth in oil prices supported AUD
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Current trend
Yesterday, after the Energy Information Administration reported a fall in US crude inventories, the price of oil grew by 3.8%.
Since opening of the trading day, the AUD/USD pair has been strengthening amid a growth in commodity prices. The Australian Dollar gained support as Australia is a large exporter of commodities.
However, in the medium term, the pair tends to continue declining due to different approaches to monetary policy of the Fed and RBA.
Today, attention needs to be paid to Initial Jobless Claims data, due in the US. If the indicator comes in below the forecast, the pair might get another impulse for growth.
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Support and resistance
On the 4-hour and daily charts, OsMA and Stochastic recommend long positions.
The nearest resistance level is 0.7290. If this level is broken out, a growth to 0.7325 (EMA144 on the daily chart) will be possible.
If the price declines below the level of 0.7210, it might move further down to 0.7100 (lower border of an ascending correctional channel on the daily chart).
Support levels: 0.7210, 0.7100, 0.7030, 0.6980, 0.6910.
Resistance levels: 0.7290, 0.7325, 0.7400, 0.7450, 0.7510.
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Trading tips
Short positions can be opened from the level of 0.7220 with targets at 0.7110, 0.7090, 0.7030, 0.6980, 0.6910 and stop-loss at 0.7250.
Long positions can be opened from the level of 0.7310 with targets at 0.7325, 0.7410, 0.7450, 0.7490 and stop-loss at 0.7280.

USD/JPY: general analysis
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Current trend
The Japanese Yen continues strengthening against the US Dollar amid the publication of BoJ economic report.
Initial Jobless Claims statistics are due today in the US. Analysts expect the indicator to be down by 1K to 270K. Such dynamics suggests strong labor market conditions and might support the US Dollar.
Tomorrow, attention needs to be paid to Japan’s Unemployment Rate which is expected to increase by 0.1% to 3.2%. Weakness in the labor market affects the country’s economy and the JPY exchange rate.
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Support and resistance
On the daily chart, the pair is trading near the lower MA of Bollinger Bands. The price remains below the MA50, MA100 and MA144, directed parallel and horizontally. MACD histogram is in the negative zone, its volumes are growing; thus, negative dynamics in the pair is likely to develop.
Support levels: 120.12 (lower MA of Bollinger Bands), 118.80, 118.06, 117.20, 116.19.
Resistance levels: 121.73, 122.00, 122.50, 123.60, 124.25, 125.27.
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Trading tips
Long positions can be opened from the level of 120.12 with the target at 121.15 and stop-loss at 119.85.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 119.85 with the target at 119.00 and stop-loss at 120.12.
Validity – 2 days.

XAG/USD: pair corrected
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Current trend
Last week the pair slightly strengthened amid closing of short positions by traders prior to Christmas holidays.
In addition, gold and silver prices were supported by growing oil prices that managed to strengthen after the publication of oil reserves data in the US. The data showed that reserves fell by 5.88 million barrels, while experts predicted a 1.5 million barrels growth.
At the same time, the market attention shifts to fresh macroeconomic statistics that are coming out in the US and which could help to determine future changes in monetary policy.
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Support and resistance
Bollinger Bands on the daily chart is moving horizontally while the price range remains unchanged. MACD is growing and giving a weak buy signal. Stochastic is in the overbought zone and trying to turn down.
The indicators recommend waiting for clearer trading signals.
Support levels: 14.30 (local low), 14.20, 14.00, 13.90, 13.82, 13.63 (14 December low).
Resistance levels: 14.48 (local high), 14.63 (7 December high), 14.77, 15.00 (beginning of November high), 15.15, 15.25.
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Tradingtips
Long positions can be opened after the price rebound from the level of 14.20 (with the appropriate indicators signals) with targets at 14.63, 15.00 and stop-loss at 14.00. Validity – 2-4 days.
Short positions can be opened after the breakdown of the level of 14.20 with targets at 14.00, 13.80, 13.60 and stop-loss at 14.50. Validity – 3-4 days.

AUD/USD: pair strengthened
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Current trend
Last week the pair strengthened by 100 points amid some weakening in the USD.
Tomorrow data on the Producer Price Index for the fourth quarter is due in Australia. Considering strong decline in oil prices during the last quarter that dragged down all commodities’ prices, the index is unlikely to show a growth. Thus, an absence of inflation growth could force the RBA to ease monetary policy further. At the same time, amid gradual policy tightening in the US the pair will remain under pressure in the medium-term.
Tomorrow attention also needs to be paid to data from the US on Goods Trade Balance, Rebook Index and Consumer Confidence.
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Support and resistance
The pair broke out its trendline and resistance level at 0.7210 but failed to reach the key resistance level at 0.7330 (ЕМА144 on the daily chart).
A breakdown of the levels of 0.7210, 0.7120 (lower border of a correctional upward channel on the daily chart), 0.7100 (December lows) would resume a downward trend towards 0.7030, 0.6980, 0.6910 (year lows).
At the same time, a price consolidation above the levels of 0.7450 (ЕМА200 on the daily chart), 0.7510 (23.6% Fibonacci correction) would return the pair in an uptrend.
On the daily chart, OsMA and Stochastic recommend purchases, while on the 4-hour chart the indicators turned to sales.
Support levels: 0.7210, 0.7120, 0.7100, 0.7030, 0.6980, 0.6910.
Resistance levels: 0.7290, 0.7330, 0.7400, 0.7450, 0.7510.
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Trading tips
Pending sell orders can be placed from the level of 0.7250 with targets at 0.7110, 0.7090, 0.7030, 0.6980, 0.6910 and stop-loss at 0.7280.
Pending buy orders can be placed from the level of 0.7310 with targets at 0.7330, 0.7410, 0.7450, 0.7490 and stop-loss at 0.7280.