Forex News Analysis by LiteForex

XAG/USD: technical analysis

XAG/USD, D1
On the daily chart, the pair is moving along the middle MA of Bollinger Bands. The price remains below the EMA50, EMA100 and EMA144 that are directed down. MACD histogram is in the negative zone and its volumes are barely changing. DI lines are moving up, while ADX is horizontal.

XAG/USD, H4
On the 4-hour chart, the pair is trading in the upper Bollinger band. The price remains below the EMA100 and EMA144, but above the EMA50, all directed horizontally. MACD histogram is in the positive zone and its volumes are very low. DI lines are moving down, while ADX is horizontal.

Key levels
Support levels: 14.00, 13.85, 13.67.
Resistance levels: 14.15, 14.39, 14.75, 14.99, 15.28, 15.51, 16.15, 16.34.

Trading tips
Pending sell orders can be placed at the level of 14.15 with targets at 14.00, 13.85 and stop-loss at 14.30. Validity – 1-2 days.
Pending buy orders can be placed at the level of 13.85 with the target at 14.25 and stop-loss at 13.67. Validity – 1-2 days.

USD/CAD: pair growth and oil prices fall

Current trend
The Bank of Canada holds its monetary policy meeting today. As BoC Governor Stephen Poloz has repeatedly stated, the Regulator aims at keeping loose monetary policy and considers a possibility of a rate cut to -0.5%.
The Canadian currency is declining against the US Dollar amid a sharp fall in oil prices. On Tuesday, the International Energy Agency reported oil supply might increase by 1.5 barrels per day in next six month. Moreover, oil prices are under pressure due to unfavorable conditions in global stock markets, China's stock market crash in particular.
In the given situation, the Bank of Canada might choose to wait on the sidelines and keep its interest rate on hold at 0.5% that, however, is unlikely to strengthen the national currency.

Support and resistance
Since the beginning of the year, USD/CAD pair has grown by more than 800 points.
OsMA and Stochastic on all timeframes, from 4-hour to monthly, recommend long positions. Any decline in the pair should be seen as a short-term correction.
Support levels: 1.4575, 1.4565, 1.4500, 1.4450, 1.4400.
Resistance levels: 1.4700.

Trading tips
Buy Stop orders can be placed at the level of 1.4710 with targets at 1.4800, 1.4900 and stop-loss at 1.4670.
Sell Stop orders can be placed at the level of 1.4550 with targets at 1.4450, 1.4400 and stop-loss at 1.4580.

EUR/USD: general review

Current trend
Yesterday the pair fell amid growing anxiety on the market due to declining oil prices. In addition, the Euro remained under pressure prior to the ECB Interest Rates Decision that is due later today. The decision could significantly affect dynamics in the pair.
At the same time, the pair was supported by data on the Consumer Price Index from the US that came out worse than expectations. In December, the index fell by 0.1%.

Support and resistance
On the daily chart, the pair is trading along the middle MA of Bollinger Bands. Moving averages with 50, 100 and 144 periods remain above the price and directed horizontally. MACD histogram is near the zero line and its volumes are very low. DI lines are moving in opposite directions, while ADX is horizontal.
Support levels: 1.0863, 1.0770 (middle MA of Bollinger Bands), 1.0613, 1.0525 (beginning of December 2015 lows).
Resistance levels: 1.0900, 1.0915, 1.0945, 1.0995, 1.1057 (middle of December 2015 highs).

Trading tips
Long positions can be opened from the level of 1.0915 with targets at 1.0945, 1.0995 and stop-loss at 1.0900. Validity – 1-2 days.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 1.0863 with targets at 1.0802, 1.0770 and stop-loss at 1.0890. Validity – 1-2 days.

AUD/USD: growth might resume

Current trend
On Thursday, the AUD/USD pair tested the level of 0.6950, the 23.6% Fibonacci correction level. The Australian currency managed to strengthen when the US released not so favorable December’s data on inflation. Though Consumer Price Index came in at 0.7% in annual terms, it was 0.1% below the forecast. In monthly terms, the indicator was down to -0.1%. However, the pair is still under pressure from a gradual slowdown in China’s economy as the country is the largest trading partner of Australia.

Support and resistance
The pair is heading to 0.6895, the middle MA of Bollinger Bands. The breakdown of this level allows the pair to continue falling to 0.6835 and 0.6800. Alternatively, if the price turns up and overcomes the 23.6% Fibonacci level, it might grow further to 0.7020 and 0.7080.
Generally, according to technical indicators, the pair tends to grow. Bollinger Bands indicator is turning up. MACD histogram is in the negative zone, its volumes are falling. Only Stochastic lines have crossed each other and turned down, forming a sell signal.
Support levels: 0.6950, 0.7020, 0.7080.
Resistance levels: 0.6895, 0.6835, 0.6800.

Trading tips
Long positions are preferable and can be opened from the level of 0.6950 with targets at 0.7020, 0.7080. Moreover, Buy Limit orders can be placed at the level of 0.6895 with the target at 0.6950.
If the price consolidates below the level of 0.6895, short positions can be opened with targets at 0.6835 and 0.6800.

XAU/USD: general review

Current trend
The price of gold continues growing amid yesterday’s news regarding a possibility of the QE program expansion by the ECB. In the nearest future, the price is likely to grow to the level of 1112.50 where the pair traded at high volumes. After that, the price will fall.

Support and resistance
The RSI is below the 70 mark indicating that the growth can continue to the level of 1115.00.
Support levels: 1074.52 (moving average with 200 period).
Resistance levels: 1112.50.

Trading tips
Short positions can be opened from the level of 1112.50 with the target at 1074.80 and stop-loss at 1114.00.
Long positions can be opened after the price consolidation above the level of 1114.00.

USD/JPY: no change in trend yet

Current trend
A growth in stock indices followed ECB President Mario Draghi comments on future monetary policy in the eurozone. Japanese stock index NikkeiStockAverage also gained support when an aide to Japanese Prime Minister pointed out that further easing of monetary policy is necessary. Together with the index, the USD/JPY pair is growing as well. If the Bank of Japan introduces additional stimulus measures, the pair will manage to gain back its recent losses.
Today, attention needs to be paid to Markit Manufacturing PMI for January and CB Leading Indicator for December, due in the US. If the indicators come in above the forecast, the USD/JPY pair will strengthen.

Support and resistance
During the Asian session, the USD/JPY pair grew by 30 points from the level of 117.70 and continues moving up, having strengthened above the level of 118.20.
OsMA and Stochastic on the 4-hour and daily charts recommend long positions. However, as long as the price remains below the level of 118.80, no significant growth is expected.

Trading tips
Long positions can be opened from the level of 118.40 with targets at 118.80, 119.20, 119.65, 120.00, 120.55 and stop-loss at 117.80.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 117.30 with targets at 117.00, 116.50, 116.10 and stop-loss at 117.80.

USD/CAD: pair fell

Current trend
In the end of last week, the pair significantly fell amid substantial growth in oil prices.
In addition, the Canadian Dollar was supported by strong macroeconomic data from Canada. Retail Sales in November 2015 grew by 1.7% while economists predicted a 0.2% growth. At the same time, the Consumer Price Index in December grew by 1.6%, against a 1.4% growth in the previous month that was, however, slightly worse than forecasts. Similar index by the Bank of Canada in December fell by 0.4% that was also a little worse than expectations.

Support and resistance
Bollinger Bands on the daily chart turned horizontally while the price range is narrowing. MACD is falling and giving a very strong sell signal. Stochastic reached its critical level in the oversold zone thus limiting further fall potential.
The indicators recommend waiting for clearer trading signals.
Support levels: 1.4100 (local low), 1.4050, 1.4000 (psychologically important level), 1.3915, 1.3850, 1.3780, 1.3700.
Resistance levels: 1.4169 (local high), 142.00, 1.4245, 1.4315 (21 January high), 1.4400, 1.4450, 1.4500, 1.4609, 1.4700 (20 January high).

Trading tips
Long positions can be opened after the price rebound from the level of 1.4100 (with the appropriate indicators signals) with targets at 1.4200, 1.4250 and stop-loss at 1.4000. Validity – 1-2 days.
Short positions can be opened after the breakdown of the level of 1.4100 with the target at 1.4000 and stop-loss at 1.4150. Validity – 1-3 days.

GBP/USD: general analysis
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Current trend
Nationwide Housing Prices data has been released today in the UK. Despite the indicator came in at 4.5% in annual terms, the GBP/USD pair fell to its April lows. At present, a correction might start – the price has turned up and is trading in the area of 1.4823.
Not much macroeconomic data is released ahead of the New Year holidays. Today, attention needs to be paid to Pending Home Sales statistics, due in the US. Analysts forecast the indicator to come in at 0.5% from 0.2% that might support the US Dollar. Nevertheless, no high trading activity should be expected.
Support and resistance
On the 4-hour chart, MA50, MA100 and MA144 are above the current price and directed down, indicating a fall in the pair. MACD histogram is in the negative zone, and its volumes remain almost unchanged. The DI lines of ADX are directed down; according to the indicator, the price tends to decline.
During the day, the pair is likely to be trading within the channel 1.4791-1.4876.
Support levels: 1.4791 (lower MA of Bollinger Bands).
Resistance levels: 1.4876 (middle MA of Bollinger Bands), 1.4922, 1.4963.
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Trading tips
Long positions can be opened at the current level with the target at 1.4876 and stop-loss at 1.4800.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 1.4876 with the target at 1.4800.
Validity – 1-2 days.

EUR/USD: general review
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Current trend
The pair continues growing amid some weakening in the USD.
The American currency remains under pressure prior to the Fed Interest Rate Decision that is due today. Experts predict that monetary policy will stay unchanged. Furthermore, due to problems in China and falling oil prices the regulator might delay the next rate hike until summer that would significantly support the pair.
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Support and resistance
Support levels: 1.0787 (active trade), 1.0820.
Resistance levels: 1.0977, 1.1370.
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Trading tips
Long positions can be opened from the level of 1.0820 with the target at 1.1370 and stop-loss at 1.0780.

USD/CHF: waiting for the Fed decision
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Current trend
Today the pair is falling amid some weakening in the US Dollar that remains under pressure prior to the Fed Interest Rate Decision. Experts do not expect the rate to be hiked. At the same time, investors will focus their attention on commentaries by the regulator, in which there could be announced that monetary policy tightening is going to be delayed that would substantially pressure the pair.
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Support and resistance
On the hourly, 4-hour and weekly charts, the pair is moving along ascending channels.
A downward correction can continue to the levels of 1.0120 (middle of the channel on the 4-hour chart), 1.0100 (ЕМА50), 1.0040 (ЕМА144, lower border of the channel), 1.0000 (ЕМА50 on the daily chart). From further fall the pair is prevented by support levels at 0.9855 (ЕМА144 on the daily chart), 0.9830 (December 2015 lows).
At the same time, a consolidation above the level of 1.0195 would send the pair towards 1.0400 (upper border of the channel on the weekly chart).
On the 4-hour and daily charts, OsMA and Stochastic signal sales.
Support levels: 1.0120, 1.0100, 1.0040, 1.000, 0.9975, 0.9830, 0.9765.
Resistance levels: 1.0195, 1.0400.
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Trading tips
Pending sell orders can be placed at the level of 1.0130 with targets at 1.0100, 1.0040, 1.0000, 0.9855 and stop-loss at 1.0160.
Pending buy orders can be placed at the level of 1.0185 with targets at 1.0200, 1.0260, 1.0300 and stop-loss at 1.0140.