Daily Market Analysis from ForexMart

USD/CAD. April 10, 2020 – Canadian dollar is stable despite weak statistics

The USD/CAD pair continues to decline slightly, almost close to 1.3900. The Canadian currency is showing a strengthening, even despite the decline in oil quotes from the level of $35.40 to the area of ​​$31.70 per barrel. Moreover, weak data on the labor market in Canada also did not have the proper negative impact on the «loonie».

According to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics Canada, the number of jobs in March fell by 1.011 million, which significantly exceeded the previous record monthly drop of 125 thousand jobs in 2009. Unemployment in the country rose to 7.8% compared to 5.6% in previous months.

Business activity data also showed a significant decline. The Ivey Business Index fell from 54.1 in February to 26.0 in March.

Experts predict that in April the situation will only worsen, so the further strengthening of the Canadian dollar is in question. Today during the day the pair USD/CAD will consolidate near the level of 1.39.

Brent. April 13, 2020 – Oil declines despite new OPEC deal

At the beginning of the week, oil shows a decline to the area of ​​$31 per barrel. This weekend, OPEC, Russia, the United States and other oil-producing countries nevertheless came to an agreement on the main conditions of the new deal and agreed to reduce production by 9.7 million barrels per day during May-June. Such volumes account for about 10% of global supplies.

Experts note that this decline in oil production has become the largest in history. Previously, the pact participants intended to reduce production by 10 million barrels per day, but Mexico refused to reduce its share by 400 thousand. The United States agreed to take on part of the Mexican share, thereby reducing it to 100 thousand barrels.

Despite the success of the negotiations, traders are in no hurry to open «long» positions. The problem is that the actual reduction is still not enough to eliminate the imbalance in the oil market (in the amount of 20-25 million barrels). Moreover, the new deal will end in June, so the issue of additional reduction will again become relevant in the second half of the year.

Fundamental Review for April 14: China, Risk Assets, USA

Investor sentiment on global markets remains moderately optimistic after the release of statistics on China's trade. According to the PRC General Directorate of Customs, exports in March fell by 6.6% YoY after falling by 17% in February. Imports were down 0.9% after falling 4%.

Such dynamics indicate that business activity in the country began to recover after quarantine, which supported the appetite for risky assets in global financial markets. Additional support to risk is provided by a visible slowdown in the spread of coronavirus in the world. According to official sources, only 70 thousand new cases of the disease were detected yesterday.

However, investor sentiment may already worsen after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conference, at which representatives of the organization will present a revised forecast for the dynamics of the global economy in 2020. New data is not expected to please markets.

As for the United States, the banking reporting season is starting today: Wells Fargo and JP Morgan are expected to publish financial results. The US stock market may be under visible pressure if financial indicators do not meet the expectations of analysts.

Brent. April 15, 2020 – Oil resumed to decline

Today, Brent quotes continue to decline after yesterday's fall. The current quote of the asset is $28.35 per barrel. As expected, the new OPEC+ agreement to reduce oil production did not bring positive results, because it was adopted too late. Moreover, market participants believe that a reduction of 9.7 million barrels per day will not be enough to stabilize supply and demand in the oil market.

Also yesterday it became known that the Texas oil regulator discussed the possibility of a coordinated limitation of oil production in the state, but it was not possible to reach a consensus. The US Department of Energy noted that production in the country will decline naturally in the face of low commodity prices.

An additional source of negativity for Brent was a report from the American Petroleum Institute (API), which reflected a 13 million barrels increase in crude stocks in the country. If today's statistics from the Ministry of Energy confirm an increase, Brent quotes will continue to decline to an area below $28.

EUR/USD. April 16, 2020 – Euro is declining, the dollar is gaining strength across the entire spectrum of the market

On Thursday, the euro continues to decline amid a general strengthening of the US dollar across the entire spectrum of the market and the flight from risky assets. Investor sentiment worsened after the publication of the IMF forecast on the dynamics of the global economy in 2020. The Fund noted that the decline in global GDP this year could reach 3% and become the most significant since the Great Depression in the 30-s of the last century.

The dollar is growing, even despite weak retail sales data and a sharp drop in US industrial production. According to official figures, the decline in industrial production amounted to 5.5% y/y, and the decrease in retail sales – 8.7%. Today, you should pay attention to the statistics on initial applications for unemployment benefits in the United States.

Thus, under current conditions, the EUR/USD pair is trading at 1.0850. During the day, the euro is likely to maintain its weak position.

EUR/USD. April 17, 2020 – Euro remains weak, approaching 1.08

At the end of the week, the euro remains under pressure: the current quotation of the EUR/USD pair is 1.0820. The US dollar has received support from published labor market statistics. According to current data, the number of applications for unemployment benefits for the week amounted to 5.245 million against the forecast of 5.350 million and the previous figure of 6.615 million.

The number of permits issued in March for new construction in the United States amounted to 1.35 million compared with February 1.45 million and a forecast of 1.30 million.

Today, the final calculation of inflation in March, which was previously 0.7% in annual terms, will act as a determining factor for further dynamics of the euro. Experts predict that the basic consumer price index will remain at 1% y/y, which will put some pressure on the European currency.

Economic review for April 20, 2020

At the beginning of the week, mainly negative moods are observed on global exchanges: the US dollar is growing moderately, futures for the S&P 500 index are trading at a slight minus, and Asian indices are also declining.

The focus of markets remains the gradual abolition of quarantine measures in the United States and some European countries. However, this partial return to normal economic activity was announced last week, so it is unlikely that new reports of quarantine cancellation will be received with due optimism.

At the same time, the spread of infection in the world remains stable. Over the weekend, the increase in cases amounted to 80-85 thousand people per day. Worldwide, there are about 2.5 million cases of the disease.

Today is not rich in macroeconomic publications; only data on inflation in New Zealand and the trade balance in Japan can attract attention. The first indicator rose 0.8% in March and reach 2,5%. This country became the only one where inflation showed growth. Japan’s exports declined by 11.7% in March and trade surplus sinks by 90%.

It should also be taken into consideration the reduction in the base rate by the People's Bank of China from 4.05% to 3.85%.

USD/CAD. April 21, 2020 – Canadian dollar suffers losses

The fall in the oil market triggered a decline in the Canadian dollar, which is in direct correlation with Brent prices. Oil collapsed to a minimum of two decades (to the level of $18.10 per barrel) amid the collapse of global demand and a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Oil companies in Canada have already been hit hard by low oil prices, and yesterday's collapse in prices will inevitably lead to the bankruptcy of many industry players.

The current quotation of the USD/CAD pair is 1.4270. Today, you should pay attention to the data on retail sales in Canada for February. The indicator fell from 0.4% to 0.3%, better than forecast. Analysts had expected a decline to 0.2%. Tomorrow is expected to publish a consumer price index: experts predict a decline from 0.4% to -0.4%.

Brent. April 22, 2020 – Oil shows new lows

On Wednesday, Brent oil quotes again updated the local minimum and reached $16 per barrel. However, today oil managed to recover to the level of $19.80.

Such a sharp drop was caused by fears of market participants about the extent of decline in demand for raw materials in the conditions of maximum filling of oil storage facilities. The data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) added fuel to the fire, according to which US crude oil inventories grew by 13 million barrels last week, while gasoline and distillate inventories increased by 11 million barrels in total.

Today you should pay attention to a similar report from the US Department of Energy. Experts predict an increase in reserves of 15 million barrels.

At the same time, news that the countries of the new OPEC+ deal will begin to cut production without waiting for May does not bring support to the oil market. Thus, under current conditions, a significant recovery of a commodity asset is unlikely.

EUR/USD. April 23, 2020 – Euro broke down the level of 1.08

On Thursday, the euro declines, following yesterday's trend. The current quotation of the EUR/USD pair is 1.0780.

Today, two important events will be of interest. First, in the United States, the US House of Representatives will vote on a new fiscal package of measures to support the US economy worth $500 billion. And in Europe, an EU summit will take place, during which countries will discuss the creation of a pan-European fund that will support the economy for several years. The amount of the fund may be 1.5-2 trillion euros.

As for macroeconomic statistics, today business activity indices in the manufacturing and services sectors for April in France, Germany, the eurozone and the UK will be released. The United States will provide data on changes in the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits. Experts predict an increase in the number of applications by 4 million.

The RSI indicator is pointing down, which signals a continued decline in the European currency. However, the listed events and publications can significantly change the direction vector of the pair. So, follow the news.