TheNews

- U. of Michigan Confidence to Improve for Second Consecutive Month.
- Print of 84.5 Would Mark the Highest Reading Since July.

Trading the News: U. of Michigan Confidence

A second straight rise in the U. of Michigan Confidence survey may spur a further decline in the EUR/USD as the ongoing improvement in the world’s largest economy puts increased pressure on the Federal Reserve to normalize monetary policy sooner rather than later.

What’s Expected:



Why Is This Event Important:

Despite expectations for a rate hike in 2015, a further pickup in household sentiment may undermine the Fed’s scope to retain the zero-interest rate policy (ZIRP) well into the following year, and a positive development may help to paint a more bullish outlook for the dollar as it raises the outlook for growth and inflation.

Expectations: Bullish Argument/Scenario

Release	Expected	Actual
Consumer Credit (MAR)	$15.500B	$17.529B
Change in Non-Farm Payrolls (APR)	218K	288K
ADP Employment Change (APR)	210K	220K

The ongoing improvement in the labor market along with the expansion in private sector lending may encourage a further pickup in consumer sentiment, and a better-than-expected print may generate a more bearish outlook for the EUR/USD as it raises the prospects for a stronger recovery.

Risk: Bearish Argument/Scenario

Release	Expected	Actual
Consumer Price Index Core (YoY) (APR)	1.7%	1.8%
Average Hourly Earnings (YoY) (APR)	2.1%	1.9%
Personal Consumption Expenditure Core (YoY) (MAR)	1.2%	1.2%

However, sticky inflation paired with subdued wage growth may drag household confidence, and a dismal U. of Michigan release may spur a more meaningful rebound in the EUR/USD as drags on interest rate expectations.

How To Trade This Event Risk

Bullish USD Trade: U. of Michigan Survey Advances to 84.5 or Higher

• Need to see red, five-minute candle following the release to consider a short trade on EURUSD
• If market reaction favors a long dollar trade, sell EURUSD with two separate position
• Set stop at the near-by swing high/reasonable distance from entry; look for at least 1:1 risk-to-reward
• Move stop to entry on remaining position once initial target is hit; set reasonable limit

Bearish USD Trade: Household Confidence Falters

• Need green, five-minute candle to favor a long EURUSD trade
• Implement same setup as the bullish dollar trade, just in the opposite direction

Potential Price Targets For The Release
EUR/USD Daily

• Fails to Retain Bullish RSI Momentum- Close Below Support to Favor Bearish Outlook
• Interim Resistance: 1.3960-70 (61.8% expansion)
• Interim Support: 1.3650 (78.6 expansion) to 1.3660 (23.6 retracement)

Impact that the U. of Michigan Confidence has had on EUR/USD during the last release

Period	Data Released	Estimate	Actual	Pips Change (1 Hour post event )	Pips Change (End of Day post event)
APR P 2014	04/11/2014 13:55 GMT	81.0	82.6	+7	+8

The University of Michigan Confidence survey beat estimates last month coming in at 82.6 vs. 81.0 expected. The figure has failed to break 86 since 2007. Although not a large market mover, any major deviation from expectations could add to pressure on the greenback.

--- Written by David Song, Currency Analyst and Gregory Marks

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