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Date : 18th February 2021. Dollar settled as commodities hit new highs. Both the US Dollar and US Treasury yields have settled off their respective highs, while global equity markets have come off the boil as investors take stock in the face of lofty valuations. The reflation trade remained alive and kicking in commodities, however, with copper and other base metals surging to fresh multi-year highs, buoyed by demand on Chinese exchanges, which reopened after their week long hiatus for the Lunar New Year holiday. USOIL prices also clocked a new 13-month peak. A Reuters article highlighted a laboratory study showing that the Pfizer vaccine was less effective against the South African variant of SARS-Cov2, which may have been a contributory factor behind the more risk-cautious sentiment in stock markets, although evidently this story had little impact in the commodity realm. Some scientists have been welcoming the similarities in the various ‘successful’ mutations of the coronavirus — that is those variants that have become dominant out of the thousands of mutations — as it suggests that the only way the virus is successfully mutating is to more transmissible versions, as seen the South African, Brazilian and UK variants, rather than to a more deadly version of itself. There is also confidence that existing vaccines can also be relatively easily tweaked to deal these variants, too. In currency markets today, ranges have been narrow so far. The USDIndex has seen a less than 10 pip range, holding just below the 91.00 level. EURUSD has been similarly unambitious in directional terms, plying a narrow path above yesterday’s 10-day low at 1.2023. Cable has recouped to levels above 1.3900 after trading under 1.3850 yesterday. The 34-month peak seen on Tuesday is at 1.3951. At the same time, the Pound has posted a fresh 10-month high against the Euro, and has lifted against the Yen and other currencies. This continues the moderate outperforming bias the Pound has been exhibiting on the year so far, since the UK completed Brexit by leaving its transition membership of the EU’s common market and customs union. News earlier this week that the UK government reached, ahead of schedule, its target to vaccinate the most vulnerable groups against Covid have given markets reason to be bullish on Sterling, which is amid what could be described as a crawl out of historically weak trade-weighted valuations with four-and-a-half years of Brexit uncertainty having finally come to an end. Only Israel and the UAE have vaccinated faster than the UK, and the contrast with the situation in the EU has been mooted lately in market narratives as being a bearish factor for EURGBP. Prime Minister Johnson will be laying out a road map for reopening next Monday. This should keep the Pound broadly underpinned. A modicum of yen outperformance has seen USDJPY ebb to a 2-day low at 105.69. The pair remains up by just over 2.5% on the year-to-date, corresponding with the pronounced widening in US Treasury over JGB yield differentials, which in the case of the 10-year benchmarks has been more than 35bp over this period. Yen crosses, which have recently been trading at either multi-month or multi-year highs, also tipped lower. In the cryptocurrency realm, Bitcoin rallied to yet another record, this time above $52,500, amid increasing signs that the asset class, which is essentially a digital version of a precious metal (limited supply and no yield, although with the added benefit of no storage costs), is becoming accepted by institutional investors. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 17th February 2021. Stock stalled, Gold down, BTC up amid sell off in Treasuries!. Market News Today The selloff in Treasuries deepened as the market returned from its long Presidents Day weekend. The stock rally started to run out of steam, while the selloff in bond markets continued. The bear steepener remained fully intact as the reflation trade and technicals gripped the market. 10-year Treasury yields reached levels last seen in February 2020 yesterday, before falling back -1.5 bp and settling around the 1.3% mark. Longer dated yields are at or near 1-year highs. But even when the full equity rally fizzled and the USA100 fell into the red, bond yields continued higher. A stronger than expected Empire State index also supported the bearish case in bonds. JGB rates have lifted 2 bp to 0.094% and bonds also sold off in Australia and New Zealand, leaving rates more than 8 bp higher on the day. Meanwhile the JPN225 corrected -0.6%, despite an unexpected rebound in core machinery orders. GER30 and UK100 futures meanwhile are down -0.04% and up 0.3% respectively, while US futures are posting fractional gains after a mixed session in Asia. Equities have already come a long way and there may not be much appetite to push valuations out further at this point, but stimulus hopes and vaccine developments continue to fuel reflation trades and central bank efforts to try and slow the rise in yields by stressing that monetary policy will remain accommodative, risk fuelling a bubble in speculative assets that could come back to haunt markets further down the line. In FX markets USDJPY dropped back to 105.96, amid a broadly higher yen, although the Dollar rose against most other currencies. USOIL meanwhile is trading at $60.19 per barrel. EURUSD dropped back to 1.2070, Cable to 1.3868. Bitcoin rose, again, through $50,000 as signs of big investor interest in the asset drive more and more buying. Gold prices extended losses for a fifth straight session on Wednesday, slipping to near 2-week lows as soaring US Treasury yields and a firmer Dollar dented the bullion’s appeal. Today – Data releases today focus on US Retail sales and Canadian inflation for January, along with the FOMC minutes. The FOMC minutes to the January 26, 27 policy meeting should underscore the Fed’s commitment to a lower for longer rate stance, with no intention of trimming QE. We know the meeting resulted in no change in policy and so the minutes will not break any new ground. Indeed, last week Chair Powell’s sombre outlook where he emphasized the need for ongoing support from monetary policy due to the pandemic was in keeping with the tweaks in the January policy statement. One such tweak was that the Fed’s acknowledgement that “the pace of the recovery in the economy and employment has moderated in recent months, with weakness concentrated in the sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic.” We’ve also heard Fedspeak that the entire FOMC is generally on board with this posture, including allowing inflation to run hot for some time. Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) NZDUSD (-0.40%) extended losses below 20-DMA. Next Support remains at the 50-DMA at 71.60. MACD lines and RSI are neutral but still turning lower while intraday they are both negatively configured, with fast MAs sloping further lower. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 16th February 2021. Market Update – February 16. Market News Today The stock rally continued overnight as sentiment remains underpinned by growing conviction that the vaccine rollout will boost the global recovery and as Asian markets are coming back from the extended weekend. China remains closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. The JPN225 closed 1.3% higher above the 30000 mark, after trimming some gains following an FT story that China is considering limiting rare earth mineral supplies to US defence contractors, which rekindled concern over the future of US-China relations. This is a reminder that virus developments are not the only factor determining the world growth outlook. Bond markets meanwhile remain under pressure as reflation trades unfold and the US 10-year rate jumped 2.3 bp to 1.23%. JGB rates are up 0.1 bp at 0.075%. GER30 and UK100 futures are marginally higher, underperforming versus US futures. US Treasury yields are at their highest since March. In FX markets, the USDIndex fell to a 3-week low while the USDJPY lifted to 105.54 amid broad pressure on the Yen, although the Dollar was lower against most other currencies. USOIL retraced to $59.90 from $60.95 – US boosted power demand but also threatened oil production in Texas. Crude markets are well into pre-pandemic ranges, yet global demand is not likely be restored to pre-pandemic levels for a considerable time. Bitcoin flirts with breaking through the $50,000 barrier – 350% gains in the past 12 months. Today – Data releases today focus on the second reading for Eurozone Q4 GDP, and German ZEW investor confidence for February. There is room for an upside surprise on the ZEW against the background of the global stock rally and strengthened confidence in the global recovery. Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) NZDJPY (+0.51%) Broke 3-year Resistance area 76-76.50 following a 3-month rally. Faster MAs however have retraced in the past 4 hours, confirming the pullback from 76.70 highs to 76.30, and are currently sideways, suggesting consolidation above the 20-hour SMA. MACD histogram & signal line lost some ground, with RSI at 57 and Stochastic sloping aggressively lower in line with the pullback. However only a break below the 20-hour SMA could suggest further decline. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 15th February 2021. Events to Look Out this Week. Markets are itching to push the reflation trade against the background of vaccine developments and fiscal stimulus. Central banks are, unsurprisingly, trying to slow the rise in yields, although even if officials highlight that virus mutations could delay the re-opening of economies and that the balance of risks remains tilted to the downside, it seems futile at the moment to push against the gradual slide in core bonds. Fundamentals however will continue to dominate volatility as a busy week will start with leading indicators such as Inflation, Retail Sales, PMI and GDP from the largest economies in the world. Have a look at the most important events of the coming days in our usual weekly publication. Monday – 15 February 2021 Gross Domestic Product (JPY, GMT 23:50 Sunday) – Gross Domestic Product should plummet in the preliminary Q4 reading and reveal headline growth of 2.3% q/q from 5.3% q/q in Q3. Industrial Production (EUR, GMT 10:00) – The volume of production of Industries for factories and manufacturing has been slowly recovering but showing signs of stalling. December’s reading however is expected to reveal a negative -0.3% m/m, a decline from November’s 2.5% m/m reading. Tuesday – 16 February 2021 Gross Domestic Product (EUR, GMT 10:00) – Eurozone Q4 GDP contracted -0.7% (q/q, sa), less than initially expected in light of renewed lockdowns towards the end of the year. Economic activity was down -5.1% in the last quarter of 2020, compared to a year earlier, highlighting that there is a long way to go before activity has reached pre-pandemic levels even if restrictions are lifted quickly, which is unlikely to be the case. The preliminary Gross Domestic Product for Q4 2020 should remain unchanged in the quarterly and yearly basis. Hence, the risk of a technical recession remains firmly on the table, while data also highlights the growing divergence between Eurozone countries, which will pose a challenge for politicians and central bankers alike going forward. Economic Sentiment (EUR, GMT 10:00) – European and German February ZEW economic sentiment are seen to have declined at 57.0 and 59.4 respectively. Wednesday – 17 February 2021 Consumer Price Index (GBP, GMT 07:00) – UK inflation data for January is anticipated lower at 0.5% y/y, after it came in slightly warmer than expected in December, at 0.6% y/y, up from 0.3% in the month prior. Core inflation lifted to 1.4% y/y last time. Even this remains firmly below the BoE’s target, but the headline rate is likely to jump in March and April, when strong base effects kick-in on year-on-year price comparisons (caused by last years ‘mother’ of lockdowns). Retail Sales (USD, GMT 13:30) – Expectations are for a 0.8% January retail sales headline bounce with a 0.9% ex-autos increase, following respective December decreases of -0.7% and -1.4%. A 5.4% bounce for the CPI gasoline index is seen, that should provide a boost to service station sales. Consumer Price Index (CAD, GMT 13:30) – The CPI inflation expected to accelerate to a 1.0% y/y pace in January, after its decline to 0.7% y/y last month. FOMC Meeting Minutes (USD, GMT 19:00) – The FOMC minutes should provide further guidance for 2021. Thursday – 18 February 2021 Employment and Unemployment Rate (AUD, GMT 00:30) – The Australian jobs market is expected to show a negative employment report, with employment unchanged but unemployment to ticking up to 6.7% for January. ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts (EUR, GMT 12:30) – The ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts provide information with regards to the policymakers’ rationale behind their decisions. At the same time, low-for-longer remains the main message of the ECB and that will likely be enforced this year by switching to a more symmetric inflation target, which would see the ECB letting inflation run above target for a while, following the prolonged period of below-target headline rates Building Permits (USD, GMT 13:30) – Housing starts are expected to dip to a 1.600 mln pace from a 14-year high of 1.669 mln in December. Permits are expected to ease to 1.640 mln from a 14-year high of 1.704 mln in December. All the housing measures have rebounded sharply since Q2. Friday – 19 February 2021 Retail Sales (GBP, GMT 07:00) – The Retail Sales are seen contracting at -1.0% m/m for January with the core higher at 0.8% from 0.4% m/m last month. Services and Manufacturing PMI (EUR, GMT 08:30-09:00) – The Eurozone composite PMI was revised up in the final reading for January, at 47.8, while the headline remained firmly in contraction territory. The services reading was revised up to 45.4 from 45.0, but that still highlighted that the services sector is taking most of the hit from renewed lockdowns across Eurozone countries. Hence the preliminary February reading is expected lower again at 44.5, with manufacturing at 54.5 from 54.8 in January. Even though manufacturing continues to expand, this isn’t helping consumer sentiment. Overall, Germany may be the one that could escape another technical recession, but the Eurozone overall clearly is set for a renewed contraction in activity in Q1, after activity already dropped off in Q4 last year. UK Services PMI (GBP, GMT 09:30) – Like in the Eurozone, the weakness is mainly concentrated in the services sector, and the final services PMI came in at just 39.5, highlighting that the return of lockdown measures has hit the hospitality, high street retail and public transport sectors very hard. Retail Sales (CAD, GMT 13:30) – Expectations are for a 0.1% m/m December retail sales with a decline of the ex-autos measure to 0.3%, following November gains of 1.3% and 2.1% respectively. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or raeliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 12th February 2021. Market Update – February 12 – USD ticks up from lows. Market News Today USD tweaks off lows, US Equities flat (Tilray -49.7%, latest Reddit frenzy, DISNEY & Pepsi beat expectations – big gains for Disney+ and lots of snacking at home in lockdowns). Weekly Claims data weak again. Most of Asia closed for Lunar New Year, Nikkei also flat into close. BTC rallied towards 49K – BNY Mellon will accept it as custodian status. Oil slips a tad on reduced forecasts from OPEC+ and the EIA consider the market still over supplied, Gold lost over $20 to $1820 and 10yr yields spiked 1.16% as new 30yr Treasuries were poorly received. Overnight UK GDP beat at 1.0% & Q3 revised up 1% to 16%, which leaves an overall record -9.9% for 2020; other industrial data better than expected too. Ahead, we anticipate that the dollar will continue to weaken, assuming that the reflation trade sustains on the back of the sharp drop on new positive Covid tests, which is being seen globally, vaccination optimism, and overall good corporate earnings reports, alongside stimulus and the prospect for a pent-up consumer spending spree in developed economies. Today – CAD Wholesale Sales, UoM Inflation & Consumer Sentiment & FED’s Williams. Biggest (FX) Mover @ (09:30 GMT) NZDUSD (-0.46%) Broke under 20Hr MA after open this morning, under 200hr MA, S1 and the key 0.7200 now. Faster MAs aligned and trending lower, RSI 30 and testing OS zone, MACD histogram & signal line aligned lower and broke over 0 line earlier today. Stochs into OS zone. H1 ATR 0.0009, Daily ATR 0.0079. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 11th February 2021. Market Update – February 11 – Consolidation: USD at lows, Equities at highs. Market News Today USD consolidates at lows, Equities finished flat (TWTR +13%). China, Japan and South Korea closed for start of Lunar New Year. US Inflation disappointed, taking the steam from the “buy everything” rally of the last few days. Biden spoke of concern about China’s “coercive and unfair economic practices” & human rights, ahead of speaking with Xi. Powell spoke of the significant bond purchasing programme continuing until Inflation rises significantly. Lagarde talked of not the time to slow down fiscal support & a digital EURO within 4 yrs. Oil slips a tad, Gold also consolidates and 10yr yields dipped to 1.12%. Overnight German Wholesale Inflation spiked to 2.1% from 0.6%, AstraZeneca Q4 sales beat estimates. Narrow ranges have been prevailing in overall languid trading conditions. Singapore will be off tomorrow, and the lunar new year holiday will start tomorrow in Hong Kong. Despite these absentees, global stock markets have remained buoyant, if directionally unambitious. The dollar bloc currencies correspondingly have been firm while remaining below their respective Wednesday highs. The dollar itself settled above the lows that it saw yesterday. This left EURUSD making time in the lower 1.2100s, below Wednesday’s 10-day peak at 1.2145. USDJPY settled slightly to the north of the 104.50 level, above yesterday’s 13-day low at 104.41. Cable consolidated recent gains below yesterday’s 34-month peak at 1.3866. Ahead, we anticipate that the dollar will continue to weaken, assuming that the reflation trade sustains on the back of the sharp drop on new positive Covid tests, which is being seen globally, vaccination optimism, and overall good corporate earnings reports, alongside stimulus and the prospect for a pent-up consumer spending spree in developed economies. Today – US initial/continued jobless claims, OPEC & IEA MOMR, ECB’s de Guindos and Earnings from 185 US cos. including PepsiCo and Walt Disney. Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) AUDUSD (+0.38%) Rallied from S1 at 0.7713 earlier, testing R1 now at 0.7750, yesterday’s high 0.7755. Faster MAs aligned and trending higher, RSI 61 & rising, MACD histogram & signal line aligned higher and breaking over 0 line, Stochs OB zone from earlier this morning. H1 ATR 0.0008, Daily ATR 0.0058. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 10th February 2021. Market Update – February 10 – USD continues to cool. Market News Today USD down again, Equities finished flat but Asian markets & Futs. higher after good earnings reports from Twitter, Cisco, Lyft and Toyota. Oil holds at 13-month highs, Gold holds 1840, BTC peaked at 48k and 10-yr Yields closed at 1.16% again, with expectations of inflation raised. Overnight JPY PPI in line but CNY CPI surprisingly dipped too (-0.3%), German CPI in line with expectations at 0.8%. Today – US CPI, Oil inventories, ECB’s Lagarde, Panetta, BoE’s Bailey, Fed’s Powell, new Bonds from the UK, Germany & the US – Earnings from Coke, General Motors, Under Armour, Uber & 152 more US companies. Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) USDCHF (-0.14%) Continued Friday’s decline from 0.9050 highs and re-break of 20 MA on Monday below 0.9000 to test S1 today at 0.8910. Faster MAs aligned and trending lower, RSI 24 & and OS, MACD histogram & signal line aligned lower & significantly under 0 line, Stochs OS zone from earlier this morning. H1 ATR 0.0005, Daily ATR 0.0050. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 9th February 2021. Market Update – February 9 – BTC & Equities all-time-highs. Market News Today Equities (Nasdaq +0.95%) & BTC (+20%, $47k+) rally to new all-time highs & USD loses more momentum (USDIndex 90.65). USOil rallies to 13-month highs ($58.50), Gold up to $1840 and US 10-yr Yields at 1.16%. Details of US stimulus package show unemployment insurance will run until August 29th, & $1,400 cheques at the same income level as prior round but will reduce when income hits 75K. EU will follow Australia and get tech firms to pay for news (FT). Walt Disney & Gen. Motors up over 4.5% ahead of Earnings this week. Overnight – improved data from JPY, inflation increasing in NZD, and UK retail sales and German trade balance tick higher. Today – German trade balance, US NFIB Business Optimism, EIA STEO, ECB’s Lane, Fed’s Bullard, Earnings – Twitter, Cisco & Total. Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) NZDUSD (+0.40%) Continued Friday’s rally from 0.7135 lows and break of 20 MA yesterday at 0.7200 to test R1 today at 0.7245. Faster MAs aligned and trending higher, RSI 63 & rising, MACD histogram & signal line aligned higher & significantly over 0 line, Stochs. falling from OB zone after R1 breach, MFI remains in OB zone. H1 ATR 0.0009, Daily ATR 0.0064. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 8th February 2021. Events to Look Out this Week. Leading indicators such as US and Chinese Inflation and GDP from the UK dominate the releases next week. The markets are going to remain focused on the vaccination programs development, while market volatility may slacken ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. China begins its New Year-Golden Week holiday on 11 February, as does Korea, while Taiwan starts a day earlier on Wednesday. Most other countries’ data will be out on Friday. Have a look at the most important events of the coming days in our usual weekly publication. Monday – 8 February 2021 Industrial Production (EUR, GMT 07:00) – Industrial production in Germany is expected to have dropped in December, reaching 0.7% m/m, below the 0.9% last month. Tuesday – 9 February 2021 Trade Balance (CNY, GMT n/a) – The Chinese trade balance is expected to turn out positive in January, after the surplus of $78.17 billion in December. Wednesday – 10 February 2021 Consumer Price Index (CNY, GMT 01:30) – Chinese inflation is expected to grow in January at 1.1% m/m, with the headline at -0.1% y/y, following the 0.7% m/m rise on the monthly basis. Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 07:00) – The final German HICP inflation for January is anticipated to remain unchanged at 1.6% y/y. Consumer Price Index (USD, 13:30) – The US January CPI is expected to see 0.3% for the headline and 0.2% for the core, following a 0.4% gain for the headline and 0.1% for the core in December. CPI gasoline prices look poised to bounce 5.4% in January, leaving a tailwind for the headline. As-expected January figures would result in a 1.5% headline y/y increase, following a 1.4% pace in December. Core prices should show a 1.5% y/y rise, down from 1.6% in December. The headline y/y gains for all the inflation gauges are expected to climb sharply into Q2 of 2021 due to hard comparisons, leaving a peak headline CPI y/y gain in the 3.4% area in May, alongside a 2.6% y/y core price rise, with respective PCE y/y chain price gains of 2.6% and 2.0%. BoE’s Governor Bailey speech (GBP, GMT 17:00) Thursday – 11 February 2021 Jobless Claims (USD, GMT 13:30) – The US initial jobless claims fell -33k to 779k in the week ended January 30 after dropping -63k to 812k in the prior week. The decline in the most recent survey week leaves claims at the lowest level since the 716k reading in the November 27 week. Continuing claims dropped -193k to 4,592k in the January 23 week after slumping -190k to 4,785k (was 4,771k). This was another encouraging claims report, a trend which is expected to continue. Friday – 12 February 2021 Gross Domestic Product (GBP, GMT 07:00) – GDP is the economy’s most important figure. Q4’s GDP is expected to slow down slightly at 15.8% q/q and -9.4% y/y. Industrial and Manufacturing Production (GBP, GMT 07:30) – Industrial and Manufacturing Production will be out as well. These two indices are expected to have risen, with both providing an upwards contribution of 0.5% m/m and 0.9% m/m in December. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or raeliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 5th February 2021. FX News Today – NFP Day! – Dollar set for best week in three months. Stock markets have moved broadly higher overnight after a strong close on Wall Street, which was supported by indications that the labour market is recovering, positive forecast for upcoming earnings and ongoing hope of stimulus as markets buy into the expected recovery in the world economy later in the year, when vaccination programs have helped to re-open economies. Strength was also broadbased though paced by tech, financials, and energy. The USA100 climbed to 13,777 while the USA500 rose to 3871. The USA30 firmed to 31,055 but fell shy of its January 20 historic high of 31,188. Bond markets steadied and the 10-year Treasury yield is down -0.5 bp at 1.1%, while the JGB rate has dropped -0.4 bp to 0.05%. GER30 and UK100 futures are up 0.3% and 0.1% respectively, alongside broad gains in US futures. That left sentiment upbeat ahead of the US payroll numbers today. Also helping has been the improving outlook on the pandemic as vaccine jabs increase and virus cases slow. Headlines: Strong earnings and improving fundamentals (jobless claims and factory orders today) supported, as did expectations for the $1.9 tln stimulus bill after the Democrats moved to fast-track the bill. The RBA’s quarterly statement on monetary policy stuck to the script and repeated that the bank can still extend asset purchases if needed. BoE not in the mood for negative rates! The BoE left policy settings unchanged, as widely expected. Lingering hopes that the central bank would join the negative rate club were dashed, and yields moved sharply higher while the Pound strengthened. – UK100 is still outperforming as the GBP remains supported following the BoE statement yesterday. The global stock rally also paused briefly and despite cautious words from central bankers highlighting ongoing risks, investors are increasingly buying into the recovery story. Earnings remain in focus with Ebay Inc and PayPal Holdings supported by positive forecasts. GameStop closed under $55, its lowest for two weeks – Robinhood lifted restrictions on buying Gamestop and AMC. Global bond funds led inflows in the seven days to Feb. 3, on the back of a rise in US yields, while money market funds witnessed the highest outflows in eight weeks. Investors purchased $27.2 billion in bond funds last week, the biggest in eight months, and sold $32 billion worth of money market funds, Refinitiv Lipper data showed. Forex Market EUR – down for a second day below 1.2000. GBP – supported at 1.3680. Gilts selling off yesterday and weighed on the UK100. JPY – retests the 200-DMA and 3-month Resistance at 105.60. AUD – ranging between PP and S1 (0.7600-0.7665). CAD – stacked at 1.28 lows. GOLD – breaks 1800. USOil – remains supported and the front end WTI future is trading at USD 56.61 per barrel. Today: Markets will be waiting for the non-farm payroll report out of the US but for what it is worth today’s local calendar includes German manufacturing orders data for December. Biggest (FX) Mover – USOIL (-0.80% as of 08:50 GMT) – It clocked a fresh 1-year high at $56.84, breaking the 200-week SMA, with a strong weekly bullish candle, ignoring the 3-week doji candles posted so far. Data this week showing a drawdown in US crude inventories, along with demand-bolstering colder than usual winter weather in large parts of the northern hemisphere, have been underpinning oil. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 4th February 2021. February: Emergence of more virulent strains. The New Year’s rally on Wall Street and global markets ran into turbulence during January. Rising virus cases and more stringent lockdowns, a shaky rollout of the vaccine in the US and Europe and the emergence of more virulent strains tempered optimism about the recovery. A frenzy in select stocks prompted a surge in anxiety and volatility on Wall Street. But the equity market bounced back into February, supported by still intact recovery expectations and a calming in market volatility. The uptrend in bond yields sputtered amid myriad developments and uncertainties, only to resume as stocks rebounded. HotForex · February- Emergence Of More Virulent Strains In February, fundamentals will continue to inform recovery expectations, while the market remains alert for another round of volatility fueled by retail investors. Fundamentals were briefly pushed to the side in the final week of January, as a frenzy erupted around shares of GameStop and AMC that was driven by retail investors taking cues from internet message boards. However, a rise in margin requirements and curbs on trading activity calmed trading in those high profile shares, easing the market’s anxiety. The vaccine rollout was a bit rougher than hoped in the US and Europe during January, with reports circulating of unused doses and challenges with distribution. Moreover, the emergence of mutated strains globally prompted worries that the vaccines may not be as effective against the new strains, delaying a return to normal activities. Moderna and Pfizer reported that based on laboratory studies, their vaccines are only effective against one of the new variants. The mutations are an evolving situation that the markets will follow closely in February, even as vaccine distribution ramps up globally. But as February began, encouraging signs emerged on vaccine distribution, infection rates and hospitalizations in the US and Europe. Consequently, global recovery expectations have been rolled ahead, not reduced or eliminated. In the Eurozone, the Q4 GDP growth wasn’t as bad as feared. However, the risk of a double dip recession in both the Eurozone and the UK remains firmly on the table, as services in particular continue to suffer. Inflation has jumped higher at the start of the year, especially in Germany, which backs expectations that neither the ECB, nor the Bank of England are likely to add additional rate cuts. Eurozone Q4 GDP contracted -0.7% (q/q, sa), less than initially expected in the light of renewed lockdowns towards the end of the year. Economic activity was down -5.1% in the last quarter of 2020, compared to a year earlier, highlighting that there is a long way to go before activity has reached pre-pandemic levels even if restrictions are lifted quickly, which is unlikely to be the case. Hence, the risk of a technical recession remains firmly on the table, while data also highlights the growing divergence between Eurozone countries, which will pose a challenge for politicians and central bankers alike going forward. Germany’s economy seems to have weathered the pandemic better than many other Eurozone countries, largely thanks to a resilient manufacturing sector, which has remained open during the current lockdown, and the recovery in major export markets. Like elsewhere, the central scenario remains for a recovery in activity in the second half of the year. But looking ahead, it will be key that the government doesn’t go back to the pre-pandemic status quo, but focuses on a structural renewal that helps to lift long term growth potential. The fact that Chancellor Merkel will leave the political stage following the general election in the second half of the year may be the chance to achieve just that. German economic activity contracted -5.0% last year, somewhat less than feared, although adjusted for calendar effects the contraction was somewhat higher at -5.3% y/y. Of course Covid-19 developments and lockdowns are largely to blame, with much of the weakness concentrated in the first half of 2020, when strict lockdowns brought activity to a standstill. Activity picked up over the summer, before another wave of infections resulted in the current lockdown. While this lockdown is less strict than in some other European countries, the hospitality and travel industries remain effectively shut down without the prospect of a swift easing of restrictions. Vaccination programs have started, but remain in the state hands, which has led to a very uneven rollout. Still, the manufacturing sector remains largely open and construction actually managed to expand last year. Furthermore, stock building exercises ahead of Brexit helped to boost manufacturing in Q4. However, there will likely be demand missed in the first quarter of this year and the chances are that there will be a technical recession over Q4 2020 and Q1 2021. Still, the main scenario is for a recovery in the second half of the year, also helped by very favourable financing conditions and fiscal support that was scaled up substantially in 2020. The overall debt to GDP ratio is still much lower than in many other Eurozone countries, and with government bond yields negative out to the 10-year area and the ECB continuing to buy substantial amounts in the secondary market, clearly Germany doesn’t have a real problem financing the debt, especially with a huge current account surplus. A healthy fiscal situation already helped Germany to scale up wage support programs and job retention schemes at the start of the pandemic and the jobless number has remained low by comparison — falling to just 6.1% at the end of last year. Like elsewhere it will take time before the true impact on the labour market will become clear — once government support has been phased out. The risk is that the pandemic will lead to higher structural unemployment if and when there are major structural shifts, with the older generation likely to struggle to re-integrate into a changed labour market. Indeed, the pandemic has highlighted fundamental problems in Germany’s economic model. Like in other countries, the challenge for the government will be to use the funds being made available now to facilitate a shift in focus and a structural renewal. Economically that requires a move away from the focus on manufacturing and a strengthening of the still woefully inadequate digital infrastructure. The success of BioNTech in the search for a vaccine highlighted that there is still life in Germany’s R&D sector, but the overall number of start ups has been quite low in recent years compared to other countries. Germany will need to focus on promoting structural renewal — the exit of Chancellor Merkel from the political stage and the end of a focus on budget consolidation should provide the perfect opportunity for that. Chancellor Merkel, who has been in office since 2005, really is on the way out now. She already relinquished the party leadership at the end of 2018, and will likely leave the political stage at the general election in the second half of the year. The experienced leader still helped to guide Germany through the pandemic. Her background in science clearly was beneficial during the first wave of the pandemic, when a swift reaction to developments prevented the type of death numbers seen elsewhere in Europe. Ironically though, that actually backfired to a certain extent as the lack of cases and excess deaths early on played into the hands of conspiracy theorists denying the existence of a real virus threat, leaving Chancellor Merkel with state premiers that not only went further in re-opening the economy over the summer than Merkel would have liked but also delayed the reaction to the renewed rise in case numbers later in the year. There already have been coalitions between the conservatives and the former protest party at the state level, but whether this is a viable option for Berlin will also depend on who will become the candidate for Merkel’s succession in the general election. Merkel’s CDU is currently busy trying to determine a new party leader, and business-man Merz seems to have the upper hand. Under Merz, the CDU is likely to move more to the right and a pre-Merkel type of conservativism that would make cooperation with the Green Party more difficult. On the other hand, it may help the CDU/CSU win back some of the voters that went over to the AfD in protest against Merkel’s immigration policy. As such it could help to de-fragment the German political landscape. If Merz becomes first party leader and then Chancellor, it would likely also have a positive impact on the digitalisation and the start up culture in Germany. However, Merkel’s departure is also likely to leave its mark on the political landscape in Europe and will have wider implications for the Eurozone and the EU going forward. A shift towards a greater focus on business interests under Merz will likely also mean an attempt to push German interests at European level and ultimately greater confrontation with the southern block. For now the focus on the pandemic has helped to gloss over differences at the ECB, but with the end of the pandemic, internal discussions and conflict are likely to pick up. Ultimately that could be healthy and if it does undermine market confidence in the Eurozone for a while and thus weigh on the EUR, that may actually be a welcome development at least at the start of the recovery. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 3rd February 2021. Amazon, Alphabet & Stimulus top boost to the Equity market Stock markets extended their rally overnight and yields climbed higher. 10-year rates jumped more than 11 bp in New Zealand after the country approved the first Covid-19 vaccine. The ongoing earnings season is adding support and better than expected revenue estimates from Alphabet and Amazon helped to bolster confidence. The major indexes climbed back toward recent highs, unperturbed by the threat of six more weeks of winter as Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Treasury yields have lifted 0.9 bp to 1.1%, while JGB rates are up a modest 0.1 bp at 0.05%. The JPN225 gained 1% and the ASX 0.9%, although Hang Seng and CSI 300 are currently both marginally lower after the People’s Bank of China drained some funds from the financial system. The GER30 and UK100 futures are up 0.4% and 0.3% respectively. The earnings season is in full swing now and so far hasn’t dented the renewed surge in risk appetite and confidence that vaccination programs will help the global recovery to strengthen this year. Wall Street had another very good day yesterday and the move higher in stocks is set to resume today, also helped by hopes of accelerated fiscal stimulus in the US. Against that background any lingering expectations of additional rate cuts in Europe are being priced out, which should keep pressure on core EGBs. Headlines: President Biden and Senate Democrats look to pass the $1.9 tln relief bill via “reconciliation” (51 votes) and bypassing the Republicans. US: New cases of Covid-19 fall for a 3rd week in a row – the first time this has been seen since September. According to IBES data from Refinitiv: More than 80% of reports from USA500 companies so far have surpassed analysts’ earnings expectations, with 97% of reports from technology companies beating. Amazon — Shares of the retailer were up 1% in after-hours trading on the back of quarterly results that beat analyst expectations. Amazon reported earnings per share of $14.09 on revenue of $125.56 billion. Analysts polled by Refinitiv expected a profit of $7.23 per share on revenue of $119.7 billion. The company also announced that CEO Jeff Bezos will move to the role of executive chairman in the third quarter and be replaced by Amazon Web Services head Andy Jassy as chief executive officer. Alphabet — Alphabet shares jumped 6% after the tech giant reported better-than-expected results for the previous quarter. The company reported earnings per share of $22.30 on revenue of $56.9 billion. Analysts polled by Refinitiv expected a profit of $15.90 per share on a revenue of $53.13 billion. GameStop — Shares of the brick-and-mortar video game retailer continued to tumble in after-hours trading on Tuesday following a 60% drop in the regular session. Shares are down more than 70% this week as the short squeeze trade unravels. Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Salesforce are all investing in a $28 billion start-up company that crunches big data. China Caixin services PMI dropped to 52.0 in January from 56.3. Japan Jan Services PMI fell to 46.1 from 47.7 in December. New Zealand Q4 2020 Unemployment rate 4.9% (vs. expected 5.6%). BOJ Deputy Governor Wakatabe watered down expectations of much change from the bank’s monetary policy review due next month. Forex Market EUR – decline continues with the asset trading below 1.2100. S1 at 1.2007. GBP – fell against the USD but remains above 20-DMA. S1: 1.3615, PP: 1.3660, R1: 1.3715. JPY – lifted to 105.05, as the Yen weakened. AUD – founds floor at 50-DMA (0.7600). CAD – tumbled in 4-day range. Currently above S1 at 1.2750. Silver – sharp reversal, filling the week’s gap. CFTC and CME warnings helped to quell price speculation. USOil – at $55.20 with the move higher due to signs of tightening supply. Today: Focus mainly on fundamentals which will be a focal point near term with ADP and ISM services reports today, and the jobs report Friday. Also Eurozone inflation data and final readings for Eurozone and UK Services PMIs meanwhile will act as a reminder that for now virus restrictions continue to weigh on overall activity and keep Europe on track for a recession over Q4/Q1. Biggest Mover NZDJPY (+0.41% as of 08:00 GMT) Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

HotForex starts 2021 with more global recognition! Dear Client, We are thrilled to announce that we have received two new titles from the Global Forex Awards, “Most Trusted Forex Broker – Global” and “Best Forex Educational Resources – Global”, in recognition of our exceptional commitment to helping you feel secure, supported, valued and confident at every step of your trading journey! HotForex CEO George Koumantaris said: “These new awards are a great way to start the new year. We are thrilled to be recognized once again and remain committed to finding new and exciting ways to enhance our clients’ trading experience.” With over 2.5 million live accounts opened and 45+ international awards, we are proud to be a trusted broker of choice around the world – and we thank you for your support! Kind regards, The HotForex Team

Date : 2nd February 2021. FX News Today – Tech Giants Day! Stock markets moved broadly higher after a positive close on Wall Street yesterday. Concern over volatility in retail trading has started to recede and stimulus hopes and vaccine progress are keeping sentiment underpinned. Tech stocks outperformed ahead of earnings from the likes of Amazon and Alphabet today. GER30 and UK100 futures are currently up 0.4% and 0.6% respectively. US futures are also higher, with the tech-heavy USA100 outperforming. The JPN225 closed with a gain of 0.97%. The 10-year Treasury yield is up 0.3 bp at 1.08%, while Australian 10-year rates climbed 0.5 bp even as the RBA announced an extension of asset purchases worth an additional AUD 100 bln. The Dollar was on bid overall on Monday, with a new month reportedly seeing USD inflows, despite the general risk-on conditions seen, which typically weigh on the USD. Headlines: For Europe it is clear that vaccination programs won’t bring a quick reopening of economies, even in the UK. US records deadliest month of the pandemic. RBA left key rates unchanged, as expected, with the target of 10 basis points for the cash rate on the yield on the 3-year Australian Government bond maintained. US-China: China calls for its relationship with the US to be put back on a predictable and constructive track. Biden had a “substantive and productive discussion” with Republican senators on Covid relief. South Korea is preparing a fourth round of coronavirus cash handouts. CME futures exchange has raised its margin on silver futures by 18%. Robinhood, the online broker at the centre of the boom in day trading, has raised $2.4bn in its second capital infusion in a week to shore up finances strained by turbulent trading. Japanese government saying it would extend Covid related lockdowns and restrictions in various areas of the country for an additional month, to March 7, appeared to have weighed on the Yen as well. Traders continue to price out any hope of additional rate cuts from BoE and ECB and data releases today are likely to be bond negative, with preliminary GDP numbers for the Eurozone and French HICP inflation likely to come in higher than originally anticipated Forex Market EUR – is trading at 1.2071, bellow PP and a breath above 2-month Support at 1.2000. GBP – dollar safe haven strength drifted Pound to 1.3600 territory. Currently close to PP at 1.3690. JPY – Resistance is at the psychological 105.00 level, with buy-stops noted above the level. A break higher will see the 200-day moving average at 105. 63 as the next upside target. The pairing last traded above the 200-DMA in June of 2020. Currently below R3 at 104.97. AUD – ranging between the PP and S1, (0.7600-0.7665). CAD – at 1.28 from 1.2860 highs. Silver – in retreat, fell by 4% back below $28 – CME has raised its margin on silver futures which is arguably a significant factor in driving prices lower today. USOil – surged to 54.35. Today: Focus mainly on GDP reading for the Eurozone, and the Labor data for New Zealand . OPEC meeting on tap as well. Biggest Mover AUDCAD (+0.32% as of 08:00 GMT) – The Australian Dollar ebbed after the RBA left interest rates unchanged but extended its QE program following its February board meeting. Governor Lowe also noted in the central bank’s statement that the exchange rate “has appreciated and is in the upper range of the recent year.” AUDUSD edged out a five-day low at 0.7603. RBA left key rates unchanged, as expected, with the target of 10 basis points for the cash rate on the yield on the 3-year Australian Government bond maintained. The parameters of the Term Funding Facility were also confirmed, but the RBA decided to purchase an additional AUD 100 bln of bonds issued by the government, states and territories “when the current bond purchase program is completed in mid April. These additional purchases will be at the current rate of AUD 5 bln a week”. The statement said the outlook for the global economy has improved over recent months thanks to vaccine developments. It warned, however, that the expected recovery is likely to “remain bumpy and uneven” and “remains dependent on the health situation and on significant fiscal and monetary support”. The central scenario is for the Australian economy to expand 3 1/2 percent this year as well as expected to “return to its end-2019 level by the middle of this year”. Spare capacity is likely to stay for some time. Inflation and wages growth are expected to pick up from weak levels, but to remain “below 2% over the next couple of years”. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 1st February 2021. Events to Look Out for Next Week. Equity markets have been for sale so far as the “game stocks” frenzy and volatility have added to virus and vaccine woes and uncertainty over stimulus to further shake confidence, while sentiment was supported by earnings. Next week’s heavy dose of global data releases includes US NFP, Eurozone Retail Sales, GDP and CPI but also rate decisions from the BoE and RBA. The data are likely to reveal the many negative impacts from the second wave. Meanwhile, there is a slew of earnings and guidance, which will be key as two giants report, i.e. Amazon and Alphabet. Monday – 1 February 2021 Manufacturing PMI (CNY, GMT 01:00 Sunday) – The Non-Manufacturing PMI is expected to slow down to 52.6 from 55.7 in January. Retail Sales (EUR, GMT 07:00) – German Retail Sales jumped 1.9% m/m after rising 2.6% m/m in Oct. For December, it is anticipated to drop -2.0% m/m. ISM Manufacturing PMI (USD, GMT 15:00) – The ISM index is expected to fall to 59.0 in January from a 2-year high of 60.7 in December, versus an 11-year low of 41.5 in April, a 14-year high of 60.8 in August of 2018, and a low of 34.5 during the last recession in December of 2008. Tuesday – 2 February 2021 RBA Rate Statement & Interest Rate (AUD, GMT 03:30) – In December, RBA Governor Lowe said the RBA doesn’t expect to lift the cash rate for at least three years. Hence the RBA is expected to keep policy settings unchanged with yield target at 0.10% and the cash rate target also at 0.10%. Like other central banks world wide, the RBA could stress again that “monetary and fiscal support will be required for some time.” Gross Domestic Product (EUR, GMT 10:00) – German GDP is expected to have grown by 0.3% on an annualized rate in the first quarter of the year, compared to the -1.9% fall in Q4 2020. Labor data (NZD, GMT 21:45) –In Q4, the unemployment rate is expected to have risen to 5.4% from 5.3%. Wednesday – 3 February 2021 Consumer Price Index (EUR, GMT 10:00) – The Euro Area preliminary core CPI for January is forecasted to remain unchanged at 0.2% y/y. ADP Employment Change (USD, GMT 13:15) – Employment change is seen spiking to 49k in the number of employed people in January, compared to the -123K reading seen last month. ISM Services PMI (USD, GMT 15:00) –The ISM-NMI index is expected to slip to 57.0 from 57.2 in December, versus a 17-month high of 58.1 in July, an 11-year low of 41.8 in April, a 13-year high of 61.2 in September of 2018, and an all-time low of 37.8 in November of 2008. Producer sentiment has remained firm into the turn of the year as businesses scramble to rebuild inventories, despite headwinds from delays for both stimulus and vaccine distributions, alongside tightened coronavirus restrictions through the holidays. Thursday – 4 February 2021 Retail Sales (EUR, GMT 10:00) – Retail Sales should contract to -3.4% m/m in December, leaving the headline at 0.8% y/y. BOE Interest Rate & APF Decision, MPC Mins & Vote (GBP, GMT 12:00) – BoE leaders remain skeptical on negative rates. There was nothing much from BoE officials in January, but Governor Bailey and Deputy Governor Broadbent recently confirmed that the top brass at the central bank remains very cautious on negative rates, which means in the central scenario of a gradual recovery in the second half of the year, the BoE is unlikely to join the negative rate club. Still, like other central banks the BoE is not expected to be in any hurry to rein in stimulus measures and is likely to confirm a “vigilant wait-and-see stance” at next week’s meeting. BoE’s Governor Bailey speech Friday – 5 February 2021 NFP and Labour Market Data (USD, GMT 13:30) – A 100k January nonfarm payroll increase is seen, after a -140k drop in December, but gains of 336k in November and 654k in October. We assume a 30k factory jobs increase in January, after a 38k December rise. The jobless rate should hold steady from 6.7% in December. Hours-worked are assumed to bounce 0.2% after a -0.4% December decline, with the workweek ticking back up to match the 20-year high of 34.8 from 34.7 in December. Average hourly earnings are assumed to rise 0.1% in January, the 0.8% December spike is partly reversed with the big drop in low-wage workers. Labour Market Data (CAD, GMT 13:30) – Employment contracted -62.6k in December after the 62.1k gain in November. The decline was larger than expected (we saw a -30k drop) but not a shock given the increase in regional lockdowns during the month that accompanied the spike in virus cases. The December number was the first monthly employment decline since April. The pull-back was driven by a -99.0k tumble in part time jobs that followed the -37.4k decline in November. The unemployment rate rose to 8.6% in December from 8.5% in November, as the participation rate dipped to 64.9% from 65.1%. The contraction in the job market as lockdowns were reinstated is consistent with a reiteration of the BoC’s whatever-it-takes policy guidance. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or raeliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 29th January 2021. FX & Market Update – January 29. It’s the final trading day of the week and month, and the dollar majors have mostly been holding within their respective Thursday ranges amid a backdrop of whippy global asset markets, which have once again turned to a risk-off positioning mode. The exception has been USDJPY, which floated to a seven-week high at 104.9 on the back of yen weakness, which saw GBPJPY lift to an 11-month high and AUDJPY to a two-day high. This price action is a break in correlation for the Yen, which historically has tended to strengthen during phases of risk aversion in global markets. EURUSD, meanwhile, has been narrowly orbiting the 1.2100 level for a second day. The Dollar posted modest gains versus the Pound and dollar bloc, and most other currencies, though largely remained off highs seen yesterday. In stock markets, the MSCI Asia-Pacific lost over 0.5% and is set for its biggest weekly decline since last September, of nearly 4%. S&P 500 futures are showing a decline of nearly 1%, more than reversing declines seen by the cash version of the index yesterday on Wall Street. The extraordinary spectacle of retail investors coordinating, via social media, purchases of GameStop and other shares, such as Blackberry, AMC and Bed, Bath and Beyond with the specific aim of forcing hedge funds to stop out of their short positions on such stocks, has been creating volatility and drama in markets this week. The “Reddit Quartet” fell -44.29%, -56.63%, -41.63% and -36.40%, respectively. Concerns about the SARS-Cov2 coronavirus have in the meantime increased palpably, with US vaccine developer Novavax reporting that its candidate vaccine showed only a 60% efficacy in Phase 3 trials for the South African variant, compared to a 90% efficacy for the non-South African variants. Uncertainty about the effectiveness of available vaccinations against new coronavirus variants (and how easy it would be for vaccines to be tweaked to accommodate new strains) has potential to keep markets on a wary footing until more data is available. The Pound has pulled back from highs this week, but continues to show gains since the UK’s departure from the transitory membership of the EU’s single market and customs union. The UK currency’s perkiness has been a response to the consequence of the UK Brexiting with a deal, bringing a long-awaited end to uncertainty, as well as the UK’s ahead-of-the-game Covid vaccination program, which could see the UK government start to reverse out of restrictions as soon as mid February, when all of the most-vulnerable groups should have been vaccinated. In this context it should be noted that the Pound remains at historically weak levels by the measure of the real effective exchange rate. The Economist magazine’s Big Mac index, a more informal measure of 56 currency valuations according to the theory of purchasing power parity, shows the Pound to be 22% undervalued against the Dollar. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 28th January 2021. FX News & Market Update – January 28. FX News Today BOOM – Stocks tank (-2%+ worst day in 3 months), USD gets safe haven lift, AUD & NZD hit. Hedge Funds squeezed, stimulus stalled? and vaccine rollout questions. FED – No change to rates & $120 bln/month in QE, the mantra remains until “substantial further progress has been made toward the Committee’s maximum employment and price stability goals.” Durable Goods missed earlier in the day. Earnings from the tech players all exceed expectations (APPLE (-0.77% $100bln+ in revenues and record iPhone sales) FB record revenues but closed down -3.5% “significant uncertainty” ahead. TESLA (-2% missed expectations, but talked up deliveries and a new van. Asian markets closed down -1.53%. The VIX closed over its 200-day moving average for the first time since November 4. USDIndex – Holds over 90.50 (PP). Tracks higher to 90.81 now – S1 90.15, R1 90.90 EUR – Back to to test 1.2100 now – Low yesterday 1.2057. PP – 1.2115, s1 1.2054, r1 1.2165 JPY – Breached 104.000 – Trades at 104.35 (R1) – PP 103.96, r2 104.55 GBP – Back down over a whole number to 1.3650. PP – s1 13700, S1 1.3640 AUD – biggest loser today – back to test 0.7600 – trades at 0.7607 (S1) NZD – back to also test S1 0.7125, – pp & 200Ma 0.7186 CAD – breaches 1.2800 – trades at R1 1.2850 – pp 1.2770 CHF – up to test 0.8900 once again. PP 0.8895, r1 0.8915 BTC – Pivots through $31,000. – R1 today $32,900, S1 29,000 GOLD – Lost pivot at 1850 – down to 1836 and tested S1 (1832) earlier – PP 1840. USOil – Trades at $52.50 (PP) – Big draw down – spiked to 53.30 (R1) – but stock sell off pulled prices lower. USA500 – Closed down 99.85 (-2.57%) 3750 – USA500 FUTS now at 3727 (50SMA) – 58 day north of 20SMA (3790) over. Today – German CPI, US GDP (Q4), PCE, Weekly Claims, ECB’s Schnabel. EARNINGS – Comcast, American Airlines, Visa, Southwest Airlines, McDonalds, Mastercard, STMicroelectronics. Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) AUDUSD (-0.60%) Rejected 0.7750 yesterday breached 20 & 200HR MA early PM. Support now S1 0.7615. Fast MAs aligned and trending lower, RSI 31 falling & testing OS zone, MACD histogram & signal line aligned lower and significantly south of 0 line. Stochs in OS zone from earlier. H1 ATR 0.0019, Daily ATR 0.0075. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 27th January 2021. FX News & Market Update – January 27. FX News Today USD slips again ahead of the FED and clarification over stimulus package. US Equities closed flat, (Verizon -3%, J&J +2.7%, GE +2.7% & MS) all beat Earnings expectations (MS up 6% after hours). Asian markets also flat. US Consumer confidence much better than expected. Overnight, AUD CPI improved, JPY data flat and German Consumer Confidence dropped significantly (-15.6 from -7.5). Vaccine rollout continues apace in the UK but the virus death toll passed 100,000 yesterday and unemployment hit a new record. Trump impeachment likely to fail as only 5 of the required 17 Senate Republicans agreed it should proceed. This week – FED later Today, GDP from EU & US and a big week for US Earnings – FB, Microsoft, Tesla, Apple and DAVOS goes on-line. USDIndex – Holds over 90.00. Tracks lower from 90.60 high to trade at 90.15, – PP 90.30 – S1 89.95.55, R1 90.48 EUR – Back to to test 1.2165 now – PP – 1.2145, s1 1.2120, r1 1.2188 JPY – Remains under 104.000 – Trades at 103.65 (PP) – R1 103.76, S1 103.50 GBP – Back over 1.3700 to test 1.3760. PP – s1 13645, s2 1.3605 AUD – back over 0.7700 – trades at 0.7740 NZD – Over 0.7200 – trades at 0. 7225 CAD – holds over 1.2700 – trades at 1.2718 CHF – declined from test of 0.8900 to 0.8865 now (s1) BTC – Pivots through $31,800. – R1 today $32,500, S1 30,000 GOLD – Holds and pivots at 1850 – (1861 high yesterday) PP 1856, s1 1847, USOil – Trades at $52.95 (R1) Today PP 52.65, S1 52.10 USA500 – Closed down 5 (-0.15%) 3849 – USA500 FUTS now at 3850 – 58 days north of 20SMA (3796). Today – US Durable Goods, DoEs, FOMC rate decision & Fed Chair Powell press conference, NZ trade, ECB’s Hakkarainen, Lane, Earnings from Apple, AT&T, Facebook, Boeing, Tesla, Blackstone Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) GBPCAD (+0.28%) Rallied from open today following break of 20hr MA yesterday. Support now PP 1.7435 andn testing R1 at 1.7490. . Fast MAs aligned and trending higher, RSI 70 rising & testing OB zone, MACD histogram & signal line aligned higher and significantly north of 0 line. MFI in OB zone from earlier. H1 ATR 0.0012, Daily ATR 0.0103. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 26th January 2021. FX & Market Update – January 26. FX News Today USD & JPY stage a wee comeback. US Equities had a very volatile day – (Huge surge in Options trading) US Futures down and Asian markets weaker – amid fears of a delay in stimulus programs and warnings of asset bubbles in China weighed. In Europe, virus developments remain in focus with clear signs that lockdowns are working in new infection numbers, but worries about the impact of virus mutations and in the EU dissatisfaction with the slow rollout of vaccines. Yellen confirmed as Treasury Secretary, Trump impeachment passed to the Senate, Italian PM Conte quits and NZD & China sign new trade deal. This week – FED on Wednesday, GDP from EU & US and a big week for US Earnings – FB, Microsoft, Tesla, Apple and DAVOS goes on-line. USDIndex – Holds over 90.00. Trades to 90.50, – PP 90.30 – R1 90.55, R1 90.70 EUR – Back to 1.2115 now – PP – 1.2145, s1 1.2106, S2 1.2077 JPY – Remains under 104.000 – Trades at 103.75 (PP) – S1 103.60, r1 103.88 GBP – Back to test 1.3612 (low from Thursday) form 1.3720 high yesterday. – s1 13645, s2 1.3605 AUD – Under 0.7700 – trades at 0.7675 (S1) now. S2 0.7654, NZD – Under 0.7200 – trades at 7170 (s1) S2 – 0.7146 CAD – rallies over 1.2700 – trades at 1.2775 (R1). r2 1.2830 CHF – rallied from 0.8850 to 0.8890 now. – PP 0.8875 – R1 0.8900 BTC – Retraces back to S1 at $31,500. – PP today $33,200, s2 sub $30,000 – $29,900 GOLD – Holds over 1850 – (1869 high yesterday) PP 1856, s1 1845, R1 1866 USOil – Trades at $52.45 (PP) Today s1 52.15, r1 53.15 USA500 – Closed up 13 (+0.36%) 3855 – USA500 FUTS now at 3834 – 57 days north of 20SMA (3789). Today – UK jobs report, US consumer confidence, ECB’s Villeroy, Earnings – Microsoft, Verizon, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, 3M, Starbucks, Raytheon, LVMH, UBS and Novartis Biggest (FX) Mover @ (07:30 GMT) AUDJPY (-0.41%) Rejected 80.30 yesterday, broke 20 & 200hr MA and 80.00 to test to 77.75 low. Recovered into 80.0 at close but has moved below S1 and yesterday’s low to 79.70. Fast MAs aligned and trending lower, RSI 35 and falling, MACD histogram & signal line aligned lower and remain south of 0 line from the breach of 80.00 yesterday. Stochastics in OS zone from earlier. H1 ATR 0.1004, Daily ATR 0.5780. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 25th January 2021. Events to Look Out for This Week. A gigantic week is coming with 2 of the FAANGs, Tesla and Microsoft, reporting their Q4 earnings, along with the FOMC conference in focus as it could provide key information on fiscal support talks. Focus will also be on GDP data from the biggest economies in the world, including the US and Europe, but also on UK Job numbers that will show the impact of the original furlough deadline. Monday – 25 January 2021 German IFO (EUR, GMT 09:00) – German IFO business confidence is expected to slip slightly to 90.0 in January after the jump seen in December to 92.1. BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes (JPY, GMT 23:50) – The BoJ minutes should provide further guidance for 2021. Tuesday – 26 January 2021 Average Earnings Index & ILO rate (GBP, GMT 07:00) – UK Earnings with the bonus-included figure are expected to slow down to 2.3% y/y in the three months to November. UK ILO unemployment is expected higher at 5.1% in the three months to November. Consumer Confidence (USD, GMT 15:00) – The US Consumer confidence is expected to slip to 88.0 from 88.6 in December, versus a 6-year low of 85.7 in April. The confidence measures have shown divergent swings since mid-2020 that have a downward tilt into January, likely due to the surge in virus cases, more stringent lockdowns, and the bizarre political events of recent weeks. We should be seeing some lift from stimulus passage and vaccine distributions, however, which may be more evident in February. Wednesday – 27 January 2021 Consumer Price Index (AUD, GMT 00:30) – Australian inflation data in Q4 is expected to decline at 1.5% q/q while headline remains in line with Q3 at 0.7% y/y. Durable Goods (USD, GMT 12:30) – Durable goods orders are expected to rise 3.0% in December with an 8.3% climb in transportation orders. A defense orders gain is pegged at 3.0%, following a 3.7% November bounce. Boeing orders jumped to 90 in December with the lifting of the 737 MAX grounding, from 27 in November and zero in the two months before that. Durable shipments should rise 1.0%, and inventories should rise 0.5%. Interest Rate Decision and Conference (USD, GMT 19:00) – The FOMC is due to meet (Tuesday, Wednesday) but no changes are expected. The FOMC didn’t make any big changes in its policy stance at the December 16 meeting. However, it did tweak its statement to emphasize its uber-accommodative posture, which was underscored several times by Chair Powell in his press conference. The forecasts indicate that current rates will remain in place through 2023. Thursday – 28 January 2021 Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 13:00) – The German prel. HICP inflation for January is anticipated to be released at -0.6% y/y from -0.7% y/y. Germany’s temporary VAT cut is partly to blame as are base effects from oil prices, but it is also clear that a lack of demand and the closure of the hospitality sector continue to keep a lid on headline inflation numbers. Gross Domestic Product (USD, GMT 12:30) – The prelim. Gross Domestic Product should advance at 4.1% in Q4 and 3.2% in Q1, after 33.4% growth in Q3. We expect a Q4 moderation in consumption growth to 2.2% from 41.0% in Q3 as heightened coronavirus restrictions impacted spending, while government purchases contract at an estimated -5% rate, and nonresidential investment in structures fall at a -9% pace. We saw in Q3 a continued boom in housing activity and equipment spending. Friday – 29 January 2021 Gross Domestic Product (EUR, GMT 09:00) – Eurozone’s GDP contracted -5.0% last year, according to the first estimate for economic activity last year. That compared to a modest rise of 0.6% in 2019 and while it was somewhat better than median expectations, the numbers refer to unadjusted data. Adjusted for calendar effects, GDP was actually down -5.3%. There is no data for the last quarter yet, but it is pretty clear that after the recession in the first quarter and the rebound over the summer, virus developments weighed on growth again in the last quarter of 2020, although less than feared at one point. Personal Income/Consumption (USD, GMT 12:30) – A 0.1% increase in headline rise for personal income in December is anticipated after a -1.1% drop in November, alongside a -0.7% drop in consumption after a -0.4% November decline. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or raeliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 23rd January 2021. FX Update – January 22 – USD Holds gains & PMI’s. GBPUSD, H1 The Dollar has firmed up on a safe haven bid with the reflation trade having come to a firm stop. The USDIndex lifted moderately to a 90.25 high after basing out at a nine-day low at 90.05. The US currency gained only marginally against the Euro and Yen, but racked up gains of around 0.4% to 0.5% against the Pound and dollar bloc currencies. EURUSD ebbed back from an eight-day high at 1.2178, before recovering to 1.2188 following Eurozone PMI data, while USDJPY lifted to a two-day high at 103.70. Global equity indices corrected from record highs in the cases of the main US indices and the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index. Base metals are also markedly lower. Lofty valuations and an increasing level of concern about the Covid situation have warranted increasing investor caution. Covid restrictions have been implemented across northern China, and the new highly transmittable variant of the SARS-Cov2 coronavirus — aka the British variant, where it was first detected — has shown up as far afield as Beijing and Australia. The EU looks set ban travel to the UK, while the UK has already imposed much tougher international travel restrictions. The rollout of the Covid vaccinations globally has also been proving to be bumpy. Elsewhere, cryptocurrencies dropped sharply again, which will only add to their reputation for being too volatile for serious institutional investors to touch. Reports that the Biden administration has tighter regulations for cryptocurrencies on its ‘to do’ list have been driving cryptos lower. Bitcoin was showing an 11% loss on the day, as of the early London morning, at $30,860 — which is nearly 26% below the record high seen earlier in the month. The virtual coin earlier traded below $29,000 for the first time since January 1. Eurozone Flash PMI readings declined as lockdowns were strengthened and/or extended. The last minute Brexit deal may have helped to prevent a worse number for the manufacturing sector at least, and the decline in the Eurozone manufacturing reading to 54.7 from 55.2 was actually less pronounced than feared with the number still pointing to a solid pace of expansion. Services meanwhile are clearly suffering. The Eurozone services PMI dropped back to 45.0 from 46.4, driven largely by a sharp deterioration in the French reading, which fell to 46.5 from 49.1. The German index held up better than feared and dipped only slightly – to 46.8 from 47.0. The overall composite for the Eurozone came in at 47.5, down from 49.1 at the end of last year and supporting expectations for a technical recession over the Q4 and Q1 period. Across the Channel UK PMI data showed a woeful record for Services and came in much weaker than expected. The headline composite PMI plunged to 40.6 from 50.4 in December. The median forecast had been for a 45.5 reading. Pronounced weakness in the service sector drove the composite lower, with services bearing the brunt of the lockdown across the UK nations, which has been the most severe since last year’s ‘mother’ lockdown. The prelim services PMI headline dove to 38.8 from 49.4. The prelim manufacturing PMI fell to a headline reading of 52.9 from 57.5, which was near the median forecast for 53.0. Much of the manufacturing sector remains open, despite the lockdown. The drop in the composite reading, while sharp, is still less much less severe than was seen during early spring last year. There are hopes that the UK’s world-leading vaccination programme will start to see restrictions lifted from as early as mid February, by which time all the most vulnerable groups should have been vaccinated. Cable trades down to test 1.3650, down from yesterday’s high at 1.3745 and today’s open at 1.3729. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 21st January 2021. USD Data – Claims Remain Elevated, Housing & Philly Fed beat. EURUSD, H1 US initial jobless claims fell -26,000 to 900,000 in the week ended January 16. This follows the prior week’s sharply downwardly revised 142,000 surge to 926,000 (was 965,000) which was the highest level since late August. But the 4-week moving average rose to 848,000 versus the prior 824,500 (was 834,250). Initial jobless claims (NSA) tumbled -151,300 to 960,700 in the January 16 week after rising 192,300 (was 231,300). Continuing claims dropped -127,000 to 5.054 million in the January 9 week after bouncing 109,000 to 5.81 million (was 5.271 million). The initial claims number will get a little extra scrutiny as it coincides with the BLS employment survey week. US housing starts climbed 5.8% to 1.669 mln in December, well above expectations, following the 3.1% jump to 1.578 mln (was 1.547 mln) in November. This is the fourth straight monthly increase and is the highest since late 2006. Building permits increased 4.5% to 1.709 mln last month after November’s 5.9% surge to 1.635 mln (was 1.639 mln). All of the strength in starts was in the single family arena, posting a 12.0% pop, while multifamily starts dropped -13.6% following respective increases of 1.4% (was 0.4%) and 9.1% (was 4.0%). And this is an 8th straight monthly gain (since May) for single family starts. The Philly Fed manufacturing index rebounded 17.4 points to 26.5 in January, much stronger than expected, after dropping -11.6 points to 9.1 (was 11.1) in December. The index has been in expansion since June and was at 13.7 a year ago. Gains were broadbased. The employment index surged to 22.5 from 5.6 (was 8.5). The workweek edged up to 18.6 from 15.5 (was 18.0). New orders jumped to 30.0 from 1.9 (was 2.3). Prices paid nearly doubled to 45.4 versus 24.9 (was 27.1) and prices received increased to 36.6 from 16.1 (was 18.0). The 6-month activity index rose to 52.8 from 43.1 (was 39.2). But the future employment gauge dipped to 38.9 from 41.3 (was 41.0), and new orders were unchanged at 47.5 (December was revised from 41.5). Prices paid slid to 41.3 from 45.1 (was 46.6), with prices received at 33.9 from 34.3 (was 35.5). The Dollar moved slightly higher after the mostly upbeat data, which saw initial jobless claims fall less than expected, but continuing claims down more than forecast. Housing starts beat expectations, while the Philly Fed index was stronger than consensus. USDJPY traded from near 103.45 to 103.55, while EURUSD initially dipped to near 1.2150 from 1.2165. Equities have opened higher, all three of the major US indices at all-time highs, the USA100 leads the way to trade at 13,310. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 20th January 2021. Morgan Stanley – Still the best Equity Trader? Morgan Stanley is set to report its fourth-quarter 2020 earnings before the market open today. Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. Hence similar to the previous three quarters of 2020, the coronavirus pandemic, along with the US presidential election and vaccination breakthroughs clearly impacted the Morgan Stanley report and weighed on markets sentiment especially as in the 4th quarter the second wave of pandemic looks to be even stronger than before. The virus spread created chaos in financial markets that impacted the value of loans, investments and trading assets, and significantly reduced interest income and investment banking fees. However, fiscal stimulus programs and ongoing monetary support are expected to have helped client activity bounce back in H2 of 2020, leading to heightened volatility. Therefore, today we could see something similar to the JPMorgan report. Morgan Stanley’s equity and fixed income markets revenues are expected to have improved. Additional reasons that could support a positive reading today are the near-zero interest rates and the Federal Reserve’s bond purchase program, as these is likely to have aided Morgan Stanley’s debt underwriting fees, which account for more than 50% of their total underwriting fees. Also, global M&As spiked in the 2nd half of 2020 due to restructuring. Hence Morgan Stanley could benefit from advisory fees incomes. Nevertheless, according to Forbes and Zacks, Morgan Stanley is expected to earn $1.29/share on $11.08 billion in revenue. This would represent year-over-year growth of 7.5%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $11.28 billion, up 3.88% from the year-ago period. Technical Analysis It has been an interesting year for US company shares. Morgan Stanley hit a yearly high of $91.31/share in 2020 while currently trading within the $75-77 territory. The share price is on course for the best performing quarter in Morgan Stanley’s history, since it is a breath away from the 161.8 Fibonacci extension from November’s rally. From the technical perspective, the stock’s outlook is currently bullish however some consolidation has been noticed since December 2020 on the overbought performance seen in the 2nd half of 2020. The price is positioned well above the 200 Day Moving Averages and 50 Day Moving Averages. The stock is prone to big moves after reporting earnings and could easily gap up if the numbers are strong. Conversely, if the numbers disappoint, the stock could easily gap down. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 19th January 2021. Market Update – January 19 – USD & Yen Slide. EURUSD, H1 The Dollar and Yen have come under pressure today after rallying yesterday. A bullish sentiment in global stock markets has boosted other currencies, particularly the dollar bloc and other cyclical units. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index rose over 1.5% and clocked a new record high, buoyed in the wake of strong GDP and production data out of China yesterday. Europe’s Stoxx 600 fared less well, and was showing a modest 0.2% gain as of the late London morning session. US Index futures were up by over 0.5%. Commodities, in contrast, were lacklustre. Oil prices lifted moderately, rising above Monday’s highs, but remained off the 11-month highs that were pegged last week. Base metal prices were mixed. The USDIndex dropped below yesterday’s low to a nadir at S3 and 90.36. The index had yesterday printed a one-month high at 90.95. The dollar’s recent correlation with US Treasury yields broke, with the currency declining despite a concurrent 2 bp lift in the 10-year T-note yield to levels back above 1.10%. After rising on every trading day, except one, since January 6th, the Dollar had perhaps been looking ripe for a correction. Of interest, the latest Economist Big Mac index, which is a measure of 56 currency valuations according to the theory of purchasing power parity, shows the Dollar to be the fourth most overvalued currency, behind the Swiss franc, the Swedish krona, and the Norwegian krone. By this measure, the Euro is 9% undervalued relative to the Dollar, and the Pound 22% undervalued. This gives some insight into why the market has been so bearish of the Dollar in the beyond-Covid global reflation trade, which has the dominant macro investment thesis over the last couple of months. Ahead today, Ex Fed chair Janet Yellen will testify before Congress for her nomination as Treasury Secretary, where she will reportedly call for the US to “act big” on stimulus. Regarding the Dollar, she is expected to argue for market-determined exchange rates. Given the Fed’s inflation tolerant, lower-for-longer rubric on interest rate policy, alongside prospects for sharp rises in the budget and trade deficits, US economic policy under the incoming Biden administration is sure to be accepting of, if not wanting, a weaker Dollar. EURUSD – breached 1.2100 and trades north of R3 at 1.2144, Cable holds over 1.3600 having tested 1.3625 earlier, and USDJPY continues to rotate through 104.00. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Stuart Cowell Head Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.

Date : 18th January 2021. Events to Look Out for This Week. US elections will dominate the markets in the week again, as the inauguration of Joe Biden will take place on Wednesday with security having been stepped up. From data perspective is all about inflation next week from UK, EU, Canada, New Zealand and Japan. However eye will be on central banks with BoC, BoJ and ECB rate decision in the spotlight. Monday – 18 January 2021 Gross Domestic Product (CNY, GMT 02:00) – Gross Domestic Product should advance in Q4 and reveal headline growth of 6.1% y/y and 3.2% q/q. Tuesday – 19 January 2021 Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 17:00) – The German HICP inflation for December is anticipated to remain unchanged at -0.7% y/y. Initial expectations had been for a slight lift in the annual rate, but national data out of Germany already indicated that the number would remain stuck at a very low level. Germany’s temporary VAT cut and base effects from energy prices are largely to blame for the negative rate. ECB Bank Lending Survey (EUR, GMT 09:00) Economic Sentiment (EUR, GMT 10:00) – European January ZEW economic sentiment is seen to have declined at 45.5 compared to 54.4 last month. Wednesday – 20 January 2021 The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President will dominate headlines around the world! PBoC Interest Rate Decision (CNY, GMT 01:30) – The People’s Bank of China in this meeting should provide guidance on the next move in Loan Prime Rates. It is expected to continue to maintain flexibility in the exchange rate, stabilize market expectations, and keep the yuan basically stable at reasonable and balanced levels. Consumer Price Index and Retail Sales Index (GBP, GMT 07:00) – UK inflation data for December is anticipated higher at 0.5% y/y, after falling more than expected, to just 0.3% y/y in November, with the biggest downward contribution coming from food and non-alcohol beverages, along with clothing and footwear. The UK-wide Covid-19 lockdown in November suppressed price pressures. Inflation is likely to remain subdued over the next several months, but should pick up notably from spring, when base effects impact on year-on-year price comparisons. There is potential for pronounced reflation as 2021 progresses, assuming vaccine programs prove effective, which would facilitate a return towards societal and economic normalcy, and in turn trigger a possible consumer spending boom fuelled by ‘lockdown savings’. The Retail sales are seen at 1.1% y/y in December from 0.9% y/y last month. Consumer Price Index (EUR, GMT 10:00) – The final CPI headline and core are expected to show 0.3%m/m December gains, with core declining to 0.5% m/m. Consumer Price Index (CAD, GMT 13:30) – The CPI inflation accelerated to a 1.0% y/y pace in November, however, it is expected to decline in December to 0.8% y/y below the Bank’s target of 2% until 2023. Interest Rate Decision and Statement (CAD, GMT 15:00) – The BoC is expected to hold rates steady at 0.25% after December’s meeting in which extraordinary forward guidance remained in place as anticipated — the bank reiterated that it expects to hold rates at the effective lower bound until “economic slack is absorbed so that the 2% inflation target is sustainably achieved.” Thursday – 21 January 2021 Interest Rate Decision and Statement (JPY, GMT 03:00) – The BoJ is expected to hold rates steady at -0.1% after December’s meeting in which extraordinary forward guidance remained in place as anticipated — the bank reiterated that it expects to hold rates at the effective lower bound until “economic slack is absorbed so that the 2% inflation target is sustainably achieved.” The speculation is growing that the BoJ will scale back its ETF stock buying programme – given the strength in equities and the BoJ’s substantial ownership of this ETF sector. Interest Rate Decision, Statement and Conference (EUR, GMT 12:45) – The ECB to add more stimulus at the moment seems unlikely unless current restrictions remain in place much longer than anticipated. Hence, ECB is expected to keep policy steady at January meeting. The central bank’s focus is on maintaining very favourable financing conditions for both governments and companies, against the background of a pandemic that not only has weighed heavily on the growth outlook, but also contributed a further fragmentation of economies and markets. With the advent of vaccination programs there clearly is no appetite to cut rates again. Not that the ECB rules out such a step — if the situation deteriorates again, or an overshooting currency undermines the inflation outlook, the ECB won’t shy away from using that instrument if necessary. Friday – 22 January 2021 Markit PMI Composite (EUR, GMT 08:30-09:0) – Final December PMI readings brought downward revisions. The manufacturing PMI was revised to 55.2 from 55.5, while the services PMI came in at 46.4, versus 47.3 in the preliminary report, although still up from 41.7 in the previous month. The composite PMI was revised down to 49.1 from 49.8, again still an improvement from the 44.3 reported for November, but no signalling ongoing contraction, rather than the stabilisation the flash reading suggested. Social distancing measures and restrictions continued to weigh on the services sector and while the outlook in December was brightened by the prospect of vaccination programs, it is pretty clear now that restrictions won’t go away any time soon and that despite vaccines it will still be a very difficult winter. That means that while the downturn in overall activity in Q4 was less severe than thought at some point, the outlook for the first quarter looks very difficult and as Market highlighted the risk of a technical recession is greater now. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HotForex Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding on how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi Market Analyst HotForex Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or raeliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.