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[Julia NordFX]

06.05.2015  07:30 GMT

 

Russian Equity Gains Due to Oil Price Rise Over Holidays 

 

Yesterday world financial markets closed mixed. European indices posted a drop – Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.84 percent to 6,927.58 points, Germany’s DAX slumped 2.51 percent down to 11,327.68 points, and France’s CAC 40 dropped 2.12 percent down to 4,974.07 points. 

 

At the same time, Russia’s equity soared up, taking a cue from rising oil prices and ruble strengthening over the holidays. Thus, the MICEX index advanced 1.98 percent up to 1,721.80 points while the RTS index shot up by 4.24 percent altogether and reached 1,072.93 points.

 

In the USA, the Dow Jones fell 0.79 percent to 17,928.20 points, the S&P 500 shed 1.18 percent down to 2,089.46 points, and the NASDAQ dropped 1.55 percent down to 4,939.33 points.

 

On the NYMEX, the price of June futures for WTI oil rose by $1.47 and made $60.40 a barrel. On London’s ICE, the June future for oil of mark Brent went up by $1.07 and reached $67.52 a barrel.

 

Yesterday on the global currency market, the euro gained ground against the dollar. Today EUR/USD continues to go up. In case the chart pattern is completed, the pair can get to 1.14. 

 

Anna Gorenkova

NordFX Analyst

[Julia NordFX]

08.05.2015  07:30 GMT

 

EUR/USD Is Correcting   

 

Yesterday world financial markets posted mixed results again. In Europe, the FTSE 100 fell 0.67 percent to 6,886.95 points, the DAX grew 0.51 percent to 11,407.97 points while the САС 40 shed 0.29 percent down to 4,967.22 points. 

 

Russia’s indices went down following oil prices – the MICEX index dropped 1.59 percent to 1,686.98 points, and the RTS index fell 0.51 percent to 1,060.73 points.

 

In the USA, the Dow Jones added 0.46 percent making 17,924.06 points, the S&P 500 grew 0.38 percent to 2,088 points, and the NASDAQ advanced 0.53 percent up to 4,945.54 points.

 

Thursday evening oil prices went down. The NYMEX price of WTI oil futures for June dropped by $1.71 and reached $56.59 a barrel. On London’s ICE, the price of the Brent oil future for June was down by $2.03 and got to $65.74 a barrel.   

 

On the global currency market, EUR/USD was slightly short of the 1.14 target and is experiencing a downward correction. Nonetheless, in case of favorable macroeconomic data, the pair may reach   1.1470.

 

Anna Gorenkova

NordFX Analyst

[Julia NordFX]

GENERALIZED FOREX FORECAST FOR 11 – 15 MAY 2015

«BINGO!” AND BLACK BEARS

 

As usual, first a few words regarding last week’s forecast:

- for the EUR/USD pair the forecast was fulfilled by no less than 100%. We supposed that the EUR/USD pair would experience a sideways trend and a possible descent to the 1.0800 mark. This is what actually ended up happening, as on Tuesday the pair fell into the 1.0700÷1.0850 zone and stayed there for approximately one hour before determinedly rising in order to finish the week at exactly the same mark as the mark it started  from;

- the GBP/USD pair was strictly abiding by our “guidelines” of a sideways move all week until Thursday evening, maintaining an even narrower range than we originally supposed. However, this was followed by the announcement of the British election results, which surprised not only politicians but also financiers, resulting in the pair soaring up by more than 200 points

- Regarding the USD/JPY pair, the majority of both analysts and indicators asserted that the pair would keep strengthening in the area above 120.00. On the other hand, a rather tight-numbered opposition was foretelling a rapid downwards rebound. The result was that both groups proved to be right, as at the start of the week “bulls” were propping the pair up, not letting it fall below the arranged 120.00 line. However, they then weakened and passed on their influence to the “bears”. Zoologists claim that Japanese black bears prefer steep mountainous terrain, which, judging by the way the pair impetuously descended, is hard to disagree with. However, by the end of the week, the pair once again climbed upwards, returning to the 119.70 point, which it has been fluctuating about since the end of March.

 - The USD/CHF forecast maintained that the pair would continue following in the wake of EUR/USD, acting as a mirror image of its “older sister”. Therefore, , looking at last week’s charts we can now shout “Bingo!”, since the forecast proved to be 100% accurate.

***

Now on to the forecast for the upcoming week. Aggregating the opinions of 35 analysts from the world’s leading banks and brokerage firms, as well as forecasts, which were based on an extremely diverse range of technical and graphical analytical methods, we can presume that:

- The EUR/USD pair will most likely continue occupying a sideways trend with fluctuations about the 1.1230 mark. At the very least, this is the conclusion we arrived at after looking at the neat split between expert opinions: ↑ - 22%, → - 3%, ↓- 19%, ↔ (raised hands) – 56%. A similar situation occurs with indicator showings: ↑ - 35%, → - 17%, ↓- 48%. The main levels of support 1.1060, 1.0850 and 1.0650, whilst the main levels of resistance are 1.1290 and 1.1440;

- For the GBP/USD pair an absolute majority of indicators (87%. ) on both H4 and D1 foretell growth. Analysts’ opinions, however, diverge (↑ - 25%, → - 9%, ↓- 22%, ↔ – 44%. ). Since the pair has already reached quite a high level of 1.5600, there exists a significant probability that the pair will attempt to barge through the resistance and settle in the 1.5475÷1.5785 zone. However, a failure to do so and an ensuing descent to the 1.5000 support level can also be predicted with a similarly high probability.

 - As for the USD/JPY pair, expert opinions and indicator predictions also diverge (experts: ↑ - 7%, → - 22%, ↓- 26%, ↔ – 45%, indicators: ↑ - 60%, → - 17%, ↓- 23%. ). However, both are satisfied with a Pivot Point level of 119.70, support at the 119.20, 188.75 and 119.20 levels and resistance at 120.05, 120.30 и 120.85; 

- Regarding the near future of the USD/CHF pair, however, both analysts and indicators are in harmony: more than 75% of the former and 56% of the latter agree that the pair should rise and settle in the 0.9300÷0.9400 corridor. The next support level is 0.9190 and the next resistance level is 0.9500. 

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

13.05.2015   08:10 GMT

 

Drop in European Equity Due to Greek Situation 

 

Yesterday world financial markets closed mixed. In particular, European stock markets slumped following the interim meeting of the Eurogroup and the Greek government. According to media reports, both parties still couldn’t reach an agreement on key issues. In this light, the FTSE 100 fell 1.37 percent to 6,933.80 points, the DAX dropped 1.72 percent to 11,472.41 points, and the CAC 40 shed 1.06 percent down to 4,974.65 points. 

 

On Russia’s stock market, the MICEX index fell 0.23 percent to 1,704.62 points whereas the RTS index grew 1.01 percent finishing the trading session at 1,070.19 points.

 

In the USA, the Dow Jones declined by 0.2 percent to 18,068.23 points, the S&P 500 shed 0.29 percent down to 2,099.12 points, and the NASDAQ fell 0.35 percent down 4,976.19 points.

 

Oil prices posted a rise, however. On the NYMEX, the price of WTI oil futures for June went up by $1.5 and made $60.75 a barrel. On London’s ICE, the Brent oil future for June rose by $1.95 and reached $66.86 a barrel.

 

On the Forex market, EUR/USD is experiencing some correction at this point. Nevertheless, the prospects of moving up to 1.1470 still remain.

 

Anna Gorenkova

NordFX Analyst

[Julia NordFX]

14.05.2015  07:40 GMT

 

Euro Began to Go Up 

 

Yesterday the world’s financial markets closed mainly on the decline. In Europe, the FTSE 100 grew 0.23 percent to 6,949.63 points, the DAX dropped 1.05 percent down to 11,351.46 points, and the CAC 40 fell 0.26 percent to 4,961.86 points. 

 

In Russia, the MICEX index shed 1.31 percent down to 1,682.26 points while the RTS index advanced 1.12 percent up to 1,082.21 points.

 

In the United States, the Dow Jones fell 0.04 percent to 18,060.49 points, the S&P 500 shed 0.03 percent down to 2,098.48 points whereas the NASDAQ added 0.11 percent making 4,981.69 points.

 

Oil prices also went down yesterday. The NYMEX price of WTI oil futures for June dropped by $0.25 and reached $60.50 a barrel. On London’s ICE, the cost of Brent oil futures for June delivery was down by $0.05 and made $66.81 a barrel.  

 

On the Forex market, EUR/USD went up and is moving towards the afore-mentioned target of 1.1470. 

 

Anna Gorenkova

NordFX Analyst

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 18-22 May 2015

 

Let us start with a few words about the forecast for last week, which turned out to be quite accurate overall:

- the prediction for EUR/USD was that most probably the pair would stay in a sideways trend with fluctuations around the line of 1.1230, which did happen in fact. At first, EUR/USD went downwards, then returned to its Pivot Point, after which the bulls gained strength and began to persistently push the pair towards the upper boundary of the corridor. The level of 1.1440 was set as the final bastion of resistance, and the pair tried to break through it all Friday long. However, it failed and finished the five days in this very zone;

- one of the possibilities for GBP/USD was breaking through the resistance level of 1.5600, which was also supported by 87% of the indicators. The breakthrough happened already on Tuesday, and then the pair tried several times to rise above the upper boundary of the corridor – 1.5785. It didn’t succeed, though, and so settled down finishing at 1.5727;

- the Pivot Point for USD/JPY was set at 119.70, which was confirmed – the pair crossed it twice during the week, having stayed exactly in the average values of the specified corridor 118.75-120.30;

- USD/CHF turned out to be the only pair regarding which both analysts and indicators were only partly right. At first, everything seemed to go as planned – the pair began to grow and tried to consolidate above 0.9300. However, on Tuesday, in a powerful spurt, the pair broke through the support line and went down sharply to the low of a week ago.

 

***

 

Now regarding the forecast for the coming week. Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on different methods of technical and graphical analysis, we can note the surprising unanimity of the analysts who predict growth for all four pairs. Such forecasts always raise strong suspicions because some of the pairs are generally characterized by multi-directional rather than direct correlation:

- for EUR/USD the opinions of the experts are as follows: ↑ – 40%, → – 3%, ↓ – 6%, ↔ (at a loss) – 51%. The indicators provide similar readings: ↑ – 83%, → – 17%, ↓ – 0%. However, graphical analysis shows that the pair has almost completed the Inverted Hat pattern and has to form just the second brim of the hat. Thus, it can be assumed that this week EUR/USD will hold in a sideways corridor of 1.1070-1.1530, and, after a small rise, the pair is expected to have a relatively strong rebound downwards;

- the D1 chart clearly shows that GBP/USD has reached the upper boundary of the corridor (1.5800) where it stayed for a month and a half at the end of last year. The pair is very likely to linger in the range of 1.5500-1.5815 for some time again. Therefore, despite the vast majority of the analysts and 91% of the indicators pointing to growth, one can expect prevailing bearish tendencies and the pair’s rebound downwards;

- the opinions of the experts and the readings of the indicators for USD/JPY diverge (the experts: ↑ – 42%, → – 3%, ↓ – 3%, ↔ – 52%; the indicators: ↑ – 26%, → – 4%, ↓ – 70%). Hence, the level of 119.40, at which the pair finished the previous five days, can be considered as a Pivot Point, and the readings of the indicators on the H1 timeframe and smaller can give further guidance. Support will at 119.20, 118.90, 118.75 and 118.50; resistance – 119.60, 119.90, 120.00 and 120.30;

- as for the near future of USD/CHF, the data for both analysts and indicators are similar to USD/JPY (the experts: ↑ – 40%, → – 6%, ↓ – 4%, ↔ – 50%; the indicators: ↑ – 17%, → – 9%, ↓ – 74%). At the same time, as USD/CHF is in an inverse correlation with EUR/USD, it may go up at least to around 0.9290-0.9380. In the case this forecast is not fulfilled, the support levels will be 0.9110, 0.9075 and 0.8980, resistance – 0.9500. 

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

18.05.2015  07:10 GMT

 

Euro Reached Its Target Level

 

Last Friday European markets closed in the red whereas Russian and US markets posted a rise.

 

In Europe, the British FTSE 100 fell 0.18 percent to 6,960.49 points, the German DAX dropped 0.98 percent down to 11,447.03 points, and the French CAC 40 shed 0.71 percent down to 4,993.82 points.

 

In Russia, due to corporate reports and strengthening of the ruble, the MICEX index grew 0.8 percent to 1,691.05 points, and the RTS index gained 0.86 percent going up to 1,063.94 points.

 

In the USA, the Dow Jones added 0.11 percent making 18,272.56 points, the S&P 500 grew 0.08 up to 2,122.73 points while the NASDAQ fell 0.05 percent to 5,048.29 points.

 

The NYMEX price of WTI oil futures for June dropped by $0.19 and got to $59.69 a barrel. On London’s ICE, the June future for oil of mark Brent went up by $0.11 and made $66.81 a barrel.

 

On the global currency market, EUR/USD has almost reached the earlier mentioned target of 1.1470 (just short of a couple of points). Now the pair is facing quite a big obstacle – the long-term MA on the daily chart and horizontal resistance at 1.1476. The pair may experience a considerable correction here and even roll back to 1.12.

 

Anna Gorenkova

NordFX Analyst

[Julia NordFX]

19.05.2015  08:20 GMT

 

EUR/USD Reached 1.12 Rate

 

Yesterday world financial markets closed mixed. In Europe as such, the British FTSE 100 grew 0.12 percent to 6,968.87 points, the German DAX advanced 1.29 percent up to 11,594.28 points, and the French CAC 40 gained 0.37 percent up to 5,012.31 points.

 

On the Russian floors, the MICEX index fell 0.76 percent to 1,678.55 points whereas the RTS index posted a slight rise of 0.07 percent making 1,075.47 points.

 

In the USA, the Dow Jones grew 0.14 percent to 18,298.88 points, the S&P 500 added 0.3 percent reaching 2,129.20 points, and the NASDAQ picked up 0.6 percent getting to 5,078.44 points.

 

On the NYMEX, the cost of June futures for WTI oil went down by $0.26 and made $59.43 a barrel. On London’s ICE, the price of Brent oil futures for June was down by $0.54 and reached $66.27 a barrel.

 

Yesterday on the Forex market, EUR/USD started to pull back from the daily MA and reached 1.12 today.

 

Anna Gorenkova

NordFX Analyst

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 25-29 May 2015

 

First, a few words about the forecast for the past week. We then regarded with suspicion the analysts’ opinions that unanimously predicted growth for all four pairs, and our doubts were justified: 

- taking into account graphical analysis and an almost complete Inverted Hat pattern, it was suggested that on drawing the second brim of the hat, EUR/USD would  sharply go downwards to 1.1070, which happened in fact;

- the forecast for GBP/USD was also fulfilled 100%. The pair predictably bounced off the upper boundary of the corridor and finished near the corridor’s lowest mark – 1.5500;

- over the last few months it was often said that USD/JPY would try to reach the height of 122.00. However, all that time the pair couldn’t pass the level of 120.50. Finally, the long awaited breakthrough happened, and the pair almost reached the coveted peak, finishing the week at 121.55;

- considering USD/CHF movements, we predicted a rise to at least 0.9290-0.9380. The pair quickly completed the set task and between Tuesday and Friday it remained in this corridor. Only at the end of the week did the pair move further up, taking after the US Consumer Price Index.

 

***

 

Now regarding the forecast for the coming week. Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on different methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be said:

- it very well may be that EUR/USD’s story with the second brim of the Inverted Hat isn’t over yet. Judging by the experts’ opinions (↑ – 42%, → – 6%, ↓ – 52%), it can’t be ruled out that the pair will go up, although almost all the indicators point towards its fall (↑– 9%, → – 9%, ↓ – 82%). The level of 1.1000 may become a very strong support for the pair, from which it will move upwards. If the pair manages to overcome the resistance around 1.1110, it will enter into a sideways trend of 1.1110-1.1400 and continue to draw the hat pattern. On the other hand, if the indicators are right and EUR/USD, having broken through the support at 1.1000, goes down, it may reach the zone of 1.0660-1.0800;

- GBP/USD also appears to have reached a strong support level of 1.5500. The analysts each have their own opinion (↑ – 38%, → – 32%, ↓ – 30%), so do the indicators – on the H4 timeframe the consensus is for a downward movement, on D1 – for a rise. Thus, we’ll venture to suggest that in the next few days the pair will be fluctuating in the 1.5500-1.5800 range;

- the opinions of the experts also diverge regarding the future of the USD/JPY pair (↑ – 38%, → – 12%, ↓ – 50%). The indicators, however, are clearly on the side of the bulls (↑ – 91%, → – 9%, ↓ – 0%), which most probably will rely on the support of 120.70 and push the pair up to 122.00. The second strong support level will be 120.20;

- a strong inverse correlation between USD/CHF and EUR/USD has been mentioned  repeatedly in the forecasts, which is why there are two possible scenarios for USD/CHF: the first is a rise to a very strong resistance level of 0.9500 followed by a rebound downwards; the second is a fall starting already on Monday. In this case, support will be at the levels of 0.9370 (weak) and 0.9300 (main).

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 1-5 June 2015

 

Let us start with a review of the forecast for the previous week:

- two scenarios were suggested for EUR/USD. One of them, supported by 52% of the analysts and 82% of the indicators, came true – the pair broke through the strong support at 1.1000, reached the zone of 1.0800 and, after a rebound, on Friday returned to where it had started – the level of 1.1000, which has now changed from support to resistance;

- there was total discord regarding GBP/USD among both analysts and indicators last week. Yet this pair also behaved decisively by immediately breaking through the strongest support at 1.5500 and running stepwise to the level below – the next support around 1.5300;

- the forecast for USD/JPY was fulfilled and even exceeded expectations. The pair was predicted to go up to 122.00 while it actually managed to rise above 124.00, reaching the high of July 2007;

- the behavior of USD/CHF has become very predictable lately – a strong mirror correlation with EUR/USD. Something similar took place last week – USD/CHF was expected to rise to a very strong resistance level of 0.9500 followed by a rebound downwards, which did happen.

 

Now regarding the forecast for the coming week. Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies as well as forecasts based on different methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be said:

- the majority of experts (↑ – 69%, → – 12%, ↓ – 19%) predict a steady rise for the EUR/USD pair. The technical indicators on the H4 timeframe concur. Yet on D1 they show the opposite – a downward movement. Furthermore, the systems of graphical analysis clearly draw a rebound downwards from the strong level of resistance 1.1000 to at least last week’s support around 1.0800. In fact, this appears to be a most likely scenario;

- there’s a real clash between the analysts and the indicators regarding the forecast for GBP/USD.  Most of the former are for a rise (↑ – 61%, → – 15%, ↓ – 24%) whereas the latter predict a fall (↑ – 17%, → – 8%, ↓ – 75%). Considering that last week, contrary to the expectations, instead of rebounding off the support of 1.5500, GBP/USD broke through it, the pair can be expected to hold out in the range of 1.5250-1.5500 for at least a week this time. Already on Monday or Tuesday it should be clear whether the pair will take a timeout or continue its fall to 1.5000;

- both experts (↑ – 57%, → – 14%, ↓ – 29%) and indicators (↑ – 78%, → – 18%, ↓ – 4%) foretell USD/JPY to rise further to the next symbolic high of 126.00, which the pair reached last all of 15 years ago. This historic charge may turn out not so easy to execute, and the pair may have to keep charging, pushing off the support in the area of 123.20-123.60;

- yet again, there is nothing original for USD/CHF – an inverse correlation with EUR/USD and no independent escapades. The most probable scenario is a rebound from 0.9400 to 0.9540. Or alternatively, a fall to 0.9280.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 8-12 June 2015

 

First, a review of last week’s forecast:

- the majority of experts (↑ –  69%, → –  12%, ↓ – 19%) predicted a stable rise for EUR/US.  The technical indicators on the H4 timeframe concurred. However, the systems of graphical analysis drew a downward rebound to the level of resistance at 1.1000. The rebound did happen, though not as strong as expected – the pair rolled down by 100 points and then, validating the experts’ opinion, moved upwards again reaching the strong resistance level of 1.1280-1.1300;

- the forecast for the GBP/USD pair was fulfilled 100%. It was predicted that despite the obvious gravitation towards the 1.5000 mark, the pair would spend the whole week in a sideways trend, which happened. The pair ended up where it had started the week – around 1.5270;

- the forecast for USD/JPY was also 100% accurate. It was expected that when assailing the height of 126.00, the pair would stage charge after charge, pushing off the support around 123.60. There were three such charges the previous week, and only on Friday did the pair break through the Japanese defence line at 124.60, almost reaching the target after a powerful surge; 

- nothing original was predicted for the USD/CHF pair – an inverse correlation with EUR/USD and two possible scenarios: the first being a rebound from 0.9400 upwards, the alternative being a fall to 0.9280. The pair managed to execute both scenarios, after which it returned to the start mark of 0.9400.

 

Now regarding the forecast for the coming week. Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on different methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be said:

- an absolute majority of the experts and the indicators (61%) predict that EUR/USD will complete Friday’s correction and continue to move up to 1.1500. It should be noted, however, that the very same experts agree that in July-August the pair ought to move back down to at least 1.0400-1.0500. According to graphical analysis, on Monday the pair should grow to the level of 1.1190 and then dash downwards to 1.1000;

- the clash between the analysts and the indicators regarding the future of GBP/USD continues. Most of the former (77%) are for the pair’s rise while the latter (100%) are for its fall. Considering that last week the pair was in a sideways trend, it can be assumed that this week the pair will be fluctuating around the axis of 1.5270, remaining in a 1.5150-1.5450 range. On a larger timeframe, the pair can be expected to return to the area of 1.5000;

- last Friday, USD/JPY already arrived at the level of June 2007, and the next record high will be 135.00 where the pair was in the winter of 2002. However, for this purpose the pair must first take hold around 126.00. The technical indicators offer two possible Pivot Points – 124.30 and 125.40. It seems more probable that 124.30 will become a support level for USD/JPY, leaning on which the bulls will push the pair upwards to the area of 126.70-127.40;

- 70% of the experts, 61% of the H4 indicators as well as the systems of graphical analysis predict that USD/CHF will rise to at least 0.9530. The main support level should be at 0.9340, to  which the pair may descend at the start of the week in order to shoot upwards then.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Crownless Krone

Currency Basket 2015-2016: How to Avoid Financial Setbacks

Causes and Effects of Black Thursday

 

Without question, the reliability of a currency concerns not only representatives of the IMF, central banks and other systemically important financial institutions but anyone deciding what country’s banknotes will at the very least safeguard their savings and ideally increase them. 

 

For the past five or six years, currency ratings have been topped mostly by the Norwegian krone and the Swiss franc rather than by the US dollar or the euro.  Back in 2008, HSBC analysts declared the Norwegian krone the most stable currency in the world. The same was said about the Swiss franc by nearly all world leading experts.

 

In 2011, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) reaffirmed its commitment to the minimum exchange rate of CHF 1.20 per euro and was prepared to buy foreign currency extensively in order to maintain it.  Thus, taking into account the average interest rate Libor, the pair was supposed to be trading at 1.22-1.24 in the medium term. Rumor had it that the SNB might raise the EUR/CHF rate to 1.3-1.4 due to a sluggish economic situation in Switzerland. 

 

Over the recent years, the Swiss National Bank kept the established rate.  On 12 January 2015, SNB vice president Jean-Pierre Danthine officially called the cap on the franc a cornerstone of the country’s monetary policy. But already on Thursday, 15 January, catching the majority of financial market players off guard, the SNB decided to abandon all the restrictions for the currency market. As a result, the franc soared up almost instantaneously, even up to 30 percent at a time, which hasn’t happened for the past 25 years. 

 

Who were the losers? In fact, there were many:

■ Firstly, it’s the SNB itself, whose assets were kept mainly in dollars and euros. As these currencies depreciated, the bank sustained a loss of about 60 billion.

■ Secondly, Switzerland’s economy was dealt quite a heavy blow. According to national stock market data, on Thursday, 15 January, the Swiss Market Index (SMI), comprising 20 largest companies, dropped 8.67 percent. One of the country’s main revenue items is exports. Swiss goods aren’t generally cheap, and if, for instance, Swiss chocolate becomes more expensive even by 15 percent, it will quickly start giving way to French and Belgian chocolate. The same applies to medicines and other export products. In Jean-Pierre Danthine’s words again, exporters may come short of 5 billion francs.  On top of it, the share of tourism might contract whereas it currently stands at 7 percent of Switzerland’s GDP.  

■ Thirdly, steep losses were sustained by those who had taken out Swiss franc loans as they got more expensive by 20 percent overnight. In France, for one, such contracts made 50 percent. Millions of private borrowers in other countries were affected by that turn of events – they considered the franc the most stable currency and thus believed that Swiss franc mortgages would be the most secure.  

■ Deutsche Bank lost nearly €130 million due to the exchange rate, about the same as the US group Citibank in Europe and Barclays. 

 

John Gordon, a leading analyst with international brokerage NordFX comments, “The exchange rate plunged so swiftly that brokers simply couldn’t close positions fast enough and those who traded against the franc suffered huge losses. The consequences for the Forex market were very grave, and hundreds of thousands of people worldwide said goodbye to their capitals.”

 

The next logical questions are why all that happened and who benefitted from it?

 

Some analysts tend to believe it was a plot by financiers (like what George Soros did with the British pound on Black Wednesday 1992).  To prove it, they refer to a recoil 20 minutes after the fall of the dollar and euro rates – the profits gained by the initiators of the crash. They say that the initiators actually skimmed a 20 percent profit in just a few minutes!

 

Despite the fact that such a recoil did happen, most international experts hold a different view of the event.  According to Alessandro Bee, a strategist at J. Safra Sarasin AG in Zurich (one of the oldest banks in Switzerland), the Swiss National Bank didn’t see any future for the franc rate cap, considering the strong US dollar and quantitative easing ahead in the eurozone. 

 

Pick your reason (a possible Grexit, imminent ECB plans or the UK’s in-out EU referendum), the euro itself is facing a serious crisis and soon – so much so that, in Swiss bankers’ opinion, there’s just no time to contrive smart moves. Therefore, regardless of the losses, they decided to unpeg the franc from the euro.  Otherwise, the sinking ‘euro Titanic’ would inevitably pull down the Swiss economy in its wake. Switzerland’s GDP certainly looks impressive with its $600 billion but, in comparison with the EU’s total GDP of 15,669 billion, it’s just too small to keep the euro afloat.

 

“What occurred has once more proved that it’s hardly possible to find an absolutely quiet and all-around sheltered haven for one’s savings,” says John Gordon from NordFX. “For instance, see what happened to the exchange rates of two of the most stable currencies supposedly. On January 15th, the Norwegian krone fell against the Swiss franc by over 17 percent.  Krone investors lost majorly. Recently, I’ve come to realize once again that only a multi-currency basket can provide real capital protection. As for its makeup for the upcoming year or two, I wouldn’t concentrate on Norway’s krone. It’s just too dependent on oil prices and has dropped against the US dollar by about 25 percent over the past year alone. So, despite the Black Thursday developments, I still wouldn’t get rid of euros but actually stick with the classic combination – euros, US dollars and Swiss francs.

 

NordFX analysts believe that these three currencies aim at exchange rate parity around 1.0000, and the formation of such a congruent triangle should become the main trend for the next 6 months to a year. By the way, it’s not just our opinion but according NAB (National Australia Bank) forecasts, the EUR/USD exchange rate will reach 1.0000 already by this December and stay around it till at least the summer of 2016. Besides, SNB vice chairman Bruno Gehrig assured that the Swiss Central Bank would carry out large-scale interventions in order to curb growth of the domestic currency.  To sum up, the tri-currency basket may not yield spectacular profits but, in any case, will help to prevent any tangible setbacks by acting like a gyroscope in a stable position regardless of the fluctuations on financial markets.”  

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 15-19 June 2015

 

First, a few words about the forecast for the past week:

- most experts and technical indicators (61%) predicted that EUR/USD would rise further to 1.1500. The pair indeed went up, quickly reached a very strong level of resistance in the zone of 1.1280-1.1300 and then rolled back, repeating the scenario of the first week of June and finishing the five days at 1.1260;

- last week saw a continued battle between the analysts and indicators regarding the future of GBP/USD. The former, for the most part (77%), were for the pair’s rise, the latter – for its fall. Looking at the chart, you can see how convincing the victory of the experts turned out to be – climbing up at an angle of 45 degrees, the pair reached the symbolic mark of 1.5550 by Friday;

- USD/JPY apparently decided that it was ascending too fast and, instead of the expected continuation of growth, made a swift nosedive, turning the 123.80 support level into resistance;

- USD/CHF was expected to fall to 0.9340 at the beginning of the week and then rebound upwards. The pair indeed went down but, dashingly breaking through the level of 0.9340, changed it from support to a Pivot Point under somewhat prevailing bearish tendencies.

 

Now regarding the forecast for the coming week. Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on different methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be concluded:

- the majority of the experts (71%) predict that EUR/USD may fall to 1.1050, assuming the pair’s monthly sideways trend will be in a 1.1050-1.1350 corridor. The indicators on H4 and D1 also support the idea of a sideways trend with Pivot Points on the line of 1.1260. With this, they don’t rule out the pair may rise at the start of the week; 

- as for the future of GBP/USD, the analysts are at a total loss (↑ – 29%, → – 29%, ↓ – 42%). The indicators however are clearly (83%) for the pair’s rise to the level of 1.5680. Support is around 1.5440 – if you consider graphical analysis, the pair is bound to fall to this level first;

- there’s no unanimity among the experts about USD/JPY either. The summary of their forecasts produces a 122.45-125.00 corridor with a Pivot Point at 123.50. On the D1 timeframe, the indicators totally agree with the analysts. As for the indications on H4, they show a possible fall to the bottom boundary of the corridor early in the week;

-  as for the USD/CHF pair, 67% of the experts predict its rise at least to the main level of resistance of the previous week around 0.9400. In case the pair manages to break through this defence line, its next target will become 0.9500. However, the indicators on H1, H4, D1 and even W1 persistently assert the opposite, giving a distinct advantage to the bears. Acting usually as a third force, graphical analysis has sided with the human mind this time –  it shows the pair’s rise to 0.9400 first and then its return to support at 0.9300 or 0.9250.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 22-26 June 2015

 

First, let’s review last week’s predictions:

- the forecast for the EUR/USD pair for the previous five days was based on the assumption of a monthly sideways trend in the range of 1.1050-1.1350 with Pivot Points along 1.1260. With that, the possibility of a rise at the start of the week was not excluded. Until Wednesday, EUR/USD followed the forecast to the letter but later, due to the news from the US Federal Reserve, it shot upwards, breaking through the level of resistance at 1.1350. Then, however, the pair quickly returned to the mentioned range and finished the week near its upper boundary;

- the analysts and the indicators were certain that GBP/USD would grow to 1.5680. Before that, according to graphical analysis, the pair was supposed to fall to the support level around 1.5440. That actually happened – on Monday the pair fell to 1.5487 and then went upwards, reaching the target upper boundary by Wednesday. Later on, the news from England and the USA started to actively push the British pound even higher, which resulted in the pair reaching the level of last December;

- despite the reports from the USA, the USD/JPY pair managed to remain in the mentioned range of 122.45-125.00 with the Pivot Point at 123.50, fulfilling the forecast 100%;

- in the standoff between the analysts and the indicators about the future of USD/CHF, the latter came out to be right, supported by graphical analysis. As predicted, the pair first went up and then dropped down, reaching the support level at 0.9250. Then, due to the very same news from the USA, the pair decisively broke through it and turned the support into the upper level of a sideways trend.

 

Now regarding the forecast for this week. Summarizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on different methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be put forward:

- the absolute majority of the experts tend to believe that EUR/USD will remain in the monthly sideways trend and thus will have to fall to its bottom boundary around 1.1200 and even further to 1.1160. Graphical analysis confirms this. The indicators are definitely (74%) against all of the above. Most likely, the pair’s movements early in the week will make it clear which of the forecasts should be trusted; 

- the indicators show just one thing for GBP/USD – only an upward movement. The analysts, in turn, are again at a loss: ↑ – 33%, → – 12%, ↓ – 55%. Graphical analysis as an arbitrator supports the pair’s entering into a sideways trend and a fall to the levels of the beginning of May. Support will be around 1.5800 and 1.5740;

- most experts (60%), indicators (52%) and even graphical analysis agree that GBP/USD should first fall to 121.50-122.00 but their further forecasts diverge. Even with graphical analysis, there is an antagonism – the H4 timeframe clearly shows a rebound upward and a 122.00-124.50 sideways corridor while D1 pulls the pair further down to support at 120.00,  the level off which the pair may rebound and rise even above 126.00;

-  all forecasts of the experts regarding the USD/CHF pair continue to spin around 0.9250. At first, it was support, then became resistance, and now the experts consider it a Pivot Point. Yet the indicators propose a slightly lower Pivot Point around 0.9180-0.9200. In both cases the talk is about a sideways trend, the difference being that in the former case, the boundaries are set in the range of 0. 9080-0. 9390 while in the latter, upper resistance will be about 0.9250.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 29 June - 3 July 2015

 

First, a review of the forecast for the past week:

- most experts suggested that the EUR/USD pair would hold in the monthly sideways trend and therefore descend to its lowest level around 1.1200 and possibly beyond that to 1.1160, which happened with 100% accuracy;

- taking into consideration the opinion of 55% of the analysts and graphical analysis indications, the GBP/USD pair was predicted to go down to the 1.5740 support level. The forecast was also fulfilled as the pair finished the business week at that level precisely;

- the prediction of the 122.00-124.50 sideways corridor for USD/JPY also ended up being correct. However, it was said that before getting to the upper boundary of the corridor, the pair would descend to just below 122.00 but it didn’t happen. Nonetheless, there was a just minor descent, and on Monday the pair lunged upwards, making it to the 124.40-124.50 resistance level by Wednesday;

- the experts set 0.9390 as a resistance level for USD/CHF. The pair reached this mark already on Tuesday, after which its volatility rapidly diminished and the pair continued to move within a much more modest range of 0.9285-0.9390 for the rest of the week.

 

Forecast for the upcoming week

Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and brokerage companies, as well as forecasts based on various methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be concluded:

- both the majority of the experts and the indicators foretell a further sideways trend for EUR/USD, with the bears enjoying a certain advantage. Thus, 1.1035 can be considered as a likely strong support level. The upper boundary of the corridor remains at 1.1450, the Pivot Point is 1.1200;

- according to the analysts, the GBP/USD pair will most probably be in a sideways trend too. Unlike the EUR/USD scenario, bullish tendencies will dominate here. Due to this, one can’t rule out either the pair’s rise to the upper boundary of the corridor at 1.5930 or a break through it and an upward movement towards 1.6000;

- the experts and the indicators agree that the bears will also demonstrate their strength in the battle for the future of the USD/JPY pair. A likely Pivot Point is 123.85, last week’s final level, while the pair’s target will be a break through resistance around 124.40 and reaching 125.00; 

- the USD/CHF pair displays an inverse correlation with EUR/USD time and time again, in view of which USD/CHF can be expected to rise to 0.9400 or even further to 0.9450.

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Yuan 2020: Buy or Sell?

 

A recent report by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) says that China’s national currency got firmly established in the top 5 of the most used currencies of the world’s economy. Moreover, the share of yuan payments globally has been rising sharply and exceeded 2 percent. Even more impressive is the value of yuan transactions in international trade – one of these days it will surpass 10 percent. 

 

Over the past five years, the yuan has turned into a major regional currency, primarily due to China’s trade integration with the main developing markets. In East Asia, there’s actually a bloc of countries that have pegged their national currencies to the yuan more than to the US dollar.  They include Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and South Korea.

 

The

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) forecasts that by 2020 China will become the world’s second largest economy and Chinese population’s purchasing power will basically catch up with that of the United States.

HSBC experts echo the EIU opinion, albeit with an important reservation – The yuan is set to become a major world currency quite soon. However, it doesn’t mean that the yuan will replace the US dollar as a dominant reserve currency. Instead, it will help to create a more comprehensive system of reserve currencies, with the dollar, the euro and the yuan playing their respective part. 

Pundits from the Peterson Institute for International Economics (Washington, USA), one of the most renowned think tanks focused on international economics, say that the yuan would need 10 to 15 years to turn into a full-fledged reserve currency alongside the US dollar. Towards this end, China has to carry out a number of reforms and first of all open up the foreign and finance sectors of its economy. 

Standard Chartered finance gurus differ on this and believe that by 2020 China won’t just catch up with the US economy but overtake it.  

NordFX leading analyst John Gordon weighs in, “With this said, the key question is whether China’s government would want to deal with all the issues pertaining to turning the yuan into a global currency. On the one hand, China is obviously interested in becoming less dependent on the dollar but, on the other hand, it can be achieved only by loosening restrictions on its foreign exchange and capital markets at the very least. The fixed exchange rate shields the yuan from external speculative attacks. What will happen if this protection goes down and the yuan trades freely? Would China really want to see this rather risky process through?”

It’s no secret that from the very start of his first presidential term Barack Obama tried to put pressure on the Chinese government to quit devaluing the yuan rate artificially.  But if the yuan is traded freely, Chinese products will get much more expensive, which, in turn, will hurt their competitiveness abroad and substantially change China’s export-orientated economy. Will Chinese leadership venture on this path?

“At NordFX, we closely watch everything related to financial markets, – continues John Gordon. – Judging by the latest rhetoric, Chinese authorities sound very decisive. It would suffice to recall that Yi Gang, Director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China, announced that China had already started talks with the IMF about including the yuan into the global reserve currency basket in the near future.”  

According to this high-ranking official, the yuan meets all IMF requirements at this time. Hence, it appears that the issue has to do more with politics rather than economy.

As far as the Forex market is concerned, the main factor here is exchange rate fluctuations. Debating a five-year investment horizon for the yuan, many analysts predict it would rise by 15-17 percent. However, Yi Gang’s interview with Bloomberg in Beijing highlights two important things. First and undeniable is that the Chinese currency has been very stable over the last few years, and the other and thought-provoking is the assurance that the yuan will remain as stable in the future.  

What’s also noteworthy is three main directions of China’s policy singled out in a Financial Times article:

- China tends to purchase fewer US Treasurys;

- China broadens its overseas expansion program;

- promotion of the yuan as a global currency is encouraged as it gradually sets China free from the dollar.

 

The Financial Times article seems to imply that the era of boundless privileges for the USA as the emitter of the main global currency is coming to an end. It is going to be replaced by a dual currency world – the US dollar and the yuan. However, due to the fact the yuan exchange rate was, is and will be fixed by the Chinese government for a while, the profitability of long-term yuan investments is rather questionable. Nonetheless, considering limited and controlled volatility, short-term speculations may actually appeal to traders.    

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 6-10 July 2015

 

First, a few words about last week’s forecast:

- the predictions for EUR/USD turned out to be correct – a further  sideways trend with an advantage for the bears that were expected to push the pair down to the 1.1035 support level. Even a formidable gap over the weekend didn’t get in the way. After the gap, the pair quickly recovered its initial standing and started to follow the forecast – it descended to a 1.1032 support level under bearish pressure and then, confirming the prediction about the sideways trend, slowly continued upward to month old rates;

- as for GBP/USD, the analysts put their foot into it this time. For the first half of the week, as predicted, the pair tried to stay in the sideways corridor but then rushed downwards, finishing at a strong support level around 1.5550;

- the experts and the indicators agreed that the bulls would have the upper hand with USD/JPY and would push it upwards. It would have happened but for the gap on the weekend. In fact, the bulls had to clear up the consequences of that fall and succeeded, for the record.  Already by mid-week, the pair returned to the sideways corridor it had stayed in since the beginning of June;

- USD/CHF finished the week exactly at the predicted level of 0.9400, albeit with some delay.

Forecast for the upcoming week.

One can be certain that this week the results of the Greek referendum would have the final say on currency fluctuations. For this reason, it would stand to reason to focus on the opinions of analysts from world leading banks and broker companies rather than indicator readings this time round:

- 64% of the reviewed experts don’t foresee a bright future for the euro. They believe that EUR/USD should fall by 100-200 points at least. Only 18% of the analysts claim that the euro would rise to 1.1250. Interestingly enough, they include an expert from Greece. But even his short-term optimism is overshadowed by the long-term forecast that that by the end of the summer the pair should get to a 1.0500-1.0700 level;

- the opinions of the analysts about GBP/USD have split almost equally – 44% argue for its fall, 44% for its rise and 12% remain undecided. According to graphical analysis, the pair should descend to 1.5430-1.5500 by the middle of the week and then return to the 1.5550-1.5616 range;

- the experts, the technical indicators and graphical analysis stay unanimous that the Pivot Point for USD/JPY should be at 124.00, meaning that the pair is on the threshold of an upward leap to 125.00. Support can be at 122.00;

- the USD/CHF pair is expected to continue to fall but this time to 0.9330 and possibly even lower to 0.9280.

 

In conclusion, it’s worth mentioning again that the accuracy of this forecast largely depends on a rather small country called Greece. Therefore, it would make sense to not only wait for the referendum outcome but also for ensuing reactions on financial markets.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 13-17 July 2015

 

Let’s start with a review of last week’s forecast:

- regarding EUR/USD, 64% of the analysts expected the pair to fall by at least 100-200 points while 18% of the analysts claimed that the euro would rise to 1.1250. Following the news from Greece, both forecasts were fulfilled – the week started with a gap of 140 points, on Tuesday the drop made the mentioned 200 points, then the pair started to go up and reached  1.1215 by the end of the week;

- the predictions for GBP/USD were also correct. According to graphical analysis, the pair was supposed to go down to 1.5430-1.5500 mid-week and then return to the 1.5550-1.5616 marks. All of that happened indeed – GBP/USD descended to 1.5430 on Tuesday, reached its low of 1.5330 on Wednesday and then soared up to 1.5555;

- the experts, the technical indicators and the graphical analysis readings were only partly right about USD/JPY.  Their forecast about the 122.00 support level held up for the first half of the week, after which the pair had a dive to 120.45. Then it made a U-turn, rushed upwards and ended up at the level of the beginning of the week, i.e. 122.75;

- the USD/CHF pair was expected to fall to 0.9330, and it did happen. After putting up resistance for a while, the pair crashed down at the end of the week. It was able to stay at the 0.9330 target jusе for one minute.  

 

Forecast for this week. Summing up the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies as well as forecasts based various methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be suggested:

- just like last week, fluctuations on the currency market will largely depend on the events in Greece. At the same time, most experts (62%) and indicators (53%) predict that the EUR/USD pair will rise and move to around 1.1365. Graphical analysis, in turn, indicates a possible sideways trend with support at 1.1000 and resistance at 1.1215;

- as for GBP/USD, the opinions of the analysts (54% vs 46%) and indicator readings (H4 for a rise, D1 for a fall) diverge. Graphical analysis promises a repeat of last week’s scenario – the pair falling to around 1.5350 and then rising to resistance at 1.5555. In case of a breakthrough, the target will be 1.5930;

- the experts, the technical indicators and graphical analysis are unanimous about USD/JPY returning to around 123.50. However, at the start of the week, a short-term fall to the support level of 122.00 can’t be ruled out;

- the opinions about USD/CHF are split, though the majority of the analysts (64%) believe that last Friday’s finishing level of 0.9380 will become the main resistance, off which the pair will be bouncing down towards 0.9330 or even lower to 0.9250. Graphical analysis, however, puts forward an alternative scenario with 0.9380 as support. The start of week is likely to reveal which of the two scenarios will actually play out.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 20-24 July 2015

 

The accuracy of last week’s forecast was significantly influenced by statistical reports and speeches by high-ranking officials, with the following outcomes:

- the support level for EUR/USD was set at 1.1000, and the pair tried to break through it for the first half of the week. It eventually happened on seemingly less important news from the USA, and by Friday the pair reached last May’s low;    

- GBP/USD was expected to fall to around 1.5350, then rise and possibly break through the resistance level of 1.5555. The pair did fall, although not as much as predicted – to 1.5450. After that, following the speech by the head of the Bank of England, GBP/USD soared, broke through 1.5555 and turned this level into support; 

- the forecast for USD/JPY can be considered 100% accurate. As put forward, the pair went down to the support level of 122.00 for a short while and then moved into the earlier mentioned zone with the Pivot Point at 123.50;

- there were two alternative scenarios for USD/CHF’s direction, and the start of the week was supposed to show which of them would play out. That was the case – it was clear already on Monday that the pair would follow the indications of graphical analysis and go up, making 0.9380 its initial support level.

 

Forecast for the coming week. Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on a wide variety of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be said:

- the EUR/USD pair appears to be in a unique situation – 100% of the experts predict its rise and 100% of the indicators predict its fall. However, both suggest only minor fluctuations, which seems to be due to the lack of any major news in the upcoming week. Support is likely to be at 1.0750-1.0800 while resistance – at 1.1110. Graphical analysis confirms this, showing a sideways trend with some advantage for the bulls;

- GBP/USD is also expected to be in a sideways trend with the Pivot Point at 1.5615, support around 1.5550 and resistance at 1.5760. All of the experts and an ascending corridor, clearly visible on Н4, suggest that the pair should reach this level within the first half of the week. According to graphical analysis on H1, there may be a short-term drop to the support level before the pair rises;

- last week USD/JPY reached its 2007 high. Both experts and indicators are of the opinion that, with support at 123.75, the pair will continue to move upwards to 126.00 for some time. The next support level will be at 123.00;

- the USD/CHF pair is widely believed to continue to rise to 0.9600 and further to 0.9700. This week the main support will be around 0.9520.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 27-31 July 2015

 

First, a few words about the forecast for the previous week:

- the EUR/USD pair was predicted to be in a sideways trend with bulls prevailing and to move from support at 1.0750-1.0800 to resistance at 1.1110, which actually happened. Despite the pair being just short of the top boundary of the designated corridor, the forecast stood overall;

- the GBP/USD pair somewhat disappointed the analysts. The forecast was a sideways trend with support at 1.5555, which the pair tried to break during the first half of the week. On Thursday, it finally managed to do that and, as a result, fell to its 2-weeks old support around 1.5470;

- as predicted, USD/JPY tried to continue its rise at the beginning of the week but, with the bullish influence weakened, the pair entered a sideways trend, moving in a very narrow corridor and relying on support at 123.75;

- the lack of news last week affected the USD/CHF pair – it was unable to reach the desired height of 0.9700 and on Thursday fell to the expected level of support around of 0.9520, rebounded off it and returned to the rates of the start of the week.

 

Forecast for the coming week.

Summing up the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on different methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be said:

- a look at the H4 chart for EUR/USD would make it clear that the technical indicators will vote for the pair’s further rise. However, on D1 the picture is different – only 52% of the indicators echo this, while 48% hold the opposite view. Furthermore, 85% of the experts also vote for the pair’s fall, with the target as a drop to at least of 1.0850 or even further to 1.0800. Graphical analysis predicts a sideways trend in the range of 1.0900-1.1015 in the first half of the week and a rise to 1.1115 in case the resistance level gets broken through;

- according to 80% of the analysts, GBP/USD is likely to fall further and transition to 1.5335-1.5450, with 75% of the indicators supporting human reasoning. However, graphical analysis shows that the pair will fall only to 1.5400, after which it will continue to move up in an ascending corridor visible on D1;

- the analysts believe that USD/JPY won’t abandon its attempts to go up to at least 125.00. Both technical and graphical analysis readings agree with this general trend. Support will be around 123.65, with the next level at 122.50;

- as for the USD/CHF pair, 65% of the analysts expect it to rise to 0.9700. The indicators also confirm that the pair will try to finish what it failed to do last week. Graphical analysis on D1 paints this picture – first, a fall to support at 0.9520, followed by a rise to the target height of 0.9700, and then… a crash to a 0.9325 support level. The H1 and H4 timeframes spell such a crash much sooner.

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 3-7 August 2015

 

First, a review of the past week:

- the forecast for EUR/USD based on graphical analysis turned out to be nearly perfect – a sideways trend in the range of 1.0900-1.1015 and a rise to 1.1115 if the pair broke through resistance. Last week’s chart displays all of that – the sideways trend, the break through resistance and the pair’s rise to 1.1115, with a support level of 1.0900;

- graphical analysis was also correct in regards to GBP/USD. It indicated that the pair would move in an ascending corridor visible on D1. This is precisely what happened – all week long the pair climbed up slowly, sticking to the bottom boundary of the corridor;

- the analysts and technical analysis were unanimous about USD/JPY – the pair was supposed to continue its effort to reach 125.00. It did try but failed to get over strong resistance at 124.50 once again;

- graphical analysis was close to perfection in its predictions for USD/CHF as well. The D1 scenario included a fall to support at 0.9520, followed by a rise to the target level of 0.9700 and a further crash to support at 0.9325. It all happened, though the crash was less dramatic – to 0.9550.

 

Forecast for the coming week.

Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from the world leading banks and broker companies, as well as forecasts based on various methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be put forward:

- it’s rather difficult to sum up the analysts’ views on EUR/USD but giving it a shot, it can be said that the pair’s Pivot Point will be at 1.0970. The pair will be oscillating around this line in a 1.0820-1.1115 range. The indicators also show neutral behavior for the pair while there’s no clarity with graphical analysis. Hopefully, the start of the week will shed more light on this;

- all of the analysts predict that GBP/USD will be in a sideways trend with prevailing bullish tendencies and support at 1.5520. A rise is foretold by 74% of the indicators, which is confirmed by graphical analysis. According to it, there may be a slight fall initially, after which the pair will be pushing off support at 1.5510, go up to 1.5830 and return to the support level. However, the return may happen 10-14 August instead of this week;

- as for USD/JPY, only 11% of the experts believe that the pair will finally reach 125.00, with the rest talking about a drop to around 123.00. Graphical analysis proposes the following scenario: first down to 123.40, then a rise to at least 124.40, followed by a sharp fall to a 122.00 support level. Only the technical indicators on H4 and D1 show that the pair will start moving upwards right away on Monday;

- the analysts are quite vague about USD/CHF, unlike the indicators that give a clear and almost unanimous (78%) forecast of a rise to a 0.9730-0.9750 range. Support will be at 0.9510.

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Forex Forecast for 10-14 August 2015

 

First, a few words about the forecast for the previous week:

- the predictions for EUR/USD panned out. According to the forecast, the pair was to maintain a sideways trend, oscillating around the 1.0970 Pivot Point. Support was set around 1.0820.  Throughout the week, the bears repeatedly pressed the pair down to that level but gave up after a few failed attempts to break through it. So the pair finished the week at a 1.0960-1.0970 Pivot Point; 

- the sideways trend predicted for GBP/USD lasted only until Thursday. By the end of the week, the pair managed to break through the support around 1.5510-1.5520 and fell briefly, hitting the bottom at 1.5425;

- the indicators and 11% of the experts were correct about USD/JPY. The former predicted that the pair would start going up right away on Monday while the latter claimed that the pair would reach 125.00 as a result of such movement. Then, according to graphical analysis, the pair was supposed to crash sharply, and it did on Friday on the news from the USA, reaching a strong support level at 124.15;

- almost all the indicators predicted that USD/CHF would rise to around 0.9730-0.9750, and the pair not only made it to that level but actually surpassed it by 100 points.

 

Forecast for the upcoming week.

Summarizing the opinions of 35 analysts from the world leading banks and broker companies as well as forecasts based on a large variety of methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be said:

- regarding EUR/USD, 36% of the experts believe that the pair will drop to 1.0800 while another 45% say that the pair will break this barrier and go further down to 1.0650-1.0700 support. The indicators on D1 concur. The remaining 19% of the experts and the indicators on H4 insist on a further short-term upward trend to 1.1000-1.1050, after which the direction of the pair’s movement should change;

- most analysts and the indicators predict that GBP/USD will fall further and transition into a 1.5340-1.5400 zone. At the same time, while in agreement with this, graphical analysis elaborates that before falling, GBP/USD will stay in a 1.5460-1.5540 sideways corridor for some time and try to break through resistance in order to reach 1.5800. Even if it happens, the bulls shouldn’t celebrate as the pair will go down sharply in 2-3 days anyway; 

- the USD/JPY pair is very likely to try to reach its June high and even surpass it slightly  by reaching 126.00. After this, according to graphical analysis, the pair will be moving sideways within a 124.15-125.80 range and step up efforts to go down to a 122.50 support level; 

- the experts, the indicators and graphical analysis agree that USD/CHF will enter a sideways trend with a 0.9840 Pivot Point. The bulls, on the other hand, will not cease their attempts to reach a 1.0000 hallmark, even though the main resistance level for this week will be 0.9900. Support will be at 0.9800 and 0.9710.

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Generalized Forex Forecast for 17-21 August 2015 

 

First, a few words about the forecast for the previous week:

- most analysts predicted that EUR/USD would drop, and only 19% of them mentioned a continuing upward trend. Experience has shown that the majority opinion isn’t always right – on Monday, the pair started to rise sharply, broke through resistance at 1.1050 and settled down at July’s high of 1.1210;

- the situation with GBP/USD was similar. The forecast closest to reality was given only by graphical analysis – contrary to the analysts, it predicted a sideways trend with support at 1.5460 and a drive to break through resistance at 1.5540. This eventually happened, and the resistance level turned into support;

- as expected, USD/JPY attempted to reach June’s high right away but only managed to conquer a 125.25 height. Then, in full accordance with the indications of graphical analysis, the pair tumbled down and entered a sideways trend with support around 124.15;

- overall, the forecast for USD/CHF can be counted as fulfilled – a sideways trend with a 0.9840 Pivot Point, resistance at 0.9900 and support at 0.9800. The pair moved within this range for the first half of the week, then dropped to the second support around 0.9710 and continued its sideways movement.

 

Forecast for the coming week.

Generalizing the opinions of 35 analysts from world leading banks and broker companies as well as forecasts based on a large variety of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be suggested:

- regarding EUR/USD, 23% of the analysts support a continuation of the upward trend with the target of 1.1280, which is echoed by 56% of the indicators. But 23% of the analysts believe that the pair should descend while 46% of them indicate a sideways trend with a Pivot Point at 1.1110. At the same time, the indicators and graphical analysis point to a possible fall to support at 1.1035 early in the week. The next support will be around 1.0960;

- most analysts predict GBP/USD to fall to 1.5550. With this, the indicators and graphical analysis suggest that the pair should first reach 1.5690. The inclined line of support for such rise is clearly visible on the H1 and H4 charts. Graphical analysis on D1 indicates that within the next two weeks the pair will make a few attempts to break support at 1.5550 and, if successful, it will fall to 1.5200. After that, there will be a rebound to 1.5650;

- there’s basically unanimity regarding USD/JPY – sideways movement in a 123.75-125.30 corridor with a Pivot Point at 124.60. At the same time, graphical analysis on D1 indicates that one of the pair’s attempts to reach a 126.00 height may be successful. This should happen at the very end of August;

- the USD/CHF pair is very likely to continue its upward trend which started in the last decade of June. This ascending corridor is best visible on H4. The pair is currently near its lower boundary of 0.9710, off which it’s expected to bounce up towards 0.9900. After that, USD/CHF may enter a sideways trend with support around 0.9500, as was the case in March-April of this year.

 

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Forex Forecast for 24-28 August 2015

 

Let’s review the forecast for the previous week:

- the EUR/USD pair was predicted to go down to the 1.1035 support at the start of the week, which happened. The pair fell to the said level 18 August. Next day, after a rebound, the pair rose to the set target of 1.1280 where it stayed most of Friday;

- the forecast for GBP/USD also stood. First, the pair reached 1.5690 and then sharply descended to around 1.5550 (1.5560 to be precise). On Tuesday, the predicted bounce towards the top boundary of the ascending trend (1.5690) took place, and the pair finished the week at that very level;

- the sideways trend predicted for USD/JPY lasted only for the first half of the week. However, the USA and China supported the bears, and the pair ended up 250 pips below the level of the start of the week;

- there was a similar situation with USD/CHF. On Wednesday, the bears simply derailed the pair, and only an extremely strong support level of 0.9480 was able to stop that dramatic fall. The pair has been trying to break through this level since spring.

 

Forecast for the coming week.

Summarizing the opinions of 35 analysts from leading banks and brokerages as well as forecasts based on various methods of technical and graphical analysis, the following can be proposed:

- most analysts believe that once EUR/USD reaches a strong resistance level of 1.1460, it will remain in a sideways trend with support at 1.1150 for some time.  An alternative view suggests that EUR/USD will fall to 1.0840 after the current correction. As for the indicators, H1, H4 and D1 all point exclusively upwards. Even W1 shows a sideways trend as a compromise. Graphical analysis on H1, however, insists on the pair’s decline to at least 1.1290 at the start of the week;

- for the GBP/USD pair, 80% of the experts and 85% of the indicators predict a further up trend with a 1.5800 target at the very least. This forecast is supported by graphical analysis on Н4. The H1 timeframe, however, indicates a continuation of the short-term sideways trend within a 1.5650-1.5715 range at the beginning of the week. In case of a downward breakthrough, the key support should be at 1.5550;

- as for USD/JPY, 78% of the experts agree that the pair’s fall will end around 122.00, followed by a  bounce all the way to resistance at 124.60. Should the pair break through the 122.00 support level, it can easily go down to 120.20. Graphical analysis seems to indicate a very similar scenario – a short-term descent to around 120.40-121.20, followed by a rebound to 124.60;

- regarding USD/CHF, both experts and graphical analysis propose that the pair’s rise will start from 0.9400 and continue to a 0.9700-0.9750 range. At the same time, graphical analysis doesn’t rule out that the ascent will begin right away on Monday. As for a longer-term forecast for the coming months, USD/CHF may fall to 0.9100, reverse and reach the 1.0000 hallmark after all.

Roman Butko, NordFX

[Julia NordFX]

Forex Forecast for 31 August - 4 September 2015

 

The latest significant developments on global markets caused bursts of unexpectedly strong volatility. However, experience shows that everything falls back into place eventually, and forecasts, which initially seemed to be destined for the dustbin of history, actually end up being correct. Last week was just the case:

- almost all indicators predicted that EUR/USD would rise, and the experts forecast a 1.1460 peak. In reality, over the previous week, this peak changed hands between the bulls and the bears several times, thus alternately becoming resistance and support. Defying the analysts’ forecasts at the start of the week, the pair finished the week as they had predicted – around 1.1150, the bottom boundary of the weekly corridor;

- the prediction of GBP/USD’s continuing upward trend towards 1.5800 proved correct. Having tested this level on Monday and Tuesday, GBP/USD rebounded towards the bottom boundary of the said corridor and, after several attempts to break through it on Wednesday, plunged below the key support level. The pair spent just a few hours around 1.5550 and then reached this July’s low;

- the behavior of USD/JPY on Monday, 24 August, was reminiscent of a kamikaze pilot. As expected, the pair descended to 120.20 smoothly but then within just one hour (!) it dropped by almost 400 points, reaching January’s low. As the experts predicted, the fall was short-lived, and the pair regained 550 points upwards very soon;

- the USD/CHF pair once again demonstrated an inverse correlation with EUR/USD. As a result, USD/CHF was short of the predicted level of 0.9700 by a meager 30 points.

 

Forecast for the upcoming week.

Summarizing the opinions of 35 analysts from the world’s leading banks and broker companies as well as forecasts based on technical and graphical analysis, the following can be put forward:

- most analysts and indicators agree that this week’s Pivot Point for EUR/USD will be at 1.1200. Meanwhile, graphical analysis on H4 suggests that the pair will rise to 1.2550 at the start of the week before falling to 1.1000. After that, its fluctuations should be confined to a 1.1000-1.1150 range. An alternative point of view, supported by graphical analysis on H1 and 25% of the experts, suggests that the initial rise will be much larger, perhaps even to 1.1480;

- at the start of the week, the GBP/USD pair may test the low within a 1.5330-1.5350 range a few times. After that, according to 65% of the experts and graphical analysis, the pair should rise and regain the bulk of its losses sustained last week. The resistance levels are 1.5550 and 1.5640; 

- in their forecasts for USD/JPY, 45% of the analysts and 71% of the indicators suggest that the bulls will be very active and push the pair up to 123.30. As a result, the pair should reach at least 122.20-122.50 which will become the resistance level for an ensuing sideways trend. The main support will be at 119.50, with the next level at 118.00;

- all indicators on H1, H4 and D1 show a rise for USD/CHF. The forecasts of the experts and graphical analysis are split about 50/50. For instance, graphical analysis on Н4 suggests that the pair should fall to support around 0.9390 at the start of the week and only then rebound upwards to resistance at 0.9560. Analysis on D1, on the other hand, indicates that during the week, USD/CHF should rise steadily to 0.9900 and further to 1.0000 in September.

Roman Butko, NordFX