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August 11, 2009
The U.S. Dollar posted gains against most major currencies on Monday in a
continuation of the move which began on last Thursday and accelerated on Friday
following a better-than-expected U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls Report.
This strength may continue overnight but a consolidation pattern could begin
as early as tomorrow morning in New York when the Fed begins its two-day Federal
Open Market Committee meeting.
Forex traders are beginning to think that market participants are beginning
to shift away from a risk appetite driven scenario to a more traditional fundamental
scenario where the currency representing the strongest economy dominates the
trade. In this case, the perception that the U.S. economy will lead the world
out of its recession is making the Dollar appear more desirable.
The GBP USD confirmed last week's technical reversal top with a strong follow-through
to the downside. Not only is the stronger U.S. economy a bearish factor on
the British Pound, but last week's decision by the Bank of England to expand
its asset buy-back program is also being viewed as a negative factor.
Trader perceptions that the U.S. economy is stronger than the Euro Zone economy
and that the U.S. will pull out of the recession before the Euro Zone helped
pressure the EUR USD today. Technically the Euro saw selling because of the
confirmation of last week's closing price reversal top. At a minimum, this
type of pattern usually triggers an initial break of 2 to 3 days before retracing
to test the high.
The USD JPY gained ground on Monday. The developing strength in the U.S. economy
is making the Dollar more attractive as the Japanese economy continues to struggle
to find its footing. Tomorrow the Bank of Japan will announce its interest
rate decision. It is expected to keep interest rates unchanged.
The U.S. Dollar gained ground versus the Swiss Franc. Investors were encouraged
to buy the Dollar on expectations of a recovery in the U.S. economy will lead
to higher, more attractive Treasury yields.
Last week's closing price reversal bottom in the USD CAD was confirmed by
today's rally. Last Friday's better than expected U.S. employment report coupled
with Canada's worse than expected report is attracting fresh buying and short-covering.
The higher yielding AUD USD and NZD USD finished mixed against the Dollar.
If the U.S. equity markets can top out and develop a down trend then look for
a much harder break in these two currencies as traders will begin to demand
less risk. Higher treasury yields or speculation that the Fed may announce
an exit strategy will also have a bearish influence on these two Forex pairs.
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