CRUDE OIL FUTURES: RALLY REMAINS WELL AND SOUND

25 February 2022, 09:21

CME Group’s flash data for crude oil futures markets noted open interest rose for the second session in a row on Thursday, this time by around 30K contracts. Volume followed suit and rose by the most since March 9 2020 by around 1.165M contracts.

WTI keeps targeting $100.50

Prices of the barrel of WTI briefly advanced past the key $100.00 mark on Thursday, although it ended the session with modest gains around $93.00. The uptick was in tandem with increasing open interest and volume, which is supportive of the continuation of the uptrend for the time being.

GOLD PRICE FORECAST: XAU/USD EYES $2,000 IN COMING SESSIONS

25 February 2022, 08:58

Gold has regained its bullish momentum early Friday and started to edge higher toward $1,920. Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, the yellow metal could reach the $2,00 level, FXStreet’s Dhwani Mehta reports.

Gold bulls are back in the game

“Gold is likely to remain underpinned going forward, as tensions remain elevated concerning the West, Russia and Ukraine.”

“Gold’s four-hour chart is pointing to further upside risks, as the price recaptures the 21-Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $1,910. The road to recovery will likely extend towards the $1,950 level should the latter hold. The next stop for bulls is seen at the multi-month tops of $1,975, above which a ride towards the $2,000 mark will be inevitable.”

“If the bears fight back control, then a drop back towards the critical 50-SMA support at $1,892 will be inevitable. It’s worth noting that gold price has managed to reclaim ground from the latter on a couple of occasions earlier on.”

BREAKING: GOLD HITS $1900 AS RUSSIA/UKRAINE/NATO TENSIONS SIMMER

17 February 2022, 19:46

Spot gold (XAU/USD) prices hit $1900 per troy ounce for the first time since June 2021 on Thursday, taking its on-the-day gains to more than 1.5% as geopolitical tensions between Russia, Ukraine and NATO simmer, stimulating demand for safe-haven assets. Gold now trades more than 2.0% higher on the week, taking its two-week run of gains to nearly 5.0%.

Fears of an imminent Russian military incursion into Ukraine have escalated in recent days, with reports of shelling in the war-torn Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine on Thursday sparking fears that Russia is looking to create a pretext for military action, as the country continues to amass troops near the Ukrainian border. 

A positive technical backdrop has coincided with the increased safe-haven demand for gold; XAU/USD broke above a key long-term pennant structure at the end of last week. This week it fell back to the $1850 area to test the old long-term pennant and, promisingly for the bulls, found strong support. The bulls will now likely target a move above $1900 and towards the mid-2021 highs in the $1915 area.

US SEC. OF STATE BLINKEN DELIVERS REMARKS AT UN SECURITY COUNCIL – LIVE STREAM

17 February 2022, 17:09

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be delivering his remarks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict at a UN Security Council Meeting, from UN Headquarters in New York City, on February 17, 2022.

Markets remain risk-averse on Thursday on reports pointing to a heightened risk of a Russian invasion. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield is down more than 3% on the day and the S&P 500 Index is losing 1.25%.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index, which tracks the dollar's performance against a basket of six major currencies, stays relatively quiet below 96.00.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister: Fire from a tank recorded in Eastern Ukraine.

Russia says US security proposals not constructive, ignore key Russia security concerns.

 

EAST UKRAINE: AS OF 1500 LOCAL TIME, 40 ARTILLERY INCIDENTS RECORDED, TWO UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS INJURED

17 February 2022, 17:00

According to the Kyiv Independent, as of 1500 local time, over 40 artillery incidents have been recorded in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine and two Ukrainian soldiers have now been injured.

Market Reaction

The latest run of Russia/Ukraine/NATO headlines, which suggest more violence in Eastern Ukraine and worsening tensions, are weighing on sentiment, with the S&P 500 now trading more than 1.0% lower on the day. 

FEARS OF ANOTHER FINANCIAL CRISIS ARE WELL-FOUNDED – NATIXIS

15 February 2022, 15:06

Financial crises occur following a period during which three types of imbalances combine. Macroeconomic imbalances, regulatory imbalances and behavioural imbalances. The three imbalances needed for the next financial crisis to take place are present today, according to analysts at Natixis.

Cause for concern 

“There are again signs today of confluent macroeconomic, regulatory and behavioural imbalances. This is cause for concern, as the simultaneous presence of these three forms of imbalance has led to financial crises in the past.”

“Central banks are increasingly being caught in the same trap: in the wake of a crisis, they do not want to use policies to prevent the occurrence of a financial crisis and prefer to wait for the crisis to break out before responding. This explains the macroeconomic imbalance and some of the regulatory imbalance, as investors rotate into risky assets and risk premia are squeezed.”

 

US DOLLAR INDEX PRICE ANALYSIS: FURTHER UPSIDE TARGETS THE 96.90 AREA

14 February 2022, 14:18

• DXY climbs to fresh tops further north of the 96.00 hurdle.
• The next target of note comes around 96.90.

DXY posts gains for the third straight session on Monday, extending the recent surpass of the 96.00 barrier.

If the recovery gains more serious traction, then the index is expected to revisit the 96.90 region, where the November and December 2021 highs are located. The surpass of this level should expose a move to the 2022 peak around 97.40 (January 28).

In the near term, the 5-month line near 95.20 is expected to hold the downside for the time being. Looking at the broader picture, the longer-term positive stance in the dollar remains unchanged above the 200-day SMA at 93.62.

DXY daily chart

EUR/JPY PRICE ANALYSIS: TEMPORARY SUPPORT COMES AT 129.65

14 February 2022, 13:45

• EUR/JPY accelerates losses below the 200-day SMA (130.45).
• The 55-day SMA emerges as the next support at 129.65.

EUR/JPY sinks further south of the key 200-day SMA in the mid-130.00s at the beginning of the week.

The sharp corrective downside appears to have further legs to go in the very near term. Against that, the cross could shed further ground and revisit the 55-day SMA at 129.65 ahead of the February low near 128.90 (February 1) and the 2022 lows in the 128.20 zone recorded in late January.

In the longer run, and while below the 200-day SMA, the outlook for the cross is expected to remain bearish.

EUR/JPY daily chart

14 February 2022, 13:45

• EUR/JPY accelerates losses below the 200-day SMA (130.45).
• The 55-day SMA emerges as the next support at 129.65.

EUR/JPY sinks further south of the key 200-day SMA in the mid-130.00s at the beginning of the week.

The sharp corrective downside appears to have further legs to go in the very near term. Against that, the cross could shed further ground and revisit the 55-day SMA at 129.65 ahead of the February low near 128.90 (February 1) and the 2022 lows in the 128.20 zone recorded in late January.

In the longer run, and while below the 200-day SMA, the outlook for the cross is expected to remain bearish.

EUR/JPY daily

USD/MYR STICKS TO ITS CONSOLIDATIVE RANGE – UOB

14 February 2022, 13:48

USD/MYR is still seen navigating within the 4.1750-4.2000 range for the time being, noted Quek Ser Leang at UOB Group’s Global Economics & Markets Research.

Key Quotes

“We highlighted last Monday (07 Feb, spot 4.1850) that daily MACD is ‘flattish’ and we held the view that USD/MYR ‘could continue to trade between 4.1620 and 4.2150 for a while more’.”

“Our view was not wrong even though USD/MYR consolidated in a quiet manner and within a narrow range of 4.1800/4.1890. The quiet price actions offer no fresh clues and USD/MYR could continue to trade sideways. Expected range for this week, 4.1750/4.2000.”

RUSSIA READY TO OPEN FIRE ON FOREIGN SHIPS THAT ILLEGALLY ENTER TERRITORIAL WATERS – IFAX

14 February 2022, 13:03

The Interfax news agency reported on Monday that a senior Russian military official said Russia was ready to open fire on foreign ships and submarines that illegally enter its territorial waters, per Reuters.

The official further added that any decisions to open fire on foreign vessels would however only be taken at the highest level.

Market reaction

Markets remain risk-averse during the European trading hours following these remarks. As of writing, US stocks futures were down between 0.8% and 1.1%, Germany's DAX 30 was losing 2.8%.

AUD/USD BOUNCES OFF ONE-WEEK LOW, STILL DEEP IN THE RED NEAR 0.7100 MARK

14 February 2022, 12:55

• A combination of factors dragged AUD/USD lower for the third successive day on Monday.
• Bets for a 50 bps Fed rate hike in March underpinned the buck amid geopolitical tensions.
• The anti-risk flow contributed to the bearish pressure around the perceived riskier aussie.

The AUD/USD pair remained depressed through the first half of the European session and was last seen trading around the 0.7100 mark, just a few pips above the one-week low.

The pair extended last week's rejection slide from the vicinity of mid-0.7200s, or the 100-day SMA hurdle and continued losing ground for the third successive day on Monday. The US dollar remained well supported by the prospects for a faster policy tightening by the Fed. This, along with the risk-off impulse in the markets, weighed on the perceived riskier aussie and exerted pressure on the AUD/USD pair.

The markets seem convinced that the Fed would adopt a more aggressive policy response to combat stubbornly high inflation and have been pricing in a 50 bps rate hike in March. The bets were boosted further after data released last Thursday showed that the headline US CPI accelerated to the highest level since February 1982 during the first month of 2022. Adding to this, the core CPI climbed to 6.0% from a year ago.

Apart from this, worries over an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine took its toll on the global risk sentiment and further benefitted the greenback's relative safe-haven status. This was seen as another factor that dragged the AUD/USD pair back below the 0.7100 mark. The downtick, however, lacked any follow-through, warranting some caution for aggressive bearish traders and before positioning for any further losses.

In the absence of any major market-moving economic releases, traders might take cues from St. Louis Fed President James Bullard's appearance later during the North American session. It is worth recalling that Bullard called for 100 bps rate hikes over the next three FOMC policy meetings and hence, his remarks, along with the US bond yields, will influence the USD and provide some impetus to the AUD/USD pair.

Apart from this, geopolitical developments and the broader market risk sentiment should allow traders to grab some short-term opportunities around the AUD/USD pair. The focus would then shift to the RBA monetary policy meeting minutes, due for release during the Asian session on Tuesday.

FED'S GEORGE: FED SHOULD WEIGH ASSET SALES TO CURB INFLATION – WSJ

14 February 2022, 12:45

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Monday, Esther George, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, argued that the Fed should weigh asset sales to curb inflation, as reported by Reuters.

Geroge further added that they should remove stimulus in a systematic way.

Market reaction

These comments don't seem to be having a significant impact on the dollar's performance against its major rivals. As of writing, the US Dollar Index was rising 0.23% on a daily basis at 96.25.

EUR/USD LOSES THE GRIP AND CHALLENGES 1.1300 AHEAD OF ECB

14 February 2022, 11:41

• EUR/USD revisits the 1.1300 region on Monday.
• The dollar remains bid amidst persistent risk aversion.
• US 10y yields trade on the defensive near the 1.90% mark.

The single currency sheds further ground and forces EUR/USD to put the 1.1300 support level to the test on Monday’s European morning.

EUR/USD looks to geopolitics, risk aversion

EUR/USD retreats for the second session in a row and extends further the rejection from last week’s tops near 1.1500 the figure soon after the release of US inflation figures for the month of January (February 10).

In addition, the focus of attention remains on the short end of the yield curve in both the US and German cash markets as important drivers of the pair's price action, particularly folllowing the last FOMC and ECB events. In the meantime, German 10y Bund yields keep correcting lower following recent tops, widening at the same time the spread differential vs. its American peer, which remains another source of weakness for the pair at the beginning of the week.

Nothing scheduled data wise on both sides of the Atlantic, although the speech by Chair Lagarde later in the old continent should garner some attention.

What to look for around EUR

EUR/USD could not sustain the post-US CPI raise to the vicinity of the 1.1500 barrier, sparking a corrective move to the boundaries of 1.1300 on the back of the renewed and quite strong bias towards the US dollar. Despite the ongoing knee-jerk, the improvement in the pair’s outlook appears underpinned by fresh speculation of a potential interest rate hike by the ECB at some point by year end, higher German yields, persevering elevated inflation and a decent pace of the economic activity and other key fundamentals in the region

Key events in the euro area this week: ECB Lagarde (Monday) – Advanced EMU Q4 GDP, EMU/Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment (Tuesday) – EMU Industrial Production (Wednesday) – Flash EMU Consumer Confidence (Friday).

Eminent issues on the back boiler: Asymmetric economic recovery post-pandemic in the euro area. Speculation of ECB tightening/tapering later in the year. Presidential elections in France in April. Geopolitical concerns from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

EUR/USD levels to watch

So far, spot is retreating 0.27% at 1.1314 and faces the next up barrier at 1.1491 (200-week SMA) seconded by 1.1494 (2022 high Feb.10) and finally 1.1656 (200-day SMA). On the other hand, a break below 1.1303 (weekly low Feb.14) would target 1.1186 (monthly low Nov.24 2021) en route to 1.1121 (2022 low Jan.28).

USD/CAD JUMPS BACK CLOSER TO 1.2800 MARK AMID RETREATING OIL PRICES, STRONGER USD

14 February 2022, 12:11

• A combination of supporting factors pushed USD/CAD to over a one-week high on Monday.
• Retreating oil prices undermined the loonie and extended some support amid stronger USD.
• Hawkish Fed expectations, the risk-off impulse continued benefitting the safe-haven buck.

The USD/CAD pair quickly retreated a few pips from over one-week high touched in the last hour and was last seen trading around the 1.2765 region, still up over 0.60% for the day.

The pair caught fresh bids during the early European session and broke out its intraday consolidation phase, with bulls now looking to build on last week's rebound from the monthly low. Despite the risk of a further escalation in the conflict between Russia and the West over Ukraine, crude oil prices pulled back from a more than seven-year high touched earlier this Monday. This, in turn, undermined the commodity-linked loonie and provided a goodish lift to the USD/CAD pair amid fresh US dollar buying.

The greenback remained well supported by growing acceptance that the Fed will tighten its monetary policy at a faster pace than anticipated to combat stubbornly high inflation. In fact, the markets have been pricing in the possibility of a 50 bps Fed rate hike move in March. The bets were boosted further after data released last Thursday showed that the headline CPI reached the highest level since February 1982 and the core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, climbed 6.0% from a year ago.

Apart from this, the risk-off impulse – as depicted by a sell-off across the equity markets – further benefitted the greenback's safe-haven status. This was seen as another factor that contributed to the USD/CAD pair's strong intraday positive move. The global risk sentiment took a hit after US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned on Sunday that “we are in the window where a Russian invasion of Ukraine could begin at any time and could happen during the Beijing winter Olympics.”

It, however, remains to be seen if bulls are able to capitalize on the move or the USD/CAD pair continues with its break through the 1.2800 mark amid absent economic releases from the US or Canada. Hence, the market focus will remain on geopolitical developments, which will influence oil price dynamics. Apart from this, traders will take cues from the broader market risk sentiment. This, along with the US bond yields, will drive the USD demand and provide some impetus to the USD/CAD pair.

GOLD PRICE FORECAST: XAU/USD EYES A RALLY TOWARDS $1,878 AMID UKRAINE TENSIONS – CONFLUENCE DETECTOR

14 February 2022, 11:06

• Gold price gathers strength for the next upswing towards $1,878.
• US inflation concerns and the Russia-Ukraine turmoil to offer support.
• Gold corrects before resuming uptrend, focus on Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Gold price is taking a breather after a blistering $40 rally seen on Friday, which drove the bright metal to the highest level in three months at $1,866. Reports about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine this week roiled markets and triggered a massive flight to safety into gold price. The bullion remains in a win-win situation going forward amid rising inflation concerns and as investors watch over the geopolitical risks concerning Ukraine. Gold traders also await Wednesday’s US Retail Sales data and the Fed minutes for fresh directives.

Read: Russia could initiate military action before the end of the Winter Olympics: Could this affect stocks?

Gold Price: Key levels to watch

The Technical Confluences Detector shows that the gold price has recaptured powerful support now resistance at $1,855, as its corrective pullback fades.

That level is the convergence of the Fibonacci 23.6% one-day and the previous month’s high.

The immediate upside barrier is seen at the Bollinger Band one-day Upper at $1,859. The next bullish target appears at the previous day’s high of $1,866.

Acceptance above the latter will fuel a fresh upswing towards $1,878, the pivot point one-day R1.

On the flip side, if gold price finds a strong foothold below the aforementioned $1,855, then the Fibonacci 23.6% one-week at $1,851 will get tested.

Further down, the Fibonacci 38.2% one-day at $1,848 will come to buyers’ rescue. The last line of defense for gold bulls is aligned at $1,843, the intersection of the Fibonacci 38.2% one-week, SMA10 four-hour and pivot point one-month R1.

Here is how it looks on the tool

About Technical Confluences Detector

The TCD (Technical Confluences Detector) is a tool to locate and point out those price levels where there is a congestion of indicators, moving averages, Fibonacci levels, Pivot Points, etc.  If you are a short-term trader, you will find entry points for counter-trend strategies and hunt a few points at a time. If you are a medium-to-long-term trader, this tool will allow you to know in advance the price levels where a medium-to-long-term trend may stop and rest, where to unwind positions, or where to increase your position size.

GBP/USD: 1.3500 ALIGNS AS CRITICAL SUPPORT

14 February 2022, 12:20

GBP/USD has declined toward 1.3500 pressured by risk aversion. The bearish pressure could ramp up in case that levels turn into resistance, FXStreet’s Eren Sengezer reports.

1.3520 forms the first technical resistance

“1.3500 (psychological level, Fibonacci 50% retracement of the latest uptrend) aligns as critical support. If a four-hour candle closes below that level and uses it as resistance, the next bearish target is located at 1.3470 (Fibonacci 61.8% retracement) ahead of 1.3440 (static level).”

“On the upside, 1.3520 (Fibonacci 38.2% retracement) forms the first technical resistance before the 1.3550/1.3560 area (200-period SMA, Fibonacci 23.6% retracement).”

 

GOLD PRICE FORECAST: XAU/USD REVIVES HOPES AMID RUSSIA-UKRAINE GEOPOLITICAL RISKS

14 February 2022, 09:04

Gold price is trading around $1,850, retreating from three-month highs of $1,866, as investors take profits off the table after the recent upsurge. But as FXStreet’s Dhwani Mehta notes, XAU/USD is set to resume the uptrend.

Golden cross remains in play

“The looming geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine will remain the biggest risks for markets, which could potentially keep gold underpinned.”

“Immediate support is seen at $1,846, the 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement level of the rally from January 28 that peaked out last Friday. Further south, the February 10 highs of $1,842 will be tested, below which floors could open up towards 38.2% Fibo level of the same ascent.”

“The correction appears short-lived for gold, as the golden cross remains in play while the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) still holds comfortable above the central line, despite the latest downtick.”

“If buyers regain poise, then a retest of the multi-month highs at $1,866 will be inevitable. The next critical resistance area is seen around $1,870-$1,872 price zone, which is the November peaks.

FOREX TODAY: EYES ON CENTRAL BANK SPEAKERS, RUSSIA-UKRAINE HEADLINES

14 February 2022, 08:54

Here is what you need to know on Monday, February 14:

Safe-haven flows dominated the financial markets ahead of the weekend amid renewed fears over a Russia-Ukraine military conflict and investors stay cautious early Monday. The economic docket will not be featuring any high-impact data releases and the risk perception is likely to remain the primary driver of financial markets. Additionally, European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde and St. Louis Fed president James Bullard will be delivering speeches later in the day.

Late Friday, several news outlets reported that Russia was expected to invade Ukraine as soon as this week. Over the weekend, the White House said that the US will respond "swiftly and decisively" to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. US President Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told CNN that an invasion could take place before February 20.

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index lost more than 2% on Monday and the Shanghai Composite Index is down more than 1%. US stock index futures trade flat in the early European session and the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield, which lost nearly 6% on Friday, is up 2% at 1.95%. The US Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback's performance against a basket of six major currencies, is staying relatively quiet near 96.00 after rising 0.5% last week.

Meanwhile, oil prices continue to push higher with the barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading at its highest level since September 2014 at $94.20.

EUR/USD fell sharply late Friday and touched its lowest level in more than a week at 1.1329. The pair is moving sideways in a relatively tight range below 1.1350 early Monday.

GBP/USD is posting small losses below 1.3550 heading into the European session. The UK's Office for National Statistics will release the labour market data on Tuesday.

USD/JPY fell nearly 100 pips on Russia-Ukraine headlines but seems to have steadied above 115.00. Recovering US Treasury bond yields are helping the pair limit its losses.

Gold surged to its strongest level since mid-November at $1,865 on Friday. XAU/USD was last seen consolidating its gains around $1,850.

Bitcoin registered small losses over the weekend after facing heavy selling pressure on Friday but it managed to stay afloat above $40,000. Ethereum moves sideways below $3,000 after closing the previous four days in the negative territory.

USD/TRY PRICE ANALYSIS: SELLERS KEEP REINS AROUND $13.50

14 February 2022, 08:57

• USD/TRY prints mild gains after four consecutive days of losses.
• Corrective pullback from 200-SMA fails to cross 50-DMA, steady RSI adds strength to bearish bias.
• Fortnight-old horizontal resistance also challenges pair buyers, monthly support line restrict immediate declines.

USD/TRY fades bounce off 200-SMA while taking rounds to $13.50 heading into Monday’s European session.

In doing so, the Turkish lira (TRY) pair remains below 50-SMA amid steady RSI conditions.

Other than the immediate hurdle around $13.55, comprising the 50-SMA, a two-week-old horizontal resistance area around $13.65 will also challenge the USD/TRY bulls.

Should USD/TRY prices rise past $13.65, the pair’s run-up towards the $14.00 threshold can’t be ignored.

Meanwhile, a one-month-old ascending support line near $13.35 restricts short-term declines of the pair ahead of the horizontal support zone from January 20, close to $13.25.

During the quote’s weakness past $13.25, the $13.00 round figure and January’s low near $12.75 should lure the USD/TRY bears.

USD/TRY: Four-hour chart

USD/JPY RECOVERS TO NEAR 115.50, WITH HORIZONTAL TRENDLINE RESISTANCE BACK IN SIGHT

14 February 2022, 08:05

• USD/JPY bounces to around 115.50 after defending 115.00.
• Russia-Ukraine geopolitical risks continue to remain a threat.
• Downside appears cushioned amid a bunch of healthy support levels.

USD/JPY is consolidating Friday’s sell-off around mid-115.00s, trying to find the conviction to extend the recovery momentum.

Even though the risk sentiment has somewhat recovered, worries over a potential Russia-Ukraine war persist, which keeps any renewed upside in the US Treasury yields limited. This, in turn, could stem USD/JPY’s rebound.

Bulls may also find comfort from an increasing case for rising global rates, as inflation soar worldwide. The January Fed meeting’s minutes are likely to ramp up expectations for aggressive tightening by the world’s most powerful central bank.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) successfully defended its key bond yield target on Monday, as attention turns towards the Japanese growth numbers due on Tuesday.

In the meantime, the speech from St. Louis President James Bullard will be closely eyed for fresh hints on the Fed’s rate hike plans.

USD/JPY: Technical outlook

USD/JPY’s daily chart shows that the price found buyers well above the bullish 21-Daily Moving Average (DMA) at 114.79.

Also, bulls remain hopeful as the spot managed to defend the 115.00 level, as the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) continues to hold above the midline.

On the upside, daily closing above 116.00 is needed to retest Friday’s high of 116.17, above which the critical horizontal trendline resistance at 116.34 will come into play.