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FX Weekly Review, October 17-21: Golden Cross in Dollar Index and Deadman’s Cross in the Euro

Swiss Franc Currency Index

The Swiss Franc index was lagging once again compared to the dollar index. The dollar index is up exactly 3% this month, while the CHF index is down 2%.

The EUR/CHF has reached the SNB intervention area at the “new floor area of 1.08 to 1.0850. On Monday we will learn about the latest SNB interventions in our weekly sight deposits.

 

 

 

 

Trade-weighted index Swiss Franc, October 22 2016

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Trade-weighted index Swiss Franc, October 22 2016

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Swiss Franc Currency Index (3 years)

The Swiss Franc index is the trade-weighted currency performance (see the currency basket)

On a three years interval, the Swiss Franc had a weak performance. The dollar index was far stronger. The dollar makes up 33% of the SNB portfolio and 25% of Swiss exports (incl. countries like China or Arab countries that use the dollar for exchanges).
Contrary to popular believe, the CHF index gained only 1.73% in 2015. It lost 9.52% in 2014, when the dollar (and yuan) strongly improved.      

 

 

Swiss Franc Currency Index, October 22 2016

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Swiss Franc Currency Index, October 22 2016

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The US dollar had another good week; rising against most of the major currencies.   Among the majors, the relatively high yield and modest easing of near-term rate cut speculation allowed the New Zealand dollar to shine, rising a little more than 1% last week.  The yen also strengthened in the four sessions last week for a 0.4% gain.

 

 

 

US Dollar - Swiss Franc FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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US Dollar - Swiss Franc FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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US Dollar Index

The Dollar Index rallied to seven-month highs ahead of the weekend.  It is about one percent from the year’s high set in late-January, a little below 100.00.
A week ago, the Dollar Index was bumping against its upper Bollinger Band.  This helped us anticipate the sideways movement at the start of the new week.  Now that upper band is found near 99.10.  Initial support now is seen near 98.20.    We note that the 50-day moving average crossed above the 200-day moving average, which technicians refer to as the “Golden Cross.”  Other technical indicators suggest additional upside potential.
In the euro, which is the largest component of
the Dollar Index, the same moving averages will cross to the downside early
next week.
    The crossing of the 50-day moving average below the 200-day moving average is dubbed the “deadman’s cross”.

 

US Dollar Currency Index Dollar Index, October 22 2016

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US Dollar Currency Index Dollar Index, October 22 2016

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EUR/USD

After briefly consolidating in the first part of the week, the greenback closed the week near its best levels, especially against the European currencies. 
The main consideration seems to the
contrast between Fed officials like Fischer and Dudley who have been signaling a rate hike before the end of the year, while the ECB has arguably signaled a likely extension of its asset purchases.
The euro broke the trendline off the January, June and July lows on October 12.  It retested it from below on seeming confusion during the ECB’s press conference (algos?).  After setting new highs
for the week, the euro reversed lower and posted an outside down day.
Follow through selling was seen before the weekend.  The next immediate target is $1.08 and then $1.0710.  There is an increasing chance of seeing a move closer to $1.05 before the end of the year.  The RSI and MACDs allow for additional dollar losses, though the Slow Stochastics are set to turn higher.   The euro closed the week hugging its lower Bollinger Band ($1.0870).

Euro/USDollar FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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Euro/USDollar FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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USD/JPY

 

The dollar snapped a three-week advance against the yen and fell in four of last week’s five sessions. The greenback rallied from near JPY100 in late-September to  JPY104.20 on October 13.  It may be tracing out a small head and shoulders top, with an upwardly slowing neckline, found near JPY103.15 on Monday, October 23.  The
measuring objective is near JPY101.80, which is also the 61.8% retracement objective of the advance.  The Slow Stochastics have turned lower.

The MACD is poisedto roll-over early next week. The RSI is neutral near 56.

US Dollar Japanese Yen FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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US Dollar Japanese Yen FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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GBP/USD

Since the flash crash on October 7, sterling has been
confined to the range set on October 11 between $1.2090 and $1.2375.

Having tested the upside a few ,days ago (~$1.2330), it is poised to test the lower end next week. However, the technical indicators warn against expectations of steep losses.  The Slow Stochastics have crossed higher, while the MACDs are set to turn up early next week.  Choppy, but broadly sideways trading seems like the most likely near-term scenario.

 

UK Pound Sterling / US Dollar FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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UK Pound Sterling / US Dollar FX Spot Rate, October 22 2016

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AUD/USD

Poor employment data reinforced the significance of the $0.7700 ceiling for the Australian dollar.   It posted a potential key downside reversal on October 20 and fell further ahead of the weekend.  A break of the $0.7590 area warns potential toward $0.7500.

The technical indicators are not generating strong signals
presently.

 

AUD/USD FX Rate Chart, October 22 2016

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AUD/USD FX Rate Chart, October 22 2016

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USD/CAD

After testing the CAD1.30 level on October 19,
the US dollar rallied 2.7% to new seven-month highs near CAD1.3350
.
Although the Bank of Canada statement, following the policy meeting, tweaked the risk assessment to balanced from the asymmetrical downside bias previously, Governor Poloz admission that easing was discussed put the Loonie on the defensive.  Disappointing retail sales and slightly softer than expected headline inflation ahead of the weekend, pushed on an open door.   The technical condition largely favors further US dollar gains.  Our medium-term target is near CAD1.35, but in the bigger picture, a move back into the CAD1.38 CAD1.40 area seems reasonable.  A near-term note of caution comes from the pace of the US dollar’s rise.  It is edging through the top Bollinger Band (~CAD1.3320).

 

USD/CAD FX Rate Chart, October 22 2016

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USD/CAD FX Rate Chart, October 22 2016

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Crude Oil

The December light sweet crude oil futures
snapped a four-week advance, losing about
0.6% last week in mostly broad sideways trading between $50 and $52. 
A convincing break of the $49.70 area is needed to boost confidence in our suspicion that oil is rolling over.  The 20-day moving average is near $49.80, and the contract has not traded below that average since late-September.  The Slow Stochastics are trending
lower while the MACDs are turning down.

Crude Oil, October 22 2016

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Crude Oil, October 22 2016

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U.S. Treasuries

US 10-year Treasury yields are also moving
sideways.
  Since rising above 1.70% on October 5, the yield has stayed above there but has been unable to get a toehold above 1.80%.   The December futures note looks mildly constructive but is near initial resistance see around 130-15, which corresponds to Oct 20 high and the 20-day moving average, which the futures contract has not closed above since October 3.  The technical indicators suggest near-term scope to the upside.  Gains toward 131-00 would still be consistent with a correction, but beyond there and the bulls may move back into ascendancy.

 

Yield US Treasuries 10 years, October 22 2016

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Yield US Treasuries 10 years, October 22 2016

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S&P 500 Index

The S&P 500 was virtually flat last week after slipping 1.5% over the past two weeks.   The 2150 area we had marked as resistance proved to be a formidable cap.  However, ranges were narrow, and the market appears to lack near-term conviction.   The Slow Stochastics are turning up, but the MACDs and RSI are a week.  We also note that as the US earning season winds down, corporations will likely restart their
share buyback operations which are suspended around earnings releases.    A break of the October 13 spike low near 2115 could scare investors and likely coincide with higher volatility
(VIX).

S&P 500 Index, October 22 2016

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S&P 500 Index, October 22 2016

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Are you the author?
George Dorgan
George Dorgan (penname) predicted the end of the EUR/CHF peg at the CFA Society and at many occasions on SeekingAlpha.com and on this blog. Several Swiss and international financial advisors support the site. These firms aim to deliver independent advice from the often misleading mainstream of banks and asset managers. George is FinTech entrepreneur, financial author and alternative economist. He speak seven languages fluently.
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