FOREX: USD Weakness Prevails Following Reports of No Imminent Tariffs
- There was a substantial weakening of the US dollar on Monday, as reports from the Wall Street Journal detailed that President Trump was planning to issue a broad memorandum Monday that directs federal agencies to study trade policies, but stopped short of imposing new tariffs on his first day in office. Trump officials later corroborated the reports.
- The greenback was immediately lower on the headlines, and despite being off its worst levels, the USD index remains around 1% lower on the session.
- There has been broad based strength across G10 currencies against the dollar, however, EUR and NZD are outperforming at the margin. EURUSD rose to a session high of 1.0430 on the report as post-election positioning is taken into account and unwound. Initial resistance levels at 1.0338 and 1.0354 have been breached and the pair traded within 7 pips of 1.0437 resistance, the Jan 6 high.
- AUDUSD has risen above initial firm resistance in tandem, breaching the 20-day EMA and recording a high of 0.6287. The 50-day EMA is at 0.6335 and should be the next target barring any reversal of the current tariff rhetoric in place.
- With the strong positive price action for major equity indices, USDJPY is only 0.3% lower on the session at 155.85 as we approach the APAC crossover. Positive risk sentiment is boosting cross/JPY here and may be in focus as the BOJ decision approaches this week.
- Uk labour market data and Canadian CPI highlight the economic calendar on Tuesday.
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TRUDEAU SAYS `WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO'
- TRUDEAU SAYS `WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO'
- TRUDEAU WANTS GOVT TO PREPARE FOR NEW US ADMINISTRATION
- TRUDEAU DOESN'T ADDRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS LEADERSHIP
USDCAD TECHS: A Pullback Would Be Considered Corrective
- RES 4: 1.4539 3.382 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 3: 1.4537 2.0% 10-dma envelope
- RES 2: 1.4508 3.236 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 1: 1.4467 High Dec 19
- PRICE: 1.4356 @ 16:56 GMT Dec 20
- SUP 1: 1.4301 Low Dec 18
- SUP 2: 1.4174/4014 20- and 50-day EMA values
- SUP 3: 1.3928 Low Nov 25 and a key support
- SUP 4: 1.3822 Low Nov 6
USDCAD bulls remain in the driver’s seat. While price faded into the Thursday close, the recent breach of 1.4178, the Nov 26 high, confirmed a resumption of the uptrend and this maintains the price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. The latest rally opens 1.4508 next, a Fibonacci projection level. Initial firm support to watch lies at 1.4174, the 20-day EMA. A pullback would be considered corrective.
AUDUSD TECHS: Bearish Trend Structure
- RES 4: 0.6550 High Nov 25
- RES 3: 0.6501 50-day EMA
- RES 2: 0.6429 High Dec 12
- RES 1: 0.6337/6396 Low Dec 11 / 20-day EMA
- PRICE: 0.6263 @ 16:55 GMT Dec 20
- SUP 1: 0.6199 Low Dec 19
- SUP 3: 0.6158 1.236 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
- SUP 3: 0.6100 Round number support
- SUP 4: 0.6045 1.500 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
The trend needle in AUDUSD continues to point south and this week’s fresh cycle lows and Wednesday’s sell-off, reinforce a bear theme. The move down maintains the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position too, highlighting a dominant downtrend. The break lower opens 0.6158 next, a Fibonacci projection. Initial firm resistance to watch is 0.6396, the 20-day EMA.
