Photo: Pixabay
August 25, 2020
USDCAD Open (6:00 am) 1.3211-15, Overnight Range 1.3197-1.3237
- US Trade Rep Lighthizer and China Vice Premier He make nice
- German IFO data underpins EURUSD
- US dollar opens a tad softer, but still higher compared to Monday’s open
Source: Saxo Bank/IFXA Ltd
FX Recap and outlook: US and China trade discussions gave positive risk sentiment a nudge. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and China Vice Premier Liu He had a video chat to discuss the implementation of the Phase 1 Trade deal. The press release from Lighthizer’s office said: “ both sides see progress and are committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure the success of the agreement.”
It was music to the ears of Asia equity traders which closed with gains. European bourses are higher as are S&P futures. Oil prices continue to be underpinned by potential supply disruption from the Gulf of Mexico hurricanes, while gold slipped on the weaker US dollar and the perception that US/China tensions eased.
FX traders are cautiously optimistic ahead of Fed Chair Powell’s speech on Thursday, which is expected to be a major policy announcement about the actions the Fed will take to get inflation to 2.0%. Some analysts believe the speech will set the tone for financial markets for the rest of the year, and longer.
EURUSD inched higher overnight, rising from 1.1785 to 1.1841. Price action in Europe was choppy. Weak Q2 German GDP (actual -11.3% y/y) knocked EURUSD from 1.1833 to 1.1811 before better than expected German IFO data took prices to 1.1841. The GDP news was stale but not the IFO data, which suggests German businesses are optimistic the economic rebound is strengthening.
GBPUSD traded firmer, climbing to 1.3114 from 1.3060, supported by reports that EU Trade negotiator Barnier and his UK counterpart, Frost, are having informal trade talks this week. Prices were also supported by broad US dollar weakness.
USDJPY rallied alongside the improved risk sentiment tone, sparked by the US/China trade talk news. Yesterday’s report that the US was fast-tracking a coronavirus vaccine also helped sentiment.
AUDUSD managed to get some traction from broad US dollar weakness, marginally outperforming NZDUSD.
USDCAD drifted lower alongside its antipodean currency peers. Traders ignored the press release from the US Trade Representative about Canadian lumber.
The announcement said that the American’s did not accept the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that US tariffs on Canadian lumber exports were illegal. The American’s complained that the WTO did not defer to the US investigating authority’s judgement.
The news may not impact the Canadian dollar today, but Aluminum tariffs, and the threat of lumber tariffs could be the opening salvo to a new US/Canada trade war.
Today’s US data includes New Home Sales, Case-Shiller Home Prices, and Consumer Confidence.
USDCAD Technicals: The intraday USDCAD technicals are bearish below 1.3250, a level guarded by a series of hourly tops in the 1.3230-40 area. The break below 1.3210 in NY trading today, suggests further losses to retest support in the 1.3130-50 area. For today, USDCAD support is at 1.3170 and 1.3130. Resistance is at 1.3230 and 1.3250. Today’s Range 1.3150-1.3230
Chart: USDCAD hourly
Source: Saxo Bank
FX open (6:00 am EDT) High, Low, and previous close
Source: Saxo Bank
