FX TALKING POINTS:
- EUR/USD[1] Initiates Fresh Series of Higher Highs & Lows Ahead Euro-Zone Confidence Surveys. 2018-High (1.2556) on the Radar as Bullish Momentum Gathers Pace.
- USD/JPY Carves Bullish Outside-Day (Engulfing). Relative Strength Index (RSI) Divergence Takes Shape as Oscillator Holds Above Oversold Territory.
EUR/USD INITIATES FRESH SERIES OF HIGHER HIGHS & LOWS AHEAD EURO-ZONE CONFIDENCE SURVEYS. 2018-HIGH (1.2556) ON THE RADAR.
EUR/USD climbs to a fresh monthly-high (1.2462) during the last full-week of March, and the recent advance in the exchange rate may gather pace over the coming days as it initiates a fresh series of higher highs & lows.
EUR/USD appears to be on track to test the 2018-high (1.2556) as it breaks out of a tight range, but the slew of Euro-Zone confidence surveys may drag on the single-currency as household and businesses sentiment is expected to narrow in March. A slew of dismal developments may produce headwinds for the Euro[2] as it encourages the European Central Bank (ECB) to further expand its balance sheet, and President Mario Draghi and Co. may continue to endorse a wait-and-see approach at the next meeting on April 26 as ‘domestic price pressures remain muted overall and have yet to show convincing signs of a sustained upward trend.’
However, the Governing Council may have little choice but to reveal a more detailed exit strategy as the quantitative easing (QE) program is set to expire in September, and a growing number of ECB officials may start to adopt a hawkish tone as ‘the latest data and survey results point to solid and broad-based growth momentum.’ With that said, the broader shift in EUR/USD may continue to take shape over the coming months as the ECB gradually adjusts the outlook for monetary policy.
EUR/USD DAILY CHART
Near-term outlook for EUR/USD has perked up as a bullish series starts to take shape, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) exhibiting a similar dynamic as it breaks out of the downward trend carried over from the previous month. Another close above 1.2430 (50% expansion) raises the risk for a run at the 2018-high (1.2556), with the next topside hurdle coming in around 1.2640 (61.8% expansion) to 1.2650 (38.2% retracement). USD/JPY CARVES BULLISH OUTSIDE-DAY (ENGULFING). RELATIVE STRENGTH INDEX (RSI) DIVERGENCE TAKES SHAPE.
USD/JPY snaps back from a fresh 2018-low (104.63) despite the ongoing threat of a global trade war, and recent price action highlights the risk for a larger rebound as the dollar-yen[3] exchange rate carves a bullish outside-day (engulfing) formation. Keep in mind, USD/JPY may face choppy price action going into the end of the month as market participation is expected to narrow ahead of the Easter holiday, and fresh comments from Fed officials appear to be having a limited impact on the exchange rate even as
