Daily Market Analysis by Solid ECN | *Video*

The European currency shows a mixed dynamics of trading against the US dollar during the Asian session, consolidating near 1.044 and expecting new drivers to appear on the market. The day before, the euro showed weak growth, continuing the development of Friday's momentum, which allowed the instrument to retreat from record lows since January 2017.

In the meantime, the news and macroeconomic background remained quite negative, and the reasons for the growth of the instrument were mainly technical factors. Yesterday's data from Europe somewhat disappointed buyers; however, in general, they didn't influence the situation on the market much. The eurozone Trade Deficit in March amounted to 17.6 billion euros, which turned out to be significantly worse than last month's data (-11.3 billion euros) and forecasts that suggested an improvement in dynamics to -6.6 billion euros.

Today, investors are focused on the updated statistics on the dynamics of GDP in the euro area for Q1 2022. Earlier data indicated that the European economy grew by 0.2% QoQ and 5% YoY. Also during the day, quarterly Employment statistics will be published and a speech by the President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde will take place, where the official is likely to correct the regulator's forecasts regarding the vector of monetary policy in the near future.



In the D1 chart, Bollinger Bands are reversing horizontally. The price range is slightly widening from below but does not conform to the surge of the "bearish" sentiment of the end of the previous week yet. MACD indicator is growing, having formed a new buy signal (located above the signal line). Stochastic is showing similar dynamics, having rebounded from the level of "20" and signaling in favor of the development of corrective growth in the ultra-short term.

Resistance levels: 1.047, 1.05, 1.0576, 1.064 | Support levels: 1.04, 1.035, 1.03, 1.025

The European currency is relatively stable against the US dollar during trading in the Asian session and is consolidating near local highs from May 5. The day before, the instrument showed active growth, which allowed leveling the results of Wednesday's "bearish" trend and brought the euro to a high at around 1.0600. EUR/USD was supported yesterday by expectations of the imminent end of quarantine due to the coronavirus in Shanghai, which will allow many enterprises to resume normal operation and have a positive effect on the dynamics of foreign trade.

In turn, yesterday's macroeconomic data from the US put moderate pressure on the positions of the US currency. Initial Jobless Claims for the week ended May 13 increased from 197 thousand to 218 thousand, which was higher than market expectations by 18 thousand. Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index declined sharply in May from 17.6 to 2.6 points, while analysts expected the decline to only 16 points.

The Minutes of the European Central Bank (ECB)'s meeting released the day before also contributed to the moderate growth of the single currency. In the report, the regulator pointed to the increasing risks associated with a sharp growth in inflation in the region, but at the same time maintained optimistic forecasts for both Q3 and Q4 of 2022. Also, many members of the ECB board are gradually speaking out in favor of tightening monetary policy. Analysts consider the rate hike at the end of summer or early autumn as most likely.



Bollinger Bands in D1 chart demonstrate flat dynamics. The price range is slightly expanded from above, remaining spacious enough for the current activity level in the market. MACD grows, preserving a stable buy signal (located above the signal line). Stochastic approached the level of "80" and reversed into a horizontal plane, reflecting the mixed nature of trading at the end of the current trading week.

Resistance levels: 1.06, 1.064, 1.069, 1.0726 | Support levels: 1.05, 1.0459, 1.04, 1.035

The European currency shows a slight decrease against the US dollar during the Asian session, correcting after the "bullish" start of the week, which led to the renewal of local highs for the instrument from April 25. Quotes are still supported by the moderate weakness of the dollar, which reacts negatively to the publication of mixed macroeconomic statistics. In addition, investors positively assessed the rhetoric of the President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde, who actually announced the imminent completion of the quantitative easing program and a possible increase in interest rates by 50 basis points in July.

Traders also assess the statement of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who announced a number of steps to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian energy resources. The authorities intend to accelerate the transition to "green" energy, increasing the current target values from 9% to 13% by 2030. In particular, the construction of solar roofs in new buildings is proposed. About 300 billion euros will be needed for energy reforms, of which about 72 billion euros will be grants and 225 billion can be obtained in the form of loans. Up to 2 billion euros will be needed for oil infrastructure, taking into account the cessation of shipments of Russian oil.



Meanwhile, macroeconomic statistics from the euro area, released the day before, turned out to be negative. Markit Services PMI fell from 57.7 to 56.3 points, which turned out to be worse than market expectations for a reduction to 57.5 points. Composite PMI fell from 55.8 to 54.9 points, which also turned out to be weaker than market forecasts at the level of 55.3 points.



Bollinger Bands in D1 chart show moderate growth. The price range is expanding but it fails to conform to the surge of "bullish" activity at the moment. MACD grows, preserving a stable buy signal (located above the signal line). The indicator is trying to consolidate above the zero level. Stochastic, having reached its highs, reversed into a horizontal plane, indicating overbought EUR in the ultra-short term.

Resistance levels: 1.0747, 1.08, 1.085, 1.09 | Support levels: 1.07, 1.064, 1.06, 1.05

The pound is trading with mixed dynamics during the morning session, consolidating near 1.2600. The day before, the British currency showed a moderate decline, retreating from its local highs of April 26, which was the market's reaction to the resumption of growth in the US dollar against the backdrop of fairly strong American macroeconomic statistics. In particular, investors drew attention to the increase in the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices in March from 20.3% to 21.2%, while the Chicago PMI rose from 56.4 to 60.3 points in May, with the analysts' forecast at the level of 55.0 points.

In turn, the macroeconomic background from the UK turned out to be mixed: the volume of Consumer Credit in April increased from 1.303 billion pounds to 1.399 billion pounds, with preliminary market estimates of a decline to 1.2 billion pounds. At the same time, the Mortgage Approvals over the same period decreased from 69.531 thousand to 65.974 thousand, which turned out to be noticeably worse than expected correction to 69.000 thousand.



Bollinger Bands in D1 chart show moderate growth. The price range is narrowing, reflecting the emergence of ambiguous dynamics of trading in the ultra-short term. MACD is gradually reversing into a downward plane, being located near the zero level and keeping the previous buy signal (the histogram is above the signal line). Stochastic shows similar dynamics, rapidly retreating from its highs, which signal that the pound is overbought in the ultra-short term.

Resistance levels: 1.2600, 1.2674, 1.2800, 1.2900 | Support levels: 1.2500, 1.2400, 1.2250, 1.2163

Economic indicators disappoint investors
Against the background of the stabilization of the US currency, the GBPUSD pair is correcting within the local trend, trading around the level of 1.2545.

The expected outcome of the vote in the House of Commons, as a result of which the current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, retained his post for at least another year, supported the pound quotes. Investors took this event as a sign of stability, and confidence in the national currency increased, but now, this momentum has leveled off, and economic issues are coming to the fore. As yesterday's statistics showed, the business activity of the main sectors is declining: according to the May report, the composite PMI fell to 53.1 points from 58.2 points in April, for the third time in a row. Service PMI fell to 53.4 points from 58.9 points in April, and this is also the third period of negative dynamics of the index. Today, Construction PMI will be published, but there, too, analysts have already predicted a drop in value from 58.2 points to 56.6 points.

The USD Index is trading at the beginning of yesterday at 102.5, almost without reacting to the speech of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Contrary to expectations, the main part of the official's speech was devoted to the situation in the oil market and the unprecedented rise in energy prices caused by the development of the military conflict in Ukraine. Commenting on the situation in the United States, Yellen noted that the current president's administration had done everything possible to mitigate the consequences of the energy crisis for the country, and without these actions, fuel prices would have been much higher. She said the 1.9T dollars stimulus package passed by the head of the White House in 2021 eliminated economic risks, leading to one of the lowest unemployment rates in post-war history.



The asset tries to test the recently passed global downlink support line. Technical indicators almost canceled the sell signal, preparing for a reversal: indicator Alligator's EMA oscillation range has narrowed as much as possible, and the AO oscillator histogram is forming new upward bars.

Resistance levels: 1.2634, 1.3000 | Support levels: 1.2452, 1.2164


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