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21 Mar 2013
Forex: EUR/USD holds below 1.30, watch Cyprus-led swings
FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - With Cyprus crisis developments changing by the minute, and its Finance Minister on an undefined visit over Moscow looking for aid, EUR/USD is last trading around the 1.2950 area, slightly higher for the Asian session.
The pair has been ranging around the mentioned 1.2950 quote since early Monday morning in Europe, printing a fresh 4-month low on Tuesday at 1.2842, finding support so far at the 200 day SMA around 1.2875 last.
This level represents also a key Fibo confluence area, as the 38.2% retrace of the daily up leg 1.2035/1.3711 coming from past July lows. Trouble for buyers though could start a little higher around the 1.2900 round figure, as Valeria Bednarik, Chief Analyst at Fxstreet.com,, points out, noting that “in the 4 hours chart, technical readings continue to support the downside."
With the non-event FOMC left behind, where it was noted by the Fed that "the pace of its asset purchase plan (currently $85bn per month, made up of $45bn of MBS and $40bn Treasuries) will be adjusted to reflect progress towards meeting its objectives.”
For the FED, "we expect to see the end of QE3 at the turn of the year,” says senior US strategist at Rabobank Jan Lambts.
But all eyes are now focused on Cyprus next move, as time is ticking against their financial system. Expect headlines related to the Cyprus debt crisis setting the sentiment tone in the market until the fluid situation recedes.
"Market optimism that a resolution will occur soon seems to rest on the prospect of Cyprus passing a bill that includes a much smaller tax on deposits that exempts small depositors and somehow raises substantial funds elsewhere," said FX strategist at Westpac Sean Callow, adding that "it seems that for now, it is unlikely Russia will do more than roll over its existing loan," he reckons.
In the meantime, the ECB is pressing on Cyprus government to find a solution soon, or else it's threatening to cut off funding to Cypriot banks, Reuters reported, with yet another day ahead likely to find banks closed across the nation, a fourth consecutive day that this occurs, and with the odds stacked for the drama to go on a few more days.
In the next European morning, the EU PMI's will make the rounds starting as soon as 08:00 GMT for France, followed by largely awaited German PMI 30minutes later. France will also deliver a sovereign debt auction, with markets paying close attention to yields dealt, as a sign on possible risk of contagion from the Cyprus case. Later on US Existing home sales and Phily Fed at 14:00 GMT will add to the economic agenda, ahead of key German Ifo business climate survey tomorrow.
The pair has been ranging around the mentioned 1.2950 quote since early Monday morning in Europe, printing a fresh 4-month low on Tuesday at 1.2842, finding support so far at the 200 day SMA around 1.2875 last.
This level represents also a key Fibo confluence area, as the 38.2% retrace of the daily up leg 1.2035/1.3711 coming from past July lows. Trouble for buyers though could start a little higher around the 1.2900 round figure, as Valeria Bednarik, Chief Analyst at Fxstreet.com,, points out, noting that “in the 4 hours chart, technical readings continue to support the downside."
With the non-event FOMC left behind, where it was noted by the Fed that "the pace of its asset purchase plan (currently $85bn per month, made up of $45bn of MBS and $40bn Treasuries) will be adjusted to reflect progress towards meeting its objectives.”
For the FED, "we expect to see the end of QE3 at the turn of the year,” says senior US strategist at Rabobank Jan Lambts.
But all eyes are now focused on Cyprus next move, as time is ticking against their financial system. Expect headlines related to the Cyprus debt crisis setting the sentiment tone in the market until the fluid situation recedes.
"Market optimism that a resolution will occur soon seems to rest on the prospect of Cyprus passing a bill that includes a much smaller tax on deposits that exempts small depositors and somehow raises substantial funds elsewhere," said FX strategist at Westpac Sean Callow, adding that "it seems that for now, it is unlikely Russia will do more than roll over its existing loan," he reckons.
In the meantime, the ECB is pressing on Cyprus government to find a solution soon, or else it's threatening to cut off funding to Cypriot banks, Reuters reported, with yet another day ahead likely to find banks closed across the nation, a fourth consecutive day that this occurs, and with the odds stacked for the drama to go on a few more days.
In the next European morning, the EU PMI's will make the rounds starting as soon as 08:00 GMT for France, followed by largely awaited German PMI 30minutes later. France will also deliver a sovereign debt auction, with markets paying close attention to yields dealt, as a sign on possible risk of contagion from the Cyprus case. Later on US Existing home sales and Phily Fed at 14:00 GMT will add to the economic agenda, ahead of key German Ifo business climate survey tomorrow.