NordMarkets Morning FX

BRIEFING
European open: Euro opens the European session firm, euro-dollar placing reported resistance between $1.4685/1.4700 under early pressure, challenging freshly posted 2009 highs at $1.4686 (NY). Asian traders had noted Asian sovereign names linked to supply in this area, with a US money bank noted sitting ahead of a much publicized barrier at $1.4700. Euro-sterling provided a focus in Asia trade, the rate extending its recent recovery through a reported barrier at stg0.8900, to take it on to stg0.8918, with added buys into Europe extending the move to stg0.89305. This move reflecting the ongoing pressure on sterling, with cable struggling to take advantage of dollar pressure with market focusing on the downside while rate holds below $1.6510/15, a break and clear of $1.6400 suggested to target $1.6285. Aussie found decent demand interest on dips with focus set on resistance at $0.8700, Kiwi resistance at $0.7100. Dollar-yen was locked in a tight range around Y91.00. UK jobs data (0830GMT) and eurozone inflation (0900GMT) this morning's focus, US CPI at 1230GMT, IP and Cap.Ut. at 1315GMT later.

EURO
Euro-dollar pened Asia around $1.4665, off late NY recovery highs (fresh 2009 highs) at $1.4686 after rate had seen post retail sales lows of $1.4561. Rate marked lows at $1.4656 in early trade before model account buys from below $1.4670 took rate up to $1.4680. Move met decent Asian sovereign sales (several names noted) that eased rate back to $1.4662 but dip attracted willing buyers to take it back, marking session highs at $1.4684. Further sales from same names eased rate to $1.4667 only to meet renewed dip demand that was lifting the rate back into Europe, with added buys allowing rate to retest Tuesday's high at $1.4686. Pressure continues, currently seen chipping way at the reported resistance, said to extend toward an option barrier at $1.4700, a US money bank said to have offers placed ahead. Stops noted above the figure, which if triggered expected to open a move toward $1.4720. One Swiss name has suggested fading rallies into the area between $1.4720/50. Bids seen between $1.4660/50.

YEN
Dollar-yen breaks below overnight lows at Y90.78 as market reacts to new FinMin Fujii comments that he is opposed to FX intervention if forex moves are gradual, the rate extending its base through support at Y90.80/70 (overnight low Y90.78) to Y90.49. Rate had traded with an underlying soggy tone through the Asian session, the rate pivoting around Y91.00 in a relatively tight range of Y90.78/91.17. The recently reported barrier at Y90.00 seen in focus again though expect decent demand to emerge around Y90.50, stronger between Y90.20/00 (Y90.18 recent low). Euro-yen trade in Asia was contained within Y133.26/72, with moves dictated mainly by euro-dollar action. Rate has broken down to Y132.96 in early Europe following those reported Fujii comments, but continued euro-dollar demand seen tempering this react move. Euro-yen bids seen to Y132.80, a break to open a deeper move toward Y132.55/45. Offers Y133.70/80.

USDYEN - TECHNICALS
Dollar-yen downside risks persist following inability to break above the Tenkan line of the Ichiomoku cloud at Y91.75, which also coincides with major low seen in July. Whilst this caps the risk is on a revisit of the double-day low at Y90.18/21. The daily studies whilst o/sold, are still above previous reversal levels - Risk seen to Y89.79.

RES 4: Y95.31/33 Base of the Ichimoku cloud, 100-day moving average
RES 3: Y94.74 200-day moving average
RES 2: Y93.00 21-day moving average
RES 1: Y91.26/75 5-day moving average, Tenkan line of Ichimoku cloud

SUP 1: Y90.76 61.8% of Y90.23 to Y91.63
SUP 2: Y90.18/21 Double-day low Sept 11, 14
SUP 3: Y89.67/79 50% proj of the Aug/Dec downmove, Proj channel base
SUP 4: Y87.12 Major lows Dec/Jan

EURUSD - TECHNICALS
Euro-dollar bulls are seen sharpening horns for fresh assault on new yearly highs as the daily studies continue to point higher and 2.00% moving average envelope widens further and now valued at $1.4793. Initial resistance is seen at the daily Bollinger band top at $1.4699.

RES 4: $1.4851/62 100% projection of the Q4 2008 rally, High 22 Sep
RES 3: $1.4793 2.00% moving average envelope
RES 2: $1.4721 High 18 Dec
RES 1: $1.4699 Daily Bollinger band top

SUP 1: $1.4623 5-day moving average
SUP 2: $1.4517/20 Low 14 Sept, Former resistance line from 3 June
SUP 3: $1.4447 August high
SUP 4: $1.4388 21-day moving average

GBPUSD - TECHNICALS
Cable's sell-off triggered a break of neckline of head-&-shoulders pattern on hourly charts at $1.6545 -- targets measured move to $1.6303. In addition, price action has priced below the 21 & 55-day moving average's and next support seen at $1.6324/54. M/t risk is seen to $1.6168/95 -- channel base from June 8 and the 100-day moving average.

RES 4: $1.7044/52 High 5 August, November 2005 low
RES 3: $1.6822 76.4% of August pullback
RES 2: $1.6716 Resistance line from July 2008 high
RES 1: $1.6657 Hourly high

SUP 1: $1.6324/54 Low 4 Sept, 61.8% of $1.6116 to $1.6740
SUP 2: $1.6239 Minor low 3 Sep
SUP 3: $1.6168/95 Channel base from June 8, 100-day moving average
SUP 4: $1.6033 Low 13 July

DAILY CALENDAR
European data kicks off at 0700GMT, when Spain's Jul service sector data is released.

At 0730GMT, the Riksbank is scheduled to publish the minutes of Sept 2 monetary policy meeting, whilst EC Economic & Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia speaks at the Annual Eurostat conference, in Brussels

Back to Italy at 0800GMT, with the release of August's final CPI/HICP data.

At 0820GMT, ECB Executive Board member Jose Manuel Gonzlez-Pramo is slated to give a speech on "Reading the Present to Prepare the Future" at Eurostat Conference, in Brussels

In the UK, the monthly employment report is due at 0830GMT. August claimant count, Juky average earnings and the July ILO unemployment rate are all out. Analysts are looking for a further pick-up in August's claimant count by 25,000, leaving the claimant count rate at 5.0%, versus 4.9% in July. They are also looking for a further pick-up in the more closely watched ILO unemployment rate to 8.0% in July from 7.8% in June

Back in Europe, ast 0900GMT, the EMU August final CPI/HICP data is released. At the sa,e time, the German Retail Association (HDE) releases new retail sales forecasts, in Duesseldorf

US data kicks off at 1100GMT, the US MBA mortgage application index for the Sept 11 week is set for release.

The main release is at 1230GMT, when the August Consumer Price Index is released. Analysts expect August CPI to rise 0.4% as gasoline pump prices rebounded slightly. Core CPI is expected to rise 0.1%.

Also due at 1230GMT is the second quarter US current account data and Canada's July 2009 manufacturing survey.

This is followed at 1300GMT with the release of the July International Capital System data from teh Treasury. At 1315GMT, the Aug Industrial production, capacity utilization data are released.

Industrial production is expected to rise 0.7% in August after posting a 0.5% increase in July. The manufacturing sector may get another boost this month due to brisk auto sales. Factory payrolls fell 63,000 in the month, with auto production jobs down 15,000. The factory workweek held steady at 39.8 hours. The ISM production index rose to 61.9. Capacity utilization is forecast to rise to 69.0%.

Oil markets will be anticipating the usual inventories stocks at 1430GMT, when the Sept 11EIA Crude Oil Stocks is released.

Lastly, at 1700GMT, the Sept Housing Market Index (NAHB) is released.



Best Regards,

NordMarkets.com