NordMarkets Morning FX - October 16

MORNING FX

BRIEFING
The dollar remained under pressure into Asian trade Thursday, though early rally in dollar-yen (due to Gotobi Day demand into the Tokyo fix being larger than normal) provided an early anomaly. Wednesday strong earnings report from JPM, followed by better than expected US retail sales helped to boost risk on trades/dollar sales in this session, with the later release of FOMC Minutes had little new info but showed that doves still outweigh hawks which will boost market perception that the Fed remains an expected laggard for rate hikes. Release of strong NZ CPI data provided the Kiwi with another boost, the move inturn prompting further movement into risk trades to the detriment of the dollar. Euro-dollar progressed higher, moving above $1.4950 to $1.4961 with rate retaining a firm feel into early Europe. Focus on $1.5000. Dollar-yen posted highs at Y89.66 into the fix before French name sales reversed the move to take it back to Y89.27. Cable extended to $1.6070 in Asia (Europe high now $1.6075). GS and Citi Q3 earnings today's highlight along with EZ and US inflation.

EURO
Euro-dollar opened in Asia around $1.4930 with risk on trades boosted by Wednesday's release of stronger than expected JPM Q3 earnings, US retail sales data, with FOMC Minutes continuing to suggest that the US will lag other major economies in hiking rates as doves appear to still outweigh hawks. Euro-dollar initially eased to mark session lows at $1.4920, as dollar-yen saw strong Gotobi Day demand into the Tokyo fix, but quick reversal after prompted renewed pressure on the dollar. Strong NZ CPI data, along with hawkish comments from RBA Stevens further boosted risk on trades, with commodity currencies again the main beneficiaries as they led the move against the dollar. Euro-dollar found the impetus to move above Wednesday highs at $1.4948 to take out suggested barriers at $1.4950, the move peaking in Asia at $1.4961. Further demand into early Europe has extended move to $1.4967. Offers are reported in place from around $1.4970, with further interest seen positioned ahead of option barriers at $1.5000. Support at $1.4920. GS and Citi Q3 earnings in focus, along with EZ and US inflation data.

Euro-dollar bulls remain focused on the recent bull-flag target, which nearly matches the $1.4968 level that capped topside of the pair in Nov 2007. The daily studies are still pointing higher and below historic levels of reversal, although trade is now pushing outside of the Bollinger band, which sends a warning against expecting rapid gains.



YEN
Dollar-yen closed the US session around Y89.45, with euro-yen holding gains within the Ichimoku Cloud at Y133.50. Traders noted model names buying the cross prior to the Tokyo open, lifting the rate through stops at Y133.75/85 en-route to the day's highs at Y133.91. Dollar-yen found larger than usual fixing demand thanks in part to Gotobi day, taking the pair up to Y89.67. A French name was the noted seller here, sending the rate back down to the day's lows at Y89.27 in quick time. Balance of the session was well contained as dollar-yen struggled to get back above Y89.50 and the cross held under earlier highs, pullbacks so far contained around the Y133.50 area. Stops said to be building above Y134.00 from system accounts, while techs note the top of the Ichimoku Cloud comes in at Y133.96 today, together with the 50% retrace of the August-October sell-off at Y133.90. Dollar-yen bids come in on approach to Y89.00, while offers are found at Y89.90/00 with stops at Y90.05.

Dollar-yen is attempting to break out of the first of it's broad falling ranges and tested the 21-DMA and Kijun lines to Y90.44. However, daily studies are failing to provide significant support to the recovery, keeping the overall downtrend in play. Meanwhile, the daily studies remain bullish in euro-yen as the cross tests major resistance levels at Y133.90/00, including the 100-DMA, top of the Ichimoku cloud and a 50% retracement of the post-August decline.



STERLING
Opened Asia around $1.6270, touched an early low of $1.6261 before recovering back, the upside gaining momentum on strong demand for sterling-yen from system funds, general yen sales seen into the Tokyo fix and triggered stops through stg0.9140/35 adding further weight. Cable moved above $1.6300, hitting a technical target level at $1.6350 (mentioned in bullets Thursday), with triggered stops through $1.6355 taking it on to $1.6401. Rate eased off highs, meeting renewed support at $1.6325 before recovering back to $1.6360/65. Early Europe took advantage of the late Asia recovery to take profit, easing the rate through earlier pullback lows to $1.6285. Rate currently trades around $1.6300. Support seen placed between $1.6285/80, stronger between $1.6260/50 ahead of $1.6210/00. Resistance seen at $1.6330, more toward $1.6350.

Cable was capped by the 21-DMA on Weds but this level is being broken at $1.6035 as daily studies point higher and momentum recovers the zero line. Close above 21-DMA would encourage bulls and be the first such close since Sep 17. Tuesday's high in euro-sterling matched that of March 27th and briefly popped over the Bollinger band top, which is currently at stg0.9395. The 21-DMA provides the main support, back at stg0.9180, although the previous highs should provide support ahead of there. Studies are neutral.




OPTIONS
Option expiries for today's 1400GMT cut,
* Euro-dollar; $1.4950, $1.4850, $1.4815
* Dollar-yen; Y91.00, Y90.70, Y91.30
* Cable; $1.6000
* Dollar-Canada; C$1.0400, C$1.0275

DAILY CALENDAR
The main European events for Friday start at 0800GMT when ECB Executive Board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi delivers a speech, in Siena. This is followed by the EMU August trade balance at 0900GMT.

US data starts at 1300GMT with the Treasury International Capital System data, which is followed at 1315GMT by Industrial Production and Capacity Use data.

Industrial production is expected to rise 0.2% in September after posting stronger gains in the previous two months. Manufacturing production may decline this month due to a decline in auto sales.

Factory payrolls fell 51,000 in the month, with auto production jobs were down 4,000. The factory workweek slipped to 39.8 hours, while the ISM production index fell to 55.7. Capacity utilization is forecast to stay at 69.6%.

US data continues at 1355GMT, when The Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is expected to rise to a reading of 74.0 in early-October.

At 1400GMT, ECB Executive Board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi delivers another speech, this time in Florence.

At 1415GMT, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher delivers the keynote address at a conference co-sponsored by SMU's Cox School of Business in Dallas.

At 1530GMT, ECB Governing Council member Axel Weber delivers a speech, in Konstanz (Germany).

Late US data sees the 1800GMT Treasury Statement where the Treasury is expected to post a $31.0 billion deficit in September compared with the $45.7 billion surplus in September 2008. The full fiscal year deficit is much deeper than the previous year's level due to the fiscal stimulus packages and a dip in tax receipts.



Best Regards,

NordMarkets.com