INTRADAY TECHNICAL ANALYSIS 18 MARCH (observation as of 06:50 UTC)

[EURUSD]

Important Levels to Watch for:

-        Resistance line of 1.11586 and 1.12042.

-        Support line of 1.10109 and 1.09652.

Commentary/ Reason:

  1. The single currency was slightly weaker at $1.10914 on Friday, but still headed up 1.70% for the week, its first winning week in six.

  2. The continuation of optimistic peace talks even as fighting still rages in Ukraine has seen demand for safe havens like the dollar dry up.

  3. While sentiment for euro improved after Russia avoided default on dollar-denominated debt.

  4. EUR/USD also strengthened after an upward revision to Eurozone Feb consumer prices on Thursday pushed the 10-year German bund yield up to a 3-1/4 year high, which boosted the euro’s interest rate differentials.

  5. The EUR/USD is climbing back towards the 1.115 resistance line as buyers attempt to form a rally. Given the rise in selling pressure, the pair may struggle to drive a break of the resistance area. The price line represents the lower bound of a previous consolidation channel. Momentum indicators are bullish with moderate upward trajectories.  

EURUSD

 

[USDCHF]

Important Levels to Watch for:

-        Resistance line of 0.94238 and 0.94570.

-        Support line of 0.93162 and 0.92830.

Commentary/ Reason:

  1. The dollar slipped off the 11-month high it touched on Wednesday, down 0.12% to trade at 0.93580 on Friday, still headed to register about 0.40% higher for the week.

  2. The pair is likely to trade within in a narrow range on Friday as the rise in global interest rates indicate that economic recovery is ongoing, while the Russia-Ukraine military conflict could pose a great challenge on the macroeconomic environment.

  3. The dollar stays supported as the odds of Fed’s faster, and more rate hikes seem to put a floor under the prices.

  4. The USD/CHF has failed at the 0.9423 resistance line, as the pair has now pulled back to the 0.9316 support level. The reversal may take price action back, once again, to the 0.928 trading range and lower.

USDCHF

 

[USDJPY]

Important Levels to Watch for Today:

-        Resistance line of 119.302 and 119.988.

-        Support line of 117.930 and 117.244.

Commentary/ Reason:                                        

  1. The dollar strengthened 0.16% to 118.774 per yen, not far from a six-year high of 119.116 reached Wednesday, and was on course for a 1.18% weekly advance, following 2.22% gains in the previous period, which was its most in two years.

  2. The yen was weighed after the Bank of Japan left its ultra-accommodative policy settings unchanged on Friday, as widely expected, leaving it an outlier among developed-world central banks which are exiting pandemic emergency measures.

  3. The central bank also warned of fresh risks from the Ukraine crisis, which it said was destabilising financial markets and sharply pushing up raw material costs.

  4. Markets are focusing on Governor Haruhiko Kuroda's briefing for his views on the inflation outlook and the weak yen, which is adding further upward pressure on already rising fuel costs.

  5. The USD/JPY pair however has stalled at below the 119.30 resistance line, on waning bullish momentum. A rise in selling pressure indicates that a reversal may be on the cards as bearish sentiment appears to be rising. Momentum indicators are bullish although RSI is flattening beyond the overbought zone. 

USDJPY

 

[GBPUSD]

Important Levels to Watch for:

-        Resistance line of 1.32292 and 1.32773.

-        Support line of 1.30735 and 1.30253.

Commentary/ Reason:

  1. Sterling ticked higher, added 0.15% to $1.31650, putting it on track for a 0.86% weekly advance, its first winning week in four.

  2. The monetary tightening campaign has continued with the Bank of England joining its U.S. Fed counterpart, raising its benchmark interest rate by another 25 basis points to 0.75%, though but turned dovish in its outlook amid worries that soaring commodities will hurt growth and demand.

  3. Gilts rallied after the decision and sterling briefly fell as traders turned less sure about future hikes. The British central bank has now raised rates at three consecutive meetings for the first time since 1997.

  4. The GBP/USD pair rebounded from the 1.30 price floor, breaking the previous resistance line. However, a pullback occurred at the 1.322 resistance level with a doji candle indicating indecision for the pair.

GBPUSD