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The EUR USD managed to hold on to its overnight gains despite bullish comments
from Fed Chairman Bernanke that boosted the U.S. Dollar. Early in today's trading
session the Euro rallied sharply higher following the release of better than
expected economic reports from France and Germany. The reports unexpectedly
showed improvements in French manufacturing and German services. The Euro was
trading firm at the New York opening but positive comments from Bernanke regarding
the recovery in the global economic community helped the U.S. Dollar improve,
thereby limiting gains in the Euro.
Bernanke's comments also helped pressure the GBP USD. The British Pound opened
the New York session a little better on the bullish news out of Europe, but
gains were erased after Bernanke's comments. Fundamentally this currency pair
remains weak because of the growing U.K. deficit and expansion of the Bank
of England's quantitative easing program. Traders want to see an improvement
in the U.K. economy before committing to the long side.
The USD JPY reversed early morning losses to post a gain at the close of the
session. Overnight the Japanese Yen was trading higher because of the reversal
of the carry trade following weakness in Asian stock markets. The surge in
U.S. equity markets and the thought of an economic recovery in the U.S. encouraged
traders to buy the Dollar and sell the Yen throughout today's session. Technically
this currency pair formed a closing price reversal bottom which could lead
to a follow-through rally next week.
Strong equity and energy markets helped weaken the USD CAD on Friday. The
hard break in this market helped to turn the main trend back down after an
almost two week rally. Although this market is reacting to greater demand for
higher yielding assets, traders are going to want to see improvements in the
Canadian economy or the current strength in the Canadian Dollar will not be
sustained.
The AUD USD and NZD USD rallied sharply higher although both markets did not
take out their respective highs for the year despite the huge rally in U.S.
equity markets. Based on the upside momentum, this will probably take place
next week. Gains could be limited if economic conditions in China don't start
to show signs of improvement. Traders are concerned that a tightening of liquidity
by the Chinese central bank will stymie the economy and curb demand for Australian
and New Zealand exports.
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