USD/CAD. November 21, 2019 – Canadian dollar weakened to 5-week lows

The Canadian dollar fell to a 5-week low at mark 1.3330, despite rising inflationary pressure in Canada and the strengthening of Brent position in the oil market to $62.70 per barrel. The current quotation of the USD/CAD pair is 1.3300. Pessimism over US-China trade relations is forcing investors to give up risky assets and raises demand for safe assets and the dollar. Moreover it is putting pressure on commodity goods prices and commodity currencies, such as CAD.

According to current data, consumer prices in October rose 0.3% after falling 0.4% in September. Inflation remained at 1.9% year on year. Today, attention should be paid to the speech by the Governor of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz, who may touch on the theme of deterioration of the global economy, which increases the risks of lower interest rates in Canada.

The decision on monetary policy will be made by the Bank of Canada at the next meeting of the regulator, scheduled for December 4. Up to this point, the Canadian dollar may be under pressure in the area of 1.3300. Tomorrow you should pay attention to the release of data on retail sales.

EUR/USD. November 25, 2019 – The euro has weakened to the level of 1.10

Last Friday the US dollar got strong support amid published macroeconomic data. This allowed the quotes of the EUR/USD pair to reach closely to the level of 1.1000. According to the data, the index of business activity in industry and in the service sector grew from 51.3 and 50.6 points to 52.2 and 51.6 points, respectively. At the same time, statistics from the EU put pressure on the euro: the PMI composite business activity index in the region fell moderately and remained close to 50.

Additional pressure on the euro was provided by gold sales amid growing interest in risky assets. The reason for improving risk appetite was the information that China plans to increase fines for violations of intellectual property rights, trying to eliminate one of the key topics of the trade conflict between the United States and China. Moreover, the bill in support of protesters in Hong Kong was never signed by US President D. Trump, which significantly reduced the degree of tension between the countries.

So, in the prevailing conditions, the pair will move in a narrow range near the level of 1.10.

EUR/USD. November 27, 2019 – Euro continues to weaken

In the absence of significant macroeconomic data, the EUR/USD pair continues to decline slightly to the level of 1.10. The focus of the markets is still the news on the course of trade talks between the US and China. The day before, US President D. Trump reiterated that the sides are very close to signing the first phase of a comprehensive agreement, which had supported the full range of risky assets.

Today, you should pay attention to the release of data on the US economy: the Index of manufacturing activity from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, statistics on orders for durable goods, as well as an updated estimate of GDP for the III quarter.

Recall that Thanksgiving day is celebrated in the USA tomorrow, in connection with which the American sites will be closed, and trading activity at the end of the week may significantly decrease. Today, the EUR/USD pair will be trading nearby the level of 1.10.

EUR/USD. November 29, 2019 – The pair stabilized at 1.10

The appetite for risky assets remains moderate amid another complication in relations between the US and China. On the eve it became known that D. Trump nethertheless signed a bill supporting protesters in Hong Kong.

Important macroeconomic news is not expected today, so the pair EUR/USD will continue to fluctuate in the area of 1.1000. Yesterday's inflation data in Germany did not have a visible impact on the euro, despite the fact that the consumer price index was slightly better than expected (1.2% y/y against the expected 1.1% y/y). In the daytime you should pay attention to the release of data on inflation in the European Union.

Yesterday American exchanges were closed due to Thanksgiving celebration, and today the US sites will close earlier than usual, so trading activity in the evening hours is likely to remain low.

EUR/USD. December 03, 2019 – Euro approached 1.11

Yesterday the EUR/USD pair unexpectedly increased in price, almost touched the level of 1.1100. Such alignment of forces in the pair was facilitated by the US President’s tweet, in which he charged Brazil and Argentina with weakness of their currencies, and introduced tariffs against export from these two countries. In addition, Trump demanded that the Fed must lower the interest rate at the next meeting.

Additional pressure on the dollar was provided by weak macroeconomic data from the United States: the ISM index of economic conditions in the manufacturing sector in November amounted to 48.1%, while analysts had forecast a figure of 49.2%. In addition, construction costs unexpectedly fell by 0.8%, although analysts had expected an increase of 0.4%.

As a result, the US dollar collapsed across the full spectrum of the Forex market, even in relation to risky assets. The additional negative was caused by the US and Chinese altercations around the human rights situation in Hong Kong.

However, it should be noted, that macroeconomic data from Germany and the eurozone gave support to the euro. Indices of business activity in industry in November showed growth: in Germany - from 43.8 to 44.1 points, in the eurozone - from 46.6 to 46.9 points. Thus, the euro feels quite confident in the current conditions. During the day the pair will continue to attempt to reach the level of 1.11.

Brent. December 05, 2019 – Oil rose to $63.50 per barrel

Oil prices began to rise after yesterday's industry report from the US Department of Energy. The Department reported a drawdown on crude oil inventories in the United States last week for nearly 5 million barrels per week, which is the most dramatic reduction in oil reserves in the past 12 weeks. As a result, Brent rose in price to $63.50 per barrel.

Today starts a two-day meeting of the OPEC+ monitoring committee in Vienna. Analysts expect participating countries to extend the current deal until June 2020 and not to change the parameters of this deal. It also supports oil prices.

Also today attention should be paid to Saudi Arabia, where Saudi Aramco, the country's national oil company, will announce its IPO offering price. It is noted that the demand for stocks is increased, which means that the company can place actions on the upper price limit.

EUR/USD. December 10, 2019 – Euro started to grow after the release of data from ZEW

The euro continues to strengthen to the area of 1,11, while market participants are waiting for significant events of this week, concentrated in its second half (Fed and ECB meetings, parliamentary elections in the UK).

News from the front of trade negotiations has recently remained positive. Market players expect that amid the upcoming US elections, Donald Trump is unlikely eager to escalate the trade war and disappoint market participants. Therefore, new import duties on Chinese goods most likely will not be introduced on December 15.

Today, you should pay attention to the publication of the index of economic expectations from ZEW in Germany. Fresh statistics provided visible support to the European currency, since the indicator value has peaked since February 2018. The index of expectations of investors and analysts regarding the German economy in December jumped to 10.7 points from minus 2.1 points in November. Thus, during the day the pair will continue to grow to the area of 1.11.

GBP/USD. December 12, 2019 – Sterling may rise following the parliamentary elections

Today all market participants are focused on the long-awaited elections to the British Parliament. Voting results are expected not only in the UK, but around the world, as everyone wants to finally find out how the Brexit story ends. Sociological polls have shown that most likely the Tories will win, led by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

If the expectations come true, and the Conservatives get the majority of votes, Johnson will be able to complete the British exit from the EU until January 31, 2020. The first results of the vote will be released tonight, and they will be crucial for the further dynamics of the pound.

Today, the British sterling remains at high levels just below 1.3200. In general, since the British decided to withdraw from the European Union, the currency has come a long way: after the Brexit vote the pound collapsed to 1.1450 from the level of 1.5. If the Conservative Party win, the sterling will continue to rise to an area above 1.32.

GBP/USD. December 17, 2019 – Sterling continues to keep downside

The British currency continues to decline on Tuesday, reaching a support level of 1.3200. Earlier, after the victory of the conservatives in the parliamentary elections in the UK, the sterling managed to update the maximum of May 2018 at the mark 1.35, but quickly lost all positions.

Pressure on the British currency is exerted by weak macroeconomic data. In particular, yesterday's data on business activity showed the sharpest decline since July 2016. The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell from the November level of 49.3 to 48.5 points in December, which became a minimum of 41 months. The service sector PMI in December fell from 49.3 to 49 points, having reached its lowest level in nine months. UK manufacturing PMI fell from 48.9 to 47.4 points, which also became the lowest indicator in four months.

Today you should pay attention to the release of data on the British labor market and the speech of the Bank of England head Mark Carney. The weakness of statistical reports may push the regulator to soften monetary policy, that will put further pressure on the sterling.

Brent/USD. December 19, 2019 – Oil stabilized above $66 after data from the US Department of Energy

Oil continues to hold in the area of local highs above the level of $66 per barrel. Brent was supported by yesterday's report from the US Department of Energy. The statistics reflected a decrease in oil reserves by 1 million barrels, while similar data from API a day earlier showed an increase in stocks by 5 million barrels.

The appetite for risky assets remains moderate, as no news has been received from the front of the trade war last days. So, during the day we expect calm trading in the area above $62 per barrel.

EUR/USD. December 23, 2019 – Euro continues to weaken

On past Friday the EUR/USD pair fell to the area of 1.1050, reacting to the strengthening of the US dollar in the market and the decline of the EUR/GBP pair (to 0.85). The dollar got support from U.S. GDP data for the III quarter, which showed accelerated growth in the US economy. Gross domestic product increased 2.1% year on year. Additional support was provided by data on income and expenses: in November personal income grew by 0.5% (the forecast was 0.3%). Personal expenses increased by 0.4% (the indicator coincided with the forecast).

At 16:30, you should pay attention to the publication of data on the volume of orders for durable goods in the US in November. Experts expect the figure to drop from 1.5% m/m to 0.6% m/m. Since this indicator is an important leading indicator of production trends and investment activity, these data can put strong pressure on the dollar. At 18:00 no less important publication is expected – a report on the volume of home sales in the primary market in November.

We remind you that tomorrow the exchanges will work on a shortened schedule, and the full-fledged work of the sites will resume on Thursday, after the Christmas holidays. Today, in anticipation of macroeconomic news, the pair will continue to weaken to the area of 1.1060.

Brent/USD. December 25, 2019 – Oil reached $67.20 per barrel

Brent quotes continue to update highs. This morning, the price of «black gold» rose to $67.20 per barrel. The growth factor was positive news from the front of trade negotiations between the US and China: US President D. Trump said, that the sides had finally approved the first phase of the trade deal. And now they are finalizing and translating the necessary documentation to sign the agreement.

In addition, yesterday the American Petroleum Institute (API) published a report according to which US crude oil inventories fell by almost 8 million barrels per week. Analysts expected a decline of 2 million.

Today we should not expect significant dynamics in the oil market, since most of the European and American sites are closed due to the celebration of Christmas.