GBP/USD. July 23, 2020 – Sterling falls after the release of weak economic statistics

On Thursday, the British currency came under pressure after the release of macroeconomic statistics from the UK. In particular, the index of industrial orders in July showed an increase to -46 points from -58 points a month earlier. However, the latest data turned out to be worse than forecasted, as analysts had expected the indicator to rise to -38 points. Moreover, household incomes have fallen by 4.5% since the onset of the crisis, and sharply increased unemployment remains the country's key economic problem.

At the same time, the US dollar is also under pressure following statements by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about the likelihood of new measures to stimulate the country's economy, despite the huge budget deficit.

The growth of the pound sterling is also limited due to the uncertainty in the Brexit negotiations between the UK and the European Union. The current round of talks will end this week, and no new meetings are expected yet. At the same time, there is no visible result in the debate yet, which increases the risks of a lack of a trade agreement and, as a result, a fall in the British currency.

The current quote for the GBP/USD pair is 1.2690. The RSI indicator declines towards the neutral zone, which signals in favor of further weakening of the pound sterling.

EUR/USD. July 23, 2020 – Euro retains potential for further growth

The euro continues to trade in the area of yesterday's highs near the level of 1.1600. The European currency managed to renew the maximum from October 16, 2018 after the leaders of the EU countries agreed on the creation of a global fund for the recovery of the European economy in the amount of 750 billion.

Amid such a powerful factor supporting the European currency, the deterioration in relations between the United States and China fades into the background. However, many experts are sure that this is «for the time being». Earlier it became known that the US intends to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, to which China also promised to take retaliatory measures.

Today you should pay attention to the data on applications for unemployment benefits in the United States. Experts expect an increase in the number of applications from 1,300 to 1,360 for the first time in last weeks. If forecasts are confirmed, the dollar will receive additional impetus to weaken. Also of interest will be the data on the consumer confidence index in the euro zone for July, where the indicator may improve to -12 points from -15 earlier.

EUR/USD. July 27, 2020 – The dollar is weak for many reasons

The US dollar continues to weaken against all major currencies at the start of the new trading week. The current quote for the EUR/USD pair is 1.1700. This week, market participants are likely to continue selling dollars, and there are several reasons for this.

First, the American Benefit Co-Pay program expires on Monday. Over the course of several months, more than 20 million US citizens received weekly co-payments of $ 600. Now, after the completion of the program, many enterprises and households will fully feel the negative consequences of the lack of financial assistance from the authorities.

Second, the US economy has already slowed significantly, which will be confirmed by the US Q2 GDP report on Thursday. Experts predict a 35.0% decline in the American economy.

Finally, the position of the US Federal Reserve System also does not give the dollar any incentives to strengthen. Against the background of the fact that the economic prospects are disappointing, the deadline for payments to citizens has expired, and the packages of new assistance measures may turn out to be ineffective, the regulator can only continue to adhere to the «dovish» position in its monetary policy.

Coupled with a further increase in the number of Covid-19 diseases in the United States, the above factors will only have a negative impact on the dollar exchange rate.

Brent. July 29, 2020 – Oil rises after the publication of the report from the API

During the trading session on Wednesday, Brent crude rose to $44.20 per barrel. Prices were supported by yesterday's report from the American Petroleum Institute (API), according to which crude oil reserves in the country fell by 6.8 million barrels per week. Analysts had forecast a reduction of only 1.2 million barrels.

Today you should pay attention to a similar report from the US Department of Energy. If the new data also reflects the decline in inventories, Brent quotes will be able to reach a maximum of $45 per barrel.

At the same time, the softening of the terms of the OPEC+ deal to reduce production by 2 million barrels per day starting from August may act as a pressure factor in the near future. Analysts have calculated that the softening of the OPEC+ deal will lead to an oversupply over the next four months.

EUR/USD. July 29, 2020 – The pair is sideways in anticipation of the results of the US Federal Reserve meeting

Today is extremely important for the dynamics of the EUR/USD pair, since the US Federal Reserve will announce its decision on the rate and share its plans for further monetary policy.

In addition, market participants are waiting for the regulator's assessment of the prospects for the recovery of the American economy. Earlier in June, the FOMC released its quarterly reports, according to which a progressive economic recovery could be expected. However, after that, the States were swept by the second wave of the coronavirus, which led to another tightening of quarantine restrictions and a decrease in business and production activity.

Additional pressure on the US dollar is exerted by the expectations of tomorrow's GDP report. Experts predict a significant decline in the economy in the second quarter, up to 35%.

At the same time, the markets are following the discussion in Congress of new measures to support the US economy in the amount of $1 trillion. It is expected that a new aid package will be adopted this week.

The current quote for the EUR/USD pair is 1.1745. The euro is clearly overbought, and it is logical to observe a downward correction. During the day, trading will be held in a calm manner, pending the results of the Fed meeting.

EUR/USD. July 31, 2020 – Euro has updated its maximum at around 1.1900

The euro continues to rally, reaching 1.1900. The US dollar again came under pressure from several factors at once: from the fresh macroeconomic data and statements by US President Donald Trump.

So, yesterday's data on US GDP showed a decline in the US economy in the II quarter by 32.9%. This was the largest decline since the Great Depression. Experts note that without the $3 trillion stimulus package, the GDP failure would have been even greater, but the current figures are impressive.

Additional pressure on the currency was exerted by the words of D. Trump, who does not exclude the postponement of the upcoming presidential elections in November due to low GDP and economic problems. Moreover, the lack of progress in talks between Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress on a new $1 trillion package of measures also does not give the US dollar optimism.

Today we should pay attention to the data on inflation for July in the eurozone and changes in the volume of GDP for the II quarter. Inflation in the region rose 0.4% on an annualized basis, while GDP fell by a record 12.1%. Such news somewhat dampened the appetite for the euro, which allowed the EUR/USD pair to fall to 1.1850.

Brent. August 04, 2020 – Oil awaiting data from API

Yesterday ended with the growth of Brent quotes to $44.40 per barrel. Market participants are optimistic about the further recovery of demand after the release of fairly good reports on business activity in the manufacturing sector of the eurozone and the United States.

Further support for oil prices is provided by a decrease in the number of new cases of coronavirus infection in the United States, which also indicates a further recovery in demand.

However, on Tuesday Brent quotes began to decline to $ 43.40 per barrel. The asset is still under pressure from the increase in oil production by the OPEC+ countries and Russia. More and more countries are gradually phasing out the previously set production quotas as part of the OPEC deal.

Today and tomorrow you should pay attention to the data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the US Department of Energy on crude oil reserves in the country. In case of another decline in reserves, Brent quotes may test the resistance of  $45 per barrel.

Brent. August 06, 2020 – Oil drops slightly after updating March highs

Yesterday Brent quotes rose to $46.16 per barrel on the back of a favorable general market environment and further weakening of the US dollar. However, on Thursday, the asset fell slightly – to $45.

The prices were supported by reports from the API and the US Department of Energy on crude oil reserves in the country: indicators showed a reduction in reserves by 8.5 million and 7.37 million, respectively. At the same time, the loading of refineries in the United States increased by only 0.1%, and oil product inventories, contrary to forecasts, grew. Gasoline stocks increased by 419 thousand barrels, distillates – by 1.592 million barrels. Oil reserves at the Cushing terminal increased by 532 thousand barrels.

The depreciation of the US dollar in recent days also contributes to the rise in oil prices. Since oil futures are priced in dollars, prices usually rise during such periods, which compensates for the weakening of the US currency.

GBP/USD. August 06, 2020 – What to expect from the Bank of England meeting?

GBP/USD is approaching the 1.3200 level, the high of early March. The sterling is supported by investors' expectations of today's meeting of the Bank of England. The regulator is to make a statement on monetary policy, as well as submit a quarterly report on inflation in the UK.

The central bank is not expected to change its monetary policy as macroeconomic indicators continue to show an improvement in the UK economy. Moreover, the situation with the spread of Covid-19 in the country remains under control.

However, in June, the position of the Bank of England turned out to be more «hawkish» than market participants had expected. If at today's meeting the atmosphere is saturated with pessimism and the regulator lowers economic forecasts, the pound sterling will inevitably go down to the 1.30 area. Additional pressure on the currency will come from the revised downward indicators of business activity in the services sector (56.5 points) and the composite PMI index (57.0).

GBP/USD. August 10, 2020 – The sterling fell to 1.30

The British pound continues to decline against the US dollar at the start of a new trading week. The American currency was supported by strong data on the labor market, published last Friday.

At the same time, the pressure on the sterling itself increased after the announcement of the results of the meeting of the Bank of England on Thursday. The regulator kept the base interest rate at a record low level of 0.1% and left unchanged the parameters for purchasing government and corporate bonds. At the same time, the unemployment forecast suggested an increase in the indicator to 7.5% in 2020 and a gradual decline in 2021. The central bank also does not expect the country's GDP to grow to pre-crisis levels, at least until the end of 2021.

The unsuccessful negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal also add to the negative effect on the British currency. Senior negotiators from the EU and the UK have repeatedly noted the lack of progress.

Thus, the GBP/USD pair reached the 1.3000 level. The RSI indicator is directed downward, which signals further weakening of the pound sterling.

EUR/USD. August 10, 2020 – Dollar is growing, playing back positive statistics on the labor market

At the beginning of the new trading week, the US dollar continues to moderately strengthen, approaching 1.1740. The currency was supported by a block of statistics on the labor market, published on Friday. The unemployment rate improved in July and amounted to 10.2% against the previous figure of 11.1%. The forecast assumed a mark of 10.5%.

The number of jobs outside the agricultural sector increased by 1.763 million against the forecast of growth of 1.530 million. Average hourly wages in the United States increased by 0.2% m / m, which is well above forecasts. Tonight, attention should be paid to the number of job openings in the US labor market.

The dollar also acted as a defensive asset after Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the use of two popular Chinese applications WeChat and Tiktok. The ban will take effect next month.

Today the trading day will be calm. The dollar will continue to rise slightly towards the 1.1700 area.

EUR/USD. August 12, 2020 – Euro is growing moderately towards the 1.18 area

The euro continues to moderately strengthen against the dollar after the publication of positive macroeconomic data from Germany. The index of investor confidence in the country's economy jumped in August to 71.5 points from 59.3 points in July. Experts predicted a decrease in the indicator to 58 points.

At the same time, the US dollar also received some support after the publication of the PPI indicator. Producer price index rose 0.6% month-on-month in July, better than forecasted 0.3%. This was the highest growth rate since October 2018.

Today you should pay attention to the data on inflation in the United States. And since the PPI is a leading indicator of inflation, it can be assumed that the consumer price index is growing. Experts predict an increase in the indicator from 0.6% to 0.7%. This is definitely a positive factor for the American currency.

The current quote for the EUR/USD pair is 1.1770. During the day, we continue to follow the news publications.

EUR/USD. August 14, 2020 – Euro weakens under pressure from weak statistics

The euro is moving almost horizontally above the 1.1800 level. The currency is under some pressure from macroeconomic data: the euro zone's GDP for the II quarter collapsed by 12.1% in quarterly terms and by 9.0% in annual terms. At the same time, experts predicted a 15% decline in annual GDP, so there is some positive for the euro.

The trade balance of the euro area in June amounted to 17.1 billion euros, which was weaker than expected.

Additional pressure on the European currency rate is exerted by the absence of any effects from stimulating the economy, into which a huge amount of financial resources were poured. However, time is passing, and there are no signs of stabilization yet, which leads to sales of the euro.

Tonight you should pay attention to the data on retail sales for July in the United States, as well as statistics on industrial production. Experts predict an acceleration in sales growth from 1.1% to 1.9%, which will support the dollar.

GBP/USD. August 18, 2020 – The sterling is located in the area of local highs just below 1.32

On Tuesday, the British currency is trading in the area of local highs at 1.3167. The US dollar is under pressure from Friday's data: the index of current conditions from the University of Michigan fell in August from 82.8 to 82.5 points, while experts expected the indicator to decline to 81.8 points. The consumer sentiment index rose to 72.8 points against 72.5 points a month earlier.

The economic calendar for today is almost empty, so market participants continue to play this news. Only data on construction in the United States will attract attention. Experts predict an increase in the number of building permits issued in July from 1.258 million to 1.313 million.

Tomorrow the dynamics of the pound will be affected by the data on inflation in the UK. The forecast assumes that the CPI will remain at 0.6% on an annualized basis.

EUR/USD. August 20, 2020 – US Federal Reserve meeting minutes supported dollar

On Thursday, the euro started to decline, reaching 1.1800 at the moment. The current quote for the EUR/USD pair is 1.1830. The dollar was supported by the publication of the minutes of the meeting of the US Federal Reserve System. This time the regulator did not mention the possibility of expanding economic stimulation, which turned out to be a positive factor for the American currency.

At the same time, the Central Bank noted that there are multiple risks associated, first of all, with the uncertain situation due to coronavirus and deflation. And if the pandemic continues, the US economy will again be hit hard.

Today we should pay attention to the publication of data on the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits in the United States. Experts predict a further reduction in the number of applications for benefits, from 963 thousand to 925 thousand. The publication of the minutes of the ECB meeting on monetary policy will also attract attention.

USD/CAD. August 31, 2020 – Canadian dollar at highs

At the beginning of the week, the quotes of the USD/CAD pair dropped to the area of local minimums of 1.3050 against the background of the weakness of the US dollar after J. Powell's speech last week. The politician announced a new targeting of average inflation and a significant extension of the period around zero interest rates.

At the same time, the Canadian dollar was supported by Friday's macroeconomic data: although Canada's GDP fell by 38.7% in the second quarter, it turned out to be better than the forecasted fall by 39.6%. On a monthly basis, the Canadian economy showed growth at all by 6.5% against the forecast of 5.6%.

Today is a relatively calm trading day as the economic calendar is almost empty.