Brent. September 03, 2020 – Oil declines despite shrinking US stocks

Brent crude oil shows a decline on Thursday, weakening to $43.40 a barrel and hitting a new low since early August. Quotes are falling, even despite yesterday's report from the Energy Information Administration of the US Department of Energy, according to which the commercial oil reserves in the country fell by 9.4 million, to 498.4 million barrels. Reduction of stocks of raw materials in the United States has been observed for the sixth consecutive week. Despite this, US oil reserves still exceed the 5-year average by about 14%.

The asset was under pressure from the data that the demand for gasoline fell, and the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic is proceeding at a slow pace. According to the EIA, gasoline stocks fell by 4.3 million barrels, to 234.86 million barrels, distillate stocks fell by 1.7 million barrels, to 177.52 million barrels.

Further dynamics of oil will depend on statistics on the US labor market, which will be released tomorrow. Given that yesterday's ADP report was worse than expected, the official statistics may also disappoint the markets and put pressure on the US dollar.

USD/CAD. September 03, 2020 – Looney continues to weaken, losing oil support

The Canadian dollar continues to weaken against the US dollar, reaching 1.31 after strengthening to 1.2990 last week. Earlier, the loonie was supported by the widespread weakness of the American currency and the rise in oil prices to the area of $46.50 per barrel.

However, it should be noted that the fundamental background has changed slightly, despite the correctional decline of the Canadian. In the US, the debate continues on the adoption of measures to stimulate the economy, and it was reported that the Treasury Department again rejected the proposals of the Democrats.

Today we should pay attention to the statistics on business activity in the US services sector for August. The US dollar may also be supported by data on the number of applications for unemployment benefits: experts predict a decrease in the indicator from 1.006K to 980K. Labor market reports will be released tomorrow in both the US and Canada.

In the meantime, the quotation of the USD/CAD pair is growing with a target in the area of 1.3130. Additional pressure on the Canadian dollar is exerted by a decline in the oil market, where Brent quotes weakened to $43.45 per barrel.

EUR/USD. September 07, 2020 – The pair is consolidating above the level of 1.18

EUR/USD starts the week with a slight decline towards the 1.1800 level. Today is a public holiday in the United States to celebrate Labor Day, so volatility in the market will be minimal.

Last Friday, the US released labor market data showing a decline in the unemployment rate from 10.2% to 8.4%. Experts predicted a decline to 9.8%. The number of jobs outside the agricultural sector rose by 1.371 million after expanding in July by 1.734 million. Average hourly wages in the country in August rose by 0.4% m/m. Such strong data was a signal for the recovery of the employment sector and American business.

However, risks remain in the US economy. Investors expect job growth to slow as the entire support program has already been exhausted. However, politicians have been unable to agree on a new $1 trillion aid package for a long time.

EUR/USD. September 9, 2020 – Euro dipped to the level of 1.1750

The EUR/USD pair continues to retreat amid risk aversion of investors. The current quote for the pair is 1.1750. Market participants are watching with dismay the rise in the number of new cases of coronavirus, as no economy in the world is ready for new quarantine restrictions.

The euro was also under pressure from the statistics released earlier: the next calculation of the eurozone's GDP for the second quarter reflected a fall of 11.8% q/q against the initial estimate of -12.1% q/q. In annual terms, the eurozone economy fell by 14.7% in April-June. The data turned out to be better than forecasted, but the decline still looks very sharp and strong.

The statistics on the level of employment in the region in the second quarter reflected a decrease of 2.9%, which was slightly worse than the initial estimate. In the first quarter, the same indicator decreased by 0.3%. Experts note that the current state of affairs is the most negative since the start of statistics collection in 1995.

Tonight you should pay attention to the data on the number of open vacancies in the labor market JOLTS for July. Experts predict an increase in the number of vacancies to 6 million.

EUR/USD. September 11, 2020 – Euro demonstrates strengthening after ECB meeting

The EUR/USD currency pair demonstrates increased trading volatility after yesterday's meeting of the ECB. Yesterday, at the moment, the pair managed to renew the high of early September at 1.1915, falling almost immediately to 1.1800. The current quote for the euro is 1.1860.

At the end of the meeting, it was decided to keep the monetary policy unchanged, and the rate at zero. The head of the regulator Christine Lagarde also noted that the PEPP program, designed for the purchase of assets in the amount of 1.35 billion euros, will continue its work, but over time the regulator intends to switch to a flexible system of asset repurchase.

Today, you should pay attention to the data on inflation in the United States, which should rise from 1.0% to 1.1%. And in comparison with Europe, which has already faced deflation, statistics from the United States can give the dollar strength. Perhaps it is these data that will entail the long-awaited correction in the EUR/USD pair.

GBP/USD. September 15, 2020 – Pound recovers moderately after long decline

Although the GBP/USD pair remains in a downward trend, it has been showing signs of recovery since the beginning of this week, responding to the positive British statistics. The current quote for the pair is 1.2890.

The UK released several economic reports this morning to support the pound. In particular, in July the growth of the average wages amounted to -1.0% against the forecast of -1.3%. The number of applications for unemployment benefits also fell in August. The actual number of requests was 73.7 thousand, while the forecasts assumed an increase to 100 thousand. Unemployment remained at the same level of 4.1%.

At the same time, the US dollar is under pressure from the protracted dispute in the US Congress over the issue of an additional package of monetary stimulus measures. In the evening hours, you should pay attention to the data on industrial production in the United States. Experts predict a slowdown in the decline in production from -8.2% to -6.1%, which may support the dollar.

The RSI indicator continues to rise towards the resistance zone, which signals the continued growth of the pound to the level of 1.29 and subsequent consolidation in this area.

EUR/USD. September 17, 2020 – The dollar strengthened after the meeting of the US Federal Reserve, but not for long

Yesterday, the results of the two-day meeting of the US Federal Reserve became known, which provided significant support to the dollar. In the evening hours, the quotes of the EUR/USD pair fell to the level of 1.1735. However, on Thursday the euro managed to make up for all the losses and return to the level of 1.1800.

The Open Markets Committee of the Federal Reserve System decided to leave the parameters of monetary policy unchanged. The key rate was kept at the historically minimal level – in the range of 0-0.25% per annum. At the same time, most Fed leaders expect the rate to remain in the current range until the end of 2023.

The ultra-soft monetary policy will continue until unemployment drops to estimated levels and inflation accelerates to 2%.

The Central Bank also improved its forecasts for GDP and unemployment for 2020: from -6.5% to -3.7% and from 9.3% to 7.6%. Jerome Powell noted that over the past two months, the US economy has been recovering faster than expected.

Today you should pay attention to the data on inflation in the euro area. Experts forecast a decline from 0.4% to -0.2%. And this will already become the official recognition of Europe's slide into deflation. The states will provide data on the number of applications for unemployment benefits. Experts expect further growth in the number of applications.

Brent. September 21, 2020 – The oil market began to recover

Oil prices recovered more than 10% last week and Brent quotes returned to the area above $42 per barrel. The current quotation of the asset is $42.40. The weekly high was $43.78 per barrel. Experts believe that the «bullish» rally to the $45 area may resume.

The prices were supported by data on changes in oil reserves in the United States, as well as restrictions on production in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the hurricane season. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), oil reserves in the United States fell 4.4 million barrels, exceeding the forecast for a decline of 1.8 million barrels.

In the US, the active hurricane season continues. To date, due to the threat of Hurricane Sally in the Gulf of Mexico, the work of 27.48% of oil production capacities has been suspended.

An additional driver of price growth was the outcome of the OPEC + meeting, during which the participants in the energy pact reaffirmed their commitment to the current agreement. Earlier, the organization reduced the production cut from 9.7 million barrels per day to 7.7 million, starting in August. At the same time, countries that had not previously completed the deal in full, pledged to compensate for excess production in the coming months.

GBP/USD. September 23, 2020 – Pound weakly strengthens from 1.2700

The GBP/USD pair continues to decline against the dollar, falling to 1.2670 for the first time since late July. The current quote for the pair is 1.2730.

The main pressure on the British pound comes from the uncertainty over Brexit. The date of the country's withdrawal from the EU is approaching, but the parties have failed to reach agreements on many issues, and a «hard» Brexit scenario is becoming more and more likely.

Additional pressure on the British currency is exerted by a sharp deterioration of the epidemiological situation in the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced new restrictive measures and advised companies to move their employees to work remotely. Most likely, the country will face a new lockdown with the shutdown of enterprises, which will once again cause huge damage to the British economy.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey made a speech yesterday. He stated that negative rates are an important tool in the regulator's arsenal, but that their introduction will take time and technical preparatory work. Thus, the head of the Bank of England signaled a possible transition of monetary policy from zero to negative rates.

EUR/USD. September 23, 2020 – Euro is recovering after yesterday's fall

During yesterday's day, the EUR/USD pair dipped to the level of 1.1670, the current quote of the pair is 1.1710. The pressure on the European currency is exerted by the worsening epidemiological situation with regard to Covid-19 in the eurozone and the UK. The British Prime Minister announced new restrictive measures and invited companies to transfer as many workers as possible to remote work.

In addition, the dynamics of the pair is also affected by the strengthening of the dollar, which rose after the statement of Charles Evans about the possibility of moving to raising rates earlier than planned.

Yesterday's speeches by J. Powell and C. Lagarde increased the volatility in EUR/USD trading. Powell noted that the US banking system is holding up well during the pandemic, but there is much work to be done to restore the economy in the future and the prospects for the banking sector have not been determined. Today the head of the Fed will speak in the House of Representatives, and on Thursday – in the Senate Banking Committee.

The head of the ECB, in turn, said at yesterday's speech that the regulator is closely monitoring the rate of the single European currency. Today, the euro was supported by data from Germany, where the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector rose better than expected – to 56.6 points (the forecast assumed that the indicator would remain at the level of 52.2).

EUR/USD. September 25, 2020 – The dollar is confidently moving to new highs

The EUR/USD pair continues to decline on Friday, and the euro runs the risk of renewing local minimums in the 1.1620 area during the day. The current quote for the pair is 1.1635.

The main support for the dollar, driving its growth, comes from the need of global investors for «safe» assets, as more countries mark the signs of a second wave of coronavirus. At the same time, market participants ignore the relatively weak American statistics. According to yesterday's data, the number of applications for unemployment benefits showed an increase to 870 thousand from the previous level of 866 thousand. The forecast was more optimistic and assumed a decrease in the indicator to 845 thousand.

The dollar showed some weakening yesterday, as investors' appetite for risky assets increased amid resumption of talks on additional stimulus for the US economy in the amount of $2.2 trillion.

Today we should pay attention to the publication of the US report on orders for durable goods for August, where the indicator could have increased by 1.1% m/m after earlier growth by 11.4% m/m. Macroeconomic publications are not expected in the euro area, so the dynamics of the EUR/USD pair will depend on data from the United States.

USD/CAD. September 29, 2020 – Looney makes weak attempts to recover

On Tuesday, the USD/CAD pair is showing a moderate decline, moving in the range of 1.3350-1.3400. The current quote for the pair is 1.3360.

The trading instrument is in the area of local highs in anticipation of new movement drivers. In the context of the coming second wave of the pandemic, the US dollar feels more confident than the «Canadian». However, there are factors that put some pressure on the USD rate. In particular, this is the uncertainty associated with the upcoming presidential elections.

The first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden kicks off tomorrow. The further direction of the American currency and its main Forex opponents will depend on the results of the meeting.

Macroeconomic calendar for today is not rich in publications. Attention should be paid to data on producer prices in Canada, but the rate of their decline should remain unchanged at 0.7%, so they are unlikely to somehow affect the Canadian dollar. The US is to report on the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The indicator is expected to grow from 84.8 to 89.2 points.

EUR/USD. October 05, 2020 – Euro continues to move to new highs

At the beginning of the week, the EUR/USD pair managed to recover to the level of 1.1760, retracing the weak data on the US labor market, published last Friday. At the end of September, the US economy was able to create only 661 thousand new jobs outside agriculture, while the last month was marked by an increase of 1.489 million. Analysts predicted an increase of 850 thousand. At the same time, the unemployment rate in the United States in September fell from 8.4% to 7.9%.

The current quote for the pair is 1.1745. Some support for the dollar, as a defensive asset, was provided by the news of a positive test for coronavirus from US President D. Trump. On the eve of the presidential elections, Trump's illness could seriously harm the candidacy of the incumbent, who, as you know, is already lagging behind his opponent Joe Biden.

In addition to the situation with Trump's disease, investors are awaiting the decision of the US Congress on a new package of fiscal assistance to the population and companies affected by the pandemic. As soon as the stimulus is agreed upon, the pressure on the US dollar will intensify, which will lead to further growth of the European currency.

EUR/USD. October 07, 2020 – Trump has increased the volatility of the pair

At the end of Tuesday, the EUR/USD pair dipped to the level of 1.1745. Increased trading volatility was observed throughout the day, since after the discharge of American President D. Trump from the hospital, the demand for risky assets increased, and the euro managed to grow to 1.1765.

However, then Trump surprised the markets with his decision to end negotiations with Democrats on additional stimulus, which led to an increase in demand for the US dollar. Trump noted that he does not want the money to go to help the poorly governed states under Democratic rule. It is worth noting that the Republicans made a $1.6 trillion proposal to the Democrats. Democrats, in turn, insisted on the allocation of amounts from $2.2 to $2.6 trillion.

Democratic presidential candidate Joseph Biden equated such a decision by the incumbent with a betrayal of the American people.

Today the EUR/USD pair will consolidate in the 1.1750 area. In the evening, you should pay attention to the publication of the FOMC minutes.