EUR/USD. December 24, 2020 – Consolidation at 1.22

The EUR/USD pair is showing consolidation in the area of local highs at 1.2200.

Yesterday's weak statistics put some pressure on the dollar rate. In particular, the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits did not increase as much as analysts predicted, but still the figure is still above 800 thousand, which is a high figure. Moreover, in November, the growth in durable goods orders slowed, personal income and expenses fell, and new home sales fell sharply.

In addition, the consumer confidence index in the US fell to 88.6 points in December, while experts had expected the index to rise to 97 points.

At the same time, the European currency is supported by the approaching final in the Brexit negotiations. Experts note that the main controversial issues have already been practically resolved, and if an agreement between the EU and the UK is adopted, the euro may rush to the area of 1.2300.

Today the macroeconomic calendar is almost empty, the markets are getting ready for Christmas. In the United States, it is a shortened day, and European exchanges do not work at all throughout the day. However, today you should still pay attention to the statistics on basic orders for durable goods in the US in November.

GBP/USD. December 24, 2020 – Sterling continues to storm the area of local highs

The British sterling was the leader on Wednesday trading, confidently moving to a local maximum at around 1.3570. Negative factors in the form of the emergence of new strains of coronavirus and the lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations have not yet put pressure on the British currency, but everything can change at any time.

The pressure on the US dollar was exerted by yesterday's weak statistics. In particular, the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits did not grow as much as expected, but still the figure is still above 800 thousand.Moreover, in November the growth in the volume of orders for durable goods slowed down, income and expenses of individuals decreased. and new home sales fell sharply.

At the same time, the sterling is supported by the hopes of investors for the successful completion of negotiations on Brexit, despite the fact that the deadline for making a decision on a trade deal is rapidly approaching. Negotiations between the EU and the UK lasted all night, and if an agreement is reached, the pound will rush to new highs in the 1.40 area. If the negotiations fail, the dynamics of the British currency will depend on whether the debate continues in the future.

Today the macroeconomic calendar is almost empty, the markets are preparing for Christmas, so the movement of the pair will be limited by a narrow range below the 1.3570 level.

Brent. December 29, 2020 – Oil market demonstrates growth in the pre-New Year week

Oil prices are steadily growing during trading on Tuesday amid growing investor appetite for risky assets. A strengthening factor was the adoption of new stimulating measures in the United States. The cost of February futures for Brent rose to $51.65 per barrel, while the price of WTI reached $48.30 per barrel.

On Monday, the House of Representatives of Congress approved an increase in stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 at the request of Donald Trump. Moreover, on Sunday, Trump signed the country's fiscal 2021 budget of $2.3 trillion. It is noted that the budget includes a package of measures to support the economy in a pandemic in the amount of $900 billion.

In addition, the general weakness of the US dollar also supports oil prices. However, experts believe that the growth of the oil market may be suspended due to concerns about a new strain of coronavirus and imposed restrictions on the movement of people between countries.

Brent. December 31, 2020 – What awaits the oil market in 2021?

In April 2020, Brent crude hit multi-year lows, falling to $16 a barrel amid the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the price for American WTI crude oil fell into the area of negative values.

Experts note that the consumption of crude oil and liquid fuels in the world for the year decreased by 9% (from 101 million barrels per day in 2019 to 92.4 million barrels). However, an agreement to cut oil production under OPEC + allowed oil to recoup most of the losses by the end of 2020. Today Brent quotes are holding at $51.50 per barrel.

However, it is possible that at the beginning of 2021, quotations may again fall to $30 per barrel amid the announcement of new lockdowns in many countries due to the further spread of coronavirus in the world. But, nevertheless, the market is now dominated by optimism. Analysts still expect the global economy to recover next year, which can support the demand for commodities. The oil price range is expected to be in the range of $40-65 per barrel over the next year.

On the last day of the outgoing year, Brent quotes settled at $51.40 per barrel.

Fundamental Brent analysis for January 5, 2021

On Tuesday afternoon, world oil prices shifted to growth amid expectations of an OPEC+ decision to further cut oil production in February. The current quotation of the asset is $52.05 per barrel.

The meeting of all OPEC+ countries was supposed to end yesterday, but the participants in the meeting failed to reach an agreement on the volume of reductions next month, and the debate will continue today. The meeting participants are discussing two proposals: to increase production in February by 500 thousand bpd or to keep production at the January level. Russia and Kazakhstan are in favor of increasing production by 0.5 million bpd from February, while the rest of the countries are in favor of extending production at current levels.

Oil prices are also supported by continued optimism related to the recovery in demand. The start of coronavirus vaccination in many countries gives hope for the early lifting of restrictions on movement, which, in turn, will contribute to the growth of demand for raw materials.

However, despite vaccinations, the world today is still seeing an increase in the incidence of Covid-19, which suggests that in the short term, the increase in demand will still slow down.

EUR/USD. January 07, 2021 – Democrats won the Senate, the dollar went up

The Democrats won the Senate election, which greatly increases the likelihood of continued full stimulus and expansion of US infrastructure spending. However, at the same time, it is possible that taxes will increase and regulation will be strengthened.

The completion of the elections reduced market uncertainty and led to the strengthening of the US dollar. The current quote for the EUR/USD pair is 1.2245. Now the demand for risky assets can only increase with the escalation of the trade war between the United States and China or with a strong deterioration in macroeconomic indicators in the United States.

The minutes of the US Federal Reserve meeting were published yesterday evening. The document confirmed the regulator's plans not to abandon the super soft policy for a long time, until inflation steadily grows to target levels and significant improvements in unemployment statistics. Also, the volume of asset purchases ($120 billion per month) will not change.

Today you should pay attention to the ECB meeting and the decision of the regulator on monetary policy. The first this year Non-farm Payrolls report in the USA will be published tomorrow, experts expect very weak indicators.

EUR/USD. January 12, 2021 – The dollar stopped his rally at the level of 1.2130

On Tuesday, the dollar suspended its growth in the area of 1.2130. The EUR/USD pair has been hovering at 1.2150 for the second session in a row. The euro received some support after the release of data on the consumer confidence index in the euro zone from the Sentix institute in January: the indicator rose by 1.3 points against a decline earlier by 2.7. However, these statistics turned out to be worse than the forecast of 2.0 points growth.

The dollar continues to receive support from the election of a new president in the United States (Joe Biden will take office on January 20). Global markets are optimistic about the Democrat's plans to allocate additional trillions to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Markets are usually a little nervous when it comes to stimulus processes as they can accelerate inflation and negatively affect the US currency. However, now in the foreground is the yield on 10-year government bonds, which keeps the US dollar afloat.

Today the macroeconomic calendar is not rich in publications, so the pair will continue to trade near the level of 1.2150. Attention should be paid only to the data on new vacancies (JOLT) for November in the United States. A job overview will give you an idea of what is happening in the labor market in relation to recruitment. Analysts point out that 6.652 million vacancies were recorded in October.

January 14, 2021 – Why is the oil market declining?

Yesterday, Brent quotes updated an almost annual maximum at $57.38 per barrel, but today the asset has dropped to $55.77.

The pressure on prices was exerted by data on changes in US oil product inventories. According to a report by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the US Department of Energy, crude oil inventories in the country fell by 3.2 million barrels for the week, while analysts predicted a decline of 3.8 million. A day earlier, API released a similar report, according to which oil reserves decreased by 5.8 million

The report from the EIA also showed that gasoline inventories rose by 4.4 million barrels, and distillate stocks by 4.8 million barrels, which was worse than forecasts (3.2 million and 2.8 million barrels, respectively).

Additional pressure on Brent came from the recovery of the US dollar in the Forex market. The USD Index, which measures the US currency against a basket of six major foreign exchange competitors, rose 0.3% on the day. The new US President Joe Biden will speak today. The head of the White House may announce new measures to support the economy, which will put pressure on the dollar and, as a result, lead to an increase in oil prices.

EUR/USD. January 18, 2021 – Euro continues to decline

The euro continues to decline against the dollar on Monday, reaching 1.2060. Weak economic statistics from the US, as well as uncertainty in the timing of the discussion of Joe Biden's stimulus program put pressure on risky assets.

It is noted that the package of measures to support the economy proposed by Biden includes direct payments to Americans in the amount of $1,400, a temporary increase in payments to the unemployed, and an increase in the minimum wage at the federal level to $15 per hour. However, experts believe that the new president will not be able to pass the stimulus plan in this form through Congress.

This week, all the attention of the markets will be drawn to the speech in the Senate of the former chairman of the Federal Reserve System Janet Yellen on Tuesday. Market participants expect that the country's new finance minister will make it clear that they are taking an approach in which the dollar should be determined by the market. This will mean that the Ministry of Finance does not intend to interfere with the dynamics of the national currency.

Today is a day off in the United States to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, so the pair will continue to trade weakly around 1.2080.

Brent. January 18, 2021 – The oil market continues to decline on Monday

On Monday, oil prices continued to decline, reaching $54.50 per barrel. Such dynamics was a consequence of the strengthening of the US dollar, as well as a decrease in traders' optimism amid an increase in the incidence of Covid in the world. However, statistics from China, showing GDP growth of 2.3% (more than forecast) and an increase in industrial production in December by 7.3%, limit the decline in oil prices today.

Experts note that the oil market has grown strongly lately, and the current decline is giving it some respite. The key event for the market in the near future will be the inauguration of the US President-elect Joe Biden and his further economic program.

Brent was also under pressure at the end of last week with data from the American oil service company Baker Hughes. The report reflected an increase in the number of operating oil rigs in the US last week by 12 units to 287 rigs. The number of work units has been increasing for eight consecutive weeks.

The current Brent quote is $54.80. During the day, we expect a slight recovery in the price to the $55 per barrel area.

EUR/USD. January 20, 2021 – Euro continues to rise above 1.2150

On Wednesday, the euro continues to rise, reaching 1.2150. Yesterday, ex-head of the Federal Reserve System and future US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made a speech, which market participants were looking forward to.

Yellen calmed the markets by assuring them of additional fiscal stimulus and promised not to interfere with the dynamics of the dollar. The politician also noted that in the post-crisis period, the United States needs a weak currency in competition and said that the Treasury Department will fight against attempts by other central banks to manipulate the exchange rates of national currencies.

Now, in order to reduce the rate of the single European currency, the ECB will have to somehow outplay the FRS, but the European regulator has long since exhausted the entire arsenal of stimulating instruments. The expansion of the QE program is unlikely to spur inflation, analysts say. Thus, with the strong weakening of the dollar and the ECB's inability to influence the euro rate, the EUR/USD pair has only a way up.

Today we should pay attention to the data on inflation in the eurozone. Deflation has been raging in Europe for four months now. And the final data on consumer prices should reflect their continued decline at the level of -0.3%, which will put significant pressure on the euro rate and allow the bears to return quotes to the level of 1.21.

An important event today will be the inauguration of Joe Biden and his first appearance as the new president of the United States.

GBP/USD. January 22, 2021 – Pound falls under pressure from economic publications

Yesterday the British pound fell to 1.3650, today the pair recovered to 1.3670.

Sterling looks pretty stable against the dollar, despite the local correction. The fact is that the currency finally got rid of the strong pressure from the Brexit risks and the confrontation between the politicians of the European Union and London.

At the same time, support for the currency today is also provided by successful vaccination in the UK against the background of a double lockdown, and perhaps the country's population will be able to return to their usual way of life in the second quarter.

Macroeconomic statistics are negative today for the pound: retail sales in December rose only 0.3%, worse than the forecast for growth by 1.2%. Composite PMI also fell short of the forecast: 40.6 points in January against expectations of 50.7 points. The business activity index in the manufacturing sector was 52.9 points (forecast - 57.3), and in the service sector –  38.8 points (forecast - 49.9).

Thus, at the end of the week sterling came under pressure from economic indicators. The RSI indicator is targeting the support area, which signals further currency weakening.

GBP/USD. January 26, 2021 – The pound is growing steadily after the release of strong statistics

The GBP/USD pair started the day with growth from 1.3600 to 1.3690. The sterling was supported by positive statistics on the labor market in the UK.

In particular, the average level of wages in the country in November rose by 3.6% against the previous figure of 2.8% and the forecast for growth by 2.9%. The number of applications for unemployment benefits in December fell to 7 thousand, while analysts predicted the figure at 35 thousand. Moreover, the unemployment rate rose to 5%, which was better than the forecast for growth to 5.1%. At the same time, experts note that the current unemployment rate has updated its maximum since the beginning of 2016.

In the US today, it is worth paying attention to the CB consumer confidence index. Analysts expect the indicator to rise from 88.6 to 89.0 points.

The RSI indicator is heading towards the resistance area, which signals further strengthening of the pound sterling during the day. The nearest target of the «bulls» is 1.3700, where the pair, however, will see some consolidation.

EUR/USD. January 28, 2021 – Euro continues to decline

The euro rate continues to decline on Thursday, the current quotation of the EUR/USD pair is 1.2080. Markets fear that existing vaccines will fail to cope with mutating Covid strains, endangering the prospects for global economic recovery.

Jerome Powell, whose press conference failed to clarify the topic of the Fed's further position and calm the markets, also added negative investors. Although the head of the regulator said that the Fed does not plan to cut QE and will make sure that investors know in advance about the systematic and gradual reduction in the volume of asset purchases. However, market participants did not see a negative assessment of the situation in the general tone of the speech, which provoked dollar purchases.

The euro is also declining in value after the ECB meeting on January 21. Then the regulator announced that it was ready to take action, as it was not satisfied with the high rate of the single currency. And the actions of the ECB are fully justified. According to IMF forecasts, the euro zone will be able to return to pre-crisis levels only by the end of 2022. For comparison, the Chinese economy has already outpaced 2019, and the US economy will return to the trend at the end of this year.

Thus, the pair's downside potential is quite high. During the day we expect further strengthening of the US dollar with the target of 1.2050.

January 28, 2021 – Oil market weakens on concerns about demand prospects

Oil prices began to decline on Thursday amid expectations of a drop in demand due to the continuing rise in the number of Covid-19 diseases and the current restrictive measures. The quotes were not helped either by the data on crude oil reserves in the United States published yesterday: according to the Ministry of Energy, reserves unexpectedly fell by 9.91 million barrels over the week. At the same time, gasoline stocks increased by 2.47 million barrels, while distillate stocks decreased by 815 thousand barrels. Analysts predicted an increase in oil reserves by 430 thousand barrels.

The current Brent quote is $55.18 per barrel. A myriad of concerns about the outlook for demand are putting strong pressure on prices. Moreover, the Chinese authorities are urging their citizens to stop traveling during the Lunar New Year holidays, which is the most active tourist season of the year. And this will inevitably lead to an additional decrease in demand.

Another factor in the weakening of the oil market was a sharp drop in traffic in Los Angeles over the past month due to restrictive measures in California.