While the euro ended yesterday’s trading day virtually unchanged, the pound sterling headed for a test of 1.33 but reversed some of its gains just shy of that barrier. Whether we will see a sustained breakout above 1.33 remains to be seen and hinges on the risk appetite for pounds ahead of tomorrow’s BoE Super Thursday. The bank of England is widely expected to raise interest rates for the first time in a decade but this move is shrouded in suspicion. We will discuss the risk potential in tomorrow’s analysis.
Today’s focus will be on the Federal Reserve and the market’s appetite for U.S. dollars. It could thus be a turbulent trading day with traders bracing for higher volatility in all USD crosses.
The FOMC rate decision today at 18:00 UTC is top listing but the market is virtually certain that no change to the benchmark will be made this month. Economists expect policy makers to keep rates on hold for now and increase them at the December meeting. The probability of a December rate hike is at 83 percent. However, even if today’s Fed decision is unlikely to serve as a big market mover it could still surprise dollar bulls. In case of a less hawkish outcome, in other words, if there are a number of hawkish dissents, the dollar could give up some of its gains. Let us be surprised.
With regard to the U.S. tax reforms, the House Republicans are expected to release the tax bill text on Thursday.
We also have the ADP Report scheduled for release at 12:15 UTC followed by the ISM Manufacturing Index due at 14:00 UTC, so there is plenty of economic data that could affect the greenback’s price action today.
Here are our daily signal alerts:
EUR/USD
Long at 1.1670 SL 25 TP 30-40
Short at 1.1615 SL 25 TP 20, 60
GBP/USD
Long at 1.3320 SL 25 TP 20, 80
Short at 1.3265 SL 25 TP 30, 60
We wish you good trades and many pips!
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