U.S. equities edged higher to post new highs in yesterday's trading marking one of the strongest one day gains since the November elections. The DJIA gained 1.6% while the S&P500 closed with 1.3% gains. The rally in the equities came amid no specific triggers in the market. Looking ahead the European Central Bank's meeting today will be the focus as the central bank is expected to announce an extension to its QE program. The single currency will no doubt come under pressure into the ECB's meeting.
EUR/USD Intra-day Analysis
EUR/USD (1.0776) was range bound in yesterday's session, forming an inside bar from Tuesday's range. Resistance at 1.0765 remains in focus as the euro is seen attempting to breach this level. On the 4-hour chart, price action is currently showing a consolidation into a rising wedge pattern with 1.0800 being the next key resistance that will be challenged. Failure to breakout higher could see the EUR/USD pull back towards 1.0700 with the possibility to extend the declines down to 1.0600. The untested support lower at 1.0500 remains a key focus as EURUSD could dip to this support on dovish ECB signals.
USD/JPY Intra-dayAnalysis
USD/JPY (113.39) remains range bound attempting to breach the 114.00 with little success yesterday. As a result, theprice is seen currently breaking down below 113.50 support which could open up further declines to 109.750 - 109.50 level. While this could offer some short-term support, further declines cannot be ruled out towards 105.50 - 105.00 region. To the upside, the consolidation is likely to continue in which case, 113.50 needs to be challenged for support on a breakout above 114.50. Price action remains trading within the range from Monday, and this could indicate a strong breakout in the near term with the bias to the downside.
XAU/USD Intra-day Analysis
XAU/USD (1176.70) Gold prices are looking to recover from the lows, but the range established on Monday remains key. Gold prices have been trading within this range for two days, and an upside breakout is essential to extend short-term gains. On the daily chart, 1200 resistance remains a strong level which could cap the gains initially, unless the gains come on a strong catalyst. On the 4-hour chart, prices remain well supported above 1170 - 1161 levels, which could see gold trading within the 1200 resistance level. Below 1161, gold prices could turn weaker potentially targeting the 1150 support to the downside.