The meeting between Eurogroup and Greek leaders is in spotlight as there is still yet no sign of agreement and today is the deadline. Eurogroup first confirmed they received a letter from Greece indicating this as a positive signal. However, Greece requested to extend its loan agreement in the email which was then rejected by Germany. Market participants are now waiting for the confirmed news whether either party will compromise to an agreement on Friday.
The Euro rose and tested the 1.1450 resistance level in the European morning but failed as the huge amount of offers laid still at that level. It later fell on Germany’s cold response to Greece closing at 1.1370 this morning.
US Oil prices once slumped by 5% to the day low of $49.80 per barrel before the crude oil inventories data was released with traders expecting storage to increase and short WTI contracts in advance. The data finally confirmed the forecast, but oil prices surged back to $52 as expectation was met. The outlook of oil prices is still bearish as demand remains weak. Technically, the $54 resistance level has thwarted three times the bounce of prices. Only when this resistance is broken will oil prices continue the rebound.
The tumbled oil prices put pressure on the Canadian Dollar, which led the commodity currency to fall against the US Dollar. A triangle consolidation pattern is forming. The low from February 3rd, 1.2350, provides strong support for the USD/CAD. If oil prices slumped again as mentioned above, the USD/CAD will probably upside break the triangle pattern and resume its rally.
Looking to the stock markets, the Nikkei Stock Average gained 0.35% to 18265, highest level in 15 years. Australia 200 lost 0.19% to 5904. In European markets, the UK FTSE 100 was down 0.13%, the German DAX climbed 0.4% and the French CAC 40 Index gained 0.71%. US stocks rose broadly after the President Day. The S&P 500 closed 0.11% lower at 2097. The Dow Jones 30 slid 0.24% to 18030, and the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.37% to 4924.
On the data front, Eurozone February Flash Manufacturing PMI will be released today. UK retail sales will be at 20:30 AEDST. US Flash Manufacturing PMI and Canada retail sales will be out at 0:30 AEDST.