While dollar bulls may have hoped for salvation before Yellen's speech in New York, the Fed Chair indoctrinated the market with a dovish message and stressed the need for a cautious approach. Yellen stated detailed conditions investors need to watch for future rate hikes. These conditions contain the stabilization of commodity prices and foreign economies. Furthermore she stressed the importance of a strong dollar, which would depress inflation and exports if it appreciates further.
The most dovish line was when Yellen said that the committee "would still have considerable scope" to ease policy if needed, smashing down the latest hawkish comments from Fed officials pointing to the possibility of a rate hike in April. The Fed chair said it was appropriate to "proceed cautiously" and reiterated that the Fed is not following a pre-set course of rate hikes, but will act when conditions are right.
On the bottom line we can say that there is not much hope for the U.S. dollar to show signs of recovery in the near-term. Yellen's dovish message diminished rate hike expectations for 2016, changing the odds in favor of a December rate hike or even later.
As expected in yesterday's analysis, the euro headed for a test of 1.13 after breaking above 1.1260. We expect the euro to continue its bullish bias and focus on a break above 1.13 and further 1.1340. If the euro is able to climb above the February high of 1.1376, we see a next resistance at 1.1430/50 before facing the 1.15-barrier. Current supports are seen at 1.1250 and 1.1220.
The British pound responded with the most volatile upswing, jumping more than 130 pips from our long-entry. As stated in yesterday's analysis, the pound could be vulnerable to losses after peaking at 1.44/1.4430. However, a break above 1.4450 could send sterling towards 1.45. On the bottom side we expect the 1.43 level to lend a current support to the GBP/USD.
Traders should pay close attention to important economic data, such as the German CPI, scheduled for release at 12:00 GMT followed by the ADP report 15 minutes later.
Here are our daily signal alerts:
EUR/USD
Long at 1.1310 SL 25 TP 25, 45
Short at 1.1234 SL 25 TP 20-30
GBP/USD
Long at 1.4415 SL 25 TP 20, 50
Short at 1.4320 SL 25 TP 30-40
We wish you good trades and many pips!
Disclaimer: Any and all liability of the author is excluded.