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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

EUR/USD rises and USD/JPY slips on Powell’s dovish tone while EUR/GBP drops

​​Outlook on EUR/USD, USD/JPY and EUR/GBP post Fed Chair’s speech and plunge in German retail sales.

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​​​EUR/USD extends rally after Powell speech

EUR/USD has made up most of this week’s losses following a speech by the Chair of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) Jerome Powell in which he suggested that smaller rate rises may start in December whilst warning that the fight with inflation isn’t over.

​The US dollar’s weakness is the euro’s gain with the cross approaching its $1.0481 to $1.0496 November peaks, a rise above which may engage key resistance between the $1.0615 late June high and the $1.0638 March 2020 Covid-19 pandemic low.

​The currency pair is supported by the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) at $1.0372 and will remain in a technical uptrend on the daily chart while it stays above Wednesday’s $1.0291 low on a daily chart closing basis.

EUR/USD chart Source: IT-Finance.com
EUR/USD chart Source: IT-Finance.com

​EUR/GBP slips on German retail sales plunge

EUR/GBP is reversing its Monday gains and seen heading back down towards its mid- to late October lows at £0.858 to £0.8572 amid much weaker than expected German retail sales figures for October. These sank by 2.8% month-on-month (MoM), the biggest decline to date this year and much worse than the market forecast of a 0.6% fall.

​Immediate resistance can be found along the two-month downtrend line at £0.8647 and also at this week’s highs at £0.8661 to £0.8675. While these cap, the November-to-December slide remains intact.

​Since the £0.858 to £0.8572 zone represents significant support, it is expected to hold. Were this not to be the case, the 200-day SMA at £0.8539 would be in focus.

EUR/GBP chart Source: IT-Finance.com
EUR/GBP chart Source: IT-Finance.com

​USD/JPY drops to three-month low

USD/JPY continues to slide amid a weaker greenback following Jerome Powell’s comments regarding a slower pace of rate hikes being envisaged by the Fed to combat persistently high inflation.

​The fall through the ¥137.68 mid-November low put the early August high at ¥135.58 on the map. Further down meanders the 200-day SMA at ¥134.44.

​Minor resistance above the ¥137.68 mid-November low comes in at Thursday’s ¥139.89 high. While the cross remains below it, the October-to-December downtrend remains intact with the 200-day SMA at ¥134.44 being in focus.

USD/JPY chart Source: IT-Finance.com
USD/JPY chart Source: IT-Finance.com

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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