TECH TARGETS: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, AUD/USD, NZD/USD – UOB

EUR/USD: Neutral: Odds for a move above 1.0870/75 are not high.

The 1.0825/30 level that we have talked about since Thursday was finally met with an overnight high of 1.0825. Shorter-term upward momentum is slowing down and while a move above 1.0825/30 would not be surprising, the odds for a break above last December high of 1.0870/75 are not high. Support is at 1.0745 but only a move back below 1.0715 would indicate that a short-term top is in place.

GBP/USD: Bullish: To take half-profit at 1.2545/50.

GBP hit an overnight high of 1.2507 before closing on a strong note. The bullish phase that started on Monday  is still intact. However, from a shorter-term perspective, the rally appears to be running ‘too fast, too soon’ and those who are long should look to book half-profit at 1.2545/50, just below the 1.2570 high seen in late February. Stop-loss is unchanged at 1.2340.

AUD/USD: Neutral: In a 0.7600/0.7730 range.

There is not much to add as we continue to view the current movement as part of a 0.7600/0.7730 consolidation phase even though the immediate bias is for a probe lower towards the low end of the expected 0.7600/0.7730 range. Looking further ahead, as long as there is no sustained drop below 0.7600, we expect the current consolidation to be resolved to the upside.

NZD/USD: Neutral: In a 0.6950/0.7090 range.

As highlighted yesterday, NZD has likely made a short-term top at 0.7090 earlier this week. The current price action is viewed as part of a consolidation phase that could last for several days. Overall, expect sideway trading from here, likely between 0.6950 and 0.7090.

USD/JPY: Neutral: No signs of stabilization just yet.

While we expected USD to extend its decline towards 111.05/10, the pace of the drop and the ease of which this level is taken out came as a surprise (overnight low of 110.71). Despite being severely oversold, there is no sign of stabilization just yet and further weakness towards the psychology level of 110.00 is not ruled out. Overall, this pair is expected to stay under pressure unless it can move above stay above 112.50.

Read More

M Asia Trade Tech Targets: EUR/USD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD, USD/JPY - UOB

EUR/USD: Neutral: Recovery to extend to 1.0825/30. 

It took a while but EUR finally managed to move above 1.0800 and hit an overnight high of 1.0819. This level is just below the solid 1.0825/30 resistance and as indicated in recent updates, is unlikely to yield so easily. That said, in view of the strong daily closing yesterday, a move above this level is not ruled out but shorter-term indicators are severely overbought and the odds for a move above last December high of 1.0870/75 are not high. On the downside, support is at 1.0745 but only a move back below 1.0715

AUD/USD: Neutral: In a 0.7600/0.7730 range.

AUD eked out a fresh high of 0.7750 but was unable to hold on to its gain. The subsequent sharp drop from the high indicates that the upward pressure post-FOMC has eased off. A temporary top is likely in place at 0.7750 and AUD is deemed to have moved into a sideway-trading range. That said, the immediate bias is for a probe lower towards the low end of the expected 0.7600/0.7730 consolidation range.

NZD/USD: Neutral: In a 0.6950/0.7090 range.

The rebound target of 0.7085 that was first highlighted last Thursday was exceeded as NZD hit a high of 0.7090 yesterday. However, the subsequent sharp drop from the high was unexpected. An interim top is likely place and NZD is deemed to have moved into a consolidation phase, likely between 0.6950 and 0.7090.

USD/JPY: Neutral: Oversold but room for extension to 111.05/10.

The sudden acceleration lower yesterday that took out the strong 111.65/70 support was unexpected. The decline is severely oversold especially from a shorter-term perspective but there is room for further extension to 111.05/10. Key short-term resistance has moved lower to 112.50.

Source: United Overseas Bank Global Economics & Markets Research

Read More

SEA market ready to rate hike ahead of Fed meeting

Southeast Asian stock markets ended little changed in dull trade on Tuesday as investors were cautious ahead of a widely expected  interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve next week amid concerns about President Donald Trump's economic policies. 

Fed Chair Janet Yellen has signalled that the central bank might raise interest rates at its next meeting on March 14-15, and may move faster after that than it has in years.

After Janet Yellen's speech last week, the market will be ready for a rate hike when the U.S. Federal Reserve meets next week unless this Friday's jobs report is a disaster.

Consumer prices rose 3.3 percent but was within the range the central bank had expected, the statistics agency said.

Singapore shares rose after two sessions of falls, buoyed by financials and industrials. Real estate company CapitaLand Ltd gained 2.3 percent, while automotive conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd climbed 0.6 percent.

Read More