The euro remains neutral against the dollar on Monday after China’s new foreign exchange rules. Over the weekend, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) removed the banks’ requirement to remove cash reserve of 20% when purchasing F.X. through CNY. In other words, the risk reserve ratio was down from 20% to 0%. The latest PBoC move hit the CNY and CNH on Monday; thus, USDCNH rallied 0.90%. It has been mostly reversed Friday losses.
The current driving factor in the currency market is that the PBoC makes it less expensive to short the Yuan (CNY) against the dollar and signals less concerned about Yuan weakening. In general, Yuan (CNY) is the currency used in China, and Yuan Renminbi (CNH) is the offshore currency. Weaker CNY and CNH drags the other major currencies like AUD, EUR, and NZD. Flipside, lower Yuan means higher Yen (JPY), SUDJPY down 0.5% on Monday.
Coming back to our subject currency, EUR was a little higher 0.20% against the U.S. and Kiwi dollar last week. But, down a percent against the Canadian dollar and down 0.50% against the Swiss Franc. On Monday, the euro was little down to neutral against the dollar.
On Monday, Danske Bank published the latest IMM positioning report highlighting that leverage funds trim EURUSD longs. As shown in the below table, the open interest down by -1.90%.
Quiet Euro: Columbus Day in the U.S. painted a quiet session on Monday with Euro remains neutral at 1.1810, and overall, the dollar index was little changed. The U.S. bond market was closed; however, the European credit market was quiet overnight.
Data review: Latest PMIs showed the service PMI signaled a fall back into contraction of the services economy during September.
However, Germany was the only services economy to register growth (albeit marginal) as all four other nations monitored registered a contraction. Spain recorded by far the steepest monthly fall, followed by Ireland, according to IHS Markit.
Commenting on the service PMI data, Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Markit, said, “With the eurozone economy having almost stalled in September, the chances of a renewed downturn in the fourth quarter have risen.”
Looking ahead: Closer to home, the focal point this week will be the European Council Summit on 15-16 October. On top of this, U.S. election polling is another factor to remain focus on. Data wise August EZ Industrial production and September CPI releases are due.
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
The EUR sustained its uptrend for the second consecutive week, closed above the 1.1800 handles. However, we have found out three factors that could cap the EUR in the near-term.
If the price is moving Northward, key resistances to watch out are 1.1870 and 1.1920. Flipside, support exists at 1.1700-1.1680.
It is important to always keep in mind the risks involved in trading with leveraged instruments.
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