USD Weakness Is Still Very Real

USD Weakness Is Still Very Real

As many know, I really only view the USD through the lens of the GBPUSD. The USD has weakened versus GBP and regardless of the catalyst of a USD rally, cable continues to put in higher lows since the July 11th low at 1.5770. So while GBPUSD did put in a bearish week last week, the daily chart still remains bullish as the new trading week opens.

The daily chart played out very technically as the August 24/25 lows broke below the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement levels (purple) of the rally from 1.6100 to 1.6618. A break of the 61.8% Fib usually signals a reversal. And that is what unfolded as the ensuing rally fizzled out and resulted in a new low at 1.6140 on Thursday of last week.

There are a lot of bears out there on cable. And as long as price struggles above 1.6500, it is hard for the bears to go away. But the fundamentals continue to point to a LOWER US dollar. Economic data is deteriorating in the US after a decent first half of the year. The Federal Reserve has confirmed the worst is indeed coming back in the form of QE3. As the year ends, I think we will see worsening economic numbers as the consumer spending decreases in response to the slowdown in manufacturing and labor markets we have seen thus far. And while the UK economy doesn't bode better, the Fed is much more dovish than the BoE. And for that reason, the fundamental picture favors GBP over the USD.

Technically, I raise my eyebrows at the 3 bearish waves that were unable to break below 1.6100 level. This is a serious level of support and we have seen that candles that have closed above 1.61000 have led to sharp rallies back towards 1.6500.

As the week opens, all eyes should be on 1.6250 to the upside and 1.6150 to the downside. These levels will dictate direction into the open especially with US markets closed Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Over the week, however, the larger levels to pay attention to are 1.6100 if prices remain below 1.6250. If prices find support above 1.6250, the key level for further rallies remains 1.6500. Trade what you see!

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