Aussie Dollar On The Rise As Sentiment Improves

 | Nov 22, 2018 13:44

Originally published by AxiTrader

  • Better sentiment on US markets lifted the appeal of the Australian dollar
  • The US dollar retraced as safe-haven demand abated
  • Euro, pound struggling for direction

A rise in market sentiment and a rebound in US equities reduced the appeal of the safe-haven greenback, with the US dollar generally lower ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday. However, the moves in FX during the US market hours were mostly of a constrained nature among the likes of the euro and sterling, with each of these currencies having their own issues to deal with which limited gains despite the softer US dollar tone.

In the case of the sterling, the market seems reluctant to get ahead of itself by going long with any confidence on the GBP/USD rate ahead of upcoming Brexit negotiations. As the chart below illustrates, the Cable rate is still sitting below both its 50 and 100 period moving averages, while the RSI’s are not exactly making a convincing buying argument at this stage of proceedings. From a purely technical standpoint, it’s looking neutral but with a slight bias towards bearishness. But of course, the overriding fundamental story remains Brexit for the foreseeable future. Any moves lower will bring support levels in the low 1.2720’s into the picture, while further out, the yearly low sits at 1.2661. Heading into the close, the GBP/USD rate was marginally lower against the US dollar.