Forex: EUR/SEK tanking after Swedish data

The Swedish krona is sharply appreciating against the shared currency on Tuesday, after the unemployment rate rose to 8.4% in January from 7.4%. Seasonally adjusted, the jobless rate remained at 8.0% vs. 8.2% expected, while the unemployment change increased by 58K, missing expectations.

Continuing with the data, the CPI contracted 0.8% on a monthly basis and came in flat over the last twelve months, vs. December prints at +0.3% and -0.1%, respectively.

At the moment, the pair is down 0.26% at 8.4494 facing the next support at 8.4255 (low Feb.15) ahead of 8.4160 (low Sep.27) and then 8.3107 (low Aug.31).
On the flip side, a breakout of 8.4780 (high Feb.18) would clear the way to 8.5300 (low Feb.5) and finally 8.5525 (MA14d).

Feb 19, 2013

Commodities Brief – Precious metals hold onto Asian gains amidst modest rise

Gold prices rallied slightly at the onset of Asian trading Tuesday, despite the minor setbacks included in the price during yesterdays muted session in the US. As of European trading Tuesday, the yellow metal is gripping to a small gain on the day, as prices were fortified in the 1612 region (daily low), before rebounding slightly. At the time of writing Gold has settled at USD $1612.97, trading positively at $+4.17. With the absence of an overabundance of stimuli permeating the European – and later American – markets, prices are not expected to fluctuate greatly today.

Forex Flash: USD/JPY pressured by conflicting comments of Japan leaders – TD Securities

The USD/JPY rally from 89 to 94 in the month since January 21/22 Board meeting driven by expectations of a firmer 2% target and the decision to undertake open ended buying in 2014 once the 2013 program expired. Just ahead of the minutes of this meeting, conflicting headlines from PM Abe and Finance Minister Aso in the last 24 hours have been weighing on the pair. “The two officials are in conflict as to whether the BoJ will purchase foreign bonds and if there will be law to change the stance of the Bank’s independence from the govt (Abe said yes, Aso said no)”, wrote TD Securities analyst Annette Beacher.