USD is close to Yen resistance at Y105

The USD-JPY has reached an important resistance level and appears destined for a sell-down. The USD has rallied to Y105, but it has yet to break out of its downtrend. The prospect of a higher US interest rates would be a possible reason for this to occur, however I dont see higher Fed rates just yet.
Still looking for the USD to fall to Y85.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

USD-JPY still Y85-bound

The chart attached shows the USD staging something of a recovery against the JPY. I see this as a short term recovery. So short term in fact that I think as we go into today's trading I am expecting the USD will be sold off. Why? Because the USD has retraced to the previous resistance level it breached. The next major support is Y85. It will go to that level because the market knows that in an election year the US government & Federal Reserve will be pulling out all stops to win the next election. It wont happen. Americans are waking up to themselves, and their cholesterol-free, low-sugar diets, and will have a reality check. So we are looking at a further 15% fall in the USD-JPY, which on top of a 8% rise in the EUR-USD, suggests we should be looking at a 7% strengthening in the EUR-JPY over the corresponding period, just as an arbitrary.
So watch tonight as the USD is sold off, and that will set the scene for next week. Strong gold week.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

EUR-USD heading for USD1.70

Looking at the chart its apparent that the EUR-USD is going to USD1.70, at which point it will do a double bottom. I would then expect it to return back to its normal trading trade. The technical reasons for this are the strong symmetry evident in the chart. The USD has a 'parityband' between USD1.20-1.35 and has traded within 35c of that band. I am sure the market will be looking to retain that symmetry. So the EUR-USD will be a good 'short' trade from 1.70, though based on prior history, we can expect a 'double top', just as it previously made a 'double bottom' in 2001-2.
In terms of fundamentals, I would expect the Eurozone to welcome the strong EUR as a way of stimulating or supporting US exports in the short term. They might even appreciate the 'lost competitiveness' as a means of driving economic reforms in the EU. The time period is quite long, but we can expect the US election to have reached a result by the time we see the 'double top', then we can expect a recovery in the USD, initially motivated by expectations of rising interest rates in the US, but later also the prospect of greater taxes on the rich. I also believe the US under Obama will adopt a tax on energy, and likely that will subsidise health and alternative energy programs.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

AUD-USD set to break resistance at 95c

Looking at the AUD-USD its readily apparent that the AUD is not about to fall back as many pundits are suggesting. In fact I would suggest its building momentum for an assault on 'parity' with the USD. Clearly breaking resistance at 95c is the next hurdle.
I have already suggested my reasons why. The only reason for thinking this would change is one factor only - the strong inflation numbers. But I dare say that will fall back as money supply growth is curtailed.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

The AUD and its widening trade deficit

I maintain that the AUD will remain strong and that the widening trade deficit is symptomatic of a strong economy. A widening deficit is a basis for higher interest rates, whilst job losses in the USA are justification (a rationalisation) for lower rates in the USA. Regardless mortgage rates will not stay low in the USA beyond 2008. The subsidisation of the bank's short term loan requirements is an electino strategy more than an attempt to secure the banking sector.
The AUD will do better than CAD, which produces a significant amount of oil, but it lacks the significant contribution that coal and iron ore make to the Australian economy. It is also exposed to the malaise in the USA economy. The notion that the RBA would cut interest rates to maintain growth is nonsense because it ignores rising inflationary pressures in Australia.

Source:http://business.smh.com.au/dollar-off-highs-after-trade-deficit-widens/20080407-2462.html?sssdmh=dm16.309681
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

The outlook for the AUD

Contrary to the belief that the AUD will weaken because of softer global economic activity, I believe the AUD remain strong against the USD, and to a lesser extent against the JPY. By that I mean I expect the AUD to reach parity with the USD and for the AUD to eventually break Y90. I don’t rate the high personal debt levels in Australia or NZ as a significant obstacle, though they are certain to cause some domestic hardship for some borrowers and lenders.

The high debt level is actually a benefit. The market wants yield, and is not looking for any significant global growth, notwithstanding the opportunities to short term trade . High interest rates in environment of high debt means reduced consumption, particularly of imports. High mineral prices because of capacity constraints mean high export revenues. Paradoxically Aust is benefiting from strong prices because of its 'poor planning'. This is requiring huge capital investment in Australia, so personal consumption is weak, but investment in productive capacity is buoyant and will remain so. We might event expect the government to kick in with some public works (particularly transport infrastructure) once signs of softening emerge. Also expect strong Chinese direct investment in Australian mineral projects funded by China surpluses and motivated by the desire secure mineral supplies. Aust is a net exporter of hydrocarbons (because of LNG), so high oil prices only reduce domestic consumption, which is another plus. The Australian RBA needs to worry about inflation so I don’t see any softness on interest rate policy. Only downside is a few foreclosures but I don’t see a great problem since job losses will be minimal. I cant imagine a better looking economy.

When the food sector recovers from drought after rains last in 2007, we can look forward to stronger export earnings from the farm sector. That will be another strength, destined to drive the AUD to USD parity....but not yet. Consolidation first in the 80-90 range to USD.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com