Yesterday’s trade saw USD/CAD within the range of 1.2479-1.2664. The daily high has also been the highest level since February 11th, when a high of 1.2700 was recorded. The pair closed at 1.2497, falling 0.61% on a daily basis, or the first loss in five trading days.
At 8:39 GMT today USD/CAD was down 0.25% for the day to trade at 1.2456. The pair touched a daily low at 1.2443 at 7:15 GMT.
Fundamentals
United States
New Home Sales
Sales of new single-family homes probably decreased to the seasonally adjusted annual rate of 470 000 during January compared to a month ago, according to market expectations. The index of new home sales surged 11.6% to the annual rate of 481 000 in December, which has been the highest level since June 2008. Decembers figure was supported by a 53.6% increase in sales in the Northeast region.
The median sales price of new houses sold in December was USD 298 100, while the average sales price – USD 377 800. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of December was 219 000, which represents a supply of 5.5 months at the current sales rate, according to the report by the US Census Bureau.
There are several points to watch out for when interpreting the New Home Sales numbers. First of all, the statistics does not record any houses that are not going to be sold immediately. As an example, the case when a house is commissioned to be built on an existing plot of land, that the purchaser owns.
Second, the statistics are taken at the point where a customer has signed a sales contract or has put a deposit down. At this point the house can be at any stage of construction.
Third, the sales figures are not adjusted to take into account the sales contracts, which are eventually canceled by the builder or the customer. However, the same house is not included in any subsequent count when it is eventually sold to another customer.
This report has a significant influence on the Forex market, because increasing new home sales can lead to a rise in consumption, for example. The new home sales index is also an excellent indicator of any economic downturns or upturns due to the sensitivity of consumers income. When, for instance, new home sales drop over several months, this usually is a precursor to an economic depression.
In case the index dropped more than anticipated, this would usually mount selling pressure on the greenback. The Census Bureau is to report the official figure at 15:00 GMT.
Yellen’s testimony before the Senate Banking Committee
In her testimony yesterday Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated that the central bank’s patience with keeping borrowing costs in proximity to zero has limits, thus, the foundation for a possible rate hike later in the year was laid.
“She opened the door for rate increases in the second half of the year,” said Michael Gapen, chief U.S. economist at Barclays Plc in New York, cited by Bloomberg.
Yellen suggested that the Federal Reserve might abandon its pledge to be “patient” when deciding the timing of policy normalization. This promise was again stressed upon by the bank’s policy makers at their most recent meeting. Yellen explained that such a pledge meant a rate hike was unlikely for “at least the next couple” of meetings.
A modification of this pledge, which may be introduced in March, could be taken as a signal that a rate raise “could be warranted at any meeting.”
Pivot Points
According to Binary Tribune’s daily analysis, the central pivot point for the pair is at 1.2547. In case USD/CAD manages to breach the first resistance level at 1.2614, it will probably continue up to test 1.2732. In case the second key resistance is broken, the pair will probably attempt to advance to 1.2799.
If USD/CAD manages to breach the first key support at 1.2429, it will probably continue to slide and test 1.2362. With this second key support broken, the movement to the downside will probably continue to 1.2244.
The mid-Pivot levels for today are as follows: M1 – 1.2303, M2 – 1.2396, M3 – 1.2488, M4 – 1.2581, M5 – 1.2673, M6 – 1.2766.
In weekly terms, the central pivot point is at 1.2484. The three key resistance levels are as follows: R1 – 1.2610, R2 – 1.2691, R3 – 1.2817. The three key support levels are: S1 – 1.2403, S2 – 1.2277, S3 – 1.2196.
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