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February 23rd 2021: Dollar Remains on the Ropes, Clocking Multi-Year Lows Against GBP and AUD

By:
Aaron Hill
Published: Feb 22, 2021, 23:48 UTC

The British pound rose against the US dollar on Monday amid optimism surrounding the UK’s vaccination rollout program. GBP/USD 1.40 retest in the offing?

Pound

Note—Charts provided by Trading View

EUR/USD:

Monthly timeframe:

(Technical change on this timeframe is often limited though serves as guidance to potential longer-term moves)

February, as you can see, remains considerably off worst levels and recently entered positive territory, trading 0.2 percent higher. Closing the month out at current prices, in the form of a hammer candle (bullish signal at troughs), is likely to excite candlestick enthusiasts.

Downstream, 1.1857/1.1352 represents demand; northbound shines light on ascending resistance (prior support – 1.1641).

In terms of trend, the primary uptrend has been in play since price broke the 1.1714 high (Aug 2015) in July 2017.

Daily timeframe:

The greenback resumed its slide Monday, elevating Europe’s shared currency for a third successive daily session.

Up by 0.3 percent, the concern for buyers remains around 1.2190 tops, with subsequent upside interest to likely take aim at Quasimodo resistance from 1.2278.

RSI action is now firmly north of the 50.00 centreline and within striking distance of resistance at 60.30.

H4 timeframe:

A closer reading of price action on the H4 scale reveals Monday voyaged above Quasimodo resistance at 1.2149 in reasonably forceful fashion. With the latter commonly serving as support once breached, resistance at 1.2179 could be next on tap to the upside, closely followed by Quasimodo resistance at 1.2200 and another resistance at 1.2214.

Downstream, technical focus is likely to be drawn towards Monday’s session low at 1.2091.

H1 timeframe:

Recently shaking hands with February’s peak at 1.2169, EUR/USD is seen marginally paring gains, on track to retest 1.2150 support.

Technical structure south of 1.2150 shows trendline support, extended from the low 1.2036, followed by another nearby trendline support coming in from the low 1.2023.

With reference to the RSI indicator, we are currently seeing the value depreciate beneath overbought terrain and form early bearish divergence. This suggests the line may swing beneath the 50.00 centreline today.

Observed levels:

Partly modified from previous analysis –

Monthly price trading off session lows, currently shaped by way of a hammer candle—commonly interpreted as a bullish signal (particularly at troughs)—suggests daily price could perhaps take on 1.2190 tops and potentially invade Quasimodo resistance at 1.2278.

H4 Quasimodo resistance-turned support at 1.2149, coupled with 1.2150 support on the H1, could be a location buyers attempt to step forward from today, targeting 1.2179 and 1.2200 resistance on the H4 as primary hurdles.

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AUD/USD:

Monthly timeframe:

(Technical change on this timeframe is often limited though serves as guidance to potential longer-term moves)

Up by 3.6 percent, February is on track to conclude in the shape of a clear-cut bullish engulfing candle. Also technically appealing is the pair closing in on 0.8303/0.8082—a supply zone aligning closely with trendline resistance (prior support – 0.4776).

In the context of trend (despite the trendline resistance [1.0582] breach in July 2020), the primary downtrend (since mid-2011) remains in play until breaking 0.8135 (January high [2018]).

Daily timeframe:

Reinforced on the back of commodity prices and a sliding greenback, AUD/USD extended Friday’s impressive 1.3 percent advance on Monday and crossed swords with supply at 0.7937/0.7890. So far unable to attract much bearish flow, traders are urged to pencil in supply coming in from 0.8045/0.7985 (located south of monthly supply at 0.8303/0.8082).

Any corrections have 0.7726/0.7806 demand in sight, fixed above trendline support, an ascending level drawn from the low 0.5506.

H4 timeframe:

Technically aided by demand at 0.7848/0.7867, Quasimodo resistance at 0.7897 gave way—now a serving support with another layer of Quasimodo resistance seen at 0.7966.

H1 timeframe:

Despite Monday’s session clocking fresh 2021 peaks, short-term action shows price marginally paring gains and on the verge of reconnecting with 0.79 support. Though continued downside shines light on demand at 0.7857/0.7877, while a 0.79 rejection may stir buyers and subsequently target 0.7950 resistance.

Out of the RSI indicator, resistance is in focus from 80.85, with the value also threatening to exit overbought territory.

Observed levels:

The monthly timeframe continues to charge towards supply at 0.8303/0.8082, implying a push above supply at 0.7937/0.7890 to supply at 0.8045/0.7985 on the daily scale may be on the menu.

Short term is also relatively positive for buyers, with a 0.79 retest (H1) potentially on the cards, bolstered by H4 support priced in at 0.7897.

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USD/JPY:

Monthly timeframe:

(Technical change on this timeframe is often limited though serves as guidance to potential longer-term moves)

Following January’s bullish engulfing candle, buyers have attempted to find some grip in February. Although up by 0.4 percent, price is currently fading session tops.

Descending resistance (not considered traditional trendline resistance) takes the spotlight to the upside, etched from the high 118.66, whereas support inhabits 101.70.

Daily timeframe:

Partly modified from previous analysis –

The US dollar remained on the ropes against the Japanese yen Monday, weighed by broad USD selling (DXY< 90.00), despite the benchmark 10-year US Treasury yields refreshing multi-month highs at 1.394%.

Following Friday’s close south of the 200-day simple moving average at 105.49, Monday, aided by supply at 106.33/105.78, led candle action to fresh session lows and registered a fourth consecutive daily loss.

February 10th trough at 104.40 calls for attention to the downside, arranged just ahead of demand at 103.56/103.93. This is an interesting zone, given it was within this area a decision was made to generate seven back-to-back bullish days and penetrate a number of local peaks.

With respect to the RSI indicator, following earlier bearish divergence out of overbought territory, the value is now beneath support at 57.00.

H4 timeframe:

For those who read Monday’s technical briefing you may recall the following:

As you can see, bearish bets lured the currency pair to demand at 105.26/105.14 (prior supply). Friday’s price action derived from the demand area so far has been uninspiring, forming two back-to-back candles that wrapped up significantly off session highs. Beyond the aforesaid demand, trendline support, etched from the low 102.59, is lying in wait.

As evident from the H4 chart, we navigated through remaining bids within demand on Monday and are now within close range of the aforementioned trendline support, which happens to coincide with a Fib support zone made up between 104.64 and 104.83 (green).

H1 timeframe:

Heading into London’s morning session, we can clearly see sellers took the wheel, aided by trendline support-turned resistance, taken from the low 104.41, and the 100-period simple moving average at 105.71.

Quasimodo support at 105.27, as expected, provided little in the way of a floor on Monday, with the majority of buying from here likely consumed during Friday’s pullback. This led the unit to 105 support (fastened just ahead of Quasimodo support at 104.91), holding in line with the RSI indicator bottoming around oversold space.

Observed levels:

Long term, sellers appear to remain in the saddle, targeting February 10th trough at 104.40.

The above could drive short-term flow beyond 105 and H1 Quasimodo support at 104.91 into the H4 Fib zone at 104.64/104.83, strengthened by H4 trendline support.

Therefore, we might see buyers show some life from 104.64/104.83, though given higher timeframes potentially eyeing 104.40, upside may be short-lived.

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GBP/USD:

Monthly timeframe:

(Technical change on this timeframe is often limited though serves as guidance to potential longer-term moves)

Following December’s 2.5 percent advance—movement that stirred major trendline resistance (2.1161)—February has refreshed 2021 highs at 1.4086, levels not seen for three years.

In terms of trend structure, however, the primary trend has faced lower since early 2008, unbroken (as of current price) until 1.4376 gives way—April high, 2018.

In effect, 1.4376 represents the next upside objective on the monthly chart.

Daily timeframe:

The British pound rose against the US dollar on Monday amid optimism surrounding the UK’s vaccination rollout program.

1.4250 Quasimodo resistance is now in sight, thanks to GBP/USD recording a third successive daily gain and taking on resistance at 1.4011 (now serving as a potential support).

The RSI continues to trek overbought terrain, reaching highs of 74.40 on Monday. Bear in mind, the indicator can remain overbought for prolonged periods in trending environments.

H4 timeframe:

Supply at 1.4034/1.3989, a zone extended from April 2018, ceded ground yesterday, allowing the pair within a stone’s throw away from 1.4111/1.4091 supply (sharing space with channel resistance, taken from the high 1.3866).

H1 timeframe:

In light of yesterday’s movement retesting the big figure 1.40 as support, 1.41 may call for attention today. Though before we touch gloves with the latter, a retest at demand from 1.3995/1.4035 could play out.

RSI bearish divergence (red) is currently in view, with the value recently exiting overbought terrain.

Observed levels:

As aired in Monday’s writing, monthly price remains optimistic, targeting 1.4376 tops. With daily resistance also now taken at 1.4011, this potentially adds weight to any retest seen from either H1 demand at 1.3995/1.4035 or the 1.40 figure within (note H1 demand is fixed within H4 demand at 1.4034/1.3989 and also holds daily support at 1.4011).

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DISCLAIMER:

The information contained in this material is intended for general advice only. It does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. FP Markets has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information as at the date of publication. FP Markets does not give any warranty or representation as to the material. Examples included in this material are for illustrative purposes only. To the extent permitted by law, FP Markets and its employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising in any way (including by way of negligence) from or in connection with any information provided in or omitted from this material. Features of the FP Markets products including applicable fees and charges are outlined in the Product Disclosure Statements available from FP Markets website, www.fpmarkets.com and should be considered before deciding to deal in those products. Derivatives can be risky; losses can exceed your initial payment. FP Markets recommends that you seek independent advice. First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd trading as FP Markets ABN 16 112 600 281, Australian Financial Services License Number 286354.

 

About the Author

Aaron Hillcontributor

Aaron graduated from the Open University and pursued a career in teaching, though soon discovered a passion for trading, personal finance and writing.

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