Currencies are Breaking Out

As 2009 officially gets underway with the 1st full week of trading - the currencies are displaying “unusual” correlations - or the lack there of. For example:

UK Pound Rallies vs The Dollar

While the Euro Breaks Down Against the US Dollar

While the US Dollar Appreciated against the Swiss

The USD-CAD Dropped to a new Support Level

So the above shows that the US Dollar is  by no means moving in the same direction. The current variations of correlations are not acting in traditional ways - this suggests to me that more volatility is likely on the way.  

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Chart Pattern Review - 48 Hours Later 

Two days ago I posted several charts showing some nice chart patterns - indicating to me a 

consolidation was ready to breakout and I labeled the post “Pause Before the Storm” 

Let’s look at the charts side by side now.

 USD-CAD 4 Hour Chart — 300 Pip Triangle Break Out (click to Enlarge)

 EUR-USD 30 Min Chart — Over 400 Pip Trend Channel Break (click to Enlarge)

USD-CHF 2 Hour Chart - Triangle Break - 200 Pips (click to Enlarge)

The above charts are great examples of waiting for High Probability setups on multiple pairs

all setting up at the same time.

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Dec 9, 2008 - Pause Before The Storm?

“Show and Tell” on Chart Patterns

Lot’s of Chart Patterns are Currently Forming on the Currencies - A brief discussion and then a look at some good examples of Triangle Patterns all setting up at the same time on different time frames.  

Furst -  let me give you my “two Ameros” on chart patterns. I consider them all to be “consolidation patterns” and have no bias that - for example,  an “ascending triangle”  is a “bullish pattern” - to me,  it could go in any direction. What I look for is the strength of a well formed pattern.

Is it well formed? 

If I can show people a chart and everyone quickly recognizes a Head and Shoulder Pattern, that’s a strong signal. If there is lot’s of debate - then it’s weak.  Chart Pattern recognition gets fun when you see a pattern forming at the right edge, but not yet completed. Aggressive traders can take a position that the pattern will first form - and then if it does, prepare for the potential price targets.

Don’t Get Bogged Down In Statistics

I debate the statistics some apply to chart patterns. For example: Maybe someone tested 1085 head and shoulder patterns and determined that  83.7% have a probability of completion in a certain circumstance.  So what! The 16.3% chance is just another “50-50″ coin flip if you are only looking at statistics. Well - let’s just say that I can disprove anything with statistics..

US Dollar - Canadian - Dec 9, 2008 - 4 Hour Chart

USD-CADVery Strong Triangle Pattern forming on the Dollar - Loonie. Note the multiple areas where the upward trend Channel has held - and the Resistance forming a classic Triple Top. (click to enlarge)

Euro - US Dollar Daily Chart - Dec 9, 2008

EUR-USD: No Shortage of Chart Patterns Here as we have a pretty good triangle pattern, with a consolidation zone inside. Note the Upward Trend Channel that will be brought into focus on a 30 Min chart Below

EUR-USD: 30 Minute Chart of EUR-USD Shows the Upward Trend Channel and Resistance Levels  (Click to enlarge)

US Dollar - Swiss

USD-CHF: 2 Hour Chart Dec 9, 2008 - Nice Triangle to complement the Euro-USD Pattern (Click to enlarge)

Aussie - US Dollar - Dec 9, 2008 4 Hour Chart

AUD-USD - 4 Hour Chart - Yet Another Triangle! - (Click to enlarge)

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Jerry Furst  is an active trader, educator, and Founder of Investors Education Network (IEN), He is a Mentor and Trading Coach to Select Clients  Click Here for a Free Self Evaluation Survey.

What Now!

Last week I went fundamental - and with good reason. There was more news than I could keep up with - scheduled or otherwise. This week I will stick to the charts - unless if we get some major fundamental issue - like Charlie Gasparino deciding to drive some poor equity into the ground. Bottom line - be ready for anything in this enviornment!

Euro in The Box - Nice Consolidation Zone

Dollar Swiss Continues in Uptrending Channel

Usually the USD-CHF is a Mirror Image of the USD-CHF, however the status quo seems to be in question as the continued Dollar strength against the Swiss is not dargging the Euro down - for now…

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Jerry Furst  is an active trader, educator, and Founder of Investors Education Network (IEN), He is a Mentor and Trading Coach to Select Clients  Click Here for a Free Self Evaluation Survey.

Mid Week Report

by Jerry Furst Sr. Analyst

Investors Education Network.com  

  On Monday the NBER (National Bureau of Economic Research) “determined that the decline in economic activity met the standard for a recession” and that it started in December of 2007. I find it audacious that pundits on TV now make statements like “We all knew it was a recession” - When in fact the media was trying it’s best to keep the rose colored glasses on. Back on Jan 22 my blog post was titled, “Recession in Play – Depression on the Way?”

  Also on Monday – Ben Bernanke warned that, “it’s certainly feasible” to cut rates further – thus giving the other central bankers a heads up to act accordingly. The Thanksgiving Day stock market shoppers were treated to a deep discount as the DOW plunged 679 points or -7.7%! 

 Tuesday – The markets took a breather – there was not much news and it appeared as if people were waiting for Wednesday’s data. The US “Big 3” automakers were reported to have their CEO’s driving to Washington,  and the UAW is under pressure to renegotiate it’s 2007 concessions.

 Wednesday – The EU reported poor retail sales and the UK and EU both posted dismal numbers for Services PMI – dropping the Euro around 100 pips and the Pound over 200 pips before the NY session.

 The US then got in the game and posted horrible Non-Mfg ISM numbers and the ADP jobless claims came in at -250,000 where expectations were for -200,000. The Feds Beige Book came in negative as well.

 As of this writing New Zealand is expected to cut rates from 6.5 to 5% at 3pm Eastern time.

 Thursday – Interest Rate and Trichet Watch

Which leads us to the home stretch – as the UK is expected to cut rates from 3 to 2% and the Euro Zone is expected to drop rates from 3.25% to 2.75%. These are big and historic drops in size and in the rate itself. Jean Claude Trichet is scheduled to have his press conference at 8:30 am EDT in which he usually gives some clarity as to where he sees things are – and what the ECB may or may not do in the near term.

 Friday – All eyes are waiting on the Non-Farm payroll report – but will the unemployment rate really be a surprise? Will their be revisions?

 Stay Tuned… 

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Jerry Furst  is an active trader, educator, and Founder of Investors Education Network (IEN), He is a Mentor and Trading Coach to Select Clients  Click Here for a Free Self Evaluation Survey.

To see my Jan 22 – Blog Post “Recession in Play – Depression on the Way? “

http://blogs.fxstreet.com/1stonforex/2008/01/22/recession-in-play-depression-on-the-way/