EUR/USD – Stable Ahead of FOMC Statement

EUR/USD is quiet on Wednesday, as the pair trades in the mid-1.27 range in the European session. On the release front, it’s a quiet day in the Eurozone with only one release on the schedule, German 10-year Bond Auction. In the US, the FOMC is expected to wind up its QE program at the conclusion of its monthly meeting.

The Federal Reserve will be in the spotlight on Wednesday as the US central bank releases its monthly statement. It is widely expected that the Fed will wind up its stimulus scheme, which has been in place since September 2012.  Such a symbolic step would mark a vote of confidence in the economy from the powerful Fed. The markets will also be looking for hints regarding the timing of a rate hike, which is expected sometime in 2015. Traders should treat this release as a market-mover which could have a significant impact on the direction of EUR/USD.

US durable goods looked dismal in September. Core Durable Goods Orders dropped 0.2%, its second decline in three months. This was well short of the estimate of 0.5%. Durable Goods Orders followed suit with a decline of -1.3%. This was a second straight decline, and missed the estimate of 0.4%. There was much better news from CB Consumer Confidence, as the indicator climbed to 94.5 points, up sharply from 86.0 points. The easily beat the estimate of 87.4 and marked a 7-year high.

German Ifo Business Climate continues to weaken, as the indicator dipped to 103.2 points in September. This was short of the estimate of 104.6 points and marks the sixth straight release that the indicator has lost ground. German GDP contracted in Q2, and another contraction in Q3 would indicate a recession in the Eurozone’s largest economy. German growth has been hurt as exports have been hit by EU sanctions against Russia, weak Eurozone demand and slower growth in China, Germany’s third largest trading partner.

EUR/USD for Wednesday, October 29, 2014

EUR/USD October 29 10:35 GMT

EUR/USD 1.2741 H: 1.2747 L: 1.2724

EUR/USD Technical

• EUR/USD was flat in the Asian session. The pair has been marked by choppy trading in the European session.
• 1.2688 has reverted to a support role.
• 1.2806 is the next line of resistance.
• Current range: 1.2688 to 1.2806

Further levels in both directions:

• Below: 1.2688, 1.2518, 1.2407, 1.2286 and 1.2143
• Above: 1.2806, 1.2905, 1.2984 and 1.3104

OANDA’s Open Positions Ratio

EUR/USD ratio is unchanged on Wednesday. This is consistent with the lack of movement currently displayed by the pair. The ratio has a majority of long positions, indicative of trader bias towards the euro breaking out of range and moving higher.

EUR/USD Fundamentals

• Tentative – German 10-year Bond Auction.
• 14:30 US Crude Oil Inventories. Estimate 3.3M.
• 18:00 US FOMC Statement.
• 18:00 US Federal Funds Rate. Estimate <0.25%.

*All release times are GMT

*Key releases are highlighted in bold.

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.