Morning Commentary & Currency Insights – May 15, 2018

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The dollar is up this morning following the lull we saw over the last few trading days. Global trade tensions and US Treasury yields reaching above 3% again are helping the dollar reverse the slide. Yesterday Trump stated that he would remove the ban on Chinese company ZTE from purchasing key tech components from American companies, which was reciprocated by the Chinese reevaluating a Qualcomm bid on a Chinese company. Commerce Secretary Ross told the press yesterday that the US will seek alternative punishment for ZTE, which contradicts the President’s statements. This morning we will see US Retail Sales (0.3% vs 0.6%) where analysts warn that the number could come in low due to the unseasonably cold April. Investors will be looking at how US tax cuts have influenced household spending and if higher oil is preventing consumers from opening their wallets in retail. Euro saw small gains as the ECB said that they could be looking at a new outlook for potential rate hikes as their monetary stimulus program nears its completion. Bearish pressure was applied this morning as German GDP showed slower than expected growth. The UK saw some optimistic data as wages were positive and unemployment was held at a 43-year low.

US Retail Sales Apr (0.3% vs 0.6%) at 8:30am finish off what was a busy morning on the European calendar. Draghi will speak tomorrow, and Canadian CPI will wrap up the week on Friday. Short term support and resistance are 1.2785 and 1.2865 respectively, with a 1.2900 being your R2. RSI has increased to 52 and the 200-day moving average resides at 1.2646.

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