Forex Major Currencies Outlook (September 2, 2013)

Obama is currently consulting Congress on whether the US forces will be allowed to launch an airstrike or not, and their decision could make a huge impact on currency trading in the near term. As for data, the calendar is empty for today as US traders are off on Labor Day. Expect liquidity to pick up when US traders return tomorrow. 

EUR

The euro is still consolidating against the dollar and appears to have ignored the recent improvements in Spanish and Italian PMIs. EUR/USD is still hovering above the 1.3200 handle and a clean break might send the pair to 1.3000. No other reports are due today as traders could react to risk sentiment or price in expectations for the ECB rate decision on Thursday. 

GBP

The pound gapped up over the weekend and is showing strong upside potential, as the rising trend line on GBP/USD is holding. UK manufacturing PMI came in much better than expected at 57.2, outpacing the expected 55.2 reading and upping the odds for a hawkish BOE rate statement later on in the week. 

CHF

The franc struggled to hold on to its recent levels as risk aversion continued to weigh on the European currencies. SVME PMI came in weaker than expected at 54.6 versus the estimate at 55.9 and the previous reading of 57.4. There are no other reports due from Switzerland today as the downturn in manufacturing might keep weighing on the franc.

JPY

The yen was sold off sharply towards the end of the Asian session today as news of the approval of Abe’s corporate tax hit the airwaves. This could potentially weigh on business spending and overall economic growth, probably erasing some of the progress created after the BOJ eased policy. The central bank is set to make another rate decision within the week but no changes are expected. 

Commodity Currencies (AUD, CAD, NZD)

The comdolls gapped up against the dollar over the weekend as some traders booked profits ahead of Labor Day. However, risk remains off as the possibility of a full-blown war in Syria isn’t off the table yet. Australian building approvals beat expectations while China is showing signs of a rebound in manufacturing, helping lift comdolls for the meantime. No other reports are due from these economies today. 

By Kate Curtis from Trader's Way