Forex

Forex Weekly Outlook April 10-14

Published

7 years ago

April 9, 2017

Forex Weekly Outlook April 10-14

The US economy added fewer jobs in March than projected, adding just 98,000 people to the payroll but the unemployment rate improved to 10 years low of 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent recorded in February. While, the figure is disappointing and a lot of analysts have predicted possible change in the Federal Open Market Committee stand, there are other fundamental factors that says otherwise. For instance, wage growth was steady at 2.7 percent year-on-year, while the unemployment claims declined to a 5-week low of 234,000. Perhaps this explained why the U.S dollar gained against all its counterparts on Friday after the report was made public. Again, global uncertainty after the Syria attack continued to aid haven assets and has also boosted the Japanese yen against its counterparts.

On oil, crude oil prices rallied on Friday after the US launched a missile strike against Syria, sparking fears that an escalation of the conflict in the crude-rich Middle East could disrupt supplies and further aid OPEC strategy. However, Fitch Ratings in its latest report forecast crude oil prices would average $52.50 per barrel in 2017. This is $7.4 per barrel higher than $45.1 per barrel recorded in 2016.

Also, crude oil experts and analysts expect the surge in the US oil production to continue disrupting OPEC strategy until both the OPEC and non-OPEC member states reached another consensus on production cut later in the year.

In Canada, the labour market added 19,600 jobs in March but the rise in the number of people looking for a job increased the unemployment rate from 6.6 percent to 6.7 percent in March. Canada has so far created a total of 82,600 jobs in the first three months of the year. This was after weak manufacturing sector plunged job creation in 2016 and impact exports amid global oil glut.

However, the manufacturing sector has expanded from 2016 low to 55.5 in March after recording a 54.7 in February. Also, the manufacturing employment rose by 24,400 in March, making it the highest one-month increase since August 2002. Therefore, businesses and investors are projecting continuous gain in the labour market—especially with the newly signed Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement expected to add at least $25 billion a year to the economy.

In the UK, the services sector rose to 55 in March, pushing businesses to raise their prices at the quickest pace in over 8 years. Experts believed it’s going to be a tough year for consumers following the report that both the manufacturing and construction sectors shrank in February. This further added to signs that the economy is losing momentum.

Last week, the Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney urged banks to get contingency plans for all potential Brexit outcomes. Signaling increase uncertainty and possible recession, especially with both consumer spending and housing price slowdown with demands.

Generally, the US economy remains strong with its uncertainty, while Canada’s economy is gradually improving with growing global economic outlook. Both the UK and the Euro-area remains uncertain ahead of Brexit.

This week I will be reviewing past analysis in relation to current happenings.

GBPJPY

In a sequel to my analysis three weeks ago, this pair has dropped 222 pips but yet to hit our first target at 134.90 support levels. But with both the construction and manufacturing sectors shrinking and housing price growth plunging to a 4-month low. I remain bearish on this pair as long as price remains below 141.47, I will expect a sustained break to expose 129.85 targets.

AUDJPY

Last week, this pair topped our list and has since plunged by 163 pips to close at around 83.34, which was below the ascending line called temporary reversal. Therefore, this week I expect the current surge in the yen attractiveness and Aussie weak economic outlook ahead of surging household debt and bubble housing sector to further aid bearish move of this pair towards our last week target of 80.82.

CADJPY

Since I mentioned this pair sell potential three weeks ago, it has failed to sustain its bearish move. Even after giving us about 133 pips and hitting our first target. However, due to the positive Canada’s economic outlook and growing manufacturing sector that has continued to support job creation. I will step aside this week to better assess the pair in relation to series of economic data due this week.

NZDUSD

This pair has plunged 71 pips since last week but far from our target of 0.6716. Therefore, as long as price remains below 0.7071 I am bearish on this pair and will be looking to add to my sell position below 0.6893 support levels for 0.6716 targets.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Forex

Investors in Turmoil as Zimbabwe’s New Currency Wipes Out 330% Stock Market Gain

Published

3 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Zimbabwe’s financial landscape has been rattled by the introduction of the new currency ZiG, spelling trouble for investors who had sought refuge in the stock market amidst economic turmoil.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) All Share Index has plummeted by 99.95% since the rollout of ZiG on April 5. This has erased more than 330% gain recorded earlier this year.

The introduction of ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, was intended to provide stability to the country’s currency and succeed the embattled Zimbabwean dollar, which had already lost 80% of its value in 2024 alone.

However, instead of instilling confidence, the new currency has sent shockwaves through the stock market, leaving investors grappling with the fallout.

Prior to the currency conversion, investors had flocked to the stock market as a safe haven amid the Zimbabwean dollar’s depreciation and soaring inflation rates, which had reached a seven-month high of 55.3% in March.

However, the abrupt introduction of ZiG has reversed their fortunes, plunging share prices and trading volumes as the market grapples with the transition.

Justin Bgoni, the CEO of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, attributed the market’s poor performance to a combination of factors, including delays in currency conversion by financial institutions and tight liquidity conditions.

He noted that investors were also hesitant and uncertain about the value of assets denominated in ZiG terms, further exacerbating the situation.

The conversion of share prices from the old currency to ZiG at a swap rate of 1 ZiG to 2,498 Zimbabwean dollars has led to a significant decline in trading volumes and revenues for brokerage firms.

Lloyd Mlotshwa, head of research at Harare-based brokerage IH Securities, highlighted that brokerages have experienced a substantial hit to earnings, with some seeing their revenues drop by at least 50%.

Stockbrokers in the capital, Harare, described the current market conditions as “a painful early winter,” marked by limited trading volumes and uncertainty. They anticipate broader ramifications across the stock market architecture, affecting not only stockbrokers but also custodians, government taxes, and the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange itself.

Enock Rukarwa, a research and investment consultant at FBC Securities, said stockbroking boutiques need to adapt their business models to mitigate the impact on commission income and pointed out that the majority of the economy still transacting in US dollars.

He suggested that stockbroking boutiques need to adapt their business models to mitigate the impact on commission income.

Imara Asset Management, Zimbabwe’s largest independent brokerage overseeing $100 million in assets, warned of further upheaval in the coming months as share prices adjusted to ZiG.

The company’s CEO and CIO, John Legat and Shelton Sibanda, criticized the decision to adopt ZiG instead of US dollars, considering that many listed businesses operate in USD.

Naira

Dollar to Naira Black Market Today, April 23rd, 2024

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Samed Olukoya

As of April 23rd, 2024, the exchange rate for the US dollar to the Nigerian Naira stands at 1 USD to 1,250 NGN in the black market, also referred to as the parallel market or Aboki fx.

For those engaging in currency transactions in the Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market), buyers purchase a dollar for N1,290 and sell it at N1,280 on Monday, April 22nd, 2024 based on information from Bureau De Change (BDC).

Meaning, the Naira exchange rate improved when compared to today’s rate below.

This black market rate signifies the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for Naira outside the official or regulated exchange channels.

Investors and participants closely monitor these parallel market rates for a more immediate reflection of currency dynamics.

How Much is Dollar to Naira Today in the Black Market?

Kindly be aware that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not acknowledge the existence of the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market.

The CBN has advised individuals seeking to participate in Forex transactions to utilize official banking channels.

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Buying Rate: N1,250
Selling Rate: N1,240

Naira

Dollar to Naira Black Market Today, April 22nd, 2024

As of April 22nd, 2024, the exchange rate for the US dollar to the Nigerian Naira stands at 1 USD to 1,290 NGN in the black market, also referred to as the parallel market or Aboki fx.

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

Samed Olukoya

As of April 22nd, 2024, the exchange rate for the US dollar to the Nigerian Naira stands at 1 USD to 1,290 NGN in the black market, also referred to as the parallel market or Aboki fx.

For those engaging in currency transactions in the Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market), buyers purchase a dollar for N1,100 and sell it at N1,090 on Friday, April 19th, 2024 based on information from Bureau De Change (BDC).

Meaning, the Naira exchange rate declined when compared to today’s rate below.

This black market rate signifies the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for Naira outside the official or regulated exchange channels.

Investors and participants closely monitor these parallel market rates for a more immediate reflection of currency dynamics.

How Much is Dollar to Naira Today in the Black Market?

Kindly be aware that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not acknowledge the existence of the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market.

The CBN has advised individuals seeking to participate in Forex transactions to utilize official banking channels.