Asian money has helped to extend yesterday’s rally that was fuelled in part by successful European bond auctions. This morning both the EUR/USD and GBP/USD are 0.40% higher, the biggest movement across currency pairs so far.

In financial spread betting, the morning move cannot quite be seen as an outright bullish signal yet. Yesterday brought welcome relief to Europe, but UK stocks have only managed to grind out the gains so far in 2012.

The USD/JPY continues to trade in an extremely tight trading range. The pair’s 14 day Average True Range has not reached levels not seen for decades, much to the frustration of many traders.

Trading Today

Coming up today we have UK PPI input and output at 09.30 with a slight drop expected.

From 13.30 we have Canadian and US trade balance figures with an increased US deficit on the cards.

Preliminary UoM Consumer Sentiment follows at 14.55 with an increase to 71.2 expected.

USD/JPY Trading Idea

The USD/JPY’s trading range contraction has reached such extreme levels, but the question is whether this is the start of a new mode for the pair, or an extreme point before the pair’s volatility rebounds.

With many speculating that this won’t happen until the Japanese New Year, there could be a continuation of the current impasse in the medium term.

The median price since August has been 76.94 which could be the basis of a low volatility trade.

An IN/OUT trade predicting that the USD/JPY closes between @yen;77.25 and @yen;76.60 in 21 days time could return 144% if successful.

Editor’s note: If you lose a financial fixed odds trade you lose 100% of your stake.

Also see USD/JPY spread betting.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

Successful Spanish and Hungarian bond auctions have boosted the euro yesterday, in a move that was largely against the general run of play. The EUR/USD was up around 1% with the EUR/GBP and EUR/JPY not far behind.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

Volatility has dropped for much of the week and this morning is no exception, with most FX spread betting pairs trading well within the extremes of their recent trading ranges.

The main exception is gold which is putting together a nice rally so far in 2012 and is up another 0.80% this morning.

The gains are small, but the NZD/USD looks to be testing yesterday’s high, while the AUD/JPY is up 0.15% thanks to the weakness seen in the Japanese yen so far this morning.

The euro is showing some relative strength against the pound, but the EUR/GBP remains range bound.

Trading Today

We’ve another data light day today with the main highlights being UK trade balance at 09.30 followed by the US beige book this evening at 19.00.

EUR/USD Fixed Odds Trading Idea

Volatility has dropped considerably this week with a dearth of top tier economic data on the cards so far.

This could present an opportunity though as volatility often rebounds following a quiet period such as this.

A way to trade this situation might be an IN/OUT trade looking for a breakout. This could be especially useful with a busy economic calendar tomorrow.

An IN/OUT trade predicting that the EUR/USD goes outside of either 1.2450 or 1.0350 in the next 7 days could return 126%. The pair has to touch either of these levels just once for the trade to return a profit.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

Stock markets were enjoying a positive day yesterday with the benchmark S&P 500 index hitting its highest level since August.

As the hourly chart of S&P futures showed, aside from the last hour, the rally had built nicely as the day progressed.

By contrast, forex markets told a different story, while it had been a ‘risk-on’ day overall, for most pairs, the bulk of the move was already made by the morning session.

The day’s top mover, the NZD/USD had retreated some way from the highs, but the Canadian dollar managed to improve on its morning position following better than expected Canadian housing starts.

By contrast, the EUR/USD was in an ugly trading range throughout the day as Italian bonds continued to flash red in the ‘danger zone’ above 7%, a level that no country has recovered from yet according to Thomson Reuter’s Michael Cartine.

Gold managed to put in a positive session though with the precious metal looking to attack the December high.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

This morning commodity currencies, in particular the New Zealand dollar are leading markets higher following better than expected Australian Building Approvals in the small hours of the morning.

In FX spread betting, there is a general risk-on feel across most pairs with the NZD/USD up 0.75%, the AUD/USD up 0.63% and the AUD/JPY up 0.70%.

Stock markets are following suit with the FTSE 100 up 0.85% and S&P 500 futures up 0.55%.

Aside from the gap higher on the first trading day of the year, 2012 has been something of a grind so far, so traders will be hoping to see some decent follow through action today.

In gold spread betting, the precious metal is following markets higher, up 0.61% on the day.

The euro is still acting as a dead weight on markets though and it’s unlikely we’ll see a sustained rally without some solid movement from Europe.

Trading Today

We only have middle tier data today with Canadian housing starts the highlight at 13.15.

NZD/USD Fixed Odds Trading Idea

As one of the strongest trend following currencies of 2011, today’s follow through rally on the NZD/USD could be a good opportunity to speculator on further upside.

A way to trade this might be a HIGHER trade predicting that the NZD/USD closes above 0.8000 in 7 days time for a potential return of 237%.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

Markets were mixed yesterday with the FTSE 100 closing down, but US markets trading up slightly.

The euro held on to the morning’s gains, but only after the EUR/USD hit new multi month lows.

Greece was the main focus with the Hellenic nation appearing to return to its recent trick of ‘negotiation by headline’.

The NZD/USD continued to buck the trend though, rallying 0.68%.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

In the first real trading session of 2012, forex spread betting markets have a positive bias with commodity currencies leading the way. The AUD/USD is up 0.66% with the NZD/USD up 0.93%.

The EUR/USD is lagging but still positive, up 0.43%.

Gold is the morning’s biggest mover, up 1.46%.

Strangely the positive currency moves aren’t being matched on stock markets with S&P 500 futures down 0.40%. The FTSE 100 is playing catch up from yesterday though and is up 1.65%.

Trading Today

The main announcement this morning is UK Manufacturing PMI at 09.30 with no significant change expected.

US ISM manufacturing PMI follows at 15.00 with an increase expected.

FOMC minutes are released at 19.15.

EUR/USD Fixed Odds Trading Idea

A recent survey of Bloomberg economists showed that the majority of professionals expect another tough year for the EUR/USD with many expecting the currency to trade below 1.2000 in 6 months time.

However, these are the same economists who got much of the euro crisis wrong and the credit crunch before this. Therefore it may pay to be contrarian in these circumstances.

It’s difficult to interpret what markets are currently pricing in so if Greece were to leave the Eurozone, it could have a positive impact on the single currency.

A way to trade this might be a HIGHER trade predicting that the EUR/USD closes above 1.3200 in 178 days time could return 178%.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

After yesterday’s severe reversal from the highs, spread betting markets are pushing higher again. Leading the charge is the EUR/USD with the pair up 0.51%, in line with S&P 500 futures.

The AUD/USD suffered one of the biggest intraday reversals yesterday, but managed to close up on the day and is pushing higher again this morning.

Trading Today

Today we have UK current account data at 09.30 with a big increase in the deficit down to -5.6bn.

UK Unemployment claims are released at 13.30 with a slight rise expected.

EUR/GBP Fixed Odds Trading Idea

The EUR/GBP Spreads is set for its first positive day since the 9th as the euro edges ahead of other currencies. The extended trend has been quite out of character which may make the rebound more powerful.

A way to trade this might be a HIGHER trade predicting that the EUR/GBP closes above 0.8375 in 7 days time for a potential return of 199%.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

Markets have fully reversed the morning’s rally after bigger than expected ECB borrowing levels spooked markets.

The concern is that banks are in more trouble then previously supposed, though this is no more than speculation at the moment.

In FX spread trading, the AUD/USD shows the reversal well today.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

December has traditionally been a bullish month for shares spread betting markets, and in today’s correlated world, other risky assets as well potentially.

Santa has been slow to arrive this year, but things looked more positive yesterday as Eurozone relief sparked a major rally on stock markets and other ‘risk on’ assets.

The S&P 500 closed up 2.98% with the Dow Jones rallying 2.87%. There is follow through this morning with the S&P 500 futures up another 0.53%.

The ‘risk on’ currency pairs of the AUD/USD and NZD/USD are showing similar sentiment, extending yesterday’s surge with a 1.25% and 1.18% rally this morning.

Gold is continuing to display characteristics of a risky rather than safe haven asset, rallying 0.95% this morning.

The euro continues to lag, as does the pound with the EUR/USD and GBP/USD both up by 0.47%.

Trading Today

Today we have the release of the minutes from the last MPC meeting and public sector net borrowing figures which are expected to balloon to 15.5bn.

Canadian core retail sales are released at 13.30 with a slight rise expected.

US existing home sales are released at 15.30 with a slight increase on the previous number expected.

AUD/USD Fixed Odds Trading Idea

Markets have put together an impressive two day rally, but will it last?

Markets have certainly been beaten up this last week, so this will be something of a relief rally. In the current environment though, markets can swing by 1% in either direction at the merest whim of a ratings agency of European political announcement.

More stop gaps have been suggested by the ECB, but broad, meaningful reforms have so far not been forthcoming on Europe.

So a pull back trade may offer a value bet here and the AUD/USD may be a way to trade this.

A LOWER trade on the AUD/USD to close below 1.0125 in 7 days time (Dec 28th) could return 172% if successful.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

It was a much better day for financial markets following the success of the Spanish bond auction and with US building permits coming in above expectations.

Stock markets led other assets higher with the S&P 500 futures up 2.63% and the FTSE 100 up 1.02%.

‘Risk on’ currency pairs were fuelled by the same bullish enthusiasm, sending the AUD/USD 1.89% higher and the NZD/USD 2.00% higher.

While Spanish bonds were getting the headlines, the euro still lagged behind.

The EUR/USD was up 0.66%, behind the GBP/USD which itself was slow at +1.00%.

Consequently the EUR/GBP slipped back further, down 0.40%.

In gold spread betting, the precious metal continued its positive correlation with ‘risk on’ trading, pushing higher by 1.26%.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

Last night US spread betting markets closed down around 1%, but there is a mild recovery this morning with S&P 500 futures up by 0.5%.

In forex spread betting, ‘risk on’ currencies are rallying well with the AUD/USD up 0.57% and the NZD/USD up 0.61%. The Aussie failed to break the 1.0000 recently, but today looks to have some good momentum.

By contrast, the euro is still lagging behind with the EUR/USD up just 0.28% this morning with the EUR/GBP extending its down trend as the pair slips 0.26% in early trading.

Uncertainty still reigns in the Europe after the UK decided not to contribute additional funds to the IMF bailout stating that such funds should only be used to bail out countries not currencies.

In this, the UK does appear to be making the important distinction that many European politicians are not conceding.

Trading Today

We have a busy day of data today starting with German IFO Business climate conditions at 09.00. The numbers are forecast to come in at 106.2, slightly lower than last month.

At 11.00 with have UK CBI realised sales.

At 12.00 we have Canadian CPI.

US building permits follow at 13.30 with no significant change expected.

EUR/GBP Fixed Odds Trading Idea

The EUR/GBP has extended its downtrend this morning, in a continuation of trend which is out of character for the pair. Quite often its two steps forward, one step back for the pair so there could be some opportunity for an upside bet.
A good way to play this is a HIGHER trade predicting that the EUR/GBP closes above 0.8400 in 1 days time for a potential return of 177%.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

Yesterday afternoon financial spread betting markets slipped back after new ECB president Mario Draghi gave a rather conservative speech to the European parliamentary commission, cooling hopes of dramatic ECB activity.

In addition there was the added geopolitical uncertainty of North Korea’s power succession.

Stock markets led markets lower with S&P 500 futures off by 0.52%. ‘Risk on’ currency pairs such as the AUD/USD were also feeling the pressure with the Aussie down 0.65%.

The euro was by contrast fairly steady, hardly moving for most of the day. The EUR/GBP flipped to negative though as the pound recovered relative to the euro.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

It’s been a mildly weak start to the trading week so far with a negative bias seen across various currency pairs and stock markets.

The FTSE 100 has opened down around 0.45% with S&P 500 futures flat in early trading.

The British pound is one of the weaker currencies this morning, with the GBP/USD down by 0.3%. This lifts the EUR/GBP off the troublesome 0.8400 level.

The AUD/USD is down by 0.3% also.

Other than these early moves, it seems financial spread betting traders are in wait and see mode with Europe still having the potential to scupper anything with a single news bulletin.

Trading Today

Today’s major economic news item is ECB President Draghi speaking at 15.30.

News reports over the weekend imply Draghi is at least considering the possibility of the euro breaking up so it should make for a newsworthy speech at least.

EUR/USD Fixed Odds Trading Idea

There hasn’t been much follow through on EUR/USD moves in the 2nd half of 2011. In fact buying after a down day (and vice versa) has been more profitable than looking for any follow through on the through movement.

After two consecutive up days on the EUR/USD, today could be a good day to use a LOWER trade looking for the reversal lower.

One way to trade this could be a LOWER trade predicting that the EUR/USD is below 1.3000 in 1 days time could return 106% if successful.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Friday Afternoon

As we headed towards the end of the trading week, markets looked set to register a poor week, despite Friday’s mildly positive session.

Shares spread betting markets across the world looked likely to close the week lower, while Gold had a week to forget, dropping over $100.

The NZD/USD was the biggest gainer on Friday, trading up 1.15% but this looked to be an outlier in what was a tough slog of a day.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

This morning spread betting markets have started the day in positive fashion as traders focus more on the better than expected US economic data last night than the ongoing Eurozone troubles.

The S&P 500 is up 0.56% in early trading with ‘risk on’ currencies such as the AUD/USD and NZD/USD up 0.67% and 0.95% respectively.

Gold is up around 1.25% as the pressure on the forced sellers abates.

There little movement in euro though despite an increasing war of words between the UK and France. The GBP/USD, EUR/USD and EUR/GBP are all flat.

Trading Today

Today’s only major announcement is US CPI due at 13.30.

AUD/USD Fixed Odds Trading Idea

This morning the AUD/USD is lagging the NZD/USD by as much as 0.3% and gold by more than 0.5%.

With markets stabilising these couple of days, today could be a time for a rebound play.

If it comes, the AUD/USD could be a vehicle for this and a way to trade this could be a HIGHER trade predicting that the AUD/USD closes above 1.0050 in 3 day days time for a potential return of 229%.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

Financial spread betting markets had to navigate through a tough mine field of economic data yesterday, but haven’t made much positive progress as a consequence.

UK retail sales came in below estimates, but US unemployment claims and Philly Fed manufacturing both surprised to the upside.

The FTSE 100 closed up 0.63% with the S&P 500 futures currently up 0.52% only slightly ahead of where they were in the morning.

The euro had gone backwards though as did gold which retreated from the highs of the day to trade flat on the session.

Commodity currencies fared better though with the NZD/USD up 0.52% and the USD/CAD down 0.47%.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.
 

Index Spread Trading markets are fairly quiet this morning ahead of a deluge of data from European, the UK and the US today.

Last night stock markets closed near the lows, down around 1.00% on the day.

This morning we’re seeing a mild rebound with S&P 500 futures up 0.3% in early trading.

For the first time in a few days, the US dollar is taking a breather, allowing pairs such as the EUR/USD to rise 0.28% and gold to rally 0.48%.

In FX spread betting, ‘risk on’ commodities currencies such as the NZD/USD are still yet to make their move however so we can’t yet say that a bullish day is a full gone conclusion.

Trading Today

Coming up today we have the Swiss interest rate statement and press conference in a few minutes at 08.30.

At the same time we have German flash services & Manufacturing data followed by the same European wide data at 09.00.

UK Retail sales follow at 09.30 with consumer inflation expectations released at the same time.

European CPI follows at 10.00 with ECB President Draghi speaking at 11.25.

US PPI and unemployment claims are released at 13.30 with TIC long term purchases released at 14.00 followed by the Philly Fed Manufacturing index at 15.00.

Gold Fixed Odds Trading Idea

The week’s earlier up bet on gold has not been successful to put it mildly, but there is a case for stepping into this market once again.

The more gold is below the PSAR, the more extreme the red line. Currently the line is hitting extreme levels that have in the past led to at least a stabilisation of gold prices if not a quick rally.

A way to trade this might be a HIGHER trade predicting that gold closes above $1620 in 7 days time for a potential return of 228%.

Editor’s note: If you lose a fixed odds trade, you will lose 100% of your stake.

The Markets Yesterday Afternoon

Markets started the day with a cautious feel and this gave way to outright fear as the day progressed.

Italy sold its full compliment of bonds, but had to pay a record high interest rate in order to do so.

Analysts recently proposed that the euro area won’t get its house in order unless there is another shock to the system.

The ‘risk off’ nature of yesterday’s trading was led by gold which was hit by a triple whammy of a rising US dollar, a short squeeze and managers dumping gold holdings in return for raising cash. The precious metal was down 2.82% on the day.

Stock markets fared little better with the FTSE 100 closing down 2.25% and the S&P 500 futures currently down 0.90%.

In line with stock markets, the AUD/USD was down 0.92%.

The euro was actually showing some relative strength, with the EUR/USD down 0.29%.

 
Before trading with spread betting, CFDs or financial fixed odds ensure you only speculate with money that you can afford to lose and that you fully understand the risks involved. These products may not be suitable for all investors, seek independent financial advice where necessary.

Note that spread betting and CFD trading carry a high level of risk to your capital and you can lose more than your initial investment.

The Financial Fixed Odds update by David Evans, Market Analyst, BetOnMarkets.

This website content does not constitute investment advice. No individual contributor, contributing company, BetOnMarkets nor Online-Spread-Betting.com accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the content.