Guide To The Most Popular Crosses
Trading currency crosses opens a whole new side of the currency markets, as different crosses possess different qualities that can suit any style of trading. Some crosses move fast and are extremely volatile with daily ranges that may exceed over 100 pips. While other crosses move relatively slow and exhibit low volatility, which is more suited for novice traders.
Another added dimension to trading crosses is the ability to collect substantial amounts of interest (i.e. GBP/JPY, NZD/JPY and other high yielding crosses) as the positive carry created by the interest rate differentials can add to a trader's bottom line P/L. Discover the world beyond the majors where traders can expand their trading horizons.
All About the Crosses: [EUR/JPY] [EUR/CHF] [GBP/CHF] [GBP/JPY] [AUD/JPY]
All About the Crosses: EUR/JPY
Actively traded 24-hours a day, the EUR/JPY is so popular that it has been called the fifth major! The EUR/JPY mostly trades in wide ranges, providing excellent opportunities for position (medium-term) traders.
EUR/JPY generally trades in a range, but when breakouts do happen, Fibonacci levels provide a good estimate of where support/resistance will probably occur. Stochastics are excellent for spotting exit and entry points in a rangebound market. Real support and resistance figures, published daily in the Market News & Charts section, can also be used to pick entry and exit points.
EUR/JPY is an excellent gauge for the health of the Japanesse economy versus the European economy. When data comes out that changes the prevailing outlook for either country, the result is usually a dramatic movement in the pair.
European and Japanese economic data This pair often integrates fundamental economic information better than the majors!
Bank of Japan intervention The BOJ prevents the Yen from becoming too strong against the dollar. If there is intervention in the USD/JPY, it will create movement for EUR/JPY too.
Oil prices Japan is very dependent on exported oil, so a spike in oil prices can cause a marked dip in the Yen.
Talk of Japanese reserve diversification The Bank of Japan holds dollar reserves. If reserves are diversified into euros, EUR/JPY could explode as new demand for the euro drives the price up!
Fundamentals to Watch
European GDP Gross domestic product. A measurement of output, and more importantly, growth in an economy.
European trade balance A measure of how much Europe is importing versus how much it exports. Too many imports mean that the currency will get weaker because more Euros are being sold to purchase foreign goods.
European CPI Refers to the European Central Bank's monetary policy. If inflation is too high, the ECB will raise interest rates to slow borrowing and spending. If economic growth is sluggish, lowering interest rates will help boost activity. High interest rates make a currency more attractive.
ECB rate decision Refers to the European Central Bank's monetary policy. If inflation is too high, the ECB will raise interest rates to slow borrowing and spending. If economic growth is sluggish, lowering interest rates will help boost activity. High interest rates make a currency more attractive.
Japanese Inflation A measure of inflation in Japan. Closely monitored because when too high or too low, it can prompt a change in the interest rate outlook of a country.
Japanese Consumer Spending A measure of how much Japanese consumers are spending. The Japanese economy is driven primarily by its export sector, but consumer spending is an important gauge of economic activity and prosperity.
BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting When Japanese bank officials meet to determine monetary policy. Has direct implications for currency traders since they often hint at whether or not they intend to intervene to protect the Yen from becoming too expensive—hence making their exports more expensive.
Japanese Trade Balance Japanese imports vs. exports – the Japanese economy is highly dependent on exports; a drastic change in this number can have implications on the value of the Yen.
Japanese Industrial Production A measure of activity in the Japanese manufacturing sector. This acts as a gauge for the level of production and growth in the economy.
Tankan Survey A quarterly business survey gives a detailed assessment of Japanese business conditions. The headline number shows the difference between the proportion of optimistic businesses and the proportion of pessimistic businesses. A large positive number means that optimism pervades.
Another added dimension to trading crosses is the ability to collect substantial amounts of interest (i.e. GBP/JPY, NZD/JPY and other high yielding crosses) as the positive carry created by the interest rate differentials can add to a trader's bottom line P/L. Discover the world beyond the majors where traders can expand their trading horizons.
All About the Crosses: [EUR/JPY] [EUR/CHF] [GBP/CHF] [GBP/JPY] [AUD/JPY]
All About the Crosses: EUR/JPY
Actively traded 24-hours a day, the EUR/JPY is so popular that it has been called the fifth major! The EUR/JPY mostly trades in wide ranges, providing excellent opportunities for position (medium-term) traders.
EUR/JPY generally trades in a range, but when breakouts do happen, Fibonacci levels provide a good estimate of where support/resistance will probably occur. Stochastics are excellent for spotting exit and entry points in a rangebound market. Real support and resistance figures, published daily in the Market News & Charts section, can also be used to pick entry and exit points.
EUR/JPY is an excellent gauge for the health of the Japanesse economy versus the European economy. When data comes out that changes the prevailing outlook for either country, the result is usually a dramatic movement in the pair.
EUR/JPY is more sensitive to Japanese data than European data.HOT Buttons: What moves EUR/JPY?Analyst Says: This is an excellent cross for position traders. The moves are significant, and advantageous entry and exit points are easy to spot using technical analysis.
- Average daily range: 112 pips
- Wide long-term ranges
- Good for medium-term traders
European and Japanese economic data This pair often integrates fundamental economic information better than the majors!
Bank of Japan intervention The BOJ prevents the Yen from becoming too strong against the dollar. If there is intervention in the USD/JPY, it will create movement for EUR/JPY too.
Oil prices Japan is very dependent on exported oil, so a spike in oil prices can cause a marked dip in the Yen.
Talk of Japanese reserve diversification The Bank of Japan holds dollar reserves. If reserves are diversified into euros, EUR/JPY could explode as new demand for the euro drives the price up!
Fundamentals to Watch
European GDP Gross domestic product. A measurement of output, and more importantly, growth in an economy.
European trade balance A measure of how much Europe is importing versus how much it exports. Too many imports mean that the currency will get weaker because more Euros are being sold to purchase foreign goods.
European CPI Refers to the European Central Bank's monetary policy. If inflation is too high, the ECB will raise interest rates to slow borrowing and spending. If economic growth is sluggish, lowering interest rates will help boost activity. High interest rates make a currency more attractive.
ECB rate decision Refers to the European Central Bank's monetary policy. If inflation is too high, the ECB will raise interest rates to slow borrowing and spending. If economic growth is sluggish, lowering interest rates will help boost activity. High interest rates make a currency more attractive.
Japanese Inflation A measure of inflation in Japan. Closely monitored because when too high or too low, it can prompt a change in the interest rate outlook of a country.
Japanese Consumer Spending A measure of how much Japanese consumers are spending. The Japanese economy is driven primarily by its export sector, but consumer spending is an important gauge of economic activity and prosperity.
BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting When Japanese bank officials meet to determine monetary policy. Has direct implications for currency traders since they often hint at whether or not they intend to intervene to protect the Yen from becoming too expensive—hence making their exports more expensive.
Japanese Trade Balance Japanese imports vs. exports – the Japanese economy is highly dependent on exports; a drastic change in this number can have implications on the value of the Yen.
Japanese Industrial Production A measure of activity in the Japanese manufacturing sector. This acts as a gauge for the level of production and growth in the economy.
Tankan Survey A quarterly business survey gives a detailed assessment of Japanese business conditions. The headline number shows the difference between the proportion of optimistic businesses and the proportion of pessimistic businesses. A large positive number means that optimism pervades.
Tags: Trading currency crosses
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