August 16, 2021
GBP/USD: The Great Britain pound rose against the US dollar on Friday due to general market weakness in USD after publishing the consumer sentiment index. COVID-19 cases decreased in the UK and high vaccination rates allowed the British government to lift most restrictions. This also supports the cable. However, the pound may be pressured by current disagreements between the Eurozone and UK policymakers on Northern Ireland issues. The UK will release employment-related figures on Tuesday. The ILO unemployment rate for the three months to June is expected steady at 4.8%, although the focus will be on the September Claimant Count Change, the number of people claiming jobless benefits. The local resistance level can be seen at 1.3875. The breakout up can trigger growth towards 1.3953.
BUY 1.3880/TP 1.3953/SL 1.3855
USD/JPY: The US dollar fell against the Japanese yen on Friday and in the Asian session today after upbeat data on Japan’s Gross Domestic Product came out better than expected values. The risk-off mood also favors the pair’s sellers. According to the latest government figures, the record hospitalizations for 30–39 years old in the US and all-time high infections in Japan challenge the global recovery from the pandemic. The local resistance level can be seen at 109.55. If the pair reaches this level and rebounds, it can trigger a downside move towards 109.00.
SELL STOP 109.45/TP 109.00/SL 109.60
BRENT: Oil prices fell on Friday after the International Energy Agency said that the spread of coronavirus variants is slowing oil demand. Growth for the second half of this year has been downgraded more sharply, as new COVID-19 restrictions imposed in several major oil-consuming countries, particularly in Asia, look set to reduce mobility and oil use. Meanwhile, OPEC stuck to its forecast for a rebound in global oil demand this year and further growth in 2022, despite the rising concern over surges in COVID-19. The local support level can be seen at $69.35. A breakout below could take the pair towards $67.85.
SELL $69.28/TP $67.85/SL $69.76