Trading a 'crossroads' in the euro/sterling exchange rate
Currency trading charts are painting a startling picture in the euro vs sterling rate, says John C Burford. Here's how to play it.
The euro vs sterling (EUR/GBP) rate is dear to the hearts of many UK and European residents and spread betters.
Now is a good time to look at the technical backdrop, since the charts are painting a startling picture. Let me explain.
When I look at a market afresh, I like to check first on the long-term weekly chart
The market was moving up in 2000 2007, and the euro then surged in a strong rally to peak in December 2008 at the £0.98 level. The universal cry at the time was for parity for the euro and beyond!
But following the age-old rule, "the markets exist to punish the majority", the market plunged in 2009, then embarked on a choppy retracement exercise.
This retracement has been contained within my tramlines, as shown in the chart above.
We had one 'overshoot' in October 2009. But all of the major highs and lows have been marked out by the tramlines.
This is classic tramline behaviour.
(Click on the chart for a larger version)
Taking a closer look at the charts
This is one of the characteristics of retracements they occur in overlapping waves and the highs and lows are contained between parallel tramlines.
So far, so good. Let's now take a closer look. Here is the daily chart going back to last October:
(Click on the chart for a larger version)
From the January low, the rally has occurred in three waves A-B-C, which is corrective.
Note that my tentative wave C label lies right on the upper weekly tramline. This area represents significant resistance to further advances.
And note the negative divergence with momentum, which often foretells of a top.
But here is the interesting bit waves A and C are of equal length in price! This is a very frequent wave relationship in A-B-C retracements. That gives me confidence that my wave C label has some validity.
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But here is the interesting bit waves A and C are of equal length in price! This is a very frequent wave relationship in A-B-C retracements. That gives me confidence that my wave C label has some validity.
Waves within waves
OK, let's have an even closer look. Here is the daily chart which shows wave C is itself a three-wave affair:
(Click on the chart for a larger version)
Now let's focus on the hourly chart for the past few days:
(Click on the chart for a larger version)
Trading is being contained between my tramlines (except for the odd overthrow). But look at my central tramline it has contained many of the minor highs and lows and the market is resting right on it, having hit the weekly tramline two days ago. Let's have a closer look:
(Click on the chart for a larger version)
The market lies right on my central tramline and if my outer tramlines are still operating, there is a likelihood that the market can move down to the lower line.
The fundamentals are of little use in trading
Taking you through this analysis, I hope I have given you an idea of the process I use to guide me in making my trading decisions.
Note that I rarely refer to 'fundamental' factors, except in the broadest way.
As I have noted before, in the words of Joe Granville, "When the fundamentals seem obvious, they are obviously wrong" (from a trading standpoint!).
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