Midday Brief – The dollar surrenders some ground as risk appetite emerges

The dollar remains weak as risk returns to the markets causing currencies against the greenback to rise, save for the EUR which is going soft on the dollar. Commodities rise, giving commodity-backed currencies a stronger mood as we approach the weekend. Stocks get a breather from the week’s losses.

USDCHF recovered by +0.15% early in the European session after a 3-day plunge. The US Dollar gave up some ground late Thursday post-negative Initial Jobless Claims. The Philly Fed Manufacturing Index showed a weakening US economy with a 2.6 reading from yesterday`s data weighing down the Dollar more. USDCHF`s bulls managed to defend the 0.97000 level after a strong drop and a breach below that may renew bearish interest in the 0.9600 and 0.9500 area in the long run.

The GBPCAD is down -0.15% as the CAD is getting a boost from commodity upbeat. The sterling failed to win over the CAD despite higher April retail sales at +1.4% tailing the UK inflation to 40-year highs at 9%. BoE`s Pill said they are still on the tightening path as soaring inflation is hitting UK`s economy. The pair tanked from the 1.60372 Thursday`s resistance and a stronger Canadian Dollar may give bears the 1. 58643 area. Traders to watch out for CAD`s prelim wholesale sales in the US trading hours.

EURAUD tumbled by -0.26% early European session with Australia`s parliamentary elections in play all day. The positive German PPI MoM April data failed to weigh down the AUD. However, a positive EU consumer confidence in the New York session may support market pricing in a 50% + odds for a 50bps ECB hike giving buyers the 1.51200 for the week close. The pair rejected the 1.48909 weekly support and a break below that may give room for 1.46051 in the long term. ECB’s Lane and German Buba President Nagel speak later in the day.

Gold price continue its recovery from yesterday by gaining +0.27%. The yellow metal gets blithely from US Dollar`s weakness and is set to get to a positive region ahead of the weekend. After breaking the 1836 4-day resistance, gold is trading slightly below 1850 and a break above that may take it to 1866 and 1884 in the near term.

European stocks opened higher in relief after a rather gloomy week. FTSE 100 soared by +1,57% and is trading above 7326 intraday support and an up-move is challenged by 7456 and 7500 resistances. CAC40 gained +1.15% above the 6272.7 support. DAX soared by +1.63% and upside gains are capped by the 14270 resistance in focus.

Us stocks rose after suffering major losses in four days. The US 10-year yields retreating gave relief to the stock market downside Pressure. Dow Jones is up +0.80% above the 31000 support while the S&P 500 futures rose by +1.07% as buyers attempt to find a bottom in the near term. Nasdaq futures rallied by +1.38% reclaiming the 12000 psychological figure leaving a support at 11700.