BTC/USD trend upward soon Bitcoin (BTC/USD) in an upward channel, with the price currently at 96,904.63. Key levels to watch:
- Support Zone: The strong support is around 91,334.05, where a potential buy opportunity could emerge.
- Retest Area: The price may also retest the 100,941.20 level before pushing higher.
If the price holds above the support, Bitcoin could rise back towards the 107,669.49 resistance.
Forextrading
CHFJPY: Channel Down bottomed on oversold RSI.CHFJPY is almost oversold on its 1D technical outlook (RSI = 30.519, MACD = -1.120, ADX = 33.207) while the strong selling wave hit today the bottom of the October 31st 2024 High. The last time the 1D RSI was oversold was on the December 02 bottom. The bullish wave that followed, exceeded the 0.786 Fibonacci level. We anticipate an indentical rebound (TP = 173.500).
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Gold going to new all time high read the caption Economists predict that Nonfarm Payrolls will rise by 170,000 jobs in January, following a 256,000-job increase in December. The Unemployment Rate is anticipated to remain steady at 4.1% during the same period. Average hourly earnings, a key indicator of wage inflation, are expected to show a 3.8% year-over-year growth in January, slightly below the 3.9% increase recorded in December. After the January policy meeting, the Federal Reserve kept the benchmark rate within the 4.25%-4.50% range. However, the tone of the
How Does a Carry Trade Work? How Does a Carry Trade Work?
A carry trade is a popular forex trading strategy that takes advantage of interest rate differentials between two currencies, aiming to earn returns from the interest gap. This article explores what a carry trade is, its formula, and how the strategy works, helping traders understand its potential advantages and risks.
Carry Trade: Definition
A carry trade is a popular forex strategy where traders take advantage of the difference in interest rates between two currencies. It involves borrowing money in a currency with a low borrowing cost—this is known as the "funding currency"—and then converting that borrowed amount into another offering higher interest, called the "investment currency." This is done to earn the interest rate differential between the two.
The Mechanics of a Forex Carry Trade
A carry position involves a few key components that work together to create potential opportunities in the forex market.
1. The Funding Currency
The first component is the currency that the trader borrows, the funding currency. Traders typically choose one with low interest costs because the amount to repay will be minimal. Common funding currencies include the Japanese yen (JPY) or the Swiss franc (CHF), as these often have low or even negative borrowing costs.
2. The Investment Currency
The second component is the investment currency, which is the one into which the borrowed funds are converted. This is chosen because it offers a higher interest yield, providing an opportunity to earn returns from the interest rate differential.
Popular investment currencies often include the Australian dollar (AUD) or the New Zealand dollar (NZD), as they tend to have higher borrowing costs. However, in recent years, emerging market currencies, like the Mexican peso (MXN), Brazilian real (BRL), and South African rand (ZAR), have also been favoured due to their high interest yields.
3. Interest Rate Differential
The core concept here is to capitalise on the interest rate differential between the funding and investment currency. If someone borrows in a currency with a 0.5% premium and invests in another offering a 4% yield, the differential (known as the "carry") is 3.5%. This differential represents the potential return, assuming there are no significant changes in the exchange rate.
4. Swaps and Rollovers
Swaps and rollovers are key factors. When you hold a position overnight (roll it over), the difference in interest rates between the two currencies is either credited or debited to your account. This is because when you trade a forex pair, you're effectively borrowing one currency to buy another. The swap rate compensates for the interest rate difference.
Positive Swap Rate: If the interest rate of the currency you are buying is higher than that you are selling, you might receive a positive swap rate, meaning you earn interest.
Negative Swap Rate: Conversely, if the interest rate of the currency you're selling is higher than the one you're buying, you'll pay interest, leading to a negative swap rate.
5. Leverage
Many traders use leverage to amplify their positions. Leverage allows them to borrow additional funds to expand the size of their investment. While this can potentially increase returns, it also magnifies risks. If the position moves against the trader, losses can quickly accumulate due to the leverage.
6. Market Fluctuations
The price of the pair is a crucial factor in the yield of the differential. While the differential offers the potential for returns, any adverse price movement can negate these gains. For instance, if the investment currency depreciates relative to the funding currency, the trader could face losses when converting back to the funding currency.
Conversely, if the investment currency appreciates relative to the funding currency, then they can potentially make an additional gain on top of their interest yield.
7. Transaction Fees and Spreads
Traders must consider transaction fees and spreads, which are the differences between the buying and selling prices of a forex pair. These costs can reduce the overall gains of the operation. Wider spreads, particularly in less liquid forex pairs, can increase the cost of entering and exiting positions.
In a carry position, these components interact continuously. A trader borrows in a low-interest-rate currency, converts the funds to a higher-yielding one, and aims to earn from the differential while carefully monitoring market movements, transaction costs, and swap rates. The overall approach is based on balancing the interest earned, fees, and potential pair’s price movements.
Carry Trade: Formula and Example
To calculate the potential return of a carry trade, traders use a basic formula:
- Potential Return = (Investment Amount * Interest Rate Differential) * Leverage
Let’s examine a carry trade example. Imagine someone borrows 10,000,000 Japanese yen (JPY) at a low interest rate of 0.5% and uses these funds to invest in Australian dollars (AUD), which has a higher borrowing cost of 4.5%. The differential is 4% (4.5% - 0.5%).
If the current exchange rate is 1 AUD = 80 JPY, converting 10,000,000 JPY results in 125,000 AUD (10,000,000 JPY / 80).
They then use the 125,000 AUD to earn 4.5% interest annually:
- 125,000 * 4.5% = 5,625 AUD
The cost of borrowing 10,000,000 JPY at 0.5% interest is:
- 10,000,000 * 0.5% = 50,000 JPY
Converted back to AUD at the original exchange price (1 AUD = 80 JPY), the interest cost is:
- 50,000 JPY / 80= 625 AUD
The net return is the interest earned minus the borrowing cost (for simplicity, we’ll exclude other transaction fees):
- 5,625 AUD − 625 AUD = 5,000 AUD
If the price changes, it can significantly impact the position’s outcome. For example, if the AUD appreciates against the JPY, moving from 80 to 85 JPY per AUD, the 125,000 AUD would now be worth 10,625,000 JPY (125,000 * 85). After repaying the 10,000,000 JPY loan, the trader receives additional returns.
Conversely, if the AUD depreciates to 75 JPY per AUD, the value of 125,000 AUD drops to 9,375,000 JPY (125,000 * 75). After repaying the 10,000,000 JPY loan, the trader faces a loss.
Types of Carry Trades: Positive and Negative
Trades with yield differential can be classified into two types: positive and negative, each defined by the differential between the funding and investment currencies.
Positive Carry Trade
A positive carry trade occurs when the borrowing rate on the investment currency is higher than that of the funding one. For example, if a trader borrows in Japanese yen (JPY) at 0.5% and invests in Australian dollars (AUD) at 4.5%, the differential is 4%. This differential means they earn more interest on the invested currency than they pay on the borrowed one, potentially resulting in a net gain, especially if market movements are favourable.
Negative Carry Trade
A negative carry trade happens when the yield on the funding currency is higher than that on the investment. In this case, the trader would lose money on the rate differential. For example, borrowing in US dollars at 2% to invest in euros at 1% would result in a negative carry of -1%. Traders might still pursue negative yield differential trades to hedge other positions or take advantage of expected market movements, but the strategy involves more risk.
How Can You Analyse Carry Trade Opportunities?
To analyse opportunities, traders focus on several key factors to determine whether a carry position could be effective.
1. Differentials
The primary factor here is the interest rate differential between the two currencies. Traders look for forex pairs where the investment currency offers a significantly higher interest return than the funding currency. This differential provides the potential returns from holding the position over time.
2. Economic Indicators
Traders monitor economic indicators such as inflation rates, GDP growth, and employment figures, as these can influence central banks' decisions on interest rates. A strong economy may lead to higher borrowing costs, making a pair more attractive for a yield differential position. Conversely, weak economic data could result in rate cuts, reducing the appeal of a currency.
3. Central Bank Policies
Understanding central bank policies is crucial. Traders analyse statements from central banks, like the Federal Reserve or the Bank of Japan, to gauge future rate changes. If a central bank hints at raising borrowing costs, it could present an opportunity for a positive carry transaction.
4. Market Sentiment and Risk Appetite
This type of transaction often performs well in low-volatility environments. Traders assess market sentiment and risk appetite by analysing geopolitical events, market trends, and investor behaviour.
Risks of a Carry Trade
While carry trading can offer potential returns from borrowing cost differentials, they also come with significant risks that traders must consider.
- Exchange Risk: If the investment currency depreciates against the funding one, it can wipe out the returns from the differential and result in losses.
- Interest Rate Risk: Changes in the cost of borrowing by central banks can alter the differential, reducing potential returns or even creating a negative carry situation.
- Leverage Risk: Many traders use leverage to amplify returns, but this also magnifies potential losses. A small adverse movement in pairs can push the trader out of the market.
- Liquidity Risk: During periods of low market liquidity, exiting a position may become difficult or more costly, increasing the risk of loss.
A Key Risk: Carry Trade Unwinding
Unwinding happens when traders begin to exit their positions en masse, often due to changes in market conditions, such as increased volatility or a shift in risk sentiment. This essentially means exiting the investment and repurchasing the original currency.
Unwinding can trigger rapid and significant price movements, particularly if many traders are involved, and lead to a much lower return if the exit is timed incorrectly. For example, if global markets face uncertainty or economic data points to a weakening economy, investors may seek so-called safer assets, leading to a swift exit from carry positions and a steep decline in the investment currency.
The Bottom Line
This type of strategy offers a way to take advantage of interest rate differentials between currencies, but it comes with its own set of risks. Understanding the mechanics and analysing opportunities is critical. Ready to explore yield differential trades in the forex market? Open an FXOpen account today to access advanced tools, low-cost trading, and more than 600 markets. Good luck!
FAQ
What Is a Carry Trade?
A carry trade in forex meaning refers to a strategy where traders borrow in a low-interest currency (the "funding currency") and invest in a higher-interest one (the "investment currency") to earn returns from the differential.
What Is the Carry Trade Strategy?
The carry trade strategy consists of borrowing funds in a currency with a low interest rate and using those funds to invest in a currency that offers a higher interest rate. Traders then invest the borrowed funds in the higher-yielding one to earn returns from the borrowing cost differential. The strategy typically relies on both relatively stable forex prices and the interest differential remaining favourable.
How Does the Japanese Carry Trade Work?
The Japanese currency carry trade typically involves borrowing the Japanese yen (JPY) at a low interest rate and converting it into another with a higher yield, like the Australian dollar (AUD). The aim is to take advantage of the gap in borrowing costs.
What Is an Example of a Yen Carry Trade?
An example of a yen carry position is borrowing 10,000,000 JPY at 0.10% interest and converting it to AUD, which earns 4.35%. The trader takes advantage of the 4.25% differential, assuming favourable market conditions.
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DXY: rebounding at the bottom of the Megaphone.The U.S. Dollar Index is neutral on its 1D technical outlook (RSI = 48.335, MACD = 0.03, ADX = 16.853) as it took a turnaround on the HL trendline of the 2 month Bullish Megaphone. The 4H MACD will form a Bullish Cross today and once the 4H MA50 breaks, we will have the buy trigger for the new bullish wave. We expect this to test at least the LH trendline (if not the R1 Zone), which is where January's wave peaked, marginally over the 0.786 Fibonacci. Go long (TP = 109.500).
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Gold confirm buy we see strong bull candle read the caption Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade foreign exchange you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts
GBPJPY H8 - Long SignalGBPJPY H8
Leading on from yesterdays analysis too, we came into that 190.000 support price before catching bid again, not entirely sure how much mileage this may have, but there is certainly scope for this setup to start filling this void like we mentioned yesterday.
A large 300 point range which offers 5R from support to resistance and 5R from resistance to support.
Thu 6th Feb 2025 GBP/AUD Daily Forex Chart Sell SetupGood morning fellow traders. On my Daily Forex charts using the High Probability & Divergence trading methods from my books, I have identified a new trade setup this morning. As usual, you can read my notes on the chart for my thoughts on this setup. The trade being a GBP/AUD Sell. Enjoy the day all. Cheers. Jim
USDJPYHello Traders! 👋
What are your thoughts on USDJPY?
The USDJPY pair has broken its upward trendline and is now trading below a key resistance zone. A pullback to the broken level is expected before the price continues its downward move towards the identified target zone.
Don’t forget to like and share your thoughts in the comments! ❤️
$GOOGL Stocks Sink on Alphabet Earnings; Gold Hits AllTime High Stocks Sink on Alphabet Earnings; Gold Hits All-Time High 📉✨
1/9
Global stocks dipped after Alphabet ( NASDAQ:GOOGL ) missed earnings expectations, putting pressure on Wall Street futures. Investors are now questioning tech's growth outlook. 📉 Could this signal a broader tech revaluation?
2/9
Alphabet’s earnings disappointment impacted sentiment across markets, while some European stocks showed resilience. Novo Nordisk delivered positive earnings, highlighting sector-specific strength. 🏢📊
3/9
Currency Moves: The USD/JPY pair saw notable movement as the yen strengthened. Japan’s wage data came in higher than expected, fueling speculation of another rate hike. 💴 Could this be a turning point for the yen's momentum?
4/9
The dollar weakened against major currencies, driven by Japan’s wage growth data and broader market uncertainty. Currency traders, take note: further BOJ tightening may continue shifting capital flows. 📉
5/9
Gold Surge: The precious metal hit a record high today. A weaker dollar and heightened geopolitical risks are driving investors toward safe-haven assets like gold. 🚀 Will this trend hold if market volatility persists?
6/9
Political surprise: President Trump made unexpected remarks about potential U.S. involvement in Gaza for economic development. Despite the shock value, markets largely shrugged off the news. 🗞️ Investors kept their eyes on the numbers instead.
7/9
Market Insights:
Alphabet ( NASDAQ:GOOGL ): Missed earnings shook tech stocks.
USD/JPY: Yen gains signal a potential shift in forex markets.
Gold: Safe-haven demand pushes prices to new highs.
8/9
Investors may need to reassess their tech positions in light of Alphabet’s performance. Meanwhile, forex traders could find opportunities in USD/JPY movements, and gold investors are riding a bullish wave. 🧭
9/9
What's your market outlook after today's moves? Vote now! 🗳️
Tech will rebound soon 📈
Volatility will dominate 🔄
Gold remains king of 2025 ✨
Wed 5th Feb 2025 GBP/CAD Daily Forex Chart Sell SetupGood morning fellow traders. On my Daily Forex charts using the High Probability & Divergence trading methods from my books, I have identified a new trade setup this morning. As usual, you can read my notes on the chart for my thoughts on this setup. The trade being a GBP/CAD Sell. Enjoy the day all. Cheers. Jim
EURUSD: 4H Bullish Cross not so bullish historically.EURUSD is neutral on its 1D technical outlook (RSI = 49.247, MACD = -0.001, ADX = 21.205) and just formed a 4H Bullish Cross between the 1D MA100 and 1D MA200. This hasn't had a bullish effect in the past 12 months as the two times we saw it in 2024, it immediatelly market the top of the short term trend and caused pull backs to at least the 0.618 Fibonacci level. Consequently we will use it as an instant sell signal (TP = 1.02625).
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Gold try trap investor but go well up read the caption Spot Gold benefited from a risk-averse environment, with XAU/USD advancing beyond the $2,800 mark ahead of the American session opening. Fears are dominating financial markets after United States (US) President Donald Trump announced tariffs on three of its major trading counterpart
US500 Trade insight Price breaks above December high 6102.21 so I believe we are currently on a retracement to 5901.87 for continuing to the upside.
If the ISM manufacturing PMI news happening at 10:00 UTC-5 NY push proce to my POI then I'll stick to my buy bias but if it pushes price to the upside without getting to my point of interest then I might look for a short sell from 6024.40 down to my Poi for buy.
If you find this insightful, 🫴 kindly boost and share
Gold weekly expected move read the caption The metal resumes higher in wave ((iii)). Up from wave ((ii)), wave i ended at 2766.3 and wave ii ended at 2744.78. Wave iii higher ended at 2798.55 and wave iv pullback ended at 2788.43. Expect wave v higher to end soon which completes wave (i) in higher degree. Then the metal should pullback in wave (ii) in 3, 7, or 11 swing to correct cycle from 1.28.2025 low before it resumes higher again. Near term, as far as pivot at 2730.23 low stays intact, expect dips to find support in 3, 7, 11 swing for more upside
Strongest Reversal Candlestick Patterns For Gold & Forex
In this educational article, we will discuss powerful reversal candlestick patterns that every trader must know.
Bullish Engulfing Candle
Bullish engulfing candle is one of my favourite ones.
It usually indicates the initiation of a bullish movement after a strong bearish wave.
The main element of this pattern is a relatively big body. Being bigger than the entire range of the previous (bearish) candle, it should completely "engulf" that.
Such a formation indicates the strength of the buyers and their willingness to push the price higher.
Bullish engulfing candle that I spotted on Gold chart gave a perfect bullish trend-following signal.
Bearish Engulfing Candle
The main element of this pattern is a relatively big body that is bigger than the entire range of the previous (bullish) candle.
Such a formation indicates the strength of the sellers and their willingness to push the price lower.
________________________
Bullish Inside Bar
Inside bar formation is a classic indecision pattern.
It usually forms after a strong bullish/bearish impulse and signifies a consolidation .
The pattern consists of 2 main elements:
mother's bar - a relatively strong bullish or bearish candle,
inside bars - the following candles that a trading within the range of the mother's bar.
The breakout of the range of the mother's bar may quite accurately confirm the reversal.
A bullish breakout of its range and a candle close above that usually initiates a strong bullish movement.
Bearish Inside Bar
A bearish breakout of the range of the mother's bar and a candle close below that usually initiates a strong bearish movement.
Bearish breakout of the range of the mother's bar candlestick provided a strong bearish signal
on EURUSD.
________________________
Doji Candle (Morning Star)
By a Doji we mean a candle that has the same opening and closing price.
Being formed after a strong bearish move, such a Doji will be called a Morning Star. It signifies the oversold condition of the market and the local weakness of sellers.
Such a formation may quite accurately indicate a coming bullish movement.
Doji Candle (Evening Star)
Being formed after a strong bullish move, such a Doji will be called an Evening Star. It signifies the overbought condition of the market and the local weakness of buyers.
Such a formation may quite accurately indicate a coming bearish movement.
Above is a perfect example of a doji candle and a consequent bearish movement on Silver.
I apply these formations for making predictions on financial markets every day. They perfectly work on Forex, Futures, Crypto markets and show their efficiency on various time frames.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
The Loonie's Fate: Can CAD Hold Against USD?The Canadian dollar (CAD) has been losing ground against the U.S. dollar (USD) for years, and this chart suggests that weakness could continue. Since 2015, every time CAD has tried to strengthen, it has failed to break below 1.20, showing a long-term downward trend.
USD/CAD at 1.47: A Critical Turning Point
Right now, the exchange rate is sitting at 1.4527, just below a key resistance level (1.47). Historically, this level has acted as a ceiling where CAD has struggled to hold its value.
Two Possible Outcomes:
1. If CAD Holds Below 1.47 → Potential for Stabilization
A rejection at 1.47 would mean CAD could regain some strength, at least in the short term.
This could happen if the Bank of Canada holds rates steady while the U.S. Federal Reserve signals rate cuts. If USD weakens, CAD could stabilize around 1.39 or lower.
2. If USD/CAD Breaks Above 1.47 → CAD Could Sink Further
A breakout above 1.47 would mean further CAD weakness, and we could see 1.60 or even 1.80 in the long run. This would be bad news for Canadian consumers, as inflation would likely surge.
The Bank of Canada might be forced to act aggressively, keeping interest rates high for longer to stabilize the loonie.
The Big Picture: Could We See 1.80?
The chart suggests that if USD/CAD breaks out above 1.47, the next long-term move could reach 1.80, which would mean an additional 21% devaluation of CAD against USD.
What That Would Mean for Canadians:
More Expensive Imports: A weaker CAD means higher costs for goods priced in USD—electronics, vehicles, food, and even vacations in the U.S.
Higher Inflation Risk: Imported goods would become more expensive, keeping inflation high and making it harder for the Bank of Canada (BoC) to cut rates.
Potential Rate Hikes: If CAD weakens too much, the BoC may need to raise interest rates again to stabilize the currency, which could keep borrowing costs high.
What Canadians Should Watch
Oil Prices: Canada is a commodity-based economy, and higher oil prices typically strengthen CAD (since Canada is a major oil exporter). If oil prices rise, CAD could get some strength back, slowing the decline.
Bank of Canada vs. U.S. Federal Reserve Policy: If the Bank of Canada keeps rates high while the U.S. Federal Reserve cuts rates, CAD could strengthen. But if the BoC cuts rates too early, CAD could fall further.
Global Market Sentiment: In a risk-off environment, investors flock to USD for safety, weakening CAD. If risk appetite returns, CAD could stabilize.
What Canadians Can Do to Prepare
If USD/CAD Breaks 1.47 and Moves Higher:
Hedge Against a Weak CAD: Consider holding some USD-denominated assets (U.S. stocks, USD savings).
Lock in Loan Rates Now: A weakening CAD could keep rates high longer—fixed-rate mortgages may offer stability.
Invest in Inflation-Protected Assets: If CAD weakens, commodities, energy stocks, and foreign investments could help hedge against inflation.
Buy USD for Future U.S. Expenses: If you travel to the U.S. frequently, it might make sense to buy USD now before CAD weakens further.
If USD/CAD Gets Rejected at 1.47 and CAD Recovers:
Monitor U.S. Rate Cuts: If the Fed cuts rates, USD may weaken, giving CAD a chance to rebound.
Be Ready for Short-Term Relief, But Plan for Long-Term Weakness: Even if CAD strengthens in the short term, the long-term trend still suggests CAD is vulnerable.
Final Thoughts: The Loonie’s Fate Rests on 1.47
Right now, CAD is at a make-or-break level.
If 1.47 holds, CAD may see short-term strength. If 1.47 breaks, CAD could face a significant decline, making life more expensive for Canadians.
With inflation, interest rates, and oil prices all playing a role, this is a crucial time to pay attention to macroeconomic trends, as the next move in USD/CAD will impact Canadians' cost of living, mortgages, and investments.
Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
AUDJPY: 2 month range calls for a reboundAUDJPY is neutral on its 1D technical outlook (RSI = 45.920, MACD = -0.220, ADX = 20.692) as it is trading inside a Rectangle pattern. The price hit the pattern's bottom yesterday and today is rebounding towards the 4H MA50, already hitting the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement level. Such rebounds have always reached the 0.786 Fib at least, so with the 4H RSI also rebounding perfectly from the oversold area, we expect to test the 0.786 Fib again (TP = 98.385).
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Gold dipping now keep hold short read the caption Gold price stands tall near fresh record highs after closing Thursday well beyond the symmetrical triangle target of $2,785 or the previous all-time high of $2,790.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently near 68, suggesting that there is more room to the upside before Gold price enters the overbought territory at 70