Buy Australian Dollar? HmmmUSD is having upside from the shaky risk perceptive that is the result of CCP protests in China. AUDUSD has traded into support following the dissapointing AU retail sales data.
Despite this I'm bullish the pair, as generally the market sentiment feels USD bearish & I'm looking for this trend to resume.
Find out if the AUDUSD will appreciate alongside me.
Retailsales
NZD/USD higher ahead of retail salesThe New Zealand dollar continues to gain ground this week. In the North American session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.6267, up 0.35%.
New Zealand will release retail sales for Q3 later in the day. The markets are expecting a small gain of 0.5%, which would be a turnaround from a disappointing -2.2% in Q2. Consumers continue to struggle with high inflation and rising interest rates, and after back-to-back declines, a gain in retail sales would be welcome news.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand delivered a huge 75-bp hike on Wednesday, which raised the cash rate to 4.25%. The move had been priced in by the markets, but the New Zealand dollar jumped 1.5%, thanks to the oversize move and a broadly-lower US dollar. The cash rate is the highest among major central banks, but there's more to come. The RBNZ has projected a terminal rate of 5.5% in 2023, which means more rate hikes in 2023. Inflation has been stickier than the RBNZ anticipated, and the bank's Monetary Policy Statement was decidedly hawkish, noting that “core consumer price inflation is too high" and "near-term inflation expectations have risen.”
The statement said that inflation is expected to accelerate to 7.5% in Q4 and would not fall to the midpoint of the 1%-3% target until 2025. The RBNZ is ready for a long fight with inflation, but it remains to be seen if the bank can guide the economy to a soft landing.
The Fed minutes reiterated that lower rates are on the way, which we've been hearing from a stream of Federal members over the past two weeks. The minutes were vague as far as a timeline, noting that smaller rate increases would happen "soon", as the Fed continues to evaluate the impact of the current policy on the economy. Members also voiced concern that inflation was yet to show any signs of peaking. Still, the markets viewed the minutes as dovish, which is weighing on the US dollar today.
NZD/USD is testing resistance at 0.6283. Above, there is resistance at 0.6361
There is support at 0.6217 and 0.6139
USD/CAD rises as retail sales slipThe Canadian dollar is in positive territory on Tuesday. In the North American session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.3400, down 0.39%.
The Canadian consumer was not in a spending mood in September, as retail sales declined by 0.5%, following a 0.4% gain a month earlier. The forecast stood at -0.4%. Core retail sales fell by 0.7%, worse than the consensus of -0.4% and the prior reading of 0.5%. Despite the weak data, the Canadian dollar has managed to post gains today, thanks to a broad US dollar pullback.
The drop in retail sales will put a damper on expectations of a 50-basis point hike at the December meeting, as the Bank of Canada will likely deliver a modest 25-bp hike. Inflation, the bank's number one priority, remains very high at 6.9%, as the BoC's aggressive rate-hike cycle is yet to show results. The benchmark rate is currently at 3.75%, and like the Federal Reserve, there's more life remaining in the current rate-tightening cycle. The BoC is closely monitoring employment and retail sales data, as strong numbers will make it easier for the bank to continue hiking as policy makers look for that elusive peak in inflation.
The recent US inflation report triggered a wave of exuberance, sending equity markets higher and the US dollar on a nasty slide. Investors became more confident that Fed was close to a pivot in its aggressive policy and risk sentiment soared. The Fed has pushed back hard, with Fed members delivering hawkish statements and projections, which has chilled risk appetite and stabilized the US dollar. Fed member Mary Daly weighed in on Monday, stating that inflation remained unacceptably high and projecting that the fed funds rate will peak at 4.75%-5.00%.
USD/CAD tested resistance at 1.3455 earlier in the day. Next, there is resistance at 1.3523
There is support at 1.3341 and 1.3218
What Now With GBPUSD ?- Key points:
1- The fall statement came in the context of weak economic growth, high inflation rates and high interest
rates. The Office of the Balance Sheet projected that the UK would be in recession from the third
quarter which would last for just over a year until the third quarter of 2023, with GDP falling 2.1%
during that time.
2- Retail sales volumes are estimated to have increased 0.6% in October 2022 after a 1.5% decline in
September (revised from a 1.4% decline) which was affected by the additional state funeral bank
holiday.
3- On November 3, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced that it had raised
interest rates for the eighth consecutive meeting. Rates were raised 0.75 percentage points to 3.0%,
the largest increase since "Black Wednesday" in 1992.
- Technical Analysis:
Diving into the technical part, we can see that there's a bearish structure starting from level 1.18700 approx. on the daily timeframe. In addition to that, considering 50&200 MA's starting from 1 hour timeframe is taking a downtrend path, which means things will take time on the daily until things payoff a bit and go bearish. Now speaking of oscillators, even from the daily and down they're all taking the downtrend path. Same with MACD, starting from 4H, and getting to the peak on daily before breaking down. Now channels, donchian, supertrend; were kind of reaching the peak on the daily while as on smaller ones they already broke down.
Now, as a nutshell, all these meetings the EoB and the UK did during the last week, due to their importance and the reports they gave in which everyone was waiting for to know what's next, was very necessary to the currency as well for traders to know what path the GBP will take for the next days or even weeks. Now for those who are asking what's the next checkpoint if it went bearish? Well, on smaller timeframes, like the 1H and 2H, there is a major orderblock on a level of 1.17670 approx. In which the price would go for a reversal, or break down more. And to do so, economical events must play it's major role. It depends on interest rates and inflation, as well as the CPI, stuff like these...
Possible reversal on EURUSDYesterday EURUSD reached 1,0440 followed by 200 pips drop to 1,0284.
There will be further volatility caused by the news today. ( US October Retail Sales)
This could be a good time to reverse the movement in EURUSD.
New upward movement to 1,0500 is possible, but no buys are recommended from these levels.
There will be sales opportunities in case of new pullback.
Stocks React to CPI and Retail SalesStocks took a sharp dive after yet another hotter than expected CPI print. We tested 3500, then dip-buyers came in and we subsequently pivoted back to recover the 3600's. More momentum followed and we are currently testing our target highs at 3714. Stocks still look strong despite another flaccid data point in retail sales, which came in relatively weak. If we are able to break through highs, then 3810 is the next target. Otherwise, we can expect support at 3624.
GBP/USD dips, US retail sales nextGBP/USD has reversed directions today and is in negative territory. In the North European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.1274, down 0.34%.
The pound continues to show strong volatility and jumped 2% on Thursday. The sharp swings over the past few weeks were triggered by Chancellor Kwarteng's mini-budget in late September. Normally tame affairs, the mini-budget contained sweeping tax cuts to stimulate economic growth. Perhaps a solid idea in normal times, but with soaring inflation, high interest rates and the spectre of a recession, the markets absolutely savaged the plan. Even the IMF gave the plan a thumbs-down. The pound plunged to a 37-year low after the tax cuts were announced, and the Bank of England had to intervene due to a near-crash in the UK bond market. The new Truss government has had to make a humiliating about-face, and reports on Thursday that the government would abolish the planned tax cuts sent the pound sharply higher.
The BoE was forced to step in with an emergency gilt-buying program, which is expected to end today. There is some concern that the bond market could show further volatility, in which case the BoE will have to again intervene. The government's clumsy attempt to slash taxes could cost Prime Minister Truss and Chancellor Kwarteng their jobs, and the political uncertainty and instability surrounding the new Truss government will only add to the pound's problems.
The US wraps up the week with the September retail sales report. This will be a report card on how consumer spending is holding up, given red-hot inflation and high interest rates. Headline retail sales is expected to nudge lower to 0.2% MoM (0.3% prior), while core retail sales is projected to come in at -0.1% (-0.3% prior).
GBP/USD faces resistance at 1.1373 and 1.1455
There is support at 1.1214 and 1.1085
Japanese yen dips, retail sales nextThe yen has reversed directions today and is in negative territory. In the North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 144.59, up 0.33%. Japan releases a data dump later today, highlighted by retail sales for August. The headline reading is expected to rise to 2.8%, following a 2.4% gain in July.
It was exactly a week ago that the yen went on a spectacular roller-coaster ride, as USD/JPY traded in a 450-point range. The yen has performed poorly this year, losing about 20% of its value against the dollar. As the yen continued to slide, the Bank of Japan and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) would warn that it was concerned, but the verbal rhetoric was not backed up with action until the MoF's dramatic currency intervention last week. The MoF stepped in after USD/JPY broke 145, and the yen climbed as much as 2.5% after the intervention. Immediately, there were questions as to whether a unilateral action could stem the yen's descent. Is 145 truly a line in the sand, or will Tokyo allow the yen to continue to fall?
The intervention gave the yen a brief shot in the arm, but it has been unable to consolidate these gains, for two reasons. First, the Federal Reserve is expected to remain hawkish at least into 2023, which has pushed US Treasury yields higher and widened the US/Japan rate differential. Second, the yen is caught in a tug-of-war between the MoF, which wants to see a stronger yen, and the BoJ, which is focused on maintaining an ultra-accommodative policy, which has kept JGB yields at low levels, even though this has hurt the yen. Governor Kuroda has said more than once that a weak yen is not necessarily bad, and has made clear that he will not change policy until it is clear that inflation is not transient (taking a page out of Jerome Powell's playbook).
These conflicting signals have invited speculation in short positions in the yen and I would not be surprised to see dollar/yen make another attempt at breaking the 145 line shortly.
144.81 is under pressure in resistance. 146.06 is next
There is support at 143.21 and 141.88
GBP/USD dips on strong US data, UK GDP nextThe British pound is in negative territory today and has fallen below the 1.15 line. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.1497, down 0.38%.
US retail sales rose 0.3% MoM in August, rebounding from -0.4% in July. Excluding gasoline, retail sales were up 0.8%, as consumers responded to lower gas prices by increasing spending on other items. The data indicates that consumer spending is holding up, despite an inflation rate of 8.3%. There was more positive news as US initial job claims fell for a fifth consecutive week, falling to 213 thousand. This follows the previous release of 218 thousand and beat the consensus of 226 thousand.
These releases are especially significant, as the Federal Reserve relies on a strong labour market and solid consumer spending in order to remain aggressive with its hawkish policy as its grapples with high inflation. The Fed is expected to increase rates by 75 basis points next week, with an outside chance of a massive 100bp hike. Inflation has proved to be more resilient than expected, and with the Fed continuing its steep rate-hike cycle, we may see more demand destruction which raises the likelihood of a recession.
The UK wraps up a busy week with retail sales on Friday. Consumers have been hammered by the cost-of-living crisis and predictably are cutting back on spending, which will only exacerbate the grim economic landscape. Retail sales fell by 3.0% YoY in July, and the markets are bracing for an even worse month of August, with an estimate of -3.4%. A release of -3.0% or worse could extend the British pound's losses.
GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.1548. Next, there is resistance at 1.1689
There is support at 1.1417 and 1.1306
Euro dips as 0.75% ECB hike in questionEUR/USD slipped to a new 20-year low earlier today, falling to 0.9864. Currently, the euro is trading at 0.9910, down 0.20%.
Eurozone government yields fell sharply today on reports that the ECB may decide to scale down an expected 75 basis point hike on Thursday. This has pushed the euro to a new 20-year low earlier today, as the currency remains under pressure.
There have been broad expectations that the ECB, which has been lagging behind most central banks in tightening policy, would deliver a 0.75% rate hike, but apparently, ECB policy makers may be looking at scaling the hike to just 0.60%. The markets are currently pricing in a 67% chance of a 75bp move, sharply lower than the almost 90% likelihood earlier today. We could see the pricing continue to fluctuate as we get closer to the meeting, with investors looking for clues as to how high the ECB will hike.
High inflation isn't going anywhere, and the ECB will need to drastically tighten if interest rates are to curb inflation. At the same time, the eurozone economy is weak, and the German locomotive has also slowed down. If the ECB raises rates too aggressively, the economy could tip into a recession.
Germany Factory Orders for July, released today, served as a grim reminder that the manufacturing sector remains in trouble. The reading of -13.6% YoY follows a decline of 9.0% in June (-6.0% est). In the eurozone, economic releases are sounding the alarm. PMIs are indicating contraction in manufacturing and business activity, retail sales are down and investor confidence remains mired deep in negative territory. With no indication that things will improve anytime soon, the euro could continue to lose ground.
EUR/USD is testing resistance at 0.9984. The next resistance line is 1.0056
There is support at 0.9888 and 0.9816
USD/JPY stabilizes after hitting 139The Japanese yen is in positive territory today after starting the week with sharp losses. USD/JPY is trading at 138.22, down 0.34%.
Japan releases a host of events on Wednesday, including retail sales and consumer confidence. Retail sales for July is expected to come in at -0.5% MoM, following a 1.4% decline in June. Consumer confidence remains weak, with a July estimate of 31.0, following the June read of 30.2. Japanese consumers are in a sour mood and nervous about the economy, and it's no surprise that they are holding tight to the purse strings as inflation continues to rise.
The yen remains under pressure and took it on the chin after Fed Chair Powell's speech at Jackson Hole on Friday. Powell's brief speech went straight to the point, pledging to continue raising rates until inflation was brought under control. Powell pointedly said that one or two weak inflation reports would not cause the Fed to U-turn on its tightening, a veiled reference to the market euphoria which followed the July inflation report, which was lower than the June release. With the equity markets taking a tumble after Powell's speech, it appears that investors have finally gotten the Fed's hawkish message.
Powell's speech removed any doubts about the Fed's plans to continue raising rates, but the size of the increases will depend not just on inflation, but also on other economic data. Overshadowed by Jackson Hole, US Personal Income and Spending data was weaker than expected. As well, the Core PCE index, the Fed's preferred inflation indicator, fell to 6.3%, down from 6.8% and below the forecast of 7.4%. If Friday's non-farm payrolls report is weaker than expected, it would be a clear indication that the sharp increase in rates is having its desired effect and the economy is slowing. In such a scenario, Fed policy makers may be more inclined to raise rates at the September meeting by only 50 basis points, rather than 75bp.
USD/JPY is testing support at 1.3822. The next support line is at 137.01
1.3891 and 1.4012 are resistance lines
NZ dollar slides below 62, retail sales nextThe New Zealand dollar continues to show volatility this week. In the North American session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.6182, down 0.48%, erasing all of Tuesday's gains.
Later today, New Zealand releases retail sales for the second quarter. The markets are expecting a strong rebound of 1.7%, after the Q1 reading of -0.5%. The release is expected to reflect pent-up consumer demand after Covid restrictions were lifted in April. A stronger-than-expected release could give the New Zealand dollar a lift.
The RBNZ will be carefully monitoring the retail sales release, as a strong reading would indicate that the economy remains strong and can continue to absorb higher interest rates. The RBNZ has been aggressive, raising rates by 50 basis points at four straight meetings. The central bank is expected to add another 50bp hike at the October meeting, which would bring the cash rate to 3.50%. Inflation has hit 7.3%, but the RBNZ is confident that it will peak soon and expects inflation to fall to 3.8% by the end of 2023. The central bank is cautiously positive about the economic outlook, predicting that the economic slowdown will not turn into a full-blown recession.
Over in the US, durable goods orders for July were a mix. The headlines reading slipped to 0.0%, down sharply from 2.2% in June and missing the estimate of 0.6%. Core durable goods was unchanged at 0.3%. The weak data did not weigh on the US dollar, unlike the case after a weak US New Home Sales release on Tuesday, which sent the US dollar broadly lower.
Investors are now shifting attention to Thursday's US Preliminary GDP for Q2. In July, the initial GDP estimate came in at -0.9%, settting off a storm of debate as to whether the US economy was in a recession after back-to-back quarters of negative growth. The debate had political overtones as well, with the White House, trying to avoid being tainted with the "R" word, went to great pains to point out that there are other definitions of a recession. The second GDP estimate is likely to come in at -0.8% or -0.9%; any other number would be a surprise and would likely result in some volatility for the US dollar.
NZD/USD faces resistance at 0.6227 and 0.6366
There is support at 0.6126 and 0.6075
USD/CAD eyes 130, retail sales nextThe Canadian dollar is lower for a third straight day. In the European session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.2984, up 0.29% on the day.
The US dollar has rebounded this week against the majors, including the Canadian dollar. USD/CAD is on the verge of breaking above the 1.30 line, which has held firm since July 18th. A weak Canadian retail sales report later today could send the Canadian dollar into 130-territory. Retail sales for July is expected to slow to 0.3% MoM, down sharply from the 2.2% gain in June. Core retail sales is projected to drop to 0.9% MoM, down from 1.9%.
Canadian consumers have been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis, and a natural response has been to cut down on spending. This could prove a major headache for the economy, as domestic demand is a key driver of growth. Canada's inflation has been heading toward double-digits, but as in the US, inflation dropped in July. Canada's CPI slowed to 7.6% YoY, down from 8.1% in June, which marked a 40-year high. However, CPI common, a core CPI indicator, rose to 5.5% YoY in July, up from 5.3% in June. This is the Bank of Canada's preferred gauge and means that the BoC, like the Fed, is not planning any U-turns in policy. We'll have to wait for additional data to determine if headline inflation has peaked or whether the July release was a one-time blip. Even if inflation is easing, it is expected to fall very slowly, which means that consumers will feel the economic pain for some time to come.
The BoC meets again next month, and the markets are expecting a 50 basis point increase, with a 25% of a 75bp hike. In July, the central bank surprised the markets with a super-size 100bp increase, the first G-7 country to deliver such a large rate hike in the post-Covid era.
There is resistance at 1.3040 and 1.3131
USD/CAD has support at 1.2909 and 1.2818
Retail Sales Dampen StocksStocks have slipped a bit from their week-long rally. Retail sales data confirmed the impact inflation is having on consumers, justifying the current Fed interest rate trajectory. The probability of another 75bps rate hike is above 50%. A retracement from highs was due, as higher highs were increasingly more labored. We gave up the 4300's, after making it as high as 4327. We then retraced the mid 4200's, currently just above our support level at 4245. If we retrace further, 4188 should surely provide support. The Kovach OBV appears to have topped off. Watch the open to see if more momentum comes through today.
How Will Retail Sales Effect Stocks Today?Stocks have pushed higher, spiking up to our level at 4327. However, we have retraced back to the high 4200 handle. The rally appears to be growing weaker. We have some risk off news including Tencent, the Chinese tech firm reporting negative revenue for the first time in history. We also have retail sales at 8:30AM EST, which another data point the Fed will be looking at. A softer reading will weaken the Fed's case to aggressively hike rates, though the headline is only expected at 0.1% . If we do retrace, then 4272 is a reasonable level to expect support, with 4188 a likely floor. If we break out, then 4350 is the next target.
The DXY Holds the Range Ahead of Retail SalesThe US dollar has stabilized in the range it has established between 106.13 and 107.20. We are sitting in the mid 106's at the time of this writing. The market is likely awaiting retail sales data at 8:30AM EST before making a significant move. If numbers come in soft, then this could dampen the Fed's hawkish stance. We are still anticipating a 50% bps hike in September, and this has already been priced in, but a weaker forward guidance may weaken the DXY. Expect support at 106.13 then 105.78 and 105.25.
GBPUSD D1 - Bearish play following DXY bullsGBPUSD D1
Complimentary to the above DXY analysis, if the dollar starts to pick up, this is no doubt a scenario we could see. Failing this, a breach above 1.23 and subsequent retest could see us with long entries to target 1.25.
Pivot points indicated on both DXY and GBPUSD. We are still 'technically' in a downtrend though, as we are still holding price below the latest 'lower high'.
Similarly, we are still 'technically' holding onto D1 support on DXY.
Pound edges higher, markets eye US inflationThe British pound has posted slight gains today. GBP/USD is trading in the European session at 1.2106, up 0.21% on the day.
The economic calendar has been light so far this week. On Capitol Hill, the Biden Administration racked up a badly-needed victory ahead of the mid-terms, passing a domestic spending bill which covers climate change, health costs, and corporate taxes. The bill has the interesting name of the Inflation Reduction Act. It would be great if that meant that US inflation, which hit 9.1% in June, must lower itself or else be in breach of the law, but I doubt that US lawmakers have such capabilities.
We could see a reduction in inflation as soon as Wednesday, with the release of July's inflation report. Headline CPI is expected to fall to 8.7%, down from 9.1%, while core CPI is forecast to rise to 6.1%, up from 5.9%. If the headline reading is higher than expected, it will put pressure on the Fed to raise rates by 0.75% in September and the dollar should respond with gains. Conversely, a soft reading from the headline or core releases would ease the pressure on the Fed and could send the dollar lower.
In the UK, BRC Retail Sales rebounded with a gain of 1.6% YoY in July, after a 1.3% in June. The BRC noted that despite the positive release, retailers are struggling with falling sales volumes, as inflation has hit 9.1% and is expected to hit double-digits. The BRC added that consumer confidence remains weak and the rise in energy bills in October will worsen the cost of living crisis.
The UK releases GDP for Q2 on Friday, and the markets are braced for a downturn. GDP is expected to slow to 2.8% YoY, down from 8.7% in Q1. On a quarterly basis, GDP is projected at -0.2%, following a 0.8% gain in Q1. If GDP is weaker than expected, a fall in the pound is a strong possibility.
GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.2123. Next, there is resistance at 1.2241
There is support at 1.2061 and 1.1951
Yen extends gains on US GDP declineUSD/JPY continues to fall as the Japanese yen rally continues. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 133.26, down 0.72%.
Thursday's US GDP for Q1 was weaker than expected, as the -0.9% reading surprised the markets, which had projected a 0.5% gain. There was plenty of discussion about the soft GDP report, not so much that it underperformed, but rather over the question of whether the US was currently in a recession after two straight quarters of negative growth (GDP fell by 1.6% in the first quarter).
Technically, a recession is widely defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. However, strategists in the Biden White House have been in emergency mode trying to spin the GDP release and avoid the "R" word at all costs. Optics are always crucial to politicians, and with mid-term elections in a few months, the Democrats don't want to see the phrase "US in recession!" plastered in the media and are aruging that there are other methods of defining a recession, which of course, according to them, don't apply to current economic conditions.
However one chooses to define an economic recession, there's no arguing that the US economy is closer to a recession after the GDP release, and that may lead to the Federal Reserve easing up on future rate hikes. The markets seem to think that is the case, even though runaway inflation hasn't gone anywhere. Wall Street is sharply higher, risk appetite has returned and the US dollar finds itself in full retreat.
In Japan, today's data was mixed. Tokyo Core CPI for June rose to 2.3% YoY, up from 2.1% and above the estimate of 2.2%. Retail sales, however, fell sharply to 1.5% YoY in June, down from 3.7% and shy of the 2.8% estimate. Still, the yen has posted strong gains today as the dollar continues to struggle.
USD/JPY continues to lose ground and is testing support at 133.53. Below, there is support at 131.50
There is resistance at 134.81, followed by 136.84
Sterling unchanged ahead of retail salesThe British pound has been calm for most of the week and has edged lower on Thursday, trading at 1.1936 in the North American session.
The UK economic calendar has been brimming all week, and Friday will be busy with retail sales and PMI reports. The markets are expecting retail sales to slow in June - headline retail sales is expected at -5.3% YoY, following the May reading of -4.7%, while the core reading is projected at -6.3% YoY, down from -5.7% in May.
With inflation rising to 9.4% YoY in June, up from 9.1%, it's small wonder that weary consumers, pummelled by the cost-of-living crisis, are watching their pennies and cutting back on spending. This could spell trouble for the UK economy as consumer spending is a key driver of growth, and a slowdown in spending could tip the economy into recession. If the retail sales report is worse than forecast, I would expect to see the pound respond with losses.
The markets are also expecting a de-acceleration from UK PMIs for June. Manufacturing PMI is expected to slow to 52.0, down from 52.8, while Services PMI is forecast to drop to 53.0, down from 54.3. Although the estimates point to continuing expansion, with readings above 50.0, a slowdown in manufacturing or services could make investors nervous and weigh on the British pound.
The BoE has been criticized for its slow and tepid response to surging inflation, with critics pointing to the BoE's cautious rate hiking of only 0.25% at the last four meetings, which has brought the cash rate to a rather low 1.25%. The central bank has projected that inflation will climb to 11% before peaking, which means that consumers can expect the cost-of-living crisis to get even worse before things improve. Governor Bailey has hinted that a 0.50% hike is on the table at the August meeting, and such a move would help restore the Bank's credibility, which has been damaged in its bruising, and so far unsuccessful battle with inflation.
GBP/USD faces resistance at 1.2018 and 1.2167
There is support at 1.1889 and 1.1740