Australian FOREX Daily Outlook 25/09/2008

More stalling on the US Bailout making markets nervous

CURRENCY TRADING SUMMARY – 25thSeptember 2008 (00:30GMT)

·U.S. Dollar Trading (USD) another day, another grilling for Paulson and Bernanke as Senators turned aggressive on the proposed Bailout plan and party lines split on demands and assurances. Markets were frozen as participants waited for news with most currencies sticking to a tight range. Stocks were sluggish and commodities slightly lower. US data was slightly weaker than expected with August Home Sales at 4.91 vs. 4.94 Million Expected. In the U.S. share markets, the NASDAQ was up 2 points (0.11%) and the Dow Jones was down 29 points (-0.27%). Crude Oil closed down $0.88 ending the New York session at $105.73 per barrel. Looking ahead, August Durable Goods are seen down -1.1% from a previous jump of 2.9% in July. Weekly Jobless claims are seen slightly lower at 448K from 455K. August New Homes seen at 0.51 Millions from 0.515 Million in July. Bernanke and Paulson are schedule to continue speaking to congress.

·The Euro (EUR) relatively contained, rallying on rumors that the bailout plan didn’t have enough votes before settling back to roughly where it began. Poor German IFO numbers suggest that the Eurozone could be heading for a recession. September IFO 92.9 vs. 94.2 expceted. Falling Oil weighed into the US close. Overall the EUR/USD traded with a low of 1.4610 and a high of 1.4748 before closing the day at 1.4630 in the New York session. Looking ahead, October GFK German Confidence is expected at 1.3 from 1.5 September.

·The Japanese Yen (JPY) sluggish stocks kept the USD/JPY gains to a minimum, initially rallying on reports that buffet will be investing in Goldman Sachs. Also helping to weaken the JPY is the continuing political fallout from PM resignation. Overall the USDJPY traded with a low of 105.36 and a high of 106.35 before closing the day around 106.10 in the New York session. UPDATE AUGUST Trade Balance -324 Bln vs. -400 Bln expected.

·The Sterling (GBP) tracked the Euro maintaining recent range while awaiting further developments from the US. September CBI was better than expected jumping to -27 from -46 previously. Overall the GDP/USD traded with a low of 1.8463 and a high of 1.8608 before closing the day at 1.8470 in the New York session.

·The Australian Dollar (AUD) traded briefly above .8400 but was unable to hold the gains as US stocks came off and Commodities fell in late trading. Buffets Goldman Sachs news lifted the AUD off lows during the Asian session. Overall the AUD/USD traded with a low of 0.8309 and a high of 0.8429 before closing the US session at 0.8340.

·Gold (XAU) gained on Bailout stagnation rumors but was unable to hold above $900 an ounce falling back to session lows. Overall trading with a low of USD$879.00 and high of USD$901.20 before ending the New York session at USD$883 an ounce.

·Euro – 1.4645

Initial support at 1.4623 (Sept 23 low) followed by 1.4437 (Sept 22 low). Initial resistance is now located at 1.4867 (Sept 23 high) at followed by 1.4908 (Aug 22 high).

·Yen – 106.05

Initial support is located at 105.15 (Sept 22 low) followed by 103.54 (Sept 16 low). Initial resistance is now at 106.35 (Sep 24 high) followed by 107.47 (Sept 22 high).

·Pound – 1.8510

Initial support at 1.8472 (Sept 23 low) followed by 1.8265 (Sept 22 low). Initial resistance is now at 1.8642 (Sep 22 high) followed by 1.8795 (Aug 21 High).

·Australian Dollar – 0.8345

Initial support at 0.8279 (Sept 23 low) followed by the 0.8011 (Sep 19 low). Initial resistance is now at 0.8519 (Sept 22 high) followed by 0.8534 (Sept 2 high).

·Gold – 884

Initial support at 862.8 (Sept 22 low) followed by 825.12 (Sept 19 low). Initial resistance is now at 909.8 (Sep 23 high) followed by 919 (Sept 18 high).