In the past month, there was significant negative news for the euro— Portugal defaulted and the government fell, Ireland held elections, there were tensions in Libya, and a European summit produced no tangible results.
Looking purely at the fundamentals, one would have expected the EUR/USD to fall, but instead, it rose. FXCM’s Speculative Sentiment Index (SSI), on the other hand, was consistently negative, pointing to EUR/USD gains. The SSI filter indicated not to follow the negative sentiments of the news and it was right. Here are specific days of fundamental news and respective SSI index numbers:
The SSI Diary on EUR/USD, March–April 2011
• March 24
Fundamental News: The European summit failed to produce any answers in combating the Euro crisis. This may lead to a fall in EUR/USD.
Speculative Sentiment Index: The FXCM trading crowd has remained fairly net short the euro against the US dollar, showing few important signs of relenting thus giving contrarian signal to stay long into the EUR/USD rallies.
• March 31
Fundamental News: Irish bank stress tests were lower than expected. This may weaken EUR/USD.
Speculative Sentiment Index: Euro forecast continues to rally. Nearly 67% of traders are short and the SSI is negative at -2.04. As a contrarian indicator, the SSI signals more EUR/USD gains.
• April 6
Fundamental News: Portugal asks for EU assistance. Not good for the euro.
Speculative Sentiment Index: The ratio of long to short positions in the EUR/USD stands at -2.17 as nearly 68% of traders are short. The SSI is a contrarian indicator and signals more EUR/USD gains.
• April 7
Fundamental News: The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to move the markets with its decision on whether to raise interest rates and if so, by how much. Interest rate markets predict a virtually certain 25 basis point hike, with a 50% chance of a 50 basis point move.
Speculative Sentiment Index: EUR/USD ratio narrows on bets for an ECB rate hike. The ratio of long to short positions in the EUR/USD stands at -1.69 as nearly 63% of traders are short. Short positions are 6.3% lower than yesterday. The SSI is a contrarian indicator and signals more EUR/USD gains.
EUR/USD Rate, SSI, Long/Short Amount 3/17/2011–4/7/2011
FXCM’s Speculative Sentiment Index (SSI) can be used by traders, analysts, and currency followers alike to gauge forex market sentiment. Speculators can use the SSI to gain an advantage in the market by using it as a new method of market analysis.
Updates to the SSI are made twice a day on DailyFX+ and are available for free for all FXCM live account holders. A weekly SSI update is available for everyone, every Thursday on DailyFX.com.
About FXCM Inc.
FXCM Inc. (NYSE: FXCM) is a global online provider of foreign exchange (forex) trading and related services to retail and institutional customers worldwide.
At the heart of FXCM's client offering is No Dealing Desk forex trading. Clients benefit from FXCM’s large network of forex liquidity providers enabling FXCM to offer competitive spreads on major currency pairs. Clients have the advantage of mobile trading, one-click order execution, and trading from real-time charts. FXCM's UK subsidiary, Forex Capital Markets Limited, also offers CFD products with no re-quote trading and allows clients to trade forex, oil, gold, silver, and stock indices on one platform. In addition, FXCM offers educational courses on forex trading and provides free news and market research through DailyFX.com.
Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. DailyFX has taken reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy of the content herein, however, does not guarantee its accuracy, and will not accept liability for any loss or damage which may arise directly or indirectly from the content and your use of the charting indicator and EAs herein. In addition, the content herein, including but not limited to the charting indicators and EAs, is provided as general market commentary, and does not constitute investment advice.
Read full risk disclaimer.
Contacts
DailyFX
Kiana Danial,
646-432-2449
Financial Public Relations Associate
[email protected]
FXCM Inc.
Jaclyn Sales,
646-432-2463
Vice-President,
Corporate Communications
[email protected]
Looking purely at the fundamentals, one would have expected the EUR/USD to fall, but instead, it rose. FXCM’s Speculative Sentiment Index (SSI), on the other hand, was consistently negative, pointing to EUR/USD gains. The SSI filter indicated not to follow the negative sentiments of the news and it was right. Here are specific days of fundamental news and respective SSI index numbers:
The SSI Diary on EUR/USD, March–April 2011
• March 24
Fundamental News: The European summit failed to produce any answers in combating the Euro crisis. This may lead to a fall in EUR/USD.
Speculative Sentiment Index: The FXCM trading crowd has remained fairly net short the euro against the US dollar, showing few important signs of relenting thus giving contrarian signal to stay long into the EUR/USD rallies.
• March 31
Fundamental News: Irish bank stress tests were lower than expected. This may weaken EUR/USD.
Speculative Sentiment Index: Euro forecast continues to rally. Nearly 67% of traders are short and the SSI is negative at -2.04. As a contrarian indicator, the SSI signals more EUR/USD gains.
• April 6
Fundamental News: Portugal asks for EU assistance. Not good for the euro.
Speculative Sentiment Index: The ratio of long to short positions in the EUR/USD stands at -2.17 as nearly 68% of traders are short. The SSI is a contrarian indicator and signals more EUR/USD gains.
• April 7
Fundamental News: The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to move the markets with its decision on whether to raise interest rates and if so, by how much. Interest rate markets predict a virtually certain 25 basis point hike, with a 50% chance of a 50 basis point move.
Speculative Sentiment Index: EUR/USD ratio narrows on bets for an ECB rate hike. The ratio of long to short positions in the EUR/USD stands at -1.69 as nearly 63% of traders are short. Short positions are 6.3% lower than yesterday. The SSI is a contrarian indicator and signals more EUR/USD gains.
EUR/USD Rate, SSI, Long/Short Amount 3/17/2011–4/7/2011
FXCM’s Speculative Sentiment Index (SSI) can be used by traders, analysts, and currency followers alike to gauge forex market sentiment. Speculators can use the SSI to gain an advantage in the market by using it as a new method of market analysis.
Updates to the SSI are made twice a day on DailyFX+ and are available for free for all FXCM live account holders. A weekly SSI update is available for everyone, every Thursday on DailyFX.com.
About FXCM Inc.
FXCM Inc. (NYSE: FXCM) is a global online provider of foreign exchange (forex) trading and related services to retail and institutional customers worldwide.
At the heart of FXCM's client offering is No Dealing Desk forex trading. Clients benefit from FXCM’s large network of forex liquidity providers enabling FXCM to offer competitive spreads on major currency pairs. Clients have the advantage of mobile trading, one-click order execution, and trading from real-time charts. FXCM's UK subsidiary, Forex Capital Markets Limited, also offers CFD products with no re-quote trading and allows clients to trade forex, oil, gold, silver, and stock indices on one platform. In addition, FXCM offers educational courses on forex trading and provides free news and market research through DailyFX.com.
Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. DailyFX has taken reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy of the content herein, however, does not guarantee its accuracy, and will not accept liability for any loss or damage which may arise directly or indirectly from the content and your use of the charting indicator and EAs herein. In addition, the content herein, including but not limited to the charting indicators and EAs, is provided as general market commentary, and does not constitute investment advice.
Read full risk disclaimer.
Contacts
DailyFX
Kiana Danial,
646-432-2449
Financial Public Relations Associate
[email protected]
FXCM Inc.
Jaclyn Sales,
646-432-2463
Vice-President,
Corporate Communications
[email protected]