Trading the US dollar opens a whole new market to the potential trader, a market where one can participate in the cyclical nature of the global economies. Wish to diversify away from the US dollar. buy the Euro. Wish for movement in the market. trade the British Pound. Believe that Japanese economy is going to grow. buy Japanese Yen. Geopolitical tensions. buy the Swiss Franc. Trading majors gives you choices.

All About the Majors: EUR/USD

Making headlines around the globe, the EUR/USD is perhaps the best known pair in the world! For the past 3 years it’s been making high after high, but a reversal could send the price plummeting! In the meantime, it provides plenty of trading opportunity as it ranges between extended breakouts.

The euro has been called the anti-dollar since it is highly sensitive to US data. Because the recovery in the US has been uncertain, the market closely watches developments in the US economy to determine the strength of the recovery. Fears that the US is hitting a soft patch in its economic growth generally boost the euro.

Though the EUR/USD actively trades 24-hours a day, the most action is concentrated in the time when the US and European banking hours overlap, from 7:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST. Of all the majors, this pair best reflects how the US economy is doing compared to the rest of the world.

EUR/USD Profile

The US economy is dependant on imported oilso movements in the price of oil tend to impact the value of the dollar!

• Average daily range: 111 pips
• Tends to consolidate into wide ranges after sharp trends
• Good for: trading in all time frames, depending on strategy

RefcoFX Analyst Says: The battle rages on! Dollar bulls have been slugging it out with bears for years in this pair. Watch the US economic data closely and take advantage of uncertainty about US economic recovery by adopting range trading strategies in the absence of a trend.

HOT Buttons: What moves EUR/USD?

Surprises in US economic releases This pair is hypersensitive to US data and will move when results come as a surprise- especially indicators that measure growth or recovery in the US.

Talk of Euro as an alternative reserve currency Because the US dollar is held as a reserve currency by many banks around the world, a diversification into euros would drive the value of the euro up causing a sharp move in the pair.

Interest rate differentials As the Fed raises interest rates, money will flow into the US as investors move to capitalize on these higher returns, boosting the value of the dollar.

Trade Deficit Because the imbalance of more imports vs. exports has the potential to reduce the value of the dollar in the long run, the market is very concerned with the trade balance in the US. Changes can cause a big shift in the value of the US dollar.

Fundamentals to Watch

FOMC Rate Decisions Watched closely since any increases in the interest rate automatically bring in foreign capital, increasing the value of the dollar.

US Non Farm Payrolls Amid fears of a jobless recovery, the market has become very sensitive to this indicator, which measures new jobs created in the US.

U.S. Current Account.

US Trade Balance A measure of how much the US exports compared to how much it imports. To many net imports can drive the value of the dollar down, since more capital is leaving the US and being sold abroad, which drives down the value of the dollar.

US TIC Data Treasury Inflow Capital is a measure of how much foreign buying of US securities is happening. This can offset an imbalance of too many imports, since money is coming to the US to purchase goods which drives the value of the dollar back up.

US Retail Sales The US economy is largely driven by consumer demand. If this number is unhealthy, it can indicate a decline.

FOMC Minutes The breakdown of Federal Open Market Committee meetings. Scoured for any clues about how the Fed perceives the state of the Economy. Since the Fed makes interest rate decisions, insight into their outlook can help the market predict the interest rate outlook.

European GDP Gross domestic product. A measurement of output, and more importantly, growth in an economy.

European Trade Balance A measure of how much Europe is importing versus how much it exports. Too many imports mean that the currency will get weaker because more Euros are being sold to purchase foreign goods.

European CPI Consumer price index, a measure of inflation in Europe. Inflation that is too high or too low may prompt Europes central bank to raise or lower interest rates.

ECB Rate Decision Refers to the European Central Banks monetary policy. If inflation is too high, the ECB will raise interest rates to slow borrowing and spending. If economic growth is sluggish, lowering interest rates will help boost activity. High interest rates make a currency more attractive.

IFO Business Climate Survey Acts as an early indicator for economic development in Germany, which is Europes largest economy. Measure of sentiment that is weighted by industry to provide a composite outlook.

German Unemployment As Europes largest economy, German unemployment is read as a gauge of economic conditions in the Euro zone as a whole.

All About the Majors: USD/JPY

The USD/JPY is an enigmatic pair that gives a good proxy of US versus Japanese strength. At the same time, the Bank of Japan works to keep the Yen weaker than perhaps it truly is, since a strong Yen would hurt Japans export sector by making its products more expensive.

Because interest rates in Switzerland are so low, the CHF is also a popular funding currency for carry trades. Because growth in the Swiss economy has been slow for some time, many investors are entering into USD/CHF as a carry trade, making the pair extremely sensitive to any changes in the interest rate outlook for either the US or Switzerland.

The USD/JPY is most active at the open of the Asian session (6 PM to 9 PM EST) as well as during the early US trading session (7 AM 10 AM EST).

USD/JPY Profile

Watch interest rates and outlooks carefully the JPY is a funding currency for many carry trades and so its hypersensitive to the prospect of a rate change.

• Average daily range: 102 pips
• Popular funding currency for carry trades since interest rate is so low
• Good for: trading in all time frames, depending on strategy

RefcoFX Analyst Says: An exciting pair to watch because of all the dramatic factors surrounding it, China, oil, interest rates and official intervention! Japans biggest interest is the health of its export sector, so developments that affect this are monitored closely. Keep an eye out for any news regarding the revaluation of the Chinese currency.

HOT Buttons: What moves USD/JPY?

Chinese Yuan: If China revalues its currency (thereby allowing it to become stronger and closer to its true value) then Japanese exports would be able to compete better in the US and China against Chinese products. If this happens, the Bank of Japan could then stop intervening in the market to keep the Yen weak, which would result in an increase in the value of the Yen

Oil prices Japan is highly dependent on imported oil. Higher oil prices can impede both production and growth in Japan as it makes input costs significantly more expensive.

Japanese reserve diversification Japan holds large reserves of US securities and currency. A diversification out of dollar only holdings could result in a large sell off in the US dollar, driving the price down.

Fundamentals to Watch

FOMC Rate Decisions Watched closely since any increases in the interest rate automatically bring in foreign capital, increasing the value of the dollar.

US Non Farm Payrolls Amid fears of a jobless recovery, the market has become very sensitive to this indicator, which measures new jobs created in the US.

U.S. Current Account.

US Trade Balance A measure of how much the US exports compared to how much it imports. To many net imports can drive the value of the dollar down, since more capital is leaving the US and being sold abroad, which drives down the value of the dollar.

US TIC Data Treasury Inflow Capital is a measure of how much foreign buying of US securities is happening. This can offset an imbalance of too many imports, since money is coming to the US to purchase goods which drives the value of the dollar back up.

US Retail Sales The US economy is largely driven by consumer demand. If this number is unhealthy, it can indicate a decline.

FOMC Minutes The breakdown of Federal Open Market Committee meetings. Scoured for any clues about how the Fed perceives the state of the Economy. Since the Fed makes interest rate decisions, insight into their outlook can help the market predict the interest rate outlook.

Japanese Inflation A measure of inflation in Japan. Closely monitored because when too high or too low, it can prompt a change in the interest rate outlook of a country.

Japanese Consumer Spending A measure of how much Japanese consumers are spending. The Japanese economy is driven primarily by its export sector, but consumer spending is an important gauge of economic activity and prosperity.

BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting When Japanese bank officials meet to determine monetary policy. Has direct implications for currency traders since they often hint at whether or not they intend to intervene to protect the Yen from becoming too expensivehence making their exports more expensive.

Japanese Trade Balance Japanese imports vs. exports the Japanese economy is highly dependent on exports; a drastic change in this number can have implications on the value of the Yen.

Japanese Industrial Production A measure of activity in the Japanese manufacturing sector. This acts as a gauge for the level of production and growth in the economy.

Tankan Survey A quarterly business survey gives a detailed assessment of Japanese business conditions. The headline number shows the difference between the proportion of optimistic businesses and the proportion of pessimistic businesses. A large positive number means that optimism pervades.

All About the Majors: GBP/USD

The GBP/USD, also called the cable, is by far the most volatile pair of all the majors. Prone to huge breakouts and dramatic reversals, the pair can move uninterrupted for hundreds of pips, providing multiple opportunities to traders in all time frames.

When the US lowered interest rates, the GBP/USD became a hot carry trade especially when the housing bubble in the UK prompted the Bank of England to raise UK interest rates further. However, this is becoming less the case with every rate hike out of the US making the pair extremely sensitive to any changes in the interest rate outlook for either country.

The volatile pair trades most actively from London open until lunchtime in the UK (around 4:30 AM EST) and then during early US trading session (7AM to 10 AM EST). It can often travel 150-200 pips a day.

GBP/USD Profile

Breakouts and reversals in the GBPUSD can be momentous— active traders are advised to respect their stops!

• Average daily range: 156 pips
• Most volatile major; can make huge moves in a single day
• Good for: trading in all time frames, depending on strategy frames,

RefcoFX Analyst Says: One of the most exciting and volatile currencies in the world! Traders focus on interest rate outlooks above all else— the housing bubble in the UK has provided opportunities as the Bank of England has raised rates to control inflation.

HOT Buttons: What moves GBP/USD?

Shifts in monetary outlook for the GBP Since the GBP is held by many in carry trades, this pair is very sensitive to any changes in interest rate outlooks.

UK housing market The UK housing market is the Bank of Englands top gauge for inflation in the UK. The housing bubble prompted a series of rate hikes, and new developments are closely monitored by the market.

US economic data The market is very sensitive to the outlook for the US economy, since recovery has been uncertain. A pickup can have implications for the US interest rate outlook, which could also affect the value of the GBP/USD.

Fundamentals to Watch

FOMC Rate Decisions Watched closely since any increases in the interest rate automatically bring in foreign capital, increasing the value of the dollar.

US Non Farm Payrolls Amid fears of a jobless recovery, the market has become very sensitive to this indicator, which measures new jobs created in the US.

U.S. Current Account.

US Trade Balance A measure of how much the US exports compared to how much it imports. Too many net imports can drive the value of the dollar down, since more capital is leaving the US and being sold abroad, which drives down the value of the dollar.

US TIC Data Treasury Inflow Capital is a measure of how much foreign buying of US securities is happening. This can offset an imbalance of too many imports, since money is coming to the US to purchase goods which drives the value of the dollar back up.

US Retail Sales The US economy is largely driven by consumer demand. If this number is unhealthy, it can indicate a decline.

FOMC Minutes The breakdown of Federal Open Market Committee meetings. Scoured for any clues about how the Fed perceives the state of the Economy. Since the Fed makes interest rate decisions, insight into their outlook can help the market predict the interest rate outlook.

Bank of England Meeting Meeting at which Bank of England officials set monetary policy and decide whether to change interest rates or leave them the same.

UK Housing Prices The UK housing market is the number one gauge of inflation in the United Kingdom. It is closely watched since the Bank of England will raise rates if growth is too high.

UK Unemployment The UK economy is closely monitored for any changes. Unemployment is a good general indicator of the health of an economy.

UK Retail Sales figures provide a good indication of.

UK Inflation indicators are watched closely as they can.

All About the Majors: USD/CHF

Known increasingly as the legacy pair as trading activity moves from USD/CHF to EUR/CHF, the Swissy is the predominant safe haven currency in the world because of Switzerlands long history of stability and neutrality. When the markets sense geopolitical turmoil, capital tends to move into Switzerland. Unexpected global events and spikes in the price of gold will create opportunities in this pair.

Because interest rates in Switzerland are so low, the CHF is also a popular funding currency for carry trades. Because growth in the Swiss economy has been slow for some time, many investors are entering into USD/CHF as a carry trade, making the pair extremely sensitive to any changes in the interest rate outlook for either the US or Switzerland.

USD/CHF is most active during European open hours (3 AM to 4:30 AM EST) through the early US trading session (7AM to 10 AM EST).

USD/CHF Profile

USD/CHF tends to trade inversely to the EUR/USD, and will trade in a range when EUR/USD is ranging.

• Average daily range: 127 pips
• Popular funding currency for carry trades since interest rate is so low
• Good for: trading during certain times of the day, when Europe and US open

RefcoFX Analyst Says: An exciting currency pair, the Swissie is considering one of the major currencies of the world. With its inverse relationship to the euro, traders will trade in lockstep with the Euro zone major. The franc also serves as a safe haven against inflation and has a positive correlation with gold.

HOT Buttons: What moves USD/CHF?

Geopolitical tension: US-negative developments in the world will cause a move in the pair as investors move funds out of US dollars into safe-haven Swiss francs.

Gold prices Higher or lower gold prices will cause a corresponding move in the Swiss franc since the Swiss franc is one of the few world currencies that still is partly backed by gold.

SNB monetary policy Swiss monetary policy changes could have an effect on the standing of the CHF as a carry trade funding currency.

Fundamentals to Watch

FOMC Rate Decisions Watched closely since any increases in the interest rate automatically bring in foreign capital, increasing the value of the dollar.

US Non Farm Payrolls Amid fears of a jobless recovery, the market has become very sensitive to this indicator, which measures new jobs created in the US.

US Current Account.

US Trade Balance A measure of how much the US exports compared to how much it imports. Too many net imports can drive the value of the dollar down, since more capital is leaving the US and being sold abroad, which drives down the value of the dollar.

US TIC Data Treasury Inflow Capital is a measure of how much foreign buying of US securities is happening. This can offset an imbalance of too many imports, since money is coming to the US to purchase goods which drives the value of the dollar back up.

US Retail Sales The US economy is largely driven by consumer demand. If this number is unhealthy, it can indicate a decline.

FOMC Minutes The breakdown of Federal Open Market Committee meetings. Scoured for any clues about how the Fed perceives the state of the Economy. Since the Fed makes interest rate decisions, insight into their outlook can help the market predict the interest rate outlook.

Swiss KoF Leading Indicators A composite of business surveys from various sectors of the economy (industry, retail and wholesale) that is combined to form a leading indicator that aims to project GDP growth approximately 8 months into the future.

Swiss CPI Consumer Price Index. A measure of inflation in Switzerland; a significant change may have implications for interest rate policy in Switzerland.

Comments from Swiss officials Watched for any indications of change in Swiss monetary policy.

Swiss GDP Gross Domestic Product. A measure of growth and productivity in the Swiss economy.

SNB Rate Decisions Any changes in the interest rate by the Swiss National Bank has implications for the pair as a carry trade.