Unexpected sharp drop in US unemployment and solid NFP data lift dollar
The dollar rose against its major counterparts on Friday after US NFP data.
Report showed 1.37M new jobs added in August (vs 1.4M f/c and downward revised 1.73M in July) which points to a slowdown in labor sector recovery process, but plunge in the unemployment (Aug 8.4% vs 9.8% f/c and 10.2% in July) which fell to the lowest since March, inflated the greenback.
Increase in average hourly earnings (Aug 0.4% vs 0.1% in July) added to positive signals.
The dollar index holds in green for the fourth straight day and fresh acceleration higher cracked initial barrier at 93.14 (Fibo 23.6% of 97.78/91.78 fall).
Today’s rally also signals bullish continuation after the rally was paused on Thursday, leaving Doji candle with long upper shadow.
Fresh advance rose above converging 10/20/30DMA’s (10 and 20DMA’s turned into sideways mode after falling in past two months that contributes to positive signals.
Daily studies show rising bullish momentum that underpins recovery, with further positive signals on weekly chart as the index is on track for strong bullish weekly close after larger bears were trapped under 91.83 Fibo support (76.4% of larger 88.14/103.80 rally) and may also form weekly bullish engulfing pattern that would generate initial reversal signal.
Today’s action sees minimum requirement on daily close above 93.14 Fibo barrier, while lift and close above last week’s high at 93.35 is needed to complete bullish engulfing and open way for recovery extension towards net target at 94.03 (Fibo 38.2% of 97.78/91.71).
Res: 93.35; 93.46; 93.96; 94.03
Sup: 93.14; 92.92; 92.74; 92.60