Levels of Interest for 18 December 2017

R3  2714.00     R2  2703.33     R1  2692.67
DP  2672.58
S1  2661.92     S2  2641.83     S3  2631.17

Todays Markets

Economic Calendar
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Trading Sentiment​​​​​​​
Below is the latest sentiment as compiled by etoro, the world's largest (social) trading network. It provides a view of what individual investors think about the specific instruments and gives a view of the current sentiment.
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Latest News Headlines
CNBC: UK passes crucial Brexit milestone, paving the way for trade talks
U.K. and European negotiators finally agreed on three key issues that were blocking Brexit talks, paving the way for the next phase of discussion between the two sides. [more...]
Bloomberg: Dollar Heads for Weekly Gain, Asia Stocks Advance: Markets Wrap
The dollar is poised for a solid weekly advance after U.S. tax-cut legislation made progress in Congress, and ahead of employment data expected to show continued robust hiring. [more...]
Bloomberg: Where Bitcoin Goes, These Asian Stocks Follow
Investors looking for a more traditional way to ride the bitcoin wave can look to Asia’s small caps. Anticipation of the cryptocurrency’s futures trading debut on the Cboe Global Markets Inc. has powered the shares of Japan’s Remixpoint Co., China’s Shenzhen Ysstech Info-tech Co. and their peers this week. [more...]
Bloomberg: U.K. and EU Strike Brexit Deal, Opening Path to Trade Talks
The U.K. and the European Union struck a deal to unlock divorce negotiations, opening the way for talks on what businesses are keenest to nail down -- the nature of the post-Brexit future. The pound rose. [more...]
Bloomberg: Bitcoin Exchanges Are Buckling While the Price Surges Past $16,000
itcoin surged past $16,000 for the first time on Thursday, with frenzied demand to trade the cryptocurrency buckling one of the largest exchanges just days before the first U.S. futures contracts begin trading. [more...]
Bloomberg: Bitcoin Wildness Highlights Worries as Futures Trading Nears
Three days before Cboe Global Markets Inc., one of the world’s biggest regulated exchanges, debuts futures on the cryptocurrency, it had one of its wildest sessions ever. On Coinbase Inc.’s GDAX exchange, prices zoomed up to almost $20,000 from $16,000 in only about 90 minutes -- then crashed back down. [more...]
Bloomberg: Indonesia to Ban Digital Currency Transactions by Fintech Firms
Indonesia’s central bank will bar financial technology companies from using digital currencies on their platforms as a global frenzy around bitcoin continues to lure more investors. [more...]
Reuters: Strong November U.S. job gains anticipated; wages seen rising
U.S. job growth likely increased at a strong clip in November and wages rebounded as the distortions from the recent hurricanes faded, creating a portrait of a healthy economy that analysts say does not require the kind of fiscal stimulus that President Donald Trump is proposing. [more...]
Reuters: Exclusive: White House doesn't foresee shutdown, Trump wants 20 percent corporate tax
The White House is confident it can craft a deal to avoid a government shutdown and foresees a compromise with lawmakers that will include increases in defense and non-defense spending, White House legislative affairs director Marc Short said on Thursday. [more...]
CNBC: After bitcoin's dramatic rise, here's where experts see cryptocurrencies heading
The cryptocurrency market has had a banner year thanks to the meteoric rise in bitcoin prices and the huge popularity of initial coin offerings as a new way of fundraising. [more...]

Currency Strength Indicators
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​​​​​​​The currency strength meter gives you a quick visual guide to which currencies are currently strong, and which ones are weak. The meter measures the strength of all forex cross pairs and applies calculations on them to determine the overall strength for each individual currency. For example, if EUR is strong and USD is weak, it could mean that the currency pair EURUSD could be going up. If both currencies are strong or weak it is better to avoid since it will probably means there is no clear direction for the specific pair. To get the latest Currency Strength Indicator please click here

Todays Markets

Economic Calendar
Image
Trading Sentiment​​​​​​​
Below is the latest sentiment as compiled by etoro, the world's largest (social) trading network. It provides a view of what individual investors think about the specific instruments and gives a view of the current sentiment.
Image
Latest News Headlines
Bloomberg: Asia Stocks Trading Mixed, Aussie Dollar Weakens: Markets Wrap
Asian equities were mixed, with stocks rising in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia and falling in China and South Korea. The Australian dollar declined after another disappointing set of economic data. [more...]
Bloomberg: Bitcoin Soars Through $14,000, Up More Than 40% This Month
Bitcoin climbed as much as 7.9 percent on Thursday as it surged above $14,000, extending this month’s advance to more than 40 percent. The price of the cryptocurrency touched $14,399.99, a record, according to Bloomberg pricing. [more...]
Bloomberg: Blockchain Scores Major Win as Aussie Exchange Plans Shift
Australia’s main stock exchange just announced one of the finance industry’s biggest bets yet on blockchain. [more...]
Bloomberg: Bitcoin Futures Plan Criticized by Brokers for Overlooking Risks
Some of the world’s biggest derivatives brokerages criticized plans to offer bitcoin futures and options on U.S. exchanges, telling regulators that the contracts have been rushed to market without proper consideration of the risks. [more...]
Bloomberg: Pound Tops Buy List for Year That May Bare ‘Sleeping Volcanoes’
The pound and the euro, which analysts shunned at the end of 2016 predicting doomsday scenarios, are the very thing they are recommending for next year. [more...]
Bloomberg: Bitcoin Shunned by Online Gaming Platform Steam on Fees, Swings
Bitcoin hit a snag on Thursday as the largest online gaming shop in the U.S. and Europe said it will no longer accept the cryptocurrency as a source of payment because of its high transaction fees and volatile price. [more...]
Bloomberg: Goldman Identifies 8 Huge Trends That Are About to Change the World
From meatless meats to digital twins, the latest “emerging trends” identified by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. include technologies and investing strategies that have been around for a while. [more...]
Bloomberg: Dollar Seen Going Through the Roof as Repatriation Flows Kick In
A U.S. tax overhaul could trigger a comeback in the dollar after an 8 percent sell-off this year, according to Bank of America Corp. [more...]
Reuters: Breaking slow: Asia set to raise rates next year, but still lag Fed
Tighter monetary policy is coming to Asia next year. Yet it will lag the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes as Asian central banks balance an exports-led revival in growth with a slowdown in regional locomotive China. [more...]
Reuters: Companies prepare for disorderly Brexit as talks stall
Big companies are stepping up their plans in case Britain crashes out of the European Union without a deal as Prime Minister Theresa May struggles to get talks back on track after a major setback. [more...]
CNBC: Bitcoin blasts past $14,000, less than 24 hours after crossing $12,000
Bitcoin rocketed higher Wednesday, crossing the $14,000 mark less than 24 hours after topping $12,000. The landmark happened on the Coinbase exchange just before 6 p.m. ET, and it traded as high as $14,400 on that platform. [more...]
CNBC: China's growth will be 'much, much lower' when debt comes under control, expert says
China's growth rate will be "much, much lower" when Beijing gets a grip on controlling debt, a finance professor at one of China's top university said Thursday. [more...]
Currency Strength Indicators
Image
​​​​​​​The currency strength meter gives you a quick visual guide to which currencies are currently strong, and which ones are weak. The meter measures the strength of all forex cross pairs and applies calculations on them to determine the overall strength for each individual currency. For example, if EUR is strong and USD is weak, it could mean that the currency pair EURUSD could be going up. If both currencies are strong or weak it is better to avoid since it will probably means there is no clear direction for the specific pair. To get the latest Currency Strength Indicator please click here

Todays Markets

Economic Calendar
Image
Trading Sentiment​​​​​​​
Below is the latest sentiment as compiled by etoro, the world's largest (social) trading network. It provides a view of what individual investors think about the specific instruments and gives a view of the current sentiment.
Image
Latest News Headlines
Bloomberg: Asian Stocks Tumble Amid Broad Selloff; Yen Gains: Markets Wrap
Asian stocks are poised for the longest losing streak in two years as the technology, mining, consumer and industrial sectors led declines. Japan equities fell sharply, as did Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index. The Australian dollar and bond yields tumbled as traders dialed back expectations for higher interest rates after growth missed estimates. [more...]
Bloomberg: Bitcoin Climbs to $12,000 as Futures Move Closer to Reality
Bitcoin surpassed $12,000 for the first time amid speculation that the widespread use of futures will help lead to digital currencies being viewed as a legitimate asset class for mainstream investors. [more...]
Bloomberg: Don't Call It a Rotation. Here's What Likely Happened With Tech
Investors wondering how long the distaste for technology stocks will last may be asking the wrong question. [more...]
Bloomberg: There’s an $814 Million Mystery Near the Heart of the Biggest Bitcoin Exchange
Among the many mysteries at the heart of the cryptocurrency market are these: Does $814 million of a digital token known as tether really exist? And what is tether’s connection to Bitfinex, the world’s biggest bitcoin exchange? [more...]
Bloomberg: China Likely to Set Slower GDP Growth Target for 2018, UBS Says
China’s main annual economic policy meeting is likely to set a slightly lower growth target for 2018, suggesting that deleveraging will be gradual and no "serious" property tightening measures are in the pipeline. [more...]
Bloomberg: It Looks Like Another Rough Year for the Dollar in 2018
A hawkish Federal Reserve, an economy firing on all cylinders, the tentative revival of the “Trump Trade” -- all that won’t be enough to boost the dollar next year, according to a chorus of Wall Street strategists. [more...]
Reuters: House tax positions begin to emerge ahead of talks with Senate
Republicans in U.S. House of Representatives began staking out their positions on final tax legislation on Tuesday, days ahead of talks with the Senate to shape the tax package lawmakers hope to send to President Donald Trump by year end. [more...]
Reuters: Oil dips on rising U.S. fuel stocks, but OPEC's supply cuts support market
Oil prices dipped on Wednesday, as refined product inventories in the United States rose in what the market interpreted as a sign of lackluster demand. [more...]
CNBC: Ford betting 'very heavily' China will dominate the electric vehicle market
Ford believes China is poised to become the most favorable market for the development and sale of electric vehicles, according to the U.S. auto giant's executive chairman. [more...]
CNBC: Bitcoin breaks above $12,000 for the first time
Bitcoin broke above the $12,000 mark Wednesday morning Asia-time, as the cryptocurrency continued its march higher. [more...]
Currency Strength Indicators
Image
​​​​​​​The currency strength meter gives you a quick visual guide to which currencies are currently strong, and which ones are weak. The meter measures the strength of all forex cross pairs and applies calculations on them to determine the overall strength for each individual currency. For example, if EUR is strong and USD is weak, it could mean that the currency pair EURUSD could be going up. If both currencies are strong or weak it is better to avoid since it will probably means there is no clear direction for the specific pair. To get the latest Currency Strength Indicator please click here

Todays Markets

Economic Calendar
Image
Trading Sentiment​​​​​​​
Below is the latest sentiment as compiled by etoro, the world's largest (social) trading network. It provides a view of what individual investors think about the specific instruments and gives a view of the current sentiment.
Image
Latest News Headlines
Bloomberg: The Pound is Enjoying a Fresh Wave of Confidence From Investors
Even as Brexit talks lurch from one hurdle to another, the pound is enjoying a rising wave of confidence among investors and analysts. [more...]
Bloomberg: Asia Stocks Mixed, Dollar Falls as Tax Boost Fades: Markets Wrap
Stocks in Asia traded mixed as investors assessed gains spurred by the passage of the U.S. tax cuts in the Senate that lifted equities to fresh highs. The Australian dollar jumped on stronger-than-expected retail sales data and comments on inflation from the central bank. [more...]
Bloomberg: U.S. Stock Rally Fizzles as Tech Drops, Oil Slumps: Markets Wrap
U.S. stocks edged lower as selling in technology shares overwhelmed an advance by companies poised to benefit from proposed cuts to corporate taxes. The dollar strengthened and oil slumped. [more...]
Bloomberg: Hedge Funds Prepare to Trade Against Bitcoin
Hedge funds, which have largely stayed on the sidelines, are waiting for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s futures market to open for a fresh opportunity to bet against the cryptocurrency, according to more than a half dozen people trading the assets. [more...]
Bloomberg: Goldman Lifts 2018 Oil Price Outlook on Strong OPEC Resolve
OPEC and its allies’ strong commitment to extended oil supply cuts will lower inventories next year and lift prices, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. [more...]
Bloomberg: Israel Is Urged to Become a Global Hub for Digital-Currency Offerings
Israel should look at the explosion of cryptocurrencies as an opportunity to develop an international financial center for so-called initial coin offerings, the head of the country’s securities market regulator said. [more...]
Reuters: Asian shares muted as tech blues offset U.S. tax cut optimism
Asian shares were subdued on Tuesday as investors’ rotation out of technology shares took a toll on some of the region’s tech heavyweights although hopes of a major tax cut in the United States underpinned risk sentiment. [more...]
Reuters: Dollar stalls as next step in US tax reform awaited, Antipodeans advance
The dollar dipped on Tuesday, as investors waited to see how the next step of the U.S. tax reform legislation proceeds rather than extend the rise made by the dollar at the start of the week following the U.S. Senate’s approval of the tax bill. [more...]
CNBC: Bitcoin is a 'dangerous speculative bubble,' Yale expert says
With the price of bitcoin moving toward $12,000, a top economist on Tuesday sent a stark warning to investors: The cryptocurrency is in a "dangerous speculative bubble." [more...]
CNBC: A little-known digital currency surges 70% after teaming up with firms like Microsoft
A digital currency has added more than $3 billion to its market value after the firm behind it said it was teaming up with a number of big tech firms, including Microsoft and Samsung on a "data marketplace." [more...]
Currency Strength Indicators
Image
​​​​​​​The currency strength meter gives you a quick visual guide to which currencies are currently strong, and which ones are weak. The meter measures the strength of all forex cross pairs and applies calculations on them to determine the overall strength for each individual currency. For example, if EUR is strong and USD is weak, it could mean that the currency pair EURUSD could be going up. If both currencies are strong or weak it is better to avoid since it will probably means there is no clear direction for the specific pair. To get the latest Currency Strength Indicator please click here