Binary Options Trading on forex & stocks | TradeSmarter

USD/CHF couldn’t penetrate 0.9480 and heading down

andrew — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:47:10 +0000

USD/CHF couldn’t penetrate 0.9480 and heading down- Tradesmarter traders are still positive with 57% of the binary options traders are holding binary CALL positions, Will this trend change within the next hours?

Binary Options Market Update: U.S. Markets Recovering? Barely A Pulse

Kacey — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:15:52 +0000

U.S. Markets: Despite all the fervor over the Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) IPO, savvy traders realize thesocial media darling is just one stock without the benefit of even one trading day under its belt, so it’snot surprising Facebook headlines weren’t enough to lift U.S. stocks from sinking once again.

Awash in lingering concerns about Europe’s debt woes and several glum economic data points, U.S.equities extended their declines Thursday. The Nasdaq fell 2%. The S&P 500 tumbled to it fifthconsecutive daily loss and another four-month low while another triple-digit loss for the Dow JonesIndustrial Average sent the blue chip index to its eleventh down day in the past 12.

In economic news, the the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said its manufacturing index fell to-5.8 in May from 8.5 in April. Economists expected a reading of 10. Readings below zero indicatecontraction. The Conference Board said its index of leading economic indicators dropped 0.1% inApril to to 95.5 following 0.3% increase in March and a 0.7% rise in February. Economists expected a0.1% increase in April. The number of weekly jobless claims came in at 370,000, which matched theprevious week’s reading. Economists were expecting a decline to 367,000 new claims. So there it is. Not one, but three glum economic data points to pressure U.S. stocks.

Resurgent Gold: For gold bugs, it probably feels like forever since they were able to enjoy a day likeThursday. In U.S. trading, the yellow metal soared $38.30, or 2.5%, to finish the session at $1,574.90a troy ounce even as the U.S. Dollar Index extended a 14-day winning streak. The SPDR Gold Shares(NYSE: GLD) added more than 2.2% on volume that was well above the daily average. Gold wasspotted slightly lower in Asian trading as the euro was again weakening against the dollar.

Europe Plaguing Asia: Of course we cannot skirt the issue of Europe. Spanish bond yields are onceagain soaring after Moody’s Investors Service lowered debt ratings at 16 Spanish banks. The ratingsagency said a deepening recession and mounting loan losses in the Euro Zone’s fourth-largest economywere reasons for the downgrades. In other less-than-stunning news, Fitch Ratings pared Greece’s creditrating, which long ago reached junk status, by one notch.

In Spain, the cost of insuring against a default jumped to a record after the nation sold January 2015bonds at an average yield of 4.375 percent, compared with 2.89 percent when they were last auctionedin April, Bloomberg reported. With the euro headed to a third-consecutive weekly loss, Asian stocks continued to falter. The Nikkei225 and the Hang Seng were both spotted lower by nearly 3% while Singapore’s benchmark exchangewas off by more than 2%. South Korea’s Kospi was also off by more than 3% while the ShanghaiComposite was down 1.4%.

Regarding oil, NYMEX-traded crude for June deliver lost 11 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $92.71 perbarrel. That’s good for the tenth loss in the past 11 trading days. Oil was seen lower in Asian tradingand if that weakness carries over to the U.S. session, black gold could open below support at $92.50 perbarrel, creating a valid short opportunity for binary options traders.

Key Highlights For The Trading Day

For better or worse, probably better, the economic calendar is light in the U.S., but binary options traders will not be lacking for opportunities. The J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) trading controversy continues to plague the financial services sector and materials stocks continue to weaken, creating opportunities across at least three sectors for binary traders. The following stocks are 15% or less removed from their 52-week lows and all have been under intense selling pressure recently: BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP), BP (NYSE: BP), Total (NYSE: TOT) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO).

1:30 pm GMT – Core CPI m/m

Why traders care? Consumer prices account for a majority of overall inflation. Inflation is important to currency valuation because rising prices lead the central bank to raise interest rates out of respect for their inflation containment mandate.

All day – G8 Meeting

Why traders care? While it’s not an institution, the G8 is an influential global policy-making body operating at the highest level, and their initiatives and policies can impact the currency markets

Trade Alert: GBP/JPY broke down-69% of Tradesmarter traders are bearish

Kacey — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:49:49 +0000

The bearish movement of the GBP/JPY continues with binary options traders increasing their BInary PUT Options positions on the pair.

69% of Trdesmarter clients speculate on the downtrend.
The GBP/JPY broke down an descending triangle at the 127.70 level suggesting a bearish trend for the pair.

Click here to trade the GBP/JPY binary option

Happy trading!

The Tradesmarter Team
+44 203 318 5986
support@tradesmarter.com

Oil and Gold Being Killed by USD Strength

Kacey — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:44:14 +0000

U.S. Markets: Beleaguered traders have heard it all before: U.S. stocks fall because the clouds hanging over the Euro Zone grow darker by the day and that’s exactly the scenario that played out on Wednesday. A small loss for the S&P 500 sent the benchmark U.S. index to its fourth straight, its longest losing streak in a month, as traders continued to ponder Greece’s political and financial future.

Well, Greece’s political and financial future is not bright at that moment and more and more traders are catching on to that. That explains why some decent U.S. economic was overlooked and comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Greece will remain in the Euro Zone had little impact.

General Electric: Dow component General Electric (NYSE: GE) used to run an ad campaign where the slogan was “GE: We Bring Good Things To Life.” The stock did just that on Wednesday. Despite a down day for the broader market, GE jumped 3% after the company said its GE Capital unit will resume paying dividends to the parent company. Any follow through or profit-taking in the shares on Thursday will create opportunities for binary options traders in GE.

Oil: $85 Here We Come? Oil names were mixed in the U.S with PetroChina (NYSE: PTR) losing 2%, BP (NYSE: BP) finishing flat and Total (NYSE: TOT) rising. Don’t be deceived. NYMEX-traded crude for June delivery lost 1.2% to settle at $92.81 a barrel. That’s the fourth consecutive closing low of 2012 for the benchmark U.S. contract. If support at $92.50 per barrel gives out, oil could easily see
$85.

Gold’s Goose Could Be Cooked: Oil and gold share one similarity and it’s not good: Both are being killed by the stronger U.S. dollar. The U.S. Dollar Index has closed higher for 13 straight days. The PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish (NYSE: UUP) added another 0.22% today and is up almost 2% in the past week. Comex gold for June delivery fell $20.50, or 1.3%, to settle at $1,536.60 a troy ounce. That’s the lowest closing price since July 2011.

The Hang Seng was also higher by half a percent, but stocks in Seoul and Sydney drifted lower. In the U.S., Aussie titans BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) both closed lower again with BHP closing right on its low of the day.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

With Europe looming large and traders running out of reasons to embrace riskier assets, beware a dead-cat bounce, which is American talk for buyers being foolish enough to buy just because the market has fallen several days in a row. Opportunities will be plentiful for binary options traders during the day and it looks like the dollar could be poised to come in a bit and some higher quality U.S. listed stocks could jump, for just one day.

1:30 pm GMT – Unemployment Claims
Why traders care? Although it’s generally viewed as a lagging indicator, the number of unemployed people is an important signal of overall economic health because consumer spending is highly correlated with labor-market conditions. Economists expect a reading of 365,000 compared to last week’s reading of 367,000.
3:00 pm GMT – Philly Fed Manufacturing Index
Why traders care?
Why traders care? It’s a leading indicator of economic health – businesses react quickly to market conditions, and changes in their sentiment can be an early signal of future economic activity such as spending, hiring, and investment. The Philly Fed survey due out is expected to show a May reading of 10 compared with a previous reading of 8.5.

Binary Options Market Update: No Rest For The Wary On The Downside

Kacey — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:33:53 +0000

U.S. Markets: Plagued by a rejuvenated U.S. dollar and more doubts flowing from Europe, U.S. equities once again closed in the red with the S&P 500 cascading to a three-month. It wasn’t for lack of effort. Stocks were grinding higher for much of the earlier part of Tuesday’s session, but losses accelerated
toward the end of the day as traders dumped everything in sight that smelled of risk.

Economic news was mixed at best. These were the data points released in the U.S. on Tuesday: The Commerce Department said retail sales rose just 0.1% last month compared with a 0.7% increase in March. The rise matched economists’ expectations. The Labor Department said the Consumer Price Index was unchanged in April following a 0.3% increase in March. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, the core index rose 0.2%. The April reading matched economists’ expectations. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index jumped to 29 in May, the highest reading since May 2007, topping the reading of 26 economists expected.

Greece remains the issue co-founding the market right now and that has been the case for over two years. No coalition government seems imminent there, but more contentious elections do. The only thing Greece can be counted on for these days is to send global markets tumbling and give traders reason to believe the Euro Zone won’t make it through the year in its current state.

News Lows: The PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish (NYSE: UUP) surged three-quarters of a percent on volume that was better than triple the daily average. The ETF, a tradeable version of the U.S. Dollar Index, reached its highest closing price since January. That means the euro is drifting lower toward more multi-month lows.

Comex silver fell to its lowest closing price since late December. Platinum has been tarnished as Barclays and BNP Paribas lowered their price forecasts for platinum metals this year. Oil has violated the $94 mark in the U.S.

Obviously, oil’s woes are pressuring oil stocks on both sides of the Atlantic. Shares of BP (NYSE: BP) and Total (NYSE: TOT), Europe’s second- and third-largest oil companies, respectively, have plunged in the past month. Ugly charts indicate binary options traders can profit from more downside on these names.

Same goes for copper as the chart here indicates. You didn’t expect the red metal that many traders believe is a tell on the health of the global economy to hold up amid all the concerning Chinese economic data and Europe’s lingering woes, did you? Problems in the materials sector have taken BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) to within spitting distance of its 52-week low. Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) is further removed from that ominous fate, but its chart is equally as depressing. Like the euro, copper is trading at four-month lows.

More bad news: BHP Chairman Jacques Nasser said the company sees commodities demand cooling.

Black Clouds In Asia: The Nikkei was seen lower by 1.3% while the Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 1.8%. Stocks in Singapore were also lower by 1.3%, but the Hang Seng appeared to be getting the worst end of the deal with a loss of almost 2.7%. In Asian trading, the euro and gold continued the declines that started in the U.S. on Tuesday.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

1:30 pm GMT – Building Permits

U.S. markets will again be awash in critical economic data points that have the potential to create plenty of opportunities for binary options traders. The residential construction number for April is expected to a show a reading of 683,000 new units compared with a March reading of 654,000.

3:30 pm GMT – Crude Oil Inventories

Oil inventory data will be released at 10:30 and if the number exceeds the consensus estimate calling for an increase of 3.7 million barrels, crude futures will almost certainly incur more downside as U.S. oil stockpiles are sitting at their highest levels since the early 1990s. And we cannot forget about the release of the Federal Open Market Committee Meeting minutes at 2PM Eastern time. This time around, it might not be enough for the Federal Reserve to say it will keep interest rates low through 2014. It might need to overtly hint at QE3.

Binary Options Daily Review: Market Has 99 Problems?

Kacey — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:10:37 +0000

U.S. Markets: To paraphrase the legendary businessman and lyricist Jay-Z, global equity markets have99 problems. Well, the actual count might be higher or lower depending upon to whom the question is asked, but you get the picture: Plenty of issues have turned international bourses problematic in recent weeks and that much was evident in the U.S. on Monday as the S&P cascaded to its fourth loss in thepast five trading days and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dealt with a triple-digit loss.
President Obama can crow about J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) being one of the best run U.S.banks all he wants and maybe the bank is deserving of those accolades. Maybe it’s not. What is clear isthat J.P. Morgan’s downside in the weak of a $2 billion (maybe more) trading debacle has permeatedthe rest of the financial services sector.
Sterne Agee analyst Todd Hagerman said on Monday that broker dealer stocks could face another10%-15% of downside with the potential losses being even greater for J.P. Morgan Chase. Soundslike an invitation for binary options traders to consider the likes of Barclays (NYSE: BCS), Citigroup(NYSE: C), HSBC (NYSE: HBC) and BNP Paribas, just to name a few.
Don’t Bet On China: On Monday, we commented on how China may be trying to help global marketsand its own economy out of their funk by lowering reserve requirements for banks, the third such moveby the country’s central bank in the past seven months. Unfortunately, traders viewed that news asdesperate act by China and traders just aren’t buying in the way the market needs them to.
Making matters, Pimco, the world’s largest bond house, said it expects China’s GDP growth to bemore sluggish this year than at any point in the previous 13 years. Analysts see any Chinese stimulus astaking longer than the market is willing to wait to have any meaningful impact.
Citigroup projects second-quarter expansion of 7.5 percent, down from a prior forecast of 7.9 percent,and full-year growth of 8.1 percent, compared with 8.4 percent, Bloomberg reported. Mizhuho has cutits Chinese growth forecast to 8.3 percent this year from a prior forecast of 8.6 percent.
Slumping Chinese projections are punishing Asian equity markets and commodities prices. NYMEX-traded crude for June delivery lost $1.35 to settle at $94.78 per barrel. In London, Brent crude for Junedelivery lost $1.26 to finish at $111 per barrel. The closing price for West Texas Intermediate, theU.S. benchmark, was the lowest since December 2011. Brent’s closing price was lowest for globalbenchmark since January.
A slide in copper prices sent BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) to a 3% loss in Sydney trading. The Nikkeiwas off almost 1% while the Hang Seng and Singapore stocks surprised with modest gains.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

1:30 pm GMT – Core CPI m/m

1:30 pm GMT – Core Retail Sales m/m

Why traders care? Automobile sales account for about 20% of Retail Sales, but they tend to be very volatile and distort the underlying trend. The Core data is therefore thought to be a better gauge of spending trends.

1:30 pm GMT – Retail Sales m/m

Why traders care? It’s the primary gauge of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.

Binary Options Market Update: Will China Save the Day?

Kacey — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:49:50 +0000

U.S. Markets: On Friday, U.S. stocks careened to their second consecutive weekly loss after J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM),the largest U.S. bank by assets said after the close of U.S. markets Thursday that it lost $2 billion on synthetic credit securities, news that sent the shares plunging and couldprove to be toxic for the banking sector today. Synthetic credit securities are linked to corporate credit performance but the holder of the synthetics never needs to actually own the debt, making them not only complex, but risky.
CEO Jamie Dimon has warned investors that the bank could take up to another $1 billion in losses related to this particular trading imbroglio. The flap is seen as not as only damaging to shares of J.P. Morgan Chase, a bank that many global investors have until believed is one of the more financially sound major global banks, but also damaging to Dimon’s reputation. Dimon called his company “sloppy” and “stupid” in an interview with the U.S. network news program “Meet the Press” on Sunday. He also admitted he should have addressed the credit securities issue sooner. Press reports broached the subject earlier this year with Dimon scoffing at them.
With shares of J.P. Morgan looking as though they could be in for some more near-term pain, that could spark declines for the likes of Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), Citigroup (NYSE: C), HSBC (NYSE: HBC), Barclays (NYSE: BCS) and other major banks. If the shoe fits, wear it, traders might say as they throw other babies out with J.P. Morgan’s bathwater.
China Trying: Lost among the all the glum news regarding U.S. bank stocks on Friday was that fact that China and India, Asia’s largest and third-largest economies, respectively, reported more concerning economic data.
From the Associated Press: China reported its industrial production rose 9.3 percent from a year earlier in April, below expectations and down from nearly 12 percent in March. Investment and retail sales also slowed, though easing inflation offers leeway for fresh moves to boost growth. India’s industrial output fell 3.5 percent in March from a year earlier on weak manufacturing and investment. Output for the fiscal year ending in March rose 2.8 percent, down from 8.2 percent the year before.
Chinese stocks were spotted higher on Monday after the central bank lowered reserve reserve requirements for the country’s lenders for the third time in seven months. The move is seen as an act of stimulus that could lead to more substantial economic stimulus to prop up growth in the world’s second-largest economy.
The Shanghai Composite was higher by 0.2% following a 2.3% tumble last week. A rebound in Chinese stocks could stoke opportunities among the country’s large caps, something wary China bulls would love to see following the nasty declines by China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC), China Mobile (NYSE: CHL) and PetroChina (NYSE: PTR) last week.
Gold Up, Euro Still In Trouble: After falling to a four-month last week, gold edged higher Monday as traders engaged in what appeared to be some dip buying. Still, it’s almost impossible to get excited about the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD). The largest ETF backed by holdings of physical gold plunged 3.7% last week and is down 5.6% in the past month. GLD violated critical support at $160 and long ago violated its 50- and 200-day moving averages indicating down is the path of least resistance here for the near-term.
Of course gold’s tumble is being helped the euro’s descent. The common currency fell to $1.2878 today, another four-month lower as traders continue to price in how the euro will look without Greece, which seems all but assured of an unceremonious exit from the Euro Zone. In other currency news, the Aussie gave up parity with the greenback earlier today.

Key Highlights For The Trading Day:

There are no major economic reports scheduled to be released in the U.S. on Monday, but the rest of the week will not be so docile. Tuesday brings news of the April Consumer Price Index reading while the most recent Federal Open Market Committee Meeting minutes are released on Wednesday. Facebook goes public Friday. The tenor of this market is obviously risk off, which could provide binary options with some opportunities on the downside with high beta fare such as BP (NYSE: BP), BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) along with financial services names.

Binary Options- Daily Review-Gold Far From Golden

Kacey — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:57:27 +0000

Gold Far From Golden: In the U.S. session, Comex gold for June delivery rose just $1.30, or 0.1%, to end at $1,595.50 an ounce, but that was enough to snap a six-day losing streak for the yellow metal. Problematic is the fact that $1,600 an ounce was not regained. Despite its recent downturn, gold is not losing its luster “as the currency of last resort,” analysts at Goldman Sachs said in a report, MarketWatch reported.

Oil, copper and gold are gold head for the second consecutive weekly losses and the Standard & Poor’s GSCI Spot Index of 24 commodities has seen all of its year-to-date gains go the way of the dodo bird as traders remain concerned about the depth of Europ’s sovereign debt woes. Next week could prove to be just as bad, if not worse, as France, Italy and Spain, the Euro Zone’s second, third and fourth-largest economies, are set to hold bond auctions. Even if demand is robust at these auctions, which is doubtful at best, it’s likely yields will be meaning these high-risk countries are facing elevated borrowing costs.

U.S. Markets: While the S&P 500 closed higher for just the second time in seven days and the Dow Jones Industrial snapped a six-day losing streak, it was hard to get excited about Thursday’s gains. In fact, the Nasdaq closed lower and gains for the other two major U.S. indexes wilted due to a late-day sell-off prompting some traders to speculate that Friday could be down for U.S. equities due to the bearish tenor of Thursday’s close.

Most the 10 industry groups tracked by the S&P 500 closed higher on the day, led by materials for what feels like the first time in an eternity. The gains for materials issues helped prop up the U.S.-listed shares of BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO), which added 1.2% and 0.6%, respectively. Meager gains to say the least when considering both stocks are down more than 3% in the past week.

Following a six-day sell-off at the hands of lingering doubts regarding the viability of the Euro Zone, oil finally notched a close in the green on Thursday. NYMEX-traded crude for June delivery added 27 cents to close at $97.08 a barrel. In London, Brent crude for June delivery lost 47 cents to settle at $112.73 a barrel. That’s the lowest settlement for the global benchmark contract in more than three months.

Oil was able to muster a positive close in the U.S. despite a slightly stronger U.S. dollar. Oil and other commodities are denominated in U.S. dollars, meaning that as the dollar declines, commodities usually rise. Shares of BP (NYSE: BP) and Total (NYSE: TOT), Europe’s second-largest and third-largest oil companies respectively, each closed higher on the day, but don’t get too excited. BP is down more than 5% and Total more than 4% in the past week and the charts for both are highly damaged at the moment, indicating binary options traders might want to consider puts over calls in these names.

OPEC said output rose by 320,000 barrels per day last month, well above the March increase of 40,000 barrels per day. On the other hand, OPEC said it expects global demand to rise 900,000 barrels a day, to about 88.7 million barrels a day, a figure that is in line with the latest projection from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Asia, Asia, Asia: Asian equities continued to struggle as their U.S. counterparts failed to inspire and traders got back to the business of worrying about Europe’s never-ending sovereign debt crisis. The Hang Seng was off nearly 1%, extending its losing streak to seven days, one day worse than what the Dow just went through.

The cost of insuring Asia-Pacific corporate and sovereign bonds from default increased, according to traders of credit- default swaps, Bloomberg reported. Traders use credit default swaps as protection against issuer default on bond issues.

Weakness in Asian equities has sent the MSCI Emerging Markets Index to eight straight weekly declines. That index is the one tracked by popular U.S.-listed ETFs such as the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (NYSE: EEM) and the Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: VWO).

Key Highlights for the Trading Day: We could talk about some old U.S. news from Thursday such as the Labor Department saying initial jobless claims fell by 1,000 to 367,000 to last week. Economists expected a reading of 368,000, but that won’t be what creates opportunities for binary options traders today. Let’s put it this way: You’ll want to keep an eye on contracts tied to bank stocks because of J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM).

The Dow component and largest U.S. bank by assets said after the close of U.S. markets Thursday that it lost $2 billion on synthetic credit securities, news that sent the shares plunging and could prove to be toxic for the banking sector today. Synthetic credit securities are linked to corporate credit performance but the holder of the synthetics never needs to actually own the debt, making them not only complex, but risky.As J.P. Morgan is one of the largest holders of derivatives in the world, the news could force other banks to make uncomfortable disclosures about their own balance sheets, roiling the already sensitive banking sector in the process.

1:30PM -Producer Price Index

Why traders care?

It’s a leading indicator of consumer inflation – when producers charge more for goods and services the higher costs are usually passed on to the consumer
Actual > Forecast = Good for currency

2:55 PM-University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment

Why traders care?

Financial confidence is a leading indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for a majority of overall economic activity
Actual > Forecast = Good for currency

Binary Options Market Review: Speculation Grows on Greece’s Future in the Euro Zone

Kacey — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:02:02 +0000

U.S. Markets: The S&P 500 tumbled for the fifth day in the past six and the Dow Jones Industrial Average cascaded to its sixth consecutive daily loss as U.S. equities continued to wilt under a cloud of Europe-induced volatility. Traders continue to ponder Greece’s future and the mostspeculated outcome remains it’s not a matter of if, but when the country departs the Euro Zone. There was even some chatter on Wednesday that Greece could be back using the drachma by this summer.

Persistent doubts about the ability of the Euro Zone to continue existing under its current vulnerable framework are forcing investors out of riskier assets, including bank stocks along with materials and energy names. On Thursday, Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) said rising costs remain an issue, but the company is moving forward plans to expand iron ore production in Australia. The company is the world’s second-largest iron ore producer behind Brazil’s Vale (NYSE: VALE).

China Looms Large: Asian stocks started the day looking as though they wanted to notch some gains, but those gains were rapidly erased after China’s export growth fell slowed more than was expected. Exports from the world’s second-largest economy jumped 4.9% last month, well below the increase of 8.5% economists expected. The Shanghai Composite fell 0.2% on the news while the Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi were each down 0.2%. The Hang Seng slid 0.9%.

Perhaps the only silver lining to emerge from the latest in what has become a long line of weak Chinese economic data points is that the export number increases the likelihood that Chinese policymakers will initiate some form of domestic stimulus to placate skittish global financial markets.

Euro, Gold Falter: In the U.S. session, Comex gold for June delivery fell $10.30, or 0.6%, to $1,594.20 an ounce. Earlier in the session, the yellow metal traded down to four-month low below $1,580 an ounce as the Euro also plunged to its lowest levels since January. Joined at the hip for much of 2012, gold and the euro are both seen as more vulnerable than they have been in months as Spain has edged to the forefront of traders’ minds as perhaps the next candidate to depart the Euro Zone after Greece.

According to a poll conducted by Bloomberg, 57% of the of the 1,253 investors, analysts and traders surveyed expect at least one country will depart the euro common currency by year-end.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

With U.S. jobless claims on tap, there is at least one possible catalyst for binary options traders to capitalize on. Professional traders have mentioned the fact that U.S. stocks have closed well off the session lows over the past three days is an encouraging sign. Binary options traders should that since Monday, the S&P 500 has bottom around 10-11 AM Eastern Standard Time, indicating institutions are stepping in to do some dip buying after the amateurs clear out.

Binary Options Market Review: Will Greece Depart from the Euro Zone?

Kacey — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:50:47 +0000

U.S. Markets: U.S. equities plunged on Tuesday and if not for a late-day mini-rally, the losses could have been much more severe. It would appear that traders around the world finally got around to pondering what the future holds for the Euro Zone now that Greece’s new leader, Alexis Tsipras, is in charge. Tsipras is viewed by many either as a radical leftist or flat-out communist. His ascension to power in Greece, as seen by global financial markets, could hasten Greece’s departure from the Euro Zone.

Lingering doubts about the viability of the Euro Zone in its current form sent traders scurrying out of sectors viewed as risky during the U.S. session as eight of the 10 industry groups tracked by the S&P 500 closed lower as did all but five of the 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average components.

Financials were especially weak as Citigroup (NYSE: C) tumbled 1.1% on below average volume. Material and energy stocks were no better with mining giant BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) sliding almost 2%. That stock is fighting to hold critical support at $70. Shares of BP (NYSE: BP), Europe’s second largest oil company, fell 2.2% on strong volume after being downgraded to underweight from equal- weight by Barclays.

Asia, Risk Currencies Slide: Asian equities were savagely punished on Wednesday, falling to three-month lows as traders on that side of the Pacific responded to the negative tone set forth in the U.S.session. The Nikkei 225 Average Stock Average lost 1.7% while the Hang Seng and South Korea’s Kospi both lost more than 1%.

Looking at so-called risk currencies, the euro weakened to its lowest levels since January while the Aussie dollar tumbled 0.7% in Asian trading. The kiwi was seen 0.4%. Risk currencies are viewed as more volatile than the U.S. dollar, Swiss franc and Japanese yen, which are considered to be safe have plays by many global traders.

Gold In Trouble: After Comex gold for June delivery settled down $34.60, or 2.1%, to $1,604.50 a troy ounce, spot gold gave up more than 1% in Asian trading to a four-month low of $1,586.74 an ounce. The $1,600 an ounce area was viewed as support and any violation of that level could encourage further selling pressure.

With concerns about inflation in the U.S. all tabled for the moment, gold is seen as holding little appeal in the near-term. Gold is typically used as an inflation hedge to guard against diminished purchasing power of the dollar when inflation rises. A stronger dollar is also seen as plaguing gold as the yellow metal is denominated in dollars.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day:

There is some talk that equities and oil have fallen too far too fast and that could prompt a rally in U.S. equities on Wednesday. Tuesday’s late-day buying spree may indicate buyers are willing to reassert themselves, for one day at least, giving binary options traders the opportunity to profit from possible upside in U.S. stocks, oil and other so-called high beta fare. Remember that with Tuesday’s slide of about 2%, U.S. oil futures have plunged 10% in the past five trading days.

Binary Options Daily Review: Will the Euro Weakness Continue?

Kacey — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:04:00 +0000

U.S. Markets: All things considered, U.S. equities ended Monday in decent shape as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were able to book modest gains following a rocky Asian session at the hands of the French and Greek election news. U.S. stocks fought off negative action early in Monday’s session as it appeared traders were overlooking the European election news. Either that, or the market priced in the worst-case scenario last week.
Financials, which have taken turns being market leaders and laggards, were hammered last week, but rebounded Monday to be the best-performing group of the 10 sectors tracked within in the S&P 500. Volume was strong for most major bank stocks, though Citigroup (NYSE: C), the third-largest U.S. bank by assets rose 0.2% on below average volume.
Energy and materials names were languished for most of the day, but BP (NYSE: BP), Europe’s second-largest oil company, added almost 1%. BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP), the world’s largest mining company, fell half a percent.
Asia Rebounds: Following some nasty action Monday, Asian stocks rebounded in Tuesday’s session with the Nikkei advancing 0.7%. South Korea’s Kospi Index gained 0.6%, but Indian stocks continue to struggle as the BSE India Sensitive Index lost 0.4%.
There was headline risk to contend with in the Asia-Pacific region as Australia announced a wider-than-expected March trade deficit of $1.6 billion. A trade deficit indicates a country is importing more goods than it exports and that prompted a sell-off in the Aussie dollar. Australia’s dollar was lower against all but two of its major currency rivals.
The euro continued to trade at multi-month lows, trading lower against both the U.S. dollar and yen. The yen was also weaker against the dollar.
Commodities Action: Copper was spotted higher on news of improved German manufacturing data, but the euro’s weakness continued to hamper gold. After faltering in the U.S. session, the yellow metal traded in a range of $1,626.50-$1,646.86 an ounce on Tuesday. Should gold futures fall below $1,630 an ounce in the U.S. session on Tuesday, that could trigger additional technical selling as traders believe the $1,630 area is firm support for gold.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

With U.S. retail sales slated to be delivered today, binary options traders will have some tradeable headlines with which to work. U.S. economic data has been a soar spot recently as highlighted by last Friday’s jobs report and a disappointing retail sales could further imperil oil. NYMEX crude, the U.S. benchmark has lost almost 8% in the past four trading sessions.

Binary Options Daily Review: European Elections Could Roil Global Markets

Kacey — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:04:56 +0000

U.S. Markets: On Friday, U.S. stocks plunged as the S&P 500 skirted to its worst weekly performance of the year following an epic disappointment on the employment front. The Labor Department said employers added 115,000 new jobs in April, well below the 160,00 economists expected. The March number was revised up to 154,000 from 120,000.
On the back of the weak jobs report, it was not surprising to see traders depart riskier assets. The riskier the asset, the more harsh the rejection to end last week. BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP), the world’s largest mining company, slid 2.3% on volume that was better than 20% above the daily average. Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO), the world’s third-largest mining firm, plunged nearly 4% on above average volume.
Asian Markets Slide, Euro Hit: Following the victory by socialist Francois Hollande in France’s presidential election and news that no coalition government will emerge after Greek elections, the euro plunged. Asian markets responded to the downside as well. Hollande is France’s first socialist president since the mid-1990s and Hollande’s views are believed to be in opposition to other European policymakers that are looking to promote austerity measures to soften the Euro Zone’s sovereign debt crisis.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, Japan’s Nikkei and Taiwan’s Taiex Index each lost more than 2% while South Korea’s Kospi was spotted lower by 1.8%. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures dropped 1.2% while the euro faltered against the dollar and the yen was seen higher against other major currencies.
Commodities Decline: A faltering euro sent traders rushing toward the U.S. dollar. That proved to be bad news for gold and other commodities. Denominated in dollars, gold and other commodities rise in price as the greenback weakens and a strong dollar is seen as problematic for gold bugs. With the euro down to its lowest levels in three months, spot gold lost 0.2% to $1,638.45 an ounce while U.S. gold futures were down 0.4% to $1,639.30 an ounce.
Oil futures plunged as much as 3.2% on the European election news. Trading around $96.50, U.S. crude contracts currently reside at the lowest levels since January.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

Monday could prove to be volatile day for binary options traders as global markets continue to deal with the disappointing reality that the European elections have provided. Using Asian markets as the indicator, it appears unlikely the European and U.S. trading sessions will deliver any good news, implying riskier currencies and sectors will be in for some selling pressure. Already under pressure due to concerning data points, it appears unlikely that U.S. markets will be able to stave off near-term Euro Zone-induced weakness.

Recovery ahead ? – Traders Pensive Ahead of U.S. Jobs Report

Kacey — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:04:20 +0000

U.S. Markets: On Thursday in the U.S., the Institute for Supply Management said its non-manufacturing index slid to 53.5 in April from 56 in March. Economists expected an April reading of 55.3. Initial jobless claims fell by 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 365,000 last week. Economists expected a reading of 378,000. The Labor Department delivers the April jobs report Friday before the open of U.S. markets.

As traders reduced their risk appetite on Thursday in advance of the April non-farm payroll data, high-beta sectors were dealt a blow. The U.S. listed shares of BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) fell almost 2.1% while rival Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) slid 3.3%.

Gold In Trouble: Gold slipped in the news as traders dealt with news the European Central Bank ism unlikely to engage in more quantitative easing. Comex gold for June delivery fell $19.20, or 1.2%,to finish at $1,634.80 a troy ounce, extending its losing streak to four days. After failing to break resistance at $1,670 an ounce, gold is now in danger of violating support at $1,630.

Asia Falters: The weak U.S. data hampered Asian stocks for a second consecutive day with the Kospi down half a percent and the Hang Seng off 0.7%. The Shanghai Composite was volatile on the session due to speculation Chinese policymakers might do more to engineer a soft landing for the world’s second-largest economy.

In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.6% after the Reserve Bank of Australia’s lowered its 2012 GDP growth forecast to 3% from 3.5%, citing weak employment and housing data.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

Friday should prove to be an explosive day for binary options traders as the U.S. Labor Department reports the aforementioned April jobs report. The consensus estimate calls for the addition of 160,000 new jobs in the world’s largest economy, but any miss of that number coupled with a downward revision of the March number will likely imperil riskier assets such as gold, oil and equities.

Daily News for Binary Options Trading – The 6 Major financial USD Events Today

Kacey — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:12:22 +0000

Today 6 different USD related financial numbers are going to be released creating a big anticipation in the markets for the figures and their influence on the USD related currency pairs. this is a massive day for binary options traders as those events should fuel volatility and create many trade opportunities.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

1:30 PM – US Unemployment Claims

The number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time during the past week

Actual < Forecast = Good for currency

1:30 PM – Prelim Nonfarm Productivity q/q

Annualized change in labor efficiency when producing goods and services, excluding the farming industry

Actual < Forecast = Good for currency

1:30 PM – Prelim Unit Labor Costs q/q

Annualized change in the price businesses pay for labor, excluding the farming industry

Actual > Forecast = Good for currency

3:00 PM – ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI

Level of a diffusion index based on surveyed purchasing managers, excluding the manufacturing industry

Actual > Forecast = Good for currency

4:00 PM – FOMC Member Williams Speaks

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams

6:00 PM – FOMC Member Lockhart Speaks

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart

Binary Options Market Update – Dow Jones in four year high

Kacey — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:14:27 +0000

US markets – On Tuesday in the U.S., the Institute for Supply Management said its factory index surged to 54.8 last month, easily topping the reading of 53 economists expected. The April reading is the highest since June 2011. The U.S. and Chinese data points indicate manufacturing in the world’s two largest economies continues to grow at paces that may encourage investors to embrace riskier assets. In U.S. Tuesday trading, the Dow Jones closed higher than over four years, hitting levels last seen in December 2007.
Australian Dollar - The Aussie dollar was seen higher at 103.37 U.S. cents following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate cut on Tuesday. The Aussie and New Zealand dollars have been suppressed recently by slack demand at Spanish bond auctions, but investors may once again be ready to part ways with the imperiled euro in favor of higher-yield currencies.
Gold – Spot gold was trading just below $1,659 an ounce in Hong Kong. Traders said on Tuesday the yellow metal must break through resistance at $1,670 or risk becoming vulnerable to near-term downside.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

At 1:15 PM GMT the U.S. ADP Employment Report releases with markets expecting a month-over-month drop from 209,000 in March to 170,000. The monthly data measures private employment,represents around 24 million employees, and is used to analyze movements in the national labor market.

Binary Options Daily Review-US markets decline, will it continue?

Kacey — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:06:41 +0000

The U.S. Texas Manufacturing Outlook came out Monday with an April decrease in general business activity from 10.8 in March to -3.4. Suggested growth, according to the report, is at a slower pace from the previous month at 5.6 from 11.1.
The price of gold rose in Asian trading Tuesday, following weaker-than-expected U.S. Midwest manufacturing data and following reports of Spain falling into recession after the country announced Friday that its unemployment rate hit a record of 24.4% at 5.64 million versus the country’s 7.9% unemployment rate in 2007. Spain reported further data of shrunken GDP of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2012 (flat YoY to Q1 2011).
The AUD/USD squeeze appeared persistent in early Monday trading. Moving forward on the pair, the markets may focus on the European Central Bank’s (ECB) meeting March 5th in Barcelona.
Japan’s Nikkei was hit by a stronger yen, trading down earlier at 1%. Australia’s ASX200/S&P was trading higher at 0.74%.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

3PM ISM Manufacturing PMI

What it is about?
Level of a diffusion index based on surveyed purchasing managers in the manufacturing industry;
Actual > Forecast = Good for currency;

3PM Construction Spending m/m

What it is about?
Change in the total amount builders spent on construction projects;
Actual > Forecast = Good for currency;

3PM ISM Manufacturing Prices

What it is about?
Level of a diffusion index based on surveyed purchasing managers in the manufacturing
Actual > Forecast = Good for currency

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Kacey — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:18:44 +0000

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Euro near 3-week high after debt sales

Kacey — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:41:28 +0000

The euro hovered near a three-week high against the dollar on Wednesday while focus turned to the outcome of a Federal Reserve meeting.

The euro traded at $1.3197, close to levels not seen in three weeks, after hitting the previous session’s low of 1.3145. Immediate resistance is at last week’s high of 1.3225.

Investors were relieved when successful auctions sent yields on Dutch, Spanish and Italian debt lower on Tuesday, a day after the government in the Netherlands collapsed in a crisis over budget cuts.

The Fed is still to keep benchmark U.S. interest rates near zero through 2014 when it ends a two-day policy meeting later today. For EUR/USD movement this will be the spark that should push even more volatility into this widely traded pair.

For most strategists out there the thought of a long term EUR/USD price rise is out of the question. The mood really is set to “the calm before the storm”. Keen eyed traders will be watching the economic events very closely this week for the right price ranges to trade.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

3:30PM GMT – Crude Oil Inventories
Change in the number of barrels of crude oil held in inventory by commercial firms during the past week

5:30PM GMT – FOMC Statement
The FOMC usually changes the statement slightly at each release. It’s these changes that traders focus on.

Economic Calendar:

Brent crude steady under $119; Europe, Iran eyed

Kacey — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:24:15 +0000

Brent crude steady under $119; Europe, Iran eyed

Brent crude was steady under $119 a barrel on Tuesday as fears over the health of the euro zone economies and political uncertainty countered worries over a production stoppage in the North Sea and potential supply disruptions from Iran.

Brent crude eased 9 cents to $118.62 a barrel by 11:56 p.m. EDT, while U.S. crude was down 18 cents at $102.93.

Political turmoil in the Netherlands, where Prime Minister Mark Rutte tendered his government’s resignation in a crisis over budget cuts, added to the sense of concern about Europe, while the prospect of a Socialist president in France triggered worries that Paris might loosen its austerity commitment.

Oil prices were, however, supported by supply concerns stemming from a production stoppage at the North Sea Buzzard oil field, Britain’s largest, and worries over exports from Iran amid Western sanctions. But analysts caution that rising global inventories are likely to cap oil price gains.

Loss of supply from Iran has come as a result of tougher sanctions by the United States and its European allies who claim that the Islamic Republic is producing nuclear weapons. Tehran has long denied the allegations by the West, insisting that their program is for civilian purposes.

Iran will meet with officials from countries, including the United States, Russia, China and Germany, in Baghdad in May in a bid to resolve the standoff with the West over its nuclear program. As a result of sanctions, South Korea’s crude imports from Iran fell 40 percent in March from the same period a year earlier. China also halved its imports last month from a year ago due to disputes over contract terms.

Investors are now eyeing the U.S. Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting that begins later in the day to gauge the central bank’s attitude towards further monetary stimulus.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

1:30pm GMT -Core Retail Sales m/m
Change in the total value of sales at the retail level, excluding automobiles;

8:30pm GMT – BOC Governor Mark Carney;
Due to testify, along with Senior Deputy Governor Tiff Macklem, before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, in Ottawa;

Economic Calendar:

Euro share drop off: Euro Politics to blame

Kacey — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:28:00 +0000

The euro price retreat from the last two-week highs and shares opened lower on Monday as political developments in France and the Netherlands again raised the fears about the region’s commitment to handle the ongoing debt crisis.
The EUR was down to $1.3189 after the French president Nicolas Sarkozy came second to the socialist challenger Francois Hollande in the first round of the presidential election, while a budget crisis erupted in the Netherlands that supposedly, could bring down the Dutch government.
The news sent the German government bonds yield to a record low of 1.591 percent increasing the the premium investors demand to buy French and Dutch bonds.

European shares opened lower on Monday following the political concerns and mediocre factory output data from China.

Brent held steady under $119 a barrel on Monday, as supply worries stemming from tightening Western sanctions on Iran and stabilizing factory activity in China countered lingering concerns over the euro zone debt crisis.

Key Highlights for the Trading Day

1:30pm GMT – CAD Wholesale Sales m/m
Change in the total value of sales at the wholesale level

11:45pm GMT – NZD Visitor Arrivals m/m
Change in the number of short-term overseas visitors who arrived in the country;