Forex Critical: A Roiling Market Finally Shakes the Turkish Lira

In 2018, the Turkish lira experienced significant selling pressure. At one point in August, the currency went parabolic. USD/TRY gained as much as 34% in just three trading days from August 8th to the 12th. On August 13, 2018, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) responded with a laundry list of measures … Read more

Above the 40 (August 15, 2018) – A Still Shaky But Now Stretched Stock Market

AT40 = 47.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 53.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 14.6 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary I typically consider the market stretched to the downside when AT40 (T2108), the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving … Read more

Above the 40 (August 10, 2018) – Facing Fresh Macro Challenges and Lacking Technical Confirmations, the S&P 500 Stalls Under All-Time Highs

AT40 = 51.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 55.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 13.2 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary The indicators barely changed from the last Above the 40 post, but the technical winds are likely changing yet again. A little … Read more

Forex Critical: Turkish Lira Snaps Back with Snap Elections

“…I decided to fade [USD/TRY] in anticipation of the next pullback. I also hope to collect a decent amount of carry as financial markets settle down a bit with earnings in the U.S. Still, until the CBRT takes definitive action, it makes sense to short the lira in the middle of what looks like an … Read more

Fresh Troubles for the Turkish Lira

The Turkish lira is in trouble again. Last week, USD/TRY hit an all-time high amid more dire headlines for the Turkish economy and the monetary policy of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). On April 3rd, Bloomberg reported the following issues: 7.4% GDP growth in 2017 is overheating the economy. Turkish companies … Read more

Turkish Lira Freshly Squeezed: Soaring Inflation and Erdogan

The tides are once again turning against the Turkish lira. For a week, USD/TRY battled with resistance at its 200-day moving average (DMA). Over the last two trading days, the currency pair finally made new closing highs on the 200DMA breakout. USD/TRY faded after testing the highs from the last 200DMA breakout in July. USD/TRY … Read more

Above the 40 (July 6, 2017) – A Stock Market Swivel

AT40 = 48.1% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 55.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 12.5 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary Diabolically, the stock market has put my head on the proverbial swivel. I earlier noted how the NASDAQ in particular … Read more

Forex Critical: U.S. Dollar Carry Trades On the Edges of Major Moves

My bearishness on the U.S. dollar index (DXY0) continues as two currency positions in particular have delivered against the U.S. dollar. A month ago I wrote about the Turkish Lira (USD/TRY) and suggested that the high-yielding currency pair would eventually crack below support at its 200-day moving average (DMA). USD/TRY delivered at the end of … Read more

The Turkish Lira Is Slowly Overcoming Its Recent Headwinds

The verdict is almost in: the Turkish lira is overcoming its headwinds. After the results of Turkey’s constitutional referendum in mid-April, the Turkish lira bounced around in indecision. Against the U.S. dollar, the indecision ended in conjunction with the April 28th release on monetary policy from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). … Read more