U.S. equities scored their best trading day of the year throughout last Friday’s trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 2.13% to close at 33630.61. The S&P 500 gained 2.28% to close at 3895.08. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite jumped 2.56% to close at 10569.29. U.S. equities rose after the U.S. nonfarm payrolls and unemployment change data both indicated higher employment during the previous month.

The nonfarm payrolls came in at 223K, while the monthly unemployment change came in at 3.5%. Furthermore, the ISM PMI figure came in below market expectations at 49.6, indicating a slowdown in private-sector purchasing. Market participants assumed that the higher employment and falling private sector purchasing would prompt the Fed to throttle back on interest rate controls, thus equities rallied while treasury yields and the Greenback retreated.

The benchmark U.S. 10-year treasury yield was last seen trading at 3.56%, while the 2-year yield sits at 4.258%.

On the economic docket, Fed chairman Jerome Powell is due to speak during the American trading session on the 10^th. The U.S. will release core CPI and initial jobless claims figures on the 12^th, and the U.K. will release GDP and manufacturing figures on the 13^th.

Main Pairs Movement

The Dollar index, which tracks the U.S. Greenback against a basket of major foreign currencies, slumped 1.18% throughout Friday. Market participants sold the Greenback after the “Fed desired” U.S. economic data released throughout Friday’s American trading session. Retreating U.S. yields acted as a headwind for the falling Dollar.

EURUSD jumped 1.12% throughout Friday’s trading. The Dollar weakness across markets allowed Euro bulls to bid the Euro higher and allowed the pair to reverse a four-day loss.

GBPUSD soared 1.54% throughout Friday’s trading. While there were no major economic data releases from the U.K., the lower-than-expected U.S. PMI data sparked a selloff of the Dollar.

Gold climbed 1.82% throughout Friday’s trading. The Dollar denominated Gold soared after a broad-based selloff of the U.S. Greenback.

Technical Analysis

EURUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The EUR/USD pair advanced higher on Friday, regaining upside traction and recovered towards the 1.0600 mark after the release of the US NFP report. The pair is now trading at 1.0609, posting a 0.85% gain daily. EUR/USD stays in the positive territory amid weaker US dollars across the board, as the US job data weakened the US Dollar even though the labour market remains tight. The US Nonfarm Payrolls rise by 223,000 in December, which came in much higher than the market expectation of 200,000 and exerted bearish pressure on the greenback. The upbeat employment figures caused investors to reassess the Fed’s policy outlook as the CME Group FedWatch Tool’s probability of a 25 basis points Fed rate hike in February declined to 57% from 70% on Wednesday. In the Eurozone, the Eurozone Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December came at 9.2%, which was lower than expected but failed to drag the EUR/USD pair lower amid the renewed US dollar weakness.

For the technical aspect, the RSI indicator is 54 figures as of writing, suggesting the pair could extend its daily gains as the RSI is rising sharply. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price witnessed fresh buying and climbed above the moving average, therefore a continuation of the upside trend can be expected. In conclusion, we think the market will be bullish as the pair is testing the 1.0583 resistance. Euro bulls are now looking at the 1.0624 area which is the next resistance.

Resistance:  1.0583, 1.0624, 1.0710

Support: 1.0508, 1.0467

GBPUSD (4-Hour Chart)

GBP/USD recovers lost territory from Thursday’s losses, reclaims 1.12 on soft USD after US NFP report. US Nonfarm Payrolls rose by 223K, exceeding expectations, and pointing to a solid labour market. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, while Average Hourly Earnings fell to 4.6%, compared with expectations for 5%, suggesting that inflation on wages is easing. USD index dropped to around 104, which favours GBPUSD. The pair rose accordingly. At the time of writing, the pair is trading at 1.2071, posting a 1.5% gain daily.

For the technical aspect, the RSI indicator is 60 figures as of writing, rebounding from the oversold zone. The RSI indicator rose sharply, indicating the pair may continue on its upward traction. For the Bolling  Bands,  the price rose sharply through the average from the lower bound. A continuing upward trend could be expected. For the price action, the pair recover lost territory below a first support level and is now hovering around 1.21 at the time of writing, close to the first resistance level at 1.2110. In conclusion, we think GBPUSD is in bullish mode. Based on the technical analysis, there is a high possibility to break through the first resistance of 1.2110. On the upside, if the price advance above the resistance level at 1.2110 on 4H Chart, it may head to test the next resistance at 1.2233.

Resistance: 1.2110, 1.2233, 1.2335

Support: 1.1927, 1.1765

XAUUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The gold price soared on the solid US NFP data. In the US trading session on Friday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that US Nonfarm Payrolls rose by 223K, exceeding expectations. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, while Average Hourly Earnings fell to 4.6%, compared with expectations for 5%, suggesting that inflation on wages is easing. Markets reacted to the US economic figures. The US dollar index dropped to around 104, while the US 10-year yield rose from 3.73% to 3.57%. The gold price soared directly from $1,835 to $1,860, refreshing the highest level from last mid-June. At the time of writing, the price is hovering around $1,870.

For the technical aspect, the RSI indicator is 70 figures as of writing, rising from 50. The RSI indicator rose sharply, indicating the pair may continue on its upward traction. For the Bolling  Bands,  the price goes up along with the upward trading average and is now trading around the upper bound. For the price action, the pair rises sharply and makes a higher high on its pattern, which is a standard pattern for the upward trend. In conclusion, we think the gold price is in a bullish mode based on the technical analysis, and there is a high possibility to continue on its upward trend. That said, the RSI indicator and Bolling  Bands both show signs of being overbought. Traders should be aware of the risk of a correction.

Resistance: 1874, 1884

Support: 1775, 1735, 1700

U.S. equities continued to fall throughout Thursday’s trading. Equities retreated due to the upside surprise from the ADP nonfarm employment change, which showed that employers added 235,000 jobs in December, and initial jobless claims, indicating 204,000 claims in December. The two red-hot job reports affirmed the Fed’s reservations on the contractual effectiveness of its interest rate hikes. The tight labour market report sparked a rally in treasury yields and the U.S. Greenback.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.02% to close at 32930.08. The S&P 500 lost 1.16% to close at 3808.1. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slumped 1.47% to close at 10305.24. The U.S. 10-year treasury yield was last seen trading at 3.725%.

Equities were dragged down by the downside surprise of earnings results released by Walgreens (NAS: WBA) and Bed, Bath & Beyond (NAS: BBBY). Walgreens, which dropped more than 6% over yesterday’s trading, showed a $5.2 Billion opioid litigation settlement that dragged quarterly earnings. Bed, Bath and Beyond plummeted more than 29% after the company announced cash insufficiency and possible chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Main Pairs Movement

The Dollar Index, which tracks the U.S. Greenback against a basket of other major foreign currencies, rose more than 0.8% throughout yesterday’s trading. The ADP nonfarm payrolls and initial jobless claims, both coming in above market expectations, buoyed the Dollar higher as short-term U.S. interest rate expectations continue to price higher across markets.

EURUSD dropped 0.76% throughout yesterday’s trading. The Euro fared worse against the Dollar as market participants bid up the Greenback due to hotter-than-expected job reports. The construction PMI further indicated price levels remaining at elevated levels.

GBPUSD slumped 1.25% throughout yesterday’s trading. The British Pound weakened against the Dollar due to the broad-based Dollar’s strength. The British construction PMI is scheduled for today’s European trading session.

Gold lost 1.18% throughout yesterday’s trading. The Dollar denominated Gold lost ground as the U.S. Greenback surged across the board.

Technical Analysis

EURUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The EUR/USD pair shows an upside momentum faltered once again around 1.0630  and dropped to daily lows near 1.0529, breaking below the support at 1.0536, EUR/USD is 100 pips down from its Friday close, the spot saw its losses accelerate after the US ADP report showed the US private sector added 235K jobs during December, surpassing initial estimates, besides, weekly Jobless Claims rose less than expected, both shows the good health of the labour market in US. On the Europe side, the Construction PMI improved marginally to 41.7 in December, and the released November Producer Price Index, which rose at an annual pace of 27.1%, retreating from a revised 30.5% gain in October, In the near term, the pair is neutral-to-bearish and lack the conviction to surpass the recent resistance area near 1.0660 for the time being.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 14 figures as of writing, it’s suggestion strong buying signals and indicates an oversold or undervalued condition, estimated to be bullish and will rebound from the bottom. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price keeps hovering around the upper bound signalling the upside traction maintained in the near term, and the drop is expected. In the US, the key event is Friday’s release of the US Dec non-farm payrolls and the Eurozone inflation report. On the Europe side, Key events in the euro area this week are the Germany Retail Sales, EMU Flash Inflation Rate, and EMU Retail Sales,  which may bring motivation for the EURUSD buyers into the market.

Resistance:  1.0661, 1.0710

Support: 1.0310, 1.0536, 1.0461

GBPUSD (4-Hour Chart)

GBP/USD comes under heavy selling pressure on Thursday amid resurgent USD demand due to the FOMC  Meeting Minutes and PMI  yesterday and the dollar-positive ADP report released today, this pair continues losing ground through the early North American session and weakens further below the 1.2000 and aiming at the Support at 1.1927. According to the data published by Automatic Data Processing (ADP), the higher-than-expected demand from the US private sector employers provides a strong boost to the US Dollar, which, in turn, exerts downward pressure on the GBP/USD pair, the less hawkish outlook keeps the US Treasury bond yields depressed near a multi-week low, which could act as a headwind for the buck and lend some support to the GBP/USD pair.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 14 figures as of writing, it’s a suggestion for strong buying signals and indicates an oversold or undervalued condition, estimated to be bullish and will rebound from the bottom. For the Bolling  Bands,  it indicates the high volatility of the market. Both signals indicate the investors are interested in buying the market, however, the daily chart has just started gaining negative traction, the GBP/USD pair might then turn vulnerable and go for the 1.1927 mark. In the US, the ADP indicates momentum for the Dollar market, Friday’s release of the US Dec non-farm payrolls and Eurozone inflation report would provide fresh signals. In the UK, the weaker-than-expected UK services PMI added to a softer near-term tone, and more signals are required to define near-term direction.

Resistance: 1.2110, 1.2233, 1.2335

Support: 1.1927, 1.1765

XAUUSD (4-Hour Chart)

Gold price staged a downside correction after a four-day winning streak. Gold price fell more than 1% on Thursday, retreating from the highest level from mid-June, driven by a stronger US dollar and soaring US Treasury yields. The dollar regained strength after US data, before NFP. The ADP employment report showed that private payrolls increased by 235K over the 150K of expectation. Initial Jobless Claims dropped to 204K, the lowest since September. Markets reacted to the US economic figures. The dollar index advanced to 105, the highest level in three weeks while the US 10-year yield rose from 3.70% to 3.77%. The gold price fell directly below $1,850 to $1,831. At the time of writing, the price is hovering around $1,830.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 48 figures as of writing, slipping from the overbought zone, suggesting that it may continue on the correction. For the Bollinger Bands, the price dropped through the average as the price stage a strong downside correction in the near term. In conclusion, we think the market is still in bullish mode as the price still rally above the upward trend line. However, the gold price can keep falling modestly as technical analysis shows that the gold price is still under correction. On the downside, if the price drops below the trend line, it may change its current uptrend and head to test the next support at $1,775.

Resistance: 1865

Support: 1775, 1735, 1700

Economic Data

Dear Client,

Please note that the following instruments’ trading hours will be affected by the upcoming holidays.

Note: The dash sign (-) indicates normal trading hours.

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].

Dear Client,

Please note that when constituent stocks of a market index generate dividends, VT Markets will make dividends and deductions for clients who hold the products after the close of the day before the ex-dividend date.

The dividends will not be paid/charged as an inclusion along with Swap. It will be executed separately in your account and the record will be annotated as “Div & Product Name & Net Volume”.

Please note the specific adjustments as follows:

The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.

If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].

The FOMC minutes reaffirmed multiple things that Chairman Jerome Powell attempted to communicate to market participants during his previous speech in December of 2022. The minutes reiterated the central bank’s determination to bring the inflation level down to the targeted 2%; furthermore, citing previous experiences with pre-mature rate cuts, the minutes dismissed any notions of a rate cut in 2023, even though the Fed has slowed its pace in December. Most importantly, the minutes indicated that the Fed would not cease hiking rates until the central bank sees ample evidence of inflation on a steady and convincing downward trajectory towards 2%.

U.S. equity markets experienced a turbulent trading session as major economic data releases peppered yesterday’s American trading session. All three major equity indices closed higher by the bell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.4% to close at 33269.77. The S&P 500 climbed 0.75% to close at 3852.97. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.69% to close at 10458.76.

The JOLTs job openings for November came in at 10.458M positions, despite being lower than last month’s print, this figure exceeded market expectations of 10M. The BLS report continues to show that the labour market remains tight, while the labour participation rate has continued to decrease. The job data release foreshadowed the hawkish FOMC minutes, which were released during the latter part of the American trading session.

Main Pairs Movement

The Dollar Index went through a slight fluctuation trading day as the market news was released with US JOLTs JOB Openings (Nov.) & FOMC Meeting Minutes. The DXY sets back around 0.4% after the previous day’s hiking by over 1.10%. The price bounces off lows and regians 104.0 ahead of FOMC’s meeting minutes.  The US Dollar was little changed with the news, although US short-term interest-rate futures dropped.

EURUSD struggled to retain 1.0600 after the FOMC meeting minutes release. EUR/USD has lost its bullish momentum and pierced the 1.0600 thresholds following hawkish FOMC Meeting Minutes and tepid US data weighing on the market’s optimism. Bulls, however, are not yet done.

Cable gains 0.64% throughout Tuesday’s trading. A little changed every week. The negative real GDP of the UK recession undermind demand for the Pound.

Gold continues its bull momentum, raised 0.8% throughout Tuesday’s trading, with yields dropping post-FOMC minutes.

Technical Analysis

EURUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The EUR/USD pair advanced higher on Wednesday, regaining some upside momentum and displayed back-and-forth moves around the 1.0600 mark amid an upbeat market sentiment ahead of FOMC minutes. The pair is now trading at 1.0611, posting a 0.61% gain daily. EUR/USD stays in the positive territory amid weaker US dollars across the board, as the sharp decline witnessed in government bond yields undermined the greenback and helped the EUR/USD pair to find strength. China’s planning to support the property market and the relaxation of its Covid zero-tolerance policy both provided support to the market mood. On the economic data front, the US ISM Manufacturing PMI declined modestly in December to 48.4, which came in below the market expectation of 48.5. The main spotlight would be the release of the FOMC December meeting minutes. In the Eurozone, the Eurozone Services PMI was confirmed at 49.8, indicating that price pressures remained elevated but retreated further from their recent peaks. The encouraging news also provided mild support to the EUR/USD pair.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 46 figures as of writing, suggesting the lack of directions for the pair as the RSI remains flat around the mid-line. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price failed to preserve its upside traction and retreated lower, therefore a downside movement can be expected. In conclusion, we think the market will be slightly bearish as the pair might head to test the 1.0580 support line. Technical indicators also remain within negative levels after correcting oversold conditions.

Resistance:  1.0661, 1.0710

Support: 1.0580, 1.0546, 1.0467

GBPUSD (4-Hour Chart)

GBP/USD climb back to 1.2088 after the decline on Tuesday, GBP/USD has regained its traction which erased the losses, however, the ISM will release the December Manufacturing PMI report. The headline PMI is forecast to decline to 48.5 from 49 in December. Market participants will also pay close attention to the Prices Paid component of the survey, which will offer fresh insight into input inflation in the manufacturing sector, the US Dollar could continue to weaken against its major rivals. On the other hand, an unexpected rebound above 50 in the headline PMI and an increase in the inflation component should have the opposite effect on the currency’s valuation and weigh on GBP/USD.

For the technical aspect, the RSI indicator is 55 figures as of writing, though it’s a mediocre indicator, however, the climbing RSI and Bollinger Bands show a bounce back, which suggests the bullish market and points to a renewed buyer’s interest. In the US, the lower-than-expected Manufacturing PMI could temporarily boost US Dollar, and investors are focusing on the release of the FOMC Meeting Minutes. In the UK, the falling appetite for corporate debt is raising red flags for economic prospects, and the expensive credit also resists the growth of the UK economy.

Resistance: 1.2095, 1.2215, 1.2337

Support: 1.1936, 1.1765

XAUUSD (4-Hour Chart)

Gold prices hit seven-month highs above $1,860 in the mid-European session as the US Treasury yields decline and the US dollar weakens on the risk-on mood. On the other hand, an upbeat market mood spurred by China’s news support gold prices. Chinese authorities planning to deliver additional support to property developers aimed to relax liquidity stress in some developers. Market participants now focus on the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) December meeting minutes. The FOMC minutes will provide an explanation of December’s monetary policy decision and cues of future monetary policy action, which will directly influence the financial market.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 79 figures as of writing, suggesting strong momentum in the near term. On the other hand, the pair could stage some downside correction as the RSI is in the overbought zone. For the Bollinger Bands, the price keeps hovering around the upper bound signalling the upside traction maintained in the near term. In conclusion, we think the market is still in bullish mode as long as the price keeps rallying above the upward trend line. However, the gold price can stage a correction as technical analysis show that the gold price is at a short-term high. On the downside, if a price drops below the trend line, it may change its current uptrend and head to test the next support at $1,775.

Resistance: 1865

Support: 1775, 1735, 1700

Economic Data

The market started the year 2023 in a safety mode, creating demand for US Dollars and Gold as safe-haven instruments while waiting for this week’s US key economic data and events.

The dollar advances, the yen stabilizes and the oil price drops sharply. US shares market falls lead to Asia stocks facing muted opening. The yield on 10-Year Treasuries falls by most in more than a month. \

US’s four most representative benchmark indexes DJIA, S&P500, NASDAQ and SOX were all close lower. Shares in Asia faced a muted opening Wednesday after a decline in US stocks and the price of oil signalled unease about the dimming outlook for the global economy. Treasuries and the dollar rallied, and the yen stabilized after a Tuesday jump. Equity futures for Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong each rose less than 1%. The 10-year Treasury yield fell 14 basis points to 3.74%, the biggest decline in more than a month. An index of the dollar rallied by the most in two weeks.

The S&P 500 ended Tuesday 0.4% lower, weighed down by energy and tech stocks. Among all eleven sectors in S&P500, Comm SVC, Financials Index, Real Estate Index, Industrials Index, and Utilities Indes gain positive price returns.  As for the Energy Index field, dropped by 3.62% on a daily loss.

Main Pairs Movement

The Dollar index, which tracks the U.S. Greenback against a basket of other major foreign currencies, surged more than 1% throughout Tuesday’s trading. The first official U.S. trading day witnessed a broad-based sell-off in the equities market, while market participants bid up the U.S. currency. Despite the surge in Dollar value, the U.S. 10-year treasury yield remained subdued over yesterday’s trading. The benchmark yield currently sits at 3.759% and the U.S. 2-year treasury yield sits at 4.382%.

EURUSD traded 1.11% lower throughout Tuesday’s trading. Risk-averse sentiment across markets helped buoy the Dollar against the Euro.

Cable lost 0.64% throughout Tuesday’s trading. The British Pound fared worse against the Dollar as market participants flighted to safety.

The Dollar denominated Gold rose 0.87% throughout Tuesday’s trading. The precious metal gained ground as market participants started the new year with caution in mind.

Technical Analysis

EURUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The EUR/USD pair declined sharply on Tuesday, witnessing heavy bearish pressure and has managed to erase a small portion of its daily losses near the 1.0560 mark amid the resurgent US Dollar demand. The pair is now trading at 1.0543, posting a 1.14% loss daily. EUR/USD stays in the negative territory amid a stronger US Dollar across the board, as the greenback started the day on a firm footing and advanced above 140.70 with investors returning from the New Year holiday. On the economic data front, the S&P Global Manufacturing Index from the US came at 46.2 in December, which is unchanged from the flash reading. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve will publish the minutes of the latest FOMC meeting on Wednesday, which will be crucial for the EUR/USD traders to watch. In the Eurozone, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from Germany revealed that inflation declined to 8.6% every year in December and came in below the market expectation of 9%. The reading made it difficult for the Euro to gather recovery momentum today.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 28 figures as of writing, suggesting that the pair could experience a directional change in the near term as the RSI is in an oversold zone. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price witnessed heavy selling and dropped out of the lower band, therefore the downside traction should persist. In conclusion, we think the market will be bearish as long as the 1.0583 resistance line holds. On the downside, a break below the 1.0512 support could favour the bears.

Resistance:  1.0583, 1.0710

Support: 1.0512, 1.0467, 1.0315

GBPUSD (4-Hour Chart)

GBP/USD dropped to fresh multi-week lows near 1.1900 on Tuesday. Despite the absence of a fundamental factor, the US dollar outperforms other pairs as investors return from the new year holiday. GBP/USD, therefore, came under heavy bearish pressure. In the Meanwhile, political jitters in the UK seem to weigh on the Pound. The Telegraph reported over the weekend that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had shelved the childcare reform that was designed to help parents save money and get back to work. In addition, the first of five consecutive days of national rail strikes have begun on Tuesday.

For the technical aspect, the RSI indicator is 40 figures as of writing, suggesting the bearish traction will remain in the near-term technical outlook as the RSI stays below the mid-line. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price dropped below the average and now hovering around the lower bound, signalling some downside momentum. In conclusion, we think the market is still in bearish mode. If the price close negative below the current support at 1.1942 on the 4H chart. It may head to test the next support at 1.1765. For more price action, eye on tier 1 economic figures. In the US, the economic calendar remains busy with the release of the FOMC Meeting Minutes, as well as the ISM Manufacturing PMI Index for December. In the UK, Mortgage Approvals and Lending would be revealed.

Resistance: 1.2095, 1.2212, 1.2334

Support: 1.1942, 1.1765

XAUUSD (4-Hour Chart)

Gold prices were volatile on Tuesday after returning to normal trading activity. Earlier XAU/USD soared to $1,849.96, a multi-month high, and then started to decline as the dollar regather its strength in the mid-European trading session. At the time of writing, the gold price held around $1,830. That said, the pullback in gold price seems limited, as the US treasury yields fall modestly, which favours non-yielding gold. Gold traders now await the release of the FOMC Meeting Minutes, as well as the ISM Manufacturing PMI Index for December, which may provide cues for future monetary policy.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 71 figures as of writing, suggesting strong momentum in the near term. On the other hand, the pair could stage some downside correction as the RSI is in the overbought zone. For the Bollinger Bands, the price slightly pulls back after touching the upper bound signalling the lack of further momentum. In conclusion, we think the market is still in bullish mode as long as the price keeps rallying above the upward trend line. However, the gold price can stage correction as technical analysis shows price pressure. On the downside, if a price drops below the trend line, it may change its current uptrend and head to test the next support at $1,775.

Resistance: 1842, 1857

Support: 1775, 1735

Economic Data

If you want to trade on the forex market, you need a platform you can trust — this is where you will find all the tools and features you need to analyse market movements and open and close positions on forex pairs. Many platforms are available, but VT Markets seeks to help our users narrow their choices and connect with some of the most intuitively designed and powerful tools available.

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So what are the first steps? To begin, you’ll need to choose which version of MetaTrader 4 to download. This will depend upon what device you are using. Take a look at our guide below to find out more about how to download the platform.

Downloading MetaTrader 4 — A straightforward guide to help you get started

You can download and use MT4 across various devices and operating systems, providing traders with a more flexible and capable set of options. These include most desktop devices and operating systems and mobile and tablet devices.

Downloading the MT4 platform for desktop and laptop

Desktop and laptop devices tend to be more powerful than your smartphone or tablet, offering more storage capability and scoring higher on other key metrics. The extra capacity and power of the device enable you to get the most out of the software, as this was the operating environment it was originally designed for. Many users prefer to download MT4 on a PC or laptop device.

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Downloading the MT4 platform for smartphones and tablets

While MT4 was initially developed with the power and function of desktop devices in mind, it is now available in smartphone and tablet versions. These versions help traders enjoy a far more convenient experience, with market data and trading tools right in the palm of their hand, even when they are out and about.

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Understanding the different MT4 trading accounts

You will want to take some time to develop your experience and gain confidence using the platform. While there are never any guarantees with forex trading — and even more experienced traders can find that their positions are not always successful — learning how to trade forex carefully will help you make future strategic decisions. With this in mind, we offer two versions of the MT4 platform for download. Learn more about these below.

Downloading and using the demo version of MT4

The demo version of MT4 is the same as the full version. You’ll still be able to take advantage of all of the different features and tools built into the platform, and you’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills and experience in a meaningful way. The only major difference is that there is no real money changing hands. As this is just a demo account, you won’t be executing trades for real. Of course, this means there’s no potential for profit, but there’s no risk either.

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Downloading and using the live version of MT4

When you download the live version of MetaTrader 4, you gain access to all of the platform’s features, from indicators and other predictive tools to those used in active trading. In this sense, it’s almost the same as the demo version, only this version of MT4 supports live trades.

This means you can make money when you open and close positions on the live version of the platform, but there’s also the potential to lose money. Bear this risk in mind, and trade conservatively. If you decide to maximise your exposure in the market with margin trading or leverage trading on forex pairs, you will increase the risk level. 

The margin in FX refers to the amount of money you will need to put forward to control a position. Trading on the margin means you are essentially borrowing capital from the broker, which will need to be paid back. Leverage works similarly, maximising the stake you control and involves borrowing capital directly from the broker.

Only adopt these forms of trading if you are confident with using the MetaTrader 4 version you downloaded and after you have spent time learning forex and practising on the demo version of the platform.

Download MT4 and start growing your trading experience

We want to ensure that our users have access to all the tools and platforms they need to develop their experience as they trade forex. This is why we provide a roster of industry-leading software pieces designed to help traders open and close positions according to their unique strategies. 

There are always risks involved with this kind of trading, which is why it’s a good idea to practise using the features of MT4 after you download it. To do this, simply use the demo account, and enjoy all the features in a risk-free environment. When you feel ready, you can graduate to the live trading account and open positions for real. Want to learn more about our platform? Reach out to our team today.

What are the best forex pairs to trade? If only this question had a straightforward answer — it would make learning how to trade forex and speculating on currency movements far more reliable. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and deciding on the best currency pairs to trade is always a personal choice and depends exclusively on your own trading strategy.
However, examining the most traded currency pairs in the market can be helpful. This gives you some idea of the most liquid options when trading currency pairs and provides you with a wealth of data you can use to develop your future strategies.

EUR/USD — European Euro and United States Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair is the most traded in the market regarding volume and trading frequency. In forex trading, this high volume builds momentum, making the most frequently traded pairs very popular among currency speculators. This is because of the high liquidity of frequently traded pairs, which helps keep spreads tight. 

Traders must remain aware of actions from the European Central Bank and the United States Federal Reserve. These financial institutions set the interest rates that dictate the relative values of the currencies. If one institution increases interest rates relative to the other, that institution’s currency may grow in value — this will dictate whether the trader needs to open a long or short position.

USD/JPY — United States Dollar and Japanese Yen

The USD/JPY pair puts the United States Dollar in the base position and uses the Japanese Yen as the quote currency. This pair is sometimes referred to as the gopher, another highly liquid option for traders. The liquidity is supported by the proliferation of trading on the Japanese Yen in the Asian market — a huge portion of the global forex trading landscape. 

Again, the Federal Reserve sets interest rates on the USD, but the Bank of Japan dictates Japanese domestic rates. Traders will need to be aware of changes in these rates as they decide on their strategy for the USD/JPY.

GBP/USD — British Pound and United States Dollar

With the British Pound as the base currency and the United States Dollar as the quote currency, the GBP/USD pair is sometimes referred to as “cable” among forex traders. This is because of the long history of trading across the pair, and it refers directly to the wire cables that used to be utilised to execute transatlantic trades.

Traders must remain aware of the actions of the Federal Reserve in the United States and the Bank of England in London. Both of these factors will impact the performance of the GBP relative to the quoted USD value.

AUD/USD — Australian Dollar and United States Dollar

Traders may call the AUD/USD pair “the Aussie” simply because the Australian Dollar is in the base position, while the United States Dollar is the quote currency. While many other pairs use the Australian Dollar as the base currency, the AUD/USD is the most frequently traded and liquid, so this one receives the colloquial nickname.

The Reserve Bank of Australia determines the country’s official cash rate, so traders need to be aware of this in relation to the current Federal Reserve interest rate. The Australian Dollar also depends on the performance of the natural resources that bolster the country’s economy.

USD/CAD — United States Dollar and Canadian Dollar

The USD/CAD is another pair on this list, with the United States Dollar in the base position while the neighbouring Canadian Dollar takes the quote position. This pair may also be called “the loonie”, a nickname for the physical Canadian Dollar coin. 

In addition to the interest rates across the two nations, traders will need to be aware of the price of oil on the global market. This is an important influence on the Canadian economy and will affect the currency’s value relative to the United States Dollar south of the border.

USD/CNY — United States Dollar and Chinese Yuan

This currency pair puts the United States Dollar and the Chinese Yuan in the base and quote positions, respectively. As the two biggest economies in the world, the United States and the People’s Republic of China have a huge influence on the forex market, and this pair has grown to become one of the most frequently traded in the world.

The Chinese central government exerts control over the country’s economy and the value of its currency. It has intentionally allowed the value of the Yuan — sometimes referred to as the Renminbi — to depreciate relative to other global currencies. This makes the USD/CNY a unique pairing on this list, and the potential volatility of the pair has been compounded in recent years by the unfolding trade war and political tensions between the two countries.

USD/CHF — United States Dollar and Swiss Franc

When forex platform users are trading currency pairs, they may notice “the Swissie” — this is another name for the United States Dollar and Swiss Franc currency pair, or the USD/CHF.

The Swiss Franc is often considered a stable currency, so traders may be tempted to invest in the CHF during periods of uncertainty in the broader market. If the market is generally stable, traders are less likely to turn to the Swiss Franc. Despite this, the USD/CHF, or Swissie, remains one of the most traded currency pairs.

USD/HKD — United States Dollar and Hong Kong Dollar

One of the most traded currency pairs in recent years has been the United States Dollar and the Hong Kong Dollar, or USD/HKD. This is a somewhat unique entry on this list simply because of the relationship between the two currencies. The HKD quote currency is pegged directly to the USD base currency, which means the value of the quote currency will rise and fall with that of the base currency.

There is still room for speculation, however. The HKD can fluctuate by several cents up or down from the current United States Dollar value. When extrapolated out over larger trade values and volumes — or trades made with leverage in the FX market — this can still represent a significant level of fluctuation.

EUR/GBP — European Euro and British Pound

Bringing together the European Euro in the base currency slot, up against the British Pound in the quote position, the EUR/GBP currency pair is among the most interesting options around. This is because of the geopolitical and economic speculation that has taken place in this part of the world over the last few years. While Britain was never in the Eurozone, it was a member of the European Union until several years ago. Its recent exit has caused serious fluctuations in the relative values of the two currencies.

Of course, fluctuations and volatility do not always mean bad news for investors, and many traders will actively welcome this kind of movement in the market. This is why the EUR/GBP has become one of the most popular choices for speculation, although traders are always advised to tread carefully.

USD/KRW — United States Dollar and Korean Won

The tenth and final pair on this list of the most traded currency pairs is the USD/KRW. With this pair, we find the United States Dollar in the base currency position again, while South Korea’s Won fills the quote currency position.

Huge economic growth in South Korea in the last few decades, as well as its status as one of the leaders in the global tech market, has led to considerable interest in this currency. And, of course, the United States Dollar remains one of the most commonly traded currencies in the world, making for a natural base option.

A few things to bear in mind when trading currency pairs

The above list is not definitive. The market’s most commonly traded currency pairs can change at any time, with new pairs emerging and other pairs falling out of favour. As you decide on the best currency pairs to trade, you’ll need to pay attention to market movements, examine the dashboard of your trading platform and identify trends.

Examining the market means you’ll need to stay aware of pips. Pips in FX are small movements, typically at the fourth decimal place of the currency pair value. However, with smaller denomination quote currencies like the Japanese Yen or Korean Won, these movements may be at the second decimal place. While a single pip movement may not look like much, this can represent a significant amount of money on a large trade. Even on smaller trades, pip movements decide whether the position is successful or not.

Trade the main currency pairs at VT Markets

Here at VT Markets, we provide traders with the tools and platforms they need to grow their experience in the market. This may include trading with some of the common most traded currency pairs out there, or it may involve emerging and exotic pairs. Whichever strategy you choose, begin your journey with a demo account and open real positions on the live trading account. Want to discover more? Reach out to our team today.

The US will release the Non-Farm Employment Change and FOMC Meeting Minutes this week. 

The Non-farm Employment Change is expected to show a total of 220,000 jobs added in December, down from the 263,000 jobs added in November. Forecasters also expect the Unemployment Rate to remain unchanged at 3.7%. 

Meanwhile, the Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee will shed further light on policy intentions going forward.

Here are the key market events for the week ahead:

Swiss Consumer Price Index (4 January)

The Consumer Price Index in Switzerland stood at 0% in November of 2022, unchanged from the previous month. 

Analysts expect the index to decrease by 0.3% in December.

US ISM Manufacturing PMI (4 January)

The US Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index fell to 49 in November 2022 from 50.2 in October, its first contraction since May 2020.

Analysts expect the index to remain at 49.

US JOLTS Job Openings (4 January)

US job openings dropped by 353,000 to 10.3 million in October 2022, according to the JOLTS report. This may indicate that demand for workers has started to slow amid a softer economic forecast and higher interest rates.

Analysts expect that the number of available jobs will decrease more in November to 10.1 million.

FOMC Meeting Minutes (5 January)

In its last monetary policy meeting of 2022, the Federal Reserve raised the fed funds rate by 50bps to 4.25%-4.5%. This was its seventh consecutive rate hike.

The Fed expects that interest rates would reach 5.1% in 2023, 4.1% in 2024, and 3.1% in 2025.

ADP Non-Farm Employment Change (5 January)

The US private sector added only 127,000 jobs in November of 2022, below economists’ expectations.

Economists expect ADP Non-Farm to create another 150,000 jobs in December.

Canada Employment Change (6 January)

In November 2022, 10,100 jobs were added to the Canadian economy, while the unemployment rate stood at 5.1%, decreasing from the previous month’s rate of 5.2%.

Analysts predict that employment will grow by an additional 60,000 positions over the next month, with the unemployment rate to stand at 5.2%.

US Non-Farm Employment Change (6 January)

The US non-farm payrolls report for November showed an increase of 263,000 jobs following a downwardly revised 284,000 gain in October. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%, close to September’s 3.5%.

Analysts expect the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 3.7% while non-farm payrolls will increase by 220,000 for December.

US ISM Services PMI (6 January)

The US Institute for Supply Management’s Services Index jumped to 56.5 in November from 54.4 in October. It is expected to decline slightly to 53 in December.

American markets start trading today. Before Asia opened, U.S. equity futures surged. An economic data-packed week will start the year. ADP and the Department of Labor will report nonfarm employment change and first jobless claims during the late American trading session on the fifth. The December U.S. nonfarm payrolls and unemployment rate will be noted on December 6. German and EU CPI for December will be released on December 6, respectively.

In 2022, all three major U.S. market indices performed worst since 2008. Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 8.8% to 33147.25. S&P 500 fell 19.4% to 3839.5. Nasdaq plummeted 33.1% to 10466.88. Inflation and central bank tightening have caused one of the most volatile equity markets in recent years. Late-cycle economic activity—tight labour markets, increasing inventories, declining profit margins, and most importantly, tighter monetary policy—indicates an even gloomier investment climate for 2023.

Geopolitical conflicts will drive market action in 2023. Since March 2022, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has persisted. The Kremlin has faced unprecedented Western punishment for shelling Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The eight-month battle has disrupted supply chains, raising commodity prices, and weakened international relations. A resolution between the two countries will affect Eastern Europe’s economy and the Euro.

Main Pairs Movement

On the very first trading day of 2023, the Dollar index did not make the market surprised with huge floating based on last Friday’s close price. Instead, it failed to start in a positive way to 2023 as the DXY remained under pressure during the early Asian session on Monday near a seven-month low, which was near 103.40 by now.

EURUSD lost some vantages on the first trading day of 2023 due to thin liquidity conditions in the financial markets. It fell around 0.32% and closed at around 1.06640 price level. The release of S&P Global PMIs in the Eurozone on Monday failed to support the shared currency.

GBPUSD extends its daily slide trend, failing to keep price above 1.2050 of the closing price during Monday’s trading course. Amid thin trading conditions on the observed New Year holiday, the pairs’ losses remain limited for the time being.

Gold price settled around 1823.00 on last Friday after failing to surpass the same resistance despite a sell-off in the DXY. The precious metal delivered a gradual upside move from the psychological support of $1,800.00 after sheer pain in the USD Index.

Technical Analysis

EURUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The EUR/USD pair edged lower on Monday, remaining under bearish pressure and continued to trade in a tight channel below 1.0700 as trading conditions remain thin with major markets remaining closed during the New Year holiday. The pair is now trading at 1.0667, posting a 0.31% loss daily. EUR/USD stays in the negative territory amid holidays in the global markets, despite the downbeat prints of the US data has dragged the US Dollar Index (DXY) to refresh a seven-month low the previous day. On the economic data front, Wednesday’s latest FOMC meeting minutes and Friday’s December month employment numbers for the US will both be crucial for the EUR/USD traders to watch. In the Eurozone, the hawkish comments from ECB President Christine Lagarde failed to support the EUR/USD pair as Germany’s Finance Minister Christian Lindner expects that inflation in Europe’s biggest economy to drop to 7% this year and continue falling in 2024.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 51 figures as of writing, suggesting that the pair could experience some downside momentum as the RSI is falling towards 50. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price witnessed fresh selling and dropped to the moving average, therefore the downside traction should persist. In conclusion, we think the market will be bearish as the pair is heading to test the 1.0660 support line. On the upside, the case for recovery will be firmer if the pair extends gains above 1.0710.

Resistance:  1.0710

Support: 1.0660, 1.0584, 1.0467

GBPUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The GBP/USD pair declined on Monday, coming under modest bearish pressure and stretched lower to the 1.2050 area amid a cautious market mood on the first trading day of 2023. At the time of writing, the cable stays in negative territory with a 0.36% loss for the day. Investors grow increasingly concerned over the impact of the surging number of coronavirus cases in China on global economic activity as the country stays on the reopening path. For the British pound, British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak shelved the plans for a major overhaul of the childcare system aimed at saving parents money and helping them return to work. Moreover, British ministers think UK labour unions will run out of money and have to back down but the unions reject the claim. Therefore, the British labour strike and UK PM Sunak’s pushback to childcare reform join geopolitical concerns to exert bearish pressure on the GBP/USD pair.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 44 figures as of writing, suggesting the bearish traction will remain in the near-term technical outlook as the RSI stays below the mid-line. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price preserved its downside traction and dropped below the moving average, therefore a continuation of the bearish trend can be expected. In conclusion, we think the market will be bearish as long as the 1.2095 resistance line holds. A four-hour close above that level could open the door for additional gains and favour the bulls.

Resistance: 1.2095, 1.2212, 1.2334

Support: 1.2012, 1.1942

USDCAD (4-Hour Chart)

Despite most markets remaining closed on the observance of the new year’s holiday on Monday, the pair USD/CAD witnessed some upside momentum and climbed to a daily top around the 1.3580 mark in the early US trading session. USD/CAD is trading at 1.3572 at the time of writing, rising 0.23% daily. the lack of US and Canadian economic data keeps traders leaning on market mood and technicals. Investors now shift their focus to the S&P Global Manufacturing PMIs for both countries, with Canada’s PMI expected to drop to 49.2, below the previous month’s reading of 49.6. On top of that, the fears of easing demand, which is mainly due to the Covid fears emanating from China, might limit the upside for the crude oil prices and undermine the commodity-linked loonie. Looking forward, holidays in multiple markets could restrict the USD/CAD intraday moves.

For the technical aspect, RSI indicator 54 figures as of writing, suggesting the pair’s indecisiveness in the near term as the RSI indicator hovers around the mid-line. For the Bollinger Bands, the price regained some upside strength and climbed above the moving average, therefore a continuation of the upside trend could be expected. In conclusion, we think the market will be slightly bullish as long as the 1.3529 support line holds. The rising RSI also reflects bull signals as the oscillator has exited from the bearish territory.

Resistance: 1.3608, 1.3675, 1.3704

Support: 1.3529, 1.3497, 1.3399

Economic Data