Forex Strength and Comparison Week 37 / 2017: FXTA

In the Currency Strength table, the CAD was again the strongest currency while the USD was the weakest. There were some significant changes last week with the CHF gaining 3 points, the USD losing 4 points and the AUD losing 2 points. The other currencies remained around the same level of last week with a maximum change in the strength of just 1 point.
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13 Weeks Currency Score Strength

The 13 Weeks Currency Strength and the 13 Weeks Average are provided here below. This data and the “13 weeks Currency Classification” are considered for deciding on the preferred range. Because it is not ideal nor desired to change the range for a currency every single week, we perform several checks to avoid this.

  1. First of all the strength over a period of the last 13 weeks is considered. See each row for more information.
  2. Next, the 13 weeks average is considered, see the last row called “Avg. 13 wks.”
  3. The number of weeks that a currency was stronger than another currency can also be considered.
  4. The Technical Analysis (TA) Charts for each Time Frame could also be consulted.

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Average 13 wks. Score

When looking at the Average 13 wks. Score we can see the currencies grouped together according to their classification. There may be some doubt and in that case it could be a currency thatwill change its classification in the coming weeks. The NZD is such a currency being a Strong currency and showing a lot of weakness in the last 5 weeks.

  • Strong – We can see that the EUR, AUD, NZD and the CAD are clearly grouped together as Strong currencies around an Average 13 wks. Score of 6.
  • Neutral – The JPY and CHF are grouped together around an Average 13 wks. Score of 4.
  • Weak – The USD and GBP are grouped together around an Average 13 wks. Score of 2.

The CAD is the strongest currency and continues to deliver high Scores while the NZD being a Strong currency is showing weakness in the last 5 weeks. The Average 13 wks. Score is getting closer to 5 than 6 where the other Strong currencies are grouped.
The CHF gained a lot of strength last week but is clearly too far from the Strong currencies and will still remain a neutral currency for a while.
The USD lost a lot of strength last week and is now very close becoming the Weakest currency of all. This is still the GBP but the difference is now just 0,769 points.

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Classification review

This week we take a look at the Strong currencies. The most striking is the performance of the NZD. It went down very fast and now has a Score of 2 which is in the range of the Weak currencies.
The AUD and EUR are stable showing just a slight fluctuation and the CAD had a dip 5 weeks ago but since then it is the strongest currency for 5 weeks in a row. Below you can see the Weekly Currency Score Chart with the 6 months’ data as a reference.


For analyzing the best pairs to trade looking from a longer-term perspective the last 13 weeks Currency Classification can be used in support.
This was updated on 3 September 2017 and is provided here for reference purposes:
Strong: EUR, AUD, NZD and CAD. The preferred range is from 5 to 8.
Neutral: JPY and CHF. The preferred range is 3 to 4.
Weak: USD and GBP. The preferred range is from 1 to 2.

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Currency Score Comparison

“Comparison table” and the “Ranking and Rating list”

The Forex Currency Comparison Table compares each currency with its counterpart based on the Currency Score. For more information about the currency Score of this week, you can read the article “Forex Ranking, Rating and Score” which is published every week together with this article.
By using the comparison table directly below you can get a view without the volatility and statistics as opposed to the “Ranking and Rating list”. Only the strength of each currency against the counterparts is analyzed by using the Technical analysis charts of the 4 Time Frames that are also used for the “Ranking and Rating List”.
The information from the Comparison Table is the source for calculating the “Ranking and Rating List” where this list additionally uses the volatility and statistics for creating the best and worst performer in the list from number 1 to 28.

The information is published once a week and be aware that rates change during this period. The mentioned scores also change and different opportunities may show up. There are many ways to follow the rate changes. This can be done e.g. by looking at the charts and checking e.g. the Ichimoku and/or MACD in the Weekly and Daily chart. There are also many tools, apps and websites where the movement of trading rates of currencies is shown in different automated ways. This may be in pips or through percentage differences or by comparing the values of indicators like the RSI, Moving Averages, MACD, Ichimoku etc. On my blog a Heatmap is available that can be of use also.

“Comparison table” and the “Currency Score Chart”

The additional value of this table compared to the Currency Score table is that the Comparison Table compares the strength between the currencies of each pair. By subtracting the strength of the weaker currency from the stronger currency we have a way to compare each pair combination.
The comparison table provides a way to compare currencies from a longer-term perspective of 13 weeks and also simultaneously taking the current trend into account. By coloring the currencies in the X and Y axis according to their Classification we can show what the best combinations are.

Comparison table Guide

  1. First of all better-classified currencies in combination with weaker-classified currencies can always be traded and vice versa. The Currency Score difference may be negative. In that case, the trade should be made after a pullback. In other words, a trade can then only take place after a recovery and the main trend being confirmed again.
  2. Second, only equally classified currencies are approved when there is a positive Currency Score difference. Also here, the trend has to be confirmed again.
    The difference between point 2 and 1 is that the long trend is not clear with 2 equally qualified currencies because that pair is in a sideway market. For that reason, the Currency Score difference cannot have a negative difference. A positive difference confirms the momentum for a short revival.
  3. Third, only Neutral currencies are Approved against a better-classified currency when there is a Currency Score difference of at least +4. In the case of a currency worse classified, the Currency Score difference has to be at least -4.
    The above-mentioned situations applicable to this point may happen when there is a clear reversal and the chart is showing a new trend with good entries in the new direction. The difference between point 3 and the previous 2 points is that with point 3 a reversal in the whole market is possible when looking at all the currencies together. This gives a better chance when a trend reversal takes place compared to point 1 and 2!
  4. By preference, each currency should be selected for a trade with a score difference as far apart from each other as possible in the range from 1 to 8. However, these opportunities are rare and for that reason point 1 offers flexibility and is the best choice to trade, point 2 is the second best and point 3 is the third best choice.
  5. The classification of the currencies in question may change in the longer term. Even though currencies may be in the same category a currency may be in a weaker/stronger period and may even change its classification in the future. See the current classification for the coming period at the beginning of this article.

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Putting the pieces together

Based on the last “13 Weeks currency classification” and the “Currency Comparison Table” the most interesting currencies for going long seem to be the:
CAD, EUR, CHF and AUD.
These are Strong or Neutral currencies from a longer term perspective when looking at the last “13 Weeks currency classification”.

For going short the same analysis can be done and the following currencies seem to fit best:
USD and JPY.
These are Weak or Neutral currencies from a longer term perspective.

Currencies with a high deviation seem less interesting to trade because they are less predictable. A good example now is/are e.g. the:
NZD and GBP.

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Besides this article, I also use the Forex “Ranking, Rating and Score” which is also available once a week on my blog. In the article “Ranking, Rating and Score” we look in more detail at the absolute position of the currencies and pairs.

It is recommended to read the page “Currency score explained”, “Introduction to the FxTaTrader Forex Models” and “Statistics and Probabilities” for a better understanding of the article. If you would like to use this article then mention the source by providing the URL FxTaTrader.com or the direct link to this article. Good luck in the coming week.

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DISCLAIMER: The articles are my personal opinion, not recommendations, FX trading is risky and not suitable for everyone. The content is for educational purposes only and is aimed solely for the use by ‘experienced’ traders in the FOREX market as the contents are intended to be understood by professional users who are fully aware of the inherent risks in forex trading. The content is for ‘Forex Trading Journal’ purpose only. Nothing should be construed as a recommendation to purchase any financial instruments. The choice and risk are always yours. Thank you.

The Top 10 of the Ranking and Rating list for the coming week shows the following stronger currencies being well represented for going long: the CAD(4X) followed by the EUR(2X) with the CHF(2X) and the AUD(2X). The weaker currencies are the USD(4X) followed by the NZD(3X).
By diversifying a nice combination can be traded in the coming week like e.g.:

  • USD/CAD with the EUR/NZD
  • EUR/USD with the NZD/CAD

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Ranking and Rating list

Analysis based on TA charts for all the major currency pairs. Good luck to all. No advice, just info. Every week the Forex ranking rating list will be prepared for the weekend. All the relevant Time Frames will be analyzed and the ATR and Pip value will be set.

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For analyzing the best pairs to trade looking from a longer-term perspective the last 13 weeks Currency Classification can be used in support.
This was updated on 3 September 2017 and is provided here for reference purposes:
Strong: EUR, AUD, NZD and CAD. The preferred range is from 5 to 8.
Neutral: JPY and CHF. The preferred range is 3 to 4.
Weak: USD and GBP. The preferred range is from 1 to 2.

When comparing the 13 weeks Currency Classification with the pairs mentioned in the Ranking List above some would then become less interesting. On the other hand, these pairs are at the top of the list partly also because of their volatility. It seems best to take positions for a short period then and take advantage of the high price movements.
With the FxTaTrader Strategy, these pairs are not traded because these would be trades in the 4 Hour chart or in a lower Time Frame. Nevertheless, they may offer good chances for the short term trader.

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Currency Score Chart

The Currency Score analysis is one of the parameters used for the Ranking and Rating list which is published also in this article. The Currency Score is my analysis on the 8 major currencies based on the technical analysis charts using the MACD and Ichimoku indicator on 4 Time Frames: the monthly, weekly, daily and 4 hours. The result of the technical analysis is the screenshot here below.

When comparing the 13 weeks Currency Classification with the recent Currency Score, as provided in the image above, we can determine the deviations. In the article “Forex Strength and Comparison” this is analyzed in more detail.

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Chart of the Week

The Chart for this week is the AUD/USD 4 Hour chart.
Price is clearly in an uptrend and made a high lately. It is now consolidating below that level and around the Tenkan-Sen. It may continue to consolidate in the coming period and show a little more weakness towards the Kijun-Sen or a bit lower.

  1. A nice buy opportunity would be around the level of the Kijun-Sen at 0.8032 and the Nr. 1 yellow dotted line at 0.8000. This seems to be a support where price had difficulties to break through.
  2. The target should be below the latest Open and Close of the highest bars lately at 0.8105.
  3. The MACD is looking fine and as long as it does not cross the Zero line at remains positive the set-up remains valid. By preference the MACD minus Signal (Blue and Red bars) should show a recovery in case of red bars or increasing strength in case of blue bars.

The Daily chart should remain as it is with the PSAR remaining Long and a possible pullback not going lower than the level discussed in point 1 here above.
The price will then remain around the Tenkan-Sen on a possible pullback and still have enough momentum to continue the uptrend again.

  • This is a pair that fits best in Point 1 of the Comparison Table Guide which you can also read here below.
    • Better-classified currencies in combination with weaker-classified currencies can always be traded and vice versa. The Currency Score difference may be negative. In that case, the trade should be made after a pullback. In other words, a trade can then only take place after a recovery and the main trend being confirmed again.
  • The AUD is a Strong currency and the USD a Weak currency. The Currency Score Difference is 5.

For more information about the “Comparison Table Guide” read my other Weekly article called the “Forex Strength and Comparison”.

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Besides this article, I also use the Forex “Strength and Comparison” which is also available once a week on my blog. In that article, we look in more detail at the relative position of the currencies and pairs. We will look in more detail at the interesting pairs from a longer term perspective for trading in the Daily and Weekly chart. We will use the information from this article, “Ranking, Rating and Score”, and analyze it further in more detail.

It is recommended to read the page “Currency score explained”, “Introduction to the FxTaTrader Forex Models” and “Statistics and Probabilities” for a better understanding of the article. If you would like to use this article, then mention the source by providing the URL FxTaTrader.com or the direct link to this article. Good luck in the coming week.

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DISCLAIMER: The articles are my personal opinion, not recommendations, FX trading is risky and not suitable for everyone. The content is for educational purposes only and is aimed solely for the use by ‘experienced’ traders in the FOREX market as the contents are intended to be understood by professional users who are fully aware of the inherent risks in forex trading. The content is for ‘Forex Trading Journal’ purpose only. Nothing should be construed as a recommendation to purchase any financial instruments. The choice and risk are always yours. Thank you.

Source: FxTaTrader

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