Oil Prices Declines Materially & Markets Await Non-Farm Payroll

USD
On Thursday, the Greenback declined once again vs. a basket of major currencies as risk appetite increased. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar waits the US Non-Farm Payroll (NFP), which will be released today, as the U.S. economy could add 185k jobs in April and the unemployment rate could increase to 4.6% from 4.5%.

Elsewhere, the House agreed yesterday to cancel key parts of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and replace them with new provisions. The vote, 217 to 213, which was one more "yes" vote than was needed for passage.

• The dollar index (DXY), which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, settled below 98.50, in anticipation of the U.S. non-farm payroll data.

Gold
The precious metal failed to pare its losses, despite a weak dollar (owing to increased risk appetite) and the decrease of political uncertainty in Europe. The precious metal fell to support level of $1,225 per ounce and could be affected widely by today’s non-farm payroll data as a higher than expected reading could push the yellow metal to $1,280.

EUR
Euro pared its losses yesterday backed by expectations that the independent candidate Emmanuel Macron will win the second round of France's presidential election on Sunday. Technically, the common currency could touch $1.10 against the greenback during the day, while moves remain subject to today’s non-farm payroll data.

Oil
Oil prices have fallen materially yesterday to their lowest since late November as worries about global oversupply erased most of the gains that followed OPEC's output cut deal. U.S. crude fell as much as 5% after OPEC delegates downplayed the chance that their organization and other producing countries would extend their output cut deal during their next meeting on 25^th May.

The most important economic events:

• USD Unemployment Rate (APR): (GMT 12:30) – Important – Forecast (4.6%) – Previous (4.5%).
• USD Change in Non-farm Payrolls (APR): (GMT 12:30) – Important – Forecast (190k) – Previous (98k).
• USD Fed's Yellen Speaks at Brown University: (GMT 17:30)

Disclaimer
The prices and news mentioned in this outlook are absolutely no guarantee of future market performance and do not represent the view of ICM Capital Limited. Financial markets can move in either direction causing profits to be made or complete losses to be incurred by the trader. Each trader must decide for themselves what their risk appetite is and ensure that correct risk management procedures are in place before placing any trades.