Some people think the forex market is a mysterious creature that cannot be tamed. Yes, it’s tough, but that doesn’t mean it’s a fool’s errand to try and predict the future prices of currency pairs. The forex market is undoubtedly the most liquid market, governed by endless factors, with diverse participants with varying objectives.
Although there is no such thing as a sure thing in the forex market, some currency pairs are more predictable than others, especially when using specific analytical methods. This article explores some of the most predictable currency pairs currently and how you can forecast the next trend.
The most predictable currency pairs are:- EUR/USD
- USD/JPY
- AUD/USD
How to predict currency pair prices
An excellent technique to predict currency pair prices is to use leading indicators rather than lagging indicators.
Leading indicators are a category of analytical tools that predict future prices. Although leading indicators can help predict moves before they happen, they tend to generate more false positives than less sensitive lagging indicators.
Another well-known method to forecast potential market moves is through analyzing correlations. Some currency pairs are correlated with other currencies, commodities, and other asset classes.
Correlation is the positive, negative, or neutral relationship between different instruments. For example, if stocks rise and EUR/USD falls, it means the dollar is positively correlated with stocks.
New forex traders quickly learn about technical and fundamental analysis principles but overlook that each currency pair has a unique profile and will respond well to some strategies and poorly to others. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to predict currency pair prices.
Euro vs United States dollar (EUR/USD)
The EUR/USD pair remains the most traded currency pair, accounting for over 20% of daily forex transactions. Its high liquidity and the economic stability of the Eurozone and the United States make it a favorite among traders.
Predictable characteristics of EUR/USD
- The EUR/USD pair is influenced by macroeconomic factors such as interest rates set by the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve. Traders often look at economic indicators like GDP growth, employment rates, and inflation to predict movements.
- Political stability and economic policies in the Eurozone and the US also impact the pair’s predictability. For instance, changes in trade policies or geopolitical tensions can lead to significant fluctuations.
United States dollar vs Japanese yen (USD/JPY)
USD/JPY continues to be a staple in forex markets, representing approximately 13.34% of trades. Traders are attracted to USD/JPY for its high liquidity and lower spreads, making it suitable for short-term trading strategies such as scalping, day trading, and swing trading.
Predictable characteristics of USD/JPY
- The Japanese yen is negatively correlated with the price of oil. Japan is the 4th largest oil consumer, yet, based on its current consumption rate, the country would consume its entire oil reserve in just eleven days. Oil, gas, and coal made up a significant portion of Japan’s imports. Since the country is heavily dependent on oil and gas imports, whenever the price of energy commodities increases, the Japanese economy not just suffers, but more yen needs to be sold for dollars to buy oil. Meanwhile, the USA is a significant producer of crude oil and natural gas, which benefits when oil prices rise. As the value of the yen decreases and the value of the US dollar increases when oil increases, this correlation can be one way to predict the price of USD/JPY.
- As USD/JPY contains two of the most traded currencies from markets in opposite time zones, you’ll often notice more buying pressure during the Tokyo session and more selling pressure during the New York session. Volume indicators such as relative strength index (RSI) and momentum indicators such as Bollinger bands help predict when USD/JPY trends are about to emerge.
Australian dollar vs United States dollar (AUD/USD)
As we already know, the US dollar is the world’s reserve currency, and the majority of assets, such as commodities, stocks, and ETFs, are primarily quoted in USD.
The US dollar is generally harder to predict due to the overwhelming number of influences impacting the currency. The Australian dollar is far more predictable.
- Australia is the world’s second-largest gold producer, according to the World Gold Council. When gold prices increase, it’s a catalyst for the Australian dollar to rise against its counterpart.
- The Australian economy is linked closely with the Chinese economy due to the relative proximity of the two massive countries. Australia is the largest producer of important minerals such as Iron Ore and Lithium. Iron is essential for China’s massive infrastructure projects, and Lithium is necessary to develop rechargeable batteries used in the electronic devices manufactured in China. As the Chinese economy grows, experts predict the Australian dollar will strengthen soon after.
- Australia has one of the lowest economic complexities, ranked 81st globally, whereas the USA is ranked 10th. The Australian dollar is susceptible to volatile breakouts making the support and resistance technique a great prediction tool for AUD/USD.
FAQ
What makes a currency pair predictable?
A currency pair is considered predictable if its price movements can be anticipated based on historical data, economic indicators, and correlations with other financial instruments. Predictability often depends on the stability of the economies involved and the availability of reliable data.
How does economic data affect currency pair predictability?
Economic data such as GDP growth, employment rates, and inflation can significantly impact currency pair predictability. These indicators provide insights into the economic health of a country, influencing investor sentiment and currency demand.
Why is EUR/USD considered the most traded pair?
EUR/USD is the most traded currency pair due to the economic size and influence of the Eurozone and the United States. The pair’s high liquidity and tight spreads make it attractive for traders globally.
What role do geopolitical events play in currency pair predictability?
Geopolitical events can cause significant volatility in currency markets, affecting predictability. Events such as elections, trade negotiations, and conflicts can lead to sudden shifts in currency values.
Conclusion
Advanced traders tend to develop trading strategies for specific trading pairs and optimize according to their characteristics.
There isn’t a one size fits all approach to the forex market, and your ability to forecast prices depends not just on their pair, but also the time of the day and the timeframe used for analysis.
This article should have given you an introduction and inspiration to predict currency pair price movements with your own techniques.
About This Article
Author: Mark ProszSources of information and credits for this post include:
Leading Indicators Currency Pairs Correlation Strategy BIS Forex Statistics Gold Mining Production Volumes Mining in Australia Economic Complexity Index Swiss Franc Peg ScrappedAbout This Article
Author: Mark Prosz
Sources of information and credits for this post include:
[1] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/leadingindicator.asp
[2] https://fxssi.com/currency-pairs-correlation-strategy
[3] https://www.bis.org/statistics/rpfx19_fx.htm
[4] https://www.gold.org/download/file/7593/Gold-Mining-Production-Volumes-Data.xlsx
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Australia
[6] https://oec.world/en/rankings/eci/hs6/hs96
[7] https://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/15/swiss-franc-sours-stocks-tank-as-euro-peg-scrapped.html
