Dollar Sent Lower by Bernanke but Drawing Support from ISMDollar's

sell off resumes in early US session after comments from Bernanke which said that housing market's drag on the economy could persist somewhat longer than expected even though the slump has not spilled over into other parts of the economy yet. He said in his speech "The Housing Market and Subprime Lending" in the International Monetary Conference in South Africa via satellite that tighter standard is now required by investors and creditors will no doubt restrain housing demand in the subprime market and some near-prime borrowers may also be shut out. Regarding inflation, though, Bernanke still believes that risk is to the upside and economy will grow at near trend rate.

Dollar additionally pressured by speculation that the United Arab Emirates may be the next Middle Eastern country to end the dollar peg. Syria and Kuwait had recent announced that they would dump the dollar peg to curb rising import costs and inflation that was pushed up by rising costs of imports from Asia and Europe. However, much stronger than expected ISM non-manufacturing index, which rose to 59.7 in May versus expectation of 55.3, is providing some support to the greenback.

Euro, on the other hand was supported by solid Services PMI in May and IMF's raising of its forecast for the growth in the Eurozone economy from 2.3% in 2007 to around 2.5%. IMF also expects that the expansion will "continue apace" next year. Though, Apr retail sales missed expectation by growing 0.2% mom, 1.6% yoy only.

The Aussie remains firm too and took out this year high of 0.8390, reaching as high as 0.8406 so far, highest since Aug 90. Though RBA is widely expected to keep rate unchanged at 6.25% in the coming Asian session, expectation is still firm on another rate hike, probably in near term. Also, Aussie continues to draw support from carry trade. Q1 GDP will also be closely watched in the coming Asia session too and is expected to grow 1.0% qoq, 2.9% yoy.

USD/CHF Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.2233; (P) 1.2255; (R1) 1.2275

USD/CHF remains bounded in tight range today. Rebound from 1.2198 was limited at 1.2277 and lacks momentum to go further yet. As discussed before, it will take a break above 1.2306 resistance to confirm rebound from 1.1993 has resumed for 61.8% retracement of 1.2571 to 1.1993 at 1.2350. Otherwise, further retreat could still be seen towards 1.2124 cluster support (61.8% retracement of 1.1993 to 1.2331 at 1.2122).

In the bigger picture, previous break of 1.2282 cluster resistance (50% retracement of 1.2571 to 1.1993 at 1.2282) confirms that fall from 1.2571 has already completed at 1.1993 with bullish convergence condition in daily MACD and RSI. More importantly, this will increase the chance that USD/CHF is about to complete a medium term head and shoulder bottom formation (ls: 1.1919, h: 1.1878, rs: 1.1993). Sustained break of 61.8% retracement at 1.2350 and neckline resistance (1.2768 to 1.2571, now at 1.2347) will add more weight to this case. Stronger rally should then be seen to 1.2571 first and then 1.2768.

However, below 1.2124 cluster support (61.8% retracement of 1.1993 to 1.2331 at 1.2122) will indicate that rebound from 1.1993 has possible completed and save the case that recent choppy price actions could merely be part of a medium term triangle consolidation. And, down trend from 1.3283 should still resume after completing such consolidation in such case.