EUR/USD: Trading the Non-Farm Employment Change

The US Non-Farm  Employment Change  measures the change in the number of employed people, excluding workers in the farming industry. A reading which is higher than the market forecast is bullish for the dollar.

Here are the details and 5 possible outcomes for EUR/USD.

Published on Friday at 1:30 GMT.

Indicator Background

Job creation is one of the most important leading indicators of overall economic activity. Thus, publication of employment  data, such as the Non-Farm Employment Change, is highly anticipated by the markets, and the release can change the direction of the US dollar. However, traders should treat this indicator with a great deal of caution  – the initial market reation to the release is often in the wrong direction, and the Friday effect must be kept in mind.

In February, the indicator  was up to 243K, its best numbers since May 2011. The market prediction  for  March is lower, at 208K. The indicator has easily surpassed the market forecast for the past two months – can it repeat a third straight time?  

The Greek debt  saga refuses to go away. There is growing suspicion that Greece will never get the promised  bailout funds, and the chances of a Greek bankruptcy announcement on March 23rd are rising.  Such worries continue to weigh on the euro. So, the sentiment is  bearish on EUR/USD towards this release.

Technical levels from top to bottom: 1.3437, 1.3333, 1.3280, 1.3212,  1.3150, 1.3050  and 1.30.

5 Scenarios

1. Within expectations:  202K to 214K: In this scenario, EUR/USD could show some slight fluctuation, but it is likely to remain within range,  without breaking any levels.
2. Above expectations:  215K to 221K: A reading above expectations would signal  improving economic expansion,  and could  push the pair  below one support  level.
3. Well above expectations: Above 221K: Another sharp rise in employment  numbers could propel  EUR/USD downwards, and two or more levels of  support  or more can be broken.
4. Below expectations: 195K to 201K: Such a scenario could pull the pair upwards, with one  resistance level at risk.
5. Well below expectations: Below 195K:  A poor reading is bearish for the dollar, and EUR/USD could break two  or more  resistance levels.

For more on the euro, see the  EUR/USD forecast.