Flash: This week's key releases to watch - Nomura

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - The current week has started with some high decibels of volatility, especially in the Silver and Yen markets, and that is only the beginning as more first-tier risk events are due later this week.

Below is a quick list selected by Matthew Slade, FX strategist at Nomura, on the main events due out this week:

1. Australia’s RBA minutes (Tuesday 02:30 BST) – clarity on why rates were cut earlier than expected and whether another cut is imminent.

2. Japan’s BOJ (Wednesday) - No policy change is expected; market expectation is likely to be low as well.

3. FOMC Chairman Ben Bernanke speech (Wednesday 15:00 BST) – looking to see if comments curtail the rally in USD.

4. FOMC minutes (Wednesday 19:00 BST) – looking for color on timing and pace of a QE exit.

5. Euro area PMIs (Thursday 09:00 BST) – expect a broad based improvement versus last month

May 20, 2013

Recent technical break in AUD/USD amplifies downside risk – NAB

The Aussie has been under massive selling pressure in recent weeks, dropping just over 900 pips over the course of the previous two weeks and breaking some important technical levels in the process.

Bearish development on EUR/USD charts continue to take shape

It was a rough week for the EUR/USD, as continued speculation of the Fed tapering QE purchases and worries of economic growth in Europe continued to put pressure on the pair throughout the week. When all was said and done, the pair finished the week down 0.90% to close at 1.2838. Market participants will be focusing on a number reports this week including testimony from Fed Chairman Bernanke, as well as speeches by some regional Fed officials.