Illustrative example — not live member data
Definition
What is a Relative Strength Differential?
The MacroDrivers Relative Strength Differential is a proprietary measure of the macro distance between two currencies. It is calculated as the difference between the two Currency Strength Scores and expressed on a scale from -100 to +100. Positive values indicate the base currency has a stronger macro backdrop than the quote currency; negative values indicate the opposite. The differential is a structured analytical representation of relative macro strength — not a price prediction or a trade signal.
Why Relative Matters
A Currency Can Be Strong While Another Is Stronger
FX markets are inherently relative. Every currency pair involves two currencies, and a currency can have a strong macro backdrop while another is stronger still.
Many analytical approaches evaluate currencies in isolation — looking at each currency's own fundamentals without directly comparing them. This misses the relative dimension that drives pair behaviour. A currency with a score of +20 may look strong on its own, but if its pair partner scores +40, the relative picture is actually bearish for that pair.
MacroDriversTM addresses this by evaluating each currency within a common framework, then comparing them systematically. The Relative Strength Differential makes the macro distance between two currencies visible, comparable and trackable over time — so you can see where macro strength and weakness diverge most meaningfully.
The Full Pair Universe
28 FX Pairs, One Consistent Framework
MacroDrivers covers all 28 unique pair combinations generated from the eight supported major currencies — 7 majors and 21 crosses.
| Pair | Base | Quote | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | EUR | USD | Majors |
| GBP/USD | GBP | USD | Majors |
| USD/JPY | USD | JPY | Majors |
| USD/CHF | USD | CHF | Majors |
| USD/CAD | USD | CAD | Majors |
| AUD/USD | AUD | USD | Majors |
| NZD/USD | NZD | USD | Majors |
| EUR/GBP | EUR | GBP | Crosses |
| EUR/JPY | EUR | JPY | Crosses |
| EUR/CHF | EUR | CHF | Crosses |
| EUR/CAD | EUR | CAD | Crosses |
| EUR/AUD | EUR | AUD | Crosses |
| EUR/NZD | EUR | NZD | Crosses |
| GBP/JPY | GBP | JPY | Crosses |
| GBP/CHF | GBP | CHF | Crosses |
| GBP/CAD | GBP | CAD | Crosses |
| GBP/AUD | GBP | AUD | Crosses |
| GBP/NZD | GBP | NZD | Crosses |
| AUD/JPY | AUD | JPY | Crosses |
| AUD/CHF | AUD | CHF | Crosses |
| AUD/CAD | AUD | CAD | Crosses |
| AUD/NZD | AUD | NZD | Crosses |
| NZD/JPY | NZD | JPY | Crosses |
| NZD/CHF | NZD | CHF | Crosses |
| NZD/CAD | NZD | CAD | Crosses |
| CAD/JPY | CAD | JPY | Crosses |
| CAD/CHF | CAD | CHF | Crosses |
| CHF/JPY | CHF | JPY | Crosses |
Inside the Platform
What You Can Do With Pair Intelligence
See All 28 Pair Differentials
Every supported pair ranked by Relative Strength Differential, from largest to smallest macro divergence.
Identify Widening and Narrowing
Track whether a pair's macro differential is widening or narrowing over time — and how quickly.
Explore the Divergence Matrix
Visualise all currency combinations in one grid to spot where the largest macro divergences sit.
Compare Two Pairs Side by Side
Put two pairs next to each other to see how their macro backdrops differ.
Chart Historical Pair Scores
Use Score Explorer to chart how a pair's differential has evolved over time.
Set Pair-Level Alerts
Receive alerts when a pair's differential crosses a threshold or changes classification.
Common Questions
Pair Intelligence, Explained
How do you compare two currencies fundamentally?
Comparing two currencies fundamentally means evaluating the macroeconomic backdrop of each against a consistent framework, then measuring the difference. MacroDrivers does this through its proprietary Relative Strength Differential — the difference between two Currency Strength Scores — which produces a structured pair-level view on a scale from -100 to +100.
What is relative currency strength?
Relative currency strength is the comparison of one currency's macro backdrop against another's. A currency can have a strong macro backdrop while another is stronger still. MacroDrivers' proprietary framework evaluates each currency independently, then compares them to reveal where macro strength and weakness diverge most meaningfully across 28 FX pairs.
What is the Relative Strength Differential?
The MacroDrivers Relative Strength Differential is a proprietary measure of the macro distance between two currencies. It is calculated as the difference between the two Currency Strength Scores and expressed on a scale from -100 to +100. Positive values indicate the base currency has a stronger macro backdrop than the quote currency; negative values indicate the opposite.
Why is FX analysis relative?
FX is inherently relative because every currency pair involves two currencies. A currency can be strong in isolation but weak relative to another currency that is stronger still. Analysing currencies independently misses the relative dimension that drives pair behaviour. MacroDrivers addresses this by evaluating each currency within a common framework, then comparing them across the full 28-pair universe.
Start with EUR and USD
See Pair Intelligence in Action
Free members can explore the platform structure and see EUR and USD currency intelligence. Pair intelligence is a premium feature — upgrade to unlock all 28 FX pairs.