Currencies more worried than stocks

GBPUSD – technical overview

The market continues to be exceptionally well supported on dips below 1.2000. Unless we see a monthly close below 1.2000, we expect this to continue to be the case. Look for this latest break back above 1.2200 to strengthen the case for the establishment of a meaningful base.

• R2 1.2407– 16 June high – Strong
• R1 1.2294 – 1 August high – Medium
• S1 1.2004 – 5 August low– Strong
• S2 1.1890 – 21 July low – Medium

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound was knocked back for a third day as labor shortages commanded most of the attention. Heathrow has extended a 100k passenger cap to October 29th due to worker shortage, while GBP 60 million of food rots in fields. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from UK employment data, Eurozone trade, Eurozone and German ZEW reads, Canada inflation, US housing starts and building permits, and US industrial and manufacturing production.

USDJPY – technical overview

Technical studies are in the process of unwinding, with scope for additional correction in the days and weeks ahead. Look for additional upside from here to be well capped. Next key support comes in at 130.00.

• R2 135.59 – 8 August high – Strong
• R1 134.55 – 3 August high – Medium
• S1 131.74 – 11 August low – Medium
• S2 130.39 – 2 August low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

The Yen was mildly bid in Monday trade despite broad based US Dollar demand. The price action was attributed to haven bid from worry over a potential breakdown in the RMB, and to rising inflation pressures as reflected in Japanese GDP data. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from UK employment data, Eurozone trade, Eurozone and German ZEW reads, Canada inflation, US housing starts and building permits, and US industrial and manufacturing production.

AUDUSD – technical overview

Overall pressure remains on the downside despite the recent recovery and conditions remain quite choppy. A break back above 0.7284 would be required to take the pressure off the downside. Until then, scope exists for a lower top below 0.7284 and deeper setbacks towards 0.6500.

• R1 0.7200 – Figure – Medium
• R2 0.7137 – 11 August high – Medium
• S1 0.6870 – 5 August low – Strong
• S2 0.6800 – Figure – Medium

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar was hit hard in Monday trade, suffering from weak China data and a decline in metals prices. This has resulted in a repricing in RBA rate hike expectations from 50 basis points to 25 basis points. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from UK employment data, Eurozone trade, Eurozone and German ZEW reads, Canada inflation, US housing starts and building permits, and US industrial and manufacturing production.

USDCAD – technical overview

A recent surge back above 1.3000 signals an end to a period of bearish consolidation and suggests the market is in the process of carving out a more significant longer-term base. Next key resistance now comes in up into the 1.3500 area. Setbacks should be very well supported down into the 1.2500 area.

• R2 1.2985 – 5 August high – Strong
• R1 1.2934 – 15 August high  – Medium
• S1 1.2728 – 11 August low – Medium
• S2 1.2681 – 10 June low – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar was under intense pressure on Monday, taking a hit from softer economic data as reflected through home prices and manufacturing sales, while also getting hit from heavy setbacks in the price of oil. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from UK employment data, Eurozone trade, Eurozone and German ZEW reads, Canada inflation, US housing starts and building permits, and US industrial and manufacturing production.

NZDUSD – technical overview

Overall pressure remains on the downside despite the recent recovery and conditions remain quite choppy. A break back above 0.6577 would be required to take the pressure off the downside. Until then, scope exists for a lower top below 0.6577 and deeper setbacks below 0.6000.

• R2 0.6500 – Psychological – Strong
• R1 0.6469 – 12 August high – Medium
• S1 0.6271– 9 August low – Medium
• S2 0.6185 – 21 July low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar couldn't help but feel the pressure from the bearish sentiment towards the China outlook, with the currency coming under pressure in Monday trade. Of course, a concurrent pullback in commodities was also a factor. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from UK employment data, Eurozone trade, Eurozone and German ZEW reads, Canada inflation, US housing starts and building permits, and US industrial and manufacturing production.

US SPX 500 – technical overview

Longer-term technical studies are in the process of unwinding from extended readings off record highs. Look for rallies to be well capped in favor of lower tops and lower lows. Back above 4,310 will be required at a minimum to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Next major support comes in around 3,400.

• R2 4310 – 4 May high – Strong
• R1 4304 – 15 August high – Medium
• S1 4080 – 2 August low – Medium
• S2 4000 – Psychological – Strong

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

We've finally reached a point in the cycle where the Fed recognizes unanchored inflation expectations pose a greater downside risk than over-tightening. This is significant, as it means less investor friendly monetary policy that risks potential recession in the months ahead. We have seen an attempt at recovery in recent weeks, with softer CPI reads helping. But overall, we expect inflation to continue to be a problem that results in renewed downside pressure into rallies.

GOLD (SPOT) – technical overview

The 2019 breakout above the 2016 high at 1375 was a significant development, opening the door for fresh record highs. Setbacks should now be well supported above 1700 on a monthly close basis.

• R2 1880 – 13 June high – Strong
• R1 1815 – 4 July high – Medium
• S1 1700 – Round Number – Strong
• S2 1681 – 21 July/2022 low – Strong

GOLD (SPOT) – fundamental overview

The yellow metal continues to be well supported on dips with solid demand from medium and longer-term accounts. These players are more concerned about inflation risk and a less upbeat global growth outlook. All of this should keep the commodity well supported, with many market participants also fleeing to the hard asset as the grand dichotomy of record high equities and record low yields comes to an unnerving climax.