Hawkish ECB and BOE speak

Next 24 hours: Currencies bid, equities consolidate

Today’s report: Hawkish ECB and BOE speak

Monday was a relatively quiet day in financial markets and most of the news revolved around the headlines First Citizens Bank & Trust would purchase Silicon Valley Bank's loans and deposits.

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Wake-up call

Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights

EURUSD – technical overview

The Euro remains well supported on dips following a run to the topside through 1.1000 earlier this year. Any additional setbacks should be well supported ahead of 1.0500 in favor of the formation of the next major higher low and a bullish continuation. Ultimately, only a monthly close back below 1.0500 would give reason for concern.

  • R2 1.1034 – 2 February/2023 high – Strong
  • R1 1.0930 - 22 March high – Medium
  • S1 1.0713 - 24 March low – Medium
  • S2 1.0704 – 21 March low – Medium

EURUSD – fundamental overview

The Euro rallied on Monday, mostly on the back of a wave of hawkish ECB speak. Officials were quick to downplay the current risk in the banking sector and any signs of inflation cooling over the short term, instead more focused on the still longer-term risk of rising inflation and needing to address this risk. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from a BOE Bailey speech, US case shiller, the house price index, and consumer confidence reads.

EURUSD - Technical charts in detail

GBPUSD – technical overview

Signs have emerged of the market wanting to put in a longer-term base after collapsing to a record low in September 2022. The recent weekly close back above the September high at 1.1739 strengthens this prospect. Any setbacks should now be well supported ahead of 1.1500. Next key resistance comes in at 1.2668.

  • R2 1.2400– Figure – Medium
  • R1 1.2344 – 23 March high– Medium
  • S1 1.2167 – 20 March low– Medium
  • S2 1.2010 – 15 March low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The combination of BOE Bailey warning that inflation was still too high, while also reassuring UK banks are resilient, was a combination that resulted in GBP upside on Monday. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from a BOE Bailey speech, US case shiller, the house price index, and consumer confidence reads.

USDJPY – technical overview

The major pair has seen a nice recovery following the massive correction out from multi-year highs. Setbacks have finally been well supported ahead of 125.00 in the 127s thus far. At this stage, it looks like the market could be wanting to resume the bigger picture uptrend and head back towards a retest of that multi-year high from October 2022 up at 151.95. Look for any weakness to continue to be well supported in favor of higher lows along the way.

  • R2 135.12 – 15 March high – Strong
  • R1 133.00– 22 March high – Medium
  • S1 129.64 – 24 March low – Medium
  • S2 129.81 – 10 February low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

The Yen has continues to hold up well overall on positive Japan data and safe haven bid appeal. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from a BOE Bailey speech, US case shiller, the house price index, and consumer confidence reads.

AUDUSD – technical overview

There are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base following the late 2022 surge back above 0.6500. The recent weekly close back above previous support now turned resistance at 0.6682 strengthens the outlook for a bullish structural shift. Next key resistance comes in at 0.7284. Setbacks should be well supported ahead of 0.6500.

  • R1 0.6784 – 1 March high – Strong
  • R2 0.6760 – 22 March high – Medium
  • S1 0.6564– 9 March low – Medium
  • S2 0.6500 – Psychological – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar took a hit on Monday as metals prices cooled, but has already been in recovery mode on this Tuesday after Aussie retail sales came in better than expected. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from a BOE Bailey speech, US case shiller, the house price index, and consumer confidence reads.

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 1.4000 area. Setbacks should be very well supported down into the 1.3000 area.

  • R2 1.3900– Figure – Medium
  • R1 1.3863 – 10 March high – Medium
  • S1 1.3631 – 23 March low – Medium
  • S2 1.3555 – 3 March low – Strong

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar has been enjoying a bit of a resurgence in recent sessions on the back of a very healthy recovery in the price of oil. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from a BOE Bailey speech, US case shiller, the house price index, and consumer confidence reads.

NZDUSD – technical overview

Overall pressure remains on the downside with the market once again stalling out on a run up into the 0.6500 area. Ultimately, a break back above 0.6577 would be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside.

  • R2 0.6300 – Figure – Strong
  • R1 0.6295 – 23 March high – Medium
  • S1 0.6139– 16 March low – Medium
  • S2 0.6084 – 8 March low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The RBNZ's 2022 flood risk assessment for residential mortgages assessed bank capital ratios as resilient to the most severe sensitivities in the stress test. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from a BOE Bailey speech, US case shiller, the house price index, and consumer confidence reads.

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. A monthly close back above 4300 will be required at a minimum to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Next major support comes in at 3763.

  • R2 4198 – 2 February/2023 high – Strong
  • R1 4080 – 6 February high – Medium
  • S1 3806 – 13 March low – Medium
  • S2 3763 – 22 December low – 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. Overall, we expect inflation to continue to be a problem in H1 2023 that results in 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 1600 on a monthly close basis ahead of the next major upside extension. The recent break back above 1808 strengthens the bullish outlook. Next major resistance comes in at the record high from 2020 at 2076.

  • R2 2010 – 20 March high – Strong
  • R1 2000 – Psychological – Medium
  • S1 1804 – 28 February low – Medium
  • S2 1719 – 23 November 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.

Peformance chart: 30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)

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