Today’s report: Euro runs up on ECB chatter
We remain in a state of choppy consolidation into the end of the week, with no clear indication of the next big breakout. As things stand, the balance of risk has been leaning in favor of stocks and currencies into the end of the week.
Wake-up call
- ECB expectations
- house prices
- caught between
- Metals surge
- walks back
- RBNZ outlook
- Inflation headache
- Dealers report
Peformance chart: 30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)
Suggested reading
- For the Market's Winners, the Hard Work Starts Now, J. Authers, Bloomberg (December 9, 2022)
- China Restraining Russia Over Use of Nuclear Weapons, T. Griggs, Financial Times (December 9, 2022)


Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights
Choose pair:
EURUSD – technical overview
A break back above important resistance at 1.0200 suggests the market could be in the process of carving out a longer-term base after sinking to a multi-year low. Look for any setbacks to now be well supported ahead of 0.9900, with only a break back below 0.9730 to compromise the shifting outlook. Next key resistance comes in by previous support at 1.0635.EURUSD – fundamental overview
There is now speculation circulating that the ECB could go as much as 75 basis points next week and hike more than the Fed. This has resulted in a fresh wave of Euro demand into the end of the week. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar include US producer prices and Michigan sentiment.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. The latest weekly close back above the September high at 1.1739 strengthens this prospect. Any setbacks should now be well supported ahead of 1.1100. Next key resistance comes in at 1.2407.GBPUSD – fundamental overview
The Pound has held up well against the Buck on account of broad based US Dollar weakness. Still, we have seen some relative weakness on the back of a dive in the UK RICS house price balance back towards pandemic lows. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar include US producer prices and Michigan sentiment.USDJPY – technical overview
Longer-term technical studies are in the process of unwinding from severe overbought readings. Look for additional corrective price action back down towards the 130.00 area before the market considers the possibility of uptrend resumption. Rallies should now be well capped ahead of 140.00.USDJPY – fundamental overview
As we head into the end of the week, the Yen is stuck sideways between higher US rates and weak local data. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar include US producer prices and Michigan sentiment.AUDUSD – technical overview
There are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base following the recent surge back above 0.6500. The latest weekly close back above previous support now turned resistance at 0.6682 strengthens the outlook for a bullish structural shift.AUDUSD – fundamental overview
The Australian Dollar is better bid into the end of the week, getting help from a more hawkish leaning RBA communication and surging metals. Iron ore is up the highest since the early summer. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar include US producer prices and Michigan sentiment.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.USDCAD – fundamental overview
The Bank of Canada has walked back on its dovish communication from the policy decision. The central bank has since said inflation remains high and sticky and that it is prepared to be forceful if data surprises to the upside. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar include US producer prices and Michigan sentiment.NZDUSD – technical overview
Overall pressure remains on the downside with risk for the current recovery rally to stall out and form a lower top for the next major downside extension. A break back above 0.6469 would be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside.NZDUSD – fundamental overview
The New Zealand Dollar has held up well of late on more hawkish leaning RBNZ expectations, though has run into some selling pressure from this week's risk off flow. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar include US producer prices and Michigan sentiment.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 3492.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 Q4 2022 and Q1 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. This latest break back above 1808 strengthens the bullish outlook.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.