Fed Minutes stand out on Wednesday calendar

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 1.2668.

• R2 1.2447– 14 December high – Strong
• R1 1.2243 – 19 December high – Medium
• S1 1.1993 – 22 December low – Medium
• S2 1.1900 – 30 November low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound managed to hold up relatively well on Tuesday, thanks to manufacturing PMI data that was upwardly revised. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from German and Eurozone services PMIs, UK consumer credit and mortgage lending, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed Minutes late in the day.

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 126.00 area before the market considers the possibility of uptrend resumption. Rallies should now be well capped ahead of 140.00.

• R2 138.18 – 15 December high – Strong
• R1 134.51 – 14 December low – Medium
• S1 129.00 – Figure – Medium
• S2 128.62 – 4 May low – Medium

USDJPY – fundamental overview

Increased speculation that the next BPJ Governor will be more hawkish has fueled a lot of the run we've been seeing in the Yen in recent sessions. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from German and Eurozone services PMIs, UK consumer credit and mortgage lending, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed Minutes late in the day.

AUDUSD – technical overview

There are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base following the recent 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.

• R1 0.6917 – 13 September high – Strong
• R2 0.6894 – 13 December high – Medium
• S1 0.6700 – Figure – Medium
• S2 0.6630 – 20 December low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

A run higher in metals prices has been behind a lot of this latest push in the Australian Dollar. Also helping the Australian Dollar is the news that Chinese officials are discussing plans to resume some imports of Australian coal after a two years plus ban. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from German and Eurozone services PMIs, UK consumer credit and mortgage lending, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed Minutes late in the day.

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 1.3809 – 3 November high – Medium
• R1 1.3706 – 16 December high – Medium
• S1 1.3484 – 27 December low – Medium
• S2 1.3385 – 5 December low – Strong

USDCAD – fundamental overview

Tuesday's slide in Canada manufacturing PMI data resulted in added selling pressure on the Canadian Dollar. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from German and Eurozone services PMIs, UK consumer credit and mortgage lending, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed Minutes late in the day.

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 0.6577 would be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside.

• R2 0.6577 – 3 June high – Strong
• R1 0.6514 – 13 December high – Medium
• S1 0.6231– 22 December low – Medium
• S2 0.6156 – 28 November low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

There hasn't been much going on out of New Zealand as we get going in the new year. Most of the price action here has revolved around correlations with broader market sentiment. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from German and Eurozone services PMIs, UK consumer credit and mortgage lending, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed Minutes late in the day.

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.

• R2 4000 – Psychological – Strong
• R1 3907 – 16 December high – Medium
• S1 3763 – 22 December low – Medium
• S2 3699 – 3 November 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.

• R2 1880 – 13 June high – Strong
• R1 1850 – Mid-Figure – Medium
• S1 1774 – 15 December low – Medium
• S2 1719 – 23 November 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.