Investors Desperate For Something New To Chew On

Special report: FOMC Preview

Today’s report: Investors Desperate For Something New To Chew On

Markets have grown exhausted trying to figure out what will be with Greece and the Fed policy outlook and this has been reflected in price action over the past several days. We haven’t really gone anywhere, though we could finally get a breakthrough today with the FOMC decision.

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Wake-up call

Chart talk: Major markets technical overview video

Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights

EURUSD – technical overview

The market has been chopping around a good deal in recent sessions since bouncing out from support at 1.0819. Still, while the price holds below 1.1467, the pressure remains on the downside, with a lower top sought out ahead of the next major downside extension below 1.0819 and towards the 1.0462 twelve year low from March. Only a close back above 1.1467 delays.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.22.37 AM

  • R2 1.1386 – 10May high – Strong
  • R1 1.1332 – 11Jun high – Medium
  • S1 1.1151 – 12Jun low– Medium
  • S2 1.1049 – 5Jun low – Strong

EURUSD – fundamental overview

Ongoing Greece uncertainty and some downbeat German and EMU sentiment readings have weighed on the Euro into Wednesday. Still, overall, the market really hasn’t gone anywhere at all, and participants seem content to leave things this way until after the FOMC rate decision later today. With US economic data picking up in recent weeks, there is plenty of reason to expect the Fed to lean further to the hawkish side, and if confirmed, this could open a fresh round of Euro weakness. Ahead of the the Fed event risk, the market will take in some EMU construction and inflation data.

GBPUSD – technical overview

A nice recovery for this market over the past several sessions, with the price surging back above 1.5500. Monday’s daily close above previous internal resistance at 1.5550 now opens the door for a continuation of gains and potential retest of the recent 2015 peak at 1.5815. At this point, a break and close below 1.5485 would be required to put the pressure back on the downside.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.22.52 AM

  • R2 1.5700 – 21May high – Strong
  • R1 1.5654 – 16Jun high – Medium
  • S1 1.5542 – 16Jun low  – Medium
  • S2 1.5487 – 15Jun low  – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound has benefitted from some relative outperformance in recent trade and the mostly as expected Tuesday CPI print could be contributing to additional upside into Wednesday. While the primary focus for the day is on the upcoming FOMC rate decision, there is plenty of reason to keep a watch on the UK market, with the BOE Minutes and UK employment due. Perhaps the Minutes will produce a return to form for some of the BOE hawks, while anything on the positive side out from the labour market, will likely open the door for additional Sterling demand, potentially back towards the current 2015 high against the Buck at 1.5815.

USDJPY – technical overview

Although the bullish structure remains firmly intact, following the recent break to fresh multi-year highs, the market has finally entered a period of healthy correction after stalling ahead of 126.00. Stretched studies are unwinding from overbought, with room for further weakness to 122.00. But any additional setbacks below 122.00 should be very well supported in favour of a bullish resumption.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.23.11 AM

  • R2 124.73 – 9Jun high – Strong
  • R1 124.13 –11Jun high – Medium
  • S1 122.45 – 10Jun low – Medium
  • S2 122.00 – Previous Resistance – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

Although we saw a narrowing in the Japanese trade deficit, the data was a bit misleading. A sharp pullback in exports was of concern and the sluggish external demand suggests there is a good chance the deficit will widen out down the road. Overall, the Yen hasn’t been doing much over the past several sessions, and it looks like this market is more focused on the upcoming FOMC rate decision. The Fed could very well lean more to the hawkish side today and if it does, it will likely open a resurgence in USDJPY demand.

EURCHF – technical overview

The market has finally leveled out after a multi-day drop out from the February high at 1.0815. From here, there is risk for recovery back towards 1.0815 in the days ahead, with any setbacks expected to be very well supported above 1.0400 on a daily close basis. A recent push back above 1.0525 strengthens the constructive outlook and should keep the pressure on the topside.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 10.39.11 AM

  • R2 1.0700 – 19Mar high – Medium
  • R1 1.0575 – 4Jun high – Strong
  • S1 1.0384 – 14May low – Medium
  • S2 1.0305 – 7May low – Strong

EURCHF – fundamental overview

All signs of progress in the Greece saga have once again faded and it appears Greece and its creditors will be back and forth into the final hour when everything will most certainly come to a head. Still, setbacks have held up rather well in the face of this news. Moreover, an ongoing SNB commitment to act to curb excessive overvaluation in the Franc should continue to support on dips.

AUDUSD – technical overview

Overall, the broader downtrend remains intact after the market stalled out ahead of 0.8200 several days back. Look for a medium-term lower top to now be in place at 0.8163, in favour of the next major downside extension back towards and eventually below the current multi-year base from early April at 0.7533. Any corrective rallies should be well capped ahead of 0.8000, while ultimately, only a break back above 0.8163 will delay the bearish structure.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.23.58 AM

  • R2 0.7934 – 20May high – Medium
  • R1 0.7819 – 3Jun high – Strong
  • S1 0.7677 – 12Jun low – Medium
  • S2 0.7598 – 1Jun low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The outlook for the Australian Dollar is quite negative at the moment, with a dovish RBA Minutes being followed up by a downbeat Aussie Westpac leading index. Throw in slumping iron ore prices, a cooling China and a general uneasiness surrounding the outcome for Greece and deeper setbacks are on the cards for the commodity currency. There has also been talk in recent days of the potential for additional cuts from the RBA. For now, the focus shifts to today’s FOMC rate decision.

USDCAD – technical overview

The market looks like it may finally have based out at 1.1920, putting in a meaningful medium-term higher low, ahead of the next major upside extension and bullish trend resumption towards the 2015 high at 1.2835. Recent setbacks should now be well supported in the 1.2200 area, after the market reached a short-term double top objective. Ultimately, only a daily close below 1.2150 would delay the constructive outlook.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.24.13 AM

  • R2 1.2442 – 9Jun high – Strong
  • R1 1.2351 – 15Jun high – Medium
  • S1 1.2202 – 10Jun low – Strong
  • S2 1.2129 – 29May low – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar hasn’t been doing much these past few days, with the currency settling into some consolidation along with the rest of the FX market. Some mixed US housing data didn’t really factor into trade and stability in OIL prices has also played a role in the directionless price action. Canada wholesale sales are due for release but aren’t going to have any influence with the FOMC rate decision upon us.

NZDUSD – technical overview

The recent break to fresh 2015 and multi-month lows confirms a medium-term lower top at 0.7744 and opens the door for the next major downside extension towards a measured move objective in the 0.6500 area. For now, the market will be focused on trying to establish below the psychological barrier at 0.7000, with the next key support level coming in to 0.6900. Any rallies should now be well capped below 0.7400.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.27.31 AM

  • R2 0.7100 – Figure– Medium
  • R1 0.7027 – 12Jun high– Strong
  • S1 0.6942 – 12Jun/2015 low – Medium
  • S2 0.6900 – Aug 2010 low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has been a standout underperformer in recent trade, following the completion of a material shift in the RBNZ monetary policy outlook, culminating with last week’s rate cut. A massive unwinding of Kiwi longs is underway and NZDUSD is now establishing below 0.7000 against the Buck, testing levels not seen since 2010. Deeper setbacks are projected, with macro players continuing to reposition to the short side, particularly with the risk correlated US equity market starting to show signs of rolling over. Looking ahead, there is plenty of risk for volatility with the FOMC rate decision being followed up by NZ GDP.

US SPX 500 – technical overview

The latest break to fresh record highs has stalled out, with the lack of bullish momentum suggesting the market could be exhausted at current levels and poised for a significant corrective decline. The recent close back below 2100 strengthens the bearish outlook and could open the door for deeper setbacks towards critical support at 2040 over the coming sessions. Ultimately, only above 2137 negates.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.27.43 AM

  • R2 2137.00 – 19May/Record – Strong
  • R1 2115.00 – 11Jun high – Strong
  • S1 2062.00 – 7May low – Medium
  • S2 2040.00 – 11Mar low – Strong

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

The equity market has failed to establish any meaningful bullish momentum after recently breaking to fresh record highs in May and could be at risk of forming a major top. A wave of solid first-tier US economic data, highlighted by an impressive US employment report and retails sales, have helped to solidify prospects for a sooner than later rate liftoff, and this reality is making it less attractive to be long equities at lofty levels. Clearly today’s FOMC rate decision will play a major role in direction, and if the Fed comes in on the hawkish side, this could open a more pronounced acceleration of declines.

GOLD (SPOT) – technical overview

The market has been very well supported on dips since recovering from the 2014 base. The price action suggests the market could now be poised for a fresh bounce in the sessions ahead, in an attempt to carve out a more meaningful longer-term base. Look for a break back above recent highs at 1232 to strengthen this outlook. Ultimately, only a daily close below 1170 will negate.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.28.02 AM

  • R2 1232.00 – 18May high – Strong
  • R1 1204.00 – 1Jun high – Medium
  • S1 1163.00 – 5Jun low – Medium
  • S2 1143.00 – 17Mar low – Strong

GOLD (SPOT) – fundamental overview

Despite recent setbacks, the GOLD market continues to show signs of demand on dips. Many investors already feel that with currencies across the board looking less attractive in a low yield environment, and with global equities looking vulnerable at record highs, there is no better place for capital allocation than GOLD. Dealers cite plenty of interest around $1170.

Feature – technical overview

USDSGD setbacks have been very well supported in the 1.3500 area and the market looks like it is in the process of carving the next medium-term higher low ahead of a bullish resumption. Look for a break back above 1.3629 to confirm and open the door for a retest of the 2015 high at 1.3937 further up. Ultimately, only a daily close below 1.3500 delays.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 4.28.15 AM

  • R2 1.3629 – 8Jun high – Strong
  • R1 1.3571 – 2Jun high – Medium
  • S1 1.3510 – 3Jun high – Strong
  • S2 1.3337 – 20May low – Medium

Feature – fundamental overview

Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports took a shot overnight and the unexpected drop in the data series has been weighing on the local currency. Lack of an upturn in European demand and a cooling off in China are major blows and will likely weigh further going forward. Otherwise, the currency is already at risk on the broader market themes of the Fed policy trajectory and Greece outlook. An expectation the Fed will lean more to the hawkish side later today has been driving yield differentials in the US Dollar’s favour, while another breakdown in Greece talks is weighing on risk correlated emerging market FX.

Peformance chart: Wednesday’s performance v. US dollar (7:45GMT)

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 10.37.31 AM

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