Next 24 hours: It could get a lot uglier
Today’s report: Can't get away from the virus
US equities continue to do their thing, running up to fresh record highs. A lot of this has to do with the fact that the Fed continues to expand its balance sheet, and a lot of this has to do with a virus uptick in many countries outside of the US.
Wake-up call
- virus concerns
- PM Johnson
- record number
- new measures
- OIL drop
- virus restrictions
- Stocks vulnerable
- Dealers report
Peformance chart: 30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)
Suggested reading
- Valuations Are Extreme. Stocks Can Still Go Up, J. Authers, Bloomberg (June 28, 2021)
- The Little Hedge Fund Taking Down Big Oil, J. Aguirre, New York Times (June 23, 2021)
Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights
Choose pair:
EURUSD – technical overview
The market has been looking for a higher low since topping out in 2021 up at 1.2350. Ideally, this next higher low is sought out ahead of 1.1600 in favour of the next major upside extension back through 1.2350 and towards a retest of the 2018 high at 1.2555 further up.EURUSD – fundamental overview
Not much movement in the Euro to start the week, though there has been more selling than buying. Bunds saw their biggest decline in three weeks on Monday and European equities underperformed on renewed virus concerns. Looking ahead, key standouts on the calendar include UK mortgage approvals and consumer credit, Eurozone consumer confidence and sentiment reads, German inflation data, US Case Shiller, US house prices, a Fed Barkin speech, ECB Lagarde appearance and US CB consumer confidence.EURUSD - Technical charts in detail
GBPUSD – technical overview
Technical studies are in the process of consolidating from stretched levels after the push to fresh multi-month highs. This leaves room for additional consolidation, before the market considers a meaningful bullish continuation towards a retest of the 2018 high. But look for setbacks to now be very well supported into the 1.3500 area.GBPUSD – fundamental overview
Fear around an uptick in the coronavirus and doubts as to whether Boris Johnson would actually be able to deliver on restrictions being lifted by July 19th were behind a lot of the selling in the Pound that we saw on Monday. Looking ahead, key standouts on the calendar include UK mortgage approvals and consumer credit, Eurozone consumer confidence and sentiment reads, German inflation data, US Case Shiller, US house prices, a Fed Barkin speech, ECB Lagarde appearance and US CB consumer confidence.USDJPY – technical overview
The major pair has run into massive resistance in the form of the monthly Ichimoku cloud. This translates to a longer-term trend that is still bearish despite the latest run higher. Look for additional upside to be limited, with scope for a topside failure and bearish resumption over the coming sessions. It would take a clear break back above 113.00 to negate the outlook.USDJPY – fundamental overview
Virus cases have hit a record in Indonesia and Malaysia has gone ahead extending lockdown indefinitely. All of this is adding stress to financial markets in Asia and the risk off pressure is weighing on the major pair as a consequence. Looking ahead, key standouts on the calendar include UK mortgage approvals and consumer credit, Eurozone consumer confidence and sentiment reads, German inflation data, US Case Shiller, US house prices, a Fed Barkin speech, ECB Lagarde appearance and US CB consumer confidence.AUDUSD – technical overview
Technical studies have turned up in recent months, after the market traded down to its lowest levels since 2003 in 2020. There is evidence of a longer-term bottom following the latest push back through 0.7000, though at this stage, there is risk for a deeper pullback to allow for shorter term studies to unwind. Setbacks should now be well supported ahead of 0.7400.AUDUSD – fundamental overview
The Australian Dollar hasn't been able to escape the worry around the latest uptick in coronavirus cases. A whopping 70% of the Australian population is now back under restriction. All of this may of course force the RBA into being more cautious at next week's meeting. Looking ahead, key standouts on the calendar include UK mortgage approvals and consumer credit, Eurozone consumer confidence and sentiment reads, German inflation data, US Case Shiller, US house prices, a Fed Barkin speech, ECB Lagarde appearance and US CB consumer confidence.USDCAD – technical overview
Has been in major decline since topping out in 2021 above 1.4600. At this stage, with the decline now well extended, the market is likely to find solid support into the 1.2000 area ahead of a resumption of gains. Ultimately, only a weekly close below 1.2000 would suggest otherwise. Back above 1.2500 will strengthen the outlook.USDCAD – fundamental overview
The Canadian Dollar was under pressure on Monday and most of this came from the bearish reversal day in the price of OIL. OIL is showing signs of topping out after rallying to its highest levels since October 2018 and more weakness ahead could weigh more heavily on the Loonie. Looking ahead, key standouts on the calendar include UK mortgage approvals and consumer credit, Eurozone consumer confidence and sentiment reads, German inflation data, US Case Shiller, US house prices, a Fed Barkin speech, ECB Lagarde appearance and US CB consumer confidence.NZDUSD – technical overview
The market has been very well supported in recent months and there is evidence of a longer-term base. Look for setbacks to hold up above 0.7100, with sights set on a run back towards the 0.7500 area.NZDUSD – fundamental overview
The New Zealand Dollar has not been immune to the latest virus scare, with Wellington expanding virus restrictions. Looking ahead, key standouts on the calendar include UK mortgage approvals and consumer credit, Eurozone consumer confidence and sentiment reads, German inflation data, US Case Shiller, US house prices, a Fed Barkin speech, ECB Lagarde appearance and US CB consumer confidence.US SPX 500 – technical overview
Longer-term technical studies are looking quite exhausted and the market is showing signs of wanting to roll over after racing to another record high. Look for rallies to be well capped ahead of 4300, with a break back below 4000 to strengthen the outlook.US SPX 500 – fundamental overview
We're trading just off fresh record highs, and yet, with so little room for additional central bank accommodation, given an already depressed interest rate environment, the prospect for sustainable runs to the topside on easy money policy incentives and government stimulus, should no longer be as enticing to investors. Meanwhile, ongoing worry associated with coronavirus fallout and risk of rising inflation should weigh more heavily on investor sentiment into the second half of 2021.GOLD (SPOT) – technical overview
The 2019 breakout above the 2016 high at 1375 was a significant development, opening the door for fresh record highs and an acceleration beyond the next major psychological barrier at 2000. Setbacks should now be well supported above 1600.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 exhausted monetary policy, extended global equities, and coronavirus fallout. 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.