Considering the balance of risk

GBPUSD – technical overview

The market is in a correction phase in the aftermath of the run to fresh multi-month highs in 2021. At this stage, additional setbacks should be limited to the 1.3000 area ahead of the next major upside extension towards a retest and break of critical resistance in the form of the 2018 high. Back above 1.3835 takes pressure off the downside.

• R2 1.3525 – 26 January high – Strong
• R1 1.3468 – 27 January high – Medium
• S1 1.3358 – 27 December low – Medium
• S2 1.3339 – 23 December low – Medium

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound has held up relatively well against its peers, but hasn't been able to avoid weakness against the US Dollar in the aftermath of the hawkish FOMC decision. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German GDP, Eurozone confidence and sentiment reads, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, and Michigan sentiment.

USDJPY – technical overview

The longer-term trend is bearish despite the recent run higher. Look for additional upside to be limited, with scope for a topside failure and bearish resumption back down towards the 100.00 area. It would take a clear break back above 117.00 to negate the outlook.

• R2 116.36 – 4 January high – Strong
• R1 115.86 – 10 January high – Medium
• S1 114.47 – 27 January low – Medium
• S2 113.47 – 24 January low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

This week's Bank of Japan January meeting Minutes showed that several policymakers saw the need to keep easing in place and to communicate a firm stance on central bank policy. This stance has made the yield differential gap with the US Dollar that much wider in favour of the Buck, which has contributed to Yen weakness despite the risk off flow in global markets. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German GDP, Eurozone confidence and sentiment reads, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, and Michigan sentiment.

AUDUSD – technical overview

The Australian Dollar has been in the process of a healthy correction following the impressive run towards a retest of the 2018 high in 2021. At this stage, the correction is starting to look stretched and setbacks should be well supported above 0.7000 on a weekly close basis. A weekly close below 0.7000 will force a bearish shift.

• R2 0.7188 – 24 January high – Strong
• R1 0.7122 – 27 January high – Medium
• S1 0.7000 – Psychological – Medium
• S2 0.6991 – November 2020 low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar hasn't been able to avoid the wave of risk off flow in global markets in the aftermath of the more hawkish FOMC decision. We've also seen added downside pressure from the fallout in Chinese markets. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German GDP, Eurozone confidence and sentiment reads, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, and Michigan sentiment.

USDCAD – technical overview

Finally signs of a major bottom in the works after a severe decline from the 2020 high. A recent weekly close back above 1.2500 encourages the constructive outlook and opens the door for a push back towards next critical resistance in the 1.3000 area. Any setbacks should be well supported into the 1.2200s.

• R2 1.2814 – 6 January high – Strong
• R1 1.2750 – Mid-Figure – Medium
• S1 1.2560 – 26 January low– Strong
• S2 1.2450 – 19 January low – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

Earlier this week, the Bank of Canada kept its benchmark rate unchanged, raised its 2022 inflation forecast to 4.2% and said the Canadian economy is at full capacity. The central bank also signaled further hikes could be imminent, and Governor Macklem later said 'everyone should expect interest rates to be on a rising path.' Still, there were many expecting a hike on Wednesday and this left the overall tone less hawkish, which weighed on the Loonie, especially in the aftermath of a hawkish FOMC decision. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German GDP, Eurozone confidence and sentiment reads, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, and Michigan sentiment.

NZDUSD – technical overview

Setbacks have intensified in recent weeks with the market trading down to fresh multi-month lows. A recent breakdown below the 0.6700 area opens the door for a drop towards 0.6500 in the sessions ahead.

• R2 0.6728 – 24 January high – Strong
• R1 0.6702 – 26 January high – Medium
• S1 0.6550 – Mid-Figure – Strong
• S2 0.6500 – Psychological – Medium

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has been dragged lower to fresh multi-month lows on the back of broad based risk off flow and RBNZ policy divergence with the FOMC. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German GDP, Eurozone confidence and sentiment reads, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, and Michigan sentiment.

US SPX 500 – technical overview

Longer-term technical studies are in the process of unwinding from extended readings off record highs. The latest breakdown below 4,272 opens the door for the next major downside extension towards 3,500. Back above 4,612 will be required at a minimum to take the immediate pressure off the downside.

• R2 4527 – 19 January high – Strong
• R1 4495 – 21 January high – Medium
• S1 4220 – 24 January low – Strong
• S2 4200 – Round Number – Medium

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

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 in Q1 2022.

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.

• R2 1917 – 1 June high – Strong
• R1 1878 – 16 November high – Medium
• S1 1753 – 15 December low – Medium
• S2 1722 – 29 September 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 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.