Back to betting on a Fed pivot

Next 24 hours: Currencies and stocks doing different things

Today’s report: Back to betting on a Fed pivot

The market is back to betting on a Fed pivot in the aftermath of a run of softer US economic data. Tuesday’s run of unimpressive US indicators was followed up on Wednesday with discouraging ADP and GDP reads and the market has reacted accordingly.

Download complete report as PDF

Wake-up call

Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights

EURUSD – technical overview

The Euro remains well supported on dips following a run to the topside through 1.1000. Any additional setbacks should be well supported ahead of 1.0500 in favor of a bullish continuation. Ultimately, only a monthly close back below 1.0500 would give reason for concern. Next key resistance comes in the form of the 2023 high at 1.1276.

  • R2 1.1066 – 10 August high – Strong
  • R1 1.0946 - 30 August high – Medium
  • S1 1.0766 - 25 August low – Medium
  • S2 1.0733 – 12 June low – Medium

EURUSD – fundamental overview

The Euro popped higher on Wednesday after German inflation data came in above forecast. Market odds for a September rate hike have now jumped to about 50% after sitting at 33% a week ago. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from German retail sales, an ECB Schnabel speech, BOE Pill speech, German unemployment, Eurozone inflation, the ECB Minutes, Canada current account and weekly earnings, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, initial jobless claims, Chicago PMIs, and an ECB Guindos speech.

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 2022. The November 2022 monthly close back above 1.2000 strengthens this prospect. Any setbacks should now be well supported ahead of 1.2500. Next key resistance comes in at 1.3143.

  • R2 1.2818 – 10 August high – Strong
  • R1 1.2747 – 30 August high – Medium
  • S1 1.2548 – 25 August low – Medium
  • S2 1.2487 – 12 June low – Medium

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound managed to run higher on Wednesday despite an awful run of UK lending data. It seems BOE rate hike expectations, broad based US Dollar selling and risk on flow have been more than enough to offset. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from German retail sales, an ECB Schnabel speech, BOE Pill speech, German unemployment, Eurozone inflation, the ECB Minutes, Canada current account and weekly earnings, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, initial jobless claims, Chicago PMIs, and an ECB Guindos speech.

USDJPY – technical overview

At this stage, it looks like the market is wanting to resume the bigger picture uptrend and head back towards a retest of that multi-year high from October 2022 up at 151.95. Look for any weakness to continue to be well supported on dips.

  • R2 148.00 – Figure – Medium
  • R1 147.38– 29 August/2023 high – Medium
  • S1 144.54 – 23 August low – Medium
  • S2 144.37 – 11 August low – Medium

USDJPY – fundamental overview

Overall, the Yen remains under pressure in 2023 on diverging monetary policy expectations between the BOJ and Fed. On Wednesday, the Yen was also seen lower on the back of weaker Japan consumer confidence reads. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from German retail sales, an ECB Schnabel speech, BOE Pill speech, German unemployment, Eurozone inflation, the ECB Minutes, Canada current account and weekly earnings, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, initial jobless claims, Chicago PMIs, and an ECB Guindos speech.

AUDUSD – technical overview

There are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base following the late 2022 surge back above 0.6500. Next key resistance comes in at 0.7284. Setbacks should continue to be well supported ahead of 0.6300. Only a monthly close below 0.6400 would give reason for rethink.

  • R1 0.6617– 10 August high – Strong
  • R2 0.6523 – 30 August high – Medium
  • S1 0.6364 – 17 August/2023 low – Strong
  • S2 0.6300 – Figure – Medium

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

Recent price action in the Australian Dollar is more reflective of broad based US Dollar weakness than anything else. The Australian Dollar has managed to recover despite a recent run of softer Australian data in the form of building approvals and inflation. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from German retail sales, an ECB Schnabel speech, BOE Pill speech, German unemployment, Eurozone inflation, the ECB Minutes, Canada current account and weekly earnings, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, initial jobless claims, Chicago PMIs, and an ECB Guindos speech.

USDCAD – technical overview

Above 1.3000 signals an end to a period of longer-term 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 1.3668 – 28 April high – Strong
  • R1 1.3640 – 25 August high – Medium
  • S1 1.3496 – 21 August low – Medium
  • S2 1.3373 – 10 August low – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

Better bid commodities, including solid demand for oil, along with renewed risk appetite in global markets have helped to open a recovery in the Canadian Dollar. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from German retail sales, an ECB Schnabel speech, BOE Pill speech, German unemployment, Eurozone inflation, the ECB Minutes, Canada current account and weekly earnings, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, initial jobless claims, Chicago PMIs, and an ECB Guindos speech.

NZDUSD – technical overview

Overall pressure remains on the downside with the market once again stalling out on a run up into the 0.6500 area. Ultimately, a break back above 0.6577 would be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside. A monthly close below 0.6000 would intensify bearish price action.

  • R2 0.6133 – 4 August high – Strong
  • R1 0.6025 – 11 August high – Medium
  • S1 0.5886 – 25 August/2023 low – Medium
  • S2 0.5841 – 10 November 2022 low – Medium

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar is doing its best to recover from yearly lows on the back of broad US Dollar selling, risk on flow and commodities prices demand. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from German retail sales, an ECB Schnabel speech, BOE Pill speech, German unemployment, Eurozone inflation, the ECB Minutes, Canada current account and weekly earnings, US personal income and spending, US core PCE, initial jobless claims, Chicago PMIs, and an ECB Guindos speech.

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 4600 will be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Next key support comes in at 4328.

  • R2 4541 – 4 August high – Medium
  • R1 4527 – 10 August high – Medium
  • S1 4328 – 26 June low – Medium
  • S2 4300 – Round Number – 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. Overall, we expect inflation to continue to be a problem in 2023 that results in downside pressure into rallies despite market expectations that would argue otherwise.

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. Next major resistance comes in at 2100, above which opens the next extension towards 2500.

  • R2 1988 – 20 July high – Strong
  • R1 1950 – 30 August high – Medium
  • S1 1885 – 21 August low – Medium
  • S2 1871 – 10 March high – 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.

Peformance chart: 30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)

Suggested reading

Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices or other information ("information") contained on this Blog, constitutes marketing communication and it has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Further, the information contained within this Blog does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) investment advice or an investment recommendation, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. LMAX Group has not verified the accuracy or basis-in-fact of any claim or statement made by any third parties as comments for every Blog entry.

LMAX Group will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the above information. While the produced information was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, LMAX Group does not provide any guarantees about the reliability of such sources. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at his or her own risk. It is not a place to slander, use unacceptable language or to promote LMAX Group or any other FX and CFD provider and any such postings, excessive or unjust comments and attacks will not be allowed and will be removed from the site immediately.