More profit taking and positioning than anything else

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 1.2000. Next key resistance comes in at 1.2338.

• R2 1.2289 – 24 October high – Strong
• R1 1.2176 – 25 October high – Medium
• S1 1.2069 – 26 October low – Medium
• S2 1.2037 – 4 October low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

UK business conditions improved on Tuesday, which helped to give the Pound a bit of a prop. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK PMI reads, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed policy decision late in the day.

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 152.00 – Figure – Strong
• R1 151.72 –  31 October/2023 high – Medium
• S1 150.00 – Psychological – Medium
• S2 148.80 – 30 October low – Stronger

USDJPY – fundamental overview

The Yen has fallen sharply in the aftermath of BOJ decision in which the central bank left interest rates unchanged, while tweaking the language on yield curve control, making 1% a reference cap. The takeaway here is that the market has come to the conclusion that the BOJ isn't really all that concerned about Yen weakness. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK PMI reads, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed policy decision late in the day.

AUDUSD – technical overview

There are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base with the market trading down into a meaningful longer-term support zone. Only a monthly close below 0.6200 would give reason for rethink. Back above 0.6523 will take the immediate pressure off the downside and strengthen case for a bottom.

• R1 0.6445– 11 October high – Strong
• R2 0.6400 – 25 October high – Medium
• S1 0.6270 – 26 October/2023 low – Medium
• S2 0.6170 – 13 October/2022 low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar has run into some selling pressure on Wednesday after China PMI reads came in below forecast and second tier Aussie data also disappointed. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK PMI reads, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed policy decision late in the day.

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 1.3900– Figure – Medium
• R1 1.3892 – 31 October/2023 high – Medium
• S1 1.3730 – 25 October low – Medium
• S2 1.3661 – 24 October low – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

Last week's dovish Bank of Canada decision opened material downside pressure on the Canadian Dollar, which sunk to a fresh yearly low. This has now been followed up by additional downside pressure after Canada GDP came in softer than expected on Tuesday. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK PMI reads, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed policy decision late in the day.

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 0.6049 would be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside. A monthly close below 0.5800 will intensify bearish price action.

• R2 0.5930 – 16 October high – Strong
• R1 0.5873 – 24  October high – Medium
• S1 0.5773 – 26 October/2023 low – Medium
• S2 0.5740 – 3 November 2022 low – Medium

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar is coming under some renewed pressure on Wednesday after New Zealand employment data came in on the softer side and China PMIs disappointed. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK PMI reads, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US JOLTs job openings, and the Fed policy decision 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 4600 will be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Next key support comes in at 4200.

• R2 4300 – Round Number – Strong
• R1 4267 – 24 October high – Medium
• S1 4098 – 10 May low – Medium
• S2 4048 – 4 May low – Strong

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

Investors continue to struggle with the reality of a higher for longer Fed policy track in the face of ongoing worry around inflation, while also contending with an escalation in geopolitical risk. 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 2071 – 8 March 2022/Record high– Strong
• R1 2010 – 27 October high – Medium
• S1 1954 – 24 October low – Medium
• S2 1908 – 16 October low – Medium

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 stable and 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.