Today’s report: All eyes on Friday's US core PCE
Thursday’s US Q4 GDP beat was offset by a larger than expected decline in the price index component and below forecast durable goods and jobless claims. In the end, the US Dollar comes into Friday relatively flat.
Wake-up call
- dovish ECB
- awful round
- headline CPI c
- China stimulus
- Oil rallies
- global sentiment
- inflation risk
- Macro themes
Peformance chart: 30-Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)
Suggested reading
- 10 Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy for the Long Term, M. Giles, Morningstar (January 23, 2024)
- Amid Market 2nd Guessing, Turmoil Not Abnormal, Fisher Investments (January 23, 2024)
Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights
Choose pair:
EURUSD – technical overview
The Euro has been in a multi-month consolidation since bottoming out in 2022. Setbacks have since been exceptionally well supported on dips below 1.0500, with a higher platform sought out ahead of the next major upside extension. Look for a push through the 2023 high at 1.1276 to strengthen the constructive outlook and extend the recovery run towards 1.2000. Only back below 1.0400 negates.EURUSD – fundamental overview
The Euro came under added pressure on Thursday after the more dovish leaning ECB communication. The central bank left rates on hold as expected but flagged stagnating growth while signaling a summer rate cut. Traders are now pricing a more aggressive and near certain odds for an April rate cut. Adding insult to injury was the weak German IFO data. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German consumer confidence, US core PCE, and US pending home sales.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 1.2000. Next key resistance comes in at 1.2849.GBPUSD – fundamental overview
The Pound came under some pressure on Thursday after an awful round of CBI numbers. CBI reported sales dove to match post-pandemic lows at -50 from -32 previous. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German consumer confidence, US core PCE, and US pending home sales.USDJPY – technical overview
The market remains confined to a strong uptrend, with sights set on a retest and break of the multi-year high from 2022 at 151.95. A push through this level will open the next major upside extension towards 155.00. Key support comes in at 140.00, with only a weekly close below to delay the constructive outlook.USDJPY – fundamental overview
A softer round of Tokyo headline CPI has contributed to Yen selling on Friday. We also saw Japan services PMIs come in lower though this data matched expectation. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German consumer confidence, US core PCE, and US pending home sales.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 0.6900 will take the big picture pressure off the downside and strengthen case for a bottom.AUDUSD – fundamental overview
Stronger Aussie PMIs, news of the China stimulus, and ongoing demand for US and global equities have helped to keep the Australian Dollar propped up into the end of week. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German consumer confidence, US core PCE, and US pending home sales.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.USDCAD – fundamental overview
The Canadian Dollar certainly took notice to the rally in the price of oil to highest level since late November. This along with a run up in the CFIB business barometer allowed the currency to trade higher on the day against the Buck. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German consumer confidence, US core PCE, and US pending home sales.NZDUSD – technical overview
Overall pressure remains on the downside with the market continuing to stall out on runs up into the 0.6500 area. At the same time, there are some signs of the market wanting to put in a longer-term base. Ultimately, a break back above 0.6500 would be required to take the medium-term pressure off the downside and encourage this prospect. A monthly close below 0.5800 will intensify bearish price action.NZDUSD – fundamental overview
The New Zealand Dollar has been supported in recent sessions on the back of broad based risk on flow. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German consumer confidence, US core PCE, and US pending home sales.US SPX 500 – technical overview
Longer-term technical studies continue to look quite extended after pushing to fresh record highs, begging for a deeper correction ahead. Look for rallies to be well capped in favor of lower tops and lower lows. A monthly close back above 4800 will be required to delay the outlook. Next key support comes in at 4714.US SPX 500 – fundamental overview
The Fed has finally bent to the will of the market, with the December 2023 policy decision revealing rate projections coming down from previous and more in line with what the market has been looking for. This has translated to more investor friendly policy going forward, opening the door for a run to fresh record highs in 2024. At the same time, we worry inflation remains a risk both the market and Fed are not taking as seriously as needed, which could once again force the Fed back into a more restrictive path and weigh heavily on stocks.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 1900 on a monthly close basis ahead of the next major upside extension towards 2500.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.