Fed funds futures pricing even more cuts

Next 24 hours: Dollar recovers on relief from jobless claims

Today’s report: Fed funds futures pricing even more cuts

The currency market reacted to the latest abysmal showing of US JOLTs job openings, which came in at their lowest since January 2021. The US Dollar came right back under pressure as a consequence, all while many currencies got some of their own boost on local fundamentals.

Wake-up call

Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights

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.

  • R2 1.1202 – 26 August/2024 high – Strong
  • R1 1.1141 - 29 August high – Medium
  • S1 1.1026 - 3 September low– Medium
  • S2 1.0950 – 15 August low – Strong

EURUSD – fundamental overview

Broad based US Dollar selling and upward revisions to German and French PMIs have helped to generate a fresh round of bids for the Euro. Meanwhile, in a surprise development, the German government has approved electric vehicle tax incentives in an attempt to prop of the market after Volkswagen had announced plant closures. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German factory orders, Eurozone, German and UK construction PMIs, Eurozone retail sales, US ADP employment, US initial jobless claims, Canada PMIs, and US PMIs.

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 door is now open for the next major upside extension towards the 2018 high at 1.4377. Any setbacks should be well supported ahead of 1.2500.

  • R2 1.3266 – 27 August/2024 high – Strong
  • R1 1.3200 – 30 August high – Medium
  • S1 1.3088 – 3 September low – Medium
  • S2 1.3011 – 21 August low – Medium

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound has recovered over the past 24 hours on broad based US Dollar selling and upward revisions to UK PMI reads. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German factory orders, Eurozone, German and UK construction PMIs, Eurozone retail sales, US ADP employment, US initial jobless claims, Canada PMIs, and US PMIs.

USDJPY – technical overview

The market has entered a period of correction after extending the uptrend to a multi-year high through 160.00. Critical support comes in around 140.00, with only a monthly close below the barrier to compromise the bullish outlook. A higher low is ideally sought out above 140.00 in favor of a bullish continuation.

  • R2 147.21 – 2 September high – Medium
  • R1 145.56 – 4 September high – Medium
  • S1 143.18 – 5 September low – Medium
  • S2 141.69 – 5 August low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

The Yen has been supported on Dollar selling from an abysmal US JOLTs showing. We've also seen added demand for the Yen on comments from BOJ Takata who said "the Japanese economy was recovering moderately and the central bank must adjust monetary conditions by 'another gear' if we can confirm firms will continue to increase capital expenditure, wages, and prices." Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German factory orders, Eurozone, German and UK construction PMIs, Eurozone retail sales, US ADP employment, US initial jobless claims, Canada PMIs, and US PMIs.

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.

  • R1 0.6824– 29 August high – Strong
  • R2 0.6762 – 21 August high– Medium
  • S1 0.6685 – 4 September low– Medium
  • S2 0.6637 – 19 August low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar is back to trading with a bid tone, helped along by the more hawkish leaning comments from RBA Bullock. The central banker has said the level of demand for goods and services is higher than the supply which simply means that inflation is still entrenched. The takeaway here is that there is no expectation rates will be lowered in the near term. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German factory orders, Eurozone, German and UK construction PMIs, Eurozone retail sales, US ADP employment, US initial jobless claims, Canada PMIs, and US PMIs.

USDCAD – technical overview

A sustained hold above 1.3000 over the past several months 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, with a break to open a retest of the 2020 high just ahead of 1.4700. Setbacks should be very well supported down into the 1.3000 area.

  • R2 1.3642 – 20 August high –Strong
  • R1 1.3587 –11 July low – Medium
  • S1 1.3440 – 28 August low – Medium
  • S2 1.3420 – 8 March low – Strong

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar was relieved the Bank of Canada didn't go ahead with a larger 50 basis point rate cut and has rallied in the aftermath. Nevertheless, the central bank has signaled more rate cuts ahead while retaining a concern over the outlook for the economy. This should keep the Canadian Dollar from wanting to run much higher from here. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German factory orders, Eurozone, German and UK construction PMIs, Eurozone retail sales, US ADP employment, US initial jobless claims, Canada PMIs, and US PMIs.

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.

  • R2 0.6370 – Monthly high/December 2023 – Strong
  • R1 0.6299 – 29 August/2024 high – Medium
  • S1 0.6169 – 4 September low – Medium
  • S2 0.6128 – 22 August high –Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has been riding higher on the coattails of its Aussie cousin, while also benefiting from broad based US Dollar selling in the aftermath of some distressing US JOLTs job openings data. Key standouts on today’s calendar come from German factory orders, Eurozone, German and UK construction PMIs, Eurozone retail sales, US ADP employment, US initial jobless claims, Canada PMIs, and US PMIs.

US SPX 500 – technical overview

The longer term uptrend remains intact and dips continue to be exceptionally well supported. Critical support comes in at 5093, with only a break back below this level to compromise the structure and open the door for a more significant corrective decline. Until then, the focus remains on a retest and break back above the record high.

  • R2 5679 – 16 July/Record high – Strong
  • R1 5660 – 3 September high – Medium
  • S1 5496 – 4 September low – Medium
  • S2 5398 – 25 July low – Strong

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

The US equities market remains exceptionally well supported in 2024 on the back of an ongoing expectation for more rate cuts than less going forward. Investors are feeling better about a soft landing in the US economy and this has also been accompanied by an accommodative adjustment of Fed policy. It will however be important to keep an eye on inflation, bigger picture economic data and geopolitical risk in the months ahead.

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 this next major upside extension into the 2500-3000 area. Setbacks should now be well supported above 2200 on a monthly close basis.

  • R2 2600 – Psychological– Strong
  • R1 2532 – 20 August/Record high – Medium
  • S1 2350 – 4 July low – Strong
  • S2 2287– 7 June low – Strong

GOLD (SPOT) – fundamental overview

The yellow metal has pushed record highs in 2024 with solid demand from medium and longer-term accounts. These players are more concerned about inflation, geopolitical risk and a less upbeat global growth outlook. All of this should keep the commodity well supported over the coming months.

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.