Hoping for more of the same

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 2023 high at 1.3143. Any setbacks should be well supported ahead of 1.2500.

• R2 1.2888 – 29 July high – Medium
• R1 1.2873 – 13 August high – Medium
• S1 1.2759 – 13 August low – Medium
• S2 1.2665 – 8 August low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound got another nice boost on Tuesday after UK employment data came in better than expected, reducing odds for a BOE September rate cut. BOE rate cut odds in September have dropped to about 33% from 50% a week ago. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK inflation, Eurozone employment, GDP, industrial production, and US CPI.

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 over the coming sessions in favor of a bullish continuation.

• R2 149.78 – 2 August high – Medium
• R1 147.91 – 7 August high – Medium
• S1 143.62 – 6 August low – Medium
• S2 141.69 – 5 August low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

The Yen failed to rally on hotter Japan inflation data, and failed to sell off on softer US producer prices. It seems the bigger focus right now is on the already established fact that overall, monetary policy is back to favoring the US Dollar in the equation given the BOJ's recent communication that it won't be looking to raise rates again any time soon. Meanwhile, the fact that worry around an Iran attack has faded into the background has helped to invite renewed demand for the major pair. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK inflation, Eurozone employment, GDP, industrial production, and US CPI.

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 0.6703– 22 July high – Medium
• R2 0.6643 – 14 August high– Medium
• S1 0.6565 – 12 August low– Medium
• S2 0.6507 – 8 August low – Medium

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar has had the benefit of rallying on the back of softer US producer prices data and a de-escalation in tension around a possible Iran attack against Israel. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK inflation, Eurozone employment, GDP, industrial production, and US CPI.

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 1.3947 – 5 August/2024 high – Strong
• R1 1.3900 – Figure – Medium
• S1 1.3703 – 14 August low – Medium
• S2 1.3566 – 17 July low – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar managed to rally on Tuesday from the softer US producer prices, but lagged versus most of its peers on account of renewed downside pressure on the price of oil. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK inflation, Eurozone employment, GDP, industrial production, and US CPI.

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 0.6098 – 17 July high – Medium
• R1 0.6084 – 14 August high – Medium
• S1 0.5977 – 8 August low – Medium
• S2 0.5850 – 5 August/2024 low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has taken a hard hit on Wednesday after the RBNZ semi-surprised the market with a rate cut. The fact that RBNZ governor Orr added that the central bank was even considering a 50 basis point rate cut only added further to the downside pressure on the commodity currency. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come from UK inflation, Eurozone employment, GDP, industrial production, and US CPI.

US SPX 500 – technical overview

Longer-term technical studies are in the process of unwinding from overbought levels. There is now room for a pullback towards previous resistance turned support in the form of the previous record high from January 2022 at 4820 before the market considers a resumption of the bigger picture uptrend. Look for rallies to be well capped below 5500.

• R2 5570 – 1 August high – Strong
• R1 5443 – 2 August high – Medium
• S1 5326 – 12 August low – Medium
• S2 5157 – 8 August low – Medium

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

Though we have seen a healthy adjustment of investor expectations towards the amount of rate cuts in 2024, the market still hopes policy will end up erring more towards the investor friendly, accommodative side of things. This bet has kept stocks well bid into dips and consistently pushing record highs. Still, if there is a sense the Fed will need to be more sensitive towards erring on the side of higher rates, it could invite a much bigger disruption to stocks than what we've already seen.

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 2500 – Psychological– Strong
• R1 2484 – 17 July/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, 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 end.