Is bad news good news again?

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. A break above the September high at 1.1739 will solidify the recovery. Until then, look for setbacks to be well supported ahead of 1.0800.

• R2 1.1496– 5 October high – Strong
• R1 1.1440 – 17 October high – Medium
• S1 1.1058 – 13 October low – Medium
• S2 1.0924 – 12 October low – Medium

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The market clearly sees Sunak with more credibility than the previous administration, as reflected in price action. At the same time, the Pound was sold into rallies on Monday, a lot of this having to do with a discouraging UK PMI print. Looking ahead, key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from German Ifo reads, UK CBI industrial trends, US Case Shiller, US consumer confidence, and Richmond Fed manufacturing.

USDJPY – technical overview

Technical studies are looking quite stretched on the longer-term chart, warning of consolidation and correction in the days and weeks ahead. Look for additional upside from here to be well capped on rallies above 150.00. Next key support comes in at 145.43.

• R2 152.00 – Round Number – Strong
• R1 151.95 – 21 October/2022 high – Strong
• S1 145.43– 24 October low – Strong
• S2 143.52 –5 October low – Medium

USDJPY – fundamental overview

The big story here has been about this latest second round of intervention from the Japan MOF within one month's time. The Yen rallied sharply after initially declining to fresh multi-year lows. However, already this week, the market is proving just how difficult intervention can be, with the Yen once again back under pressure. Yield differentials and diverging monetary policy are too difficult to ignore. Looking ahead, key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from German Ifo reads, UK CBI industrial trends, US Case Shiller, US consumer confidence, and Richmond Fed manufacturing.

AUDUSD – technical overview

Overall pressure remains on the downside with the market confined to a well defined downtrend. A break back above 0.6682 would be required to take the pressure off the downside. Until then, scope exists for deeper setbacks towards 0.6000.

• R1 0.6433 – 7 October high – Medium
• R2 0.6411 –24 October high – Medium
• S1 0.6210 –21 October low – Medium
• S2 0.6170 – 13 October/2022 low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar took a hit on the latest China COVID lockdown news. Meanwhile, Aussie composite PMI reads also didn't help the cause after coming in soft. Looking ahead, key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from German Ifo reads, UK CBI industrial trends, US Case Shiller, US consumer confidence, and Richmond Fed manufacturing.

USDCAD – technical overview

A recent surge back above 1.3000 signals an end to a period of 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 1.3978 – 13 October/2022 high – Strong
• R1 1.3855 – 21 October high – Medium
• S1 1.3600 – Figure – Medium
• S2 1.3503 – 4 October low – Strong

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar was sold into a recent rally, taking its hits from worry around RMB weakness and downside pressure on the commodities complex. Canada manufacturing sales came in negative, albeit, slightly better than forecast. Looking ahead, key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from German Ifo reads, UK CBI industrial trends, US Case Shiller, US consumer confidence, and Richmond Fed manufacturing.

NZDUSD – technical overview

Overall pressure remains on the downside with the focus on a retest of the critical low from 2020 at 0.5469. A break back above 0.5814 would be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside.

• R2 0.5814 – 6 October high – Strong
• R1 0.5793 – 24 October high – Medium
• S1 0.5600– 21 October low – Medium
• S2 0.5512 – 13 October/2022 low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has put in a nice recovery out from recent multi-month lows, getting help from last week's higher New Zealand inflation reads, risk on flow, and broad based selling of the US Dollar. Looking ahead, key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from German Ifo reads, UK CBI industrial trends, US Case Shiller, US consumer confidence, and Richmond Fed manufacturing.

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. Back above 3808 will be required at a minimum to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Next major support comes in around 3200.

• R2 3922 – 20 September high – Medium
• R1 3814 – 24 October high – Strong
• S1 3492 – 13 October/2022 low – Medium
• S2 3400 – Round Number – Medium

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 that risks potential recession in the months ahead. Overall, we expect inflation to continue to be a problem in 2022 that results in downside pressure into rallies.

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.

• R2 1766 – 25 August high – Strong
• R1 1736 – 12 September high – Medium
• S1 1615 – 28 September/2022 low – Medium
• S2 1600 – Round Number – 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. [audio mp3="https://www.lmax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/21octlmaxaudio.mp3"][/audio]