More effort needed to restore confidence

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 1.2861 – 12 June high – Strong
• R1 1.2800 – Figure – Medium
• S1 1.2673 – 6 August low – Medium
• S2 1.2613 – 27 June low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound was still struggling on Wednesday from all the social unrest in the UK. However, we did see some demand on the back of UK house prices rising the most since January. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from US initial jobless claims, wholesale inventories, and some Fed speak.

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 big story of the day was the pledge from BOJ Uchida that the BOJ would refrain from future rate hikes while markets were unstable. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from US initial jobless claims, wholesale inventories, and some Fed speak.

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 0.6618– 24 July high – Strong
• R2 0.6583 – 25 July high – Strong
• S1 0.6472 – 6 August low– Medium
• S2 0.6349 – 5 August/2024 low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar has stalled out on the back of still struggling US equities and sagging metals prices. Notable weakness in copper and iron ore have not done anything to help Aussie's cause. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from US initial jobless claims, wholesale inventories, and some Fed speak.

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 1.3721 – 7 August low – Medium
• S2 1.3700 – 19 July low – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar was able to extend its recent recovery despite ongoing stress in US equities, with the currency getting its boost from an impressive run higher in energy prices. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from US initial jobless claims, wholesale inventories, and some Fed speak.

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 0.6028 – 22 July high – Strong
• R1 0.6000 – Psychological– Medium
• S1 0.5900 – Figure – Medium
• S2 0.5850 – 5 August/2024 low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has been a standout outperformer over the past 24 hours, getting a big boost from the better than expected New Zealand employment data. Key standouts on Thursday’s calendar come from US initial jobless claims, wholesale inventories, and some Fed speak.

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.

• R2 5443 – 2 August high – Medium
• R1 5318 – 5 August high – Medium
• S1 5093 – 5 August low – Medium
• S2 4928 – 19 April low – Strong

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.