Not a pretty picture

GBPUSD – technical overview

The market is in a correction phase in the aftermath of the run to fresh multi-month highs in 2021. At this stage, additional setbacks should be limited to the 1.2500 area ahead of the next major upside extension towards a retest and break of critical resistance in the form of the 2018 high. Back above 1.3148 takes immediate pressure off the downside.

• R2 1.3091 – 21 April high – Medium
• R1 1.2973 – 13 April low – Medium
• S1 1.2792 – 25 April/2022 low – Medium
• S2 1.2711 – September 2020 low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The combination of a huge miss on UK retail sales and BOE Governor Bailey talking about a huge amount of uncertainty on the policy path, has been a lethal combination for the Pound, with the currency getting hit hard in recent sessions as a result. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of German Ifo reads, Eurozone construction output, and Dallas Fed manufacturing.

USDJPY – technical overview

The market has rocketed higher to its highest levels since 2002 after breaking through the 2015 high. Technical studies are however quite extended, with scope for a sizable correction in the weeks ahead. Look for additional upside from here to be limited to the 130.00 area for now.

• R2 130.00 – Psychological – Strong
• R1 129.41 – 20 April/2022 high – Medium
• S1 127.46 – 20 April low – Medium
• S2 125.08 – 14 April low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

The Yen continues to take its hits from the massive yield differential and monetary policy divergence between the BOJ and Fed. The BOJ has vowed to continue printing Yen and to keep up with easy monetary policy. The Yen has now traded to its lowest levels against the Buck in 20 years. It is however worth noting that we have seen some Yen demand in recent sessions after Japanese CPI came in a good deal hotter than forecast. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of German Ifo reads, Eurozone construction output, and Dallas Fed manufacturing.

AUDUSD – technical overview

At this stage, the market has found a bottom and is trying to work back to the topside. Still, the overall pressure remains on the downside and ultimately, it will take a weekly close back above 0.7600 to officially shift the focus back on the topside.

• R2 0.7378 – 22 April high – Medium
• R1 0.7252 – 25 April high – Medium
• S1 0.7154 – 25 April low – Medium
• S2 0.7095 – 24 February low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar is under pressure, this mostly on the back of broad based reduction in global risk appetite. Adding insult to injury is Aussie weakness from China fallout and copper and iron ore declines. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of German Ifo reads, Eurozone construction output, and Dallas Fed manufacturing.

USDCAD – technical overview

Signs of a major bottom in the works after a severe decline from the 2020 high. A recent weekly close back above 1.2500 encourages the constructive outlook and opens the door for a push back towards next critical resistance in the 1.3000 area. Any setbacks should be well supported into the 1.2200s.

• R2 1.2778 – 16 March high – Medium
• R1 1.2744 – 25 April high  – Medium
• S1 1.2677 – 13 April high – Medium
• S2 1.2567 – 22 April low – Strong

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar has been taking hits of late on the back of a reduction in global risk appetite, and massive selling in commodities, including some intense downside pressure in the price of oil. We've also seen selling of the Canadian Dollar in the aftermath of last week's discouraging Canada retail sales print. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of German Ifo reads, Eurozone construction output, and Dallas Fed manufacturing.

NZDUSD – technical overview

The market has been trending lower since topping out in 2021, making a series of lower highs and lower lows. Look for the latest recovery rally to set up the next lower top for a bearish continuation below 0.6500. Back above 0.7200 would be required to negate and force a shift in the structure.

• R2 0.6737 – 22 April high – Medium
• R1 0.6639 – 25 April high – Medium
• S1 0.6566– 1 February low – Medium
• S2 0.6530 – 28 January/2022 low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has come under pressure on softer local data and a reduction in global risk appetite. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of German Ifo reads, Eurozone construction output, and Dallas 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 4,700 will be required at a minimum to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Below 4105 opens next downside extension.

• R2 4401 – 22 April high – Medium
• R1 4300– Round Number – Medium
• S1 4200 – Round Number – Medium
• S2 4105 – 24 February/2022 low – Strong

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

With so little room for additional central bank accommodation, given an already depressed interest rate environment, the prospect for sustainable runs to the topside on easy money policy incentives and government stimulus, should no longer be as enticing to investors. Meanwhile, ongoing worry associated with coronavirus fallout, rising inflation, and geopolitical tension should weigh more heavily on investor sentiment in Q2 2022.

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 1800.

• R2 1999 – 18 April high – Strong
• R1 1959 – 20 April high – Medium
• S1 1900 – Round number – Medium
• S2 1878 – 16 November high – 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 exhausted monetary policy, extended global equities, coronavirus fallout, inflation risk, and geopolitical tension. 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.