Nothing like soft data to prop stocks

Next 24 hours: USD declines may come to a halt

Today’s report: Nothing like soft data to prop stocks

Monday’s round of economic data out of the US wasn’t pretty, with home sales down for the 6th time in 7 months and Dallas Fed manufacturing missing by the most in 17 months.

Wake-up call

Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights

EURUSD – technical overview

The market has been looking for a higher low since topping out in 2021 up at 1.2350. Ideally, setbacks continue to be well supported down towards 1.1600 in favour of the next major upside extension back through 1.2350 and towards a retest of the 2018 high at 1.2555 further up. Only a weekly close below 1.1600 would force a rethink.

  • R2 1.1909 – 30 July high– Strong
  • R1 1.1836 - 6 August high – Medium
  • S1 1.1666 - 19 August/2021 low – Medium
  • S2 1.1650 – Mid-Figure – Medium

EURUSD – fundamental overview

No major surprises from Eurozone confidence reads and German inflation data on Monday. ECB Villeroy was on the wires saying the EU would lag the US recovery, suggesting there was no rush to change PEPP at next week's meeting. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come in the form of Japanese employment and industrial production, Aussie building permits and private sector credit, German unemployment, BOE consumer credit, Eurozone inflation, Canada GDP, US housing data, and Chicago PMIs.

EURUSD - Technical charts in detail

GBPUSD – technical overview

The market is in a corrective phase in the aftermath of the run to fresh 2021 and multi-month highs. At this stage, additional setbacks should be limited to the 1.3500 area ahead of the next major upside extension towards a retest and break of critical resistance in the form of the 2018 high.

  • R2 1.3846 – 17 August high – Medium
  • R1 1.3807 – 27 August high – Medium
  • S1 1.3680 – 27 August low – Medium
  • S2 1.3572 – 20 July low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

Very little activity out of the Pound on Monday, with the market mostly trading sideways and waiting for more from Tuesday's calendar. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come in the form of Japanese employment and industrial production, Aussie building permits and private sector credit, German unemployment, BOE consumer credit, Eurozone inflation, Canada GDP, US housing data, and Chicago PMIs.

USDJPY – technical overview

The longer-term trend is bearish despite the recent run higher. Look for additional upside to be limited, with scope for a topside failure and bearish resumption back down towards the 100.00 area. It would take a clear break back above 113.00 to negate the outlook.

  • R2 111.00 – Figure– Medium
  • R1 110.81 – 11 August high – Strong
  • S1 108.72 – 4 August low – Medium
  • S2 108.34 – 7 May low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

Japanese retail sales data cooled off on Monday, though did manage to come in a healthy amount above forecast. We continue to see decent two way flow here, with demand for Yen on broad based US Dollar selling and offers in the Yen on ongoing record highs in US equities. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come in the form of Japanese employment and industrial production, Aussie building permits and private sector credit, German unemployment, BOE consumer credit, Eurozone inflation, Canada GDP, US housing data, and Chicago PMIs.

AUDUSD – technical overview

The Australian Dollar has been in the process of a healthy correction following the impressive run towards a retest of the 2018 high earlier this year. At this stage, there is risk for additional declines, though setbacks are expected to be well supported down into the 0.7000 area.

  • R2 0.7342 – 17 August high – Medium
  • R1 0.7319 – 30 August high – Medium
  • S1 0.7222 – 27 August low – Medium
  • S2 0.7106 – 20 August/2021 low – Medium

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

Another run to record highs in US stocks didn't do much help for the Australian Dollar on Monday, with the currency hit on news of the record COVID spread and potential Q2 contraction. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come in the form of Japanese employment and industrial production, Aussie building permits and private sector credit, German unemployment, BOE consumer credit, Eurozone inflation, Canada GDP, US housing data, and Chicago PMIs.

USDCAD – technical overview

Finally 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 1.2949 – 20 August/2021 high – Strong
  • R1 1.2808 – 19 July high – Medium
  • S1 1.2565– 17 August low – Medium
  • S2 1.2500 – Psychological – Medium

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar managed to find mild demand on Monday, despite the news of the largest drop in consumer confidence in over a year. It seems other headlines around Gulf Coast refineries unharmed by Hurricane Ida, and the current account surplus exceeding expectations were enough to offset selling pressure on the Loonie. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come in the form of Japanese employment and industrial production, Aussie building permits and private sector credit, German unemployment, BOE consumer credit, Eurozone inflation, Canada GDP, US housing data, and Chicago PMIs.

NZDUSD – technical overview

The market has entered a period of consolidation after running up to a yearly and multi-month high. At this stage, there is still room for deeper setbacks into the 0.6500-0.6800 area before we see an attempt at a higher low and resumption of upside pressure.

  • R2 0.7089 – 4 August high – Strong
  • R1 0.7019 – 27 August high – Medium
  • S1 0.6930 – 25 August low – Medium
  • S2 0.6879 – 24 August low – Medium

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

Not much to report out of New Zealand into Tuesday. We have seen the Kiwi recovery running into resistance, perhaps on the ongoing worry around the coronavirus spread. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come in the form of Japanese employment and industrial production, Aussie building permits and private sector credit, German unemployment, BOE consumer credit, Eurozone inflation, Canada GDP, US housing data, and Chicago PMIs.

US SPX 500 – technical overview

Longer-term technical studies are looking quite exhausted and the market is showing signs of wanting to roll over after racing to another record high. Look for rallies to be well capped above 4500, with a break back below 4353 to strengthen the outlook.

  • R2 4550 – Psychological – Strong
  • R1 4539 – 30 August/Record high – Medium
  • S1 4353 – 19 August low – Medium
  • S2 4233 – 19 July low – Strong

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

We're trading just off fresh record highs, and yet, 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 and risk of rising inflation should weigh more heavily on investor sentiment into the second half of 2021.

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 an acceleration beyond the next major psychological barrier at 2000. Setbacks should now be well supported above 1600.

  • R2 1917 – 1 June high – Strong
  • R1 1835 – 15 July high – Medium
  • S1 1700 – Round number – Medium
  • S2 1677 – 8 March/2021 low – 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, and coronavirus fallout. 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.

Peformance chart: 30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)

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