Next 24 hours: All things considered
Today’s report: Powell ready to redefine inflation
Fed Chair Powell’s Senate testimony proved to be way more hawkish than the prepared remarks, and this proved to be quite disruptive for financial markets on Tuesday. The big headline came from the Q&A where Powell said it was finally time to retire the term transitory.
Wake-up call
- soaring inflation
- BOE Mann
- Worried market
- risk liquidation
- Oil dump
- RBNZ pricing
- Stocks vulnerable
- Dealers report
Peformance chart: 30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)
Suggested reading
- Now, If Only Powell Can Get Gas Prices to Start Falling, J. Authers, Bloomberg (December 1, 2021)
- What are Stablecoins and How Do they Work?, S. Venkataramakrishnan, Financial Times (November 30, 2021)


Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights
Choose pair:
EURUSD – technical overview
Setbacks have extended to retest the critical 61.8% fib retrace off the 2020 low to 2021 high move. Technical studies are now tracking in extended territory on the weekly chart, warning of the need for a corrective bounce ahead. Look for the market to hold up on a weekly close basis above the 61.8% fib retrace around 1.1275. Back above 1.1465 strengthens outlook. Weekly close below 1.1275 negates.EURUSD – fundamental overview
The Euro got a nice boost on Tuesday from the Eurozone CPI beat, coming in at an all-time high. French producer prices also soared, coming in at 14.9% versus 11.6% previous. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come in the form of German retail sales, German manufacturing PMIs, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US construction spending, and the Fed Beige Book.EURUSD - Technical charts in detail
GBPUSD – technical overview
The market is in a correction phase in the aftermath of the run to fresh multi-month highs earlier this year. At this stage, additional setbacks should be limited to the 1.3200 area ahead of the next major upside extension towards a retest and break of critical resistance in the form of the 2018 high.GBPUSD – fundamental overview
Comments from BOE Mann gave a real shot to the Pound on Tuesday. The central banker warned the virus could hurt demand and confidence, while adding inflation was likely to moderate. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come in the form of German retail sales, German manufacturing PMIs, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US construction spending, and the Fed Beige Book.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 116.00 to negate the outlook.USDJPY – fundamental overview
The Yen has been well in demand in recent sessions, with the currency unable to ignore inflow on traditional correlations with flight to safety. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come in the form of German retail sales, German manufacturing PMIs, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US construction spending, and the Fed Beige Book.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, the correction is starting to look stretched and setbacks should be well supported down into the 0.7000 area.AUDUSD – fundamental overview
The Australian Dollar has traded down to a fresh yearly low on the back of intensified risk off flow on renewed COVID worry. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come in the form of German retail sales, German manufacturing PMIs, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US construction spending, and the Fed Beige Book.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.USDCAD – fundamental overview
The Canadian Dollar remains under pressure and just off two months lows against the Buck after getting hit on declines in US equities and oil. Better than expected Canada GDP was overshadowed by the risk off themes. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come in the form of German retail sales, German manufacturing PMIs, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US construction spending, and the Fed Beige Book.NZDUSD – technical overview
The market has entered a period of intense correction after running up to a yearly and multi-month high. Back below 0.6800 would suggest a more significant bearish structural shift.NZDUSD – fundamental overview
The New Zealand Dollar was already underperforming last week on the back of a very discouraging retail sales print and comments from RBNZ Orr that heavy household debt was a reason for concern. We've seen added pressure this week, forcing a break to a fresh yearly low as worry around COVID intensifies. All of this has the market reconsidering hawkish RBNZ bets. Key standouts on Wednesday’s calendar come in the form of German retail sales, German manufacturing PMIs, US ADP employment, US ISM manufacturing, US construction spending, and the Fed Beige Book.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. At the same time, the latest breakout above 4600 introduces the possibility for the next major upside extension through 4800. At this stage, it will take a break back below 4500 to take the immediate pressure off the topside.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 in Q4 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.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.