Today’s report: Traditional correlations back in play
Traditional correlations kicked back into gear on Thursday, with a stronger US Dollar accompanied by a downturn in stocks. We’re used to seeing a stronger US Dollar reflect a flight to safety sentiment in markets, and this is exactly how things played out on Thursday.
Wake-up call
- Profit taking
- King comments
- BOJ Ueda
- jobs data
- Oil demand
- Sentiment deterioration
- Inflation headache
- Dealers report
Peformance chart: 30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)
Suggested reading
- Just When We Needed a Cooling Trend, Here’s the UK, J. Authers, Bloomberg (July 20, 2023)
- Crispin Odey: The Fall of a Hedge Fund Maverick, D. Garrahan, Financial Times (July 20, 2023)


Chart talk: Technical & fundamental highlights
Choose pair:
EURUSD – technical overview
The Euro remains well supported on dips following a run to the topside through 1.1000 earlier this year. Any additional setbacks should be well supported ahead of 1.0500 in favor of a bullish continuation. Ultimately, only a monthly close back below 1.0500 would give reason for concern. Next key resistance comes in the form of the February 2022 high at 1.1496.EURUSD – fundamental overview
The Euro is under pressure into the end of the week on the back of dovish ECB comments and a round of profit taking on long positions. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from Japan inflation, UK retail sales and public borrowing, and Canada housing data and retail sales.EURUSD - Technical charts in detail
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 November 2022 monthly close back above 1.2000 strengthens this prospect. Any setbacks should now be well supported ahead of 1.2000. Next key resistance comes in at 1.3500.GBPUSD – fundamental overview
The Pound was already under pressure following softer Wednesday UK inflation data and then extended declines further on former BOE Governor King comments. King said the central bank risks triggering a recession in the UK by tightening rates too much in a bid to stamp out inflation. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from Japan inflation, UK retail sales and public borrowing, and Canada housing data and retail sales.USDJPY – technical overview
The major pair has seen a nice recovery following the massive correction out from multi-year highs. Setbacks have finally been well supported ahead of 125.00 in the 127s thus far. At this stage, it looks like the market could be wanting to resume the bigger picture uptrend and head back towards a retest of that multi-year high from October 2022 up at 151.95. Look for any weakness to continue to be well supported ahead of 135.00 in favor of the next higher low.USDJPY – fundamental overview
The Yen has gotten back to selling off in recent sessions, helped along by this week's BOJ Ueda comments, after the central banker squashed any speculation there would be a shift in policy later this month. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from Japan inflation, UK retail sales and public borrowing, and Canada housing data and retail sales.AUDUSD – technical overview
There are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base following the late 2022 surge back above 0.6500. Next key resistance comes in at 0.7284. Setbacks should continue to be well supported in the 0.6500 area. Only a monthly close below 0.6500 would give reason for rethink.AUDUSD – fundamental overview
The Australian Dollar did its best to outperform in Thursday trade, despite broad based US Dollar demand, with the currency managing to close up on the day from the positive momentum of the better than expected Aussie employment data. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from Japan inflation, UK retail sales and public borrowing, and Canada housing data and retail sales.USDCAD – technical overview
Above 1.3000 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. Setbacks should be very well supported down into the 1.3000 area.USDCAD – fundamental overview
The Canadian Dollar has held up relatively well in recent sessions, getting support from ongoing demand for oil. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from Japan inflation, UK retail sales and public borrowing, and Canada housing data and retail sales.NZDUSD – technical overview
Overall pressure remains on the downside with the market once again stalling out on a run up into the 0.6500 area. Ultimately, a break back above 0.6577 would be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside. A monthly close below 0.6000 would intensify bearish price action.NZDUSD – fundamental overview
Downside pressure in US equities and some broad weakness in commodities prices were enough to keep the New Zealand Dollar weighed down into the end of the week. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from Japan inflation, UK retail sales and public borrowing, and Canada housing data and retail sales.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. A monthly close back above 4500 will be required to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Next key support comes in at 4376.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 2023 that results in downside pressure into rallies despite market expectations that would argue otherwise.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. The recent break back above 1808 strengthens the bullish outlook. Next major resistance comes in at 2100, above which opens the next extension towards 2,500.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.