Where will the dust settle on Wednesday?

Special report: Fed decision preview

Today’s report: Where will the dust settle on Wednesday?

This week has been all about the possibility the Fed gestures towards tighter policy and fallout in China. The resulting price action has been very much risk off as to be expected. Stocks are under pressure and the US Dollar in demand.

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 – 3 September high– Strong
  • R1 1.1800 - Round number – Medium
  • S1 1.1700 - Round number – Medium
  • S2 1.1664 – 20 August/2021 low – Strong

EURUSD – fundamental overview

No major updates around the Euro into Wednesday, with the single currency stuck sideways into today's major event risk in the form of the Fed decision. The only other notable standout on today's calendar comes from US existing home sales.

EURUSD - Technical charts in detail

GBPUSD – technical overview

The market is in a consolidation 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 1.3984 – 30 July high – Strong
  • R1 1.3892 – 3 September high – Medium
  • S1 1.3640 – 20 September low – Medium
  • S2 1.3572 – 20 July low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound has found some added downside pressure on account of the ongoing gas shortage and chatter around a three day work week. We've also seen selling on broad based US Dollar demand from risk off flow. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of US existing home sales, and the FOMC decision.

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

We've seen a lot more demand for the Yen of late on account of all the risk off flow. Market participants are definitely looking for some protection against fallout in China as well. The BOJ policy decision will be digested early Wednesday, though no change to policy is expected. Other key standouts on today’s calendar include US existing home sales, and the FOMC decision.

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. Look for a weekly close above 0.7500 to force a shift in the structure.

  • R2 0.7410 – 10 September high – Strong
  • R1 0.7348 – 16 September high – Medium
  • S1 0.7201 – 24 August low – Medium
  • S2 0.7106 – 20 August/2021 low – Strong

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

Most of the selling in the Australian Dollar we've been seeing has come from the slide in commodities prices and US equities. Iron ore price declines have been getting quite a bit of attention as far as the Australian Dollar is concerned, with the slump no at about 44% from the highs seen back in July. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of US existing home sales, and the FOMC decision.

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 1.2896 – 20 September high – Medium
  • S1 1.2583– 10 September low – Medium
  • S2 1.2494 – 3 September low – Strong

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar was lower on Tuesday, but things could have been a lot worse if not for some feeling of stability in the aftermath of the election result which saw PM Trudeau secure his third term. Still, there was selling on the reality of heavy costs associated with an election that proved to be unnecessary and on macro forces in the form of risk off trade. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of US existing home sales, and the FOMC decision.

NZDUSD – technical overview

The market has entered a period of consolidation after running up to a yearly and multi-month high. At this stage, rallies should be well capped and 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. Back above the April high at 0.7317 would be required to force a shift in the structure.

  • R2 0.7200 – Figure – Medium
  • R1 0.7171 – 3 September high – Medium
  • S1 0.6987 – 30 August low – Medium
  • S2 0.6930 – 25 August low – Medium

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar has come under added pressure in recent sessions. The big picture risk off flow has certainly factored into the price action, though we've seen added downside pressure from the recent discouraging New Zealand consumer confidence read. Key standouts on today’s calendar come in the form of US existing home sales, and the FOMC decision.

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 ahead of 4600, with a break back below 4353 to strengthen the outlook.

  • R2 4600 – Psychological – Strong
  • R1 4552 – 3 September/Record high – Medium
  • S1 4307 – 20 September 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 this 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. [audio mp3="https://www.lmax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/09/15seplmaxaudio.mp3"][/audio]

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

Suggested reading

Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices or other information ("information") contained on this Blog, constitutes marketing communication and it has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Further, the information contained within this Blog does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) investment advice or an investment recommendation, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. LMAX Group has not verified the accuracy or basis-in-fact of any claim or statement made by any third parties as comments for every Blog entry.

LMAX Group will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the above information. While the produced information was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, LMAX Group does not provide any guarantees about the reliability of such sources. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at his or her own risk. It is not a place to slander, use unacceptable language or to promote LMAX Group or any other FX and CFD provider and any such postings, excessive or unjust comments and attacks will not be allowed and will be removed from the site immediately.