GOLD - Trading Inside the Triangle#XAU/USD #Analysis
Description
---------------------------------------------------------------
+ GOLD price is currently trading inside the triangle and the price has been ranging since May
+ I'm expecting the price to break downwards as the overall trend on lower timeframe is bearish.
+ We have good opportunity for a short trade here.
---------------------------------------------------------------
VectorAlgo Trade Details
------------------------------
Entry Price: 2311.453
Stop Loss: 2325.813
------------------------------
Target 1: 2304.801
Target 2: 2300.000
Target 3: 2290.430
------------------------------
Timeframe: 1H
Capital Risk: 1-2% of trading amount
---------------------------------------------------------------
Enhance, Trade, Grow
---------------------------------------------------------------
Feel free to share your thoughts and insights.
Don't forget to like and follow us for more trading ideas and discussions.
Best Regards,
VectorAlgo
Inflation
Macro Monday 8 - S&P500/M2 Money SupplyMACRO MONDAY 8
S&P500 / M2 Money Supply ( SP:SPX / $WMN2S)
M2 is a broad measure of the US money supply that includes cash, checking deposits, and other types of deposits that are readily convertible to cash such as CDs.
M2 is seen as a reliable metric for forecasting/predicting inflation and for this reason it can be used as leading economic indicator. For example, when there is more cash made available or too much, more cash typically gets spent. A little more can be good, too much or too sudden an increase can increase the risk of inflation. That's why the Federal Reserve constricts the money supply when inflation rears its ugly head. At present the Federal Reserve is decreasing the M2 Money supply in an effort to slow down spending in order to control and reduce the rate of inflation. Since April 2022 the M2 Money Supply has reduced from $22 Trillion down to $20.82 Trillion.
The money supply and its impact on Inflation combined with current interest rates has major ramifications for the general economy, as they heavily influence job availability, consumer spending, business investment, currency strength, and trade balance.
The M2 Money Supply also has a major impact on the stock market and can act as catalyst for increased purchases of stocks (when the money supply is increasing as more money is available) and can also cause the selling of stock when money supply is tight or tightening as it is at present (as less money is available in the wider economy).
The Chart – Accounting for Money Supply
As noted above the M2 Money Supply is reducing and it is expected that this may result in the S&P500 making lower lows as the supply of money continues to contract.
The S&P500 performance looks very different when it is adjusted to account for the increases and decreases of the money supply. We can achieve this by dividing the S&P500 by the M2 Money Supply (Chart 1).
Chart 1 – S&P / M2 Money Supply
- Since 1996 the Major Resistance Zone has stopped every progression higher.
- In 2007 a rejection from the resistance zone resulted in the Great Financial Crisis
- Major recessions are labelled with red arrows & market corrections with blue arrows.
- Since GFC there have been a number of rejections from the resistance zone which have
coincided with notable corrections for the S&P500 (see blue arrows).
- The most notable of these rejections was the COVID Crash in March 2020.
- We are at the resistance zone now and it appears we are struggling to breach above it and
may be rejected again. Given we have been rejected by this level 5 times since the 2007
Great Financial Crisis, it seems wise to remain cautious and expect a rejection from this
level again.
Chart 2 – S&P500 & M2 Money supply (Segregated)
- This chart shows you the S&P price action in isolation and underneath the M2 Money
Supply for reference.
- The declining M2 Money supply is like a weight or float pushing and pulling the S&P500
price action in its direction.
- The M2 Money supply may gravitate down towards its long term trend line over the coming
year(s) and one would expect the S&P500 to follow its lead and also gravitate lower.
- Interestingly, on Chart 2 you can see that the level that the M2 Money Supply and the
S&P500 were at prior to the pandemic would present an S&P500 price tag of $3,350.
Summary
Its seems unlikely that the S&P500 is about to break higher due to the overhead long term resistance zone on Chart 1 which helped predict the last two recessions (red arrows) and a handful of corrections (blue arrows).
There is a strong likelihood of continued M2 Money Supply normalization towards its long term trend line on Chart 2, especially considering Federal Reserves continued efforts to constrict the money supply through quantitative tightening to help quell inflation. These efforts will likely subdue any attempt of positive price action on the S&P500.
It is important to recognise that the Dot Com Bubble in 2000 pressed through the resistance zone on Chart 1 demonstrating just how big a bubble it was. It was initially rejected from the resistance zone in March 1997, however the M2 Money Supply was increasing at this time so whilst this outcome is always possible, it does not presently seem probable with M2 Money supply decreasing and likely continuing to decrease going forward.
Another potential outcome is a false break out above the resistance zone on Chart 1. We have had an unprecedented increase in to the money supply since the March 2020 COVID Crash and this could have a lagging effect which eventually pushes us over the resistance zone. Fiscal Stimulus which is harder to predict could also help us arrive at this scenario. Regardless, if these circumstances are met with continued decreasing M2 Money Supply, I believe that it would be a short lived breach of the resistance zone resulting in maybe a $4,980 S&P500 price tag (a higher high) followed by a severe correction. That is IF M2 Money supply is still decreasing as the S&P500 makes those higher highs.
And finally we have to consider what most people would consider to be the most unrealistic scenario, a Dot Com Style bubble towards the top red line on Chart 1. As improbable as this is, a combination of factors could lead us into this scenario;
- The aforementioned lagging effects of the unprecedented never before seen increase in
the M2 Money Supply since the pandemic.
- Continued or new Fiscal Stimulus from the US government.
- The bullish AI narrative (which appears to be dissipating at present)
This final bullish scenario is worthy of consideration especially factoring in the comparisons of the 2023 AI hype to the 2000 internet boom. As we enter a new technological epoch with the likes of Augmented Reality, Cryptocurrencies and AI, are we getting ahead of ourselves again? Do these technologies need a little more time to mature much like the internet? Are we overextended like we were in 2000? It’s hard to answer no to any of these questions but against the backdrop of record levels of Quantitative Easing and Fiscal Stimulus we have to keep an open mind as the Fed tries to simmer us down from these record levels of liquidity
It will be very interesting to watch these charts over coming weeks and months to see if we get our anticipated rejection from the resistance zone on Chart 1.
A special mention to Ben Cowen from "Intothecryptoverse" who originally brought this style chart to my attention. My chart could be considered a snapshot of his view however I hope I have added to it in some way with the above commentary and some correlations I have noticed.
Thank you for reading to the end. I hope these charts help frame todays market for you going forward.
I’ll keep you posted on any major changes.
PUKA
ISM GAUGES POINT TO HIGHER INFLATIONISM surveys show that prices are rising ; during April services and manufacturing prices advanced 10% on average.
The problem? Look at the chart comparing these price indexes to the traditional CPI inflation reading, ISMs are usually forward looking.
Inflation 2.0 is coming
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Las encuestas ISM muestran que los precios están subiendo, durante abril los precios de servicios y manufactura avanzaron 10% en promedio.
El problema? Mira el gráfico que compara estos índices de precios con la lectura tradicional de inflación CPI, los ISM suelen ser prospectivos.
Inflación 2.0 está por llegar
AUD/USD hits one-month high, RBA decision nextThe Australian dollar has started the week with modest gains. AUD/USD is up 0.25%, trading at 0.6624 in the European session at the time of writing. The Aussie is coming off a strong week, having gained 1.19%.
The Reserve Bank of Australia meets on Tuesday and is widely expected to hold the cash rate at 4.35%, a 12-year high. The central bank has maintained rates three straight times and there is a strong likelihood that the rate statement will be hawkish, as inflation in the first quarter dropped from 4.1% to 3.6% but was above the market estimate of 3.4%.
Inflation has come down significantly but remains sticky as the RBA tries to bring it back down to the 2%-3% target range. The RBA is making its rate decisions based on the data and that has the markets guessing as to what the rate path will look like. A rate cut isn’t coming until inflation falls and the RBA doesn’t expect inflation to fall within the target range before 2025.
If inflation resumes its downward path in the next few months we could see a rate cut in November but at the same time, the risk of a rate hike has increased since the Q1 inflation report. As well, the job market has been tighter than anticipated, which makes it more difficult to lower rates. The RBA was very late in starting its rate-tightening cycle and policy makers will be very hesitant to lower rates until they are confident that inflation won’t rebound.
US nonfarm payrolls eased to 175,000 in April, well below the market estimate of 240,000. The unemployment rate rose from 3.8% to 3.9%, above the forecast of 3.8%. Wage growth rose 0.2% m/m, lower than the 0.3% gain in March and shy of the market estimate of 0.2%. We haven’t seen all three components of the employment report miss their estimates for quite some time, which could point to cracks in the US labor market.
AUD/USD tested support at 0.6606 earlier. Below, there is support at 0.6564
0.6651 and 0.6693 are the next resistance lines
BREAKOUT or FAKEOUT?? - EGHere I have EUR/GBP on the 4 Hr Chart!
Ever since its visit at the Support Zone @ ( .8534 - .8528 ), Price has been steadily making Higher Highs and Higher Lows with the most significant High in the Price Action being Friday's High reaching the Resistance Zone @ ( .8586 - .8581 ) on the release of LOWER than expected NFP numbers for USD ( 175K Actual - 238K Forecast )
Now not only did we get an enormous Bullish Break on Friday, but by market close, most of those gains were given back bringing Price back to the cycle of Highs it broke AND a Minor Support Zone.
So .. Is this a BREAKOUT or a FAKEOUT?!
I think to answer this question, it will come down to the Fundamentals as of late!
I believe EUR started to slightly overpower GBP Mar. 21st when BOE decided to HOLD their Interest Rates @ 5.25%
Then, Apr. 17th GBP gets the HOTTER than expected CPI of 3.2% with BOE Bailey making the comment that Inflation looks to have quite a STRONG DROP in May ... Followed by a very disappointing Retail Sales read of 0% on Apr. 19th ..
-COULD THIS MEAN GBP WILL BE THE NEXT UP FOR RATE CUTS?!?!-
Well on Thur. May 9th, BOE meets to take vote on whether they INCREASE, DECREASE or HOLD RATES
Also GDP Fri. May 10th ..
From a Technical standpoint, I want to watch for Price to either:
Find Solid Support at the Minor Level + Ranged Highs to continue higher
-OR-
Price to drop back down through the High/Low Range with a Bearish Break using Resistance from the Ranged Lows
-DOES THE BOE HAVE THE DATA INFRONT OF THEM TO LOWER OR HOLD RATES??-
GOLD XAUUSD SELLGold prices could plummet if the Federal Reserve fails to enact anticipated rate cuts, particularly amidst widespread expectations for such actions. Here's why:
Market Expectations: Investors often base their decisions on expectations, including anticipated actions by central banks like the Federal Reserve. If there's a widespread belief that the Fed will cut interest rates to stimulate the economy or combat inflation, investors may adjust their portfolios accordingly, including buying gold as a hedge against potential economic uncertainties or inflationary pressures.
Pricing In Expectations: Financial markets typically "price in" expectations, meaning they incorporate anticipated events into current asset prices. In the case of gold, if investors expect rate cuts and buy gold in anticipation, the price of gold may already reflect these expectations. However, if the expected rate cuts don't materialize, the rationale for holding gold as a hedge against potential economic risks or inflation diminishes, leading investors to sell off their gold holdings.
Disappointment and Market Reaction: If the Federal Reserve decides not to cut interest rates despite widespread expectations for such action, it could disappoint investors who had positioned themselves for a rate cut. This disappointment could trigger a sell-off in gold and other assets that were bought in anticipation of rate cuts. Additionally, the lack of rate cuts may signal to investors that the Fed is less concerned about economic risks or inflation than previously thought, further dampening demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.
Shift in Market Sentiment: Market sentiment can quickly shift based on unexpected central bank actions or economic developments. If the Federal Reserve's decision not to cut rates is interpreted as a sign of confidence in the economy or a belief that inflationary pressures are transitory, investors may become less inclined to hold gold as a hedge. This shift in sentiment could accelerate the decline in gold prices as investors reevaluate their investment strategies.
In summary, if the Federal Reserve fails to cut interest rates despite widespread expectations for such action, gold prices could decline as investors adjust their portfolios and reassess the need for gold as a hedge against economic risks and inflation.
GOLD SELL FED SAYS NO CUTSIf the Federal Reserve refrains from cutting interest rates this year, particularly when it was widely anticipated by the market, it could have significant implications for gold prices. Here's how:
Market Expectations Disappointed: When market expectations aren't met, especially regarding key monetary policy decisions like interest rate cuts, it often triggers swift reactions. If investors had priced in rate cuts as a response to economic conditions, and the Fed chooses not to act, it can create a sense of disappointment and uncertainty in the market.
Risk Sentiment: Market participants tend to assess the implications of central bank actions on broader economic conditions and risk sentiment. If the Fed decides against rate cuts despite perceived economic challenges or inflationary pressures, it may signal a more hawkish stance on monetary policy. This could lead to concerns about economic growth prospects and increased risk aversion among investors.
Impact on Inflation Expectations: Expectations about future inflation play a crucial role in determining gold prices. If the Fed's decision not to cut rates is interpreted as a signal that they are less concerned about inflation or that they believe current inflationary pressures are transitory, it could lead to a reassessment of inflation expectations. Lower inflation expectations might reduce the appeal of gold as an inflation hedge, thus putting downward pressure on its price.
Alternative Investment Opportunities: In the absence of expected rate cuts, investors may reassess their investment strategies and look for alternative assets that offer better returns or stability. If other investment opportunities appear more attractive compared to gold, it could lead to a shift in capital away from gold, resulting in a decline in its price.
Overall, if the Federal Reserve chooses not to cut interest rates despite widespread anticipation, it could create uncertainty, dampen inflation expectations, and prompt investors to explore alternative investment options, all of which could contribute to a decline in gold prices.
GOLD SELL NO RATE CUTSDear Traders,
This why we think Gold is going to plummet,
Persisting Inflation: Sticky inflation signifies a troubling scenario where prices resist adjusting swiftly to shifts in supply and demand or broader economic changes. If inflation persists at heightened levels despite the Federal Reserve's attempts to manage it through interest rate adjustments, it could signal a deeply entrenched inflation problem.
Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Adjustments: Historically, the Federal Reserve resorts to interest rate cuts to spur economic expansion or counter economic downturns. In times of rampant inflation, the initial response might involve slashing interest rates to encourage borrowing and spending, thereby kickstarting economic activity. However, if inflation stubbornly persists or continues its ascent, the Federal Reserve might be forced to halt or reverse its rate-cutting measures to stave off further inflationary pressures.
Implications for Gold Prices: Gold has long served as a refuge against inflationary storms. As inflation escalates, investors flock to gold as a means of safeguarding their wealth, knowing it tends to fare better than fiat currencies during inflationary storms. Yet, if the Federal Reserve halts rate cuts due to sticky inflation, it could signal an impending economic downturn or a tightening of monetary policy, potentially easing inflationary pressures in the long run.
Anticipations and Market Forces: Should investors interpret the Federal Reserve's decision to halt rate cuts as an inadequate measure to address sticky inflation and stabilize the economy, it could trigger a panic in the markets. Fears of runaway inflation may intensify, prompting a mass exodus from gold as a hedge. Consequently, this could lead to a rapid decrease in gold demand, precipitating a sharp decline in its price.
In summary, if sticky inflation forces the Federal Reserve to halt rate cuts, it could exacerbate inflationary pressures and erode confidence in gold as a safe haven asset, resulting in a dramatic plunge in gold prices. Nevertheless, market responses are highly unpredictable and influenced by a myriad of factors beyond inflation and interest rate policies.
BIG SHORT XAUUSD DON'T MISS ITWhy might Gold prices decline?
Persistent Inflation: When prices exhibit stickiness, it means they don't adjust swiftly to changes in supply, demand, or the overall economy. If inflation remains high despite efforts by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to manage it through interest rate adjustments, this scenario is termed sticky inflation.
Federal Reserve and Interest Rates: Typically, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates to bolster economic activity or counter economic downturns. Initially, in response to high inflation, the Fed might lower interest rates to spur borrowing and spending, thus stimulating economic growth. However, if inflation remains stubbornly high or continues to climb, the Fed might pause or reverse its rate-cutting measures to curb further inflationary pressures.
Impact on Gold Prices: Gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation. As inflation increases, investors may turn to gold as a store of value since it tends to preserve purchasing power better than fiat currencies during inflationary periods. Yet, if the Fed stops cutting rates due to sticky inflation, it could suggest a potential economic slowdown or a tightening of monetary policy, potentially easing inflationary pressures in the long run.
Market Sentiment and Expectations: If investors believe that the Fed's decision to halt rate cuts will effectively address sticky inflation and stabilize the economy, it could shift market sentiment. Investors may become less worried about inflation and less inclined to hold onto gold as a hedge. Consequently, this reduced demand for gold could lead to a decline in its price.
In summary, if sticky inflation prompts the Fed to pause rate cuts, it could mitigate inflationary pressures and potentially diminish the attractiveness of gold as a safe haven asset, causing its price to decline. However, market dynamics are intricate and influenced by various factors beyond inflation and interest rate policies.
Let us know what you think? make sure to leave a like :)
Greetings,
Zila
Will DXY break Descending Channel at Support?!Here I have the DXY on the 4Hr Chart!
For the past 2 weeks, Price on DXY has been steadily falling!
With our Highs and Lows marked, we can see that Price is outlining what looks to be a Descending Channel!
If price continues to follow down this channel, I suspect that the ( 105.53 - 105.025 ) Support Zone will be the area price will Most Likely find support to push higher!!
What I want to see is Price test the Falling Support of the Descending Channel for a Third Time with a successful bounce ultimately turning this Descending Channel into a Bull Flag Pattern!
-For added confirmation, once the next low is formed, I'd like to see:
1) The low be Equal too OR LOWER than the Second test of the Falling Support
2) A Bullish Divergence to appear on the RSI so underlying direction
Fundamentally to finish the week:
Advanced GDP, Unemployment Claims, Pending Home Sales (Thur)
Core PCE, UoM Consumer Sentiment (Fri)
-Another big fundamental factor to DXY strength will be the results from JPY Policy Rate decision and Core CPI released Thur!
GOLD BIG SHORT STICKY INFLATIONWhy would Gold prices go down?
Sticky Inflation: Sticky inflation refers to a situation where prices do not adjust quickly to changes in supply and demand or changes in the broader economy. In this context, if inflation remains persistently high despite efforts by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to control it through interest rate adjustments, it could be considered sticky inflation.
Federal Reserve and Rate Cuts: Typically, the Federal Reserve implements rate cuts to stimulate economic growth or to combat economic downturns. When inflation is high, the Fed may initially respond by cutting interest rates to encourage borrowing and spending, thus stimulating economic activity. However, if inflation remains stubbornly high or continues to rise, the Fed might halt or even reverse its rate-cutting measures to prevent further inflationary pressures.
Impact on Gold Prices: Gold is often considered a hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, investors may flock to gold as a store of value since it tends to retain its purchasing power better than fiat currencies during inflationary periods. However, if the Fed halts rate cuts due to sticky inflation, it could signal a potential slowdown in economic growth or a tightening of monetary policy, which might reduce inflationary pressures in the long term.
Expectations and Market Dynamics: If investors perceive that the Fed's decision to halt rate cuts will effectively address sticky inflation and stabilize the economy, it could lead to a shift in market sentiment. Investors may become less concerned about inflation and less inclined to hold onto gold as a hedge. Consequently, this could lead to a decrease in demand for gold, causing its price to drop.
In summary, if sticky inflation prompts the Fed to halt rate cuts, it could alleviate inflationary pressures and potentially reduce the appeal of gold as a safe haven asset, leading to a drop in gold prices. However, market reactions can be complex and influenced by various factors beyond just inflation and interest rate policies.
USD/JPY volatile after inflation, BoJ meetingThe Japanese yen is swinging sharply on Friday. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 156.46, up 0.52%.
It has been a busy Friday in Japan. Japanese inflation data, which was released just before the end of the Bank of Japan meeting, was much lower than expected. Tokyo Core CPI, which was overshadowed by the Bank of Japan’s meeting today, eased to 1.6% y/y in April, well below the market consensus of 2.2% and the March reading of 2.4%. This was the lowest level since March 2022.
Tokyo core-core CPI, which excludes fresh food and fuel, slipped to 1.6% y/y in April, down from 2.4% in March and well below the market consensus of 2.7%. This was the lowest pace of inflation since September 2022.
Core inflation is still running above the BoJ’s 2% target, but the Tokyo inflation data raises the question of whether domestic demand and wage growth will increase sufficiently to keep inflation sustainable at the 2% level. Governor Ueda has stated that the service inflation will be a key factor in determining the next rate hike.
At today’s BoJ policy meeting, policy makers maintained the benchmark rate at 0%-0.1% and said they would maintain an accommodative policy “for the time being”. The rate statement did not address the yen, but Governor Ueda issued a warning at his press conference, saying, if yen moves have an effect on the economy and prices that is hard to ignore, it could be a reason to adjust policy”.
The BoJ also raised its outlook for inflation in fiscal 2024 to between 2.5% and 3%, up from 2.2% to 2.5% in the January forecast. At the same time, it downgraded growth projections for fiscal 2024 to between 0.7% to 1%, down from 1% to 1.2% in January.
USD/JPY tested resistance at 155.96 earlier. Above, there is resistance at 157.13
There is support at 154.13 and 153.47
USD/JPY ticks higher ahead of BoJ meetingThe Japanese yen continues to lose ground on Thursday. In the European session USD/JPY is trading at 155.61, up 0.17%. Earlier, the yen dropped to a 34-year low of 155.74.
Friday will be a busy day out of Japan. Tokyo Core CPI, which excludes food, is a key leading indicator of nationwide inflation trends. It is expected to drop to 2.2% in April, down from 2.4% in March. The Tokyo core-core rate, which excludes food and energy, is also expected to fall, from 2.9% in March to 2.7% in April. The March reading marked the first time that the core-core rate fell below 3% since November 2022.
Inflation played a key factor in the Bank of Japan’s historic decision in March to raise interest rates out of negative territory. The BoJ wants to see service inflation and wage growth to rise in order to ensure that inflation remains sustainable at the 2% target.
The Bank of Japan meets on Friday as the Japanese yen continues to lose ground. The yen has lost about 10.4% against the US dollar in 2024 and this sharp descent in such a short period has set off alarm bells in Tokyo. The BoJ’s tightening in March hasn’t stopped the bleeding, as the BoJ has said that it will maintain an accommodative policy and the US/Japan rate differential remains hasn’t narrowed as the Fed has delayed rate cuts.
BOJ expected to stand pat
The BoJ is expected to maintain policy settings at the meeting but Governor Ueda may sound hawkish in order to provide some support for the yen. The meeting could turn out to be a non-event but the threat of intervention from the Ministry of Finance is sure to be on the minds of investors.
The US releases the initial estimate for GDP for the first quarter. The market estimate stands at 2.5% y/y, compared to 3.4% in Q4 2023. The US economy has been robust and rising inflation has not only delayed rate cuts but there is even talk that the Fed could raise rates in order to put the brakes on inflation.
USD/JPY tested support at 155.30 earlier. Below, there is support at 154.13
There is resistance at 155.96 and 157.13
AUD/USD extends gains as inflation higher than expectedThe Australian dollar has edged higher on Wednesday. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6504, up 0.27%. The Australian dollar rose as high as 0.6529 (0.64%) after the Australian inflation release but has pared about half of those gains.
Australia’s inflation rate slowed less than expected in the first quarter. Inflation rose 3.6% y/y in Q1, down sharply from 4.1% in the fourth quarter but above the market estimate of 3.4%. This was the lowest rate since Q4 2024 and the drop was widespread across most components of inflation.
Inflation accelerated in March on a quarterly basis (0.6% to 1%) and monthly (3.4% to 3.5%), as services inflation remains sticky. A key core inflation indicator, the trimmed mean, accelerated to 1% q/q, above the market estimate of 0.8%. Annually, the trimmed mean slowed to 4%, down from 4.2%.
The inflation numbers were higher than what the market was expecting and the Reserve Bank of Australia will be concerned, in particular with the 1% rise in the trimmed mean. The markets pared the probability of a rate cut in May to 3% after the inflation report and have not fully priced a quarter-point drop until February 2025.
The RBA is likely done with its rate-tightening cycle, which has boosted the cash rate to 4.25%, but has paused three straight times. The central bank has shown it can be patient and is unlikely to lower rates until underlying inflation eases and the tight labor market shows signs of cracks.
AUD/USD tested support at 0.6487 earlier. Below, there is support at 0.6424
0.6555 and 0.6618 are the next resistance lines
AUD/USD Rises on Hotter than Expected AU InflationAUD/USD rises today as inflation data from Australia came in higher than anticipated. March CPI accelerated for the first the first time in months (+3.5% y/y), Q1 rose 1% q/q (from +0.6% prior) and on a yearly basis it came in at 3.6%, which was above forecast.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has refrained from raising rates for the past three meetings and has hinted at peak rates, but has not ruled out further hikes and seems far from cuts. Its US peer on the other hand, has pointed to multiple rate cuts this year, despite adopting a conservative approach.
The hotter than expected inflation report makes an RBA pivot less likely and boosts AUD/USD further. It had already made a strong start to the week, since the contraction in US manufacturing activity offered a sign of weakness for the US economy that could help the Fed lower interest rates. The pair tries to take out the EMA200 that could pause the bearish bias and give it the opportunity to challenge the March highs (06668).
However, the immediate upside appears unfriendly, with multiple roadblocks and the Relative Strength Index points to overbought conditions. Furthermore, the recent hawkish repricing around the Fed’s policy path will likely continue to weigh on the pair, while Australia’s Q1 y/y inflation showed further moderation.
As such, AUD/USD is likely to face renewed pressure that can lead to new 2024 lows (0.6362), although sustained weakness towards and beyond 0.6269 does not look easy.
Stratos Markets Limited (www.fxcm.com):
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Stratos Europe Ltd (trading as “FXCM” or “FXCM EU”), previously FXCM EU Ltd (www.fxcm.com):
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Stratos Trading Pty. Limited (www.fxcm.com):
Trading FX/CFDs carries significant risks. FXCM AU (AFSL 309763). Please read the Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement, Target Market Determination and Terms of Business at www.fxcm.com
Stratos Global LLC (www.fxcm.com):
Losses can exceed deposits.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this video are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interests arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed via FXCM`s website:
Stratos Markets Limited clients please see: www.fxcm.com
Stratos Europe Ltd clients please see: www.fxcm.com
Stratos Trading Pty. Limited clients please see: www.fxcm.com
Stratos Global LLC clients please see: www.fxcm.com
Past Performance is not an indicator of future results.
NVDA Update: How Low Can She Go?NASDAQ:NVDA was over-speculated. It is a component of many ETFs based on all kinds of index funds, from semi-conductor ETFs to Big Blue chip companies, etc.
NVDA was the big loss stock for the NASDAQ on Friday. The huge down day was due to many retail investors and smaller funds running for the door. This has nothing to do with its earnings report. It is a universal panic in the stock market. Pro traders bought the stock in the last few minutes of the trading day. Now the stock is close to being a buy on the dip candidate.
The angle of descent is too steep to sustain but the price can collapse further as there is not a Dark Pool Buy Zone firmly established at this level.
Revenues and earnings have been showing exponential growth but the next earnings report is a month away. Just keep in mind that the economy is booming. We had a nudge of higher inflation mostly due to oil prices but some due to corporate growth. Inflation = Growth.
USD/JPY jumpy as Japan’s core CPI easesThe Japanese yen showed some promise earlier, gaining as much as 0.48% against the US dollar as it rose to 153.59. However, it has pared those gains and is trading in Europe at 154.58, down 0.04%.
Japan’s nationwide CPI, which excludes fresh food, rose 2.6% y/y in March, down from 2.8% in February but higher than the market estimate of 2.7%. Core CPI has now exceeded the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for 24 consecutive months. The deceleration was driven by a decrease in food inflation but the yen’s weakness prevented a sharper drop in inflation.
The “core-core” CPI reading, which excludes fresh food and energy, dropped from 3.2% to 2.9% in March, below the forecast of 3%. This marked the first time that the index has fallen below 3% since November 2022.
While consumer inflation continues to slow, the Bank of Japan is more focused on services inflation, as it believes that services inflation together with higher wage growth are the recipe to ensuring that inflation remains sustainable at the 2% target.
The yen is down almost 10% since the start of the year and the sharp depreciation in such a short period has Tokyo concerned. The Ministry of Finance last intervened in the currency markets in late 2022 when the yen traded around 152. With the yen falling this week to 154.78, a 34-year old low, the markets are on alert for the possibility of another intervention.
The weak yen could also have a significant impact on rate policy. On Thursday, BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said that the Bank might raise interest rates again if the yen’s decline led to a significant rise in inflation. The BoJ lifted rates out of negative policy in March but the yen has weakened since then.
USD/JPY tested resistance at 154.43 earlier. Above, there is resistance at 154.71
There is support at 154.11 and 153.83
GBP/USD eyes retail salesThe British pound is having a quiet week and that trend has continued on Thursday . In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2450, down 0.04%.
The UK release retail sales for March on Friday. The market forecast for March is 0.7% y/y after a decline of 0.4% y/y in February. Today’s British Retail Consortium retail sales index jumped 3.5% y/y in March, raising hopes that the official retail sales release will also improve. The driver behind the strong gain was spending on food, as the Easter holidays fell in late March.
Retail sales have shown sharp swings in 2024, with adverse weather keeping shoppers at home and weighing on consumer spending. The weather will improve in the coming months and the Paris Olympics and Taylor Swift concerts are expected to lead to an increase in consumer spending and demand.
Inflation in the UK declined to 3.2% y/y in March, down from 3.4% in February but higher than the market estimate of 3.1%. The inflation rate fell to its lowest since September 2021 but the BoE remains cautious and is yet to signal that rate cuts are coming, especially as core inflation has proven to be sticky and is more than double the 2% target.
In the US, the Federal Reserve is none too happy about inflation accelerating in February and March. Fed Chair Powell said this week that higher-than-expected inflation would delay rate cuts and there are doubts whether the Fed will raise rates at all this year. The markets have slashed expectations for rate cuts due to the robust US economy and rising inflation.
GBP/USD tested support at 1.2451 earlier. Below, there is support at 1.2421
There is resistance at 1.2486 and 1.2516
AUD/USD steadies ahead of employment dataThe Australian dollar has stabilized on Wednesday, after a 2.2% decline over the past three days. In the North American session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.62254, up 0.37% but remains close to five-month lows.
Australia’s employment is expected to post a small gain of 7,200 in March after a blowout gain of 116,500 in February. The unemployment rate is expected to bump up to 3.9% after falling from 4.1% to 3.7% in February.
The stunning February jobs report made the Reserve Bank of Australia look good, as it paused rates (rather than cut) just two days earlier at its policy meeting. If the March data shows that the February release was a one-time blip and that the labor market is indeed cooling down, expectations for a rate cut will increase. The RBA has held the cash rate at 4.35% for three straight times and meets next on May 7.
The RBA will be monitoring key data ahead of the meeting and next week’s CPI release for the first quarter will be a key factor in the rate decision. Inflation has been moving lower but still remains above the target range of 2-3%. In February, headline CPI was unchanged at 3.4% while core inflation dropped from 4.1% to 3.9%.
In the US, the Federal Reserve is dealing with a robust US economy and rising inflation. This is complicating the battle with inflation and prompted Fed Chair Powell to deliver a blunt message on Tuesday.
Powell said that the Fed would wait longer than previously expected to lower rates as a result of higher than expected inflation reports. This warning led the markets to pare the odds of rate cut expectations, raising the possibility that the Fed might forgo rate cuts until 2025.
AUD/USD tested resistance at 0.6437 earlier. Above, there is resistance at 0.6472
0.6413 and 0.6378 are the next support levels
Eurozone Core & Headline CPI overviewEUROZONE CPI
Eurozone Headline and Core CPI for October both came in as expected (decrease)
Eurozone Headline CPI:
MoM – Actual 0.1% / Exp. 0.1% / Prev. 0.3%
YoY – Actual 2.9% / Exp. 2.9% / Prev. 4.3% (purple on chart)
Eurozone Core CPI:
MoM – Actual 0.2% / Exp. 0.2% / Prev. 0.2%
YoY – Actual 4.2% / Exp. 4.2% / Prev. 4.5% (blue on chart)
The chart below illustrates the direction of the current YoY down trend for both Headline and Core CPI however we are still not at the historical moderate levels of inflation desired. You can see these moderate levels of inflation between 0 – 2% from 2015 – 2020 below.
Is BOJ's Intervention Hiding Behind Inflation Data? Is BOJ's Intervention Hiding Behind Inflation Data?
Japanese inflation data is scheduled for release on Thursday, but its impact on the market might be subdued. Investors could prefer to pay attention to next week's quarterly growth and price forecasts from the Bank of Japan, which could be the real market movers.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the Bank of Japan is transitioning towards a more flexible approach in its policy decisions, placing less emphasis on inflation targeting.
The upcoming April 25-26 policy meeting will see the release of the Bank's quarterly growth and price projections. This shift in strategy suggests that the Bank of Japan may signal a willingness to raise interest rates irrespective of inflation forecasts, which are anticipated to remain around 2.8% or possibly dip slightly to 2.7%.
On the technical side, the USDJPY pair could maintain an upward bias, with buyers potentially pushing it towards the 155.00 mark.
Recent fluctuations in the USDJPY pair have prompted speculation about possible intervention by the Bank of Japan. After hitting a new high dating back to 1990 at 154.705, the pair experienced a swift and unusual downturn. Market watchers are closely monitoring the 155.00 level, considered another more likely potential intervention threshold by the Bank of Japan.
Following a dip to 153.890, the pair rebounded towards 154.775, supported by neutral to hawkish remarks from US Federal Reserve officials. Fed Chair Powell, speaking at a panel discussion in Washington, highlighted the strength of the labor market and progress on inflation, suggesting the Bank was comfortable with allowing “restrictive policy further time to work”.
SPY Right On TrackAs stated in this weekends video update, I expected us to retest the top of the red channel first, with potential to drop back inside the channel and test the bottom. The middle yellow channel is also a less likely possibility. I don't think we'll get down to the green again until AFTER we hit are WAVE 5 target and also, Inverse Head and Shoulders pattern target of 570. This should be hit sometime on or just before September of 2024. ...Then the crash.