Monday was an uneventful day of trade for the most part. Absence of any meaningful economic data on the calendar or any important updates around the US debt ceiling or the monetary policy outlook have left things in a state of narrow consolidation.
Audio Updatehttps://www.lmax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/05/23maylmaxaudio.mp3Technical highlights* EURUSD Looking for a higher low * GBPUSD Dips into correction mode * USDJPY Possible bottom forming * AUDUSD Well supported on dips * USDCAD Strong base into 1.3000 * NZDUSD Stuck in sideways trade * US SPX 500 Additional upside limited * GOLD (spot) Positioning for fresh record high
Fundamental highlights EURUSD ECB Villeroy talks monetary policy outlook * GBPUSD Dealers report long liquidations * USDJPY BOJ Kazuo talks easy monetary policy * AUDUSD Aussie hit on RMB weakness, metals selling * USDCAD Loonie sees mild selling on commodities slide * NZDUSD FinMin Robertson doesn’t see downgrade * US SPX 500 Inflation headache not going away * GOLD (spot) Dealers report* plenty of demand
30 Day Performance vs. US dollar (%)Further reading Is the S&P FANG’d Out? Debt Isn’t the Only Ceiling, J. Authers, Bloomberg (May 23, 2023) * Hillary Clinton on China, Putin and the threat to US Democracy, Financial Times* (May 21, 2023)
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GOLD EURUSD – technical overviewThe 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 the formation of the next major higher low and 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 March 2022 high at 1.1185.
R2 1.0905 – 16 May high – Strong
EURUSD – fundamental overviewThe Euro has sold off a bit on soft construction and confidence data. Meanwhile, ECB’s Villeroy expects rate peak by September at the latest, with a hike or pause possible in the next three meetings. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from an ECB Guindos speech, German Eurozone and UK PMI reads, Canada producer prices, US new home sales, and US building permits.
EURUSD – Technical charts in detailWatch now
GBPUSD – technical overviewSigns 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 1.2680.
GBPUSD – fundamental overviewThe Pound came under mild pressure on Monday, mostly on reports of long liquidations. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from an ECB Guindos speech, German Eurozone and UK PMI reads, Canada producer prices, US new home sales, and US building permits.
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USDJPY – technical overviewThe 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 in favor of higher lows along the way.
USDJPY – fundamental overviewThe Yen has extended its run of declines to fresh yearly lows against the Buck on more dovish comments out from the BOJ. BOJ Kazuo was out reiterating calls for continued ultra-easy policy. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from an ECB Guindos speech, German Eurozone and UK PMI reads, Canada producer prices, US new home sales, and US building permits.
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AUDUSD – technical overviewThere are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base following the late 2022 surge back above 0.6500. The recent weekly close back above previous support now turned resistance at 0.6682 strengthens the outlook for a bullish structural shift. Next key resistance comes in at 0.7284. Setbacks should be well supported ahead of 0.6500.
AUDUSD – fundamental overviewThe Australian Dollar was weighed down on Monday from weakness in the RMB and metals prices. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from an ECB Guindos speech, German Eurozone and UK PMI reads, Canada producer prices, US new home sales, and US building permits.
USDCAD – technical overviewA recent surge back above 1.3000 signals an end to a period of 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 overviewA mild session for the Canadian Dollar on Tuesday, with the currency getting sold just a bit on falling commodities prices. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from an ECB Guindos speech, German Eurozone and UK PMI reads, Canada producer prices, US new home sales, and US building permits.
NZDUSD – technical overviewOverall 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.
NZDUSD – fundamental overviewThe New Zealand Dollar has been getting help from higher US equities and solid local developments. This resulted in the currency standing out as the best performer in the G10 over the past week and month. Most recently, the NZ trade deficit swung to a surplus, and NZ FinMin Robertson said he doesn’t think New Zealand’s credit rating will be downgraded. Key standouts on Tuesday’s calendar come from an ECB Guindos speech, German Eurozone and UK PMI reads, Canada producer prices, US new home sales, and US building permits.
US SPX 500 – technical overviewLonger-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 4300 will be required at a minimum to take the immediate pressure off the downside. Next major support comes in at 4049.
US SPX 500 – fundamental overviewWe’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.
GOLD (SPOT) – technical overviewThe 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 overviewThe 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.