USDCHF Reaffirms Bearish Bias after Timid SNB & US PCEThe Swiss National Bank was the first major institution to shift to monetary easing and remains at the forefront after its third consecutive rate cut this week. However, it stuck with the small 0.25% increments, which are meager compared to the Fed’s jumbo 0.5% pivot and aggressive easing path. Furthermore, with rates already at 1%, the SNB easing runway may not be very long. Today’s US inflation figures favor the Fed’s dovishness, as headline PCE decelerated to 2.2% and the lowest in more than three years. These dynamics weigh on the pair and reaffirm the bearish below the EMA200. This sustains risk for further losses below 0.8333 and levels not seen since at least 2015, although sustained weakness below it is hard.
Core PCE ticked up to 2.7% y/y and the Fed’s frontloading may fuel further persistence in price pressures and lead to fewer cuts later on. On the Swiss front, policymakers may not be able to avoid larger rate cuts. Inflation dropped to 1.1% in August and they expect further deceleration to 0.6% next year, while the elevated Franc harms exports and ads to the pressure for bigger policy moves and/or FX intervention. Despite the post-pandemic shift, the SNB has generally sought to keep the Swiss Franc from appreciating and has kept rates below zero for most of the past ten years.
As a result, we can see another effort surpass the EMA200 and pause the bearish bias. This would bring the 38.2% Fibonacci of the May-September slump into the spotlight, but we are cautious around the ascending prospects as the upside looks unfriendly.
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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:
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Past Performance is not an indicator of future results.
Fed
USD/JPY Under Pressure: Weak Yen and Anticipation of US GDP!USD/JPY is receiving particular attention due to the weakness of the Japanese Yen (JPY), influenced by expectations that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will delay further rate hikes. The minutes of the BoJ’s July monetary policy meeting revealed a consensus among members on the need to remain vigilant regarding inflation risks. While some members indicated that a rate hike to 0.25% might be appropriate, others suggested a moderate adjustment to monetary support.
From a macroeconomic perspective, traders are focused on the release of the annualized US GDP for the second quarter, scheduled for Thursday. The dollar's performance is being hindered by the increasing likelihood of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve by the end of the year. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, there is about a 50% chance that the Fed will reduce rates by 75 basis points, bringing them to the 4.0-4.25% range.
In terms of resistance, the level of 149.40, the highest in the past six weeks, represents a potential target for the USD/JPY rally. On the support side, the first significant level is around 144.00, which coincides with the upper boundary of the previous descending channel. A break below this level could restore the bearish bias, with the next target around 139.58, the lowest point since June 2023.
DXY - MidtermThe FED surprised the markets with a 0.50 point preemptive rate cut. We expect this preemptive cut to cause a downward movement in the dollar index. However, we do not foresee a long-term downtrend. While the FED started the process with a larger-than-expected cut, other central banks had already begun their rate-cutting cycles much earlier. Therefore, after a brief decline, we expect the dollar index to stabilize and rise again.
Technically, the first of our two major support levels, 100.6, has been broken. We now expect the decline to continue towards the second major support zone between 99.4 and 99.75. The double-top technical formation on short-term charts also supports the downward momentum. If the price finds support in the 99.4 - 99.75 range, we could see a rise towards the 102.2 - 103 area.
As for the impact on other dollar pairs, we expect to see upward movements in XxxUsd pairs and downward movements in UsdXxx pairs.
Copper Gets Double Boost from China Stimulus & Fed Jumbo CutThe Fed’s outsized pivot last week and guidance for multiple cuts ahead helped copper’s recovery, as it increases chances of a soft landing for the worlds largest economy. Furthermore, lower rates are expected to bring mortgages down and help the real estate market.
Copper got a second boost this week, from a massive monetary stimulus package from China - the world’s top consumer. Authorities have been enhancing their efforts to prop the sputtering economy recently and the new measures constitute a step up. Crucially, these include lower mortgage rates on existing home loans and a reduction in rates for second homes, in further support for the ailing property sector.
These developments lead copper towards a third straight profitable week and the best month since April, with bulls now getting the opportunity to tackle 4.700. Along with the return of AI euphoria that drives the rebound of the chip industry (where copper is a critical component), there are prospects for further gains.
On the other hand, the Fed’s frontloading creates risk for inflation persistence and less cuts in the future, while China’s actions are in the right direction, but bolder measures are needed on the fiscal front. Furthermore, the move looks stretched technically so a pullback towards the EMA200 (black line) would not be unreasonable. However, the downside appears well protected and sustained weakness below the EMA200 looks hard.
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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:
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Past Performance is not an indicator of future results.
WTI Price Outlook: Key FactorsThe price of WTI is hovering around $69.60 per barrel, remaining at relatively low levels compared to recent peaks. However, several signals suggest a potential reversal towards an upward trajectory. The reduction in U.S. crude oil inventories, reported by the EIA, was significantly larger than expected, with a drop of 4.471 million barrels compared to the forecasted 1.2 million. This signal of shrinking supply could exert upward pressure on crude oil prices.
On the other hand, the effectiveness of recent economic stimulus measures adopted by China, the world's largest oil importer, remains uncertain. If these measures fail to stimulate demand, crude prices could face downward pressure. Additionally, rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly after an Israeli airstrike that killed a Hezbollah commander, increase the risk of a potential supply disruption from the region.
From a technical standpoint, WTI is currently in a consolidation phase. If prices manage to break through the key resistance level around $70-72 per barrel, a bullish breakout could occur, supported by increased trading volumes.
Interest Rate Strategies: Trade Smarter with Fed Rate DecisionsInterest Rate Strategies: Trade Smarter with Fed Rate Decisions
Trading interest rates may seem straightforward at first: buy when cuts end and sell when they fall. However, this approach often defies expectations, as determining when rate cuts truly end isn't as simple as pointing to a rate pause following a cut. While today’s Federal Reserve rate decisions are made during scheduled (and unscheduled emergency) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, this wasn’t always the case. Before the 1990s, the Fed often made changes outside of meetings. The shift to exclusively deciding rates during FOMC meetings was implemented to provide greater transparency and predictability for markets.
Topics Covered:
How Are Interest Rates Traded?
Three Interest Rate Trading Strategies.
Key Insights from Backtesting Interest Rate Trading Strategies.
Interest Rate Trading Indicator (Backtest For Yourself).
█ How Are Interest Rates Traded?
This strategy focuses on trading around Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, including hikes (increases), cuts (decreases), and pauses. These decisions are believed by many to have both short- and long-term effects on the market.
Key Strategy Concepts Backtested:
Buy on Rate Pauses or Increases: Go long (buy) when the Fed pauses or raises interest rates, typically signaling market stability or optimism.
Sell on Rate Decreases: Go short (sell) or close longs when the Fed cuts rates, often indicating economic concerns or slowing growth.
Buy on Specific Rate Decreases: Enter trades when the Fed implements specific rate cuts, such as 50 basis points (bps) which represents 0.5%, and analyze market reactions over different time horizons.
█ Strategy: Long during Pauses and Increases, Short during Decreases
This section examines the effectiveness of going long on rate pauses or increases and shorting during decreases. This strategy performed well between 2001 and 2009, but underperformed after 2009 and before 2001 compared to holding positions. The main challenge is the unpredictability of future rate changes. If you could foresee rate trends over two years, decision-making would be easier, but that’s rarely the case, making this strategy less reliable in certain periods.
2001-2009
Trade Result: 67.02%
Holding Result: -31.19%
2019-2021
Trade Result: 19.28%
Holding Result: 25.22%
1971-Present
Trade Result: 444.13%
Holding Result: 5694.12%
█ Strategy: Long 50bps Rate Cuts
This section evaluates trading around 50 basis point (bps) rate cuts, which is a 0.5% decrease. Large cuts usually respond to economic stress, and market reactions can vary. While these cuts signal aggressive economic stimulation by the Fed, short-term responses are often unpredictable. The strategy tends to perform better over longer timeframes, as markets absorb the effects.
1971-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -0.19%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 2.41%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 2.46%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 11.4%
2001-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -2.12%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -1.84%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: -3.72%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 1.72%
2009-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -15.79%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -6.11%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 7.07%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 29.92%
█ Strategy: Long Any Rate Cuts
This section reviews the performance of buying after any rate cut, not just large ones. Rate cuts usually signal economic easing and often improve market conditions in the long run. However, the size of the cut and its context greatly influence how the market reacts over different timeframes.
1971-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: 0.33%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 2.65%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 4.38%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 8.4%
2001-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -1.12%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -0.69%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: -1.59%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 0.22%
2009-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -3.38%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 3.26%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 12.55%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 12.54%
█ Key Insights from Backtesting Interest Rate Trading Strategies
The first assumption I wanted to test was whether you should sell when rate cuts begin and buy when they end. The results were inconclusive, mainly due to the difficulty of predicting when rate cuts will stop. A rate pause might suggest cuts are over, but that’s often not the case, as shown below.
One key finding is that the best time to be fully invested is when rates fall below 1.25% or 1.00%, as this has historically led to stronger market performance. But this can be subject to change.
█ Interest Rate Trading Indicator (Backtest For Yourself)
Indicator Used For Backtesting (select chart below to open):
The 'Interest Rate Trading (Manually Added Rate Decisions) ' indicator analyzes U.S. interest rate decisions to determine trade entries and exits based on user-defined criteria, such as rate increases, decreases, pauses, aggressive changes, and more. It visually marks key decision dates, including both rate changes and pauses, offering valuable insights for trading based on interest rate trends. Historical time periods are highlighted for additional context. The indicator also allows users to compare the performance of an interest rate trading strategy versus a holding strategy.
USD/JPY jumps as BoJ Core CPI stallsThe Japanese yen is sharply lower on Wednesday. In the North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 144.49, up 0.89% at the time of writing.
The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates and continue on the path to normalization. The BoJ lifted rates out of negative territory in March but rates are barely above zero and the markets are expecting further hikes, although the timing remains unclear. This has made the BoJ an outlier among the major central banks, which have lowered rates in response to falling inflation.
In Japan, inflation has been on the rise and hit 3.0% in August after running at 2.8% in the prior three months. The BoJ has signaled that it will raise rates but has been cautious, and Governor Ueda said on Tuesday that the central bank can afford to wait and is not in any rush to hike rates.
The US Conference Board consumer confidence index is usually not a market-mover but a very soft reading on Tuesday sent the US dollar lower against most of the major currencies. The index slipped to 98.7 in September, down sharply from a revised 105.6 in August and below the market estimate of 103.8. The US labor market has deteriorated and consumers are worried about job security.
The US releases GDP (third estimate) for the second quarter with a forecast of 3.0%. This would confirm the second estimate and point to stronger economic growth after a 1.4% gain in the first quarter. Still, the Fed may be planning another jumbo rate cut – the markets have priced in a 50-basis point cut at the next meeting in November, according to CME’s FedWatch.
USD/JPY has pushed above resistance at 143.67 and 144.23. Above, there is resistance at 145.23
There is support at 142.67 and 142.11
BTC - 9/24/2024Historically, unemployment and inflation tend to alternate each other- hence the Philips inversion curve and other trading philosophies.
Inflation is not necessarily under check in my opinion, but retail and establishments are eyeing up entries here as central banks like the ECB, BOJ, and Fed start cutting their interest rates as job numbers have arguably seemed to look good. In any case, I see cash injections in the economy and eased lending leading to some faith for a bullish scenario.
The last time inflation and unemployment alternated severity, it caused a pretty substantial drop in BTC prices before a super-cycle.
I'm bullish on the cycle overall.
M2K: SmallCap May Get a Big Lift with Rate Cuts UnderwayCME: Micro E-Mini Russell 2000 Futures ( GETTEX:M2K )
Global financial market orbits around Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions. Hiking interest rates means monetary tightening while cutting them signals easing.
In the past three years, we have witnessed a full cycle of Fed hikes and now its reversal.
• In March 2022, as inflation rose rapidly, the Fed started a series of rate increases, pushing the Fed Funds rate up by 525 basis points from 0-0.25% to 5.25-5.50%.
• In September 2023, after 11 consecutive rate hikes, the Fed put the brake on. It kept the Fed Funds unchanged for a full year in eight FOMC meetings.
• Last Wednesday, the Fed finally entered the long-awaited rate cut cycle. It slashed interest rates by a supersized half point, or 50 basis points, in its first cut since 2020.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the latest reading of headline CPI is 2.5% in August, down 6.6% from its peak in July 2022. We may conclude that the Fed has largely completed its mission of combating inflation.
The BLS data shows that the U.S. unemployment rate has risen to 4.2% in August 2024 from 3.6% two years ago in August 2022. Fed’s easing signals its pivot to the second mandate, to support full employment. Lowering interest rates could reduce borrowing costs, and in return help business expansion and employment.
Russell 2000: SmallCap may get the biggest Boost
The discounted cash flow (DCF) model estimates the present value of an investment based on its expected future cash flows. A lower cost of capital (CoC) shall cause the price of the investment to go up, other things equal.
Small companies would gain the most compared to larger corporations. In the preceding rate hike cycle, they were hit hard as credit standards got tightened and credit spreads expanded. We will now see the reversal.
Russell 2000 is the benchmark stock market index for US small companies. CME Micro E-mini Russell 2000 futures ( GETTEX:M2K ) were settled at 2,252.6 on Friday, up 10.05% year-to-date.
For a comparison, the S&P 500 gained 19.50% YTD as of Friday, while the Nasdaq 100 was up 17.59%. In my opinion, the major stock indexes rose on the back of the AI-driven technological breakthroughs, where Big Tech dominated but few Small Cap companies could benefit. In this new cycle, lowered borrowing costs and the abundance of credit could help small businesses improve their balance sheets.
The Fed is expected to continue cutting rates in the next two years. Corporate bond yields could likely return to the 2-3% range. The credit spreads, including Baa-Bbb, Baa-Bb, and Baa-Ccc, would likely get smaller. This could bring further boost to the Russell index.
Could we quantify the impact of rate cuts? Let’s illustrate this with a $1 million payment, to be received in five years.
• Applying the BBB corporate bond yield of 4.88% as the CoC, present value of $1 million will be $788,019.
• If the CoC moves down by 250 bps to 2.38%, the PV will be increased to $889,046.
• This shows that a 2.5% reduction in CoC could boost the PV by 12.8%.
The same concept would work on the Russell index. CoC could drop either due to interest rate decrease or because of the narrowing of credit spread, which favors smaller companies. The result would be an increase in the market value of Russell component companies.
For someone with a bullish view of the Russell 2000, he could establish a long position in CME Micro E-mini Russell 2000 futures. The contract has a notional value at $5 times the index. At Friday closing price of 2,252.6, each December contract (M2KZ4) is worth $11,263. CME Group requires an initial margin of $760 for each M2K contract, long or short.
The Fed will next convene on November 5th-6th and meet one last time in 2024 on December 17th-18th. In my opinion, if the Fed continues lowering rates in these two meetings, Russell 2000 could likely move up further.
Hypothetically, if the Russell is 5% higher by December, the 113-point increase would translate into $563 (=2252.6*0.05*$5) gain per contract for the long holder.
The risk of long futures is the index going down. If inflation spikes unexpectedly, the Fed could possibly pause its rate cuts, casting doubt on the future rate trajectory. For more experienced traders, put options on the E-Mini Russell 2000 futures could be deployed to hedge the downside risk.
Happy Trading.
Disclaimers
*Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
EURUSD Analysis: Anticipating a Slight Bearish Bias Towards 1.1!EURUSD Analysis: Anticipating a Slight Bearish Bias Towards 1.10000 (24/09/2024)
As we analyze the EURUSD pair this week, a slight bearish bias appears probable, with a target near the pivotal level of 1.10000. Key drivers for this outlook include the recent economic data releases, central bank policies, and market sentiment.
1. Economic Data:
Recent Eurozone economic indicators have shown mixed results, with weak manufacturing PMI figures suggesting slowing growth. Conversely, US economic data, particularly strong job numbers and retail sales, point to a robust economy, potentially strengthening the dollar.
2. Central Bank Divergence:
The European Central Bank (ECB) is likely to maintain a dovish stance amid economic uncertainties, while the Federal Reserve appears committed to a tighter monetary policy. This divergence could exert downward pressure on the euro.
3. Market Sentiment:
Increased risk aversion due to geopolitical tensions may lead investors to favor safe-haven currencies like the USD, further supporting the bearish outlook for EURUSD.
In conclusion, the combination of economic fundamentals, central bank policies, and market sentiment suggests that EURUSD may trend towards 1.10000 this week. Traders should stay alert for potential market shifts and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Keywords: EURUSD analysis, bearish bias, economic data, central bank policy, ECB, Fed, market sentiment, forex trading, trading strategies, 1.10000 target.
GBPUSD: The bullish run continues!The analysis of GBP/USD highlights a strong upward phase, with the pair holding above 1.3300, close to its 31-month high. The pair has extended its positive trend for five consecutive sessions, driven by various technical and economic factors. The current resistance level is around 1.3350, representing the upper boundary of the ascending channel. If this level is breached, the next resistance would be around 1.3400, a significant psychological barrier. Should the pair retreat below 1.3300, it could drop toward 1.3230, the lower limit of the channel. This would signal a possible correction, likely due to overbought conditions.
The Bank of England (BoE) decision to keep interest rates unchanged, with only one policymaker favoring a cut, positively surprised markets. The overall tone was seen as "hawkish," with Governor Bailey expressing optimism that rates could fall but stressing the need for more inflation data. Positive retail sales data (+1% in August vs. a forecast of +0.4%) further supported the British pound, showcasing the UK's economic resilience, a positive factor for the currency. The US dollar, on the other hand, showed signs of weakness, especially following volatility in US equity markets, which could bolster GBP/USD’s rise.
Aussie dollar strengthens as RBA moves opposite with Fed
The RBA is less likely to cut rates as Australia's labor market remains tight. Australia's Aug Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.2%, while labor participation surged to a record high of 67.1%. Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasized that the increasing number of jobs and opportunities for Australians is a very encouraging development. The RBA also clarified that inflation could continue to decrease if the Unemployment Rate increases further. As the RBA continues to uphold its hawkish stance while the Fed declares a 0.50% rate cut, the Aussie dollar may persist in its upward trajectory.
AUDUSD extended its uptrend, breaching the psychological resistance at 0.6800. The price rose above both EMAs, while EMA21 widened the gap with EMA78, sending a bullish signal.
If AUDUSD sustains its uptrend while holding above EMA21, the price could gain upward momentum toward the 0.6870 high. Conversely, if AUDUSD fails to hold above EMA21 and breaks the support at 0.6730, the price may fall further to the 0.6640 level.
Aussie dollar strengthens as RBA moves opposite with Fed
The RBA is less likely to cut rates as Australia's labor market remains tight. Australia's Aug Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.2%, while labor participation surged to a record high of 67.1%. Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasized that the increasing number of jobs and opportunities for Australians is a very encouraging development. The RBA also clarified that inflation could continue to decrease if the Unemployment Rate increases further. As the RBA continues to uphold its hawkish stance while the Fed declares a 0.50% rate cut, the Aussie dollar may persist in its upward trajectory.
AUDUSD extended its uptrend, breaching the psychological resistance at 0.6800. The price rose above both EMAs, while EMA21 widened the gap with EMA78, sending a bullish signal.
If AUDUSD sustains its uptrend while holding above EMA21, the price could gain upward momentum toward the 0.6870 high. Conversely, if AUDUSD fails to hold above EMA21 and breaks the support at 0.6730, the price may fall further to the 0.6640 level.
Gold's Surge on Fed Cuts and Geopolitical Tensions!Fundamental Trend and Macroeconomic Factors: Gold is continuing its bullish trend, supported by expectations of further interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (Fed). Lower rates make gold, a non-yielding asset, more attractive compared to interest-bearing financial instruments.
Geopolitical tensions between Israel and Lebanon are also boosting demand for safe-haven assets like gold, further driving up the precious metal’s price.
Technical Data and Trend Indicators: Gold has risen for the third consecutive day, with the price reaching a new record high of $2,634.74 per ounce.
Daily technical indicators show signs of stabilization, although they remain in overbought territory, indicating that the bullish momentum might start to slow down.
4-Hour Chart Analysis: Technical indicators have begun to pull back from their recent highs with neutral-to-bearish slopes, signaling a potential retracement.
However, gold continues to trade above rising moving averages, with dynamic support around $2,600.
Future Outlook: Upcoming economic data, such as the August PCE Index, could influence the Fed’s future direction, determining whether interest rate cuts will become more aggressive. This factor will be crucial in assessing whether gold can continue its upward trajectory, bolstered by an expansive monetary policy.
23/09/24 Weekly outlookLast weeks high: $64,141.61
Last weeks low: $57,492.86
Midpoint: $60,817.24
Pattern continuation for Bitcoin from the week that came before last, steady and constant move up +11.55% from week low to high. The FOMC was the big talking point of the week, would the FED cut 25bps or 50bps, the answer was 50bps with a view to stay ahead of the curve. Making the rate of borrowing cheaper incentivises risk-on investment and so we have seen the start of that with the recent move up from the midpoint/
Having said that, typically when the week starts by swing failing the previous weeks high that often leads to a sell off week historically. This would go against the larger macro narrative that the market is turning back bullish after 6 months of chop. If anything this is the perfect test for Bitcoins resolve, if it overcomes a swing fail and continues a move up then the sentiment and macro outlook will be very positive going into Q4.
$65,000 is still major resistance and should be the bullish target to flip this week. The altcoin market is starting to wake up, should BTC accumulate around the $65,000 area I'd like to see alts/TOTAL3 playing catch-up. If BTC flips the $65,000 with strength we are off to the races.
Copper Supported by the Fed’s Jumbo CutAfter May’s record peak, copper prices slumped as demand optimism went away due to US and China economic fears, EV adoption slowdown and AI euphoria giving way to skepticism. However, copper staged a rebound, as China has been stepping up its effort to prop the economy, while AI optimism returned recently lifting tech and chip-making sectors. Furthermore US recession fears were quelled after the Fed slashed rates by a jumbo 0.5% last week and pointed to aggressive easing ahead, in what could be a boon for the property sectors where copper is used heavily.
These forces have helped the non-ferrous metal regain control above the EMA200, providing the launch pad for reclaiming the 4.500 handle. This would bring the summer high in the spotlight (4.700), although this level has a higher degree of difficulty.
On the other hand, the Fed’s frontloading creates risk of renewed inflation pressures that could lead to a shallower easing path, while China economic problems persist and the real estate sector remains in distress. Copper starts the current week on the back foot, unable to capitalize on its recent bounce. This sustains risk of sub-EMA200 moves that would pause the momentum, but the downside contains many buffers and prolonged weakness does not look easy, technically nor fundamentally.
Stratos Markets Limited (www.fxcm.com):
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 62% 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”) (www.fxcm.com):
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 59% 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
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Nazdaq - Stock market after the FEDThe index is above the EMA200 and EMA50 in the 4H timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel
If the index rises towards the supply zone, which is also at the intersection with the weekly pivot and the midline of the channel, you can look for sell positions in the Nasdaq index
The failure of the drawn trend line and the loss of the specified support range will provide the downward path of the index to the bottom of the ascending channel
EURUSD Analysis after the FED, BOE and BOJ!The analysis of EUR/USD suggests a relatively strong position for the pair, currently stable around 1.1160, with a bullish outlook supported by both technical and fundamental factors.
Technical Factors:
Relative Strength Index (RSI): The RSI indicator on the 4-hour chart is near 70, indicating the pair is in overbought territory, suggesting that a technical pullback or correction could be imminent in the short term. However, the overall bullish trend remains intact for now.
Support and Resistance Levels:
Resistance: The first resistance level is at 1.1200, followed by 1.1275, which represents the July 18, 2023 high.
Support: The first support level is at 1.1135, followed by 1.1100.
Fundamental Factors:
US Dollar: The potential weakness of the US Dollar is a key factor. The likelihood of the Federal Reserve reducing interest rates in 2024 could contribute to a decline in the Dollar, increasing bullish pressure on the EUR/USD pair. Although the data on initial jobless claims (219,000 vs. 231,000) temporarily supported the Dollar, the prevailing risk sentiment in the markets reintroduced bearish pressure on the Dollar later in the week.
European Central Bank (ECB): Comments from ECB members indicate that no significant monetary policy changes are expected until December. However, ECB President Christine Lagarde's speech could have market impacts. If she opens the door to a rate cut as early as October, it could weaken the Euro. However, at this time, such a possibility seems unlikely.
USD/JPY surges as Bank of Japan stays patThe US dollar has posted sharp gains on Friday. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 143.85, up 0.88% at the time of writing. The yen hit a 14-month high on Monday but the dollar has rebounded and is up 2.1% this week. It’s an unusually quiet Friday with no US events on the calendar.
The Bank of Japan held its rate decision just after the Federal Reserve, but there was little drama at the BoJ meeting. The markets had expected that central bank to maintain rates at “around 0.25%” and the BoJ didn’t provide any clues about future hikes. The rate statement didn’t reveal much, stating that the economy had “recovered moderately” but some weakness remained.
The statement noted concern over “developments in financial and foreign exchange market and their impact on Japan’s economic activity and prices”. Governor Ueda said last month that the BoJ would raise rate if the economy and inflation were in line with the Bank’s projections. If key data, particularly inflation, is stronger than expected in the coming weeks, we could see a rate hike at the October meeting.
With inflation in the US largely under control, the Federal Reserve is keeping a worried eye on the labor market, as job growth as deteriorated quickly. That slide has unnerved financial markets and may have been a key factor in the Fed’s jumbo rate cut of 50 basis points this week. Thursday’s unemployment claims for the period ending Sept. 14 were better than expected, at 219 thousand. This was well below the revised 231 thousand reading a week earlier and beat the market estimate of 230 thousand.
USD/JPY pushed above resistance at 142.41 earlier. The next resistance line is 144.55
There is support at 142.41 and 141.00
Can DXY Stabilize at 99.50-100 Area Despite FED 50bp Cut? Dollar Index – DXY has turned bearish after the corrective rally stopped at 105.70-106, an important resistance area at the end of June. Since then, the price even accelerated lower through summer so it appears that a bearish impulse is in play, but with recent touch of a new swing low, DXY is possibly in fifth wave, so be aware of some support in weeks ahead. But closer look shows that there is still some room left for 99.50-100 area, but if this will occur and structure a wedge shape, then we should be aware of reversals, and new correction.
So as said, the price could still see a bit more weakness into the 5th wave to fully complete this ending diagonal, but then dollar can turn for a new correction, considering that recent dollar weakness has been mainly driven by these rate cut expectations, so now that this 50bp cut has been done, the dollar may stabilize due to a “buy the rumor, sell the news” effect.
However, any rally will be temporary, as I think that dollar has room for much more weakness, bu ideally after another a-b-c recovery.
101.80 -102 is strong resistance.
GH
Gold & Silver analysis for the closing day of the post Fed weekGold & silver analysis for the closing day of the post Fed week. Interesting sessions ahead with the price high up, but maybe not high enough with bullish targets still eyed in a broken out bullish market. On the other hand, we have inside day signals days, money down below and it's Friday - anything can happen into the closing day of the week on day 3 of a 3-day cycle.
FED Cutting Interest Rates Is NOT BullishAs of this week the FED has announced that they will be slashing the FED funds rates by 50bps (0.50%). Contrary to popular belief, this is not necessarily bullish. Actually, the last three times that they did it was an indicator that a bear market was coming.
As seen on the lower chart, once the FED cuts the rates, it has often signaled a stock market crash in the not so distant future.
Do you think a stock market crash is coming? Share your thoughts🙏