EUR/USD Breakdown in May: Seasonality + Smart MoneyEUR/USD Weekly Outlook – May 15, 2025
EUR/USD is showing clear signs of weakness after a sharp rejection from the key supply zone between 1.1450 and 1.1600. Last week’s candle closed decisively below the 1.1250–1.1300 structure, confirming the failure to sustain bullish momentum. The RSI has also dropped below the 40 level, signaling strong downside pressure.
From an institutional positioning standpoint, non-commercial traders are rebalancing: both longs and shorts on the euro have decreased, while spread positions have increased—suggesting hesitation and a lack of clear conviction. On the other hand, commercials remain heavily long on the euro, but this appears to be more of a hedging move than a directional bias. The US dollar is regaining strength, with new long positions added by speculative traders, aligning with the recent EUR/USD decline.
Retail sentiment shows that a majority of traders are short, but not in extreme proportions. There’s a heavy cluster of long orders between 1.1100 and 1.1050, likely serving as liquidity targets for further downside movement.
From a seasonal perspective, May is historically bearish for EUR/USD. All major seasonal timeframes (5y, 10y, 15y, 20y) point to consistent average negative performance in this month. The current 2025 trend aligns perfectly with this historical pattern, providing a statistical tailwind to the bearish thesis.
Macro-wise, today’s key US data releases—PPI and Retail Sales—could significantly impact the USD. A positive surprise would further strengthen the dollar, adding downward pressure on the pair. Market attention is also focused on Fed Chair Powell's speech later today, which could add fuel to the current move.
Conclusion: The macro, technical, sentiment, and seasonal frameworks all converge on a bearish continuation for EUR/USD. A weekly close below 1.1175 would confirm the downside extension, targeting the 1.0850–1.0700 demand zone. A break above 1.1330 would temporarily invalidate the bearish setup.
Fed
Australian dollar loses ground, jobs report nextThe Australian dollar has declined on Wednesday. In the North American session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6441, down 0.45% on the day. This follows the Australian dollar's massive gains of 1.5% a day earlier.
Australia's wage growth accelerated in the first quarter. Annually, the Wage Price index gained 3.4%, up from 3.2% in Q4 2024 and above the market estimate of 3.2%. The gain was driven by stronger wage growth in the public sector. On a quarterly basis, wage growth rose 0.9% q/q, up from 0.7% and above the market estimate of 0.8%. This is the first time since Q2 2024 that annual wage growth has accelerated.
The higher-than-expected wage report comes before next week's Reserve Bank of Australia's rate decision. Currently, it looks like a coin toss as to whether the Reserve Bank will maintain or lower rates.
Australia releases employment data on Thursday. Employment change is expected to ease to 20 thousand in April, down from 32.2 thousand in March. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 4.1%. The labor market has been cooling and if it continues to deteriorate, there will be pressure on the Reserve Bank to lower rates.
At last week's Federal Reserve meeting, Fed Chair Powell said that he would take a wait-and-see attitude in its rate policy. Trump's erratic tariff policy must be frustrating for the Fed, as it makes it difficult to make reliable growth and inflation forecasts.
This week's surprise announcement of a tariff deal between the US and China is a case in point at Trump's zig-zag trade policy. The two sides have been engaged in a bruising trade war and slapped massive tariffs on each other's products. Suddenly, the tariffs were slashed, leading to a sigh of relief in the financial markets. The deal is only for 90 days, and what happens then is very much up in the air.
GBP/USD Bulls Are Back? Institutions Are Loading Up1. Price Action & Zone Mapping
GBP/USD is consolidating above 1.3300 after a strong bullish reaction near the demand zone between 1.3040 and 1.3150 — an area that has already rejected price twice in recent months.
While the market structure still shows lower highs, the weekly candlestick formation signals a clear loss of bearish momentum. On the upside, the 1.3500–1.3600 zone remains the key supply area to break for a structural reversal to be confirmed.
2. COT Report – Institutional Positioning (as of May 6, 2025)
Non-Commercials (speculators) added +3,320 long positions and reduced -1,956 shorts, bringing the net long to +7,683 contracts — a strong bullish signal.
Commercials remain net short, but not with increasing aggression.
👉 The net positioning supports continued bullish bias, aligned with the recent technical rebound.
3. USD Index – Opposite Positioning
Non-Commercials increased both longs and shorts slightly on the US Dollar Index, but net positioning remains neutral with a slight bearish tilt.
This suggests a phase of indecision or mild retracement in the dollar, which indirectly supports GBP/USD upside.
4. GBP/USD Seasonality – Historical Behavior in May
According to MarketBulls data, May tends to be neutral-to-weak for the pair:
15-year avg: +0.0023
5-year avg: -0.016
2-year avg: +0.0069
Overall, this supports a ranging or corrective phase — not a high-conviction trending month. A breakout may need more confirmation.
5. Retail Sentiment
Currently, 60% of retail traders are short GBP/USD, with an average price of 1.2959, while only 40% are long from 1.3337.
👉 This imbalance favors a contrarian bullish narrative, especially if the market decides to run stops below 1.3300.
✅ Operational Outlook
GBP/USD is showing bullish consolidation signs, backed by:
Increasing institutional long interest
Contrarian retail sentiment (potential fuel for rallies)
Solid demand near 1.3040–1.3150
However, neutral seasonality and lack of structural breakout advise caution. A pullback towards 1.3200–1.3150 might come before any further upside move toward 1.3500.
🔍 Preferred Play: Wait for a retest of 1.3150 with price action confirmation before entering long. A strong breakout above 1.3350 would be early confirmation of renewed bullish pressure.
GBP/JPY Breaks Above 196.00! Continuation or Distribution?Detailed Techno-Macro Analysis – GBP/JPY
GBP/JPY has just completed a significant weekly structure breakout, pushing through a key supply zone between 195.00 and 196.30 — an area that historically acted as strong resistance. The breakout occurred via a high-volatility daily candle that closed above the zone, indicating strong bullish pressure.
🔍 Structure & Price Action
Price action shows higher lows and higher highs: a clearly defined bullish structure.
The breakout originated from an accumulation base, following a false bearish breakout below 188.50 (bull trap).
RSI is around 70 on the daily timeframe → strong momentum, but signs of potential exhaustion.
🧠 Key Zones Identified
Current weekly supply: 195.00 – 196.80 (being tested)
Next resistance: 198.70 – 199.50 (swing high and monthly level)
Immediate support: 194.00 – 192.80 (ideal area for pullback and long setups)
Structural support: 190.50 – 188.80
Invalidation: Daily close below 191.00 → potential reversal signal
📈 Macro & Fundamental Context
🇬🇧 UK Macro Update
Wages rising: +5.5% (above expectations) → could support further monetary tightening
Claimant count increasing → early weakness in the labor market
Mixed data, but wage growth bias favors GBP strength
🇯🇵 JPY Still Weak
BoJ remains ultra-accommodative
Verbal interventions from Japanese officials haven’t yet had structural impact
🪙 Retail Sentiment
70% of retail traders are short GBP/JPY, with an average price of 190.59
Only 30% are long, with an average price of 194.65
➡️ Current price (196.30) is above both → retail squeeze in play. Contrarian setup confirmed.
🧾 COT Report
GBP (Non-Commercial Speculators):
Long: +3,320 contracts
Short: -1,956 contracts
➡️ Net long positions increasing → favorable institutional exposure
JPY:
Mixed positions, with increases in both long and short → institutional neutrality on the yen
📅 Seasonality – GBP/JPY
May is historically bearish on both 5Y and 20Y timeframes:
5Y: -2.52%
20Y: -0.43%
Only the 2Y pattern shows a positive return
➡️ Negative seasonality vs. bullish technical structure → conflict worth watching
🔍 Execution Summary
The bullish breakout is strong and supported by sentiment and institutional positioning, but price is now entering a potential distribution zone, where profit-taking could increase.
👉 Main scenario: technical pullback toward 194.00–192.80 for possible long entries, targeting 198.50–199.50
👉 Alternative scenario: daily close below 191.00 → bias reversal and bearish continuation
Japanese yen tumbles to five-week low on US-China tariff dealThe Japanese yen has started the week with sharp losses. USD/JPY is trading at 148.18, up 1.9% on the day. Earlier, the yen strengthened to 148.59, its strongest level since April 3.
The US and China have reached an agreement to slash tariffs on each other's products for 90 days. This would be a major de-escalation in the bruising tariff war between the world's two largest economies. Under the agreement, the US and China will slash tariffs by 115%, leaving US tariffs on China at 30% and China's tariffs on the US at 10%.
The tariff agreement has boosted risk appetite, sending global stock markets higher. The deal has weighed on safe-haven assets like the yen, which is sharply lower on Monday. Gold, another safe-haven, has plunged 3.1% today.
In Japan, household spending and wage growth were down in March. Household spending decelerated to 0.4% m/m, down sharply from 3.5% in February. Average Cash Earnings declined to 2.1% y/y, down from a downwardly revised 2.7% a month earlier. There was more bad news as service-sentiment for April eased, reflecting concern over US tariffs.
These numbers support the case for the Bank of Japan to continue its wait-and-see stance before raising interest rates. The BoJ wants to see inflation remain sustainable at 2%, which will require higher wage growth and stronger consumer spending.
Over the weekend, a host of Fed members made public statements. New York Fed President John Williams and Fed Governor Adriana Kugler both noted that current rate policy was in an appropriate place and suggested patience was needed. This message echoed Fed Chair Powell's remarks at last week's FOMC meeting, when he said the Fed would take a wait-and-see attitude due to the uncertainty over US tariffs.
USD/JPY has pushed above resistance at 146.83 and 147.48 and is testing resistance at 148.47. Above, there is resistance at 149.04
146.11 and 145.36 are the next support levels
NASDAQ Harmonic pattern indicating strong bounce incoming.AI vs. Dot-Com Bubble
When drawing parallels between #AI and the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, many express concerns that current valuations may be excessively inflated. However, significant differences are apparent.
To begin with, the current price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of the NASDAQ-100 is approximately 30, whereas during the dot-com bubble, it skyrocketed to 200, with many companies lacking any earnings in sight.
Additionally, the market capitalisation to #GDP ratio reached unprecedented levels in the late 1990s, while today's figures, although still high, are supported by robust earnings and solid cash flows from established business models.
Innovations in AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation have fuelled revenue growth, exemplified by #NVIDIA's data centre sales, which surged 409% year-over-year in Q4 2024, and Microsoft's Azure, which experienced a 28% year-over-year increase in 2024. This surge in productivity is being driven by individuals, businesses, and governments alike.
As a result, major tech firms are making substantial investments in AI research and development, with clear strategies for monetisation.
AI is poised to become a transformative force, akin to the transistor, a groundbreaking invention that scales effectively and permeates various sectors of the economy.
Lastly, the Federal Reserve raised interest #rates to 6.5% to tackle inflation after previously lowering them to address Y2K concerns before the bubble burst in 2000.
In contrast, current expectations suggest that interest rates will stabilise or decrease, which would support valuations.
NAS100 - Stock Market Expects a Devastating Week!The index is trading above the EMA200 and EMA50 on the 4-hour timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel. I expect corrective moves from the specified range, but if the index corrects towards the demand range, we can look for the next Nasdaq buy positions with a good risk-reward ratio.
U.S. stock futures responded positively to signals from both Chinese and American officials. Looking ahead to the coming week, investor focus is squarely on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the United States—marking the first chance to assess the impact of the new tariffs implemented on April 9.
Meanwhile, ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and China remain a crucial factor, with significant implications for inflation, Federal Reserve policy, and overall market expectations. In addition to inflation data, retail sales figures and the preliminary results of the University of Michigan sentiment survey could influence market outlook regarding interest rates—especially since price stability and full employment remain core mandates of the Federal Reserve. At present, Fed officials are working to maintain a cautious stance in order to anchor inflation expectations. However, if clear signs of economic weakness emerge, that stance could shift rapidly—something that several Fed officials have already openly acknowledged.
Retail sales, in particular, could provide a different narrative about the health of the economy. After a notable 1.5% jump in March, estimates suggest that growth in April slowed to just 0.1%. This deceleration may reflect consumer reluctance to spend, stemming either from inflationary pressures or broader economic uncertainty.
Thursday’s data release will include the Producer Price Index (PPI), industrial production, and the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index—offering a clearer picture of supply-side dynamics and the performance of the industrial sector.
On Friday, attention will turn to a fresh batch of economic indicators: building permits, housing starts, the New York (Empire State) manufacturing index, and especially the University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment survey. This survey has gained importance in recent months due to notable increases in both one-year and five-year inflation expectations. As recent charts indicate, while consumer confidence has plummeted to multi-year lows, inflation expectations have trended upward—a worrisome combination that could limit the Fed’s ability to ease monetary policy.
Although concerns about a U.S. recession persist, recent data suggest more of a “gradual slowdown” rather than signs of an imminent crisis. In March, both the CPI and PCE indices declined, indicating a temporary easing of inflationary pressures. However, this trend may reverse in April, as the broad implementation of reciprocal tariffs likely raised import costs—particularly for Chinese goods, which now face duties as high as 145%.
New estimates indicate that these tariffs could add 2.25% to core inflation over the next year, effectively reversing the progress made in 2024 on taming price pressures.Prior to the Trump administration’s tariff announcements, economists had differing views on inflation, with some expecting it to approach the Fed’s 2% annual target by year-end. Contrary to trade experts, Trump claimed that sellers would not pass these price increases on to consumers.
Goldman Sachs’ analysis this week suggests that Trump’s tariffs could push inflation to levels not seen since the post-pandemic price surge. The broad import taxes announced between February and April may have a substantial impact on the economy, and consumers are likely to feel the effects first at the checkout counter. Goldman economists estimate that the tariffs could drive annual inflation—as measured by core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)—to 3.8% by December, marking the highest rate since 2023. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose 2.6% last year.
This metric remains above the Fed’s 2% target and has shown limited progress toward that goal since 2023. The last time inflation was below this benchmark was in January 2021.
A renewed wave of price increases could severely strain American household budgets—particularly if the labor market also weakens, as many economists anticipate. This would also represent a significant setback for the Federal Reserve, which has kept interest rates elevated since 2022 in an effort to combat post-pandemic inflation.
While inflation hovered around 3% at the beginning of 2024 with little change, it saw a notable drop in March. Many analysts forecast that inflation will continue to decline and approach the 2% target by the end of 2025.
Walker and Peng’s analysis factored in both the direct effects of tariffs—most of which will likely be passed on to consumers—and several indirect consequences. The trade war has unexpectedly weakened the U.S. dollar, reducing Americans’ purchasing power.
Moreover, some manufacturers may shift production away from China, where tariffs are particularly severe, to locations with higher production costs. As a result, American consumers may end up paying significantly more for imported goods, especially in categories like consumer electronics and apparel.
Canadian dollar shrugs after mixed employment numbersThe Canadian dollar is steady on Friday, after a two-day slid in which the loonie declined by 1%. In the North American session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.3911, down 0.09% on the day. On the data calendar, Canada released the employment report and there are no US economic releases.
The April employment report didn't show much change and the Canadian dollar has shown little reaction. The economy added 7.4 thousand jobs, rebounding from the loss of 32.6 thousand in March and above the market estimate of 2.5 thousand. At the same time, the unemployment rate climbed to 6.9%, higher than the market estimate of 6.8% and above the March reading of 6.7%. This was the highest level since Nov. 2024.
The rise in unemployment is likely a reflection of the US tariffs. Canada's exports to the US were down in March, hurting businesses that export to the US. If the tariffs remain in place, weaker demand from the US could significantly damage Canada's economy.
The Bank of Canada released its Financial Stability Report on Thursday. The BoC said that the financial system was strong but warned that a prolonged trade war between Canada and the US could lead to banks cutting back on lending, which would hurt consumers and businesses and damage the economy. The report said that the unpredictibility of US trade policy could cause further market volatility and was a risk to financial stability.
The Federal Reserve maintained rates earlier this week and Fed Chair Powell said the Fed was in a wait-and-see-stance due to the uncertainty over the US tariffs. We'll hear from seven Fed members on Friday and Saturday, who may provide some insights on where rate policy is headed. The markets have priced in a rate hike in June at only 18%, down sharply from 58% a week ago.
USD/CAD is testing resistance at 1.3928. Above, there is resistance at 1.3935
1.3922 and 1.3915 are the next support levels
XAU/USD: Institutional Accumulation or New Bearish Impulse?Technical Context:
The graphical analysis shows that the price of gold (XAU/USD) is currently consolidating within a significant demand zone following the recent bullish impulse. The daily chart shows an attempt to bounce off the 3,300 USD zone, a key psychological level.
Volume and COT Analysis:
The latest COT data (April 29, 2025) indicates a slight reduction in long positions by non-commercial operators (-18,519 contracts), balanced by an increase in commercial long positions (+1,659 contracts), signaling potential institutional accumulation.
On the retail sentiment front, traders are slightly more exposed to the downside (51% short vs. 49% long), which could indicate a potential short squeeze if the price resumes an upward trend.
Seasonal Trends:
According to data, May historically shows mixed performances with an average of +9.83% over the last 10 years, but with significant fluctuations between longer and more recent periods.
Key Levels:
Resistance: 3,380 - 3,400 USD (previous distribution zone)
Support: 3,300 USD (current demand zone) and 3,050 USD (secondary support)
Trading Strategy:
Bullish Scenario: Buy above 3,340 USD with a target at 3,400 USD and a stop loss below 3,300 USD.
Bearish Scenario: Sell below 3,300 USD with a target at 3,050 USD and a stop loss above 3,340 USD.
Why I'm Bullish on the DXY: A Fundamental Approach!Powell continues to take a cautious tone, emphasizing a wait-and-see approach while acknowledging rising inflation risks, which suggests there's no urgency to cut rates. This leans slightly hawkish, especially compared to the market’s more dovish expectations, and could support some near-term Dollar strength. However, a more sustained move in the USD likely hinges on progress in upcoming trade discussions—particularly with China. Today's FOMC outcome is just one part of the broader picture; the next key signal may come with developments in the coming days. For now, the bias remains USD bullish heading into the London session.
Technically, the DXY has broken its downtrend, signaling a potential shift in momentum. I’ll be watching for a possible retracement toward the 99.700 area, which could serve as a key support level before any further upside continuation.
US500 - Which way will the stock market go?!The index is trading above the EMA200 and EMA50 on the four-hour timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel. If the index moves down towards the specified demand zone, one can look for further S&P buy positions with a good risk-reward ratio.
In its meeting last night, the U.S. Federal Reserve decided to keep the federal funds rate steady within the 4.25% to 4.50% range. This decision comes amid growing concerns about simultaneous rises in inflation and unemployment, particularly driven by the tariff policies of the Trump administration.
This marks the third consecutive time this year that the Fed has held rates unchanged, reflecting mounting economic uncertainty and fears of stagflation.Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the combination of high inflation, slow economic growth, and rising unemployment could lead the economy into stagflation. He noted that newly imposed tariffs could delay the disinflation process for up to a year or more.
The Trump administration has introduced steep tariffs, including a 145% levy on imports from China. These measures have contributed to rising prices and slower economic growth, placing additional strain on monetary policymakers.
Following the Fed’s announcement, stock markets exhibited volatility. The S&P 500 initially fell but ended the day higher. Bond yields declined, while the U.S. dollar strengthened.
Powell emphasized that future monetary policy decisions will be heavily data-dependent, and the central bank stands ready to act swiftly if necessary. He acknowledged that the economic outlook remains uncertain, requiring cautious and adaptive policy management.
Faced with escalating uncertainty and inflationary pressures stemming from new trade measures, the Fed has adopted a cautious stance. Given the current mixed economic indicators, the central bank is expected to maintain its interest rate policy until the economic picture becomes clearer.
Economists at Goldman Sachs have issued a warning that U.S. inflation is on the rise and may reach 3.8% by the end of 2025. According to their analysis, the weakening of the U.S. dollar and the implementation of tariff policies are the main drivers of increased inflationary pressure. Additionally, changes in import demand could elevate production costs and further intensify price increases.
The Wall Street Journal reported that new tariffs may raise the prices of smartphones and laptops by up to 30%. Contrary to popular belief, this inflationary impact may not be temporary and could result in sustained upward pressure on prices.
Meanwhile, ahead of the FOMC meeting, Alphabet (Google’s parent company) saw its stock plunge over 8%, falling to $149.50. Eddy Cue, a senior executive at Apple, disclosed that for the first time in April, user activity on browsers and search engines had declined. In response, Apple is exploring the integration of AI-powered search into its browsers—a move that could pose a serious threat to Google’s advertising revenue.
Simultaneously, President Trump announced he would not enforce the AI content restriction law, initially introduced during the Biden administration and scheduled to take effect on May 15. This decision comes just before his trip to the Middle East, where countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have voiced frustration over chip access restrictions.
Trump administration officials are currently drafting new legislation aimed at tightening control over the export of advanced chips. This initiative may form part of a broader agreement, as the UAE has pledged to invest up to $1.4 trillion in U.S. technology and infrastructure over the next decade.
WTI - Will Oil Return to the Uptrend?!WTI oil is below the EMA200 and EMA50 on the 4-hour timeframe and is moving within its medium-term descending channel. If the downward trend continues towards the zone, the next opportunity to buy oil at a good price will be presented to us. A break of the drawn downtrend line will also be another confirmation to enter the oil buying process.
Goldman Sachs anticipates that the Federal Open Market Committee will maintain its pause on interest rate hikes. According to the bank’s asset management division, the continued strength of the labor market remains a crucial factor influencing the Federal Reserve’s decisions, prompting the central bank to adopt a cautious stance.
In a recent note, Goldman Sachs stated: “The Federal Reserve is currently in a holding pattern, waiting for economic uncertainties to diminish.” Although recent employment data have exceeded expectations, the bank believes that initiating a rate-cutting cycle would require clear signs of labor market weakening—a development that could take several months to materialize. The note further stated: “Since the labor market has yet to exhibit any significant softening, the likelihood of another hold decision in the next meeting is high.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, ahead of his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, responded to a question about the potential renaming of the “Persian Gulf” to the “Arabian Gulf” in official U.S. documents. He stated that a decision would be made following his trip and a related discussion.
Trump acknowledged the sensitivities surrounding the issue, saying he does not wish to offend anyone. He also referenced his prior executive order to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America,” which he described as a necessary move. He concluded by noting that a final decision regarding the name of the Persian Gulf would be made after the scheduled discussions.Additionally, the RIA Novosti news agency reported on Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had officially begun talks at the Kremlin. Prior to the discussions, Putin expressed his intention to engage with President Xi on “a broad range of bilateral relations,” emphasizing that the Russia-China partnership is mutually beneficial. He also expressed his willingness to visit Beijing for a celebration marking China’s victory over Japan.
According to the report, the two leaders are expected to issue joint statements and address the media following their talks. A correspondent from the TASS news agency reported that the agenda for the Xi-Putin discussions is likely to include bilateral cooperation in various sectors, such as energy, the conflict in Ukraine, and the development of the “Power of Siberia 2” gas pipeline project.
DXY Rebounds on Fed Pause and Trade Deal Hopes.Macro approach:
- DXY edged higher, recovering earlier losses as the Fed held rates and Powell was cautious.
- Jun cut hopes faded, though markets expect three cuts this year, potentially lifting DXY short-term.
- A potential US-UK trade deal also helps ease bearish sentiment on the dollar.
Technical approach:
- DXY is hovering around the key resistance at around 100.200, confluence with EMA21, indicating a potential short-term correction.
- If DXY closes above the resistance at 100.200, the price may continue to claim to retest the following resistance at 101.800.
- Conversely, closing below the current trendline may lead DXY to retest the swing low at around 98.000.
Analysis by: Dat Tong, Senior Financial Markets Strategist at Exness
Fed pleases everyone, except for one. BoE is next on the watchThe Federal Reserve came out with its rate decision and it seems that all market participants got pleased, except for one.
Today it's the BoE's turn to deliver rates.
Let's dig in!
TVC:DJI
TVC:DXY
FX_IDC:GBPUSD
MARKETSCOM:100UK
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Thank you.
77.3% 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. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and the investor may not get back the amount initially invested. This content is not intended for nor applicable to residents of the UK. Cryptocurrency CFDs and spread bets are restricted in the UK for all retail clients.
USD/JPY: Ready for a Rally or a False Recovery?USD/JPY is at a crucial stage, with the price hovering around 143.900. After a bearish move, the market is attempting to recover, aiming for the resistance zone between 149.000 and 151.000.
COT Insight:
COT data shows a slight increase in long positions among speculative traders (+397), while commercials are increasing their short coverage (+539), indicating caution.
Seasonality:
Historically, May has been a slightly bullish month for USD/JPY (+0.42% over the last 10 years), but the trend has been negative in the last 5 years (-0.57%), indicating uncertainty.
Retail Sentiment:
65% of retail traders are long, which could indicate potential bearish pressure in case of opposite moves, given the risk of position liquidation.
Conclusion:
Carefully monitor the price reaction around 144.000. A breakout towards 149.000 could signal a significant move, but the long retail pressure might represent an obstacle.
GBPNZD: Support Rebound! Target 2.26 on the Horizon? The weekly chart of GBPNZD shows a consolidation phase following a strong bearish impulse. The price has reacted positively from the support area around 2.2200, forming a significant bullish candle that could indicate a rebound towards the resistance area at 2.2600. The positive momentum suggests a possible test of the intermediate resistance at 2.2500, with the RSI gradually rising from an oversold zone.
Fundamental Analysis
According to the COT data updated as of April 29, 2025, we observe an increase in long positions on GBP by institutional traders, with an increment of +10,665 contracts. On the other hand, commercial traders (hedgers) continue to maintain a significant short exposure on GBP. This imbalance may suggest a potential short-term speculative interest in a bullish GBP move.
Regarding NZD, the latest COT report shows a significant increase in commercial long positions (+3,884 contracts), indicating a strengthening of the New Zealand dollar. However, the overall market sentiment shows a prevalence of short positions on GBPNZD (59% short vs. 41% long), suggesting that retail traders might be on the wrong side of the market.
Seasonal Analysis
Historically, in May, GBP tends to show weakness (-0.0076 over the last 20 years), while NZD does not show a clear seasonal pattern. This could reduce the likelihood of a decisive GBP movement during this month.
Operational Strategy
The rebound from 2.2200 could favor the opening of long positions with the first target at 2.2500 and the second target at 2.2600. The stop loss could be placed below the key support at 2.2100. In case of a resistance breakout, an extension towards the 2.2700 area would be plausible.
From $1 to $10 doing 900% in 2 days $KIDZ💣💥 $1 to $10+ in 2 days +900% NASDAQ:KIDZ similar to AMEX:GPUS
Shortsellers attempted similar tricks during the day and got squeezed the same way on both 🤣 making us awesome gains along the way
Please 🐻 attempt to do it again on next setups.
3 Buy Alerts in $3.50 - $4.00 range more than enough money made into vertical to $10+
Bitcoin Analysis - 7 MayThe price continues to move within the range of $91,700 - $100,400.
In approximately 3 hours, the FED will announce its interest rate decision.
The expectation is for it to remain unchanged.
If it remains unchanged;
there could be a horizontal consolidation between 94,990 – 97,500.
If a breakout occurs, the upward movement will accelerate; otherwise, there could be a pullback to the 91,781 – 94,990 levels.
If the interest rate is reduced;
the psychological resistance at 100,400 USDT may be tested, and if surpassed, the target of 109,605 (ATH) comes into play.
If the interest rate is increased;
the supports at 94,990 USDT and below could be tested quickly.
The levels of 91,781 and 85,085 USDT become potential targets.
With stronger selling, the support zone at the 2024 ATH level of 73,776 USDT may come into play.
Yen rally ends, markets eyes Fed rate decision and BoJ minutesThe Japanese yen is in negative territory on Wednesday, after a three-day rally which saw it gain 2% against the US dollar. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 143.29, up 0.61% on the day.
The Bank of Japan releases the minutes of its March meeting on Thursday. At the meeting, the BoJ held the key policy rate at 0.5% in a unanimous vote. Members cautioned that there was uncertainty over tariffs, which the US was expected to announce in April.
Since then, the financial markets have see-sawed in response to President Trump's erratic tariff policy. Japan's export-reliant economy could be hit hard, but Tokyo is already negotiating with the US and hopes to carve out an agreement to cancel or at least mitigate the impact of the tariffs.
The Bank of Japan is walking a tightrope, as it wants to continue to normalize policy and raise rates, but is worried about the uncertainty over the tariffs and the real possibility of a global trade war. Bank policymakers are taking a wait-and-see stance, hoping that US trade policy will become more clear.
The Federal Reserve is virtually certain to maintain rates at today's FOMC meeting. There's little doubt about the decision but investors will be all ears as to the amount of pushback from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, after President Trump has repeatedly pushed him to lower rates.
The markets have priced in a 30% chance of a cut in June, compared to a 63% likelihood just one week ago, according to CME's Fedwatch Tool. We can expect the pricing of a June cut to continue to swing, as the tariff saga continues.
GBP/USD: Is the Bullish Impulse Over?The daily chart shows a significant bullish impulse that encountered strong resistance in the 1.3350 - 1.3400 area, where multiple supply levels and an important institutional selling zone are located. The bearish structure remains intact below this level, suggesting a potential decline towards the key support at 1.3100 - 1.3150. The short bias strengthens with the confirmation of resistance and the formation of a potential reversal.
COT Report (USD Index and GBP/USD)
USD Index: Non-commercial traders are slightly increasing long positions (+397) while reducing short positions (-128). This suggests a potential recovery of dollar strength, supporting a bearish move on GBP/USD.
GBP/USD: Non-commercials have significantly increased short positions (+6,426) and reduced long positions (-2,957), indicating a bearish sentiment. Commercials also show a slight increase in short positions (+5,070), confirming potential weakness in the pound.
Retail Sentiment
57% of retail traders are short on GBP/USD, with an average price of 1.2916, while 43% are long at 1.3343. This imbalance could indicate a market attempt to capture stops above recent highs before a reversal.
Seasonality
Historically, the month of May shows a negative performance for GBP/USD. The 5, 10, and 15-year seasonal data indicate a consistent decline during this period, supporting the hypothesis of bearish pressure.
New Zealand dollar steady ahead of employment dataThe New Zealand dollar is showing limited movement on Tuesday. In the European session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.5970, up 0.05% on the day. With no key events in New Zealand or the US today, we can expect a quiet day for the New Zealand dollar.
New Zealand releases the employment report for the first quarter on Wednesday. The labor market is showing signs of weakening, with employment change posting two straight declines.
The markets are projecting a slight improvement, with an estimate of 0.1% for Q1.
The unemployment rate has accelerated for seven consecutive quarters and is expected to rise to 5.3% from 5.1% in Q4 2025. This would be the highest level since Q4 2016 and would support the case for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to lower rates for a sixth straight time at the May 28 meeting. At the April meeting, members warned that the tariffs created downside risks for growth and inflation in New Zealand.
The RBNZ would prefer to continue lowering interest rates in increments of 25-basis points in order to boost the weak economy. Inflation is comfortably within the 1-3% target band but there are upside risks to inflation, especially with global trade tensions escalating due to US tariffs.
In the US, the Federal Reserve is virtually certain to maintain interest rates at 4.25-4.5% on Wednesday. The meeting will be interesting as Fed Chair Powell is expected to push back against pressure from President Trump to lower rates. The Fed is likely to remain on the sidelines until the uncertainty over US tariffs becomes more clear. Trump's zig-zags over tariffs has triggered wild swings in the financial markets, but Trump has said some trade agreements will be announced soon.
NZD/USD is testing support at 0.5968. Below, there is support at 0.5940
There is resistance at 0.5995 and 0.6023
They Were 84% Short — Here's What Happened Next on GBPAUDThis is not just a simple breakout — this is what happens when data, price action, and psychology align with surgical precision.
Today, we entered a long position on GBPAUD directly from a well-defined weekly demand zone. The setup was already technically solid, but what made it exceptional was the alignment of multiple institutional-grade factors:
✅ Weekly demand zone respected to the pip, with proven historical sensitivity
✅ Change of structure on the H1 chart, confirming a short-term reversal from a deeply discounted area
✅ COT data showing a clear build-up of commercial long positions on the British pound
✅ AUD net positioning deep in negative territory, with declining open interest and no signs of reversal
✅ Retail sentiment: 84% of traders short on GBPAUD according to MyFxBook → strong contrarian signal
✅ Seasonality: GBP tends to outperform AUD during May and June
The result? A rapid and aggressive bullish impulse that allowed us to move the stop loss to break-even just a few hours after entry.
📌 Current trade status:
➤ Long from the demand zone
➤ SL at BE = zero risk
➤ Monitoring price action above 2.07 for potential continuation
🎯 Mid-term target zone: 2.1150–2.1300, with focus on liquidity clusters and previous inefficiencies as potential magnets.
This is how you build trades that are not just reactive, but proactive — based on multiple layers of confluence and edge, not on emotions or noise.
Gold - All eyes on Wednesday 08 May - FED🟡 Gold Traders: Nothing Matters Until Wednesday! ⏳💤
Hey traders! 👋
This week, all eyes are on Wednesday... and everything before that? Mostly noise.
Let me break it down for you. 👇
📊 Technical Outlook
Gold is chilling above a key resistance level right now.
Trendlines suggest we won’t see any major moves before Wednesday unless big news drops. 📰
🕐 Asian session is kicking things off above resistance.
If bulls show up there, we could break Trendline 1 (Image below) and head towards the $3300 🎯 target.
📉 RSI across multiple timeframes? Pretty neutral.
If Asia trades flat or slightly bearish, gold might range between $3210–$3250.
Break below $3201, and things could get shaky... but the European session might push us back above that support.
U.S. session on Monday? Likely a sideways snoozefest 😴 (unless surprise news hits).
🎯 Trade Setup (Mon–Wed)
I’m looking to play the range between:
$3261 (Trendline 2) 🔼 and $3169 (Trendline 4) 🔽
That’s a comfy $90 window I’m aiming to trade before Wednesday's fireworks. 🚀
🔮 After Wednesday – The FED Factor 💣
Here’s the real catalyst:
Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00 PM EST – FOMC Rate Decision
If the FED cuts rates (not likely, but possible under pressure), gold could tank hard. 💥
I’m talking a potential drop to $3150 or lower 🕳️📉
That’d be a -$90+ move easy.
FED has been holding the line 💪, resisting pressure (especially from Trump back in the day), but if the economy flashes red, that rate cut might come sooner than expected.
🧠 Final Thoughts
FED paused hikes, but left the door open for 3 rate cuts this year.
Until we get more clarity, no strong bullish signals on gold.
My bias stays: Bearish unless proven otherwise. 🐻💬
Stay sharp out there, and watch those sessions. Wednesday’s the real deal! 💼📉
And last but not least, look at this and let us know what you think about please:
Some would say its impossible but as we know, gold can do everything!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is just my personal market idea and not financial advice! 📢 Trading gold and other financial instruments carries risks – only invest what you can afford to lose. Always do your own analysis, use solid risk management, and trade responsibly.
Good luck and safe trading! 🚀📊