Fed
NZ dollar eyes Fed meet, New Zealand GDPThe New Zealand dollar has posted gains on Wednesday. NZD/USD is trading at 0.6211 at the time of writing, up 0.44% on the day.
Federal Reserve meetings are traditionally predictable affairs and don’t move the needle of the financial markets. Fed decision makers signal their intentions ahead of time in order to minimize market volatility. Today’s decision is up in the air and it remains unclear what the Fed is going to deliver – will it be a modest 25-basis point cut or a jumbo 50-bps slash? Market pricing of today’s cut has been swinging wildly, which could result in volatility after the decision.
The Fed has maintained a stance of ‘higher for longer’ for over a year and has brought down inflation close to the 2% target. The expectation not long ago was that the Fed would kick off the new rate-tightening cycle with a traditional 25-bps cut.
What has complicated matters is the recent deterioration in the US labor market. Job growth has fallen sharply and spooked the markets, with fears that the US economy could fall into a recession. The darkening employment picture has boosted the likelihood of a 50-bps cut, but such a deep cut could send a signal that the economy is in deep trouble and unnerve investors.
The markets will be keeping a close eye on the Fed’s ‘dot plot’, which will signal the expected rate path over the next few years as well as updated economic forecasts. The Fed is expected to be aggressive in its rate cuts, now that inflation is largely beaten and the employment picture has deteriorated.
Overshadowed by the dramatic Fed meeting, New Zealand will release second-quarter GDP early on Thursday. The markets are bracing for a contraction in growth. In the first quarter, the economy showed slight growth of 0.2% q/q and 0.3% y/y. This is expected to fall to -0.4% q/q and -0.5% y/y.
NZD/USD has pushed above resistance at 0.6199. Above, there is resistance at 0.6240
There is support at 0.6153 and 0.6112
GOLD / Poised for Volatility as Fed Rate Decision LoomsGold Technical Analysis – 18th September 2024
Gold Edges Higher Ahead of Fed Rate Cut Decision
Gold prices remain steady, hovering near record highs, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and growing speculation of a 50 basis-point rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
To sustain the bullish trend, the price needs to break above the 2,580 level, potentially driving it higher to 2,599. However, there is a likelihood of a pullback before the Fed's rate decision, followed by a bullish surge once the rate cut is confirmed.
If the Fed implements a 50 basis-point cut, gold is poised to test 2,599 and possibly extend gains towards 2,617 and beyond. Conversely, any deviation from this scenario could result in heightened market volatility in both directions, especially during the FOMC meeting. If Jerome Powell emphasizes concerns about a slowing economy, it could trigger a significant market movement, potentially driving Gold prices lower.
Key Levels:
- Pivot Point: 2580
- Resistance: 2587, 2599, 2617
- Support: 2562, 2553, 2528
Trend:
- Bullish: Above 2579
- Bearish: Below 2570
FOMC 25bps vs 50bps??The day has arrived!! Today is predicted to be the first rate cut by the FED since the COVID crash of March 2020! Two years after that in March 2022 the FED begun rate hikes in an attempt to stop the rising inflation. Now that inflation is close to the FEDs target of 2% it's time to stimulate the economy with cheaper borrowing.
The big question is, 25bps or 50bps?
Last week we saw the ECB (European central bank) cut their interest rates by 60bps from 4.25% to 3.65%, although this news has somewhat gone unnoticed, I'm not so sure the FED would have ignored it. If Europe has considerably cheaper borrowing rates than the US it could signal more growth to come from Europe and that would not be ideal for the US.
Now this doesn't necessarily mean that Europe will be favoured by investors for long as this is only the beginning of rate cuts, Europe could taper off earlier or US could be more aggressive later on, we don't know for sure but I don't think America would want to fall behind.
Prediction markets have shown the 50bps cut is growing in probability. Now at 61% chance for 50bps according to FED funds futures (At time of writing). 25bps is definitely priced in, but I don't think 50bps is priced in. This should see risk markets get a boost.
In terms of TA, the 4H BTC chart looks ready to breakout, back above the 200EMA and 4H support. Flip the 4H resistance and $65,000 is the target.
Be carful today with leverage as volatility will be crazy, plenty of whipsawing and generally the first move direction is wrong. Stay safe out there.
That's a wrap!! Gold analysis pre Fed, (take 2) This is a video to replace the prior video where the chart was blocked by a paper trading sign!
Same levels, bias and plans for the Fed are in this video! Please enjoy ;)
Gold is a mixed bias, under pressure while below lasty week's highs, but it will be make or break time, perhaps, with the Fed today. Let's see! Here are my levels for bulls and bears!
S&P 500 Sets Record Ahead of Fed DecisionS&P 500 Sets Record Ahead of Fed Decision
As shown by the S&P 500 index chart (US SPX 500 mini on FXOpen), yesterday's trading saw the index hit a new intraday high of 5,678.9, surpassing the previous record of 5,677.5 set on 16 July. However, the bulls were unable to maintain this historic peak, which is a negative sign, suggesting the possibility of a bear trap scenario.
Nevertheless, this first new record in two months is significant as it shows the market's recovery from the panic-driven drop on 5 August, which was linked to fears of a potential recession.
Yesterday’s rise was boosted by the US Commerce Department's August retail sales report, which exceeded expectations. As Forbes noted, this supports the view that the US is not on the brink of a recession.
The market now heads into the final stretch before the highly anticipated Federal Reserve decision, expected today at 21:00 GMT+3, which will likely see the first interest rate cut in 4.5 years.
According to Forex Factory, analysts predict a rate cut to 5.25% from the current 5.50%. However, surprises are possible, with a 0.5% cut also on the table. Only a small minority seems to expect the rate to remain unchanged.
Technical analysis of the S&P 500 index chart (US SPX 500 mini on FXOpen) shows that the market is in an uptrend, marked by a blue channel. The index is trading near the median of this channel, suggesting a balance of supply and demand. Such conditions increase the likelihood of a flat market, but this seems unlikely with the Fed potentially starting a rate-cutting cycle.
Prepare for volatility today: the decision will be announced at 21:00 GMT+3, followed by Fed Chair Powell's press conference at 21:30 GMT+3. If a bearish move occurs, support for the S&P 500 index (US SPX 500 mini on FXOpen) may come at the 5,400 level.
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Gold Analysis: Waiting for the Fed!Gold prices attracted buying after a brief overnight corrective drop, finding support due to expectations of a 50 basis point rate cut by the Fed. This limits the attempted recovery of the US Dollar (USD) and supports the precious metal, although buyers seem reluctant to place aggressive bets ahead of key central bank events. Immediate resistance is at the all-time high of $2,590, with a test of the psychological level of $2,600 if surpassed. Acceptance above this level could open the door to the next target of $2,650. On the other hand, if the Fed disappoints market expectations for a more accommodative stance, gold could face a fresh wave of selling. In that case, the price could drop towards $2,532 and $2,500. The Fed's decision on Wednesday represents a crucial point for the future direction of gold. Markets currently estimate a 65% probability of a 50 basis point rate cut, and the weakness of the US Dollar could continue to provide fundamental support for gold. However, if the Fed opts for a more moderate 25 basis point cut, the dollar could see an immediate upward reaction. More important than the decision itself will be the Fed’s communication, including Jerome Powell's words and the Dot Plot, which will provide guidance on future policy.
USD/JPY rebounds after US retail sales beats estimateThe Japanese yen is down sharply on Tuesday. USD/JPY is up 0.73% today, trading at 141.64 in the North American session at the time of writing. On Monday, the yen pushed below 140 per dollar for the first time since July 2023.
The yen has looked razor sharp, gaining 2.9% in the month of September alone. The yen has surged a massive 15% in the third quarter, the best-performing G-10 currency. The Federal Reserve is virtually certain to raise interest rates by at least 25 basis points on Wednesday. The Bank of Japan, which meets on Friday, is expected to keep rates on hold. The BoJ has been an outlier among the major central banks and is expected to continue tightening, which has boosted the yen. The BoJ has signaled that further rate hikes are coming and this could occur as soon as December.
In the US, today’s retail sales release was the final key event ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting. Retail sales softened in August but the decline wasn’t as sharp as expected. Monthly, retail sales posted a small gain of 0.1% in August, down from a revised 1.1% in July but still better than the market estimate of -0.2%. On an annualized basis, retail sales eased to 2.1%, down from 2.9% in July and just below the forecast of 2.2%.
The retail sales release is not expected to impact the Federal Reserve decision on Wednesday. The rate cut odds for a half-point cut stand at 67% according to the CME’s FedWatch tool, unchanged by the retail sales release.
USD/JPY pushed above 141.17 earlier and is testing resistance at 141.72
There is support at 140.37 and 139.82
EURUSD extends uptrend due to dollar weakness
EURUSD advanced to the 1.1140 level after breaching the descending channel’s upper bound as the dollar’s weakness intensified. EMA21 is widening the gap after golden-crossing EMA78, indicating an apparent bullish signal.
If EURUSD holds above EMA21, the price could gain upward momentum toward the 1.1200 resistance. Conversely, if EURUSD fails to keep the 1.1100 support, where EMA21 intersects, the price could fall further to 1.1050.
DXY about to break down?The DXY looks like it could start to break down below 100. If we get a weekly close below the grey box I think we see stocks and crypto perform very well. FED interest rate decision coming up as well this week with markets expecting a cut in rates, combined with DXY breaking down, would be cause for a strong move up in markets. We could however, see a hard landing after a small spik.
EUR/USD Rally: Weak Fed, Cautious ECBThe EUR/USD pair broke above the 1.1100 level due to weakness in the US dollar, driven by expectations of a rate cut by the Fed. The Dollar Index (DXY) is declining, while US and German yields have dropped. The ECB, on the other hand, has shown caution regarding future rate cuts, supporting the euro. Key resistance levels for EUR/USD are 1.1137, 1.1155, 1.1201, and 1.1275. Support lies at 1.1071, with further levels at 1.1030 and 1.1001. The RSI is near 67, suggesting a potential overbought area, but the bullish trend remains intact as long as the price stays above the 200-day moving average. If the dollar continues to weaken, EUR/USD could target 1.1155 and beyond. Conversely, a break below 1.1071 could indicate a correction toward 1.1030 and 1.1001.
Euro jumps to 10-day highThe euro has posted strong gains on Monday. EUR/USD is trading at 1.1126 in the North American session at the time of writing, up 0.49% today. The euro is at its highest level since Sept. 6.
It’s a quiet day on the data calendar, with no tier-1 events. In the US, the Empire State Manufacturing index rebounded to 11.5 in September, much higher than the August reading of -4.7 and the market estimate of -3.9. This was a shocker as the manufacturer index had contracted nine straight times before today’s reading.
Tuesday will be busier, with German ZEW economic sentiment index and US retail sales. German ZEW economic sentiment plunged to 19.2 in August, down from 41.8 in July. The market estimate for September stands at 17.1. US retail sales are expected to fall to 2.2% y/y in August, down from 2.7% in July.
This week’s key event is the Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday, with a 25 basis-point cut practically guaranteed. Will the Fed opt for an oversize 50-bps cut or play it safe with a 25-bps move? The rate cut odds continue to swing wildly. After last week’s producer price index reading, the odds of a 50-bps point cut soared to 41%, up from just 13% before the release, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool. That has increased to 59% today.
The uncertainty over what the Fed will do could last right up to the wire. The Fed is in a quandary as it needs to balance the risk of inflation moving higher against the recent weakness in the labor market. A modest 25-bps cut may not be sufficient to improve the employment picture, while a 50 bps cut might send a message that the Fed believes the economy is in deep trouble.
EUR/USD is testing resistance at 1.118. Above, there is resistance at 1.1160
There is support at 1.1060 and 1.1018
Nasdaq - The stock market is waiting for the FEDThe index is above the EMA200 and EMA50 in the 4H timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel
If the index falls towards the demand zone, which is also at the intersection with the weekly pivot and channel bottom, you can look for the next buying positions of the Nasdaq index
SPX direction after first and last FED rate cutsThis chart compares FED rate cuts to SPX chart.
The last 3 times after the first rate cuts there was a slight upward rally of the SP500 of about 5-10%, before going on a bearish retrace of about -40%, -50% & -20%, and then bottoming out only AFTER the final rate cut.
Based on this, if history repeats, there might be a year end upward movement in the stock market, perhaps followed by a retrace through 2025 until the final rate cut. And then massively up from there again.
The last 3 times rate cuts did not mean sp500 starts going up immediately. There was a retrace instead. SP500 went up only AFTER the final rate cut.
50-50 Odds for Big Rate Cut this Wednesday The Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate decision is teetering on a knife’s edge, with the odds of a significant cut climbing. According to the CME’s FedWatch tool, the chances of a 25 or 50-basis-point reduction are now evenly split at 50-50.
The decision from the cental bank comes in on Wednesday.
Former New York Fed President Bill Dudley, speaking last week, bolstered the case for a more aggressive move, stating the federal funds rate could be up to 200 basis points above neutral. Dudley argued there’s a “strong case” for the Fed to start big.
However, major banks are possibly leaning toward the Fed starting small. In a note, Bank of America’s analysts suggested “a small chance” of a 50bps cut, while UBS’s Brian Rose also acknowledged the possibility, though was not factoring it into his baseline.
Is Gold signalling a crisis? Gold is going parabolic and typically that doesnt mean a good thing.
Now there are many reasons this could be rallying and likely a combination of the few.
- Fed Rate Cut
- Geo political tension
- Weak Fiat currencies
- Currency Crisis
- Weakening economies
In a time where gold enters these monthly extreme RSI moves it typically signals a good time to start trimming.
Gold usually goes through a multi month correction but this could also spill into other asset classes.
As the steepening effect on the 10y/2y finally was confirmed today, large macro implications could follow and this is exactly what Gold confirmed this week.
Fed’s Rate Decision to Set the Tone for Stocks, Gold and CryptoOfficials at the central bank are staying tight-lipped over the magnitude of the interest rate cut. What we know so far: there will be one. What we don’t know: is it going to be 25bps or 50bps?
Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell (or JPow if you’re a cool kid) is most likely having a hard time sleeping these days. Lurking in the near distance, September 18 to be precise, is a decision he should make that has the power to slosh trillions of dollars across global markets.
Stock valuations, crypto prices and the glow of gold all hinge on a single figure — the US interest rate ( USINTR ). Major central banks are on the move to unwind their restrictive monetary policies, especially when it comes to global interest rates . Investors have been trying to run ahead of the interest rate decision and position their portfolios to accommodate both a small casual trim to borrowing costs but also a bigger, juicier slash.
Clashing opinions over the size of the interest rate reduction have been swaying the financial markets in recent weeks. Fed officials haven’t sent out any comms regarding that question so markets do what they do best — speculate.
According to the FedWatch tool by CME Group, at the end of this week, investors were nearly even in their expectations for the upcoming interest rate cut with 55% calling for a 25bps (basis points) cut and 45% rooting for the fuller treatment of 50bps.
In any case, this would be the Federal Reserve’s first cut to borrowing costs in more than four years. The benchmark rate in the US is currently sitting at a 23-year high of 5.5% — a level that has stayed flat since July.
After a series of reports pointing to a wobbling economy — and on the back of mostly receding inflation — the central banking clique issued its uplifting guidance at their previous meeting, saying rates are about to go down when they meet again. But what they didn’t say — because they’re data dependent — is how much.
A 25bps cut to interest rates would most likely be already priced in across the spectrum. Stocks, the US dollar, gold and even cryptocurrency are now acting as if this level of rate cut is factored in. Moreover, some investors might even be disappointed to see a rate cut of that casual magnitude. Buy the rumor, sell the news, maybe?
A 50bps cut to interest rates could bring some needed fuel for the next leg up in stocks, gold and crypto. And, on the flip side, knock the dollar’s valuation.
Lower interest rates make money more affordable, enticing investors, businesses and consumers to get more cash out of the bank and spend more freely on big-ticket purchases. Obviously, investors shove the cash into various markets. Businesses expand operations and build new products. And consumers, well, they buy the new iPhone 16 and jam what's left in meme stocks ?
Perhaps even more importantly, lower interest rates help steer the economy, keeping it on an upward trajectory. Liquidity improves, because there’s more money flowing in the system, and valuations of public and private assets usually increase.
Take gold ( XAU/USD ), for example. Gold hit an all-time high Friday morning, pumping above $2,570 per ounce . Driving the gains was the relationship between gold and the prospects of lower rates, which make bullion more appealing because they reduce the opportunity cost of holding a non-yielding asset. At the same time, the US dollar loses some of its allure because the reduction in rates triggers a lower yield on dollar deposits.
Bitcoin ( BTC/USD ) is another interest -ing candidate to join the rate interplay. The OG token has been increasingly correlated to macroeconomic factors and the rate decision is already seen impacting its price in a positive way.
Stocks have been in choppy trading mode over the past couple of months largely due to the looming uncertainty about the looming rate-setting meeting.
So what do you think it’s going to be — 25bps or 50bps? And how would it affect financial markets? Shoot your thoughts below!
Euro rises after ECB cuts interest ratesThe euro has extended its gains on Friday. EUR/USD is trading at 1.1091 in the European session at the time of writing, up 0.13% today. The euro has climbed 0.7% since the ECB’s rate cut on Thursday.
The European Central Bank delivered as expected on Thursday, trimming the key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.5%. This was the second rate cut in the current rate-lowering cycle, as the ECB responded to falling inflation and a deteriorating eurozone economy.
The war against inflation is largely won, which enabled the ECB to deliver the rate cut. Inflation in the eurozone has dropped to 2.2%, close to the target of 2%. The ECB updated inflation forecast was unchanged from June, with inflation expected to average 2.5% in 2024 and 2.2% in 2025
At a press conference, ECB President Lagarde reiterated that rate decisions would be made “meeting by meeting” based on economic data, essentially ditching forward guidance. Lagarde sounded somewhat hawkish, noting that wage growth remains high and the labor market is still resilient. The ECB is being cautious and has signaled it will take a slow approach to further cuts and the markets are looking at a cut in December. If economic conditions suddenly worsen, the central bank would have to consider a rate cut next month.
The Federal Reserve meets next week and rate cut odds continue to swing wildly. The US producer price index eased to 1.7% y/y in August, down from a downwardly revised 2.1% in July and below the market estimate of 1.8%. This sent the odds of a half-point cut soaring to 41%, up from just 13% yesterday, according the CME’s FedWatch. The Fed meeting is live, with plenty of uncertainty as whether the Fed will cut by 25 or 50 basis points.
EUR/USD faces resistance at 1.1099 and 1.1123
There is support at 1.1052 and 1.1028
PIMCO Warning on Fed's First Cut in 4 Years next week The only event that matters next week is the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, which could result in its first rate cut in over four years
PIMCO analysts, in a fresh note, outlined what could be in store for the U.S. dollar as the Fed embarks on its rate-cutting cycle. Historically, the dollar has shown a tendency to weaken, at least briefly, following the Fed’s initial rate cuts since the 1990s.
The Fed now faces a tight decision on whether to opt for a larger-than-expected half-point cut or stick with a quarter-point reduction.
An aggressive half-point move could raise concerns that the central bank is concerned about the economic outlook for the US, potentially prompting markets to price in further, more drastic rate cuts beyond the Fed's current trajectory.
AU Bears "Head" Down to Target .6570Here I have AUD/USD on the Daily Chart!
From Friday's High @ .67672 to its Low @ .66597, we can see we get the Confirmation of a strong reversal pattern with the Break of the Neckline of the Head & Shoulders!
Now what I'd like to see off the same High and Low of Friday is Price give us a 38.2% Retracement of the Low & Pullback to test the Neckline for potential Sell Entries.
( .67008 - .6697 )
Swing High of Head to Neckline = 126.9 Pips
Neckline - 126.9 = .6570 (Target)
Fundamentals:
AUD's undoing comes from a mix of a rise in Unemployment to 4.2% and Retail Sales ending August coming in @ 0%
With the horrible run of jobs reports for the USD to start September, it managed to recover to end the week and give the idea that a 50 bps Rate Cut is less likely sitting at a 30% change and a 25 bps Rate Cut more likely at a 70% chance at the Sept 18th meeting.
-RBA Interest Rate sits @ 4.35%
-Fed Interest Rate sits @ 5.5%
This upcoming week will be VERY news heavy for USD seeing as there is:
-Core CPI, CPI m & y on Wednesday, Sept. 11th
-Core PPI/ PPI m/m & Unemployment Claims on Thursday, Sept 12th!
NZ dollar drifting ahead of manufacturing dataThe New Zealand dollar is showing little movement on Thursday. NZD/USD is trading at 0.6139 at the time of writing, up 0.05% on the day.
New Zealand’s manufacturing sector has been in the doldrums, as the manufacturing PMI has posted 17 consecutive declines. Friday’s PMI is expected to improve to 47 in August, up from 44 in July (a reading below 50 points to contraction). The New Zealand economy has deteriorated and in August the Reserve Bank of New Zealand responded with its first rate cut since March 2020. The RBNZ has joined the club, as most major central banks have lowered rates and the Federal Reserve is poised to do so next week.
The RBNZ will be looking to continue lowering rates, as the cash rate of 5.25% remains high and is weighing on economic activity and households. Inflation has dropped to 3.3%, which is close to the target of between 1% and 3%. The central bank meets next on Oct. 9 and there is pressure on the RBNZ to follow up with a second straight rate cut.
In the US, today’s inflation numbers were a mix. Headline producer prices rose 1.7% Y/Y in August, following a downwardly revised 2.1% gain in July and just below the market estimate of 1.8%. However, core PPI rose from 2.3% to 2.4%, below the estimate of 2.5%. Today’s PPI data didn’t budge the market pricing of a Fed rate cut, with an 87% probability of a 25-bps cut next week, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Still, not everybody is on board for small cut – JP Morgan is projecting that the Fed will deliver a jumbo 50-bps reduction.
NZD/USD is testing resistance at 0.6134. Above, there is resistance at 0.6160
There are support lines at 0.6110 and 0.6084
USD/JPY: Reversal Signal or More Downside? The Japanese yen has tested prices below 141, an eight-month low for the pair. But eventually pulled back above 142. From a technical perspective, this long wick might look to some traders to be the start of a small reversal before its eventual sojourn lower.
Rom a fundamental perspective, US Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in a few hours ago lower than expected. Which means the US Federal Reserve might forgo a 50bps cut in favor of a 25bps next week. This might help support the US dollar in the face of yen strength. Now we have US Producer Price Index (PPI) to look forward to on Thursday.
The Yen against Euro could be interesting to keep an eye on too in the lead up to the European Central Bank (ECB) decision. On Thursday, the ECB is expected to cut its interest rate to 3.5% from 3.75%.