GBP/USD stems slide as GDP beats estimateThe British pound is steady on Friday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.2219, down 0.02%. The pound is coming off a nasty four-day slide, in which it declined 1.19%.
Today's UK's GDP numbers weren't pretty, but they managed to beat the forecasts, which has helped the British pound stabilize after a disappointing week. The economy flatlined in the third quarter, below the Q2 reading of 0.2% q/q but higher than the market consensus of -0.1%. Monthly, GDP eked out a gain of 0.2%, versus a revised 0.1% in July and above the market consensus of 0.0%.
The lack of growth in the third quarter is nothing to cheer about, but at least the UK will avoid a recession this year, which is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. High interest rates and stubborn inflation continue to squeeze consumers and businesses, and a sharp drop in house sales has dragged down the services sector. Consumers are in a sour mood due to the cost of living crisis and are expected to cut down on Christmas shopping.
The Bank of England lowered its growth forecast for the fourth quarter at its meeting earlier this month when it kept interest rates unchanged. GDP is expected to rise just 0.1% q/q. Inflation is projected to fall back to the 2% target at the end of 2025, six months later than the previous forecast. Governor Bailey has been stressing that inflation remains too high, but the BoE nevertheless voted to hold rates after 14 straight increases. Another pause at the December meeting would be the central bank's preferred plan of action, data permitting.
There is resistance at 1.2287 and 1.2344
1.2183 and 1.2091 and are providing support
Inflation
NZD/USD edges higher ahead of manufacturing PMIThe New Zealand dollar is in positive territory on Wednesday. In the European session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.5926, up 0.26%.
New Zealand's manufacturing sector has been in decline for seven consecutive months and little change is expected from the October PMI, which will be released on Friday. The market consensus stands at 45.0, compared to 45.3 in September, which marked a 2-year low. Business activity in the manufacturing sector has been dampened by weak global demand and elevated borrowing costs have exacerbated the prolonged slump.
China has been struggling with a significant slowdown, which is bad news for the New Zealand economy, as China is New Zealand's number one trading partner. China is grappling with deflationary pressures, and the October inflation report was softer than expected due to a sharp decline in the price of pork.
Inflation in China fell by 0.2% y/y in October, down from 0.0% in September and lower than the market consensus of -0.1%. Monthly, CPI declined by 0.2%, versus a 0.2% rise in September and below the market consensus of 0.0%. If deflation continues, it could cause a downturn in inflation expectations that could dampen consumer spending.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell didn't discuss monetary policy in public remarks on Wednesday, and the markets will again be listening carefully as Powell speaks later today. Earlier this week, two Fed members sounded hawkish about inflation.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Fed President Harker said he expected rates to stay higher for longer and there were no signs of rate cuts in the near term. This followed Dallas Fed President Logan, who said that inflation remains too high and looks to be trending towards 3% rather than the Fed's 2% inflation target. Logan warned that the Fed would have to maintain tight financial conditions in order to bring inflation back to target.
NZD/USD continues to test support at 0.5929. The next support line is 0.5858
There is resistance at 0.5996 and 0.6069
Real Interest Rate: How It Affects the Economy and Forex MarketReal interest rate is the interest rate adjusted for inflation. Nominal interest rate is the reported rate, while real interest rate is the actual rate that the borrower receives after accounting for inflation.
The formula for calculating real interest rate is as follows:
Real interest rate = Nominal interest rate - Inflation rate
For example, if the nominal interest rate is 5% and the inflation rate is 3%, then the real interest rate is 2%.
Real interest rate plays an important role in the economy. High real interest rates can encourage investment and economic growth. Conversely, low real interest rates can dampen investment and economic growth.
Real interest rate has a significant impact on the forex market. An increase in the real interest rate will make the domestic currency more attractive to foreign investors. This is because foreign investors can earn higher returns from their investments in countries with high real interest rates. An increase in the real interest rate will cause the domestic currency to appreciate against foreign currencies. This is because foreign investors will increase demand for the domestic currency to invest. A decrease in the real interest rate will cause the domestic currency to depreciate against foreign currencies. This is because foreign investors will reduce demand for the domestic currency to invest.
Here are some examples of the impact of real interest rates on the forex market:
In 2022, the US Federal Reserve (The Fed) raised the real interest rate. This caused the US dollar to appreciate against other currencies.
DXY
USDJPY
USDDKK
USDCNH
In 2022, the European Central Bank (ECB) lowered the real interest rate. This caused the euro to depreciate against other currencies.
EURCAD
EURCHF
EURSEK
Governments and central banks can use the real interest rate as one of the instruments of monetary policy to influence the exchange rate of the currency. For example, if the government wants to increase the exchange rate of the domestic currency, the government can raise the real interest rate. Real interest rate can be used to predict the movements of currency pairs. Currency pairs with higher real interest rates tend to appreciate against currency pairs with lower real interest rates.
Here are the steps for using real interest rate to predict the movements of currency pairs:
Collect data on real interest rates from the two countries whose currencies form the currency pair.
Compare the real interest rates of the two countries.
If the real interest rate of country A is higher than the real interest rate of country B, then the currency pair A/B will tend to appreciate.
For example, the real interest rate of the United States is 1.8%, while the real interest rate of Japan is -3.1%. Therefore, the currency pair US dollar/Japanese yen (USD/JPY) will tend to appreciate by 4.9%.
Real interest rate is only one factor that affects the movements of currency pairs. Other factors that should also be considered include economic and political factors that can affect the demand and supply of the two currencies.
Aussie soars to 3-month high, RBA expected to hikeThe Australian dollar has edged lower on Monday, after huge gains on Friday. In the North American session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6499, down 0.21%.
On Friday, the Aussie posted spectacular gains, rising 1.22% and hitting its highest level since August 10th. The US dollar retreated against the majors on Friday, suffering sharp losses after a softer-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report.
Nonfarm payrolls fell to 150,000 in October, down from a downwardly revised 297,000 in September and shy of the consensus estimate of 170,000. The reading wasn't a massive miss of the forecast, but investors jumped all over the soft reading as expectations jumped that the Fed could be done with tightening. The Fed rate odds of a hike in December have fallen to 10%, compared to 24% just a week ago, according to the CME Fed Watch Tool. We can expect to hear the markets talk more and more about a rate cut sometime in 2024.
The RBA meets on Tuesday and we've seen a remarkable swing in the RBA rate odds. Just a few weeks ago, the probability of a pause was close to 100%, but that has changed dramatically. According to the ASX RBA rate tracker, the odds of a hike are now 50/50, making it a live meeting that could see significant volatility from the Australian dollar.
RBA policy makers have a tough call to make after holding rates four straight times. Inflation has been falling slowly but the current level of 5.4% is much higher than the 2% target. Inflation expectations remain high and the RBA wants to see these expectations remain anchored; otherwise, the battle with inflation will become even more difficult.
GOLD LONG HERE IS WHY part 2Dear ZTraders,
We'd like to provide you with an analysis of the factors contributing to the potential decline in gold prices. While recent gains were largely attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, several significant factors at play may lead to a drop in gold prices:
Stronger U.S. Economy: A robust U.S. economy tends to reduce the demand for safe-haven assets like gold. Investors, during prosperous times, tend to favor investments that offer potential returns, such as stocks and bonds, over non-interest-bearing assets like gold. This shift in investment preferences can lead to decreased demand for gold and, consequently, a decline in its price.
Anticipated Interest Rate Increases: One of the critical factors affecting gold prices is interest rates. When central banks signal intentions to increase interest rates, it raises the opportunity cost of holding gold. Investors may opt for interest-bearing assets that promise higher yields, making gold less attractive. The expectation of rising interest rates can undermine gold's appeal, leading to a potential price drop.
Delay in Rate Easing: During economic downturns or crises, central banks often implement policies to ease interest rates or use quantitative easing to stimulate economic growth. These measures can increase the demand for gold as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. However, if there is a delay in implementing these measures or a perceived slowdown in their effectiveness, it can reduce the upward pressure on gold prices.
Recent Gains from Middle East Conflict: Geopolitical tensions, such as those in the Middle East, can elevate the demand for gold as a safe-haven asset. Investors turn to gold during uncertain times as a store of value. However, it's important to note that these gains are often temporary and may reverse when the geopolitical situation stabilizes.
Supply and Demand Dynamics: The price of any asset, including gold, is influenced by the fundamental economic principle of supply and demand. If selling pressure outpaces buying pressure for gold, it will lead to price declines. The balance between supply and demand is a pivotal factor in determining gold prices.
In conclusion, a combination of a stronger U.S. economy, expectations of higher interest rates, potential delays in rate easing, and a possible reduction in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East can collectively contribute to a decline in the price of gold. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that various complex factors influence the gold market, and its price can be highly volatile. It is advisable for investors to closely monitor economic indicators and geopolitical developments to make well-informed decisions regarding their gold investments.
Greetings,
ZTRADES
S&P 500 Daily Chart Analysis For Week of Nov 3, 2023Technical Analysis and Outlook:
The stabilized selloff in the bond market in this week's price action sent the index raging upward all the way up to Mean Res 4378 and completing our Inner Index Rally 4375. On the downside, the index will likely go down toward the Mean Sup 4238, followed by a series of price targets marked on the chart. However, due to the reactionary nature of the market, sudden fluctuations in either direction are possible.
The Bank of Japan can’t let goThis week financial markets were dominated by central banks policy decisions. While the Federal Reserve (Fed) and Bank of England (BOE) kept rates on hold, the policy board of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) decided to further increase the flexibility in its yield curve control policy.
The BOJ previously set a strict cap of 1.0% for the 10-year Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yield. But it has now decided that 1% should be a “reference” (not a strict cap), which effectively allows the yield to rise above 1% when the BOJ thinks it is appropriate. The upper bound of 1% appears to be a level they can’t let go of. By doing so, the BOJ is choosing an exit path that gives them the maximum flexibility but minimum volatility around the Yen. We view this as a dovish move as consensus expectations were for the BOJ to move the cap to 1.25% rather than 1%.
Japan’s remains on a narrow path
One of the reasons holding back the BOJ from normalisation of policy rates, is they still believe Japan’s recovery since the re-opening in October 2022 remains on a narrow path as it relies heavily on tourism, while the broader services sectors have yet to pick up significantly and manufacturing activity has been hampered by soft exports. Japan’s flash PMI readings for October showed us a bifurcated economy where the services sector is stronger than the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing PMI clocked in at 47.6, which is in contraction territory. Services PMI was 51.1, which is down from last month’s reading of 53.8 but is still in expansion territory, no doubt helped by fiscal stimulus and the accommodative monetary policy environment.
BOJ on the lookout for an intensified virtuous cycle between wages and prices
BOJ governor Ueda indicated that the BoJ will be monitoring the upcoming spring union-employer wage negotiations. A strong outcome could catalyse the earlier attainment of sustained inflation in Japan, but overall, Japan’s recovery isn’t strong enough yet for employers, especially small enterprises, to meaningful support wage hikes in the broad economy. While headline inflation bolted north of 4% in January 2023, it appears to have peaked and has begun receding. While core inflation remains around the 4% mark. The Producer Price Index (PPI) slowed to 2% annually in September suggesting a stabilization or even drop in CPI ahead.
The BOJ revised its outlook for core inflation (all items less fresh food and energy) to 3.8% in FY23, 1.9% for FY24 and 1.9% for FY25. The BoJ stated that the inflation uptick “needs to be accompanied by an intensified virtuous cycle between wages and prices”.
The Yen is unlikely to appreciate under BOJ’s policy change owing to the large gap in interest rates between the US and Japan. The direction of the Yen matters for Japanese equities owing to Japan high export tilt. The exporters stand to benefit amidst a weaker Yen.
Fire power abounds for Japanese equities
Japanese equities had a strong first half in 2023, attaining 33-year highs. Yet valuations at 15.7x price to earnings ratio (P/E), still trade at a 30% discount to its 15-year average providing room to catch up. More importantly, earnings revision estimates in Japan are currently the highest among the major economies. Earnings yield at 4.07% for the Nikkei 225 Index has been trending above bond yields 0.947% for 10 Year JGBs , keeping the well-known TINA (There is no Alternative) trade alive in favour of Japanese equities.
Tailwind from corporate governance reforms
Tokyo Stock Exchange’s (TSE) call for listed companies to focus on achieving sustainable growth and enhancing corporate value is beginning to bear fruit. The call was aimed at companies with a price to book (P/B) ratio below one. Those companies were asked to develop a plan for improvement, disclose and then implement and track its progress. The progress has been encouraging with 31% of companies on the prime market making a disclosure of their plan .
Large companies with a price to book ratio below one have been more proactive with disclosure. Historically cash-heavy Japanese companies face increasing pressure to improve their numbers, possibly by funnelling historically high excess cash reserves into increased buybacks or dividends.
Conclusion
Inflation has been missing in Japan for more than a decade. So now that it has arrived aided by the post pandemic pick up of the Japanese economy, policy makers are not in a rush to obliterate it. With wage growth lagging behind inflation, the Bank of Japan does not appear ready to wean itself from Yield Curve Control until a more intensified virtuous cycle is observed between wages and prices. The BOJ’s policy decision this week is unlikely to allow the appreciation of the Yen, which should continue to provide a competitive advantage to Japanese exporters.
This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
🛢️ Crude Oil Hits $93 - 💰 Why 88$ is ok for Saudi Arabia 🌴Hey Traders, Professor here! 🤟 You might recall my bullish call on oil at $70, based on fundamentals and geopolitical moves. Fast forward, and here we are at $93 a barrel. But is this the ceiling, or is there more room to grow? Let's dissect. 🛢️🔍
The Resistance at $93: More Than Just a Number 🛑
Oil has rocketed to $93, and I'm seeing this as a strong resistance point. It's not just a psychological barrier; it's also a key level when you look at Fibonacci retracements and historical price action. Could this be the turning point for a retracement? 🤔 My Oil Long at $70 Post :
Inflation's Role: The Double-Edged Sword 📈
While rising oil prices have been great for traders and certain economies, they also fuel inflation. And let's be clear: Inflation is a beast that the U.S. and Europe can't afford to ignore. High oil prices are now a geopolitical concern, and there will be pressure to tame them, especially as they contribute to rising inflation. 🌍 Inflation and Oil post Post
Saudi Arabia's Profit Game: Low Costs, High Margins 😁
Here's where it gets interesting. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait enjoy production costs as low as $5.40 per barrel. Even at the higher end, it's just around $10. So, whether oil is at $88 or $93, they're raking in massive profits. This low-cost advantage gives them a competitive edge, especially when other countries are grappling with significantly higher production costs. 🇸🇦💰
The High Dollar's Role 🇺🇸
The dollar has been on a tear lately, and it's worth noting its impact on oil prices. A strong dollar usually puts downward pressure on commodities priced in USD, like oil. This could be another factor contributing to potential resistance at $93. The US Dollar & The Wolverine:
What's Next? The Road Ahead 🤷♂️
Keep a close eye on potential retracement levels. Fibonacci and moving averages could be your guide here. 88$ to 93$ range is what i would most likely expect📉
Geopolitical events are always wild cards. Any tensions or agreements could send oil prices soaring or plummeting. 🌍
Don't lose sight of Bitcoin. It remains my go-to asset for hedging against inflation and market volatility. 🚀
Trade wisely, folks. My charts are always here if you need a second opinion. 📊
(ps if the price breaks over 95$ we might need to run for the great reset hills!)
One Love,
The FXPROFESSOR 💙
Could AI Help Dampen Inflation?Will the 2020s look like the 1970s with unstable inflation and soaring prices? Or will we return to the 2010s with low stable inflation rates of around 2%? There is a case to be made both ways.
Those who worry about the possibility of durably higher inflation argue that the quarter century of low, stable inflation rates was a consequence of the end of the Cold War, globalization and just-in-time supply lines.
Now, many of those factors have reversed. Military spending is on the rise worldwide as global tensions mount. Nearshoring and friendshoring are moving production out of China and into places like Vietnam and Mexico but at an increased cost. Finally, just-in-time-delivery has proven to be fragile and creates a strong potential for supply chain disruptions.
These factors, combined with shrinking workforces in China, Korea, Japan and much of Europe, could put upward pressure on wages and inflation.
But there is a counter argument: technology continues to advance rapidly, and generative AI could pose a threat to many middle-class service professions. And inflation has begun coming down in many countries, led by the United States.
In the U.S., core inflation has fallen from 6.6% YoY to just 4.1%, and most of the remaining increase has come from one component: owners’ equivalent rent. Outside of owners’ equivalent rent, U.S. inflation is running at just 2.1% year-on-year. After a massive global tightening of rates, economies may also slow significantly, reducing inflationary pressures.
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
By Erik Norland, Executive Director and Senior Economist, CME Group
*Various CME Group affiliates are regulated entities with corresponding obligations and rights pursuant to financial services regulations in a number of jurisdictions. Further details of CME Group's regulatory status and full disclaimer of liability in accordance with applicable law are available below.
**All examples in this report are hypothetical interpretations of situations and are used for explanation purposes only. The views in this report reflect solely those of the author and not necessarily those of CME Group or its affiliated institutions. This report and the information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience.
Regional Banks Are Still in Serious Trouble!Traders,
For the second time this year, regional banks are threatening to cross on over an essential support that has carried us through this secular bull market for 14 (going on 15) years! If our support breaks, I fear that regional banks could drag everything else down with it. Remember, it is regional banks that hold the loans for much of commercial real estate. Much of commercial real estate went vacant during COVID. We are only now beginning to understand the wave of bankruptcies that are crashing in hard as a result!
Watch this line closely or stay tuned here and I will keep you up to speed as I observe any significant changes.
Stewdamus
USD/JPY holds below 150 ahead of BoJ meetingThe Japanese yen is drifting on Monday after pushing the US dollar back below 150 on Friday. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 149.71, up 0.05%.
The Bank of Japan holds its two-day meeting beginning on Monday and there's plenty of anticipation around the meeting. BoJ meetings were once dreary affairs that barely made the news, but that has changed in the era of high inflation.
The central bank has been an outlier with its ultra-loose monetary policy, insisting that inflation has been transient. The BoJ recently tweaked its yield curve control (YCC) program, widening the trading band for 10-year Japanese government bond yields to 1%, which sent the yen sharply higher.
There is pressure on the BoJ to again raise the trading band as yields have risen close to 0.90%. The surge in US Treasury yields has widened the US/Japan rate differential, which has weakened the yen. If the BoJ does not take any action at this meeting, the yen could weaken further, raising the risk of Tokyo intervening in the currency markets.
One move the BoJ is expected to take is to revise upwards its quarterly inflation forecasts. The latest Tokyo Core CPI reading rose from 2.5% to 2.7% y/y, an indication that underlying inflation remains sticky. If the BoJ does raise the inflation forecasts, it would signal a move toward monetary policy normalization, which could shore up the struggling yen.
The Federal Reserve has sounded hawkish about inflation and received support for its stance from Friday's core PCE price index, which rose 0.3% in September, up from 0.1% in August and the highest level in four months. There are some inflation risks heading into next year, but the markets have priced in pauses in the November and December meetings.
149.05 and 148.45 are providing support
There is resistance at 149.91 and 150.51
USCCI - Consumer Confidence Index - Recession is HereThe US Consumer Confidence Index (USCCI) does not look so good.
Consumers (normal people) are feeling anxious about their future, and they have good reasons for that.
The Bull Market did not last long after the Covid Pandemic and people don't feel optimistic about their future spending or wealth.
If you don't know what the CCI is, no worries, I will briefly explain, so that a 12 year old will know.
A very well-known university in Michigan started doing some surveys a long time ago.
They were asking people how they feel about their future, about their spending confidence, etc.
Basically, you can also ask yourself:
Can you afford a new car now?
Are you making more money now then you were 2 years ago?
Do you have financial stability? How do you feel about that?
Are you thinking of moving into a new, nicer home?
For me it's a NO for most questions above.
Not sure about you...
Now, if I may continue, I will tell you this: people are scared.
In fact, Covid shocked the world as we know it.
We got used to being bullied by the higher, running forces in the world.
Anyway, there are many factors for which Consumers are pessimistic at these times:
- War & Tensions: Ukraine vs. Russia
- Inflation Spike
- Energy Crisis
- Federal Reserve (FED) Interest Rate Hike
- Surging Prices
- Bear Market Fears
- Recession Talks
Remember this: WINTER IS COMING!
No joke, many will suffer.
The media plays a major role with inflicting sentiments in your mind.
As for me, I'm more of a technical guy, so I go with what my technical analysis tells me.
Until now I mentioned my personal fundamental analysis take.
I'm not optimistic about the markets.
The FED messed it all up. They overreacted with that Quantitative Easing (QE).
Artificial (fake & printed) money was injected, and of course it lost its value.
Because of that, Inflation skyrocketed, and of course they're surprised.
NO! It's the oldest trick in the book. They are controlling the global economy.
It's actually them who are causing inflation or stagflation, and also them who are switching bullish and bearish gears.
But enough about that. I'm gonna' switch to the Technical Side.
I just wanted to get that off my chest. LOL
So, I'm an Elliottician. That means I trade by using the Elliott Wave Theory.
It proven to me over the years that it works.
The Market's price movements are simply suman beings buy & sell emotions, as a herd.
Yeah, they're all sheep, and most indicators are based those herd emotions.
So, on this USCCI chart, which is coming from 1953, I'm labeling my Elliott Wave Count.
What I see is a Triple Three Complex Correction, in a very BIG degree.
TradingView calls it: Elliott Triple Combo Wave (WXYXZ).
Based on that Wave Count, I am suspecting more down-side to this chart.
In a nutshell, I'm anticipating a RECESSION.
How big it will be and how long it will last, that depends.
For what I know, the Bear Market has already started for Indices globally.
My VIX (Volatility Index) idea backs this up.
Short and simple: the USCCI would tag the 61.8% Fibonacci Retracement of Wave A (white).
That's a point of interest for bulls, because it reflects the Golden Ratio.
If it breaches and goes lower than that, then it's not just a Recession anymore, it's gonna' be more like a Depression.
1929 all over again. Funny how these Cycles come into play...
My chart has labels and infographic stuff.
Write a comment if you want, give a like if you give a :poop: :D
Good luck!
World Wars & US Inflation From 1914This is the US Inflation Rate (YoY) from 1914 until 2022.
Symbol is called USIRYY and it measures the Inflation Volatility in the United States.
With the War going on in Ukraine, and Russia trying to force its way through, I took the liberty of looking into the following:
- How Global Wars Affect Inflation
- How US Inflation Reacts to External Wars
- How Wars Affect the Financial Markets
You can see the time-lines, it's all laid-out in the chart (graph).
I took all the Major World Wars and events that significantly affected, not only the US Inflation, but Inflation itself.
First of all, the US Inflation Rate (USIRYY) tells me the following:
* When the US was involved in a War, we can notice that the US Inflation spiked.
* Most of the times when US was not involved in an External War, then Inflation dropped.
That's because of War & Uncertainty Sentiment around this "terrific" word.
War does not bring anything good, in fact, in only brings bad times.
People die and global sentiment gets super-negative.
This of course, leads to... you guessed it: Market Crash.
Why? Because after or during times of War, there are Recessions and Depressions.
Supply Chains are disrupted and the Global Economy falls on its face.
What about looking at things from a Technical Analysis perspective?
* Symmetrical Triangle: and the only way is UP!
I will give you points which I believe are worth keeping in mind for the next Market Crash.
First of all, let's be logical about this.
Winter is coming and it's only gonna get worse before it gets better.
As Inflation spiked to a 40y high, the higher powers intervened, in an attempt to cool the Inflation spike off.
I'm talking here about the Federal Reserve (FED) ramping up the Interest Rates.
This is the Effective Federal Funds Rate (FEDFUNDS).
Can you see the break-out?
They want to calm down Inflation, but they can't.
Why? Because this is no ordinary Inflationary period, it's a long-lasting thing.
One of those hyperinflation, deflation, stagflation, or whatever the heck these experts call it... :)
The Volatility Index (VIX) tells me that another spike in Fear Sentiment is inevitable.
I'm in love with Elliott Wave Analysis, so I labeled this next chart.
This is the United States Consumer Confidence Index (USCCI) and it measures exactly what its name says, LOL.
When it drops, people are freaking out. When it rises, people are optimistic and the Markets are going up. Daaaa!
With all that said, what's the bottom line here?
I believe that periods of terror are gonna hit us all.
Are we having World War 3? Who the heck knows?
All I know is that there are more pieces to this puzzle:
United States 10Y Bonds (USB10YUSD) have reached the Support, and a spike bigger than the Covid Pandemic has started:
The 10Y Treasury Note Yield (TNX) have broken out of a 40y down-trend:
Isn't it ironic how it synced with the Inflation 40y high?
Damn!
Germany 40 (DAX, GER30, GRXEUR) is doomed.
Fractal sequence, Descending Channel, and a "beautiful" ABC Elliott Wave Pattern.
So, how can you prosper from all this?
Metals could be a good hedge.
Gold (XAUUSD) just broke out of an important Bearish Structure.
Maybe it will go up.
Natural Gas (NG1!) & Crude Oil (USOIL) however, are showing Bearish Reversals.
Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is Bearish until further notice as well.
But this may become the new currency moving forward.
In times of terror, the banking systems might need to change.
Cash and Card is so '00.
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE? WAR OR PEACE?
Leave your commend down below.
Cheers!
Richard
USD/JPY edges lower, Tokyo Core CPI risesThe Japanese yen has steadied after three straight days of losses. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 150.11, down 0.19%.
Tokyo Core CPI climbed 2.7% y/y in October, above 2.5% in September which was also the consensus estimate. The index, which excludes fresh food is a key indicator of inflation trends in Japan and is closely monitored by the Bank of Japan. Tokyo's headline CPI also rose in October, from 2.8% to 3.3%.
The Bank of Japan will find it hard to ignore these hotter-than-expected inflation readings. The timing of these releases is awkward for the BoJ, which holds its policy meeting on Oct. 30-31. Underlying inflation is proving to be stickier than expected and BoJ policy makers may have to revise upwards their inflation outlooks for 2023 and 2024. High inflation is a risk to Japan's recovery, putting pressure on the BoJ to make some kind of move at the meeting.
The central bank will have a busy agenda at next week's meeting. Aside from stubbornly high inflation, the BoJ will have to decide whether to tweak its yield curve control (YCC) program and what to do about the falling yen. The Japanese currency breached the symbolic 150 line this week for the first time since October 3rd, raising speculation that the BoJ could shift its policy or even intervene in the currency markets.
Tokyo has responded to the yen breaching 150 with the usual verbal intervention, warning investors not to sell the yen. The BoJ won't be providing any advance warning about a currency intervention, so traders should remain on alert.
For those doubting US exceptionalism, the superb US GDP of 4.9% in the third quarter was proof in the pudding of a robust US economy. This was the fastest growth rate since Q4 of 2021, boosted by strong consumer spending in the third quarter. The sharp rise in growth hasn't changed market expectations with regard to rates, which have priced in pauses at the November and December meetings.
USD/JPY is testing support at 1.5017. Below, there is support at 149.67
There is resistance at 1.5049 and 1.5099
NZD slides against the Japanese YenThe New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is trading bearish against the Japanese Yen (JPY) at 87.386 on Friday, October 27, 2023, following comments from Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Taro Matsuno that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is expected to conduct appropriate monetary policy.
Matsuno's comments come amid rising expectations that the BoJ will eventually tighten monetary policy in response to rising inflation in Japan. The BoJ has been maintaining an ultra-loose monetary policy stance for many years, but this has led to a significant weakening of the JPY in recent months.
The NZDJPY currency pair has been under pressure in recent weeks as investors have priced in the possibility of a more hawkish BoJ. The pair has fallen by over 5% since the start of October.
The bearish outlook for NZDJPY is further supported by the technical outlook. The pair has broken below a key support level at 88.00, and is now on track to test the next support level at 86.50.
Factors Weighing on NZDJPY
There are a number of factors weighing on NZDJPY at present, including:
Expectations of BoJ tightening: The BoJ is expected to be one of the last major central banks to tighten monetary policy, which is putting downward pressure on the JPY.
Rising inflation in Japan: Japan's inflation rate has been rising in recent months, which is putting pressure on the BoJ to tighten monetary policy.
Global risk aversion: Global investors are currently risk averse, which is leading to a sell-off in riskier assets such as the NZD.
Weak New Zealand economic data: The New Zealand economy has been slowing in recent months, which is weighing on the NZD.
Technical Outlook for NZDJPY
The technical outlook for NZDJPY is bearish. The pair has broken below a key support level at 88.00, and is now on track to test the next support level at 86.50. If NZDJPY breaks below 86.50, it could fall to 85.00 or even lower.
Trading Strategy
Traders who are bearish on NZDJPY could consider shorting the pair at current levels. A stop loss could be placed above the recent high at 88.00. A profit target could be placed at 86.50 or 85.00.
It is important to note that the foreign exchange market is volatile and prices can move quickly. Traders should always use risk management techniques when trading currencies.
Inflation not down under!Australia's CPI data, released yesterday, showcased figures hotter than anticipated. While this may not be 'reaction-worthy' news on its own, the scenario in Australia is worth delving into for several reasons.
Inflation Trends
Initially, let's consider inflation trends. In most western economies, although inflation remains above central bank targets, the trends are on a downward trajectory. However, when juxtaposed against those for the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), Australia's (AU) inflation rates on a month-over-month (MOM) and year-over-year (YOY) basis still stick out from the norm.
Moreover, yesterday’s CPI prints surpassed consensus on both the YOY & MOM basis, indicating a notable deviation from expectations.
In fact, Australia's YOY CPI is now on its longest streak above inflation expectations, and crucially, inflation expectations have ceased revising downwards.
Given the higher inflation levels compared to its peers, consensus estimates, and expectations, inflation remains a significant concern for Australia.
Interest Rates
In the realm of interest rates, Australia has been a long-standing “pauser,” having maintained its policy rate unchanged since its June meeting. This prolonged pause now further opens the leeway to raise rates, especially given the “watch and see” approach adopted towards burgeoning inflation. Additionally, its interest rates remain low compared to the US, EU, Canada, and even New Zealand.
As a result, on the real rates basis, Australia trails far behind, with its policy rate still 1.3% behind its inflation rate, significantly less restrictive compared to other economies that have already moved into positive real rates territory.
We posit that the RBA is behind the curve and has room to react, given the considerably long period of pause and still negative real rates.
The market seems to echo this sentiment too, as the odds for a hike in the next meeting surged post the CPI news, moving from 21% to 55%!
Against multiple currencies, the AUD appears to be threading above the long-term support level, a threshold that has essentially defined AUD low. This strong support is expected to hold, given its tested and respected level across multiple currency crosses since 2020.
Policy turning points between the two currencies, as indicated by the turn in the interest rate differential, have generally marked the trend change for the currency, notably for the AUDEUR pair.
Given the persisting high inflation in Australia compared to various economies and metrics, should market expectations trend in the right direction, it's plausible the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may react with a rate hike. This action could tilt the rate differential and interest for the AUD, bolstering the currency.
To capitalize on this bullish view on the AUD, we can consider a long position on the AUDEUR. We can set up this trade via a long position on the CME Australian Dollar Futures and a short position on the CME Euro FX futures to create a synthetic long AUD/EUR position at the current price level of 0.5951, stop at 0.5865 and take profit at 0.615.
Given that one CME Euro FX futures is for 125,000 Euros and one CME Australian Dollar Futures is for 100,000 Australian Dollars, this suggest that we should use two Australian Dollar Futures to one Euro FX Futures to match the contract size, given that 125,000 Euros is roughly equivalent to 210,000 Australian Dollars at the prevailing exchange rate. Each 0.00005 increment in the Australian Dollar Futures is equal to 5 USD and each 0.00005 increment in the Euro FX Futures is equal to 6.25 USD.
The charts above were generated using CME’s Real-Time data available on TradingView. Inspirante Trading Solutions is subscribed to both TradingView Premium and CME Real-time Market Data which allows us to identify trading set-ups in real-time and express our market opinions. 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
Disclaimer:
The contents in this Idea are intended for information purpose only and do not constitute investment recommendation or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products or services. They serve as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate fundamental concepts in risk management under given market scenarios. A full version of the disclaimer is available in our profile description.
Reference:
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au
www.rba.gov.au
www.asx.com.au
www.cmegroup.com
AUD/USD extends gains, employment report nextThe Australian dollar has extended this week's gains. In the North American session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6357, up 0.36%.
Australia releases inflation on a quarterly basis, which magnifies the significance of each release. We'll get a look at third-quarter inflation on Wednesday, with a market consensus of 1.1% q/q, compared to 0.8% in Q2. Inflation is expected to fall to 5.3% y/y in Q3, down from 6.0% in the second quarter.
Inflation eased in the second quarter, courtesy of a drop in fuel and food prices. The core inflation rate excludes energy and food prices but also declined in Q2 to 5.9% y/y, its lowest rate in a year. The drop in inflation is an encouraging sign and the Reserve Bank of Australia is hoping that the downtrend continues in the third quarter. Still, inflation is well above the RBA's target range of 2-3% and it will be a challenge for the central bank to bring inflation back to the target range.
The RBA meets next on November 7th after holding rates for four straight months. What can we expect? Just two weeks ago, the rate odds for a quarter-point hike at the November meeting were just 3%, according to the ASX RBA rate tracker. That has ballooned to 21% currently, which means that while a fifth consecutive pause is likely, it is no longer considered a shoo-in.
The RBA has been sending out a hawkish message, saying that the battle with inflation is far from over and further rate hikes remain on the table. Earlier today, Governor Bullock said the RBA "will not hesitate" to raise the cash rate over inflation fears. Despite the RBA's jawboning, the markets are leaning towards another pause, and provided that Wednesday's inflation report is not hotter than expected, it should cement a pause at the November meeting.
AUD/USD has support at 0.6240 and 0.6184
0.6343 and 0.6399 are the next resistance lines
Inflation SupercycleOn the afternoon of October 3rd, 2023 something unprecedented happened in the U.S. Treasury market. For the first time ever, bear steepening caused the 20-year U.S. Treasury yield and the 2-year U.S. Treasury yield to uninvert.
Bear steepening refers to a scenario in which long-duration bond yields rise faster than short-duration bond yields, as bond yields rise across the term structure. In all past instances, inverted yield curves have normalized due to bull steepening . The probability that bear steepening would cause an inverted yield curve to normalize is so low that, until now, most term structure models excluded the possibility of it ever happening. In this post, I'll explain why this anomalous event is a major stagflation warning.
The chart above shows that the 10-year Treasury yield has been rising much faster than the 3-month Treasury yield throughout 2023, narrowing the once-deep yield curve inversion.
Since a yield curve inversion indicates that a recession is coming, and bear steepening indicates that the market is pricing in higher inflation for the short term, and even more so, for the long term, then bear steepening during a yield curve inversion indicates that high inflation may persist even during the recessionary phase. High inflation during the recessionary period is what defines stagflation . Since very strong bear steepening is normalizing a deeply inverted yield curve, the combination of these events is a warning that severe stagflation is likely coming.
High inflation has caused Treasury yields to surge at an astronomical rate of change. Bond prices, which move in the opposite direction as yields, have sharply declined causing destabilizing losses. The effects of these massive bond losses are not even close to being fully realized by the broad economy.
The image above shows a bond ETF heatmap with year-to-date returns. Large losses have been mounting across numerous bond ETFs. Long-duration Treasury ETF NASDAQ:TLT has declined by more than 18% this year. Click here to interact with the bond ETF heatmap
Despite the extreme pace of monetary tightening, many central banks are still struggling to contain inflation. Inflationary fiscal spending and ballooning debt-to-GDP levels are confounding central bank monetary policy efforts. In Argentina, for example, inflation continues to spiral higher despite the central bank raising interest rates to 133%.
The chart above shows that the central bank of Argentina has hiked interest rates to 133%. Despite this extreme interest rate, the country's inflation rate continues to spiral higher. In an inflationary spiral, there is no upper limit to how high interest rates can go.
As the Federal Reserve tightens the supply of the U.S. dollar -- the predominant global reserve currency -- all other countries (with less demanded fiat currency) generally must tighten their monetary supply by a greater degree in order to contain inflation. If a country fails to maintain tighter monetary conditions than the Federal Reserve, then the supply of that country's (lesser demanded) fiat currency will grow against the supply of the (greater demanded, and scarcer) U.S. dollar, causing devaluation of the former against the latter. In effect, by controlling the global reserve currency, the Federal Reserve is able to export inflation to other countries. This phenomenon is explained by the Dollar Milkshake Theory .
The forex chart above shows FX:USDJPY pushing up against 150 yen to the dollar. The longer the Bank of Japan continues to maintain significantly looser monetary conditions than the Fed, the longer the yen will continue to devalue against the U.S. dollar.
The meteoric rise in bond yields is particularly concerning because it has broken the long-term downtrend, signaling the start of a new supercycle. After hitting the zero lower bound in 2020, yields have rebounded and pierced through long-term resistance levels.
The chart above shows that the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield broke above long-term resistance, ending the period of declining interest rates that characterized the monetary easing supercycle.
We've entered into a new supercycle, one in which lower interest rates over time are a thing of the past. The new supercycle will be characterized by persistently high inflation. It will start off insidiously, with brief periods of disinflation, but over the long term it will accelerate higher and higher, ultimately causing today's fiat currencies to meet the same fate that every fiat currency in history has met: hyperinflation.
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Important Disclaimer
Nothing in this post should be considered financial advice. Trading and investing always involve risks and one should carefully review all such risks before making a trade or investment decision. Do not buy or sell any security based on anything in this post. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any financial decisions. This post is for educational purposes only.
Effects of USD losing its purchasing power over the yearsFrom 1st January 1985 the USD lost 64.13% of its purchasing power (according to BLS CPI) ; At the same time the nominal value of SPX index rose by 1594.95%
Adjusted for CPI and dollar purchasing power loss, the real rise in the SPX is only 507.40% ; In other words, the SPX index price would have been $1372.41 right now if the USD kept the same value as it had on 1st of January 1985.