Breaking: NZD Slips as RBNZ Cuts Rates by 50 bpsAt its October meeting, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points, lowering it from 5.25% to 4.75%, in line with expectations.
The NZD/USD pair deepens its decline, falling below the crucial 100 AND 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). A clear break could set the stage for a move toward the psychological 0.6000 level.
Looking ahead, traders will focus on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes, set for release later on Wednesday.
Interestrates
Why Chinese Stocks may be risky for the time beingRecent moves by the Chinese Government - termed "Three Arrows", facilitated a decrease of interest rates among various other changes of policy made for loans, borrowing and payment etc. This cumulated action signalled to investor's that China was reopening its economy, thus leading to a huge surge in investment in Chinese Blue Chip stocks, and the entire stock market in the region, including the Hong Kong Market. However, as stocks surge in price with increasing volume, it must be noted that they have been over-bought - 20-30% growth on average before the policies are even put in place. For instance, stocks like the HK exchange itself HK:0388 experienced a doubling in price. This, along with the fact that ETFs of the Chinese markets in Singapore and Taiwan both received much more purchasing power than even the Chinese markets themselves, highlight a significant irrationality in the markets right now. Considering the correction in trends recently, it would not be advisable to purchase stocks in the Chinese markets right now.
3 Standard Deviation Setup on Micro 10-Year Yield FuturesIntroduction
The Micro 10-Year Yield Futures contract has caught the attention of many traders recently, as its price action reached the upper 3 standard deviation of the Bollinger Band® in the daily time frame. This rare occurrence presents a potential mean reversion setup, where the price could revert back toward its historical average.
This article explores what mean reversion is, why it matters in trading, and how the 3 standard deviation Bollinger Bands® setup may indicate an opportunity to short this market. We’ll also discuss key price levels, contract specifications, and a potential trade setup for shorting Micro 10-Year Yield Futures.
What is Mean Reversion in Trading?
Mean reversion is a trading concept based on the idea that asset prices fluctuate around a central value or mean over time. When prices move too far away from this mean, they often correct or revert back toward that average. This is particularly useful in markets that experience high volatility or extreme price movements, as those extremes tend to reverse at some point.
In simple terms, mean reversion strategies involve selling (or shorting) assets when they are significantly above their historical average, with the expectation that prices will return to normal levels. Conversely, buying when prices are significantly below the mean can also be a valid strategy.
The 3 Standard Deviation Bollinger Band® Setup
Bollinger Bands® are a popular technical indicator used to measure volatility and price extremes. The bands are plotted a certain number of standard deviations away from a moving average. The further away prices move from the average, the more extreme the movement.
Reaching the upper 3 standard deviation Bollinger Band® is a rare occurrence that suggests extreme overbought conditions. Historically, when an asset reaches this level, the likelihood of a price pullback increases, as market participants may see it as an unsustainable level. In the case of Micro 10-Year Yield Futures, the recent rally has pushed prices to this rare zone, setting the scene for a potential mean reversion.
Key Price Levels and Resistance Zones
As the Micro 10-Year Yield Futures price approaches extreme levels, there are two key resistance zones which traders should be aware of: 4.174-4.021. These levels represent areas where selling pressure might intensify, pushing prices down and aiding in the mean reversion process.
Traders looking to capitalize on this potential mean reversion setup can consider initiating short positions within this resistance range. These resistance zones act as psychological and technical barriers, providing an opportunity for traders to place their entries. Additionally, these levels help to manage risk, as they define a clear area to set stop-loss orders just above the upper resistance.
Contract Specifications and Margin Requirements
Understanding the specifications of the Micro 10-Year Yield Futures contract is crucial for traders looking to execute any trade. Here are some of the key details:
Tick Size: The minimum price fluctuation is 0.001, which equates to $1 per tick.
Margin Requirements: Margin requirements vary. Currently, the initial margin for Micro Yield Futures is around $320 per contract, making it accessible to a wide range of traders. Check with your broker for specific margin amounts.
This knowledge is essential in calculating potential profit and loss in dollar terms, as well as determining the appropriate position size based on your available margin.
Trade Setup Example
Let’s now move on to a practical trade setup based on the discussed conditions.
Entry Point: Shorting Micro 10-Year Yield Futures within the resistance range between 4.174 and 4.021.
Stop Loss: A stop should be placed just above the upper resistance, say around 4.175, to protect against further price appreciation.
Target: The target for this mean reversion trade would be around the mean of 3.750, where prices are expected to revert based on historical behavior.
Reward-to-Risk Calculation:
If a short entry is made at 4.021, with a stop at 4.175 (154 basis points risk) and a target at 3.750 (271 ticks potential gain), the reward-to-risk ratio would be approximately 1.76:1. A higher entry point closer to the upper resistance at 4.174 would significantly improve the reward-to-risk ratio, but it also increases the likelihood of missing the entry if the market reverses before reaching that level.
In dollar terms, each tick (0.001) is worth $1, so the 154-tick stop loss represents a risk of $154 loss per contract, while the potential reward of 271 ticks equates to $271 worth of gains per contract.
Risk Management Considerations
Risk management is a critical aspect of any trading strategy, especially in futures trading. While the 3 standard deviation Bollinger Band® setup provides a compelling case for mean reversion, it's essential to manage risk carefully to avoid significant losses.
Stop-Loss Orders: A well-placed stop-loss is crucial to protect against unexpected market moves. In this case, placing the stop above the resistance zone (around 4.175) ensures that risk is controlled if the market continues to rally instead of reversing.
Position Sizing: Given the volatility of futures contracts, it is important to adjust position sizes according to the trader’s risk tolerance and available margin. Overleveraging can lead to large losses if the market moves against the trade.
Moving Averages Can Shift: It’s important to remember that the moving average (the mean) can change as new data comes in. While the target is currently around 3.744, this level may adjust over time, so traders need to monitor the mean as the trade progresses (which is why we have set the target to initially be slightly higher at 3.750).
Resistances as Reinforcements: The resistance zone between 4.174 and 4.021 can act as reinforcements to the mean reversion. Traders should observe price behavior at these levels to confirm rejection signals before entering the trade.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Micro 10-Year Yield Futures contract presents a unique trading opportunity as it has reached the rare 3 standard deviation Bollinger Band® on the daily time frame. This extreme price level indicates potential overbought conditions, making it a candidate for mean reversion back to the mean at approximately 3.750.
The trade setup involves shorting within the resistance range, with a well-defined stop and target, and offers a favorable reward-to-risk ratio. However, as always, caution is advised, and traders should manage risk effectively using stop-loss orders and appropriate position sizing.
When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies.
General Disclaimer:
The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CHFJPY in important resistance area; yen to strengthen?CHFJPY in important resistance area on daily chart; yen to strengthen?
The Swiss franc and Japanese yen currency pair (CHFJPY) has maintained a steady uptrend on the daily chart since 2020, consistently trading above the 200-period Moving Average. However, in September, CHFJPY dipped below the SMA200 for the first time, signaling a potential increase in selling pressure and indicating a stronger appreciation of the yen against the franc.
This yen appreciation aligns with Japan’s recent shift in monetary policy – the Bank of Japan had kept interest rates in negative territory since 2016. On July 31, Japan raised its key interest rate for the second time in 2024, bringing it to 0.25%.
Meanwhile, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has consecutively lowered interest rates during its last three meetings.
Technical indicators point to potential downward pressure on CHFJPY
From a technical perspective, after breaking below the SMA200 on the daily chart, CHFJPY retested it from below, suggesting that the SMA200 may now act as a level of resistance.
The price also reached the 50% retracement level of the bearish Fibonacci on the daily chart, which could serve as potential resistance. A double top pattern is also forming in the same Fibonacci region.
From a technical standpoint, a confluence of factors can be seen:
1. The SMA200 was broken, previously acting as support, and could now serve as resistance.
2. A retracement to the 50% level of the bearish Fibonacci, which could also act as resistance.
3. A double top forming on the daily chart.
From a macroeconomic perspective, the following is affecting CHFJPY:
1. A shift in Japan’s monetary policy with two interest rate hikes this year.
2. Monetary easing in Switzerland – the SNB has cut the policy rate three times in 2024. It currently stands at 1% – the lowest level since early 2023.
These factors create a context where a potential short opportunity could become more apparent if the price breaks below 171.30. If that occurs, CHFJPY could decline to the 167.10 level within a few days, where it may encounter some support.
Disclaimer:
76.3% 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.
The TradingView Show: Interest Rates and AI with TradeStationJoin us for our newest episode with David Russell , Head of Market Strategy at TradeStation . We’ll dive into the current market landscape, covering all of the following topics for traders:
1. Market Trends: We’ll provide detailed insights into major stocks and bullish market trends, focusing on META, NVDA, and the evolving landscape of Chinese stocks. Discover how hedge fund managers are navigating these markets and uncover other significant movements you might be missing.
2. Index Review and Interest Rates: Our analysis will dive into macro trends affecting the SPX and NDX, exploring the importance of major indexes. We’ll discuss how rising interest rates are influencing market behavior and the broader economic implications for investors.
3. Commodities: Get the latest updates on oil, especially in light of recent production cuts that are impacting prices globally. We’ll also discuss gold and silver prices, examining why gold has achieved an all-time high while silver remains undervalued and what that means for future trends.
4. Cryptocurrency: Take a closer look at Bitcoin’s recent performance. We’ll explore whether it is on the verge of forming a significant new trend and what factors are driving its volatility in today’s market.
5. Housing Market: Analyze current trends in the housing market and what lies ahead, especially as they relate to rising interest rates, advancements in AI, and productivity improvements. This segment will provide essential insights for anyone interested in real estate investments.
And much more! We encourage you to ask questions and share your feedback in the comments. Now, some important links for you to explore and read:
Explore TradeStation ideas on TradingView here: www.tradingview.com
For important disclosure information regarding options, ETFs, and more, please visit:
1. www.tradestation.com
2. www.theocc.com
3. www.tradestation.com
Thanks for watching and we'll be back live next month!
Interest Rate Strategies: Trade Smarter with Fed Rate DecisionsInterest Rate Strategies: Trade Smarter with Fed Rate Decisions
Trading interest rates may seem straightforward at first: buy when cuts end and sell when they fall. However, this approach often defies expectations, as determining when rate cuts truly end isn't as simple as pointing to a rate pause following a cut. While today’s Federal Reserve rate decisions are made during scheduled (and unscheduled emergency) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, this wasn’t always the case. Before the 1990s, the Fed often made changes outside of meetings. The shift to exclusively deciding rates during FOMC meetings was implemented to provide greater transparency and predictability for markets.
Topics Covered:
How Are Interest Rates Traded?
Three Interest Rate Trading Strategies.
Key Insights from Backtesting Interest Rate Trading Strategies.
Interest Rate Trading Indicator (Backtest For Yourself).
█ How Are Interest Rates Traded?
This strategy focuses on trading around Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, including hikes (increases), cuts (decreases), and pauses. These decisions are believed by many to have both short- and long-term effects on the market.
Key Strategy Concepts Backtested:
Buy on Rate Pauses or Increases: Go long (buy) when the Fed pauses or raises interest rates, typically signaling market stability or optimism.
Sell on Rate Decreases: Go short (sell) or close longs when the Fed cuts rates, often indicating economic concerns or slowing growth.
Buy on Specific Rate Decreases: Enter trades when the Fed implements specific rate cuts, such as 50 basis points (bps) which represents 0.5%, and analyze market reactions over different time horizons.
█ Strategy: Long during Pauses and Increases, Short during Decreases
This section examines the effectiveness of going long on rate pauses or increases and shorting during decreases. This strategy performed well between 2001 and 2009, but underperformed after 2009 and before 2001 compared to holding positions. The main challenge is the unpredictability of future rate changes. If you could foresee rate trends over two years, decision-making would be easier, but that’s rarely the case, making this strategy less reliable in certain periods.
2001-2009
Trade Result: 67.02%
Holding Result: -31.19%
2019-2021
Trade Result: 19.28%
Holding Result: 25.22%
1971-Present
Trade Result: 444.13%
Holding Result: 5694.12%
█ Strategy: Long 50bps Rate Cuts
This section evaluates trading around 50 basis point (bps) rate cuts, which is a 0.5% decrease. Large cuts usually respond to economic stress, and market reactions can vary. While these cuts signal aggressive economic stimulation by the Fed, short-term responses are often unpredictable. The strategy tends to perform better over longer timeframes, as markets absorb the effects.
1971-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -0.19%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 2.41%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 2.46%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 11.4%
2001-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -2.12%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -1.84%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: -3.72%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 1.72%
2009-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -15.79%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -6.11%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 7.07%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 29.92%
█ Strategy: Long Any Rate Cuts
This section reviews the performance of buying after any rate cut, not just large ones. Rate cuts usually signal economic easing and often improve market conditions in the long run. However, the size of the cut and its context greatly influence how the market reacts over different timeframes.
1971-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: 0.33%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 2.65%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 4.38%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 8.4%
2001-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -1.12%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -0.69%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: -1.59%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 0.22%
2009-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -3.38%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 3.26%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 12.55%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 12.54%
█ Key Insights from Backtesting Interest Rate Trading Strategies
The first assumption I wanted to test was whether you should sell when rate cuts begin and buy when they end. The results were inconclusive, mainly due to the difficulty of predicting when rate cuts will stop. A rate pause might suggest cuts are over, but that’s often not the case, as shown below.
One key finding is that the best time to be fully invested is when rates fall below 1.25% or 1.00%, as this has historically led to stronger market performance. But this can be subject to change.
█ Interest Rate Trading Indicator (Backtest For Yourself)
Indicator Used For Backtesting (select chart below to open):
The 'Interest Rate Trading (Manually Added Rate Decisions) ' indicator analyzes U.S. interest rate decisions to determine trade entries and exits based on user-defined criteria, such as rate increases, decreases, pauses, aggressive changes, and more. It visually marks key decision dates, including both rate changes and pauses, offering valuable insights for trading based on interest rate trends. Historical time periods are highlighted for additional context. The indicator also allows users to compare the performance of an interest rate trading strategy versus a holding strategy.
Weekly Pennant, Daily Bull Flag Confirmed! - AUHere I have AUD/USD on the Weekly & Daily Charts!
Starting on the Weekly:
- Price has been creating Lower Highs into Higher Lows forming a Pennant Pattern!
- Price will consolidate in this formation until we are given a Bullish or Bearish Break.
- Aug. 5th - RBA decides to HOLD rates @ 4.35%, afterwards we see a Fake-out of Price
Breaking Down the Daily:
- After the Fake-out, we see Price make a Bullish run and create an Equal High
- Going from the Low of the Fake-out @ .63478 to the Equal High @ .68239, Price follows a Descending Channel until making a Fibonacci Retracement to the 38.2% Level, leading to a Bullish Break Confirming a Bull Flag Pattern!
- Sept. 18th - FED decide to Cut rates by 50 BPS to 5%, afterwards on Sept. 19th Price Closes Bullish Above the Resistance-Turned-Support giving us a Higher High and Potential Buying Opportunities!
I suspect the next area of Resistance Price will come to is at the over head Swing High @ .6895 and Falling Resistance where ultimately I believe AUD will give a Bullish Break to the Weekly Pennant and we will see Price continue to climb!
Indicators:
* RSI is beginning to become sustained Above 50
* BBTrend is printing Green Bars
* If you take the two Largest Bearish Candles in recent Price Action ( Sept. 3rd & Sept. 6th in Descending Channel), we can see that the Volume Delta prints -36.103K for the 3rd but only -20.958k for the 6th, Signaling less Bearish Participants!
U.S. Dollar Index is near to fall. Soon..The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against basket of other six major currencies, extends its losses for the 5th consecutive week in a row, hovering below 102 points during the U.S. regular hours on Monday, August 19.
Over the past week, Gold spot (XAUUSD) has topped $2500 per ounce psychological high also, minting new all the history peak, while Forex Eur/Usd (EURUSD) pair just has flashed a positive 2024 YTD return, jumping above 1.10 psychological degree.
The US Dollar continues to weaken following dovish comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials, which have increased a new portion of expectations for an interest rate cut by the central bank in September. Furthermore, last week’s US economic data revealed that both the Producer Price Index (PPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) suggest that inflation is easing.
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly stressed on Sunday that the US central bank should adopt a gradual approach to lowering borrowing costs, according to the Financial Times. Daly countered economists' concerns that the US economy is facing a sharp slowdown that would warrant rapid interest rate cuts.
Additionally, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee cautioned that central bank officials should be careful not to maintain a restrictive policy longer than necessary. Although it's uncertain whether the Fed will cut interest rates next month, failing to do so could negatively impact the labor market, according to CNBC.
Additionally, the decline in the US yields contributes to downward pressure for the Greenback. 2-year and 10-year yields on US Treasury bonds stand at 4.05% and 3.85%, respectively, at the time of writing.
This week, all eyes will be on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech.
In a bottom line, the major technical graph for the US Dollar Index (DXY) indicates on possible huge decline for the next upcoming 12 to 18 months.
The secondary RSI(14) graph indicates also, the bearish sentiment prevails.
Lower Rates Expected by 9/27/24Ahead of the Fed meeting Wednesday the market was pretty much 50/50 split on whether the fed funds rate would be cut by 25 or 50 basis points. After the 50bps announcement the counter intuitive move occurred, which was rates began rising, but this should have been a surprise. This was as straight forward "buy the rumor, sell the news" gets. Today however it appears the rates attempted to rally past 3.76% but failed.
3.76% happens to be the 50% fib level from the recent highs to lows and now we'll look to see the 10-yr break below 3.70 for a sustained move lower. Marking this as a "Long Investment Idea" since lower rates imply higher bond prices, don't be fooled by the rate chart.
XAUUSD : Gold Will Fall to $2567 ? (Read The Caption)Upon revisiting the gold chart on the 2-hour timeframe, we can see that last night, after gold surged to $2,600 and reached this key psychological level, it faced selling pressure and dropped to the important $2,550 level. If you recall, in previous analyses, we had mentioned this level as the final target for gold's corrective move. In the previous correction, gold had only managed to drop to $2,560. However, after taking out the liquidity above the previous high of $2,590 with the surge to $2,600, it finally reached this crucial $2,550 level. After hitting this level, gold made a strong recovery and surged back up to $2,595 to fill the liquidity gap caused by the drop. Currently, gold is trading around $2,586, and since it has created a new liquidity gap, I expect further correction from gold. The potential bearish targets for this correction are $2,581, $2,478, and $2,567, in that order. (This analysis will be updated).
Please support me with your likes and comments to motivate me to share more analysis with you and share your opinion about the possible trend of this chart with me !
Best Regards , Arman Shaban
Can DXY Stabilize at 99.50-100 Area Despite FED 50bp Cut? Dollar Index – DXY has turned bearish after the corrective rally stopped at 105.70-106, an important resistance area at the end of June. Since then, the price even accelerated lower through summer so it appears that a bearish impulse is in play, but with recent touch of a new swing low, DXY is possibly in fifth wave, so be aware of some support in weeks ahead. But closer look shows that there is still some room left for 99.50-100 area, but if this will occur and structure a wedge shape, then we should be aware of reversals, and new correction.
So as said, the price could still see a bit more weakness into the 5th wave to fully complete this ending diagonal, but then dollar can turn for a new correction, considering that recent dollar weakness has been mainly driven by these rate cut expectations, so now that this 50bp cut has been done, the dollar may stabilize due to a “buy the rumor, sell the news” effect.
However, any rally will be temporary, as I think that dollar has room for much more weakness, bu ideally after another a-b-c recovery.
101.80 -102 is strong resistance.
GH
“The pound gained strength”The Bank of England (BoE) maintained its policy interest rate at 5.00%, with no changes. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey stated that since they lowered the policy rate in August, inflationary pressures have continued to ease. Bailey also emphasized the importance of avoiding rate cuts that are too quick or too large. Following this development, the GBP/USD pair rose above the 1.33 level.
From a technical perspective, if the 1.3355 level is permanently surpassed, the rise could accelerate toward 1.3430, followed by the 1.35 resistance level. On the downside, if prices fall below the 1.3270 level, the decline could extend first to 1.3150 and then further to the 1.3030 support level.
Interest Rates Dropped to 5%!The fact the Federal Reserve & U.S. government cut interest rates by 50BPS, more then they were expected to, goes to show that interest rates have done MORE DAMAGE then they were suppose to, to the economy.
Now the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 50BPS, is them trying to put on a show to the public & saying “look we know the damage has been done by us, but we are trying to rectify it by making rates lower”
GET READY FOR A GLOBAL FINANCIAL & ECONOMY CRASH IN 2025!
Fed Kicks Off Rate-Cutting Cycle. Why the Muted Market Reaction?Central bank bros met traders’ loftiest expectations with a half-point cut to interest rates on Wednesday. But is that too good to be true and maybe even a signal of some problems with the US economy and looming fears over at the Fed?
Trading today isn’t the same as trading yesterday. Even though prices don’t really confirm it — there wasn’t a super-duper rally in stocks. Maybe gold XAU/USD flickered a bit, but it was mostly froth . And here we are — the first day of trading in an environment with lower interest rates.
Jay Powell, head of the Federal Reserve, announced on Wednesday the first trim to borrowing costs in four years. The move ushers in a new normal where US interest rates USINTR are projected to continue moving lower from their 23-year high of 5.5%.
The easing cycle kicked off with a jumbo-sized 50 bps (basis points) slash. Surprisingly, the Fed went for the juicier, bolder and more aggressive option, leapfrogging the less interesting and exciting cut of 25 bps.
First reactions across the board showed investors were hyped to get what they wanted — the broad-based S&P 500 hit an intraday record .
Shortly after, however, stocks across the board pulled back and markets became anxious over the outlook as the realization kicked in. If the economy is doing fine, why go big on cuts from the get-go?
What’s more, central bankers are keen to ax interest rates by another half point in 2024, ultimately wrapping up the year with the benchmark rate sitting at 4.25% to 4.5%. Christmas may come early — the Fed meets twice more this year, on November 7 and December 18.
Better Safe Than Sorry?
A super-sized half-point cut could actually be a pre-emptive measure to alleviate a strained economy. But if inflation is now largely in the rearview mirror , what could the problem be? The other mandate. The Fed has a dual mandate of keeping prices in check (inflation) and upholding a stable labor market (jobs).
“We will do everything we can to support a strong labor market as we make further progress towards price stability,” Jay Powell said at the annual Jackson Hole gathering last month. And indeed, America’s jobs have seen a pronounced slowdown over the past few months. In July, markets added just 89,000 jobs (revised from an initial estimation of 114,000 ). In August, hiring had picked up modestly to 142,000 , but below expectations for 164,000.
Pros and Cons of Bumper Cut
Essentially, this big-boy cut of 50 bps is a double-edged sword. It cuts into borrowing costs, making money more affordable, potentially stimulating businesses to add more jobs and grow their gig. And it also prompts consumers to take on debt and get that house.
But on the flip side, a cut of that magnitude risks stirring up price pressures again. To get to full employment, the Fed faces the challenge of knocked inflation waking up from its slumber.
The size of the cut at this particular time doesn’t mean anything without the markets’ reaction to it. Apparently, investors were unimpressed and shrugged it off as no big deal. Looking ahead, however, the stakes are high because stocks are at all-time highs.
The S&P 500 touched a record, Big Tech is leading the charge into artificial intelligence and investors can’t own enough of the highflyers Nvidia NVDA , Meta META , Apple AAPL , etc.
The actual picture will become clear once markets figure out what the Fed’s rate-cutting cycle means and what to do about it.
“Dollar Index Declines After Fed Decision”The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) cut its policy rate for the first time in four years, lowering it by 50 basis points to the range of 4.75%-5.00%. Following this decision, the decline in the dollar index accelerated. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that the decision shows increased confidence in maintaining a strong labor market while ensuring moderate growth and bringing inflation down to 2% sustainably. Additionally, the Fed lowered its federal funds rate projection for the end of this year from 5.1% to 4.4%, suggesting the possibility of a further 50 basis point rate cut by the Fed this year.
Technically, if the index falls below the 100.50 level, the 100.0 and 99.50 levels can be considered support. However, if it recovers and moves above the 101.0 level, resistance can be observed at the 101.85 and 102.70 levels.
Fed's Bold Rate Cut Raises Stakes for BoE and BoJ Both the Bank of England (BoE) and Bank of Japan (BoJ) are not expected to cut interest rates at their respective meetings today and tomorrow.
The US Federal Reserve just chose to cut its own rate by 50 basis points. So, how might the BoE and BoJ decisions be affected?
Bank of America projects the BoE will leave its Bank Rate at 5.0%, with the pound potentially gaining. However, gains could be capped if policymakers lean dovish. Additionally, a currency strategy note from HSBC says that the sharp appreciation of the British pound against the U.S. dollar may be nearing its limits.
Masamichi Adachi, chief Japan economist at UBS Securities, cautioned that if the BoJ raises rates Friday, just days after the Fed's rate cut, “markets would likely face increased turbulence.”
THE KOG REPORT - FOMCTHE KOG REPORT – FOMC
This is our view for FOMC, please do your own research and analysis to make an informed decision on the markets. It is not recommended you try to trade the event if you have less than 6 months trading experience and have a trusted risk strategy in place. The markets are extremely volatile, and these events can cause aggressive swings in price.
We’re expecting some volatility this Session with the pending FOMC statement so for this report we’ll again look at the extreme levels. We’ve done well already this week, no need to risk anything trying to capture tops and bottoms, so keep an eye on the levels but remember, the trade comes after the event.
The move started early in the week with the price hitting our resistance level and then making the move we wanted completing our first target. This has however left the completion of the move on the table, so we’ll stick with Sundays KOG Report idea for now, but expect a move to the upside potentially into that 2602-5 region and above that 2610! It’s 2610 as the extension that needs to reject the price in order for it make that move downside, as breaking above that will take us further into the 2625-30 region before any breather.
So, as the chart shows, if we get 2602-5 and reject, we could see price move downside to clear the liquidity sitting first at 2550-55 and below that 2525-30.
2525-35 if visited, we feel would represent an opportunity to capture the swing low and then attempt to target that 2550-55 region as the first target.
We’re going to play it safe this time and say if it works it works, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. If you followed us this week, again we’ve done what we needed to for the week, everything else here is a bonus and should be treated with minimal risk on the markets, until they have settled.
Please do support us by hitting the like button, leaving a comment, and giving us a follow. We’ve been doing this for a long time now providing traders with in-depth free analysis on Gold, so your likes and comments are very much appreciated.
As always, trade safe.
KOG
$USINTR -Fed Cuts Rates by 50 BPS ECONOMICS:USINTR
- The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 50bps to 4.75%-5% in light of the progress on inflation and the balance of risks.
It is the first rate cut since March 2020 after holding it for more than a year at its highest level in two decades.
Will Feds decision of cutting 50bps tumble the markets in spite of fear for U.S and Global Markets indicating Recession brewing around the corner ?
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.
The Dollar Index Accelerates Its Decline!The dollar index has been losing strength recently, falling below the 100.50 level. Following the ECB's decision to cut interest rates, expectations for a rate cut by the Fed have also increased. According to money market pricing, there is a 51% probability that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points this week, and a 49% probability of a 50 basis point cut. This has pushed the dollar index below the 100.50 level.
Technically, if the index falls below the 100.45 level, the 100.30 and 100.00 levels can be considered support. However, if it recovers and moves above the 100.45 level, resistance can be observed at the 100.70 and 100.90 levels.