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ZAR

USDZAR | Weekly | UpdateLooking at USDZAR on our weekly chart we can notice that USDZAR has been failing to break to the downside as has been respecting our previously outlined levels. To elaborate further we can take note of the fact that USDZAR’s failure to break through our 17.50xxx Psychological level confirmed a new higher low on the pair after which it started rallying back up and is now trading above our 19.0xxxx price point; we can also take note of the fact that after USDZAR failed to break our 17.50xxx level creating a new higher low it gave us the opportunity to identify the formation of that bullish channel within our already existing long term bullish trend. Now looking to the right on USDZAR we can notice the possibility of it creating a new all time high between our 20.50xxx and 21.50xxx respective levels and considering the current economic climate in South Africa and the upcoming elections causing further instability in the ZAR so we could possibly see the USDZAR head towards these levels as we head into 2024.
Long
by mosa_moshka
3
South African rand in trouble - Next target R21 :(Inv H&S has formed on the USD/ZAR since 6 June 2023. The price has recently broken above the neckine, showing the US dollar is poised for upside. The DIXIE (US Dollar Index) is also showing upside to come. 7>21>200 and confirms the US dollar is going up. RSI>50 - Bullish First target is R21.00 ABOUT THE DIXIE: HOW IT’S CALCULATED The USDX is calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is based on the exchange rates of six major currencies: the euro (EUR) – Accounts for 57.6% - ,Japanese yen (JPY), British pound (GBP), Canadian dollar (CAD), Swedish krona ( SEK ), and Swiss franc (CHF) .
Long
by Timonrosso
EUR/ZAR showing strong upside to come - OUCH!This analysis hurts my pocket. Travelling around and living in Europe means we pay in Euros. Hotels, flights, costs, etc... And I unpleasantly am doing an analysis showing how the Euro looks like more upside is to come. It's this kind of analysis I really hope I am 100% wrong. Anyway, upside is to come bease on the Reverse Cup and Handle. The price bounced on the 200MA and said, nope we are going up. Let's go euros! And now, it looks like the next target is to a gloomy R22.44
Long
by Timonrosso
3Q2023 USDZAR weekly timeframeBack in January I predicted that the USDZAR pair will climb to the 2020 high of 19.35 if the rand fails to hold the pair below the critical support rate of 16.80. We’ve seen this move play out, and then some, which saw the rand slide to an all-time low of 19.90 this week as the pair completed its 5th major impulse wave. Now it’s time to look at what lies ahead for 2H2023. The critical rate to watch is at 18.66, the blue 38.2% Fibo retracement rate… Based purely off the Elliot wave theory I predict that the pair will fall into an ABC corrective pattern in 3Q2023, similar to the corrective pattern we saw in the 4Q2022. The first support range (S1) for the pair sits between 19.15 and 19.35 (the blue 23.6% Fibo retracement rate and the 2020 high). A break below this range will allow the rand to pull the pair onto the blue 38.2% Fibo retracement rate of 18.66. A move into support range 2 (S2) will complete wave A of the ABC corrective pattern. Support range 2 coincides with the bottom of the blue upward channel that the pair is currently trading in as well as the top of the previous third impulse wave. I don’t see the rand gaining enough momentum to pull the pair below support range 2 at this stage. Thereafter, the pair will retest S1 as it flips from a support to a resistance and the ABC corrective pattern will be complete after the pair falls back onto the critical support rate of 18.66. A break below 18.66 in the 4Q2023 will allow the rand to pull the pair out of the current upward black parallel channel and into support range 3 (the blue 61.8% Fibo retracement rate at 17.92 and the bottom of the ABC corrective wave at 17.67) which coincides with the 50-week MA currently at 17.64. This scenario is the best-case scenario for the rand in my opinion. For the rand to pull the pair below S3 we would need to see another strong bull market in the commodity cycle. Conversely, if the critical support at 18.66 holds its ground the pair will remain in the upward black channel which will send the pair higher in the 20.00’s. Weekly technical indicators: The weekly RSI suggests that the rand is heavily oversold at the moment which will allow the rand some breathing room, on paper. The weekly MACD is still holding a strong buy signal, but it is showing signs of fizzling out and rolling over. Overall, the technical indicators are supportive of a rand pullback into S1 and possibly deeper into S2. We have to wait to see how the market digests the NFP’s print later today but as it stands the pair could generate a hammer candle which will indicate the top of the current wave, which is also supportive of some relief for the battered rand. Fundamental factors: The fundamental factors are unfortunately stacked against the rand. I’ll start with the factors I deem as rand positive. Rand positive: • For those familiar with my USDZAR ideas, I always look at the price of precious metals, particularly platinum as SA is the world’s largest platinum producer by a country mile (I’ll do a separate idea on platinum and link the idea in the comments). The platinum price topped out around $1130/ounce this year in April and has fallen roughly 12% since then. The metal is however finding support around the $1000/ounce level which is positive for the rand and platinum. The price of platinum looks set to remain supported by the fact that the platinum market is expected to remain in a substantial deficit this year, largely due to the sanctions imposed on Russia and SA’s mining production constraints largely caused by the current electricity uncertainties. (www.reuters.com) • Regarding the liquidity landscape and US monetary policy, it seems as if global financial conditions are easing, and excess liquidity is rising, which will allow the rand to hopefully attract some foreign fiat given the rand’s carry trade appeal. Short-term rates seem to be peaking not just in the US but globally. Once global rates have peaked, it will allow the market to price in a future cyclical upturn for the US economy. Longer-term yields will capture this sentiment by moving higher as investors will prefer riskier assets (such as the rand and SA bonds) to reap the rewards on buoyant liquidity conditions. The US debt ceiling debacle will also be resolved soon which will bring investors at ease that more fresh liquidity will hit the markets. Rand negative: • The rand negative factors are largely due to the ongoing geopolitical factors, but before we get into that I’d just like to touch on SA’s trade balance. Earlier this week SA’s latest trade balance results were released, and the trade surplus is fizzling out. The last three trade balance totals were R10.71 billion, R6.30 billion and the latest balance stands at R3.54 billion. This decline in SA’s trade surplus is rand negative. • In terms of the geopolitical landscape and SA’s electricity uncertainties things aren’t looking pretty for the rand. The SARB’s Financial Stability Report from May 2023 did not make for pretty reading. The major idiosyncratic risk, which is still fresh to market participants, is the deterioration of SA’s diplomatic relations with the US following the comments by the US Ambassador to SA on 11 May 2023. Despite the claims being baseless, SA’s non-alignment stance in the conflict in Ukraine is hugely rand negative. The SARB highlighted the risk of secondary sanctions which could be imposed on SA due to the neutral stance. US Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, also explicitly warned SA when she visited back in January this year, to take the sanctions imposed on Russia seriously. Coupled with the Financial Action Task Force grey listing of SA financial institutions in February this year the potential implications for the SA economy are severe. If secondary sanctions are imposed on SA, it will make it impossible to finance any trade or investment flows, or to make or receive any payments from correspondent banks in US dollars. Furthermore, more than 90% of SA’s international payments, in whichever currency, are currently processed through the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) international payment system. Should SA be banned from SWIFT because of secondary sanctions, these payments will not be possible. • Additionally, the SARB highlighted SA’s electricity uncertainty and deteriorating rail and port infrastructure. In connection with the declining infrastructure is the amount of State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) debt relative to SA’s emerging market peers. SA has one of the highest SOE debt among emerging market currencies and as the government takes over the SOE debt the local tax payer and bond investor will have to foot the bill. • The above-mentioned factors have led to a mass exodus of funds out of SA and as mentioned earlier, local investors will have to absorb the sell-off from foreign investors. The proportion of SA Government bonds held by foreign investors has declined from 42% in April 2018 to 25% in February2023. If you got to here, I highly appreciate you taking the time to read and review my idea <3. I’ll update this idea as 3Q2023 progresses.
by Goose96
3
USD/ZAR pre SA GDP printThe rand has now posted convincing gains in the past three sessions off the back of an increase in global investor risk appetite following a strong US NFP’s print on Friday and the conclusion of the US debt ceiling debacle. An ABC corrective pattern seems to be the most likely move for the pair at the moment as per my previous idea linked below. The rand has managed to pull the pair into the first support range (S1 on the chart) and the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level is now firmly in the rand’s crosshairs. A break below S1 will allow the rand to pull the pair onto the psychological rate of 19.00. The rate at 19.00 is will probably show some strength but I expect the rand to pull the pair lower onto the 50-day MA rate of 18.64 which coincides with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level and the bottom of the current upward channel. Looking at the fundamentals there is not much supporting the rand but the expected increase in debt issuance from the US following the raising of the debt ceiling will allow risk assets such as the rand to soak up some fresh dollar bills. The 1Q2023 South African GDP results will be released tomorrow and expectations are for a year-on-year 2.2% growth print, up from the disappointing results of 0.9% in the 4Q2022. A print in line or higher than expectations will boost the heavily oversold rand, but we’ll have to wait and see how the SA economy fared given the low electricity supply in the 1H2023. In terms of the technical indicators, there is a cross over sell signal on the daily MACD and the RSI is trending lower with plenty of room to drop before hitting oversold levels.
Short
by Goose96
TARGET reached for USDZAR unfortunately to R19.80!It was written in the charts. The USD ZAR formed the Symmetrical Triangle on the daily. The price consolidated and squeezed until it reached the Apex. Then because the prior trend was up, the breakout was up and lead to a continuation in the trend. The price then went to a dire R19.80! Let's hope it forms a Buy Side Liquidity order block for Smart Money to sell into and bring the price back down. But with what is going on with South Africa coalescing with Russia and with Eskom's issues, the confidence rate is dropping hard... Sorry South Africa. The most beautiful country with amazing people and the government is messing it up!
Long
by Timonrosso
1
An Unexpected Twist: ZAR Might Gain Strength When Least ExpectedIn this different trading idea, we want to bring attention to a potential shift in the USD/ZAR currency pair that goes against popular belief. Despite widespread negativity, we see a chance for the South African Rand (ZAR) to gain strength against the US Dollar (USD). While USD/ZAR has been bullish (going up) for a while, there are signs that things could change. Looking at the monthly chart, we notice some technical factors pointing to a possible turnaround for ZAR. These include elliot wave analysis and a strong trendline formed on the monthly timeframe Remember that trading against the crowd comes with risks, so it's important to manage those risks wisely. Develop a plan that considers potential market reversals and unexpected events. Pay attention to important price levels and use stop-loss orders to limit losses if needed. While others might dismiss the idea of ZAR gaining strength, thinking differently can sometimes lead to unique opportunities for traders who are willing to explore alternative possibilities.
Short
by Abdulkadir2205
1
1H2023 USD/ZAR (weekly timeframe)Background (a quick look back): The rand's covid recovery, on the back of the Fed’s QE infinity policy and a strong commodities rally, ended in June 2021 after the rand managed to pull the pair to a low of 13.40. The rand got hit by a quick one-two in the middle of 2021 as the DXY found support around 90.00 and the local riots in July which saw the local unit tumble to 16.40 by November. This created the first major impulse wave. The rand managed to pull the pair to a low of 14.40 in 1Q2022, but the party ended when the Fed started its current interest rate hiking cycle at the end of the quarter. Platinum prices also topped out at $1156/oz in the beginning of March 2022. The hiking cycle, external geo-political, global recession, local energy uncertainties and a 28% decline in platinum prices (from March to September) pulled the pair into a 5-wave rip tide (orange channel) to a yearly high of 18.60. The final quarter of 2022 saw the rand stage an ABC corrective pattern which allowed the local unit to pull the pair onto the 38.2% Fibo retracement rate of 16.86. The main factors which supported the rand’s recovery was the DXY which fell off its high of 114 in September and the price of platinum which bottomed at $825/oz in the same month. Platinum has since gained roughly 32% and closed on a high of $1088/oz in the first week of January 2023. Present (where to next): The rand managed to pull the pair onto the critical 61.8% Fibo retracement level of 16.80 from the covid recovery (green) in the first week of January 2023 after a stronger than expected non-farm payrolls report sent the DXY and US 10-year yields tumbling. The critical support range between 16.40 (top of impulse wave 1 and 50% orange Fibo retracement) and 16.80 will give an indication for the rand’s trajectory in 1H2023. The 50-week MA rate of also sits satisfyingly in this range at 16.47. Support: A break below 16.80 will allow the rand to test the 50-week MA and the bottom of the support range at 16.40, the top of the major first wave. A break below the support range will invalidate the major 5-wave impulse wave which could see the pair fall between the orange 61.8% Fibo retracement rate of 15.88 and the 50% green retracement rate of 16.09. The best-case scenario for the local unit in my opinion is an appreciation onto the 200-week MA rate of 15.61 (this move does not seem highly likely now since the Fed is only expected to ease/pause its hiking cycle in the 2H2023). Resistance: The first resistance rate which needs to give way for continued rand weakness sits at 17.30, the top of the orange third wave. A break above 17.30 will allow the pair to climb to the top of the corrective wave B at 17.96 and the psychological rate of 18.00. A close above 18.00 will confirm the fifth impulse wave to the covid high of 19.35. Technical indicators: The weekly RSI is still trending upwards since hitting the oversold range in June 2021 and is current at a neutral level of 49.21 which is rand negative. The weekly MACD is currently holding a sell signal which is rand positive but the gap between the 12 and 26 EMA’s seems to be closing. (SA is the world's leading platinum producer and the rand behaves like a commodity currency hence the emphasis on platinum price action in the description)
by Goose96
3
Pre-FOMC; When in doubt, zoom out.It is guaranteed to be a volatile week given the stacked economic calendar. Tonight, the Fed is expected to hike interest rates by 25bps, and on Friday we have the always highly anticipated US non-farm payroll data. As per my previous idea, I got the timing wrong for my expected move to 18.55 but I’m still holding my buy orders in placed around the 18.21 level which coincides with the 50-day MA and the black 61.8% Fibo retracement rate. The rand was on the backfoot yesterday which saw the pair push up into the red resistance range between 18.50 and 18.55. The dollar is however weaker across the board this morning which is allowing the rand to pull the pair lower towards the navy-blue downward channel’s neckline. It seems as if the pair broke out of this downward channel but don’t rule out a retest of the upper neckline of this channel (support range between 18.28 and 18.33). A break below this support range will allow the pair to re-test 18.21. 18.21 is a critical support level, a break below will invalidate my expected move above 18.55 and will allow the rand to pull the pair into the blue support range between 18.00 and 18.10. The resistance rates to watch sit between 18.50 and 18.60. A break above this range will confirm my expected 5-wave impulse and the test of the yearly high at 18.71. The daily indicators are rand negative. The MACD is holding a buy signal while the RSI still has plenty room to move higher before sliding into overbought ranges. Fundamentals (latest US data prints): The writing is on the wall for a stagflation environment over the next 3-5 years. The latest US GDP print for the 1Q2023 came in at 1.1%, down from 2.6% QoQ. It is clear that the US and the Fed won’t avoid a recession or the “soft landing” bs they refer to. But wait there’s more, the recent interest rate cycle has not managed to contain inflation, gasp, with the latest PCE price index rising by 4.2% in 1Q2023, up from 3.7%. A low growth inflationary environment does not bode well for risk assets such as the rand and the recent fragilities in the US banking sector will only increase investor risk-off sentiment. All these factors are rand negative. Zooming back to the present, yesterday’s trading saw the DXY close lower after it touched a three-week high of 102.409. The DXY is firmly on the backfoot this morning and is currently back below the 102 handle in the lead up to the Fed hike. There were also some peculiar moves in the US bond market in yesterday’s session in the lead up to today’s Fed rate decision. US bond yields cratered as the US 10-year yield fell from 3.575% to 3.429% while the shorter dated 02-year yield fell back below 4%.
Long
by Goose96
USDZAR update pre-US GDP resultsThe pair is currently testing the top of the blue downward channel. A break above 18.40 will allow for a move higher north of 18.50 while a break below 18.21 will invalidate this move higher. I’m personally positioning myself for more rand weakness and a move north of 18.50 given the current risk-off back drop. My strategy is to place buy limit orders around the 18.21 support rate (small green box). I doubt the pair will break above the downward channel in today’s session given the highly anticipated US GDP results which will only be released tomorrow. SA markets will also be closed tomorrow which will increase the volatility in the pair’s price action. In my previous USDZAR idea I predicted that the pair would climb higher to test the resistance rate around 18.50 if it were to break above 18.33. The resistance rate at 18.33 however held its ground and the pair fell below the support rate of 18.11 which invalidated my previous idea. Since then, the rand managed to pull the broad-based weaker dollar all the way down onto the psychological rate of 18.00. The pair bounced aggressively off the 61.8%n fibo retracement rate of 18.01 in the last week which is indicative of a double bottom at this rate and the start of a 5-wave impulse. Fundamentally it's difficult to gauge the risk sentiment in the markets but the action in yesterday’s session is pointing to a fear trade. The both the US02year and US10year yield fell more than 10 basis points while the DXY climbed roughly 0.6% in yesterday’s session. This rush towards the safety of the bond market was largely driven by weak earnings results from the US banking sector. Tomorrow’s US GDP results will be imperative to the Fed rate hike expectations which seems to be fading given the fragilities in the US banking sector and the ongoing US debt ceiling debacle. Given this backdrop risk-off sentiment seems to have the upper hand which is rand negative. There are however some rand positive factors. The first is the SARB’s aggressive inflation fight. The SARB released their monetary policy review yesterday and inflation expectations remain well above the SARB’s 3-6% target band. This means the SA repo rate will remain high even after the SARB’s aggressive cumulative 150 basis point hike from the past three MPC meetings. The SARB’s nominal repo rate is currently at 7.75% which is rand positive given the carry trade appeal it creates for the rand. Another positive factor is the strong platinum price which has risen roughly 25% since February this year. High commodity prices strengthen the SA trade balance which is rand positive (the rand tends to behave like a commodity currency). In terms of technical indicators, the daily MACD indicator has crossed to a buy signal and the RSI, currently at 56, has room to move higher before hitting overbought zones. The shorter 1H and 4H time frames are however sitting in overbought zones which has me expecting a bit of a pull back towards 18.21 before the pair moves higher. The rate of 18.21 is the 38.2% fibo retracement rate which coincides satisfyingly with the pairs 50-day MA. The DXY is also pulling back in early morning trade which could give the battered rand some room to breathe.
Long
by Goose96
4