FOREX: Asia FX Wrap - USD Bounces in Asia

Jun-03 04:48

The BBDXY has had a range of 1207.93 - 1211.32 in the Asia-Pac session, it is currently trading around 1210. Robin Brooks on X: “Today's Dollar fall is worrying. It mirrors Dollar weakness in early April, when the Dollar (black) fell even as interest differentials of the US vis-à-vis the G10 (blue) were stable(see graph below). That kind of decoupling of the Dollar from rate differentials is unusual and a worrying sign.”  https://x.com/robin_j_brooks/status/1929653605440606282

  • EUR/USD -  Asian range 1.1416 - 1.1455, Asia is currently trading 1.1420. EUR has drifted lower during the Asian session as US stock futures trade weaker. Dips should continue to find support, the demand back towards 1.1200 proved to be solid last week.
  • GBP/USD - Asian range 1.3515 - 1.3559, Asia is currently dealing around 1.3520. The GBP is attempting another run higher but is struggling to gain any momentum on a 1.3500 handle. Look for an opportunity to buy again back towards the 13300/3400 area if seen.
  • USD/CNH - Asian range 7.2016 - 7.241, the USD/CNY fix printed 7.1869. Asia is currently dealing around 7.1985. Sellers should be around on bounces while price holds below the 7.2500 area. 
  • Cross asset : SPX -0.42%, Gold $3361, US 10-Year 4.43%, BBDXY 1210, Crude oil $62.81
  • Data/Events : Spain Unemployment, Italy Unemployment, EC CPI

    Fig 1: DXY vs 2Y2Y FWD Rate

    image

    Source - Robin Brooks via X

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Hits Bear Trigger, New Cycle Low

May-02 20:00
  • RES 4: 1.4415 High Apr 1
  • RES 3: 1.4296 High Apr 7
  • RES 2: 1.4087 50-day EMA
  • RES 1: 1.3906/3935 High Apr 17 / 20-day EMA 
  • PRICE: 1.3793 @ 17:00 BST May 2
  • SUP 1: 1.3760 Low Apr 21 and the bear trigger
  • SUP 2: 1.3744 76.4% retracement of Sep 25 ‘24 - Feb 3 bull run
  • SUP 3: 1.3696 Low Oct 10 2024
  • SUP 4: 1.3643 Low Oct 9 ‘24 

The trend set-up in USDCAD deteriorated further Friday, with prices slipping through the bear trigger to narrow the gap with next support. The fresh cycle low reinforces the bear cycle and signals scope for a continuation near-term. Potential is seen for a move towards 1.3744, a Fibonacci retracement. Moving average studies are in a bear mode position, highlighting a dominant downtrend. First resistance to watch is 1.3943, the 20-day EMA.  

AUDUSD TECHS: Consolidation Phase

May-02 19:30
  • RES 4: 0.6550 61.8% retracement of the Sep 30 ‘24 - Apr 9 bear leg  
  • RES 3: 0.6528 High Nov 29 ‘24
  • RES 2: 0.6471 High Dec 9 ‘24
  • RES 1: 0.6470 High May 2
  • PRICE: 0.6445 @ 16:59 BST May 2
  • SUP 1: 0.6344/6316 Low Apr 24 / 50-day EMA  
  • SUP 2: 0.6181 Low Apr 11  
  • SUP 3: 0.6116 Low Apr 10 
  • SUP 4: 0.5915 Low Apr 9 and key support  

AUDUSD remains inside a consolidation phase, having traded either side of the 0.6400 level for 10 consecutive sessions. The underlying trend remains bullish and the pair is trading close to recent highs. Price has recently breached a key resistance at 0.6409, the Dec 9 ‘24 high. This breach reinforces bullish conditions and signals scope for a continuation higher near-term. Sights are on 0.6471 next, the Dec 9 2024 high. Initial key support to monitor is 0.6316, the 50-day EMA. A clear break of this EMA would be a concern for bulls.

US TSYS: Rates Retreat, Sentiment Improved Though Trade Risk Remains

May-02 19:24
  • Treasuries look to finish near late Friday session lows after trading firmer on the open, higher than expected Nonfarm payrolls at 177k (sa, cons 138k) of which private contributed 167k (sa, cons 125k) triggered the early reversal.
  • However, two-month revisions of -58k offset the 39k beat for nonfarm payrolls, with a similar story for private (a 42k surprise vs -48k two-month revision).
  • Stocks are back near four week highs - pre-"Liberation Day" levels as hopes of some trade deal being made improved sentiment.
  • The Wall Street Journal reports that "Beijing is considering ways to address the Trump administration’s gripes over China’s role in the fentanyl trade... potentially offering an off-ramp from hostilities to allow for trade talks to start." The Journal notes that "discussions remain fluid" and China "would like to see some softening of stance from President Trump".
  • Currently, the Jun'25 10Y contract trades -20 at 111-07.5 vs 111-02 low -- initial technical support (50-dma) followed by 110-16.5/109-08 (Low Apr 22 / 11 and the bear trigger). Curves bear flattened, 2s10s -3.480 at 48.002, 5s30s -4.911 at 86.807.