COMMODITIES: Crude Loses Ground, Henry Hub Falls, Gold Rises Amid Tariff Fears
- Crude futures have lost ground today as the market assesses the potential impact of the new US administration, with Trump promising to boost US production further.
- WTI Feb 25 is down by 2.3% at $76.1/bbl.
- US President Trump declared a “national energy emergency” to be able to increase domestic oil and gas production and reverse Biden’s climate change policies.
- Trump also said that he planned to impose previously threatened tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexico and Canada by Feb 1.
- Platts expects a tentative bullish effect on oil prices from these tariffs, due to increased freight costs amid expected oil trade reshuffling.
- The trend structure in WTI futures remains bullish despite the latest pullback, which has allowed an overbought trend reading to unwind. Attention is on $79.48, the Apr 12 ‘24 high. Support to watch is the 20-day EMA, at $74.75.
- Meanwhile, Henry Hub has fallen as freezing weather over the long weekend failed to significantly curb gas output, while forecasts expect temperatures to rise, and thus cut heating demand, next week.
- US Natgas Feb 25 is down by 4.7% at $3.76/mmbtu.
- Spot gold has risen by a further 1.3% to $2,743/oz today, its highest level since Nov 6, driven by the possibility of tariffs on US gold imports.
- The yellow metal has pierced key short-term resistance at $2,726.2, the Dec 12 high, exposing $2,790.1, the Oct 31 all-time high.
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TRUDEAU SAYS `WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO'
- TRUDEAU SAYS `WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO'
- TRUDEAU WANTS GOVT TO PREPARE FOR NEW US ADMINISTRATION
- TRUDEAU DOESN'T ADDRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS LEADERSHIP
USDCAD TECHS: A Pullback Would Be Considered Corrective
- RES 4: 1.4539 3.382 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 3: 1.4537 2.0% 10-dma envelope
- RES 2: 1.4508 3.236 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 1: 1.4467 High Dec 19
- PRICE: 1.4356 @ 16:56 GMT Dec 20
- SUP 1: 1.4301 Low Dec 18
- SUP 2: 1.4174/4014 20- and 50-day EMA values
- SUP 3: 1.3928 Low Nov 25 and a key support
- SUP 4: 1.3822 Low Nov 6
USDCAD bulls remain in the driver’s seat. While price faded into the Thursday close, the recent breach of 1.4178, the Nov 26 high, confirmed a resumption of the uptrend and this maintains the price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. The latest rally opens 1.4508 next, a Fibonacci projection level. Initial firm support to watch lies at 1.4174, the 20-day EMA. A pullback would be considered corrective.
AUDUSD TECHS: Bearish Trend Structure
- RES 4: 0.6550 High Nov 25
- RES 3: 0.6501 50-day EMA
- RES 2: 0.6429 High Dec 12
- RES 1: 0.6337/6396 Low Dec 11 / 20-day EMA
- PRICE: 0.6263 @ 16:55 GMT Dec 20
- SUP 1: 0.6199 Low Dec 19
- SUP 3: 0.6158 1.236 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
- SUP 3: 0.6100 Round number support
- SUP 4: 0.6045 1.500 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
The trend needle in AUDUSD continues to point south and this week’s fresh cycle lows and Wednesday’s sell-off, reinforce a bear theme. The move down maintains the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position too, highlighting a dominant downtrend. The break lower opens 0.6158 next, a Fibonacci projection. Initial firm resistance to watch is 0.6396, the 20-day EMA.
