ZAR: Double-Bottom Neckline Under Pressure

Aug-04 08:08

USD/ZAR has sold off, testing the neckline of a double-bottom pattern at 17.9763. The pair last deals around 1,300 pips shy of neutral levels, flirting with the psychologically significant 18.0 figure. A clean break and consolidation below 17.9763 would turn the focus to the downside, bringing the 17.5 mark into play, after it limited losses last month. Bulls look for a renewed push higher, towards 18.4214, 38.2% of the Apr 9 - Jul 4 bear leg.

  • A 30% US tariff on South African imports is set to take effect at the end of this week, with no trade deal in sight. South Africa is taking measures to cushion to blow to vulnerable sectors, but some of them (e.g. diversification of export base) may take some time to have impact. On that note, Trade Minister Parks Tau was scheduled to give a media briefing on the tariff situation from 09:00BST/10:00SAST.
  • SAGB yields oscillate around neutral levels. South Africa's 5-year breakeven inflation rate sits at 3.62%; the 10-year rate was last seen at 4.48%.
  • The BBG Commodity Index has added 0.2%. The precious metals subindex is up by 0.4% and gold changes hands ~$8.8/oz. higher on the day.

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Trend Outlook Remains Bearish

Jul-04 20:00
  • RES 4: 1.4111 High Apr 4
  • RES 3: 1.4016 High May 12 and 13 and a key resistance 
  • RES 2: 1.3920 High May 21 
  • RES 1: 1.3674/3776 20- and 50-day EMA values
  • PRICE: 1.3607 @ 16:12 BST Jul 4
  • SUP 1: 1.3557 Low Jul 03
  • SUP 2: 1.3540 Low Jun 16 and the bear trigger
  • SUP 3: 1.3503 1.618 proj of the Feb 3 - 14 - Mar 4 price swing
  • SUP 4: 1.3473 Low Oct 2 2024

The trend needle in USDCAD points south and this week’s move down reinforces current conditions. S/T gains between Jun 16 - 23 appear to have been corrective. Key support and the bear trigger is 1.3540, Jun 16 low. Clearance of this level would resume the downtrend and open 1.3503, a Fibonacci projection. Pivot resistance is at the 50-day EMA, at 1.3776. A clear break of this average would signal scope for a stronger recovery.  

AUDUSD TECHS: Bull Cycle Remains In Play

Jul-04 19:30
  • RES 4: 0.6700 76.4% retracement of the Sep 30 ‘24 - Apr 9 bear leg
  • RES 3: 0.6688 High Nov 7 ‘24
  • RES 2: 0.6603 High Nov 11 ‘24
  • RES 1: 0.6590 High Jul 01
  • PRICE: 0.6548 @ 16:05 BST Jul 04 
  • SUP 1: 0.6521 20-day EMA
  • SUP 2: 0.6468/6373 50-day EMA / Low Jun 23 and a reversal trigger     
  • SUP 3: 0.6357 Low May 12
  • SUP 4: 0.6275 Low Apr 14

The trend set-up in AUDUSD remains bullish and the pair is holding on to its recent gains. The latest break higher maintains the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows, the definition of an uptrend. Moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 0.6603 next, the Nov 11 2024 high. Key short-term support has been defined at 0.6373, the Jun 23 low.   

EURJPY TECHS: Northbound

Jul-04 19:00
  • RES 4: 171.88 High Jul 19 ‘24
  • RES 3: 171.28 1.382 proj of the Feb 28 - Mar 18 - Apr 7 price swing
  • RES 2: 171.09 High Jul 23 ‘24  
  • RES 1: 170.61 High Jul 03
  • PRICE: 170.22 @ 16:04 BST Jul 04 
  • SUP 1: 169.04  Low Jul 02 
  • SUP 2: 167.87 20-day EMA 
  • SUP 3: 167.13 Low Jun 20   
  • SUP 4: 165.66 50-day EMA   

EURJPY traded higher on Thursday resulting in a print above 170.47, the 76.4% retracement of the Jul 11 - Aug 5 sell-off. A clear break of this price point would strengthen bullish conditions and signal scope for extension. This would open 170.28 next, a Fibonacci projection. The trend is overbought, a pullback would unwind this condition. Support to watch lies at 167.87, the 20-day EMA.