US STOCKS: Early Equities Roundup: Autos & Mining Shares Underperforming

Dec-30 17:01
  • Stocks remain weaker but are trading off early session lows ahead midday Monday, paring losses after better than expected pending home sales (2.2% vs. 0.8% est) and Dallas Fed Mfg (3.4 vs. -3.0 est) data.
  • Major averages continue to see-saw inside trading ranges over the past ten days amid alternating position squaring flow heading into year end. Currently, the DJIA trades down 377.12 points (-0.88%) at 42616.8, S&P E-Minis down 61.5 points (-1.02%) at 5965.75, Nasdaq down 202.1 points (-1%) at 19519.81.
  • Consumer Discretionary and Materials sectors leg laggers in the first half, auto-related shares weighing on the former: Tractor Supply -2.45%, Tesla -2.27%, LKQ Inc -2.17% and BorgWarner -1.93%. Metals and mining shares weighed on the Materials sector: Albemarle -2.80%, Newmont Corp -2.33%, Freeport-McMoRan -2.15%.
  • On the positive side, Energy and Utility sectors outperformed, oil $ gas stocks buoyed the Energy sector as cride prices inched higher (WTI +0.58 at 71.18): EQT Corp +5.10%, Coterra Energy +3.73%, Devon Energy +2.18%. Meanwhile, independent power providers supported the Utility sector: Constellation Energy +0.14%.

Historical bullets

AUSSIE 3-YEAR TECHS: (Z4) Bounce Mode

Nov-29 22:45
  • RES 3: 96.380 - High Mar 21 2023
  • RES 2: 97.190 - High May 5 2023 
  • RES 1: 96.730/932 - High Sep 17 / 76.4% of Mar-Nov ‘23 bear leg 
  • PRICE: 96.090 @ 15:41 GMT Nov 29
  • SUP 1: 95.760 - Low Nov 13
  • SUP 2: 95.750 - Low 27 Nov ‘23
  • SUP 3: 95.480 - Low Jan 11 2023 and a major support 

Having hit a fresh pullback low at 95.760 across the global rates sell-off in recent weeks, the market found bottom and has staged a shallow bounce above the 96.00 handle. Nonetheless, recent weakness confirms the downside bias, with support undercutting at 95.750 below ahead of major support of 95.480. For any corrective recovery to take hold, markets need to retake the 96.00 handle on a closing basis.

USDCAD TECHS: Pullback Appears Corrective

Nov-29 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.4287 2.0% 10-dma envelope  
  • RES 3: 1.4246 2.00 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 2: 1.4196 1.764 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 1: 1.4078/4178 High Nov 27 / 26 and the bull trigger  
  • PRICE: 1.4005 @ 16:09 GMT Nov 29
  • SUP 1: 1.3965/28 20-day EMA / Low Nov 25 and a key support  
  • SUP 2: 1.3858 50-day EMA
  • SUP 3: 1.3822 Low Nov 6
  • SUP 4: 1.3747 Low Oct 17

Trend conditions in USDCAD remain bullish and Tuesday’s fresh cycle reinforced this theme. The move higher confirmed a resumption of the primary uptrend and marked an extension of the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Sights are on 1.4196 next, a Fibonacci projection. Key short-term support has been defined at 1.3928, the Nov 25 low. For now, the latest pullback appears corrective.

AUDUSD TECHS: Corrective Bounce

Nov-29 20:30
  • RES 4: 0.6762 High Oct 9   
  • RES 3: 0.6733 High Oct 13             
  • RES 2: 0.6604/88 50-day EMA / High Nov 7 and a reversal trigger  
  • RES 1: 0.6534/50 20-day EMA / High Nov 25
  • PRICE: 0.6512 @ 16:03 GMT Nov 29
  • SUP 1: 0.6434 Low Nov 26
  • SUP 3: 0.6400 Round number support 
  • SUP 3: 0.6350 Low Aug 5 and a key support  
  • SUP 4: 0.6339 Low Nov 10 2023

A bearish theme in AUDUSD remains intact. The fresh cycle low on Tuesday marks an extension of the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position, highlighting a dominant downtrend. Scope is seen for a move towards 0.6350, the Aug 5 low and the next key support. The pair has recovered from its recent lows - a correction. Initial firm resistance to watch is 0.6534, the 20-day EMA.