US: Pentagon Press Conference Underway Shortly

Dec-20 17:58

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder is shortly due to brief reporters at the Department of Defence.

  • Livestream: https://www.defense.gov/News/Live-Events/#/?currentVideo=30837
  • Ryder's presser comes amid heightened concern over increased cooperation between Russia and Belarus. Ukrainian and US officials have stated that they haven't seen evidence of significant troop mobilisations but Russian equipment has been diverted to Belarus in a manner reminiscent to that shortly before Russian launched an assault on Kyiv from Belarussian territory in February.
  • Ryder may also provide an update on the ~USD$45 billion Ukraine aid package which is contingent on the United States Senate passing a USD$1.66 trillion spending omnibus before a deadline on Friday.
  • If the Senate fails to pass the omnibus, Ukraine aid will be punted into the next Congress where it will be considered by a split Congress with the House of Representatives under Republican control.

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Trend Needle Points South

Nov-18 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.3808 High Nov 3 and a key resistance
  • RES 3: 1.3695 Trendline resistance drawn from the Oct 13 high
  • RES 2: 1.3571 High Nov 10
  • RES 1: 1.3456 50-day EMA
  • PRICE: 1.3382 @ 16:09 GMT Nov 18
  • SUP 1: 1.3226 Low Nov 15
  • SUP 2: 1.3205 61.8% retracement of the Aug 11 - Oct 13 rally
  • SUP 3: 1.3139 Low Sep 14
  • SUP 4: 1.3023 76.4% retracement of the Aug 11 - Oct 13 rally

USDCAD remains bearish, but is trading above recent lows. Recent bearish price action has resulted in new multi-month lows and confirmed a resumption of the current downtrend. This also marks an extension of the bearish price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. A continuation of the trend would open 1.3205, a Fibonacci retracement. On the upside, key short-term resistance has been defined at 1.3571, the Nov 10 high.

US TSYS: Fed Terminal Up To 5.06% in June 2023

Nov-18 20:40

Tsys hold weaker levels after the bell, near lows/narrow range after nearly testing overnight lows through the second half. Limited reaction to existing home sales data: -5.9% less than estimated -7.1%, Oct leading indicator off more than estimated -0.4% to -0.8% MoM.

  • Tsys saw renewed selling after comments from Boston Fed Pres Collins that 75bp NOT off the table - adding to decline of year-end step-down expectations after StL Fed Bullard's hawkish comments early Thursday.
  • Fed Dec hike pricing up to appr 55bp now priced on OIS, or about 20% probability implied or about +1.5bp today or 2.5bp since before Bullard opined on 7% rates yesterday. Recall that pricing went as low as 51bp in the aftermath of the October CPI reading. Terminal pricing continues to rise above 5% mid-2023 to 5.06% (5.08% pre-CPI).
  • Of note, the dip in year end policy-pivot expectations has contributed to heavy short end selling which in turn extends 2s10s inversion to new all-time low of 71.410 Friday morning - to -70.307 currently.
  • Of note: Fed Chair Powell to speak on Nov 30 at Brookings at 1330ET - prior to this, he didn't have a speaking engagement on the calendar before the Dec FOMC. It will be a must-watch as it comes only 2 days before the pre-meeting blackout period.

AUDUSD TECHS: Heading North

Nov-18 20:30
  • RES 4: 0.6956 High Aug 30
  • RES 3: 0.6909 76.4% retracement of the Aug 11 - Oct 13 downleg
  • RES 2: 0.6800 Round number resistance
  • RES 1: 0.6797 High Nov 15
  • PRICE: 0.6688 @ 16:08 GMT Nov 18
  • SUP 1: 0.6634/6578 Low Nov 17 / 11
  • SUP 2: 0.6551/0.6545 50-day EMA / 20-day EMA
  • SUP 3: 0.6387 Low Nov 10
  • SUP 4: 0.6272 Low Nov 3 and a key support

AUDUSD conditions remain bullish and this week’s move higher has reinforced current conditions. A short-term pullback would be considered corrective. The pair has recently breached 0.6768, the 61.8% retracement of the Aug 11 - Oct 13 downleg. The break opens the 0.6800 handle next. Firm short-term support has been defined at 0.6387, the Nov 10 low. Initial support lies at 0.6634 and 0.6578, the Nov 17 and 11 lows respectively.