OUTLOOK: Price Signal Summary - USDJPY Bull Cycle Extends

Nov-18 11:45
  • In FX, resistance to watch in EURUSD is 1.1669, the Oct 28 high. Clearance of this hurdle is required to strengthen a short-term bull theme and highlight a stronger reversal. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position. This highlights a dominant downtrend and continues to suggest that gains since Nov 5 are corrective. A reversal lower would refocus attention on key support at 1.1469, the Nov 5 low.
  • A key short-term resistance in GBPUSD at 1.3203, the 20-day EMA, remains intact. It has been pierced, a clear break of it would signal scope for a stronger corrective cycle and expose the 50-day EMA, at 1.3303. Moving average studies remain in a bear-mode condition and continue to highlight a dominant downtrend. A reversal would signal the end of the correction and a resumption of the bear leg. The bear trigger is 1.3010, the Nov 4 and 5 low.
  • USDJPY continues to appreciate, confirming a resumption of the uptrend and an extension of recent gains. The 155.00 handle has been cleared and sights are on 155.53 next, a 2.00 projection of the Sep 17 - 26 - Oct 1 price swing. Note that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, this continues to highlight a dominant uptrend. Initial firm support to watch is 153.49, the 20-day EMA. A clear breach of the average would signal scope for a corrective pullback.

Historical bullets

LOOK AHEAD: US Week Ahead Headlined By Delayed CPI Report On Friday

Oct-17 20:51
  • The September US CPI report will be released on Friday, delayed amidst the government shutdown but with the BLS making a special exception on social security payment considerations.
  • Bloomberg consensus looks for headline CPI inflation at a rounded 0.4% M/M after 0.38% back in August and for Y/Y inflation to firm two tenths to 3.1% for what would be its highest since May 2024.
  • Core inflation is seen at a rounded 0.3% M/M after 0.35% in August (exceeding the median unrounded estimate of 0.31%) and 0.32% in July. It’s expected to see core CPI inflation hold at 3.1% Y/Y having in August increased to its highest since February.
  • Core details should see focus on both goods and services angles: underlying goods inflation has clearly firmed in recent months on tariff pressures although the median increase has currently seen a peak back in June, whilst services will be watched for any spillover after some strong recent non-housing readings.
  • The report will come within the FOMC blackout period ahead of the Oct 28-29 decision, with a 25bp cut fully priced and likely needing a large surprise to alter this.
  • As for broader inflation details, Fed Chair Powell this week confusingly suggested that we will have the September PPI report but the BLS had previously said “No other releases will be rescheduled or produced until the resumption of regular government services”.

US DATA: Latest Jobless Claims Estimates During The Shutdown

Oct-17 20:30

As noted earlier, MNI estimates initial jobless claims at a seasonally adjusted 218k in the week to Oct 11 and continuing claims at a seasonally adjusted 1929k in the week to Oct 4. 

  • To give a better idea of sensitivity around these estimates, which rely on estimates for some missing states, we note the below analyst estimates:
  • Goldman Sachs have a central estimate of 217k for initial claims in a range of 211-225k, whilst they see continuing claims at 1917k in a range of 1885-1930k.  
  • JPMorgan meanwhile also see 217k for initial claims whilst they see continuing claims as having held constant at 1927k. 

NATGAS: Venture Global in Talks with Ukraine for more LNG Deliveries, Reuters

Oct-17 20:28

Ukraine is seeking more cargoes from Venture’s Plaquemines facility as the embattled nation approaches the winter heating season, according to Reuters sources

  • Venture is in talks with Ukraine’s DTEK to procure more LNG cargoes after a year of gas infrastructure attacks by the Russians.
  • Venture Global CEO Michael Sabel met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday October 16.
  • DTEK signed an agreement in 2024 for an undisclosed amount of LNG from the facility, as well as 2 mtpa from Calcasieu Pass Phase 2 currently under construction.
  • Plaquemines currently has spare capacity to deliver more cargoes to Ukraine on the spot market, per Reuters.
  • Plaquemines now sends out the second highest LNG volume in the US, with feedgas demand averaging 3.45 bcf/d according to MNI figures.