FOREX: Recovery for Equities Weighs on Greenback, Cross/JPY Extends Bounce

Jan-14 10:05
  • The USD was under pressure at the NY/Asia Pac cross over, as headlines crossed from Bloomberg that Trump economic advisers were considering/studying a gradual tariff hike approach. The more optimistic price action for equities has provided weakness for both the greenback and the Japanese Yen, with most recent reports of a potential Israel/Hamas ceasefire assisting this sentiment.
  • As such, cross/JPY is extending its recovery, with the likes of EURJPY and AUDJPY rising half a percent on Tuesday to turn positive on the week despite Monday’s sharp initial selloff.
  • The recent move down in EURJPY appears technically corrective, however the cross did breach support at 160.91, the Jan 2 low. The next support to watch is 159.51, 61.8% of the Dec 3 - 30 bull cycle. A reversal higher would signal the end of the corrective cycle and refocus attention on 164.90, the Dec 30 high. First resistance is at 162.43, the 20-day EMA.
  • NZD outperformance stands out today, and appears to be driven by the positive signals from the Q4 NZIER Business Opinion Survey and its influence on OIS pricing, which is tempering expectations for RBNZ easing. To sum up, the survey showed that a net 16% of businesses expect the economy to improve, vs 1% expecting it to get worse in Q3.
  • NZDUSD has risen back above 0.5600 and will look to the 20-day EMA as initial resistance, intersecting today at 0.5641. NZDJPY is one of the best performing crosses, currently up 0.80% on the session.
  • GBP once again underperforms, with cable down 0.15% on the day and notably 70 pips off the overnight 1.2250 highs. EURGBP is currently testing the Monday highs of 0.8424 having recently undermined the recent bearish theme, suggesting scope for a stronger short-term recovery. The cross will now target 0.8448, the Oct 31 high, and 0.8494, the Aug 26 ’24 high.
  • US PPI is the focus on the Tuesday economic calendar before UK and US CPI cross Wednesday. Fed speakers include Schmid and Williams.

Historical bullets

MACRO ANALYSIS: MNI US Macro Weekly: Inflation Data Keep Fed Cut On Track

Dec-13 21:13

We have published and e-mailed to subscribers the MNI US Macro Weekly offering succinct MNI analysis across the range of macro developments over  the past week. Please find the full report here:

US week in macro_241213.pdf

USDCAD TECHS: Fresh Cycle High

Dec-13 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.4393 2.0% 10-dma envelope  
  • RES 3: 1.4327 2.382 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 2: 1.4296 2.236 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 1: 1.4246 2.00 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • PRICE: 1.4236 @ 16:38 GMT Dec 13
  • SUP 1: 1.4069/3944 20- and 50-day EMA values  
  • SUP 2: 1.3928 Low Nov 25 and a key support 
  • SUP 3: 1.3822 Low Nov 6
  • SUP 4: 1.3747 Low Oct 17

The trend direction in USDCAD remains up and this week’s gains to a fresh cycle high, reinforces the current bullish theme. The pair has cleared 1.4178, the Nov 26 high, to confirm resumption of the uptrend and maintain the price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Sights are on 1.4246 next, a Fibonacci projection. Key short-term support has been defined at 1.3928, the Nov 25 low. Initial support to watch lies at 1.4069, the 20-day EMA.   

US TSYS: Extending Late Session Lows, Curves Bear Steepen Ahead Next Wed's FOMC

Dec-13 20:40
  • Treasuries traded steadily lower throughout Friday's session, initially mirroring weak action in Bunds and Gilts. By the close, the Mar'25 10Y contract slipped to 109-26 (-18) the lowest level since November 22, 10Y yield rising to 4.4046% high (+.0768).
  • Initial technical support at 109-22 (76.4% Nov 15 - Dec 6 Upleg) followed by 109-20 (Low Nov 20/21).
  • Curves bear steepened: 2s10s +2.272 at 15.568 as short end rates outperformed ahead of next week's FOMC policy announcement where another 25bp rate cut was expected but not certain amid current macro and political uncertainty. That said, the latest unemployment and inflation data have kept the FOMC on track to cut the federal funds rate by 25bp (to 4.25-4.50%) next Wednesday.
  • Projected rate cuts into early 2025 look near steady to lower vs. this morning levels (*) as follows: Dec'24 cumulative -24.3bp (-23.7bp), Jan'25 -28.6bp (-29.6bp), Mar'25 -42.2bp (-43.9bp), May'25 -48.4bp (-50.5bp).
  • No reaction to this morning's import/export prices, Monday brings flash S&P Global PMIs, Retail Sales, IP & Cap-U on Tuesday.