FOREX: USD Index May be Building a Base
- The USD Index remained rangebound Tuesday, however the inability of markets to press the USD lower still after Friday's NFP print may suggest the price is building a base. ISM services data came in mixed, with headline activity softer-than-expected against a higher-than-expected prices paid subcomponent, and proved USD negative upon release, but the pullback was mild.
- The JPY was the poorest performing currency against all others in G10, aiding EUR/JPY to recovery back toward Y171. This keeps markets clear of the uptrending 50-dma support at 169.04, ahead of which the outlook remains bullish, and targets 171.85 - the 50% retracement for the fade off the cycle high at 173.97.
- Meanwhile, Trump spoke on his possible Fed picks to replace Kugler following her resignation over the weekend. The President declared he had a shortlist of 4, which includes both Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett, and while the President said he may use this Fed pick as a precursor to selecting the next Fed chair, he remained vague about the timing of such an announcement.
- GBP fared better, rising against most others in G10 as markets look ahead to Thursday's BoE rate decision. The MPC are expected to cut rates by 25bps, and anything other than this would mark a sizeable surprise against expectations. It's the vote split among the MPC that should prove more consequential - and should provide a strong signal for the Bank's easing plans through the second half of this year. Despite today's modest recovery, a bearish theme in GBPUSD remains intact for now - despite Friday’s rally. Last week’s sell-off resulted in a breach of the bear trigger at 1.3365, the Jul 16 low. The break confirms a resumption of the downleg that started Jul 1 and highlights a clear breach of the trendline drawn from the Jan 13 low.
- German factory orders, Italian industrial production and the Canadian services PMI data are the data highlights Wednesday. Fed's Cook, Collins and Daly are also set to make appearances.
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Historical bullets
USDCAD TECHS: Trend Outlook Remains Bearish
- 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
- 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
- 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.
