FOREX: USD Moderates, Aiding Relief Recovery for GBP/USD

Aug-04 09:38
  • The USD is moderating early Monday, prompting the ICE USD Index to head into NY hours holding the bulk of the Friday pullback - but stopping short of any further weakness. The reaction seen since Friday's poor payrolls print (as well as Trump's subsequent firing of the head of the BLS) has held - keeping markets well priced for a more activist Fed later in 2025.
  • Greenback consolidation has aided a bounce for GBP, keeping GBP/USD either side of the 1.33 handle and within range of 1.3345, the 100-dma. Despite this, the bearish theme in GBPUSD remains intact for now. Last week’s sell-off resulted in a breach of the bear trigger at 1.3365, the Jul 16 low. These levels could be of greater consequence later this week on the BoE rate decision. The MPC are uniformly expected to cut rates by 25bps, however the vote split among the board will be carefully watched.  
  • The short-term bullish corrective phase in USDCAD remains in play despite sharp weakness Friday. On the recent run higher, price traded through the 50-day EMA at 1.3739 and this has been followed by a break of resistance at 1.3798, the Jun 23 high. A bullish trend condition in EURJPY remains intact and for now the recent move down is considered corrective. Key support to watch lies at the 50-day EMA at 169.17. A clear break of the EMA is required to highlight a stronger short-term bearish threat.
  • Factory orders and durable goods orders are the scheduled highlights Monday. There are no scheduled Fed appearances today, however any comments or speculation will come under close scrutiny given Kugler's resignation over the weekend. 

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Trend Outlook Remains Bearish

Jul-04 20:00
  • 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

Jul-04 19:30
  • 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

Jul-04 19:00
  • 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.