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USD/JPY Breakdown Incoming? 4 Powerful Signals Say 'Short Now'! The current landscape for USD/JPY signals a potential bearish reversal, supported by a convergence of technical, sentiment, and fundamental factors. Following a strong bullish leg from the 140 zone, price has reached the 146–147 resistance area, where it is currently being rejected. Price action has broken below the ascending channel that began in early April, suggesting a loss of bullish momentum and a possible transition into a deeper corrective phase. From the COT (Commitment of Traders) perspective, the picture aligns with this bias. Non-commercials on the USD Index (DXY) are aggressively reducing exposure on both long and short sides, resulting in a net position of -615 contracts. This reflects growing uncertainty or waning confidence in dollar strength as U.S. monetary policy enters a potential pivot zone. Meanwhile, JPY futures still show a strong net long position by speculators (194,226 long vs. 21,958 short), even after a significant long liquidation of over 9,700 contracts. Commercial traders, typically positioned opposite to trend, remain heavily net short—hinting at possible strength ahead for the yen. Seasonality adds further weight: May is historically a bearish month for USD/JPY. The 5, 10, and 15-year averages all show negative returns, with a structural downside tendency, especially in the final two weeks of the month. Retail sentiment further supports this case. Data shows that 68% of retail traders are currently long USD/JPY. Interpreting this through a contrarian lens, it implies growing downside potential, as over-positioned retail traders often precede a move in the opposite direction. Lastly, technical analysis (daily timeframe) reinforces the bearish scenario. The break below the bullish channel invalidates the recent structure, and the RSI is trending lower with plenty of room to move down before hitting oversold levels. Immediate support zones lie between 143 and 141. A potential retest of 145.80–146.30 would offer a favorable entry for fresh shorts in line with a developing bearish swing structure. 🎯 Conclusion All elements—technical structure, COT data, seasonal weakness, and retail sentiment—are converging toward a bearish USD/JPY outlook. Institutional traders are cutting dollar longs, seasonal forces are negative, and retail positioning is overly long. With price structure now broken, the bearish bias is well supported, targeting 143 first and 141 as a deeper move, pending price action confirmation.
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
5
EURAUD Ready to Launch? Institutions Positioning for a Big Move!🔍 1. COT REPORT (Commitment of Traders) EUR: Net Positioning (Non-Commercial): +75,253 → Bullish, but slightly reduced this week (-3,587 longs, +6,814 shorts). Commercials: Heavily short (550,286 vs 423,456 longs) → Hedging against potential EUR strength. Open interest change: +8,343 contracts → Higher market participation, active environment. AUD: Net Positioning (Non-Commercial): -59,077 → Strong bearish sentiment on AUD. Commercials: Net long (121,279 vs 61,743 shorts) → Fundamental support for AUD at potential value areas. Open interest down (-2,607) → Possible position unwinding or rollover. 📊 COT Conclusion: Speculators favor EUR long / AUD short, but commercials are positioned inversely, suggesting a potential reversal point. 📈 2. SEASONALITY EUR in May: Generally negative, with average monthly performance over 10y, 15y, and 20y ranging between -0.01% and -0.02%. Only the 2y curve shows strength (≈+0.0194). AUD in May: Mixed performance: 10y and 5y negative, but 2y slightly positive (+0.0083) → sign of recent improvement. 📊 Seasonality Conclusion: Slight edge for AUD thanks to near-term seasonal resilience. 💡 3. SENTIMENT Retail traders: 84% short on EURAUD. Average short entry: 1.7002, current price ≈ 1.7491 → many are in drawdown. High short congestion above 1.74 → Potential short squeeze setup. 📊 Sentiment Conclusion: Environment favors a bullish push to trigger stops and unwind retail shorts. 🧠 4. PRICE ACTION Price reacted to a major demand zone at 1.7200–1.7350. Last two weekly candles show compression and accumulation following strong bearish momentum. Clear liquidity pocket above 1.76–1.77, targeting the 1.79–1.80 zone. RSI showing recovery from oversold conditions. 📊 Technical Conclusion: Structure suggests rebound or reversal, aligned with sentiment and positioning dynamics. 🔚 STRATEGIC OUTLOOK Primary Bias: LONG EURAUD (multi-day / swing setup) 🎯 Target: 1.7700 – 1.7920 🛡️ Stop: Below 1.7310 (weekly close under demand zone) ⚠️ Alternative (Scenario B): A clear weekly close below 1.7300 may reactivate the bearish trend toward 1.7200.
Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
3
Cocoa Explosion Loading? Specs & Hedgers Agree🔍 Fundamental Analysis – Commitment of Traders (COT) The latest COT report, dated May 13, 2025, reveals a strong bullish accumulation signal, with a significant increase in long positions across all major trader categories. Specifically, Non-Commercials (speculative traders such as hedge funds and money managers) increased their long positions by +3,490 contracts while simultaneously reducing shorts by -467 contracts. This dynamic reflects renewed speculative confidence in the cocoa bullish trend. Simultaneously, Commercials (typically producers and processors) added +5,187 long contracts and closed -661 short contracts. This is especially noteworthy, as commercials usually take the opposite side of speculators. Here, however, their alignment with speculators may indicate expectations of upcoming supply constraints or market stress. Total open interest rose by more than +6,000 contracts, suggesting real capital inflow into the market rather than just rebalancing. This alignment between speculators and institutional hedgers is rare and often precedes further price appreciation. 📈 Net Positions & Price Action Looking at the “Net Positions & Prices” chart over the past year, it’s clear that Non-Commercial net positions are recovering after a notable drop in March and April. This reversal aligns with the technical bottom and the start of the current price rally. Commercials, although still net short (in line with their historical bias), are reducing their bearish exposure, hinting at lower physical supply pressure or a need for hedging against further price increases. Price action has reflected this narrative, surging higher following the April lows. 🕰️ Seasonal Analysis Seasonality adds another layer to the analysis. Historically, May tends to be flat or slightly bearish (10Y and 15Y averages), but the 2-Year seasonal line—which better reflects current market behavior—shows a strong bullish tendency starting mid-month. This supports the ongoing rebound and increases the likelihood of further upside in the short term. Historical data also shows that June, while volatile, is often positive or neutral in shorter cycles. 📊 Technical Analysis From a technical perspective, cocoa recently completed a strong bullish leg, rebounding from the 8,800–9,000 USD demand zone, identified as a clear area of institutional buying (evident through volume and impulsive candles). The price then decisively broke through mid-range resistance levels and tested a key weekly supply zone between 11,200 and 11,500 USD, where it was initially rejected. Currently, we are in a technical pullback, likely targeting the mitigation zone at 9,700–10,000 USD. This area represents a solid long entry opportunity if the market confirms a bullish structure on intraday charts (H1 or H4). The RSI is near overbought, yet without divergence—suggesting the trend remains structurally bullish despite a natural correction. 🧭 Strategic Conclusion Cocoa currently shows a rare convergence of bullish signals: supportive COT positioning, increasing net long interest, strong 2Y seasonality, and clear technical structure controlled by buyers. However, after the recent sharp upside move, a correction to key support zones is likely before another bullish leg unfolds.
ICEUS:CC1!Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
8
GBP/USD About to Explode?GBP/USD is currently trading around the 1.3360–1.3380 zone after testing the key weekly resistance area between 1.3400 and 1.3450. The bullish momentum remains strong, supported by speculative positioning still favoring the pound, while the dollar shows signs of softening. On the macro side, the interest rate differential between the UK and the US may narrow in the coming months, but for now, it continues to support upward pressure on the pair. From a technical standpoint, price has broken out of an ascending triangle on the daily chart, showing strong momentum and confirmation with multiple closes above 1.3300. Market sentiment remains skewed to the short side, adding contrarian fuel to the bullish bias. The key short-term support lies between 1.3270 and 1.3300. As long as this area holds, the base case favors a continuation toward 1.3520 and potentially 1.3600. A break below 1.3170 would invalidate the current bullish structure and open the door for a deeper pullback toward 1.3000. From an execution standpoint, a confirmed breakout above 1.3415 could offer a long entry opportunity with active management. Still, caution is advised around the weekly supply zone due to its historical responsiveness. Eyes remain on upcoming macro data and potential volatility from central bank statements.
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
10
Corn at a Historical Turning Point? Corn futures are currently at a technically significant juncture. After an extended bearish phase from the yearly highs, price has reached a key monthly demand zone between 445 and 435 cents, an area that has historically triggered major reversals. This level is further validated by technical signals indicating potential exhaustion of the bearish momentum: the price action is showing rejection candles, and the RSI is recovering from oversold territory, creating room for a possible upside move. However, it’s important to consider the seasonal context, which doesn’t favor an immediate reversal. Historical data shows that May, June, and July are statistically the weakest months for Corn. In particular, July tends to be highly bearish, with an average performance of -22% over the last 20 years and -36% over the last 10. This means that while the technical setup may suggest a potential bounce, seasonal pressure may continue to cap prices in the short term, making a sustained rally unlikely before August. The COT positioning adds another layer of insight. Non-commercial traders (speculators) have recently closed a significant number of long positions and added shorts, reflecting strong bearish sentiment. In contrast, commercials (hedgers) have increased long exposure and decreased shorts, signaling optimism and a willingness to accumulate at these levels. This divergence often marks contrarian opportunities, especially when speculators are heavily short and commercials are heavily long—often a sign of a market bottom forming. 🧠 Summary: Corn is sitting on major structural support, with early signs of a potential rebound. Yet, the seasonality remains bearish through mid-summer. The COT report, however, supports a bullish medium-term outlook, particularly heading into August–September, when prices historically begin to climb decisively. 🔔 Trading Outlook: In the short term, tactical longs can be considered if the 445–435 area holds, with tight risk management. Initial targets are set at 465 and 472. The true strategic setup, however, is more likely to emerge in the coming months, with August as the key window for a sustained upside move supported by both seasonal and COT positioning.
CBOT:ZC1!Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
14
British Pound resumes rally as retail sales jumpThe British pound has posted gains on Friday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3484, up 0.49% on the day. The pound has gained 1.5% this week and is trading at levels not seen since Feb. 2022. The markets were expecting a banner reading from April retail sales but the actual numbers crushed the forecast. Annual retail sales surged 5%, up from a downwardly revised 1.9% and above the market estimate of 4.5%. This marked the fastest pace of growth since Feb. 2022. Monthly, retail sales climbed 1.2%, up from a downwardly revised 0.3% in March and blowing past the market estimate of 0.2%. The surge was driven by sharp gains in food store sales and department stores, as favorable weather brought out consumers. The UK economy has been struggling and strong consumer spending has been a bright spot. Monthly retail sales have now increased for four straight months, which last occurred in 2020. The UK consumer spending more and is showing more optimism. The GfK consumer confidence index for May improved to -20 from -23 and beat the market estimate of -22. The improvement is likely a result of the de-escalation in global trade tensions as well as the Bank of England rate cut in early May. The impressive retail sales report, together with higher-than-expected inflation in April will raise expectations for the BoE to hold rates at its next meeting on June 18. There are no key US releases today but we'll hear from three FOMC members. There has been plenty of Fedspeak this week, with a message that the US tariffs will take a toll on the US economy, even with the temporary deal with China, and that the Fed favors a wait-and-see stance before further rate cuts. GBP/USD has broken above several resistance lines and is putting pressure in resistance at 1.3493. There is support at 1.3393 and 1.3367
by OANDA
Pound steady as UK inflation surgesThe British pound posted gains earlier but has failed to consolidate. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3395, up 0.03% on the day. The pound has gained 1.1% this week and earlier today rose as high as 1.3468, its highest level since Feb. 2022. UK inflation jumped to 3.5% y/y in April, up sharply from 2.6% in March and above the market estimate of 3.3%. This was the highest annual inflation rate since Jan. 2024 and was driven by higher prices for transport, housing and energy. Monthly, inflation soared to 1.2%, up from 0.3% and above the market estimate of 1.1%. The news wasn't much better from core CPI, which rose to 3.8% from 3.4% and was higher than the market estimate of 3.6%. This was the highest reading since April 2024. Monthly, the core rate jumped to 1.4%, up from 0.5% and above the market estimate of 1.2%. The rise in inflation can be partially attributed to the increase in the energy price cap and the Easter holidays, but is a disappointment for the government and for the Bank of England, as inflation had been trending lower. The BoE will be concerned by the rise in core inflation, which will complicate plans to further reduce rates. The BoE trimmed the cash rate by a quarter-point earlier this month by 0.25%, but rates are still higher than other major central banks, with the exception of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve is taking a wait-and-see attitude before it lowers rates again, especially with the uncertainty swirling around US tariff policy. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said this week that even reduced tariffs would be "definitely economically significant" and said he favored one rate cut this year.
by OANDA
Canada's inflation eases, Canadian dollar edges lowerThe Canadian dollar continues to have a quiet week. In the North American session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.3920, down 0.21% on the day. Canada released the April inflation report, which indicated that headline and core inflation were moving in opposite directions. Headline CPI dropped sharply to 1.7% y/y, down from 2.3% but shy of the market estimate of 1.6%. This was the lowest annual inflation rate in seven months. The sharp drop was driven by the end of the consumer carbon tax, with gasoline prices dropping 18% lower compared to April 2024. Core inflation accelerated in April, with two key indicators rising to an average of 3.15%, compared to 2.85% in March. This was above the market estimate of 2.9%. The money markets have responded to the inflation data, lowering the probability of a rate cut at the June 4 meeting to 48%, down from 65% prior to the inflation release. The Bank of Canada has been aggressive in its easing cycle, trimming rates seven straight times from June 2024 until April, when it held rates. The cash rate is currently at 2.75% but the BoC is hesitant to lower in the midst of the uncertainty over the US trade tariffs, which have led to sharp swings in the stock markets. There are no US events on the calendar and the markets will be all ears as a host of FOMC members make public statements today. Investors will be looking for insights into the Fed's rate path. The Fed is widely expected to hold rates in June and may cut as little as twice in the second half of the year. That could change, depending on inflation, the US labor market and Trump's tariffs. USD/CAD is testing support at 1.3936. Below, there is support at 1.3911 There is resistance at 1.3952 and 1.3977
by OANDA
XAUUSD - Will Gold Reach $3,300?!Gold is trading above the EMA200 and EMA50 on the 1-hour timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel. I expect the path ahead for gold to be bullish, but a downward correction of gold will lead to the creation of buying positions from the bottom of the channel. Gold faced renewed selling pressure over the past week—an event that not only dragged down its price but also led many analysts and retail investors to temporarily abandon their bullish short-term outlooks. The return of investor appetite for riskier assets has momentarily weakened gold’s appeal as a safe haven. Meanwhile, the credit rating agency Moody’s has finally acted, downgrading the U.S. sovereign rating from Aaa to Aa1. This marks the first time that even one of the major agencies no longer sees the U.S. as worthy of the highest credit rating. The downgrade was driven by factors such as an annual budget deficit nearing $2 trillion, a debt burden exceeding GDP, and elevated interest rates that have significantly increased the government’s borrowing costs—conditions which, if persistent, could serve as catalysts for gold’s resurgence. Adrian Day, CEO of Adrian Day Asset Management, stated: “The downward trend continues. We expect prices to decline further in the coming weeks, especially with the potential restructuring of U.S. trade tariffs. That said, once this phase passes, it could set the stage for one of the best buying opportunities.” Adam Button, Chief Currency Strategist at Forexlive.com, offered a similar outlook, saying: “Current trading sentiment is clearly tilted toward the downside. The market is searching for a new floor, although it seems likely that support will remain above the key $3,000 psychological threshold.” Following a week full of economic data, the upcoming week’s calendar appears relatively light, with only a handful of reports likely to influence the markets. Early in the week, traders will face a lack of major catalysts, but focus will gradually shift toward Thursday’s releases: weekly jobless claims, the flash PMI from S&P Global, and existing home sales. Additionally, new home sales data on Friday will be one of the few key events of the week. Alongside these economic updates, the coming days will feature a wave of speeches from Federal Reserve policymakers. Speakers include Jefferson, Williams, Logan, Kashkari, Barkin, Bostic, Collins, Musalem, Kugler, Daly, and Hsu, culminating with a speech from Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Sunday evening.
FOREXCOM:XAUUSDLong
by Ali_PSND
NAS100 - Will the Stock Market Reach Its Previous High?!The index is trading above the EMA200 and EMA50 on the four-hour timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel. If the trend line is broken, I expect corrective moves, but if the index corrects towards the demand zone, we can look for further buying positions in Nasdaq with a risk-reward ratio. Maintaining this trend line will lead to a continuation of the Nasdaq upward trend. The strong rally in U.S. equities that had pushed the S&P 500 close to record highs for 2025 came to a halt on Friday, following the release of disappointing consumer sentiment data. A report from the University of Michigan revealed a drop in consumer confidence and a surge in inflation expectations to levels not seen in decades—factors that have amplified concerns about the economy’s outlook. Despite this, some analysts remain hopeful that robust corporate earnings and the temporary suspension of tariffs could provide needed support for the market. Meanwhile, rating agency Moody’s warned that U.S. federal debt is projected to climb to 134% of GDP by 2035, up from 98% in 2024. Moody’s noted that while the U.S. economy and financial system remain strong, the weakening of certain fiscal indicators has diminished the ability of these strengths to offset negative effects. According to their analysis, trade tariffs will not significantly impact long-term U.S. economic growth, and substantial changes in mandatory spending are unlikely in the near future. Although the U.S. credit rating has been downgraded, the country’s long-term domestic and foreign credit ceilings remain at AAA. However, Moody’s has revised the overall credit rating for the U.S. down from AAA to Aa1. One noteworthy detail is that since April 21, the index has seen only one negative trading day—May 9, which experienced only a slight decline. Falling Treasury yields have reduced some market risks, while Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East has also helped ease political tensions at home. The market clearly reflects growing investor appetite for risk, though the possibility of a correction at these levels remains real. Looking ahead to this week, traders will closely monitor preliminary purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data for May on Thursday. They will also pay attention to speeches from several Federal Reserve officials to gauge whether the Fed remains focused on economic growth or has shifted more attention to inflation, especially in light of recent U.S.-China trade agreements. A rise in PMI figures may suggest that business sentiment has improved since tensions eased between the U.S. and China, but investors are also eager for clear guidance on the Fed’s next policy steps. Key speakers include John Williams (New York Fed), Raphael Bostic (Atlanta Fed), Lorie Logan (Dallas Fed), and Mary Daly (San Francisco Fed). If these officials continue to express concerns about elevated inflation risks, the U.S. dollar could continue to strengthen, as markets may price in fewer rate cuts ahead. As for the equity markets, their reaction remains uncertain. Recently, equities have risen even as expectations for rate cuts have diminished—primarily due to a reduced fear of recession following tariff adjustments. However, with recession fears now less pronounced and a growing narrative around sustained higher rates due to sticky inflation, Wall Street may pull back if Fed officials emphasize upside inflation risks. In related news, President Donald Trump harshly criticized Walmart’s pricing strategy, stating that the company should absorb the cost of tariffs rather than passing them onto consumers. In a public statement, Trump pointed out that Walmart made billions in profit last year and argued that American shoppers should not bear the burden of higher prices caused by trade tariffs. Trump also implicated China in the issue, stating that either Walmart or China should take responsibility for these added costs. He warned that both he and consumers are closely watching how Walmart handles the situation.
CAPITALCOM:US100
by Ali_PSND
EUR/USD is Loading a Breakout?!EUR/USD has posted an interesting bullish reaction following a controlled descent within a descending channel. After a brief break below a long-term ascending trendline, price established support within a clear demand zone between 1.1130 and 1.1170, closing the daily candle back above the key area. This structure suggests a possible phase of accumulation, especially given the presence of a strong lower wick and the defense of the highlighted yellow zone. Still, the pair remains within the descending channel, and the squeeze between the trendline and resistance at 1.1280 could become a decision zone. A daily close above 1.1280 would support bullish continuation and open the way to 1.1450. 🧠 Institutional Positioning (COT): Large speculators continue to favor the long side on the euro, with a noticeable increase in net long exposure. This confirms the accumulation narrative visible on the chart. Meanwhile, the USD shows a consistent decline in bullish positioning, adding weight to the case for a softer dollar — supportive of a potential EUR breakout. 📊 Retail Sentiment: Retail traders are slightly skewed to the short side (52% short), which is not extreme but does act as a contrarian input favoring bullish continuation — especially if the price breaks above dynamic resistance. 📅 Seasonality (May): Historically, May tends to be a weak-to-neutral month for EUR/USD over the 10–20Y horizon. However, recent years (last 2Y) show a bullish deviation from that trend, supporting the idea that any dips could offer opportunity rather than signal trend reversals. 🧭 Summary 📈 Directional Bias: Moderately Bullish ❌ Invalidation: Daily close below 1.1130 🎯 Target Levels: • Key Resistance: 1.1280 • Extension Zone: 1.1450 🧠 Key Takeaway: EUR/USD is showing early signs of bullish reversal within a still-constrained technical structure. Demand rejection, institutional long bias, and retail short pressure all align for a potential continuation higher. However, a confirmed breakout above 1.1280 is crucial to validate the scenario.
Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
6
Gold Just Grabbed Liquidity Below a Key LowGold reacted sharply at a major structural level last week, sweeping liquidity below the previous weekly swing low. That move was immediately followed by a strong bullish rejection candle with a deep lower wick — signaling aggressive buyer absorption. The price also respected a long-term ascending trendline, which has acted as dynamic support since early March. Two demand zones are clearly identified on the chart (based on HTF imbalances and previous accumulation ranges), and price tapped the upper zone near 3,160 before bouncing. The bullish structure remains intact unless price closes below 3,080 on the weekly. Until then, the trendline and recent liquidity grab favor further upside continuation. 📉 COT Data Insight Gold Non-Commercials: Net long remains strong (238k long vs 76k short) New long contracts: +746 | Shorts: +2,034 However, a large drop in spread positions (-12,424) signals a tactical unwind in hedge fund exposure USD Index (DXY) Non-Commercials: Net long positions down significantly (-5,712) Softening dollar bias adds tailwind for gold in the short term 🧠 COT Takeaway Speculative interest continues to favor Gold, while USD positioning weakens — supporting the idea of a technical bounce and potential bullish continuation. 🧮 Retail Sentiment (Contrarian View) Retail traders are currently 54% short on XAU/USD — classic contrarian signal suggesting the path of least resistance remains to the upside. 📆 Seasonal Outlook (May Performance) Historically, May tends to be a neutral-to-weak month for gold based on 10- to 15-year data. However, in the last 2 years, May has delivered clear bullish seasonality, which reinforces the case for upward momentum after pullbacks. ✅ Summary 🔸 Directional Bias: Moderately Bullish 🔸 Invalid if: Weekly close < 3,080 🎯 First Target: 3,280 – 3,320 🎯 Extended Target: 3,440 resistance zone 📌 Final Thoughts The technical reaction from demand, supportive COT structure, soft USD positioning, and contrarian sentiment all point toward potential continuation higher. As long as Gold holds above the 3,080 zone, the bulls remain in control.
OANDA:XAUUSDLong
by EdgeTradingJourney
16
Bitcoin MA 50 crosses 100If history repeats, this could be even bigger gains soon ahead. The blue MA 50 just crossed the orange MA 100 which happened in Oct '24 as well as Oct '23 -- this time happening so soon could defy historical pattern, but with a possible Fed interest rate cut in the works, this could be huge. After the recent Fed announcement that there would be no interest rate cuts at this time, the reason given was that the market was holding steady, though a recession was not entirely ruled out. If a recession starts to rear its ugly head before June 17th Fed meeting, they may change their outlook and enact interest rate cuts to ensure the economy can continue unscathed. Since Trump has walked back tariffs on China and is still working with the rest of the world to lower tariffs, the interest rates may not be cut in June. What does this mean for Bitcoin? A recession is still on the horizon, even without rate cuts and with lowered tariffs. The damage has already been done by tariffs, enough so that reports of impending empty shelves soon to hit stores this month is still a concern. People flock to other investment strategies when the market is so uncertain, hence Gold and Bitcoin getting their boosts recently. It's my opinion that Bitcoin will continue to grow in price as investors scramble to keep their portfolios on an uptrend. The MA 50 and MA 100 crossing is a great signal and gives me confidence in a continuing uptrend.
Long
by neuromancer
New Zealand dollar extends losses, inflation expectations expectNew Zealand releases inflation expectations for the first quarter on Friday. Inflation expectations can manifest into actual inflation and are considered a market-mover. Over the past three quarters, inflation expectations have hovered around the 2% level, which is the mid-point of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's target band of 1%-3%. However, inflation expectations are expected to climb to 2.4% in the second quarter, which could complicate the Reserve Bank's plans to further trim interest rates. New Zealand consumer inflation rose 2.5% y/y in the first quarter, up from 2.5% in Q4 2024 and above the market estimate of 2.2%. This is comfortably within the RBNZ target band and enabled the Bank to cut rates to 3.5% from 3.75% last month. The central bank left the door open to further rate cuts at the April meeting, stressing the risk to the New Zealand economy due to rising global trade tensions. New Zealand's largest trading partner is China and the temporary agreement between the US and China to slash tariffs is good news for New Zealand's export sector. The Reserve Bank meets next on May 28. US retail sales in April posted a weak gain of 0.1% m/m. This was well below the upwardly revised 1.7% gain in March but edged above the market estimate of 0%. There was also soft data from the inflation front. Producer Price inflation declined 0.5% in April, down from the upwardly revised 0% in March and below the market estimate of 0.2%. The Federal Reserve is virtually certain to hold rates at the June 30 meeting, but there is a 36% chance of a rate cut in July and a 50% likelihood in September, according to CME's FedWatch. Fed Chair Powell has adopted a wait-and-see stance due to the uncertainty over US trade policy. With inflation largely under control and the labor market in solid shape, Powell is no rush to lower rates. NZD/USD is testing support at 0.5871. Below, there is support at 0.5844 There is resistance at 0.5920 and 0.5947
by OANDA
EUR/USD Breakdown in May: Seasonality + Smart MoneyEUR/USD Weekly Outlook – May 15, 2025 EUR/USD is showing clear signs of weakness after a sharp rejection from the key supply zone between 1.1450 and 1.1600. Last week’s candle closed decisively below the 1.1250–1.1300 structure, confirming the failure to sustain bullish momentum. The RSI has also dropped below the 40 level, signaling strong downside pressure. From an institutional positioning standpoint, non-commercial traders are rebalancing: both longs and shorts on the euro have decreased, while spread positions have increased—suggesting hesitation and a lack of clear conviction. On the other hand, commercials remain heavily long on the euro, but this appears to be more of a hedging move than a directional bias. The US dollar is regaining strength, with new long positions added by speculative traders, aligning with the recent EUR/USD decline. Retail sentiment shows that a majority of traders are short, but not in extreme proportions. There’s a heavy cluster of long orders between 1.1100 and 1.1050, likely serving as liquidity targets for further downside movement. From a seasonal perspective, May is historically bearish for EUR/USD. All major seasonal timeframes (5y, 10y, 15y, 20y) point to consistent average negative performance in this month. The current 2025 trend aligns perfectly with this historical pattern, providing a statistical tailwind to the bearish thesis. Macro-wise, today’s key US data releases—PPI and Retail Sales—could significantly impact the USD. A positive surprise would further strengthen the dollar, adding downward pressure on the pair. Market attention is also focused on Fed Chair Powell's speech later today, which could add fuel to the current move. Conclusion: The macro, technical, sentiment, and seasonal frameworks all converge on a bearish continuation for EUR/USD. A weekly close below 1.1175 would confirm the downside extension, targeting the 1.0850–1.0700 demand zone. A break above 1.1330 would temporarily invalidate the bearish setup.
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
2
Australian dollar loses ground, jobs report nextThe Australian dollar has declined on Wednesday. In the North American session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6441, down 0.45% on the day. This follows the Australian dollar's massive gains of 1.5% a day earlier. Australia's wage growth accelerated in the first quarter. Annually, the Wage Price index gained 3.4%, up from 3.2% in Q4 2024 and above the market estimate of 3.2%. The gain was driven by stronger wage growth in the public sector. On a quarterly basis, wage growth rose 0.9% q/q, up from 0.7% and above the market estimate of 0.8%. This is the first time since Q2 2024 that annual wage growth has accelerated. The higher-than-expected wage report comes before next week's Reserve Bank of Australia's rate decision. Currently, it looks like a coin toss as to whether the Reserve Bank will maintain or lower rates. Australia releases employment data on Thursday. Employment change is expected to ease to 20 thousand in April, down from 32.2 thousand in March. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 4.1%. The labor market has been cooling and if it continues to deteriorate, there will be pressure on the Reserve Bank to lower rates. At last week's Federal Reserve meeting, Fed Chair Powell said that he would take a wait-and-see attitude in its rate policy. Trump's erratic tariff policy must be frustrating for the Fed, as it makes it difficult to make reliable growth and inflation forecasts. This week's surprise announcement of a tariff deal between the US and China is a case in point at Trump's zig-zag trade policy. The two sides have been engaged in a bruising trade war and slapped massive tariffs on each other's products. Suddenly, the tariffs were slashed, leading to a sigh of relief in the financial markets. The deal is only for 90 days, and what happens then is very much up in the air.
by OANDA
GBP/USD Bulls Are Back? Institutions Are Loading Up1. Price Action & Zone Mapping GBP/USD is consolidating above 1.3300 after a strong bullish reaction near the demand zone between 1.3040 and 1.3150 — an area that has already rejected price twice in recent months. While the market structure still shows lower highs, the weekly candlestick formation signals a clear loss of bearish momentum. On the upside, the 1.3500–1.3600 zone remains the key supply area to break for a structural reversal to be confirmed. 2. COT Report – Institutional Positioning (as of May 6, 2025) Non-Commercials (speculators) added +3,320 long positions and reduced -1,956 shorts, bringing the net long to +7,683 contracts — a strong bullish signal. Commercials remain net short, but not with increasing aggression. 👉 The net positioning supports continued bullish bias, aligned with the recent technical rebound. 3. USD Index – Opposite Positioning Non-Commercials increased both longs and shorts slightly on the US Dollar Index, but net positioning remains neutral with a slight bearish tilt. This suggests a phase of indecision or mild retracement in the dollar, which indirectly supports GBP/USD upside. 4. GBP/USD Seasonality – Historical Behavior in May According to MarketBulls data, May tends to be neutral-to-weak for the pair: 15-year avg: +0.0023 5-year avg: -0.016 2-year avg: +0.0069 Overall, this supports a ranging or corrective phase — not a high-conviction trending month. A breakout may need more confirmation. 5. Retail Sentiment Currently, 60% of retail traders are short GBP/USD, with an average price of 1.2959, while only 40% are long from 1.3337. 👉 This imbalance favors a contrarian bullish narrative, especially if the market decides to run stops below 1.3300. ✅ Operational Outlook GBP/USD is showing bullish consolidation signs, backed by: Increasing institutional long interest Contrarian retail sentiment (potential fuel for rallies) Solid demand near 1.3040–1.3150 However, neutral seasonality and lack of structural breakout advise caution. A pullback towards 1.3200–1.3150 might come before any further upside move toward 1.3500. 🔍 Preferred Play: Wait for a retest of 1.3150 with price action confirmation before entering long. A strong breakout above 1.3350 would be early confirmation of renewed bullish pressure.
Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
3
GBP/JPY Breaks Above 196.00! Continuation or Distribution?Detailed Techno-Macro Analysis – GBP/JPY GBP/JPY has just completed a significant weekly structure breakout, pushing through a key supply zone between 195.00 and 196.30 — an area that historically acted as strong resistance. The breakout occurred via a high-volatility daily candle that closed above the zone, indicating strong bullish pressure. 🔍 Structure & Price Action Price action shows higher lows and higher highs: a clearly defined bullish structure. The breakout originated from an accumulation base, following a false bearish breakout below 188.50 (bull trap). RSI is around 70 on the daily timeframe → strong momentum, but signs of potential exhaustion. 🧠 Key Zones Identified Current weekly supply: 195.00 – 196.80 (being tested) Next resistance: 198.70 – 199.50 (swing high and monthly level) Immediate support: 194.00 – 192.80 (ideal area for pullback and long setups) Structural support: 190.50 – 188.80 Invalidation: Daily close below 191.00 → potential reversal signal 📈 Macro & Fundamental Context 🇬🇧 UK Macro Update Wages rising: +5.5% (above expectations) → could support further monetary tightening Claimant count increasing → early weakness in the labor market Mixed data, but wage growth bias favors GBP strength 🇯🇵 JPY Still Weak BoJ remains ultra-accommodative Verbal interventions from Japanese officials haven’t yet had structural impact 🪙 Retail Sentiment 70% of retail traders are short GBP/JPY, with an average price of 190.59 Only 30% are long, with an average price of 194.65 ➡️ Current price (196.30) is above both → retail squeeze in play. Contrarian setup confirmed. 🧾 COT Report GBP (Non-Commercial Speculators): Long: +3,320 contracts Short: -1,956 contracts ➡️ Net long positions increasing → favorable institutional exposure JPY: Mixed positions, with increases in both long and short → institutional neutrality on the yen 📅 Seasonality – GBP/JPY May is historically bearish on both 5Y and 20Y timeframes: 5Y: -2.52% 20Y: -0.43% Only the 2Y pattern shows a positive return ➡️ Negative seasonality vs. bullish technical structure → conflict worth watching 🔍 Execution Summary The bullish breakout is strong and supported by sentiment and institutional positioning, but price is now entering a potential distribution zone, where profit-taking could increase. 👉 Main scenario: technical pullback toward 194.00–192.80 for possible long entries, targeting 198.50–199.50 👉 Alternative scenario: daily close below 191.00 → bias reversal and bearish continuation
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
6
Japanese yen tumbles to five-week low on US-China tariff dealThe Japanese yen has started the week with sharp losses. USD/JPY is trading at 148.18, up 1.9% on the day. Earlier, the yen strengthened to 148.59, its strongest level since April 3. The US and China have reached an agreement to slash tariffs on each other's products for 90 days. This would be a major de-escalation in the bruising tariff war between the world's two largest economies. Under the agreement, the US and China will slash tariffs by 115%, leaving US tariffs on China at 30% and China's tariffs on the US at 10%. The tariff agreement has boosted risk appetite, sending global stock markets higher. The deal has weighed on safe-haven assets like the yen, which is sharply lower on Monday. Gold, another safe-haven, has plunged 3.1% today. In Japan, household spending and wage growth were down in March. Household spending decelerated to 0.4% m/m, down sharply from 3.5% in February. Average Cash Earnings declined to 2.1% y/y, down from a downwardly revised 2.7% a month earlier. There was more bad news as service-sentiment for April eased, reflecting concern over US tariffs. These numbers support the case for the Bank of Japan to continue its wait-and-see stance before raising interest rates. The BoJ wants to see inflation remain sustainable at 2%, which will require higher wage growth and stronger consumer spending. Over the weekend, a host of Fed members made public statements. New York Fed President John Williams and Fed Governor Adriana Kugler both noted that current rate policy was in an appropriate place and suggested patience was needed. This message echoed Fed Chair Powell's remarks at last week's FOMC meeting, when he said the Fed would take a wait-and-see attitude due to the uncertainty over US tariffs. USD/JPY has pushed above resistance at 146.83 and 147.48 and is testing resistance at 148.47. Above, there is resistance at 149.04 146.11 and 145.36 are the next support levels
by OANDA
NASDAQ Harmonic pattern indicating strong bounce incoming.AI vs. Dot-Com Bubble When drawing parallels between #AI and the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, many express concerns that current valuations may be excessively inflated. However, significant differences are apparent. To begin with, the current price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of the NASDAQ-100 is approximately 30, whereas during the dot-com bubble, it skyrocketed to 200, with many companies lacking any earnings in sight. Additionally, the market capitalisation to #GDP ratio reached unprecedented levels in the late 1990s, while today's figures, although still high, are supported by robust earnings and solid cash flows from established business models. Innovations in AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation have fuelled revenue growth, exemplified by #NVIDIA's data centre sales, which surged 409% year-over-year in Q4 2024, and Microsoft's Azure, which experienced a 28% year-over-year increase in 2024. This surge in productivity is being driven by individuals, businesses, and governments alike. As a result, major tech firms are making substantial investments in AI research and development, with clear strategies for monetisation. AI is poised to become a transformative force, akin to the transistor, a groundbreaking invention that scales effectively and permeates various sectors of the economy. Lastly, the Federal Reserve raised interest #rates to 6.5% to tackle inflation after previously lowering them to address Y2K concerns before the bubble burst in 2000. In contrast, current expectations suggest that interest rates will stabilise or decrease, which would support valuations.
CME_MINI:NQ1!Long
by BallaJi
2
NAS100 - Stock Market Expects a Devastating Week!The index is trading above the EMA200 and EMA50 on the 4-hour timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel. I expect corrective moves from the specified range, but if the index corrects towards the demand range, we can look for the next Nasdaq buy positions with a good risk-reward ratio. U.S. stock futures responded positively to signals from both Chinese and American officials. Looking ahead to the coming week, investor focus is squarely on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the United States—marking the first chance to assess the impact of the new tariffs implemented on April 9. Meanwhile, ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and China remain a crucial factor, with significant implications for inflation, Federal Reserve policy, and overall market expectations. In addition to inflation data, retail sales figures and the preliminary results of the University of Michigan sentiment survey could influence market outlook regarding interest rates—especially since price stability and full employment remain core mandates of the Federal Reserve. At present, Fed officials are working to maintain a cautious stance in order to anchor inflation expectations. However, if clear signs of economic weakness emerge, that stance could shift rapidly—something that several Fed officials have already openly acknowledged. Retail sales, in particular, could provide a different narrative about the health of the economy. After a notable 1.5% jump in March, estimates suggest that growth in April slowed to just 0.1%. This deceleration may reflect consumer reluctance to spend, stemming either from inflationary pressures or broader economic uncertainty. Thursday’s data release will include the Producer Price Index (PPI), industrial production, and the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index—offering a clearer picture of supply-side dynamics and the performance of the industrial sector. On Friday, attention will turn to a fresh batch of economic indicators: building permits, housing starts, the New York (Empire State) manufacturing index, and especially the University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment survey. This survey has gained importance in recent months due to notable increases in both one-year and five-year inflation expectations. As recent charts indicate, while consumer confidence has plummeted to multi-year lows, inflation expectations have trended upward—a worrisome combination that could limit the Fed’s ability to ease monetary policy. Although concerns about a U.S. recession persist, recent data suggest more of a “gradual slowdown” rather than signs of an imminent crisis. In March, both the CPI and PCE indices declined, indicating a temporary easing of inflationary pressures. However, this trend may reverse in April, as the broad implementation of reciprocal tariffs likely raised import costs—particularly for Chinese goods, which now face duties as high as 145%. New estimates indicate that these tariffs could add 2.25% to core inflation over the next year, effectively reversing the progress made in 2024 on taming price pressures.Prior to the Trump administration’s tariff announcements, economists had differing views on inflation, with some expecting it to approach the Fed’s 2% annual target by year-end. Contrary to trade experts, Trump claimed that sellers would not pass these price increases on to consumers. Goldman Sachs’ analysis this week suggests that Trump’s tariffs could push inflation to levels not seen since the post-pandemic price surge. The broad import taxes announced between February and April may have a substantial impact on the economy, and consumers are likely to feel the effects first at the checkout counter. Goldman economists estimate that the tariffs could drive annual inflation—as measured by core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)—to 3.8% by December, marking the highest rate since 2023. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose 2.6% last year. This metric remains above the Fed’s 2% target and has shown limited progress toward that goal since 2023. The last time inflation was below this benchmark was in January 2021. A renewed wave of price increases could severely strain American household budgets—particularly if the labor market also weakens, as many economists anticipate. This would also represent a significant setback for the Federal Reserve, which has kept interest rates elevated since 2022 in an effort to combat post-pandemic inflation. While inflation hovered around 3% at the beginning of 2024 with little change, it saw a notable drop in March. Many analysts forecast that inflation will continue to decline and approach the 2% target by the end of 2025. Walker and Peng’s analysis factored in both the direct effects of tariffs—most of which will likely be passed on to consumers—and several indirect consequences. The trade war has unexpectedly weakened the U.S. dollar, reducing Americans’ purchasing power. Moreover, some manufacturers may shift production away from China, where tariffs are particularly severe, to locations with higher production costs. As a result, American consumers may end up paying significantly more for imported goods, especially in categories like consumer electronics and apparel.
CAPITALCOM:US100
by Ali_PSND
Canadian dollar shrugs after mixed employment numbersThe Canadian dollar is steady on Friday, after a two-day slid in which the loonie declined by 1%. In the North American session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.3911, down 0.09% on the day. On the data calendar, Canada released the employment report and there are no US economic releases. The April employment report didn't show much change and the Canadian dollar has shown little reaction. The economy added 7.4 thousand jobs, rebounding from the loss of 32.6 thousand in March and above the market estimate of 2.5 thousand. At the same time, the unemployment rate climbed to 6.9%, higher than the market estimate of 6.8% and above the March reading of 6.7%. This was the highest level since Nov. 2024. The rise in unemployment is likely a reflection of the US tariffs. Canada's exports to the US were down in March, hurting businesses that export to the US. If the tariffs remain in place, weaker demand from the US could significantly damage Canada's economy. The Bank of Canada released its Financial Stability Report on Thursday. The BoC said that the financial system was strong but warned that a prolonged trade war between Canada and the US could lead to banks cutting back on lending, which would hurt consumers and businesses and damage the economy. The report said that the unpredictibility of US trade policy could cause further market volatility and was a risk to financial stability. The Federal Reserve maintained rates earlier this week and Fed Chair Powell said the Fed was in a wait-and-see-stance due to the uncertainty over the US tariffs. We'll hear from seven Fed members on Friday and Saturday, who may provide some insights on where rate policy is headed. The markets have priced in a rate hike in June at only 18%, down sharply from 58% a week ago. USD/CAD is testing resistance at 1.3928. Above, there is resistance at 1.3935 1.3922 and 1.3915 are the next support levels
by OANDA
XAU/USD: Institutional Accumulation or New Bearish Impulse?Technical Context: The graphical analysis shows that the price of gold (XAU/USD) is currently consolidating within a significant demand zone following the recent bullish impulse. The daily chart shows an attempt to bounce off the 3,300 USD zone, a key psychological level. Volume and COT Analysis: The latest COT data (April 29, 2025) indicates a slight reduction in long positions by non-commercial operators (-18,519 contracts), balanced by an increase in commercial long positions (+1,659 contracts), signaling potential institutional accumulation. On the retail sentiment front, traders are slightly more exposed to the downside (51% short vs. 49% long), which could indicate a potential short squeeze if the price resumes an upward trend. Seasonal Trends: According to data, May historically shows mixed performances with an average of +9.83% over the last 10 years, but with significant fluctuations between longer and more recent periods. Key Levels: Resistance: 3,380 - 3,400 USD (previous distribution zone) Support: 3,300 USD (current demand zone) and 3,050 USD (secondary support) Trading Strategy: Bullish Scenario: Buy above 3,340 USD with a target at 3,400 USD and a stop loss below 3,300 USD. Bearish Scenario: Sell below 3,300 USD with a target at 3,050 USD and a stop loss above 3,340 USD.
OANDA:XAUUSDLong
by EdgeTradingJourney
9