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DXY UP or DOWN then UP ?Last week the USD - supported by mixed data - was consolidating after rejection from the descending trendchannel and still within an important zone near the 92 . Two possible scenarios are in play : A) The price closes below 92 and then DOWN to an important area marked by the arrow 1- Fib 0.618 2-91 psychological lvl 3-retest of the broken Weekly descending trendline 4-Daily ascending trendline 5- Bearish Divergence on StochRSI From this point an UPWARD move would be expected B) The price consolidates before finally BREAKING OUT of the Daily descending trendchannel and initiating the Weekly Double Bottom pattern and price may carry it to the 97 lvl If price breaks 90.5 DOWNWARD the idea becomes invalidated ***Color coding*** Violet Monthly & Weekly Red Daily Blue Hourly Grey LQ zone *** Thanks for reading and safe trading everyone,,,
TVC:DXYLong
by kimozelghonemy
Gold: The Big Picture.- Period of pandemics and uncertainties - Period of high inflation attacks when U.S. economy started falling (all that money kicks-into daily US economy and affect/inflate household spending) --- Same period where money will start flowing EMs & China (Age of EMs starting here because of trillions of Junk-Dollars need to earn something out of the U.S. markets instead of ducking) - Period of 2Ks largest inflation attack (Gold may hit up to 7500$-10000$ then like before when it hit 850$ first time) - Dust setting, but things never gonna be same anymore. Age of Global Hyperinflation, where U.N. will start talking about "rebuilding global monetary system", end of Bretton Wood officially. * Scenario is based on Elliott Wave & current/near-future market structuring, reforms (basel 3, fed bullshits, EMs such as Turkey, etc.), Asia, 1:1000 banking during pandemics, incredible money supply (how US gov't pickpocketing citizens & the world) etc. (My personal view.)
FX:XAUUSD
by Gentlem4n
2
US FED's New Policy Shift With Some Dollar StrengthUS FED's New Policy Shift & Medium-term Dollar Strength Wednesday's meeting by the FED has proved true that the FED is making a new monetary policy shift to normalize sooner than later, to reducing the size of the balance sheet ; and, this action that will send yields higher. This has brought strength into the USD. Thus, USD with strength being signaled, I a positive the USD in the medium-term for another quarter or two. This video summarizes a few trades that are being taken and that have been taken due to the highly anticipated event of a FED move, which happen sooner than expected.
by Rocketman
The Dollar Index Breaks Higher - A MirageAfter trading at the highest level since 2002 during the risk-off period when COVID-19 spread worldwide like a wildfire, the US dollar index fell, making lower highs and lower lows from March 2020 through January 2021. The index fell from 103.96 to a low of 89.165, a 14.2% decline in the index that measures the dollar against other world reserve currencies. The Fed tightens without tightening credit The dollar index breaks above a technical level The greenback remains in a medium-term bearish trend The long-term trend is higher Fiat currency moves are a mirage for one critical reason After consolidating around the 90 level from mid-May through mid-June, the dollar index took off on the upside in the aftermath of the latest Fed meeting. While the dollar has moved higher and eclipsed a short-term technical resistance level, the medium-term trend remains bearish. To confuse matters, the long-term trend dating back to 2008 is bullish for the US dollar index. Governments and monetary authorities manage currency markets to provide stability for global financial markets. Meanwhile, the overall foreign exchange market is more than a mirage because it is not readily apparent if the asset class gains or loses value in a larger sense. The bottom line is that the dollar and other fiat currencies rely on the full faith and credit of the governments that issue the legal tender. The dollar may be rallying against other currencies, but it can also be losing purchasing power making the entire currency market a farce. The Fed tightens without tightening credit At the June Federal Market Committee meeting, the US central bank left the short-term Fed Funds intact at zero to twenty-five basis points. The committee said it would leave its quantitative easing program unchanged and continue to purchase $120 billion in debt securities each month. The only change was a slight increase of five basis points in the reverse repo rate. The bottom line is the Fed continued on its accommodative monetary policy path. Meanwhile, the central bank increased its GDP growth forecast from 6.5% to 7% and its inflation expectations from 2.5% to 3.4%. While very little changed, the rhetoric shifted towards tighter credit policies as the Fed acknowledged rising inflationary pressures. Seven committee members project a rate hike in 2022, with two expecting two increases in the Fed Funds rate. The markets viewed the statements and rhetoric as a sign that tighter policy is on the horizon and tapering QE will occur sooner rather than later. Commodity prices fell in the wake of the Fed meeting as rising interest rates increase the cost of carrying raw material inventories and financing production. The dollar moved higher as interest rate differentials are a critical factor for the value of one currency versus another. The dollar index breaks above a technical level The dollar index took off on the upside in the wake of the June FOMC meeting, surpassing a short-term technical resistance level. The daily chart of the September dollar index futures contract illustrates the move above the May 5 91.41 high on June 16, the day after the June Fed meeting. The index rose to a high of 92.395 on June 18 before correcting. At the end of last week, the September dollar index settled at the 91.844 level, above the breakout level at 91.41, which is now technical support. The prospects for higher US interest rates were bullish winds in the dollar’s sails. The greenback remains in a medium-term bearish trend While the dollar index rose above a technical resistance level, the greenback remains in a bearish medium-term trend despite the recent rally. The weekly chart shows that the index has made lower highs and lower lows since March 2020. To negate that bearish trading pattern, it needs to rise above the critical resistance level at the 93.47 level from the week of March 29, 2021. If the dollar index stalls and fails to rise above that high, it will put in another lower peak to continue the bearish trend over the past fourteen months. The long-term trend is higher To confuse matters, the dollar index’s long-term technical picture remains bullish over the past thirteen years. The quarterly chart highlights a pattern of higher lows and higher highs for the dollar index since reaching a bottom at 70.805 in early 2008. With a bullish short-term trend, a bearish medium-term pattern, and a bullish long-term trend, the path of least resistance of the US currency against other world reserve currency remains in doubt. However, it may not matter if the dollar index moves higher or lower against the euro, yen, pound, and other leading fiat currencies. The index could be a mirage masking the overall weakness in the foreign exchange arena. Fiat currency moves are a mirage for one critical reason The foreign exchange market only measures the value of one currency versus another. The price differentials tell us nothing about purchasing power other than if one foreign exchange instrument is trending higher or lower against another. The recent rise in the dollar index that followed on the heels of a more hawkish tone from the Fed could be a mirage. The bottom line is the dollar’s purchasing power has been declining. The May CPI data shows a 5% increase and a 3.8% rise, excluding food and energy. While many commodity prices corrected lower in June, crude oil and natural gas made new multi-year highs. The energy commodities power the US and the world. Rising prices are inflationary. Inflation erodes the value of money, making it more expensive for consumers to purchase essentials. While the dollar index recovered from the 90 to around the 92 level, the move is a mirage that masks the long-term trend in all fiat currencies. In 2019 and 2020, gold reached a record high in all fiat currency terms. Gold in euros, pounds, yen, dollars and most other foreign exchange instruments rose to record levels. Central banks hold gold as an integral part of their foreign exchange reserves, making the yellow metal a reserve currency alongside the dollar and the euro. The bottom line is that inflationary pressures continue to rise. The dollar index could continue to power higher over the coming days, weeks, and months, but the US currency could be weakening at the same time. A pivot towards a more hawkish approach to US monetary policy may lift the US currency, but that may only make the dollar the healthiest horse in the glue factory. Click the link below to register for the Free Monday Night Strategy Call Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
ICEUS:DX1!
by Andy_Hecht
USDCAD: USD strength has been signaled By the FEDFundamental Commentary: Wednesday's meeting by the FED has proved true that the FED is making a new monetary policy shift to normalize sooner than later, to reducing the size of the balance sheet ; and, this action that will send yields higher . This has brought strength into the USD. Thus, USD with strength being signaled, I a positive the USD in the medium-term for another quarter or two. Technical Commentary: Big rally in the dollar. pullback to support horizontal and fib support confluence
Long
by Rocketman
How Do We Keep Inflation in Check? Crypto May Be the AnswerTools and Practices for Inflation Down Print Less Money Encourage People and Institutions (inc. Government Spending) to Save Rather than Spend Raise Interest Rates on Loans and Savings Account Raise Taxes Bring Down Costs of Basic Goods (Real-Estate, Healthcare, Education, Food, Supply Chain Companies) Why This Isn’t Likely to Happen in the Near Future The Fed has printed historical amounts of money in order to pay for COVID related expenses, stimulus checks, and government procurement contracts. (After-effects of these spending habits are still unknown.) Government spending is at an all-time high. (Highest now, lowest in the 1970s.) The Fed has publicly stated that no action will be taken, first meeting in Aug 2021, action taken at 2023 at earliest. Politically unpopular. Politically unpopular because certain asset classes stand to gain from high inflation. (e.g. real-estate) Likely Outcomes For the Crypto Industry Both on micro and macro levels, high inflation usually coincides with high cryptocurrency adoption rates. (Venezuela, Nigeria, Argentina, etc.) People “exiting” the US Dollar lowers demand for fiat while increasing demand for crypto - a win-win for some.
BITSTAMP:ETHUSD
by RyanTanaka
2
Bonds are Ground Zero for Market's Battle with Fed and TreasuryThe bond market is the primary capital-raising marketplace. Market participants issue new debt or buy and sell debt securities in the secondary market. Bonds, notes, and bills are tools for public and private expenditures. Since the US is the world’s leading economy, the market for US government bonds is massive. The long-bond or 30-Year Treasury is a barometer for US interest rates. The long bond has been trending lower since August 2020- The latest CPI data confirms the trend Last August, the Fed made a subtle but significant shift Monetary and fiscal policy remains accommodative Conflicting signals for the bond market cause a bounce Jackson hole could bring another shift While the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, sets short-term interest rates via the Fed Funds rate, buyers and sellers establish rates further out along the yield curve. Following the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2020 worldwide pandemic, the Fed initiated a quantitative easing or QE program. QE is a tool to stimulate the economy via debt purchases that put a cap on rates further out along the yield curve. Over the past year, the central bank has purchased $120 billion in government debt securities each month. The bond market has been dropping over the past year, despite the Fed purchases. Imagine where the long bond futures would be if the Fed were not buying each month. The bond market is taking on the Fed as it signals inflationary pressures are rising. The Fed may call inflation “transitory,” but this week, the latest consumer price index data from May was a warning sign that the bond market is correct, and the Fed is wrong. The long bond has been trending lower since August 2020- The latest CPI data confirms the trend The US 30-Year Treasury bond futures recently rolled from the June to the September contract. The weekly chart of the long bond futures highlights the drop from 183-06 during the week of August 3, 2020, to the low of 153-29 in late March, early April 2021. While the nearby contract recovered over April, May, and early June, at the 161 level, it remains a lot closer to the low than last August’s peak level. Bonds seem to have found a floor at just below the 154 level. Weekly price momentum and relative strength indicators have been trending higher since reaching oversold conditions in late March. Open interest, the total number of open long and short positions in the long-bond futures, moved from 1.106 million contracts when the bonds last August to the 1.207 level at the end of last week. Increasing open interest when the price declines is typically a technical validation of a bearish trend in a futures market. Weekly historical volatility at the 4.37% level as of June 11 was close to the lowest level in years. While the long bond recovered from the lows, last week’s CPI data was bearish for the debt market. The 5% increase and 3.8% rise in core inflation was the highest level in nearly three decades. The Fed continues to call inflationary pressures “transitory” and has concentrated on its “fell employment mandate.” The trend in the bond market, raw material prices, the stock market, real estate, and most other asset classes points to rising inflation. Employment data could be the transitory outlier as low-wage earners continue to benefit from government stimulus and expanded benefits, which results in higher earnings from staying at home rather than returning to work. The latest CPI data confirms rising inflationary pressures. Last August, the Fed made a subtle but significant shift Last August, the US central bank told markets it adjusted its 2% inflation target to an average of 2%. The Fed has been encouraging inflation with low interest rates and quantitative easing. It is unclear what period the Fed is calculating the average rate, which makes a substantial difference. Inflation had been well below the target rate for years before it began to rise in recent months. Economics is a social science. The models and formulas that the Fed watches and depends on are only as good as the variables, which are the inputs for the decision-making process. Individuals and companies are experiencing dramatic price increases and asset inflation. The Fed is taking a wait-and-see approach as it continues on the current course. The central bank was hoping inflation would rise last August. As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for, lest it comes true. Monetary and fiscal policy remains accommodative The tidal wave of central bank liquidity created by low short-term interest rates is unprecedented. Quantitative easing to the tune of $120 billion per month in debt security purchases is an attempt to keep interest rates further out along the yield curve at low levels to stimulate borrowing and spending and inhibit saving. With the long-bond futures slipping from over 180 to the 161 level at the end of last week, QE may have only softened the inflationary blow over the past months. The Fed has a partner in crime, the US Treasury, and the Washington establishment. If central bank liquidity is at an all-time high, fiscal stimulus is off the hook. Stimulus in the trillions has only exacerbated rising inflation. The price tag for the monetary and fiscal accommodation since the pandemic began is growing by leaps and bounds as it eats away at money’s purchasing power, the classic definition of inflation. COVID-19 may be fading into the rearview mirror, but its legacy will remain an inflationary danger for many years to come. Conflicting signals for the bond market cause a bounce The Fed will meet this week for its June FOMC meeting. So far, the only thing the central bank has said is that it is “not thinking about thinking about” tapering the QE program or increasing the Fed Funds rate to address rising inflationary pressures. The unemployment rate at 5.8% and core inflation at the highest level in decades are conflicting data for the central bank. Meanwhile, the administration and Congress keep spending with some politicians demanding even more stimulus and programs. The bond market found a bottom in late March and has been recovering. The pattern in the September long-bond futures contract illustrates a series of higher lows and higher highs since it traded at 152-16 on March 18, 2021. The latest high came last week at 159-29. The bond market did not sell off after the latest CPI data, but it did rally on the weak employment numbers. The bond market may have gotten ahead of itself in March when it fell to the lows. Speculative shorts pushing the long bond futures lower appear to have run out of patience and covered risk positions. However, if the Fed remains on its same accommodative path with help from the government’s tsunami of fiscal stimulus, the rally in bonds is likely to run out of steam sooner rather than later. Jackson hole could bring another shift The Fed Governors, economists, and others gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, each August. Over the past years, policy shifts have often created fanfare during the event. We could see the Fed begin to guide that QE tapering is on the horizon later this year or early 2022. Economic conditions and rising asset inflation make a shift towards tightening monetary policy logical as vaccines have created herd immunity to the virus, and conditions have not only improved but are robust. However, if the central bank decides that it needs to keep the accommodative policy in place because of the unemployment rate, it will only pour more fuel on an already burning inflationary fire. Expect lots of volatility in the bond market over the coming weeks and months. Increased price variance creates a nightmare for passive investors, but it is a paradise for nimble traders with their fingers on the pulse of moving markets. The bond market could be the Garden of Eden for traders over the second half of 2021 and beyond. The bond market is ground zero for the free market’s battle with the Fed and Treasury. Since August 2020, the bond market has been fighting the Fed and winning. Sign up for the free Monday Night Strategy Call using the link below! Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
CBOT:ZB1!
by Andy_Hecht
7
GBPUSD's Bearish Bias Growing Ahead of FED's Meeting The current ranging environment is demonstrated by the ADX indicator, which has been threading below the 25-point benchmark since the 24th of May. The development of a descending channel elucidates the gradual transition from one market stage into another. The recent reversal from the channel's upper boundary, which also represented a reversal from the 100-day MA (in blue) and the major resistance level at 1.41800, highlights the strengthening bearish bias in the short term. The price action is testing the 200-day MA (in orange) for a second time while also consolidating below the 23.6 per cent Fibonacci retracement level at 1.41114. This represents the aforementioned preliminary stage in the development of a new markdown. The next major target is underpinned by the 38.2 per cent Fibonacci retracement level at 1.40291, which is currently coinciding with the channel's lower boundary. If the price does not rebound from the two, the downtrend can be extended lower and towards the major support level at 1.40000. In addition to its psychological significance (elucidated by the two rebounds in the past), this level also converges with the 300-day MA (purple). Hence, bears should eye the range between 1.40000 and 1.40291 as the first threshold in the development of a new broad downtrend.
Short
by Trendsharks
Which camp are you in? SPY based off of Elliot Wave TheoryBased on the Elliot Wave theory, there are three things that I think ya'll should check out. We are close to a correction but one of them is a two year bear market and the other is a 2-3 month correction before the next impulse wave to the upside. If you guys don't know anything about Elliot Wave theory, I highly recommend reading up on it. There are rules that must be followed but its pretty simple once you study it for a couple of days. Anyways if we sit below 320 on the SPY, we are in for a melt down that basically back tracks to March 2020 lows. If we bounce from 360, we're in for a big ride up to all new highs (SPY 500). But...that maybe the last leg of a real bull market that started in the 1990s (the beginning of digital age). The question is what camp am I in? I think the Fed wants inflation. And I think there is inflation. I literally paid close to $80 for 15lbs of Brisket at Costco when it used to be $35 a year ago. Chicken just got really expensive too. Cost of food is up. I think the Fed wants to raise interest rates. The Fed knows it doesn't have ammunition to soften the blow when a true problem erupts e.g. 2008 crash. With Fed Funds rate at 0, there is no room for mistakes. So my answer is we are in for a big pull back down to 320 but less steep like 2020 and the start of the big correction ABC like 2003 - 2008. Which camp are you in? What are your thoughts? Please like and share.
AMEX:SPY
by CTRLZEEE
1
Euro rises, German business confidence nextThe euro has started the week in positive territory. In the North American session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.2220, up 0.32%. Monday is a national holiday across much of Europe, and there are no economic releases out of the eurozone. Still, the euro is showing some strength and has punched into 1.22-territory. German data will be in focus on Tuesday. The well-respected Ifo Business Confidence Index will be released for May (8:00 GMT). The index has accelerated over three straight months, and the upswing is expected to continue. The May consensus stands at 98.2, compared to the previous release of 96.8. Despite the optimism in the business sector, the German economy is in trouble. In Q4, GDP contracted by 1.7% and an identical decline is expected for Q1 of 2o21 (6:00 GMT). Two consecutive declines would mean that technically the German economy is in recession. However, investors remain confident that Europe is turning the corner on the Covid-pandemic, so it's unlikely that the GDP report will weigh on the euro, unless GDP is much weaker than the forecast. The euro continues to trade at high levels and could head upwards, as expectations that the Fed might tighten monetary policy appear to be have been premature. Several Fed policymakers have urged the Fed to discuss tapering QE in the coming months, but the market appears to have internalized the Fed's message that inflation is transitory and that the US economy is still in need of massive stimulus. At the same time, if US numbers continue to point upwards, in particular inflation and employment numbers, then we again see speculation about tapering and a higher US dollar. In the meantime, the US dollar remains under pressure. EUR/USD is testing resistance at 1.2242. Above, there is resistance at 1.2303. On the downside, there is support at 1.2123, followed by 1.2065
by OANDA
NZD yawns as manufacturing index slowsThe New Zealand dollar has posted small gains in Friday trade. In the European session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.7190, up 0.13% on the day. The pair is down 1.22% this week and is poised to have its worst weekly performance since mid-March. The BusinessNZ Manufacturing Index fell in April to 58.4, down from 63.6. Although this was a significant drop, investors do not appear to be concerned, as the response of the New Zealand dollar has been muted. The index still remains well into expansionary territory, above the 50-level which separates expansion from contraction. Global conditions have improved, which bodes well for the manufacturing sector. The New Zealand dollar plunged on Wednesday, as risk sentiment deteriorated after the US inflation report massively outperformed. This sent global equity markets and risk currencies like the New Zealand dollar sharply lower. The surge in inflation was a signal for many investors that higher inflation is here to stay, despite the Federal Reserve's insistence that the uptick in inflation is transient. How will the Fed respond to the dramatic inflation report? There seems to be some split in opinion within the Fed, which means that the market will be monitoring every Fed utterance with a fine-tooth comb. Fed member Robert Kaplan made headlines recently when he publicly called on the Fed to have a discussion about tapering, warning that there were "excesses and imbalances" in the economy and that the recovery was taking place faster than anticipated. The opposite stance was expressed by Fed member Lael Bainbaird, just one day before the bombshell inflation report. Brainard argued that inflation risks are a "transitory surge" and urged the Fed to remain patient and continue its ultra-dovish monetary policy. She pointed to the weak nonfarm payrolls report last week as an indication that the US recovery still has a ways to go, saying that, "today, by any measure, employment remains far from our goals.” Any hint by the Fed that it could tighten policy by reducing its QE purchases would be bullish for the US dollar. This means that comments from Fed policymakers in the coming days and weeks could have a significant impact on the direction of the US dollar. NZD/USD faces resistance at 0.7350. Above, there is resistance at 0.7417. There is support at 0.7166 and 0.7049
by OANDA
CAD drifting, Manufacturing Sales nextOn Thursday, the Canadian dollar has posted small gains. In the North American session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.2147, up 0.11% on the day. The Canadian dollar has been on a tear lately. USD/CAD has fallen 1.32% in May and the Canadian dollar hasn't suffered a losing week since March. Canada's economic recovery has been bumpy and lockdown restrictions remain in place, but the Canadian dollar has jumped on the bandwagon and posted impressive gains against a wobbly US dollar, which has struggled in the second quarter. Canada releases Manufacturing Sales on Friday (12:30 GMT). The February reading hit a 6-month low, at -1.6%. However, we expect a strong rebound for March, with a consensus of 3.5%. If the release is within expectations, we could see the Canadian dollar respond with gains. We've been hearing about inflationary pressures in the US for months, and the April inflation report confirmed these concerns. CPI was much higher than anticipated. Headline CPI jumped 4.2% year-on-year, up from 2.6% and above the estimate of 3.6%. The surge in inflation has increased speculation that the Fed may consider reducing its asset-purchase programme of USD120 billion sooner rather than later. Such a tightening of policy would be bullish for the US dollar. Investors are clearly concerned that higher inflation is not temporary, but how will the Fed respond? On Tuesday, prior to the CPI release, Fed Governor Lael Brainard said that inflation risks are a "transitory surge" and urged the Fed to remain patient and continue its ultra-dovish monetary policy. Brainard pointed to the weak nonfarm payrolls report last week as an indication that the US recovery still has a ways to go, saying that, "today, by any measure, employment remains far from our goals.” There are voices calling for a re-examination of the Fed's current policy, as Fed member Robert Kaplan stated recently. For the time being, however, the Fed remains committed to its ultra-accommodative policy. If upcoming inflation reports show that higher inflation appears to be sustainable, the Fed may have to backtrack and take a hard look at tapering QE.
by OANDA
Red-hot pound punches past 1.41, GDP nextThe pound is in positive territory on Tuesday. In the European session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.4144, up 0.20%. The Scottish National Party (SNP) handily won the Scottish election, but investors sighed with relief as the pro-independence party came up just short of a majority. This means that plans for another referendum on Scottish independence may be delayed, which should ensure political stability for the time being. The pound responded with huge gains of close to 1.0% on Monday. The British government has given the green light for a further easing of health restrictions, as of May 17. The positive news on the Covid front has also been bullish for the streaking pound. Attention has shifted to UK GDP for the first quarter, which will be released on Wednesday (6:00 GMT). The market is bracing for a contraction in GDP. This would reflect the lockdown that was in effect for much of the first quarter and had a chilling effect on economic activity. The consensus stands at -1.6% (MoM) and -6.1% (YoY). Inflation concerns have been dominating the financial markets, sending equities lower and boosting the safe-haven US dollar. The US and China, the world's two biggest economies and both showing signs of rising inflationary pressures, which is causing jitters for investors. In China, PPI climbed 6.8% (YoY), above the 6.5% forecast and up sharply from 4.4% in March. The US releases April inflation numbers on Wednesday. The consensus stands at 2.3% for Core CPI (YoY), compared to 1.6% in March. If Core CPI matches or exceeds the estimate, investors may be of the opinion that the Fed may have to tighten policy sooner rather than later, which would be bullish for the US dollar. GBP/USD is testing resistance at 1.4137, followed by resistance at 1.4269. There are support lines at 1.3859 and 1.3727
by OANDA
1
Will Japan Household Spending rebound?The Japanese yen is drifting in the Monday session. In North American trade, USD/JPY is trading at 108.67, up 0.05%. The yen has posted four winning weeks out of the past five, as the US dollar continues to struggle. Still, the US/Japan rate differential continues to support USD/JPY, which remains in no man's land slightly below the 109 level. Japan will release Household Spending (GMT 23:30), and the consumer spending indicator is expected to rebound after two straight declines of 6.1% and 6.6%. The March release is projected to show a gain of 1.7%, which would mark a five-month gain. The market was gearing up for a blowout party from US nonfarm payrolls on Friday. In the end, however, the economy created just 266 thousand jobs, nowhere near the estimate of 990 thousand. There were expectations that NFP would break above the one-million mark, and some analysts even projected a reading above the two-million mark. The unemployment rate rose to 8.1%, up from 7.8%. Still, the news was not all bad, as wage growth rebounded with a strong gain of 0.7%, after a read of -0.1% beforehand. The US economy remains in good shape, and investors are unlikely to let a weak NFP report ruin optimism over the economy. The Fed has maintained a dovish stance, even with the economy posting strong numbers. The disappointing nonfarm payroll report appears to have justified the Fed's position, but investors will be keeping a close eye on this week's inflation numbers. A sharp rise in inflation could renew calls for the Fed to consider tapering. On the other hand, if the upcoming inflation numbers are weaker than expected, there will be less pressure on the Fed to change its accommodative policy. USD/JPY is facing resistance at 109.42. Above, there is resistance at 110.24. On the downside, there is support at 108.06 and 107.52
by OANDA
Aussie steadies after slide, RBA nextThe Australian dollar is steady in the Monday session. In European trade, AUD/USD is trading at 0.7722, up 0.14%. The US dollar showed some broad strength on Friday, and AUD/USD fell 0.70% and briefly fell below the 0.77 level. The greenback was supported by inflows from international investors who snapped up US Treasuries in month-end rebalancing flows. Strong US numbers on Friday also gave the US dollar a boost. The Core PCE Price Index, which is considered the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose to 0.4% in March, up from 0.1% beforehand. This is another indication of inflationary pressures, as the US economy continues to sprint at a fast pace. The Fed has stated more than once that any spike in inflation will be temporary, but it's not at all clear that the market has bought into this stance. If inflation numbers continue to rise in the coming months, the Fed may have to acknowledge that higher inflation levels are not a passing event. On Friday, Fed Governor Robert Kaplan, who is not a voting member, said straight out the Fed needs to be talking about tapering its asset-purchase program. The Fed has insisted that it needs to keep its foot to the pedal as the economy continues to recover, but there's a good chance that other Fed members agree with Kaplan. The US economy has been reeling off impressive numbers, and the April nonfarm payroll report is expected in at 975 thousand. A print above the one million mark is certainly achievable and would provide ammunition to the view that the Fed should review its current policy. The RBA is facing a similar economic picture to that of the Fed - a rapidly improving economy and strong growth. Like the Fed, the RBA has implemented a highly accommodative policy in order to support the economy's recovery from the Covid pandemic. The central bank holds its policy meeting on Tuesday (4:30 GMT), and the bank is expected to maintain interest rates at 0.10% and its QE programme of A$100 billion. Unless there is a surprise announcement, I would expect the RBA meeting to be a non-event for the Australian dollar. On the upside, 0.7787 is the next resistance line. Above, there is resistance at 0.7864. On the downside, there are support levels at 0.7665 and 0.7620
by OANDA