Gold Bulls in Control, But a Trap Might Be Coming ahead of FOMCGold remains in a strong uptrend with minimal pullbacks, and we are now approaching all-time highs. With the FOMC interest rate decision later today, volatility is expected. Historically, in similar scenarios, gold tends to break its ATH before experiencing a sharp reversal due to increased liquidity.
If this pattern plays out again, I will be looking for potential short opportunities once liquidity is trapped at higher levels. However, the trend remains bullish, so proper risk management is essential. If you are considering shorts, ensure you use a well-placed stop loss and follow your own strategy.
📌 Stay updated with new ideas, and feel free to share your insights in the comments!
📢 If you found this analysis helpful, a boost is always appreciated! 🚀
FOMC
BTC Update 4 Hour/ FOMC Day March 19, 2025, GAME PLAN!🚨 FOMC Day Update – March 19, 2025 🚨
BTC at ~$83,244 (+0.28%–1%) as markets stay cautious. Fear & Greed at 23, RSI at 44.05 = neutral momentum.
While BTC is trading below all significant EMs, 50 100 and 200, It has broken above the 21EMA which is bullish for the short term.
Fed likely to hold rates at 4.25%–4.50% (99% odds) – a surprise cut could ignite a BTC rally. Whale accumulation signals potential upside.
Sentiment data and whale accumulation hint towards a possible upside but only if FED surprises with a rate cut.
The current pump in the market will be short-lived if there's no change in the rates which is very likely.
So be careful with your longs and shorts.
Volatility will kill both bears and bulls.
You need to keep an eye on Powell’s 2:30 PM EST speech.
Inflation & liquidity outlook will shape BTC’s next move. Stay sharp!
I'll keep you updated.
Let me know what you think in the comments and do hit that like button if you like this post.
Thank you
#PEACE
THE KOG REPORT - FOMCTHE KOG REPORT – FOMC
This is our view for FOMC, please do your own research and analysis to make an informed decision on the markets. It is not recommended you try to trade the event if you have less than 6 months trading experience and have a trusted risk strategy in place. The markets are extremely volatile, and these events can cause aggressive swings in price.
While gold is relatively new to this range we have to entail some caution if we’re even going to consider trading this FOMC. Markets are a little fragile, we’re at ATH’s and the moves are extremely aggressive. So, we’ll highlight the red box levels and the potential move we’ll be looking for, sticking to the extreme and key levels, ignoring the intermediate levels.
Looking at the chart we have a support region below 3010-15 which if spiked into and held can push this back up this time to break above 3030 and attempt to attack that 3050 region. That in our opinion would be the first point to start looking for price to exhaust, but it will only give us the flip so longer scalps are likely to be all we’ll get.
If we break above the 3055 region we’re likely to go higher giving us a red box resistance level of 3065-75. It’s this level we would ideally like to target from a lot lower down if we can get that entry. For that reason, we have given the level below on the break of 3010 sitting around 2990-80, we’ll have to wait and see, but if we can get down there a nice swing could present itself.
RED BOX INDICATOR:
Break above 3030 for 3050, 3055, 3063 and 3070 in extension of the move
Break below 3020 for 3912, 3006, 2996 and 2990 in extension of the move
Please do support us by hitting the like button, leaving a comment, and giving us a follow. We’ve been doing this for a long time now providing traders with in-depth free analysis on Gold, so your likes and comments are very much appreciated.
As always, trade safe.
KOG
The Fed Cuts Balance Sheet Runoff by 80% - BULLISH!RISK-ON 🚨
I’m seeing so many people incorrectly analyzing the September 2019 emergency repo OMOs, which were short-term liquidity injections from the Fed, and then comparing it to the price of BTC going down, before QE officially started in March 2020 because of the pandemic.
Here’s what really happened.
September 15, 2019 was a tax deadline, pulling ~$100B out of markets as large corporations paid the IRS and funds flew into the TGA.
Meanwhile, the Treasury issued new T-Bills to rebuild cash reserves following the post-debt ceiling resolution in August, draining another $50-100B as big banks and institutions absorbed the securities.
During this time, the Fed continued reducing its balance sheet (QT) down to $3.76T, but the balance sheet did not leave enough slack for unexpected cash drains to the system, such as corporate taxes and Treasury issuance.
Unfortunately, the Fed was flying blind and did not have a hard number estimate for “ample reserves” in the banking system.
These reserves were largely hoarded by a few of the larger banking institutions due to Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) rules and a higher IOER at 2.1% vs the ON RRP rate of 1.7% - a 40 bp spread.
This caused a liquidity crisis in the US repo market because bank reserves held at the Fed ($1.36T) were too low and repo lending dried up. Banks weren’t able to access each other’s reserves to fund daily operations.
SOUND FAMILIAR !?
The US just resolved its CR to avoid a government shutdown, and they will be refilling the TGA by issuing new T-Bills. The reverse repo facility is also nearly drained.
Today, we heard the Fed will be reducing its securities runoff from $25B - SEED_TVCODER77_ETHBTCDATA:5B on April 1st, an 80% adjustment.
One of the main drivers is they wanted to get ahead of another 2019-style repo crisis (although they won’t say this), rather than being reactive and having to perform emergency OMOs once again.
Now to go back to my original point with people saying the Fed reducing its balance sheet runoff is a big nothingburger based on BTC price action in 2019.
BTC dumped because of the repo crisis, NOT because markets needed QE.
By early 2020, the liquidity crisis was resolved, and BTC pumped ~45% before the pandemic hit in March and nuked the chart.
Proof is in the pudding - just look at the 2017 bull market.
QT started in October 2017, and the market ripped until early 2018.
The Fed reducing its balance sheet runoff by 80% is definitely a signal of risk-on for educated market participants, as it leaves more reserves in the financial system, which gives banks more liquidity to loan the market.
i.e. M2 go up.
But keep listening to your favorite large accounts who are all of a sudden macro gurus, what do I know 🤓
BTC - In depth analysis leading up to the FOMC decision today!BTC Price Action Analysis Ahead of the Fed Decision
In this analysis, we will discuss the current price action of BTC leading up to the Federal Reserve's rate decision later today.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set to release its rate decision and Dot Plot. Following this, Jerome Powell will hold a press conference. Analysts expect the Federal Reserve to maintain the current federal funds rate within the 4.25% to 4.50% range. This decision aligns with the Fed's cautious approach amid ongoing economic uncertainties, particularly those stemming from recent trade policies and tariff implementations by the Trump administration.
Investors and market participants are eagerly awaiting the Fed’s updated economic projections, which will offer insights into the central bank’s outlook on growth, inflation, and employment. These projections will be crucial in assessing how the Fed plans to navigate current economic challenges.
4H BTC Chart Analysis
Currently, BTC is forming a tightening consolidation pattern, characterized by equal highs and higher lows. This suggests that BTC could potentially break to the upside by taking out liquidity above resistance. There are numerous stop-loss orders accumulating just above this resistance level. If BTC manages to trigger these stop-losses, it is likely to revisit the Golden Pocket (Fib 0.618 - 0.65).
Meanwhile, the Stochastic RSI is rapidly rising towards the overbought zone, indicating that if BTC reaches the Golden Pocket, we could see a retracement from that level. The overall price action remains bearish until BTC clears the 92k level.
Daily Timeframe Analysis
On the daily timeframe, BTC’s price action remains bearish until a higher high above 92K is established. During this correction, BTC has formed a clear downward trendline. We need to wait for a breakout above this trendline and 92K before considering long setups on higher timeframes.
The Stochastic RSI on the daily chart is also moving into the overbought zone, indicating that BTC’s momentum may peak in the coming days, potentially leading to downside pressure. Because of this, the 73K support zone remains a key level to watch.
For now, a temporary bounce could occur, but further downside remains likely. Traders should focus on risk management when opening long positions at these levels.
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Pt. 2 of Navigating NQ during FOMCPart 2. Continuation showing my thoughts and trade stop out.
Forex, Crypto and Futures Trading Risk Disclosure:
The National Futures Association (NFA) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the regulatory agencies for the forex and futures markets in the United States, require that customers be informed about potential risks in trading these markets. If you do not fully understand the risks, please seek advice from an independent financial advisor before engaging in trading.
Trading forex and futures on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite.
There is a possibility of losing some or all of your initial investment, and therefore, you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. Be aware of the risks associated with leveraged trading and seek professional advice if necessary.
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Any opinions, news, research, analysis, prices, or other information contained in my content (including live streams, videos, and posts) are provided as general market commentary only and do not constitute investment advice. BDRipTrades, BDelCiel, and Aligned & Wealthy LLC will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including but not limited to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on such information.
Accuracy of Information: The content I provide is subject to change at any time without notice and is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. While I strive for accuracy, I do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of any information. I am not responsible for any losses incurred due to reliance on any information shared through my platforms.
Government-Required Risk Disclaimer and Disclosure Statement:
CFTC RULE 4.41 - HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER-OR-OVER COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFIT OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
Performance results discussed in my content are hypothetical and subject to limitations. There are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading strategy. One of the limitations of hypothetical trading results is that they do not account for real-world financial risk.
Furthermore, past performance of any trading system or strategy does not guarantee future results.
General Trading Disclaimer:
Trading in futures, forex, and other leveraged products involves substantial risk and is not appropriate for all investors.
Do not trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
I do not provide buy/sell signals, financial advice, or investment recommendations.
Any decisions you make based on my content are solely your responsibility.
By engaging with my content, including live streams, videos, educational materials, and any communication through my platforms, you acknowledge and accept that all trading decisions you make are at your own risk. BDRipTrades, BDelCiel, and Aligned & Wealthy LLC cannot and will not be held responsible for any trading losses you may incur.
Navigating PRE FOMC on NQTrade Idea for NQ, we could've captured a good amount of points, I was targeting higher buyside liquidity so it led to this trade being stopped out. Total loss was around -$19 after shifting sl near BE.
Pt. 2 for this trade where I show you my stop out will be posted next.
Forex, Crypto and Futures Trading Risk Disclosure:
The National Futures Association (NFA) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the regulatory agencies for the forex and futures markets in the United States, require that customers be informed about potential risks in trading these markets. If you do not fully understand the risks, please seek advice from an independent financial advisor before engaging in trading.
Trading forex and futures on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite.
There is a possibility of losing some or all of your initial investment, and therefore, you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. Be aware of the risks associated with leveraged trading and seek professional advice if necessary.
BDRipTrades Market Opinions (also applies to BDelCiel and Aligned & Wealthy LLC):
Any opinions, news, research, analysis, prices, or other information contained in my content (including live streams, videos, and posts) are provided as general market commentary only and do not constitute investment advice. BDRipTrades, BDelCiel, and Aligned & Wealthy LLC will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including but not limited to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on such information.
Accuracy of Information: The content I provide is subject to change at any time without notice and is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. While I strive for accuracy, I do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of any information. I am not responsible for any losses incurred due to reliance on any information shared through my platforms.
Government-Required Risk Disclaimer and Disclosure Statement:
CFTC RULE 4.41 - HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER-OR-OVER COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFIT OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
Performance results discussed in my content are hypothetical and subject to limitations. There are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading strategy. One of the limitations of hypothetical trading results is that they do not account for real-world financial risk.
Furthermore, past performance of any trading system or strategy does not guarantee future results.
General Trading Disclaimer:
Trading in futures, forex, and other leveraged products involves substantial risk and is not appropriate for all investors.
Do not trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
I do not provide buy/sell signals, financial advice, or investment recommendations.
Any decisions you make based on my content are solely your responsibility.
By engaging with my content, including live streams, videos, educational materials, and any communication through my platforms, you acknowledge and accept that all trading decisions you make are at your own risk. BDRipTrades, BDelCiel, and Aligned & Wealthy LLC cannot and will not be held responsible for any trading losses you may incur.
USDJPY Tests Cup and Handle Formation Ahead of FOMCUSDJPY has formed a cup-and-handle pattern just below the 150 level. Today, the Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady at 0.50%. Wage negotiations so far indicate a 5.46% wage increase, which Governor Ueda described as "somewhat strong." Combined with rising food prices, the risk of further inflation has increased. Japan's inflation has remained above 2% since early 2022, and there’s no sign of that trend reversing anytime soon. In light of these factors, the BOJ is likely to consider a rate hike in May.
However, today’s market focus will shift to the FOMC. The Fed is expected to raise its inflation and unemployment forecasts while lowering its growth forecast due to the anticipated effects of new U.S. trade policies. These stagflationary pressures are likely to keep the Fed’s rates elevated for an extended period. If the dot plot shows only one rate cut this year (instead of two as projected in December), the dollar index may begin to recover.
The 150 level remains a key resistance for USDJPY. A confirmed breakout of the cup-and-handle pattern has the potential to push the pair towards the 153 level over the medium term. However, given the underlying fundamentals favoring BOJ rate hikes, any upward movement will likely be slower and more choppy, unless of course FOMC goes full hawkish.
On the downside, if the Fed is less hawkish than expected, 149 (and sliglty below)becomes the critical support to watch. A break below 149 would invalidate the bullish pattern and shift momentum to the downside for USDJPY.
Gold is on Fire—But Can Bulls Hold the Line?Gold has been surging, and while I expected it to hit $3,000 this year, I definitely didn’t anticipate it happening in the first semester...
So, let’s address the big question: Can the bulls maintain this level?
Looking at the chart, since early March, TRADENATION:XAUUSD has climbed 2,000 pips (around 7%), but what stands out is that 1,500 of those pips (5%) came in just one week.
No matter how strong the bullish momentum and fundamentals are, I believe this kind of rally is unsustainable.
Technical Outlook
After pulling back from its all-time high of 2,950, gold made a false breakout, followed by an almost vertical move upward, briefly interrupted by two consolidation phases.
Fundamental Factors
The FOMC meeting is today, and while rates are expected to remain unchanged, the real market mover will be Jerome Powell’s press conference. His comments could trigger significant price action.
My Take
I expect gold to start correcting after the press conference, regardless of what Powell says. However, this is a highly risky trade, so I’ll stay on the sidelines until I see a clear reversal signal.
Final Thoughts
At the time of writing, gold is consolidating within another rectangular range, with resistance at 3,040. If we see a spike above and then a drop back to around 3,030, that would signal ( for me ) that gold has topped—at least for now. In that case, I’ll be looking to short with a target of at least 500 pips. Until then, my approach is simple: wait and see.
Disclosure: I am part of Trade Nation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analyses and educational articles.
Plan for 19th March 2025 Nifty future and banknifty future analysis and intraday plan.
This video is for information/education purpose only. you are 100% responsible for any actions you take by reading/viewing this post.
please consult your financial advisor before taking any action.
----Vinaykumar hiremath, CMT
GBP/USD - 1.30 Break I've been monitoring Cable closely, waiting for a clean break above the 1.30 resistance level. Since the start of the month, no solid entry has presented itself, but the bulls seem to be gaining momentum as time progresses.
The chart is shaping up well, with 1.30 acting as a key resistance level. We've already seen multiple rejections this month, with price coming within 10 pips before reversing sharply.
If we get a confirmed breakout above 1.30, I'll be watching for a retest to establish it as support before entering a long position. The target is set at the psychological level of 1.325, aiming for a 3:1 risk-to-reward.
EUR/USD - Waiting for a long Hi,
FX:EURUSD ascending triangle
I will wait for a pullback towards 1.075 or the major support at 1.6129 before entering in a long position as previously mentioned.
I'm expecting the 1.10 area of resistance to be tested before we see any real downwards momentum.
Wait for the Blue area circled to give way to confirm heavy selling pressure.
Gold Forecast: Key Levels Above $3,000Gold remains persistent in targeting its inverted head and shoulders pattern on the daily timeframe, eyeing the 3,040-resistance.
However, monthly overbought conditions—seen in 2024, 2020, and 2011—raise caution for potential sharp reversals.
• In 2011, an overbought RSI led to a nearly 900-point retracement
• In 2020, a similar overbought condition resulted in a nearly 450-point decline
• In November 2024, another overbought reading triggered a nearly 250-point drop
• Now, gold has once again reached these overbought levels, raising caution for a potential momentum recharge.
Key Events:
🔹Israel-Gaza tensions escalate as the 2-month ceasefire ends
🔹Trump and Putin negotiate a ceasefire with #Ukraine
🔹The US Dollar weakens amid trade war risks, with focus on Wednesday’s FOMC for the long-term outlook
Key Levels:
🔺Above 3,040: The trend could extend to 3,080
🔻Below 3,040: A reversal may test 3,000, 2,955, 2,930, and 2,900
- Razan Hilal, CMT
ES Futures Market Outlook & Key LevelsCME_MINI:ES1!
As we discussed in last week’s TradingView blog, the ES futures are currently undergoing a 10% correction. You can access the full context through the link here.
Rollover Notice:
Today marks the rollover of ES futures to the June 2025 contract. The rollover adjustment using Friday’s settlement prices for ESH2025 and ESM2025 is +52.25. To map out the new levels for ESM2025, simply add +52.25 to the levels on ESH2025.
Note: TradingView will roll over the continuous ES1! chart on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Key Events This Week: This week, all eyes will be on the FOMC rate decision , FOMC press conference , and the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP ), which includes the Fed’s dot plot, inflation expectations, and growth forecasts for the next two years. This release will set the tone for market movements, at least until the clarity of the looming reciprocal tariffs deadline on April 2, 2025.
Key Levels to Watch:
• Bullish LIS / Yearly Open 2025: 5,949.25
• Key Level to Reclaim: 5,795 - 5,805
• Resistance Zone: 5,704.50 - 5,719.75
• Bearish LIS / Mid Range 2024: 5,574.50
• 2024-YTD mCVAL: 5,449.25
• 2022 CVAH: 5,280.25
Market Scenarios:
Scenario 1: Fed Support ("Fed Put")
The Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady this week. However, markets are forward-looking, so the key focus will be on the updated SEP forecast and the Fed’s press conference. A dovish stance and flexibility to support the US economy, including rate cut expectations moving to the May/June meetings, will drive sentiment. This would imply markets pricing in more rate cuts throughout 2025. The CME Fedwatch tool is a useful resource for tracking Fed fund probabilities and comparing these with the dot plot projections.
Scenario 2: Trade War 2.0
If the Fed remains in a "wait and see" mode, maintaining a restrictive stance while uncertainties surrounding Trade War 2.0 persist, markets may face heightened volatility. The combination of a restrictive Fed policy and geopolitical tensions could act as a double whammy for markets.
Dow Holds Steady Above 41,000Unlike the Nasdaq and SP500, Dow did not trace the full potential of its double top formation between 2024 and 2025 peaks, yet in a similar manner to the US indices, it rebounded from the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement of the May 2024-Jan 2025 uptrend, coinciding with oversold levels on the 3-Day RSI previously seen in October 2023.
The Dow’s rebound from the 40,660 low aligns with the bottom end of the duplicated channel of its respected up-trend between May 2024 and Jan 2025, strengthening positive rebound opportunities in tandem with the broader market sentiment.
Should the Dow hold above the 41,000-mark, levels 41,700, 42,600, and 43,400 may come back to play. From the downside, a clean close back below the 40,600-mark can extend losses in the direction of the double top formation’s target, aligning with possible support levels at 40,200, 39,500, and 38,700.
Key Events to Watch:
- Trade war Developments
- FOMC Meeting on Wednesday
Written by Razan Hilal, CMT
NAS100 - Stock Market Enters Downtrend?!The index is trading below the EMA200 and EMA50 on the four-hour timeframe and is trading in its descending channel. If the index moves down towards the specified demand zone, we can look for further buying opportunities in Nasdaq. A break of the channel ceiling will also continue the short-term upward trend in Nasdaq.
According to EPFR data reported by Bank of America, investors withdrew $2.8 billion from equity funds last week, marking the largest outflow of the year so far. Meanwhile, U.S. government bonds saw an inflow of $6.4 billion, the biggest weekly increase since August.
Scott Basnett, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated in an interview that there are no guarantees to prevent an economic recession. He welcomed the decline in stock markets, viewing it as a sign of a healthy market. Analysts believe this shift in tone—unusual for a Treasury Secretary who typically reassures economic strength—suggests an effort to prepare the public for a possible recession.
According to data from the Polymarket betting platform, the probability of a U.S. recession in 2025 is currently estimated at 41%. Reuters reports that American households are increasingly pessimistic about the economic outlook. However, the Federal Reserve may be reluctant to respond aggressively to a weakening economy, given growing concerns that the Trump administration’s trade policies could further fuel inflation.
These concerns were reflected in financial markets on Friday, as the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey showed a decline in consumer confidence for March. Additionally, consumers now expect inflation to reach 3.9% over the next five years, the highest level in more than 30 years.
In an interview with Breitbart, Basnett emphasized the need to remain vigilant against persistent Biden-era inflation and expressed support for deregulation to lower costs. He also stressed that while tackling inflation, the government must also address affordability concerns. Additionally, he backed interest rate cuts to help reduce housing costs and auto loan payments.
This week will be packed with major economic events, creating a high-risk environment for precious metals traders amid ongoing geopolitical developments during Trump’s second term.
Central banks are back in the spotlight, as several key monetary institutions are set to announce their policy decisions in the coming days:
• Tuesday: Bank of Japan
• Wednesday: Federal Reserve
• Thursday: Swiss National Bank & Bank of England
Furthermore, a series of macroeconomic data releases could influence market sentiment, including:
• Monday: Retail sales & Empire State Manufacturing Index
• Tuesday: Housing starts & building permits
• Thursday: Weekly jobless claims, existing home sales & Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged in its upcoming meeting. Market participants will closely watch the Fed’s updated economic projections and Jerome Powell’s press conference for insights into future monetary policy.
According to a Bloomberg survey, economists anticipate two rate cuts by the Fed this year, likely starting in September. However, despite declining stock indices and rising recession concerns, Powell is expected to maintain a cautious stance, avoiding any rushed rate cuts.
While consumer and business confidence has weakened, the Federal Reserve has limited flexibility to lower rates due to persistently high inflation indicators.
17/03/25 Weekly outlookLast weeks high: $85,306.40
Last weeks low: $76,622.98
Midpoint: $80,964.69
It's FOMC week again! Last week it was CPI week and inflation numbers came in under forecast signaling the Tradfi market sell-off and implementation of tariffs have at least had a positive impact on the consumer price index, a 2.8% print 0.1% lower than forecast. As this relates to FOMC the forecast is a non mover with interest rates staying at 4.5%.
However this does not necessarily mean that FOMC will be a non event in terms of the markets, volatility is always expected and with a suspected Trump insider opening a $380m 40x short position on BTC with a liquidation price of $86,600. I expect this price to be hit at some point this week purely because CT is targeting this account that has had a perfect 8/8 trade record to stop hunt it, I think FOMC could proved the volatility to do it.
The general structure of BTC as a whole despite this stop hunt narrative is bearish, after losing $91k support and a retest confirming the level as new resistance structurally it makes sense to revisit FWB:73K to retest it as support. This would be horrible for the broader altcoin market that has suffered greatly so far this year but it would eliminate the need to fill the FVG in the future.
This week I am keeping a close eye on that stop hunt and FOMC as I feel that will dictate if we retest $91K or $73K.
A Bounce For Palantir?Granted that tech stocks are clearly hostage to macro at present (Trump v. Powell), a few are poised to rebound strongly should events permit. Palantir is one of them.
With support above the 50% of the move from the 8/5 low to the ATH, with good fundamentals, and a narrative that remains compelling (AI), Palantir may well continue its run if the results of next week's FOMC meeting are at all tolerable to equities markets.
Palantir has today broken the regression from the ATH to the Lower Low 3/10. Where stochastics stand, I can see a brief pullback to the low 80s Monday followed by a strong end of week. A daily close above 91--or, better yet, 98--would confirm for me Palantir's return to price discovery.
Any buys in the low 80's, I'd stop just under the 50% (at about 72).
Rate Cuts Are NOT BullishRate cuts in the US have never been bullish for equity markets in macro cycles. The idea that rates coming down from 5% to 4% suddenly making people more creditworthy is a farce because rates never move in anything other than large timeframe tides. These tides reflect growth/inflation expectations, not borrowing costs.
Were Jerome Powell to suddenly become very dovish at the next FOMC meeting it would be a clear signal that the SHTF protocol is in full effect. Powell is more likely to talk away the negative GDP prints as demand shocks due to tariffs/trade deficit imbalances while waiting for more data to make a decision. Labor market has been declining as well but he doesn't want to make a panic decision and also probably feels no personal loyalty to help President Trump out.
Historical average for US inflation is about 3.2% with the 2% target meaning deflation is a possible problem incoming. Current US inflation rate is about 3% which is well inline with the historical average. Powell will never say it but so far his mission has been accomplished. He may cut rates at the back end of the year if necessary but as of this post he has no reason to.
GBP/USD: Bullish Short-Term Move Towards Liquidity at 1.2700📊 Market Structure & Key Levels
GBP/USD is currently trading around 1.2650, sitting at a key demand zone while maintaining a bullish structure on the 4H timeframe. The pair has been showing signs of accumulation and could be setting up for a liquidity grab towards 1.2700 - 1.2708 before any potential reaction.
🔍 Trade Setup: Bullish Bias Towards Liquidity Pool
BUY Entry Zone: 1.2640 - 1.2650
Target 1 (TP1): 1.2690 (Minor Liquidity Grab)
Target 2 (TP2): 1.2700 - 1.2708 (Institutional Resistance)
Stop Loss (SL): 1.2625 (Below Demand Zone & Fibonacci Support)
📈 Why Take This Trade?
✔️ Bullish Structure Intact – Price is above key moving averages (6 EMA, 24 EMA, 72 EMA), and the Supertrend remains bullish.
✔️ Institutional Liquidity at 1.2700+ – Major market players have orders sitting above this level, making it a prime target.
✔️ Demand Zone & Fibonacci Support – Price is reacting from 1.2640-1.2650, aligning with Fibonacci retracement and historical demand zones.
✔️ Order Flow Confirms Strength – Market depth shows strong buy-side interest at current levels, supporting a push higher.
📰 High-Impact News to Watch
⚠️ Fed Chair Powell Testimony (Feb 27, 2025) – Powell's remarks on inflation and future rate hikes could bring volatility to GBP/USD. Any hints of a hawkish Fed stance may strengthen the USD, leading to potential pullbacks.
⚠️ UK GDP Data (Feb 29, 2025) – A weaker-than-expected print could weigh on GBP, while a positive surprise might fuel further upside.
📌 Final Thoughts: Trade Smart & Manage Risk!
I’m keeping a close eye on the reaction at 1.2700-1.2708. Bulls have the upper hand, and liquidity above should get taken. Let’s see how price action unfolds!
🔥 What’s your bias? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🔥
Nightly $SPY / $SPX Scenarios for 2.19.2025🔮
🌍 Market-Moving News:
🇺🇸🗣️ President Trump's Address: At 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, February 18, President Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech that may provide insights into upcoming policy directions.
📱🍏 Apple Product Launch: Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced a new product launch set for February 19, 2025. Speculations suggest it could be the iPhone SE 4, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display and an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence.
📊 Key Data Releases:
🏠 Housing Starts (8:30 AM ET): Forecast: 1.390M; Previous: 1.499M.
📄 FOMC Meeting Minutes (2:00 PM ET): Detailed insights into the Federal Reserve's policy discussions from the January meeting.
📌 #trading #stockmarket #economy #news #trendtao #charting #technicalanalysis
Critical 4.50% level being tested ahead of Trump speech and FOMCThe US10-year yield closed the week marginally higher at 4.48% after a busy week of events which saw the DXY stumble by 1.2% despite US CPI rising for the 4th consecutive month coupled with a rather hawkish yet upbeat testimony before congress from Fed chair Powell, which in my opinion was all dollar positive. US CPI for the month of January came in hotter than expected at 3.0% yoy, up from 2.9% in December. Additionally, on top of Powell’s comments regarding the strength of the US economy, the ISM Manufacturing PMI completely shattered expectations after coming in stronger than expected at 50.9 for the month of January.
The US10-year yield is currently testing the 50-day MA level of 4.52% as well as the blue support range between 4.45% and 4.50%. A break below 4.40% will however force me to invalidate my series of ideas on the US10-year yield calling for a move higher towards 5.00%. A break below 4.40% will allow bond bulls to pull the yield lower onto the 61.8% Fibo retracement at 4.30% and the 200-day MA at 3.69%.