XLB - Monthly SupportInvestors waiting for a more probable long term support zone could wait until price action retraces to the top of the channel .
This channel has kept price action in check since the early 2000/s
We only broke out of the channel when we expanded the monetary supply and lower rates to zero.
Inflation
XLB tagging Intermediate SupportMaterials Sector is getting oversold on the daily chart and tagging a key daily upsloping trend line.
A technical bounce is favoured at this level, however there is a weekly support level lower that is much stronger if this were to sell off more.
This bounce may only last a few days unless the indices firm up.
Month on Month US Inflation Harmonically Set to Rise to 1.94%This is a followup to this year-on-year inflation chart idea posted back in June 2022:
The YoY US Inflation rate has been on a trend of going down since it tested the 1.414 PCZ of the Bearish Butterfly above, but recently we have seen the MoM rate slow its descent and form a bottoming pattern with MACD Hidden Bullish Divergence at the 200-Month SMA and now we can see that the MACD has crossed positively as the inflation rate has broken out of its recent range. This harmonically puts it into position where we will likely see it at least hit the 0.886 retrace to complete a small bat pattern, but it could go out of control and go as high as the 1.618 Fibonacci Extension area all the way at about 1.94%.
One reason I suspect for the sudden stop of the inflationary decline is due to the Fed not raising rates high enough, fast enough, and then keeping them the same for the last few months. It would also seem that the year-on-year inflation rate is setting up for a similar rise, showing Hidden Bullish Divergence at the Moving Averages and likely one that will result in it going to test higher highs to around its 1.414-1.618 PCZ once area once more before ultimately crashing back down from these highs once the Fed starts to go heavy on rate hikes again. Though the timeframe may be shorter than how it is presented on the chart, I do still suspect we will have action resembling what is projected on the chart below until the Fed starts rising rates aggressively again:
This does not mean I think stocks will go up, that the dominance of the dollar will go down, or even that I think the consumer credit situation will improve. Instead, I think the rise in inflation will be fueled by energy, import, and export costs, and that this will be very bad for: Stocks, Consumers, REITs, and Banks overall, and that the Bond Yields will continue to rise at an accelerated rate.
📊🔥 Inflation Unleashed: Oil and Potential Bitcoin Bull Run💰🚀In this video, I discuss the latest inflation reports 📊 and analyze their impact on the global economy 🌍.
I highlight the factors affecting inflation, starting with the rising price of oil ⛽ and its pressure on inflation 📈. Additionally, I provide insights into the price of Bitcoin 💰 and its bullish outlook 🚀 in light of rising inflation.
I also touch upon the performance of stock indices 📊 and the importance of focusing on Bitcoin 💎 in the current market.
Overall, this video aims to provide valuable analysis and predictions 🤔 regarding today's CPI report 📑 and Bitcoin.
Professor is LONG! 📈
One Love ❤️
Oil: Long since $71 🛢️: Oil Long - In the Blinken of an eye, Let's not BRICS it!
Bitcoin: Stay awake, this September could be a different one 🗓️: Can BTC wake up before September ends?
USD/JPY drifting as Fed decision loomsThe Japanese yen continues to have a quiet week. In Wednesday's North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 147.66, down 0.15%.
If the Federal Reserve does not pause rate hikes at today's meeting, it would be a massive surprise. Still, that doesn't mean that investors aren't paying close attention. There is particular interest as to whether the dot plot projections in June will remain the same. Those projections indicated one more hike before the end of the year and a cut in rates in 2024 to the tune of 100 basis points. Any change in the dot plot could trigger volatility from the US dollar.
It has been a light week for Japanese releases, which helps explain why the Japanese yen has shown very little volatility. That could change with the Federal Reserve rate decision later today. The yen could show some stronger movement on Friday, with the release of Japan's core CPI and the Bank of Japan policy meeting.
The Bank of Japan has insisted that inflation is transient, yet core inflation has hovered above the BoJ's 2% target for seventeen consecutive months. That streak is likely to continue on Friday, with core CPI expected at 3.0% y/y for August, compared to 3.1% in July. The core-core CPI, which excludes fresh food and energy, is expected to accelerate to 4.4% y/y in August, up from 4.3% in July.
High inflation has put pressure on the BoJ to consider a shift from its ultra-loose policy, and there have been a few signals from BoJ members that the central bank is examining a possible exit. This has raised speculation about interest rate hikes in early 2o24, although that could be wishful thinking on the part of some market participants, as a rate hike would be nothing short of a sea-change in BoJ monetary policy.
The Bank of Japan meets on Friday and no shift in policy is expected. Still, BoJ meetings have gone from dull affairs to potential huge market movers and investors will be listening closely to Governor Ueda's follow-up press conference, especially on inflation. Will Ueda stick to the narrative that inflation is transient or will he acknowledge that inflation is showing signs of being substantive?
There is support at 147.24, and 146.52
148.56 and 149.28 are the next resistance lines
CPI 13/09/23 CORE CPI (YoY):
PREVIOUS: 4.7%
FORECAST: 4.3%
In the last 5 months of core cpi results, 3/5 actuals have equalled forecasts, with the last 2 months both coming in below forecast. This month is predicted to have the biggest percentage drop out of those previous months.
CPI (YoY):
PREVIOUS: 3.2%
FORECAST:3.6%
When looking at the CPI numbers in the same previous 5 months, 5/5 results have come in lower than forecast, could this be 6 in a row?
This month we have conflicting forecasts with core CPI going up, but CPI dropping at the same time.
With price hovering around the previous Higher Low, I'm interested to see if any event news volatility could cause a print of a lower low on the 1D timeline for the first time this year. Even if it's just a wick and not a full close on the daily, this could confirm a new HTF bearish bias. Added confluence for this would be the loss of the bullish trendline in red. Weeks of consolidation under that area after a bearish retest plus all 3 EMA's suggesting downtrend, Bitcoin has a lot of work to do. The large FVG needs filling at some point, and it looks to be on its way there currently.
I'm always cautious going into these big news events, the first move is usually wrong so remember that.
Understanding Interest-rates & InflationHey Traders
So, I have been asked by many of my clients to explain the relationship between interest-rates and inflation and how to translate that information into their analysis.
For this reason I put this little mini lesson together to explain:
- The core role of the central bank
- Reason and objectives for interest-rates and inflation
- How you can use this information to enhance your analysis
- How to take advantage of this info when taking, managing or closing your trades.
PS. if you would like me to do more of these types of videos be sure to leave a comment in the comment section.
USD/CAD falls to one-month lowThe Canadian dollar has extended its gains on Tuesday. In the European session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.3441, down 0.33%. Earlier in the day, the Canadian dollar strengthened and touched a low of 1.3436, its best showing since September 15th.
The Bank of Canada will be keeping close tabs on today's inflation report. CPI for August is expected to fall to 0.3% m/m, compared to 0.6% m/m in July. The core rate is also expected to ease to 0.3%, down from 0.5%. If the inflation readings decline as expected, it will provide support for the BoC to pause for a second straight time at the October meeting.
The BoC will release the minutes (Summary of Deliberations) of the September meeting on Wednesday. At the meeting, the BoC held the benchmark cash rate at 5.0%. Policy makers reiterated that they stood ready to continue to hike in order to bring inflation back down to the 2% target, saying they “remained concerned about the persistence” of underlying price pressures. I expect that the minutes will make further references to Canada's inflation rate.
The BoC's rate statement at the meeting noted that weaker demand and a concern about the lagging effect of previous hikes led to a decision to keep rates unchanged. Policy makers reiterated that would "continue to assess the dynamics of core inflation and the outlook for CPI”, which makes today's inflation release an important factor in the October rate decision.
USD/CAD is putting pressure on support at 1.3408. The next support line is 1.3323
1.3468 and 1.3553 are the next resistance lines
2 year yield - breakoutThe yield market is going absolutely bonkers tonight in the futures.
What is the bond market telling us?
likely inflation is entrenched. If the 2 year yield closes at or above the Fed Fund Rate before we hear from Powell expect the fed to do a surprise rate hike or remain extremely hawkish.
This will no be good for stocks if this is the case.
Excess Savings: Indication For Exceptional Inflation Expansion!Hi,
Welcome to this analysis about the current and upcoming economical situation regarding the excess savings amassed in the corona crisis and the potential inflationary developments these can cause. There are also other factors that can accelerate inflation in the upcoming times especially with the ongoing central bank money press that shoot to astronomically high levels during the corona pandemic and the months after, still ongoing there is not an end in sight. Since the corona breakdown lows established the money stock increased more and more and caused an asset-price inflation in stocks, bonds and real estate as well. Taking the following factors into consideration the inflation can also increase seriously in consumer goods and real economy such as already seen in individual sectors such as the craft sector.
Accumulated Excess Savings During The Corona Pandemic Crisis:
As seen in the graphic the Excess Savings, the savings that households hold and do not spend immediately increased drastically during the corona pandemic as businesses shut down people hoarded the excess savings. According to Moody's Analytics, the Excess Savings in America grew to almost 2.6 Trillion US-Dollar, and around the world, people build up Excess Savings of 5.4 Trillion US-Dollar. These savings are waiting to be spent when the real economy shut-down-businesses widely open again. It is necessary to assume that these are historical high values never seen before which can cause similar inflation like in the 1940s or 1970s. Besides the high Excess Savings, the federal depth increased also substantially to similar levels like in the 1940s which served as one factor for the high inflation.
High Demand And Low Supply As Production Decreased:
As production during the corona pandemic crisis decreased and a vast majority of countries moved on to shut down businesses this caused a decrease in production and therefore in supply. On the other side the Excess Savings, as well as the printed central bank money, increased steeply. These developed conditions have a high tendency to lead to increased inflation as high demand meets the low supply moving the prices to the upside also shown through the output gap which experts expect to rose above the 2% level increasing the high-demand-to-low-supply dynamic. It is highly necessary to do not underestimate these dynamics and be prepared for such potential scenarios to do not get overwhelmed by circumstances when they happen.
In this manner thank you, everybody, for watching the analysis, will be great when you support it, and all the best!
Information provided is only educational and should not be used to take action in the market.
AUD/USD eyes US inflation, Aussie jobs reportThe Australian dollar is lower on Wednesday. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6408, down 0.28%.
The US releases the August inflation report later today. CPI is projected to increase in August to 3.6% y/y, following a 3.2% gain in July. On a monthly basis, the consensus estimate stands at 0.6%, higher than the 0.2% gain in July. Core CPI is expected to fall from 4.7% to 4.3% and remain unchanged at 0.2% m/m. The Federal Reserve puts more emphasis on core inflation readings which are considered more reliable indicators of underlying inflation.
A drop in the core rate would be welcomed by the Fed and would cement expectations for a pause at next week's rate meeting. If however, inflation is stronger than expected, the Fed could respond with additional rate hikes in the coming months and that could mean stronger volatility for the US dollar.
The markets have widely priced in a rate pause, with a probability of 93% according to the FedWatch tool. After that, the Fed's rate path is unclear, with the odds of a pause standing at 59%. The US labour market remains resilient, despite some cracks, and economic growth for the fourth quarter is expected to be strong. That could mean higher inflation for longer, which could complicate the Fed's efforts to finish the battle against inflation and bring it back to the 2% target.
Thursday should be a busy day for the Aussie, with Australia releasing employment data and the US publishing retail sales numbers. Australia's job growth is expected to rebound with a gain of 23,000 in August, after a decline of 14,600 in July. US retail sales are expected to fall in August by 0.2% m/m, down sharply from 0.7% a month earlier.
AUD/USD is testing support at 0.6405. Below, there is support at 0.6330
There is resistance at 0.6453 and 0.6528
USD Ready To Complete a "Bullish Puzzle" After US CPI ReportToday holds significant importance as we await the release of US inflation data. Projections indicate a rate of 3.6%, surpassing the previous reading of 3.2%. This surge in expectations has propelled the US dollar's recent strength, driven by speculations that the Federal Reserve (FED) may consider implementing further interest rate hikes in the upcoming meetings. Additionally, escalating energy prices underscore the challenge of swiftly returning inflation to the 2% target. Consequently, the USD remains in an upward trajectory for the time being. Nevertheless, even if the inflation data hovers around or slightly exceeds the 3.6% mark, there's the possibility of a "buy the rumor, sell the news" effect. It's worth noting that the DXY has already seen a 6% rise from its summer lows, suggesting that a robust inflation report might already be factored into current prices.
Taking an Elliott wave perspective into account, the recent price action appears corrective, with wave four unfolding within the broader uptrend. This implies that the market might be gearing up for one final upward surge in the coming days, potentially reaching resistance levels around 105.50-106. This zone could serve as the culmination point for higher-degree patterns. Therefore, I'll be on the lookout for signs of a reversal after this anticipated new high.
The Cash BubbleHistory repeats itself, and we should learn from it, however sometimes history is so far away that it spans generations before we're able to grasp the experience first hand.
We hear about 1929, but we can't imagine what it was to survive the struggle, we hear about the pandemics during the 20's, same deal, we have heard about recessions, and those who went through the big recession of 2008 triggered by the immobiliary crisis know better, some veterans from the dot com bubble, others from the Black monday in 87, and probably very few from earlier crisis. But I don't think anybody has gone through a halt in the economy due to a pandemic at the level we witnessed in 2020.
Let's put it in context, 2020 was an election year, the incumbent government was losing the battle against the pandemic and the halt in the economy. He had the support of the congress and the wallet at his will, the former President Trump flooded the market with freshly printed dollars in an attempt to reignite the economy as soon as possible, and let's say, it worked for the purpose of reactivating the economy and not having to wait for a painful period of a lengthy recovery, however this created an unprecedented scenario, a huge flood of dollars to the market. The biggest cash inflow ever in the history of the world. The M1 metric went to $7.2T, to put it in perspective, since the 60's this has been oscillating in the $480B to $580B in the 70's when Nixon cancelled the convertibility of the Gold and Paul Volcker had to apply unprecedented meassures to fight the stagflation that followed after the dollar became fiat currency. The M1 increased 120% from its 60's level, the increase after the housing bubble burst went from $668B to $1.5T, approximately 225%. After the COVID halt it went from $1.5T to $7.25 T, an increase of 485%, inedit scenario in the history of the United States.
The crisis sent the price of oil in the market of futures to a negative value, something that has never been seen, the unemployment reached record levels, the SP500 index fell to a range close to that when Trump became president, wiping off the rally that started shortly after that event, the inflation didn't react immediately, since this is a lagging indicator that reacts to the economy growth, and the access to currency.
The amount of printed fiat currency flooding the market created the immediate wanted effect, the economy jumpstart that put everybody to work and reignited the economic machinery, the unemployment started to go down, the inflation ticked up, still within range, the price of gold ticked up, the price of oil started to recover, also within range. However we witnessed shortly after that the inflation was not stabilizing, we witnessed the traffic jam at the ports of entry to the United States, lines and lines of cargo ships waiting to unload at the ports of entry, stuck there just idling. The news blamed the Evergreen ship that blocked the Suez Canal, and affected the distribution lines, but the truth was an excessive demand of products from the Pacific producers that overwhelmed the existing port infrastructure. This was the root reason that affected the production lines in the US and contributed to a galloping inflation. Also, during the recovery cycle, let's remember that one commodity in high demand is oil, since the world moves on it. We saw unprecedented gas prices at the pump. Presidents don't have the power to increase or decrease the prices of gas, that is pure supply/demand, but they can be blamed for increases or take the credit for decreases. In a high demand environment, oil goes along the demand cycle, that is why in a recovery environment the oil prices go higher. Let's remember in the 70's during the stagflation period oil was a highly valued commodity and people were making large lines to load gas. The prices were upticking fast and the media blamed the arab world for it, but it was mere propaganda, what really happened it was just an economy running freely on cash and jacking up the prices.
The Trump administration was at the peak of the economic cycle that started in 2009, with low inflation, full employment, low gas prices. After the pandemic the variables changed, the economy went to a sudden halt world wide, and in a desperate attempt to keep the presidency the administration authorized the humongous cash flow in an attempt to prevent the negative effects of the economy to affect the election. At the end Trump lost the election. The economy continued its extremely fast paced recovery path and it overshoot. The Fed chairman was purposely in "Denial" regarding inflation, neglecting it and calling it "transitory", which was more of a Greenspan "laissez faire" economic policy, let the wild animals in their "irrational exuberance" take over and later on we'll pick up the pieces and start the recovery process. This is how we got here now.
Where do we go from here?, that is an interesting question, the flood of cash should have been made in a way that there was a recovery but not a rampant inflation, however this would have taken longer and the previous administration was not willing to wait. We have an amount of cash that the economy hasn't been able to absorb. Money is supported basically by the productivity, the working force, the commercial transactions, but there must be a correspondence so the economic variables are kept in check. The GDP vs the M1 is still at an outstanding level. The inflation is heading to the 2-2.5% goal, we're still at full employment, which basically puts us in what the fed have been calling a "soft landing". Will it be?? I suppose initially it will, but we risk facing the same scenario that happened during the stagflation in the 70's, Paul Volcker had a big dilemma, he increased the interest rates, but the inflation was completely out of control, people noticed they could buy an asset and basically turn around and sell it at a higher price, and they still found a buyer. Houses were on the rise, the agriculture also participated of the inflation benefits, farmers could buy a tractor, use it and resell it at a higher price. People in New York City were waiting in line before the jewelries opened so they could buy gold, and sell it later at a higher price. When Volcker decreased the interest rates after the message he sent was of stability and it backfired and inflation was reignited.
Taking a look at the CBOE:SPX in the long run, we see there is a negative momentum divergence forming after it reached the All Time High (ATH). The indicators signal a downturn, that could possibly happen after the interest rates reach its pivot, the inflation is at the Fed Goals, unemployment goes beyond the full employment level and the economy shows signs of stalling.
Bubbles happen all the time, we enjoy the ride until they burst. We're in a new bubble, the Cash Bubble. The cash should be enough to allow the economy to support it having a healthy inflation level of 2%, as defined by the Fed targets. If there is too much cash and the economy is not able to support it, it will dilute automatically until the economy growth catches up. For decades the ratio of M1 to GDP has been between 9% and 18% as we can see in the chart. After the cash flood it peaked to 85% and currently it is at 68%. I don't think the problem is far from over, even if we reach the 2% inflation target. The challenge for the Fed now is to keep the interest rates low for longer without stalling the economy. It is rumored that the Fed will pause the interest rate hike for their September FOMC meeting. It is expected considering the recent increases have been in the 1/4 of a point followed by a pause. If the pause is prolonged, the inflation reaches its 2-2.5% target and the unemployment is kept within the 4-5% range then the fed can call it a "Soft Landing" up to this point which could be a telegraphed signal to start reducing the interest rates, and the financial market may anticipate this pivot to create a bear market and shake the tree to dislocate and reallocate assets at a discount using all the big cash flood out there. Next year is a presidential election year, and not making it a priority has happened before. During the Volcker's period, he didn't mind pulling the rug on Carter. The Fed does what it has to do.
"What has happened before will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new in the whole world."
~ Ecclesiastes 1:9
Patterns repeat because human nature hasn't changed for thousands of years.
~ Jesse Livermore.
References
Secrets of the Temple: How the Federal Reserve Runs the Country.
William Greider. January, 1989
How the economic machinery works. by Ray Dalio. youtu.be
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio. youtu.be
EURUSD awaiting the newsYesterday, EURUSD continued its correction and headed towards the resistance zone.
By the end of the week, data on US inflation and interest rates from the ECB are due.
Before the important news, it is not advisable to take a high risk and it is better to wait.
We have determined zones on all major assets and are monitoring development!
DXY (USD) [Monthly] - is inflation coming back?Monthly chart showing clearly that old resistance is becoming new support level, is it that simple?
i've seen people comparing DXY current price action to the late 1970s when inflation had 3 waves, implying we could begin the 2nd wave soon. i think the fundamentals are different, inflation reduction act etc etc.
what do we think, is it this simple?
No trades on EURUSDEURUSD continues holding around 1,0700 and no still no entry grounds.
US inflation data is coming on Wednesday and ECB interest rate on Thursday.
Upon continuation of the correction resistance levels will be 1,0780 and 1,0846.
We will be looking for new trades after the news upon good ratio.
Lower High, and probably a Lower Low.The market is showing signs of weakening. After the previous high didn't take out the highest high it made on January 22, the momentum started to weaken. The volume is going through a bearish cycle and the VIX is starting to show signs of waking up. The interest rates haven't receded and there are signs of an economy slowdown with upticks in the unemployment and the reduction of the inflation.
The oil market went high, but along with oil production cuts, which means the oil cartels are trying to keep the prices high not by increasing demand, but by reducing supply. This means the economy is reaching the point where more oil is not needed, it's peaking its recovery cycle.
All these ingredients signal we're reaching a level where the overall economy has peaked. It must slow down to allow the inflation to go down, and the so called soft landing would mean the unemployment would not be harsh while the Fed reaches its economic goals. However that is not a guarantee, let's remember we went through a flood of cash after the pandemic, which was what triggered the worst inflation in decades.
Previous bubbles have been because of different reasons, too much debt to enter the raising market, too much interest in tulips, too much promissory e-commerce, the real estate bubble, ... and the story repeats itself, just with different actors. I would call this one the cash bubble, and it is far from over.
Let's remember the printed bills are endorsed by faith, by the believe that they are worth something and the fact that the only one who can legally print them is the government. But they're worthless by themselves. They are not Money, they are tokens that represent money, the money is produced after the productivity of the economy, how many people are in the workforce, how productive the companies are, how efficient the distribution networks are, and the fact that there are transactions going on in the economy, but if there are more tokens (printed bills) than economic activity their value is reduced, and prices are higher (inflation), until the economy catches up with the amount of currency in the market.
My forecast here is that if the Federal Reserve senses a slowdown in inflation, then they will start pivoting the interest rates, at which point they will keep them like that for a while to see how the overall economy reacts, trying to curve the inflation, while keeping the economy moving, until it reaches levels that show signs of stalling, like higher unemployment and reduction of GDP. A reduction of interest rates will start to make the institutional capitals to exit the market to bet on a big bearish market, and while the media will be ignoring these signs, the institutions will be dumping assets until it's so evident that the market panics.
Once the market has been slaughtered, while a lot of chickens run headless on the street, and there are signs of capitulation, it'll be when the big institution will start accumulating assets at a discount and with a lower interest rate, just like it has always happened before, and the cycle will repeat. This time, pretty much like the way it happened on 2009 and 2020, with a large amount of cash to be allocated in financial assets.
"Patterns repeat because human nature hasn't changed for thousands of years."
~ Jesse Livermore.
“The investor who says, 'This time is different,' when in fact it's virtually a repeat of an earlier situation, has uttered among the four most costly words in the annals of investing.”
~ John Templeton.
"Buy when there's blood in the streets, even if the blood is your own."
~Baron Rothschild.
Inflation to accelerate again or not?Today, we want to draw attention to the price differences now versus a year ago for multiple assets. While some commodities make a case for the reacceleration of inflation (presuming they continue higher), others do not. We would like to hear your opinion on the subject. Also, feel free to share any other assets we omitted.
Illustration 1.01
Illustration 1.01 shows the daily chart of USOIL (WTI oil), down approximately 2.7% compared to the price 365 days ago.
Illustration 1.02
Illustration 1.02 displays the daily chart of Copper CFD. Its price is up about 11% versus a year ago.
Illustration 1.03
The picture above portrays the daily chart of Aluminium futures, which are nearly flat compared to the price 365 days ago.
Illustration 1.04
Illustration 1.04 shows the daily chart of Platinum CFD. This commodity is up slightly more than 15% versus a year ago.
Illustration 1.05
Illustration 1.05 displays the daily chart of Corn. In the last 365 days, corn lost about 27% of its value.
Illustration 1.06
The illustration above shows the daily chart of Rice futures down approximately 5% versus a year ago.
Illustration 1.07
Illustration 1.07 exhibits the daily chart of Pork cutout futures. The price of this commodity is down more than 6% versus a year ago.
Illustration 1.08
Illustration 1.08 presents a daily chart of Soybean futures. Within the past 365, Soybean futures lost about 3% of their value.
Please feel free to express your ideas and thoughts in the comment section.
DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not be a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.
$DXY plows higherTVC:DXY still going strong!
It's highly likely that the retests the recent highs.
We history in the making!
This is the 1st time the US #DOLLAR didn't break down @ major support! It has not withstood a monthly close after peaking.
Does it have enough steam to retest the 2022 highs?
#interestrates #GOLD #SILVER #BTC
EUR/USD falls to 2-month low on soft Services PMIsThe euro is back to its losing ways on Tuesday, after holding steady a day earlier. In the North American session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.0745, down 0.48%. The euro has faltered badly, losing about 2% since Wednesday and trading at its lowest level since July.
ECB Christine Lagarde has been talking about the importance of beating inflation but has shrugged when asked about interest rate policy. Lagarde spoke in Jackson Hole in late August and again on Monday in London, hammering home the messsage that inflation remains too high and the ECB will maintain high rates for as long as necessary in order to bring inflation back to the 2% target.
Lagarde's hawkish message in these speeches gave no hints as to whether the ECB would raise rates at its meeting on September 14th. Perhaps she is keeping the markets guessing, but another reason could be that the ECB hasn't yet decided whether to hike or hold, with doves and hawks at the ECB strongly divided on the next move. Inflation remains high at 5.3% but another hike increases the risk of tipping the weak eurozone economy into a recession.
Lagarde stressed on Monday that it was critical for the ECB to keep inflation expectations firmly anchored. I can only imagine her frustration today on reading the ECB monthly survey which indicated that inflation expectations for the next 12 months remained at 3.4% in July, and rose from 2.3% to 2.4% for three years ahead. Eurozone inflation has been moving in the right direction, but it appears that bringing it back down to target could take years.
Eurozone, German services PMI indicate contraction
The services sector has helped carry the eurozone economy at a time when manufacturing continues to decline. However, the expansion in services came to a crashing halt in August as indicated in today's PMIs for the eurozone and Germany. The 50.0 line separates contraction from expansion.
The eurozone Services PMI for August was revised to 47.9 from a preliminary 48.3 points. This marked the first contraction in services activity this year and was the weakest reading since February 2021. The news wasn't much better from Germany, the bloc's largest economy. The Services PMI was confirmed at 47.3, the first contraction in eight months and the lowest level since November 2022. The euro has fallen about 0.50% in response to the weak services data, another painful reminder of the fragility of the eurozone economy.
EUR/USD is testing support at 1.0716. Below, there is support at 1.0658
There is resistance at 1.0831 and 1.0889