British PMIs fall, Trump says won't fire PowellThe British pound dropped as much as 0.7% earlier today and is under pressure. In the North American session, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3265, down 0.45% on the day.
The pound has taken advantage of broad US dollar weakness recently, rising 3% in the month of April. On Tuesday, the pound climbed as high as 1.3423, its highest level since September 2024.
UK PMIs reports softened in April, another reminder that that the UK economy is struggling. The Services PMI fell to 48.9 from 52.5 in March, below the market estimate of 51.3. There are growing fears that the UK will fall into recession and global economic uncertainty has led to decreased business activity.
The Manufacturing PMI eased to 44.0, matching the market estimate but lower than the March reading of 44.9. This was the lowest reading since August 2023 as the deteriorating global market outook has reduced demand for UK exports. The increase in employer tax contributions has hurt employment and lowered confidence.
The International Monetary Fund has lowered its 2025 global growth forecast to 2.8, down from 3.3% in January. The downgrade was in response to US tariffs and the IMF warned that an escalation of trade tensions between the US and other countries would create further market volatility and lead to even lower growth.
US stock markets are sharply higher on Wednesday after President Trump said that he had no intention to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump had intensified his attacks on Powell in recent days, resulting in sharp slides in US equity markets and the US dollar.
Trump also said that China tariffs would drop "substantially" and investors hope this signals a de-escalation in the nasty trade war between the US and China.
Powell
Trump vs. Powell: 4d Gold Price Roller Coaster📊 Summary of Recent 4 Trading Days
During the ongoing US-China trade war, President Trump has ramped up his public criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Though he lacks the authority to remove Powell directly it seems, Trump's frustration with the Fed’s independent policy direction has led to an apparent institutional power struggle.
This conflict hasn’t gone unnoticed by the markets. Just the mention of removing Powell caused the gold price to spike, as stock market money got squeezed out, amplified by tensions in the trade war. The Federal Reserve’s credibility is high, so such remarks naturally trigger significant volatility.
After Trump's initial outburst, gold surged $216. But when he softened his tone, the price reversed just as dramatically—falling about $240 (with the trading day still ongoing at the time). Hopes for progress in trade negotiations also played a role in this sharp reversal.
⚠️ Warning Signs of Market Distortion
Statements from the US President now function almost like market-moving events in addition to normal news. For gold traders, this creates an unstable environment where typical technical setups may fail.
The past days showed signs of manipulated or artificial movements—with potential insider activity. One notable example: Gold looked set to break higher after a 1-hour candle closed above the EMA 20 line. But a sudden $12 bearish candle in the last 30 seconds erased the setup. It felt orchestrated—possibly by institutional players defending key levels.
💡 Trader’s Takeaway
Don’t blindly trust technical signals in this environment.
Watch for political noise—it’s louder than usual.
Prefer quieter markets if you’re risk-averse.
Expect $100+ daily ranges and frequent price whipsaws.
🗣 What’s your take?
Is Trump really influencing the gold market on purpose—or just creating chaos? Let’s discuss below. 👇
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This is just my personal market idea and not financial advice! 📢 Trading gold and other financial instruments carries risks – only invest what you can afford to lose. Always do your own analysis, use solid risk management, and trade responsibly.
Good luck and safe trading! 🚀📊
What if Kid Rock ran the Fed?Gold has broken above $3,400 for the first time, setting a new all-time high as investor confidence in the United States continues to decline.
Citi forecasts gold could reach $3,500 within the next three months. However, this projection might be underestimating Trump’s potential to further undermine confidence in the US.
On Monday, President Trump intensified pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling him a “major loser” and demanding immediate interest rate cuts. Last week the President said, "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough,".
A move to dismiss Powell would likely trigger significant market volatility. Markets generally view Powell as a stabilizing figure, and history shows that a less independent central bank is less effective at keeping inflation under control.
I think it might be fair to wonder what a Federal Reserve Chairman Kid Rock would do for the price of gold.
Yen surges to five-month high as US dollar under pressureThe Japanese yen came flying out of the gates on Monday. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 141.00, down 0.79%. Earlier the yen strengthened to 140.47, its strongest level since Sep. 2024.
The US dollar has posted losses against the major currencies on Monday, including against the yen. Investors gave the US dollar a thumbs down after President Trump's top economic advisor said that Trump was considering the dismissal of Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Trump has been increasingly critical of Powell for not lowering interest rates and said last week that "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough". Trump fired his latest salvo after Powell said that US tariffs would raise inflation and that the Fed could find itself having to balance keeping a lid on inflation and supporting economic growth. Powell added that tariffs are "likely to move us further away from our goals".
Powell has insisted that he isn't going anywhere and will serve until the end of his term in May 2026. Can Trump legally fire Powell? That is a complicated legal question, but the markets aren't waiting for an answer and the US dollar has retreated.
Trump's attacks on Powell threaten the independence of the US central bank and is eroding confidence in the US dollar. The dollar is also under pressure from Trump's tariff policy, which has dampened the confidence of foreign investors.
USD/JPY has pushed below support at 141.16. Below, there is support at 140.14.
There is resistance at 142.62 and 143.64
10YR Bond Yields: Panic on LTF, Calm on HTF📉 10YR Bond Yields: Panic on LTF, Calm on HTF
Yes, the recent spike in the 10-Year Yield is causing some short-term panic. But if you zoom out to the monthly timeframe, the bigger picture looks far more constructive.
🔍 Here’s what the chart says:
The MACD and RSI on the monthly are both pointing down.
Yields touched 4.5%, historically a key recession threshold.
We’re now seeing a MACD bearish crossover and a clear bearish divergence—classic signs of a trend reversal.
💡 What does this mean?
If no new fear or shock hits the market, yields are likely headed down, potentially toward the 2% range in the coming months. This would naturally ease pressure on equities and crypto.
📉 Conclusion:
This recent spike in yields seems to be transitional, not structural.
The chart suggests that the top is in, and the market is correcting from an overextended zone.
The Fed might not even need to intervene—the bond market is likely to correct on its own.
Stay calm. Stay rational. Always zoom out.
#10YearYield #BondMarket #MacroAnalysis #InterestRates #RecessionWatch #MarketPanic #MACD #TechnicalAnalysis #FederalReserve #CryptoMarkets #StockMarketInsights #StayCalmZoomOut #DYOR
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
Ultimate summary of Powell’s comments today As expected, Powell reiterated that the Fed is in no rush to adjust rates, and the labour market is stable.
He also reaffirmed the Fed’s reliance on hard data over sentiment and the approach of slowing balance sheet reduction.
What’s different this time:
Inflation & tariffs: Powell acknowledged that recent inflation upticks may be tariff-driven, delaying progress toward price stability. The Fed’s base case assumes tariff inflation is temporary.
Economic sentiment: Consumer sentiment has weakened, partly due to Trump policy changes, and concerns over inflation are growing.
Recession risk: Forecasts now lean toward weaker growth and higher inflation, with recession risks slightly elevated but still not high.
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.
UK GDP beats forecast, gives sterling a liftThe British pound has edged higher on Thursday. GBP/USD is trading at 1.2460, up 0.15% on the day.
The UK economy ended 2024 on a high note, as GDP rose 0.4% m/m in December. This was the fastest pace of growth in nine months and blew past the market estimate of 01.%. The surprise gain was driven by increases in services and manufacturing activity. Annually, the economy expanded 1.5% in December, its best showing since Oct. 2022. This followed a revised 1.1% gain in November and beat the market estimate of 1%.
The surprise to the upside in GDP is welcome news but is tempered by the fact that much of the growth may have been due to government spending, as business investment decreased in the fourth quarter and consumer spending was flat. GDP quarterly growth was only 0.1%, an indication that the UK economy is still weak.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday, just after the release of January's hot inflation report. Headline and core CPI were both higher than expected, with headline inflation accelerating for a fourth consecutive month. Powell told lawmakers that the Fed had made "great progress" on inflation, but acknowledged there was more work to do. Powell said that the Fed doesn't "get excited about one or two bad readings" but there are concerns that inflation could be moving in the wrong direction, away from the Fed's 2% target.
The Fed's battle with inflation has also become more complicated with President Donald Trump's promise to impose tariffs on US trading partners. Trump has called on the Fed to lower interest rates, raising fears that he is trying to dictate monetary policy to the Fed, which is suppose to act independent of political considerations.
GBP/USD tested resistance at 1.2493 earlier. Above, there is support at 1.2541
1.2435 and 1.2387 are the next support levels
POWELL SPEECH AND XAUUSDPowell’s Testimony Today: What It Means for Gold
Gold is trading at record highs, breaching $2,942/oz, as markets gear up for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s semi-annual testimony to Congress today. His remarks will likely set the tone for gold and broader market movements in the coming weeks.
What’s Driving Gold Right Now?
1️⃣ Safe-Haven Demand: Uncertainty around U.S. trade policies, including new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, has pushed investors toward gold as a hedge against economic turbulence.
2️⃣ Dollar Strength vs. Gold: A stronger dollar can weigh on gold prices, while dovish signals from the Fed typically weaken the dollar, supporting gold.
3️⃣ Inflation Risks: Rising inflation expectations due to tariff-driven cost pressures may also influence gold, which is traditionally seen as an inflation hedge.
What to Expect from Powell’s Testimony
Powell’s testimony is critical because it will give markets a clearer view of how the Fed plans to navigate the current economic challenges.
📊 Scenario 1 – Dovish Signal:
If Powell emphasizes patience in rate adjustments, focusing on the need for stability amidst trade policy uncertainties, gold could rally further. A dovish tone would likely weaken the dollar and increase demand for gold as a safe haven.
📊 Scenario 2 – Hawkish Signal:
If Powell shifts the narrative toward combating potential inflationary pressures, it could signal a more aggressive Fed stance. This might strengthen the dollar and lead to a pullback in gold prices.
Why This Matters for Traders
Gold is at a critical inflection point, and Powell’s tone could either reinforce the current uptrend or trigger a correction.
Watch how the market reacts to his comments on inflation, tariffs, and economic risks. His stance could influence gold’s direction not just today but for weeks ahead.
Key levels to watch: $2,950 (immediate resistance) and $2,900 (support). A breakout above resistance could open doors to new highs, while a break below support might signal short-term bearish momentum.
Stay tuned and be prepared for potential volatility. Powell’s testimony is one of those market-moving events that traders simply cannot ignore.
#gold #Fed #trading #Powell #forex #marketupdate
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EURUSD Ahead of Inflation DataYesterday, EURUSD continued its upward movement, reaching 1,0381.
Later today, U.S. inflation data will be released.
This news has a significant impact and will determine the next move for the USD.
If the pair continues to rise, the target will be to break previous highs and reach 1,0568.
Be cautious of misleading price movements and avoid emotional trading!
USOIL Trade Log - CPI Session
USOIL Short Trade Setup – CPI Session Incoming 🚨
- Instrument: West Texas Oil (USOIL)
- Timeframe: 4-Hour
- Risk: 1% max due to CPI volatility
- Risk-Reward Ratio: Minimum 1:2
Key Technical Analysis:
1. Price has reached a strong resistance zone within the 4H Fair Value Gap (FVG) and is showing signs of rejection.
2. The Kijun Weekly and 4H levels align with this area, increasing the probability of a reversal.
3. Market structure has been bearish overall, with a clear Break of Structure (BOS) and internal liquidity grabs.
CPI Session Volatility Warning:
- With the CPI release incoming, expect aggressive moves and potential liquidity sweeps before directional commitment.
- If price runs liquidity above the FVG and shows strong bearish confirmations, this becomes a high-probability short.
- Manage risk carefully – no need to overexpose with CPI in play.
Trade Plan:
- Entry: Within the 4H FVG upon bearish confirmation.
- Stop Loss: Above the FVG high to avoid CPI wicks.
- Take Profit: At least 1:2 RRR, ideally targeting recent lows.
Stay sharp, play the reaction, and don’t force the trade if the setup invalidates. CPI is where weak hands get rinsed! 💀
US100 Trade Log - CPI Pre-ShotUS100 long ahead of "CPI release" , pre-shot long for Asia session.
- Entry at "1H Kijun" and deep into "15m FVG" , aligning with pre-triangle accumulation.
- Structure is "hyper discretionary" but leans into my bullish bias.
- "Max pain: 2%" , treating this as a CPI momentum trade.
- If price respects the level, expecting an upside expansion. If not, I eat the loss.
Nightly $SPX / $SPY Scenarios for 2.12.2025🔮
🌍 Market-Moving News:
🇺🇸🏛️ Fed Chair Powell Testifies: At 10:00 AM ET, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will testify before Congress, providing insights into the economic outlook and potential monetary policy adjustments.
📊 Key Data Releases:
📅 Wednesday, Feb 12:
🏢 Consumer Price Index (CPI) (8:30 AM ET):
Forecast: +0.3% MoM; Previous: +0.4% MoM.
📈 Core CPI (8:30 AM ET):
Forecast: +0.3% MoM; Previous: +0.2% MoM.
📉 CPI (YoY) (Jan):
Expected 2.9%; Previous 2.9%.
📉 Core CPI (YoY) (Jan):
Expected 3.1%; Previous 3.2%.
🛢️ EIA Crude Oil Inventories (10:30 AM ET):
Previous: +8.664M.
📌 #trading #stockmarket #SPX #SPY #daytrading #charting #trendtao
EURUSD 11 Feb 2025 W7 - Intraday Analysis - Powell & Tariffs!This is my Intraday analysis on EURUSD for 11 Feb 2025 W7 based on Smart Money Concept (SMC) which includes the following:
Market Sentiment
4H Chart Analysis
15m Chart Analysis
Market Sentiment
My Weekly Analysis HERE still the same as Tariffs is the main theme but market reaction is the key.
Is the market got used to the Tariffs news so reactions will be soft and fade or we are going to see more fear in the market with Tariff War narrative?
Today Powell will be the market mover as investors are waiting for a clue for direction.
4H Chart Analysis
1️⃣
🔹Swing Bullish
🔹INT Bearish
🔹Reached Swing Extreme Demand
🔹Swing Continuation
2️⃣
🔹With the deep pullback to the Bullish Swing extreme discount and mitigating the 4H/Daily demand zones, price turned Bullish forming a Bullish CHoCH.
🔹The current Bullish move from Swing extreme discount to current price level having 2 scenarios:
Scenario 1: Pullback for Bearish INT Structure and with the recent Bearish CHoCK and Minor Demand zones are failing, I expect Bearish continuation to target the Weak INT Low which aligns with the Daily/Weekly Bearish Structure/Move. (Counter Swing – Pro Internal)
Scenario 2: Bullish Swing continuation to target the Weak Swing High. Which requires to have Demand holding and Supply failing. The first sign required to confirm this scenario will be the current Demand which price is currently at to hold and we form a Bullish CHoCH. (Pro Swing – Counter Internal)
3️⃣
🔹Expectations is set to Bearish to target the Weak INT Low as long LTFs are staying Bearish.
15m Chart Analysis
1️⃣
🔹Swing Bearish
🔹INT Bearish
🔹Swing Continuation
2️⃣
🔹Price reached the Strong Swing High (4H CHoCH) sweeping the liquidity and turning INT structure to bearish with iBOS.
🔹INT Structure continuing Bearish following the 4H Bearish INT structure Continuation.
🔹Since yesterday market open, price is ranging within the Bearish INT structure.
🔹Current INT High is the 4H CHoCH which could be taken out as liquidity for continuation down.
🔹After reaching the Bearish INT structure extreme price is moving down in a corrective PA and currently in the extreme discount of the INT Structure.
🔹For me, I’d prefer to short from the 4H Supply after sweeping the 15m INT High (4H CHoCH). No Long setups/confirmations are clear for me.
3️⃣
🔹Expectation is for price to continue Bearish targeting the 15m Weak Swing Low.
XAUUSD - Gold awaits the Fed meeting!Gold is above the EMA200 and EMA50 on the 4-hour timeframe and is in its ascending channel. If gold rises to the previous ATH, we can look for selling positions at the ceiling marked with the target of the bottom of the ascending channel. A correction of gold towards the demand zone will provide us with its next buying position.
Sergio Ermotti, CEO of UBS, has warned that the anticipated interest rate cuts could be delayed if Donald Trump’s second-term tariffs take effect and drive inflation higher.
Speaking with Andrew Ross Sorkin of CNBC, he stated:
“I have been saying for some time that inflation is far more persistent than we initially thought. The key question now is how tariffs will impact inflation.”
He further added:
“Tariffs are unlikely to help in reducing inflation. Therefore, I do not expect rates to drop as quickly as many anticipate.”
With Trump’s trade policies in play, the risk of rising inflation is high, and a major clash between Trump and the Federal Reserve over interest rate cuts seems inevitable. Such tensions could negatively impact the U.S. dollar.
Meanwhile, Scott Bessant, the newly appointed U.S. Treasury Secretary, is proposing a gradual global tariff plan starting at 2.5%, which will increase monthly and could reach up to 20%. This strategy aims to give businesses time to adjust to the new economic landscape. The Financial Times reported this plan, citing anonymous sources for details.
At the same time, the U.S.Senate has confirmed Scott Bessant as Treasury Secretary with a majority vote. This decision comes as Trump imposes a 25% tariff on imports from Colombia, reinforcing his aggressive trade policy stance.
The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting is set to conclude today, and it is widely expected that interest rates will remain unchanged. However, analysts argue that gold markets are now focusing more on Trump’s policies rather than short-term aggressive monetary measures.
Gold prices rallied after Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In a video address to global business leaders and policymakers, he urged central banks worldwide to cut interest rates. Trump stated:
“I am strongly calling for an immediate rate cut, and this must happen globally.”
Economists note that Trump’s remarks contradict the current economic reality, as a relatively strong economy continues to fuel persistent inflation. In recent weeks, the Federal Reserve has warned consumers about growing upside inflation risks and is seeking to shorten the current monetary easing cycle.
Ahead of this week’s policy meeting, markets expect the Fed to hold rates steady, with only one rate cut projected for this year.
Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, believes that the divergent views between Trump and the Federal Reserve have created uncertainty, benefiting gold as a safe-haven asset.
He further stated that the recent bullish momentum in the gold market suggests that the $2,800 price level may just be the beginning. Hansen concluded:
“As long as this uncertainty persists, I see no risk of overheating. Any downside break could trigger fresh buying interest.”
EURUSD 29 Jan 2025 W5- Intraday - US Interest Rate / PowellThis is my Intraday analysis on EURUSD for 29 Jan 2025 W5 based on Smart Money Concept (SMC) which includes the following:
Market Sentiment
4H Chart Analysis
15m Chart Analysis
Market Sentiment
Tariff Discussions Continue: Still the main factor currently that effects the market and supporting USD with Trump insistence to apply Tariffs Plan.
Powell Press Conference: Today Rate decision is already priced in but the market is waiting for Powell press conference to give clues on what will be the Fed plan with Trump's recent announcements as on one hand, he has expressed a strong commitment to reducing inflation; on the other, his proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, set to take effect on February 1, 2025, are anticipated to exert upward pressure on prices.
4H Chart Analysis
1️⃣
🔹Swing Bullish
🔹INT Bullish
🔹Swing Continuation after BOS
2️⃣
🔹INT structure continuing bullish after the bullish BOS. We expect that at anytime the Swing Pullback will start.
🔹With price failing to close above Weak INT High, there is a HP that we are going to target the INT Low which will facilitate the Bullish Swing Pullback.
🔹Price is currently mitigating the 4H Demand and we could see some bullish move to facilitate the LTF pullbacks only.
3️⃣
🔹Expectation is set for price to continue Bearish to facilitate the Daily Bearish Continuation.
15m Chart Analysis
1️⃣
🔹Swing Bearish
🔹INT Bearish
🔹Swing Pullback Phase
2️⃣
🔹Swing structure turned bearish after mitigating the Daily Supply zone.
🔹With the bearish BOS, a pullback is expected, currently INT structure is bearish and mitigating the 4H Demand.
🔹Price currently at the extreme of the Bearish INT structure and there is a HP that the Strong INT High could be taken out in order to facilitate the 15m Bearish Swing Pullback Phase.
3️⃣
🔹Expectations is set neutral due to the following:
US Interest Rate decision and Powell Press Conference.
We are currently within the 4H demand and it’s tough to follow the 15m Bearish INT Structure and Short.
Not yet Bullish iBOS to indicate that the 15m Swing Pullback is starting.
EURUSD Sellers have an advantage towards Trump's Inauguration After carefully following up on US and EURO Zone data. We can positively say that the data has been favorable to the dollar. As at now the Fed has reduced the number of expected cuts this yr while ECB maintains a dovish tone promising a series of cuts even if they are not to be consistent. Also we have seen the NFP Data high and unemployment declining. If Trump maintains his stand on tariffs we should expect the EURO to be hurt.
$6 to $16+ in 27 minutes after our PRFX Buy AlertWOW 🚀 $6 to $16+ in 27 minutes after our Buy Alert 🎯
Straight vertical with no pause NASDAQ:PRFX
Stock started the day at $2.17 so it reached 660% total within first half hour with us in it at the start of the power run
Warning sent in chatroom about $17 - $18 resistance before reversal happened so members knew where to take last safe profits
USD/JPY hits 5-mth high after BoJ holds ratesThe Japanese yen continues its rapid descent and is sharply lower on Wednesday. In the North American session, USD/JPY is trading at 156.82, up 1.3% on the day. Earlier, the yen weakened to 157.14, its lowest level against the US dollar since July 22.
The Bank of Japan didn't have any surprises up its sleeve on Thursday as it maintained the benchmark interest rate at 0.25%. The BoJ has kept rates steady since July but has signaled that it intends to normalize policy and raise rates. The central bank has been guarded about the timing of a rate hike and there was some speculation that it might raise rates at Thursday's meeting.
The decision to hold rates was not unanimous, with 8 members voting in favor and one member voting for a 25-basis point hike. The rate statement did not shed much light on the BoJ's plans but Governor Ueda said at his press conference that the BoJ could afford to move slowly on raising rates since underlying inflation was only increasing at a "moderate pace". The markets expect another rate hike in the first quarter of 2025.
Ueda also noted that there was uncertainty over the policies of the incoming Trump administration. Trump has declared he will impose tariffs on US trading partners, which could affect global inflation. Interestingly, the BoJ holds its next meeting on Jan. 24, a day after Trump takes office.
The Federal Reserve's quarter-point rate cut was widely expected but the market was surprised by the Fed's updated rate-cut forecast. In September, the Fed projected four rate cuts in 2025 but this was halved to just two cuts at the Wednesday meeting. US stock markets were sharply lower in response but the US dollar shined and rose sharply on Wednesday against all the major currencies, including 0.85% against the yen.
At his follow-up press conference, Fed Chair Powell said he was "very optimistic" about the strength of the US economy but he was less rosy about inflation, which has stalled above the Fed's 2% target. Powell said, "we have been moving sideways on 12-month inflation", a signal that the Fed may take a pause from its easing cycle until inflation resumes its downswing.
USD/JPY has pushed above resistance at 155.38 and 155.92 and is putting pressure on resistance at 156.98
154.32 and 153.78 are the next support levels
USDJPY - The weakness of the yen will stop?!The USDJPY currency pair is above the EMA200 and EMA50 in the 4H timeframe and is moving in its upward channel. In case of correction due to the release of economic data this week, we can see demand zone and buy within that range with appropriate risk reward. Breaking the downtrend line and the specified resistance range will pave the way for the currency pair to rise to the supply zone. We will sell currency pairs in that range.
Bank of Japan (BOJ) to Release Review of Monetary Policy Tools
According to Reuters, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is set to release the findings of a comprehensive review next month, evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of various unconventional monetary policy tools employed over the past 25 years to combat deflation. This review is seen as a symbolic step towards ending BOJ’s era of massive stimulus measures.
The report will include findings and surveys that justify BOJ’s plan to gradually normalize its monetary policies. The review’s results are expected to be published after the final BOJ policy meeting of the year, scheduled for December 18–19, and may include a potential rate hike from the current level of 0.25%.
Japan’s ruling coalition, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito, has reached an agreement with the opposition Democratic Party for the People (DPP) on an economic stimulus package. The package includes cash handouts for low-income households, subsidies to assist with utility bill payments, and additional investments in artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
The three parties have agreed to raise the income tax threshold and continue discussions on reducing gasoline taxes. This agreement requires legislative revisions to be addressed during next year’s parliamentary session. Following the ruling coalition’s loss of its majority in the lower house, DPP’s support has become crucial for advancing the package. However, some economists have expressed skepticism about the package’s limited impact on boosting consumer spending.
BOJ Chief Kazuo Ueda’s Remarks:
Kazuo Ueda, the BOJ Governor, stressed the need for the government to monitor medium-term financial sustainability. He stated that the policies of the new U.S. administration will be closely examined and integrated into Japan’s economic outlook as a key priority.Ueda also highlighted the transformative impact of generative AI on the financial industry.
Massive Treasury Bond Sell-Off by Japan and China
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Japan and China, two of the largest holders of U.S. government debt, sold significant amounts of U.S. Treasury bonds during the third quarter of this year. Japanese investors offloaded a record $61.9 billion worth of these bonds in the quarter ending September 30, while Chinese funds sold $51.3 billion in the same period, marking the second-largest volume recorded. These sell-offs occurred ahead of the U.S. presidential election and Donald Trump’s victory.
NAS100 - Nasdaq will reach above 21,000?!The index is located between EMA200 and EMA50 in the 4H timeframe and is trading in its ascending channel. If the index rises towards the two specified supply zones, you can look for NASDAQ sell positions with the appropriate risk reward. Nasdaq's buying position is in the demand zone after the continuation of the corrective movement, and considering the downward sentiment at the end of the week, it should be saved quickly.
China’s Export Restrictions and Their Impact on Global Supply Chains
• China Tightens Export Controls:
Starting December 1, China will implement new regulations to tighten export restrictions on critical metals and raw materials, including tungsten, graphite, magnesium, and aluminum alloys, essential for the technology sector.
• China’s Objectives:
These measures are part of a broader strategy to manage sensitive exports and protect national interests.
• Global Market Impact:
The new restrictions are expected to disrupt global technology supply chains and introduce volatility in related markets.
Zelensky’s Perspective on Trump’s Presidency
• Zelensky’s Comments:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the war in Ukraine could end sooner if Donald Trump returns to the White House.
• Constructive Interaction with Trump:
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine successfully communicated its vision for peace to Trump, and he observed no opposition from Trump regarding Ukraine’s stance.
• Implications of Zelensky’s Remarks:
These comments reflect Ukraine’s hope for continued international support to expedite the resolution of the conflict.
US Economic Forecasts
• Q3 Earnings Reports from Major Companies:
This week, companies such as NVIDIA and TARGET will release their third-quarter (Q3) earnings reports.
• Federal Reserve Rate Cuts:
Rick Rieder, Chief Investment Officer at BlackRock, predicts that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will cut interest rates by 25 basis points in December.
• The current Federal Funds rate range is 4.5% to 4.75%, which Rieder considers restrictive.
• Following the December cut, the Fed is expected to pause temporarily to reassess future adjustments.
Jerome Powell’s Statements and Market Reactions
• Powell on a Strong US Economy:
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell highlighted the robust performance of the US economy, stating there is no urgency to lower interest rates.
• Cautious Approach to Rate Cuts:
Powell stressed that decisions should be made carefully due to uncertainties surrounding the neutral rate level.
• Market Reaction:
These statements reduced market expectations for a rate cut in December.
XAGUSD - Silver Vs FOMC?!Silver is below the EMA200 and EMA50 in the 4H timeframe and is moving in its medium-term bullish channel. If the decline continues due to the FOMC today, we can see demand zone and buy within that range with a suitable risk reward. If the upward trend continues, silver can be sold within the specified supply zone.
World Bank analysts believe that silver is a precious metal worth monitoring in 2025. The World Bank has recently updated its commodity market forecasts. While gold is expected to maintain its strong performance within the broader market, analysts have forecasted weaker demand extending from next year through 2026.
The analysts noted, “Demand for gold from central banks and the jewelry sector, which together constitute about two-thirds of global demand, is likely to decrease due to unprecedented high prices.” Nevertheless, the World Bank sees greater potential in silver, given expectations that rising demand and limited supply will help support prices.
World Bank analysts further stated, “Silver demand is anticipated to increase steadily in the forecast horizon, driven by its dual financial and industrial uses.” With supply growth lagging behind the positive factors supporting demand, silver prices are projected to increase by 7% in 2025 and by 3% in 2026, following an expected 20% increase in 2024.
Many analysts expect silver to outperform gold by 2025, as it is currently priced well below its intrinsic value.
Nomura believes that a second Trump administration would focus heavily on tariff and tax policies, potentially leading to inflationary pressures and slower economic growth. Nomura forecasts that the Federal Reserve will respond prudently to these changes. The Federal Reserve is expected to implement two rate cuts this year, followed by a single cut in 2025, and then take a prolonged pause on further cuts.