Currencies sideways, stocks turn back up

GBPUSD – technical overview

Signs have emerged of the market wanting to put in a longer-term base after collapsing to a record low in September 2022. The November 2022 monthly close back above 1.2000 strengthens this prospect. Any setbacks should now be well supported ahead of 1.2000. Next key resistance comes in at 1.2849.

• R2 1.2800 – Figure – Medium
• R1 1.2710 – 20 February high – Medium
• S1 1.2621 – 28 February low – Medium
• S2 1.2518 – 5 February/2024 low – Strong

GBPUSD – fundamental overview

The Pound underperformed on Thursday despite decent UK housing data. There wasn't much else to speak of other than broad based US Dollar demand. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German, Eurozone and UK manufacturing PMIs, Eurozone inflation, US ISM manufacturing, Michigan sentiment, construction spending, and Fed speak.

USDJPY – technical overview

The market remains confined to a strong uptrend, with sights set on a retest and break of the multi-year high from 2022 at 151.95. A push through this level will open the next major upside extension towards 155.00. Key support comes in at 145.90, with only a weekly close below to delay the constructive outlook.

• R2 151.00 – Figure – Medium
• R1 150.89 – 13 February/2024 high – Medium
• S1 149.21 – 29 February low – Strong
• S2 147.62– 7 February low – Strong

USDJPY – fundamental overview

We've talked a lot about how Yen gains are often short-lived. We are seeing this again into Friday with the Yen selling off and already giving back most of Thursday's gains. The monetary policy divergence between the Fed and BOJ should continue to drive Yen underperformance. Meanwhile, BOJ Ueda was on the wires saying the inflation target was not yet in sight, and that more data was needed to confirm the virtuous cycle. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German, Eurozone and UK manufacturing PMIs, Eurozone inflation, US ISM manufacturing, Michigan sentiment, construction spending, and Fed speak.

AUDUSD – technical overview

There are signs of the potential formation of a longer-term base with the market trading down into a meaningful longer-term support zone. Only a monthly close below 0.6200 would give reason for rethink. Back above 0.6900 will take the big picture pressure off the downside and strengthen case for a bottom.

• R1 0.6625– 30 January high – Strong
• R2 0.6595 – 22 February high – Medium
• S1 0.6442– 13 February/2024 low – Strong
• S2 0.6400 – Figure – Medium

AUDUSD – fundamental overview

The Australian Dollar is trying its best to find a bottom after taking a hit earlier in the week on softer economic data out of Australia. It seems the renewed risk on flow into the end of the week is helping to prop the Australian Dollar somewhat. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German, Eurozone and UK manufacturing PMIs, Eurozone inflation, US ISM manufacturing, Michigan sentiment, construction spending, and Fed speak.

USDCAD – technical overview

Above 1.3000 signals an end to a period of longer-term bearish consolidation and suggests the market is in the process of carving out a more significant longer-term base. Next key resistance now comes in up into the 1.4000 area. Setbacks should be very well supported down into the 1.3000 area.

• R2 1.3627 – 30 November high – Strong
• R1 1.3607 – 28 February/2024 high – Medium
• S1 1.3441 – 22 February  low – Medium
• S2 1.3358 – 31 January low – Strong

USDCAD – fundamental overview

The Canadian Dollar continues to struggle into the end of the week, despite a better than expected headline Canada GDP beat. But the reality is that declining imports in the trade data were enough to suggest the headline data was somewhat misleading. Odds for a Bank of Canada rate cut in April sit at about 25%. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German, Eurozone and UK manufacturing PMIs, Eurozone inflation, US ISM manufacturing, Michigan sentiment, construction spending, and Fed speak.

NZDUSD – technical overview

Overall pressure remains on the downside with the market continuing to stall out on runs up into the 0.6500 area. At the same time, there are some signs of the market wanting to put in a longer-term base. Ultimately, a break back above 0.6500 would be required to take the medium-term pressure off the downside and encourage this prospect. A monthly close below 0.5800 will intensify bearish price action.

• R2 0.6223 – 4 December high– Strong
• R1 0.6218 – 22 February high – Medium
• S1 0.6077 – 29 February low– Medium
• S2 0.6000 – 5 February/2024 low – Strong

NZDUSD – fundamental overview

The New Zealand Dollar continues to struggle into the end of the week on the back of this week's dovish RBNZ decision. On Wednesday, the RBNZ left rates on hold as widely expected but caught the market off guard with a more dovish leaning policy communication. The central bank made no mention of the possibility for any rate hikes, while also downgrading its forecast peak target rate. At the post decision presser, RBNZ Orr said any discussion for a rate hike was dismissed very quickly. Key standouts on Friday’s calendar come from German, Eurozone and UK manufacturing PMIs, Eurozone inflation, US ISM manufacturing, Michigan sentiment, construction spending, and Fed speak.

US SPX 500 – technical overview

Longer-term technical studies continue to look quite extended after pushing to fresh record highs, begging for a deeper correction ahead. Look for rallies to be well capped in favor of lower tops and lower lows. A monthly close above 5000 will be required to delay the outlook. Next key support comes in at 4842.

• R2 5150 – Mid-Figure – Strong
• R1 5112 – 23 February/Record – Medium
• S1 4920– 13 February low – Strong
• S2 4842 – 31 January low – Medium

US SPX 500 – fundamental overview

Though we have seen an adjustment of investor expectations towards the amount of rate cuts in 2024, the market still believes policy will end up erring more towards the investor friendly, accommodative side of things. This bet has kept stocks well bid and pushing record highs. Still, it's important to highlight the fact that the Fed has yet to declare a victory over inflation and could disappoint investors with less accommodative policy than desired going forward. If this happens, stocks could be in for a nasty bearish reversal.

GOLD (SPOT) – technical overview

The 2019 breakout above the 2016 high at 1375 was a significant development, opening the door for fresh record highs. Setbacks should now be well supported above 1900 on a monthly close basis ahead of the next major upside extension towards 2500.

• R2 2175 – 4 December/Record high– Strong
• R1 2100 – Round Number – Medium
• S1 1984 – 14 February/2024 low– Medium
• S2 1973 – 13 December low – Strong

GOLD (SPOT) – fundamental overview

The yellow metal continues to be well supported on dips with solid demand from medium and longer-term accounts. These players are more concerned about inflation risk and a less stable and upbeat global growth outlook. All of this should keep the commodity well supported, with many market participants also fleeing to the hard asset as the grand dichotomy of record high equities and record low yields comes to an end.