Abstract:Market Review | August 14, 2024
Market Overview
Americans' faith in democracy is waning. A recent survey shows that six in ten adults believe that the country's democracy could be in jeopardy depending on who wins the next presidential election. At the same time, two in ten are confident that democracy can withstand any result, while another two in ten believe the system is already so damaged that it no longer matters who wins.
Why is this important? Instability within the U.S. can create ripple effects across global markets. A loss of confidence among Americans might lead to a weakening of trust in the worlds primary currency, the dollar. This growing discontent reflects a deeper narrative of chaos and dissatisfaction in a nation that once championed democracy and freedom.
Economic indicators further illustrate the current uncertainty. As reported by ForexFactory, the PPI m/m was flat at 0%, with the Core PPI m/m slightly above at 0.1%, both falling short of expectations.
In July, the Producer Price Index increased by just 0.1%, down from 0.2% in June, as the rising cost of goods was tempered by lower service costs. Over the past year, the PPI has risen by 2.2%, a decrease from the 2.7% recorded in June.
This trend of disinflation suggests that the Federal Reserve might consider cutting interest rates in September. With inflation easing and the labor market showing signs of cooling—the unemployment rate climbed to nearly a three-year high of 4.3% in July—there is a real possibility of a 50 basis point rate cut from the current range of 5.25% to 5.50%.
The July Consumer Price Index is set to be released on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. EDT, followed by key indicators such as retail sales and weekly jobless claims on Thursday. These jobless claims have become increasingly significant as the Fed closely examines labor market trends.
“The market is hoping for confirmation of an economic slowdown, which would provide the Fed with more justification to cut rates,” commented Kim Rupert, managing director of fixed income at Action Economics in San Francisco.
Following the release of the PPI data, the yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year note dropped by 5.5 basis points to 3.854%, which is about 4 basis points lower than it was before the PPI report.
**GOLD**
Gold has paused its upward momentum after yesterdays trading, showing a slight corrective decline after nearly reaching its previous high. We anticipate that bullish price action will resume once the situation in the Middle East becomes clearer. This expectation is also reinforced by the latest PPI figures, which indicate lower-than-expected growth disinflation. Although we hold a positive outlook on gold, we advise traders to proceed with caution.
**SILVER**
Silver is trading at 27.725, consolidating after yesterdays movements. As in our previous analysis, we remain bullish on this market, expecting rising rate cut expectations to push metal prices higher. However, current price action suggests that the bearish trend could persist. Therefore, we recommend that traders respond to actual price movements rather than rely on speculation. Ensure that your market tools align with your trading strategy before making any decisions.
**DXY**
The dollar continued to weaken after the PPI release, extending its decline below 102.775. We expect this downward trend to persist, with the dollar likely to face further selling pressure. Although some resistance is possible as we approach September, which could allow larger traders to sell at higher levels, its prudent to follow the overall market sentiment.
**GBPUSD**
The pound has broken above 1.28508, signaling further buying opportunities. This move is driven by expectations of a rate cut and lower-than-anticipated PPI data. Well need to observe upcoming market developments to see if this upward trend will continue or reverse. As of now, the outlook appears more bullish.
**AUDUSD**
The Australian dollar has strengthened against the U.S. dollar, surpassing 0.66145. We expect this market to continue growing, albeit at a measured pace. However, we will wait for further economic data to confirm the Australian dollars strength against the U.S. dollar.
**NZDUSD**
Before the RBNZs decision, there was optimism that rates would be held steady until November. However, the unexpected rate cut to 5.25% from 5.50% led to a decline in the Kiwi. We anticipate that it may fall further, but the extent of this decline is uncertain as traders adjust to changing expectations for the U.S. dollar.
**EURUSD**
The euro has strengthened against the dollar, nearing 1.10361. With additional U.S. economic data expected later today and throughout the week, we may see a period of price stagnation. However, we expect continued dollar weakness, which should benefit other currencies.
**USDJPY**
The yen is trading at 146.512, with prices currently stagnating due to waning strength following the BoJs cautious approach to rate hikes. Nonetheless, given the current risk-averse sentiment in the markets, this strength should not be underestimated. We anticipate a further drop in prices below 146.512, with the yen gaining against other pairs. We will wait for additional technical confirmations before taking any action.
**USDCHF**
The Swiss franc remains below 0.87041, and higher franc prices are not proving beneficial for the economy. As noted in our previous analysis, there is a desire to devalue the franc to encourage investments, businesses, and exports, leading the SNB to cut rates to 1.50% last March. However, current conditions suggest that the franc may soon gain strength, supported by technical and fundamental factors. We view the USD/CHF market as being in a bearish phase, with the current price increase likely a corrective move.
**USDCAD**
The Canadian dollar has gained strength, breaking below 1.37261 after several months of consolidation. We expect this trend to continue, driven by potential increases in oil prices. While the market may start off slightly weak, the overall outlook remains bearish.
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