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Yen saw a notable uptick in Asian session, buoyed by hawkish sentiments by BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda. Concurrently, 10-year JGB yield scaled its highest level in nine years, breaching 0.7% mark.

In an interview with Yomiuri newspaper published over the weekend, Ueda hinted at the possibility that BoJ might have sufficient data by the close of the year to contemplate ending its negative interest rate policy. Such remarks from Ueda have spurred speculation among market analysts, with some interpreting them as early signals for the markets, suggesting a potential end to negative interest rates by Q1 2024. Before this step, there also are anticipations of yield curve control being phased out later this year.

On the flip side, certain analysts, referencing recent data which highlights decelerating wage growth, argue that the transition from negative rates might not be imminent. They believe Ueda's remarks might be more of a countermeasure to Yen's recent depreciation.

Ueda, during the interview, emphasized the need for Japan to witness a consistent rise in inflation, complemented by wage growth, before implementing changes. "If we judge that Japan can achieve its inflation target even after ending negative rates, we'll do so," Ueda asserted. However, he also reiterated the central bank's stance on maintaining its ultra-loose policy for now, until there's firm confidence that inflation will consistently hover around the 2% mark, bolstered by robust demand and wage growth.

He cautioned, "While Japan is showing budding positive signs, achievement of our target isn't in sight yet." Looking ahead, Ueda underscored the importance of wage trajectories in the coming year, indicating that conclusive decisions would be data-driven. "We can't rule out the possibility we'll get enough information and data by year-end," Ueda added.

• USDCAD reversed from key resistance level 1.3645
• Likely to fall to next support level 1.3585

USDCAD currency pair recently reversed down from the key resistance level 1.3645 (which has been repeatedly reversing the price from April), intersecting with the upper daily Bollinger Band.

The downward reversal from the resistance level 1.3645 stopped the previous short-term correction 2.

Given the overbought daily Stochastic, USDCAD can be expected to fall toward the next support level 1.3585.

• GBPJPY reversed from support level 183.65
• Likely to rise to resistance level 186.00

GBPJPY currency pair recently reversed up from the key support level 183.65 (which has been repeatedly reversing the pair from the end of August), intersecting with the lower daily Bollinger Band and the 38.2% Fibonacci correction of the upward impulse from July.

The upward reversal from the support level 183.65 stopped the previous short-term correction ii.

Given the strong daily uptrend, GBPJPY can be expected to rise toward the next resistance level 186.00 (which has been reversing the price from the middle of August).

EUR/USD: September 13 and 14 - Key Days of the Week

For the eighth consecutive week, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) is rising, while EUR/USD is declining. The currency pair has retreated to levels last seen three months ago, settling in the 1.0700 zone. It was only the dollar bulls starting to lock in accumulated gains on Friday, September 8, that prevented further declines.

The fundamental backdrop continues to favour the U.S. currency. Business activity, as measured by the Services PMI, shows consistent growth; it rose from 52.7 to 54.5 against a forecast of 52.5. Additionally, data released on September 8th indicated that the U.S. labour market is performing at least adequately. The number of initial jobless claims came in at 216K, lower than both the forecast of 234K and the previous figure of 229K.

On the same day, European statistics appeared decidedly weak. For instance, in Q2, the EU economy grew by a mere 0.1%, despite Q1 growth and market expectations being at 0.3%. In annual terms, with a forecast of 0.6%, the actual growth rate was also lower at 0.5%. Germany's industrial production volume decreased by -0.8% in July, compared to a forecast decline of -0.5%. Meanwhile, despite efforts to reduce it, inflation in Germany remains stable. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) published on Friday, September 8, stayed at 0.3% month-over-month (m/m) and 6.4% year-over-year (y/y).

According to many analysts, the European Central Bank (ECB) finds itself in a predicament. On one hand, to combat inflation, interest rates need to be raised; on the other hand, to assist the economy, they should be lowered. It is quite possible that in its meeting on Thursday, September 14, the regulator will take a pause and leave the key interest rate unchanged at 4.25%. Currently, the likelihood of such a decision is estimated at 35%.

As for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve scheduled for September 20th, market participants are confident that the regulator will also leave interest rates unchanged. However, the reason in this case is different. While the Eurozone teeters on the edge of recession and stagflation, the U.S. is undergoing a "soft landing." As assured by John C. Williams, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, "monetary policy is in a good place." Of course, the balance could tip one way or the other after inflation data for the United States becomes available on Wednesday, September 13.

That said, a pause in September does not mean the end of the monetary tightening cycle. According to CME FedWatch, the odds of a 25 basis point (b.p.) rate hike in November are at 37%. Even if this hike doesn't materialize, it is unlikely to harm the dollar. Much of the negative sentiment is already priced into the USD, as markets have long been betting on a recession in the U.S. economy and a corresponding easing of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. Now, it has become clear that a dovish shift is unlikely, and the key interest rate will, at a minimum, remain at the peak level of 5.5% for an extended period.

EUR/USD pair began its descent from a high of 1.1275 eight weeks ago, on July 18, ending the past trading week at 1.0699, shedding 576 points. As of the evening of September 8, when this review was written, 45% of experts predict a rise for the pair in the near term, another 45% foresee a decline, and 10% hold a neutral stance. Regarding technical analysis, nothing has changed over the past week. All trend indicators and oscillators on the D1 timeframe continue to be 100% in favor of the U.S. currency and are coloured red. However, already 30% of the most recent indicators signal the pair is oversold. Immediate support for the pair is located around 1.0680, followed by 1.0620-1.0635, 1.0515-1.0525, 1.0480, 1.0370, and 1.0255. Bulls will encounter resistance around 1.0730-1.0745, followed by 1.0780-1.0800, 1.0835-1.0865, 1.0895-1.0925, 1.0985, 1.1045, 1.1090-1.1110, 1.1150-1.1170, 1.1230, and 1.1275-1.1290.

It's essential to note Wednesday, September 13 in the calendar for the upcoming week, when consumer inflation data (CPI) for the U.S. will be released. On Thursday, September 14, the European Central Bank (ECB) will announce its decision on interest rates. Of course, the subsequent central bank leadership press conference will also be of great interest. On the same day, the number of initial jobless claims in the U.S. will traditionally be published, along with retail sales data and the Producer Price Index (PPI) for the country.

GBP/USD: Peak Rate Continues to Lower

At present, the central question for many central banks, including the Bank of England (BoE), is what takes precedence: taming inflation or preventing the economy from slipping into recession? Indeed, the British economy seems to be heading in the latter direction. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the country's manufacturing sector in August stood at a mere 43.0, with the headline PMI dropping to a 39-month low. According to recent data, the PMI in the services sector has declined to 49.5, dipping below the 50.0 threshold into contraction territory for the first time since January.

So, what about inflation? Although the annual inflation rate in the UK decreased from 7.9% to 6.8% (the lowest since February 2022), it remains the highest among G7 countries. Moreover, the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained at 6.9% year-over-year, only 0.2% below the peak set two months earlier.

According to the latest survey conducted by the Bank of England's Monthly Decision Maker Panel (DMP) on Thursday, September 7th, British businesses anticipate that the CPI will decline to 4.8% year-over-year within the next year. It is worth noting that the regulator itself aims to bring the CPI closer to 5.0% by the end of this year.

Surveys indicate that under the current circumstances, the country's leadership is prioritizing economic salvation over the battle against inflation. Huw Pill, the Bank of England's Chief Economist, stated that while there is no room for complacency concerning inflation, he would prefer to keep the interest rate stable for a longer period. He added that in the upcoming BoE meeting on September 21, he will vote to maintain the rate at its current level of 5.25%.

According to Reuters, markets are currently pricing in an 85% likelihood that the BoE's final interest rate, after one or two hikes by year's end, will be 5.75%. This projection is significantly lower than July's, when a peak rate of 6.5% was anticipated. It is worth noting that the future 5.75% for the pound is just 25 basis points higher than the current 5.50% for the dollar, a gap that clearly does not favour the British currency. Moreover, the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate could potentially rise by an additional 25-50 basis points.

GBP/USD closed last week at a rate of 1.2465. Economists from Singapore's United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) anticipate that the pair may test strong support at the 1.2400 level over the next 1-3 weeks. However, they believe that short-term oversold conditions could decelerate the pace of further decline. Expert forecasts are evenly divided, much like those for EUR/USD: 45% predict a northward correction, 45% foresee a continued southward trend, and the remaining 10% point to an eastward move. Among the oscillators on the D1 chart, 100% are coloured in red, with 15% indicating oversold conditions. Trend indicators show a 90% to 10% ratio favouring red. If the pair trends downward, it will encounter support levels and zones at 1.2445, 1.2370-1.2390, 1.2300-1.2330, 1.2270, 1.2190-1.2210, 1.2085, 1.1960, and 1.1800. In case of upward movement, resistance can be expected at levels 1.2510, 1.2560-1.2575, 1.2600-1.2615, 1.2690-1.2710, 1.2760, 1.2800-1.2815, 1.2880, 1.2940, 1.2995-1.3010, 1.3060, and 1.3125-1.3140, as well as 1.3185-1.3210.

In terms of key economic data for the United Kingdom, the unemployment figures set to be released on Tuesday, September 12, are of particular interest. Additionally, the country's July GDP numbers, which will be disclosed on Wednesday, September 13, are also noteworthy.

USD/JPY: Bulls Wary as Bears Anticipate Currency Interventions

As for Japan, the question of "economy or inflation" is not up for debate; the answer is unequivocally the economy. On Wednesday, September 6, Kyodo News, citing anonymous sources, reported that the Japanese government apparently plans to roll out new economic stimulus measures in October. Reuters, quoting Japanese media outlets, identified the primary goals of the stimulus as "supporting wage increases within companies and mitigating electricity costs." "It is expected that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will task [the responsible parties] with preparing a draft […] to allocate additional budget resources for these measures," the report stated. Reuters also presented an analysis indicating that the country's debt burden will increase due to the announced stimulus measures. According to estimates, Japan's debt, which is already twice its GDP, will hit a record level of 112 trillion yen (760 billion dollars) in the next fiscal year.

It becomes clear that under such circumstances, inflation will continue to rise. Meanwhile, USD/JPY continues its upward movement, reaching a level of 147.86 on September 7, marking a 10-month high. On Friday, September 8, Japan's Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki reiterated once again that the country's authorities "are not ruling out any options to combat excessive currency fluctuations." However, no market participants believe in a rate hike anymore, given that it has been stuck at a negative level of -0.1% for many years. Concerns are growing among investors that the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) may finally resort not to verbal, but to actual currency interventions, as was the case last fall. According to the same Reuters report, Japan's chief currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, stated that Japanese banking authorities are considering the possibility of intervention to put an end to "speculative" movements.

Against the backdrop of the DXY Dollar Index holding around 105.00, its highest level since March, only currency interventions by the Bank of Japan could help the yen strengthen its position somewhat. However, according to some analysts, the main reason for the yen's weakness lies in the disagreements among the country's politicians regarding its monetary policy.

The final point of the past trading week was marked at 147.79. Strategists at UOB Group anticipate that the continuation of the upward momentum could push USD/JPY towards an assault on the 149.00 level in the coming weeks. As for the consensus forecast, only 20% of analysts still believe in the dollar's potential and the pair's further growth. Bears have gained the favour of 80%. (It's worth noting that even a 100% consensus does not guarantee the accuracy of the forecast, especially when it comes to the Japanese yen.) As for the trend indicators and oscillators on the D1 chart, all 100% are coloured green, although 40% of these are signalling overbought conditions. The nearest support level lies in the 146.85-147.00 zone, followed by 146.10, 145.55-145.70, 145.30, 144.90, 144.50, 143.75-144.05, 142.90-143.05, 142.20, 141.40-141.75, 140.60-140.75, 139.85, 138.95-139.05, 138.05-138.30, and 137.25-137.50. The nearest resistance stands at 148.45, followed by 148.85-149.10, 150.00, and finally, the October 2022 peak at 151.90.

No significant economic data concerning the state of the Japanese economy is scheduled for release in the upcoming week.

CRYPTOCURRENCIES: Fear and Doubt in the Market

For the third week, the market has been in a state of apathy. According to observations by crypto-millionaire William Clemente, the total trading volume for digital assets has fallen to its lowest levels since 2020. The BTC/USD chart on the H1 and H4 timeframes mostly resembles an ant trail, where these insects move in a thin, unbroken line.

The situation was invigorated by a court decision in the Grayscale case. This world-leading investment firm in cryptocurrency asset management won an appeal against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As a result, on August 29, bitcoin surged from $26,060 to $28,122 within three hours, showing its best growth rate in the last 12 months. However, the excitement was short-lived, as the SEC struck back by deciding to postpone until October the consideration of applications for spot bitcoin ETF registrations. Consequently, the flagship cryptocurrency returned to the support zone of $25,500.

Turning to technical analysis, this support corresponds to the Fibonacci level of 0.382. A break below this level could potentially lead to a fall to $21,700: the Fibonacci level of 0.618. Experts from Fairlead Strategies note that at the end of August, the digital gold's monthly chart confirmed an exit from the overbought zone on the stochastic oscillator, which could signal disappointment for bitcoin bulls. Analysts believe that this formed signal often indicates the passing of a local peak, as seen at the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2021. "The decline [in the stochastic oscillator] suggests that the bottom formation process may be prolonged. This is especially true when considering the Ichimoku cloud overhead, which serves as resistance (~$31,900)," said the report from Fairlead Strategies.

According to an analyst going by the nickname Tolberti, the BTC chart is forming a "head and shoulders" pattern, which threatens further price declines. Another argument supporting the bearish trend is that bitcoin is trading below its 200-week moving average (MA). As a result, Tolberti speculates that the leading cryptocurrency could fall to $10,000, with a possible reversal occurring in March 2024.

Negative forecasts are also coming from analysts at Cointelegraph. The fact is that bitcoin derivatives have started to show bearish tendencies. The BTC price chart leaves no doubt that investor sentiment has not improved following Grayscale's victory. Therefore, experts anticipate that the leading cryptocurrency's quotes could decline to $22,000 in the coming weeks.

Cointelegraph believes that not only the postponement of the launch of spot bitcoin ETFs is pressuring the market, but also U.S. regulatory actions against exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. Multiple sources claim that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is likely to charge the world's largest trading platform and initiate a criminal investigation. The allegations involve money laundering assistance and violation of sanctions against Russian companies.

Currently, market participants are in a state of limbo and are uncertain about what to expect. Regulatory uncertainty is favouring the bears. The derivatives market is ridden with fear and doubt, which benefits those betting on a decline, according to Cointelegraph.

We have previously noted that powerful catalysts for market growth in the medium and long term could be the launch of spot bitcoin ETFs and the bitcoin halving event scheduled for April 2024.

Recall that this summer, eight major financial institutions submitted applications to the SEC to enter the cryptocurrency market through spot bitcoin ETFs. Among them, in addition to BlackRock, are global asset managers like Invesco and Fidelity. According to some estimates, in the first six months after the ETF launch, new demand for the cryptocurrency could amount to $5-10 billion, and the value of BTC could rise to $50,000-120,000 per coin.

Despite the SEC's decision to postpone the review of applications until mid-autumn, the chances of approval are quite high. After all, BlackRock is not some small fish but a global investment giant, and it is in good standing with U.S. authorities. It's worth mentioning that when the Federal Reserve decided in 2020 to buy securities through ETFs to support the American economy, half of the volume went to BlackRock funds.

Interestingly, the company itself highly estimates the chances of application approval. This is evident from its purchasing of both bitcoin and shares of mining companies. In mid-August, it became known that BlackRock acquired shares of four major mining companies, spending a total of over $400 million. Larry Fink, BlackRock's CEO, has referred to bitcoin as digital gold and an international asset that potentially offers inflation protection.

Alistair Milne, the Chief Investment Officer of the Altana Digital Currency Fund, believes that the price of bitcoin could reach $100,000 even without the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In his view, the ETF topic merely distracts market participants. Milne is confident that issues within the U.S. banking sector, the stabilization of risky assets following the end of the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes and increasing profitability in the crypto-mining sector will drive the coin's price upward.

Arthur Hayes, the co-founder of the crypto exchange BitMEX, also thinks that due to issues in the banking sector, bitcoin is poised for substantial growth. According to him, the bull phase began after the Federal Reserve initiated a $25 billion program to stabilize the banking sector, notably including the "rescue" of Silicon Valley Bank. Hayes asserts that this situation has prompted traders to focus on assets with limited supply, such as bitcoin. While only a small fraction of market participants are currently taking this into account, he is convinced that their number will increase, and over the next 6-12 months, the leading cryptocurrency will experience a new surge.

As for the second driver, the halving, well-known blogger and analyst Lark Davis believes that this event could lead to a 500-600% increase in bitcoin's current price, potentially reaching around $150,000 to $180,000. However, with more than seven months to go before the halving, there are two upcoming events that could significantly influence investors' appetite for risky assets. These are the publication of U.S. inflation data on Wednesday, September 13, and the Federal Reserve meeting on September 20.

As of the time of writing this review, on the evening of Friday, September 8, BTC/USD is trading at around $25,890. The total market capitalization of the cryptocurrency market stands at $1.043 trillion, slightly down from $1.048 trillion a week ago. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index for bitcoin remains in the 'Fear' zone, registering at 46 points, up from 40 points a week earlier, though it is edging closer to the 'Neutral' zone.

In conclusion, another forecast comes from Artificial Intelligence. Utilizing several technical indicators, including Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), Relative Strength Index (RSI), Bollinger Bands (BB), and others, the AI on the PricePredictions platform has calculated that the price of bitcoin should reach $26,228 by September 30. We don't have long to wait to see whether such intelligence can be trusted.

In a week characterized by significant currency movements, Dollar asserted its dominance, closing as the top performer and pushing the Dollar Index tantalizingly close to a pivotal medium-term resistance zone. The upcoming fortnight will be instrumental in assessing Dollar's upside momentum, which, in turn, will shed light on whether the currency is embarking on a sustained medium-term rally. Canadian Dollar clinched the second spot on the leaderboard, buoyed by robust employment figures.

Despite noticeable vulnerability against surging Dollar and looming uncertainties surrounding the ECB imminent rate decisions, the Euro still managed to outpace both Sterling and Swiss Franc, and closed as overall third strongest. However, the trio largely continued their trend of near-term range-bound movements, indicating a wait-and-watch approach among investors.

Down under, Australian Dollar faced a rough patch, ending the week as the most beleaguered currency. Despite evading sustained selling pressure towards the week's conclusion, Aussie continues to hang in a precarious balance, its fate intricately tied to the unfolding developments in China. This includes the renewed downward trajectory of the Yuan, which plumbed new lows, signaling concerns that could further dent the Australian Dollar's standing.

Adding to the narrative of struggling currencies was Yen, which emerged as the second most feeble currency over the week. While attempts to resurrect its stance through heightened verbal interventions by Japan did foster a transient recovery, it fell short of altering the entrenched downtrend.

Dollar Index Approaches Critical Resistance with Eight-Week Winning Streak

Dollar Index has notched its eighth consecutive week of gains, marking its longest winning streak since 2014 and closing at its highest point since March. The pivotal resistance zone of 105/106 is expected to be a decisive territory that could shape the medium-term outlook for the index. Investors and analysts are gearing up for a potentially significant period in the next two weeks, with key events including US CPI release on September 13, followed by ECB rate decision on September 14, and FOMC rate decision on September 20, which could delineate the future path of the dollar.

The narrative that Fed might persist with its high interest rates (if not higher) for an extended period is gaining traction. Last week's data release displayed unexpectedly strong performance by US services sector in August, characterized also by robust employment and price readings. Moreover, initial jobless claims descended to their lowest point since February, steering the sentiment towards positivity. Although the consensus anticipates a pause from Fed this, discussions are rife, with bets on another rate hike this year lingers around a 50-50 chance. Additionally, the central theme is beginning to shift to the duration for which current restrictive interest rates should be upheld to ensure a full circle back to the target inflation level, completing the last mile of disinflation.

The prolonged weakness of Euro, which constitutes a massive 57.6% of Dollar Index, has been a cornerstone in the protracted rally of the index. Last week saw EUR/USD declined by -0.7%, rounding off its eighth successive month in the red. The spotlight now turns towards ECB's upcoming actions. A recent Reuters poll showcased a polarized expectation, with 39 out of 69 participants foreseeing a hold in deposit rate at 3.75% in the Thursday announcement. Futures market is leaning towards a pause too, with a 65% probability. The end of the year prediction remains equally split, as 36 of 69 respondents expecting the deposit rate to stay unchanged through 2023, with 33 expecting one more 25bps hike.

Technically, it's still uncertain if Dollar Index's rise from 99.57 represents a correction to the down trend from 114.77 (2022 high), or it's reversing the trend. The pickup in upside momentum as seen in D MACD is adding favor to the bullish case. In the background, DXY was also supported well by 55 M EMA (now at 98.41) and 38.2% retracement of 70.69 (2008 low) to 114.77 at 97.93.

Sustained break of 38.2% retracement of 114.77 to 99.57 at 105.37, and more preferably 105.88 resistance) would add more weight to the bullish scenario, and set up further rally to 61.8% retracement at 108.96 next. Nevertheless, rejection by 105.37/88 zone, followed by break of 102.93 will turn near term outlook bearish for retesting 99.57 low again.

The next move would hopefully be decided after the rate decisions of ECB and then Fed, as well as their new economic projections.

Japan's intervention might only slow Yen's decline for now

In the face of a 10-month low against Dollar nearing 148 mark, Japan intensified its verbal intervention last week, indicating a strong vigilance towards the ongoing depreciation in Yen's exchange rate. Following the assertive comments from Japan's top officials, USD/JPY exhibited a brief pullback only to resurge swiftly, wrapping up the week on a strong note.

Masato Kanda, noted as Japan's FX czar by several quarters, emphasized the government's heightened sense of urgency as they closely monitor the currency fluctuations, asserting a readiness to respond adeptly to curb any excesses. This stance found a resonance in Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki's affirmation that all options remained on the table to mitigate excessive volatility, reflecting a reinforced government vigilance over the currency dynamics.

A retrospection to the scenario exactly a year back brings to light Ministry of Finance's direct intervention in the currency market, as USD/JPY escalated past 145. This move managed to momentarily pull back the pair to around 140 on September 22. However, the respite was transient as a potent rally propelled USD/JPY past 150 in October.

The strategic approach adopted by Japan was apparent — a cautious foray to gauge the readiness of Yen buyers, and opting not to combat forcefully when the markets exhibited unreadiness. Later, the government adopted a more assertive posture in latter part of October, capitalizing on the positive shift in US market risk sentiment.

The government's concerted Yen purchasing action on October 21 last year, synchronized with the intensified rally of DOW breaking through 55 D EMA, spurred speculators to relinquish their short positions on Yen. This collaborative force fueled a sustained Yen rebound, ensuing a nearly three-month downtrend in USD/JPY.

As history often paints the potential future, it is inferred that any successful intervention by Japan — verbal or tangible — hinges predominantly on a transformation in the broader market environment. The ongoing rally in US stocks does little to bolster Yen. Bearish reversal in equities could paradoxically fuel Dollar's overall rally, rendering support to Yen quite limited.

The prospect of US 10-year yield piercing through the significant 4% psychological threshold to invoke a bearish reversal seems remote at this juncture. Consequently, while Japan's vigilant stance and readiness for intervention echo loud, reversal of USD/JPY's up trend through the hands of the government appears to be a distant objective, with slowing down being a more immediate and realistic expectation.

Chinese Yuan plummets to historic lows

Chinese Yuan's downslide resumed vigorously last week, with the onshore Yuan depreciating to its lowest point against Dollar since 2007. Concurrently, its offshore equivalent dipped to a ten-month nadir against the greenback. The Yuan's decline began early this year, pressured by stumbling post-pandemic economic recovery and expanding yield gap with other global economies. These dynamics shifted capital flows. An escalating crisis in the property markets only intensified the gloomy economic outlook.

Recent economic indicators point towards an unabated slowdown in the Chinese economy. August Caixin PMI services underscored a sharper-than-anticipated contraction in the sector. This pullback mirrors the reluctance of Chinese households to spend, further evidenced by subdued inflation figures for August, which saw the CPI inch up by just 0.1% yoy.

China's response to these development has been perplexing. Attempts were made to buttress Yuan, including the 200 basis points cut in the foreign exchange reserve requirement ratio by China's central bank. Yet, in a twist, PBoC on Friday reversed a recent practice, adjusting the daily reference rate – or "fixing" – to its lowest point in two months. This indicates a potential willingness by PBoC to accommodate a weaker Yuan.

Amid this backdrop, a Bloomberg analysis brings to light the potential for China's economic woes to send shockwaves across global financial markets. Citing a Fed discussion paper titled "Global Spillovers of a China Hard Landing" published in 2019, the report highlighted the historical precedence from 2015-16 where capital flight from China induced swift devaluation of Yuan and steep descents in Chinese equities. These shifts spilled over, impacting global markets across various sectors, from forex and stocks to treasuries and commodities.

However, the prevailing rally in USD/CNH appears to be more a reflection of the Dollar's robustness rather than intrinsic Yuan weaknesses. EUR/CNH, which stands at 7.8768, remains well below its July peak of 8.1219. The alarm bells shouldn't ring unless there's a simultaneous extended sell-off in EUR/USD combined with a bullish breakout in EUR/CNH.

As for USD/CNH, the focal point will be on whether 61.8% projection of 6.8100 to 7.2853 from 7.1154 at 7.4091 could cap upside after the pair passes through 7.3745.

EUR/USD Weekly Outlook

EUR/USD's decline from 1.1274 resumed last week and hit as low as 1.0685. As a temporary low was formed, initial bias stays neutral this week for consolidations first. But outlook will remain bearish as long as 1.0944 resistance holds. Below 1.0685 will target 1.0609/34 cluster support zone next.

In the bigger picture, fall from 1.1274 medium term top is seen as a correction to up trend from 0.9534 (2022 low). Strong support could be seen from 1.0634 cluster support (38.2% retracement of 0.9534 to 1.1274 at 1.0609) to bring rebound, at least on first attempt. Break of 1.0944 will indicate the start of the second leg, and target retest of 1.1274. However, sustained break of 1.0609/0634 will raise the chance of bearish trend reversal, and target 61.8% retracement at 1.0199.

In the long term picture, focus stays on 55 M EMA (now at 1.1124). Rejection by this EMA will revive long term bearishness for resuming the down trend form 1.6039 (2008 high). However, sustained break above there will affirm the case of long term bullish reversal and target 1.2348 resistance for confirmation.

EUR/USD's decline from 1.1274 resumed last week and hit as low as 1.0685. As a temporary low was formed, initial bias stays neutral this week for consolidations first. But outlook will remain bearish as long as 1.0944 resistance holds. Below 1.0685 will target 1.0609/34 cluster support zone next.

In the bigger picture, fall from 1.1274 medium term top is seen as a correction to up trend from 0.9534 (2022 low). Strong support could be seen from 1.0634 cluster support (38.2% retracement of 0.9534 to 1.1274 at 1.0609) to bring rebound, at least on first attempt. Break of 1.0944 will indicate the start of the second leg, and target retest of 1.1274. However, sustained break of 1.0609/0634 will raise the chance of bearish trend reversal, and target 61.8% retracement at 1.0199.

In the long term picture, focus stays on 55 M EMA (now at 1.1124). Rejection by this EMA will revive long term bearishness for resuming the down trend form 1.6039 (2008 high). However, sustained break above there will affirm the case of long term bullish reversal and target 1.2348 resistance for confirmation.

USD/JPY's near term rally resumed last week but retreated after edging higher to 147.88. Initial bias remains neutral this week for some more consolidations. Outlook will stay bullish as long as 144.43 support holds. On the upside, above 147.88 will resume larger rise from 127.20, to retest 151.93 high.

In the bigger picture, while rise from 127.20 is strong could still be seen as the second leg of the corrective pattern from 151.93 (2022 high). Rejection by 151.93, followed by break of 137.22 support will indicate that the third leg of the pattern has started. However, sustained break of 151.93 will confirm resumption of long term up trend.

In the long term picture, price action from 151.93 is seen as developing into a corrective pattern to up trend from 75.56 (2011 low). Another falling leg could be seen, but in that case, downside should be contained by 38.2% retracement of 75.56 to 151.93 at 122.75. On resumption, next target would be 61.8% projection of 102.58 to 151.93 from 127.20 at 157.69.

GBP/USD's decline from 1.3141 resumed last week and hit as low as 1.2443. But as a temporary low was formed there, initial bias remains neutral this week. Some more consolidations could be seen. Recovery should be limited by 1.2618 support turned resistance to bring another fall. Break of 1.2443 will target 100% projection of 1.3141 to 1.2618 from 1.2799 at 1.2276.

In the bigger picture, fall from 1.3141 medium term top is seen as a correction to up trend from 1.0351 (2022 low). Deeper decline would be seen to 38.2% retracement of 1.0351 to 1.3141 at 1.2075. Strong support would be seen there to bring rebound on first attempt. But outlook will be neutral at best as long as 1.3141 resistance holds, and consolidation from there is set to extend, until further development.

In the long term picture, sustained trading above 55 M EMA (now at 1.2902) will add to the case of long term bullish reversal, and target 1.4248 cluster resistance (38.2% retracement of 2.1161 (2007 high) to 1.0351 at 1.4480) for confirmation. Nevertheless, rejection by 55 M EMA will maintain long term bearishness for downside resumption at a later stage.

USD/CHF's rebound from 0.8551 resumed last week and hit as high as 0.8943. But as a temporary top was then formed, initial bias stays neutral this week for some more consolidations. Downside of retreat should be contained above 0.8743 support to bring another rally. Break of 0.8943 will extend the rise to 0.9146 cluster resistance.

In the bigger picture, rebound from 0.8551 medium term bottom is currently seen as a correction to the downtrend from 1.0146 (2022 high). Further rally would be seen to 0.9146 cluster resistance (38.2% retracement of 1.0146 to 0.8551 at 0.9160). Strong resistance could be seen there to limit upside, at least on first attempt.

In the long term picture, there is no clear sign that down trend from 1.8305 (2000 high) has completed. With 38.2% retracement of 1.8305 to 0.7065 at 1.1359 intact, outlook is neutral at best. Sustained break of 61.8% retracement of 0.7065 (2011 low) to 1.0342 (2016 high) at 0.8317 will bring retest of 0.7065 low.