Sample Category Title

Daily Pivots: (S1) 115.05; (P) 115.37; (R1) 115.60; More...

Intraday bias in USD/JPY remains neutral as consolidation from 116.34 could extend further. But downside of retreat should be contained well well above 114.26 resistance turned support to bring rally resumption. On the upside, firm break of 61.8% projection of 109.11 to 115.51 from 112.52 at 116.47 will pave the way to 100% projection at 118.90, which is close to 118.65 long term resistance.

In the bigger picture, no change in the view that rise from 102.58 is the third leg of the up trend from 101.18 (2020 low). Such rally should target a test on 118.65 (2016 high). Sustained break there will pave the way to 120.85 (2015 high) and raise the chance of long term up trend resumption. For now, this will remain the favored case as long as 112.52 support holds, in case of deep pull back.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.7172; (P) 0.7193; (R1) 0.7231; More...

Intraday bias in AUD/USD stays neutral for the moment. On the upside, break of 0.7277 will resume the rebound from 0.6992. Such development would also revive the case that correction form 0.8006 has completed after defending 0.6991. Further rally would be seen to 0.7555 resistance for confirmation. On the downside, however, break of 0.7128 will indicate rejection by 55 day EMA, and turn bias back to the downside for retesting 0.6991/2 key support zone.

In the bigger picture, strong rebound from 0.6991 key structural support will retain medium term bullishness. That is, whole up trend from 0.5506 is still in progress. Firm break of 0.7555 resistance will target 0.8006 high and above. However, sustained break of 0.6991 will argue that the whole up trend from 0.5506 might be finished at 0.8006, after rejection by 0.8135 long term resistance. Deeper decline would then be seen back to 61.8% retracement of 0.5506 to 0.8006 at 0.6461.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.2534; (P) 1.2607; (R1) 1.2647; More...

With the strong break of 1.2619 support, USD/CAD's should have completed a head and should top pattern (ls: 1.2852, h: 1.2963, rs: 1.2812). The development argues that rise from is finished at 1.2963, and possibly the whole pattern from 1.2005 too. Intraday bias is back on the downside for 1.2286 support first. Break there will target 1.2005 low. For now, risk will stay on the downside as long as 1.2812 resistance holds, in case of recovery.

In the bigger picture, focus will be on 38.2% retracement of 1.4667 (2020 high) to 1.2005 (2021 low) at 1.3022. Sustained break there should confirm that the down trend from 1.4667 has completed after defending 1.2061 long term cluster support. Further rise would then be seen towards 61.8% retracement at 1.3650. However, rejection by 1.3022 will maintain medium term bearishness. Break of 1.2005 will resume the down trend form 1.4667 and that carries larger bearish implications too.

Overall, Fed Chair Jerome Powell's renomination hearings seemed to be well received by the markets. US stocks closed broadly higher overnight, followed by rallies in Asian indexes. Yen and Dollar are both under some selling pressure today. On the other hand, commodity currencies are trading higher. In particular, Canadian Dollar is lifted by the rise in oil prices. European majors are mixed for the moment. Focus will turn to US consumer inflation next.

Technically, focus is now back on Yen crosses as risk-on sentiment returns. Despite breaching 82.42 resistance turned support, AUD/JPY recovered quickly, keeping itself inside near term rising channel. Break of 83.34 minor resistance will argue that rebound form 78.77 is ready to resume through 84.27. At the same time, we'll also monitor if EUR/JPY and GBP/JPY would break through 131.59 and 157.74 temporary tops respectively, to confirm underlying weakness in Yen.

In Asia, at the time of writing, Nikkei is up 1.80%. Hong Kong HSI is up 2.22%. China Shanghai SSE is up 0.39%. Singapore Strait Times is up 0.03%. Japan 10-year JGB yield is down -0.0163 at 0.139. Overnight, DOW rose 0.51%. S&P 500 rose 0.92%. NASDAQ rose 1.41%. 10-year yield dropped -0.034 to 1.746.

S&P 500 closed higher after Fed Powell, staying in up trend

US stocks closed generally higher overnight after upbeat comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. In the nomination hearing before Senate Banking committee, he said that the current surge in Omicron infections will only have "short-lived" impacts. The economy is ready for some monetary stimulus withdrawal.

"Inflation is running very far above target. The economy no longer needs or wants the very accommodative policies we have had in place," Powell said. And, "you need to focus on getting inflation under control because you're not going to have maximum employment without price stability." Though, he didn't drop any hint on the timing of the first rate hike.

S&P 500 closed up 0.92% at 4713.07. SPX is so far still holding well inside medium term rising channel. 55 day EMA is also providing adequate support to maintain bullishness. Overall, it's still on track to resume the long term up trend through 4818.62 high at a later stage, towards 5000 handle.

WTI crude oil resumes rally, targeting 83.8 next

WTI crude oil follows broad based risk-on sentiment and closed higher overnight. Rise from 62.90 resumed by breaking through 80.63 temporary top and hits as high as 81.79 so far. Current rally is expected to target 161.8% projection of 62.90 to 73.66 from 66.46 at 83.86, which is close to 85.92 high.

Rise from 62.90 is seen as the second leg of the consolidation pattern from 85.92 only. Hence, we're not expecting a firm break of 85.92 yet. Instead, another fall should be seen before the consolidation completes. Break of 77.97 support will indicate rejection by 85.92 and target 73.66 resistance turned support first.

BoJ Kuroda: Consumer inflation likely to gradually accelerate

In a speech to regional branch managers, BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said "Japan's economy is picking up as a trend, although it remains in a severe state due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic." The economy is expected to recover ahead as coronavirus impact eases.

On prices, Kuroda said consumer inflation is "likely to gradually accelerate reflecting rising energy prices." Also, "consumer inflation likely to gradually accelerate as a trend."

BoJ upgrades economic assessments on all nine regions

In the latest regional Economic Report, BoJ upgraded assessment on all nine regions. All reported that their respective economies "had been picking up or had shown signs of a pick-up, with the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) waning somewhat, primarily in consumption of services."

Looking ahead

Eurozone industrial production will be released in European session. But main focus will be on US CPI.

USD/CAD Daily Outlook

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.2534; (P) 1.2607; (R1) 1.2647; More...

With the strong break of 1.2619 support, USD/CAD's should have completed a head and should top pattern (ls: 1.2852, h: 1.2963, rs: 1.2812). The development argues that rise from is finished at 1.2963, and possibly the whole pattern from 1.2005 too. Intraday bias is back on the downside for 1.2286 support first. Break there will target 1.2005 low. For now, risk will stay on the downside as long as 1.2812 resistance holds, in case of recovery.

In the bigger picture, focus will be on 38.2% retracement of 1.4667 (2020 high) to 1.2005 (2021 low) at 1.3022. Sustained break there should confirm that the down trend from 1.4667 has completed after defending 1.2061 long term cluster support. Further rise would then be seen towards 61.8% retracement at 1.3650. However, rejection by 1.3022 will maintain medium term bearishness. Break of 1.2005 will resume the down trend form 1.4667 and that carries larger bearish implications too.

Economic Indicators Update

In the latest regional Economic Report, BoJ upgraded assessment on all nine regions. All reported that their respective economies "had been picking up or had shown signs of a pick-up, with the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) waning somewhat, primarily in consumption of services."

Full report here.

WTI crude oil follows broad based risk-on sentiment and closed higher overnight. Rise from 62.90 resumed by breaking through 80.63 temporary top and hits as high as 81.79 so far. Current rally is expected to target 161.8% projection of 62.90 to 73.66 from 66.46 at 83.86, which is close to 85.92 high.

Rise from 62.90 is seen as the second leg of the consolidation pattern from 85.92 only. Hence, we're not expecting a firm break of 85.92 yet. Instead, another fall should be seen before the consolidation completes. Break of 77.97 support will indicate rejection by 85.92 and target 73.66 resistance turned support first.

In a speech to regional branch managers, BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said "Japan's economy is picking up as a trend, although it remains in a severe state due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic." The economy is expected to recover ahead as coronavirus impact eases.

On prices, Kuroda said consumer inflation is "likely to gradually accelerate reflecting rising energy prices." Also, "consumer inflation likely to gradually accelerate as a trend."

US stocks closed generally higher overnight after upbeat comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. In the nomination hearing before Senate Banking committee, he said that the current surge in Omicron infections will only have "short-lived" impacts. The economy is ready for some monetary stimulus withdrawal.

"Inflation is running very far above target. The economy no longer needs or wants the very accommodative policies we have had in place," Powell said. And, "you need to focus on getting inflation under control because you're not going to have maximum employment without price stability." Though, he didn't drop any hint on the timing of the first rate hike.

S&P 500 closed up 0.92% at 4713.07. SPX is so far still holding well inside medium term rising channel. 55 day EMA is also providing adequate support to maintain bullishness. Overall, it's still on track to resume the long term up trend through 4818.62 high at a later stage, towards 5000 handle.

DXY:

On the H4 timeframe, prices are on bearish momentum and abiding to our bearish trendline. We would expect further bearish continuation to test our 1st support at 95.518 in line with 100% Fibonacci extension and 78.6% Fibonacci retracement. Breaking our 1st support may find prices dipping further towards our 2nd support at 95.368 in line with 127.2% Fibonacci extension and 100% Fibonacci extension. Our bearish bias is further supported by prices trading below ichimoku clouds and RSI forecasting bearish momentum. Alternatively, prices may bounce towards our 1st resistance at 95.849 in line with 50% Fibonacci extension.

Areas of consideration:

• H4 time frame, 1st resistance at 95.849
• H4 time frame, 1st support at 95.518

XAU/USD (GOLD):

On the H4 chart, prices are consolidating in a triangle. We see the potential for a dip from our 1st resistance at 1823.350 in line with 127.2% Fibonacci extension towards our 1st support at 1814.305 in line with 100% Fibonacci extension and 50% Fibonacci retracement. RSI is at levels where dips occurred previously and ichimoku is turning red, further supporting our bearish bias.

Areas of consideration:

• H4 1st support at 1814.305
• H4 1st resistance at 1823.350

GBP/USD

On the H4 chart price is abiding by an ascending trendline and near the first support level of 1.36050 which is also 23.6% Fibonacci retracement. Price can potentially go to the 1st resistance level of 1.37006 which is also 78.6% Fibonacci retracement and 127.2% Fibonacci projection. Our bullish bias is supported by the ichimoku cloud indicator as price is trading above the cloud.

Areas of consideration:

• H4 1st resistance at 1.37006
• H4 1st support 1.36050

USD/CHF:

On the H4 timeframe, price recently broke out of the descending trendline resistance, signifying an overall bullish momentum. We can expect price to bounce from the 1st Support level in line with 50% Fibonacci retracement and 78.6% Fibonacci projection towards the 1st Resistance in line with 127.2% Fibonacci projection. Our bullish bias is further supported by the Ichimoku cloud indicator where the price is holding above it.

Areas of consideration:

• Watch 1st Support at 0.92339
• Watch 1st Resistance at 0.93020

EUR/USD :

On the H4 chart, price is abiding by an ascending trendline and is heading to the 1st resistance level of 1.13854 which is also 100% Fibonacci projection and 38.2% Fibonacci retracement. Price can potentially dip to the 1st support level of 1.12783 which is also 50% Fibonacci retracement and 78.6% Fibonacci projection. Our bearish bias is supported by the stochastic indicator.

Areas of consideration :

• H4 1st support at 1.12783
• H4 1st resistance at 1.13854

USD/JPY:

In reference to yesterday’s analysis, price is moving down nicely towards the 1st Support. On the H4 timeframe, is abiding to the ascending channel on the daily, signifying an overall bullish momentum. However, we can expect price to make a short-term bearish drop from 1st Resistance in line with 100% Fibonacci projection and 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement towards 1st Support in line with 78.6% Fibonacci retracement. Our short-term bearish bias is further supported by the MACD indicator where the signal line is above the MACD line.

Areas of consideration:

• H4 1st resistance level 115.508
• H4 1st support level 113.276

AUD/USD:

On the H4, price broke out of the ascending trendline support, signifying a bearish momentum. We can expect the price to drop from 1st Resistance in line with 61.8% Fibonacci retracement and 100% Fibonacci projection towards 1st Support in line with 50 % Fibonacci retracement and 161.8% Fibonacci projection. Our bearish bias is further supported by the price holding below the Ichimoku cloud and RSI indicator where it is abiding to the descending trendline resistance. Areas of consideration:

• H4 1st Support level 0.71266
• H4 1st resistance level 0.72158

NZD/USD:

On the H4 timeframe, prices are on bearish momentum and abiding to our bearish trendline. We see potential for prices to dip further from our 1st resistance at 0.67895 in line with 100% Fibonacci extension and 50% Fibonacci retracement towards our 1st support at 0.67365 in line with 78.6% Fibonacci retracements and 127.2% Fibonacci extension. Our bias is further supported by ichimoku clouds forecasting the dip and also prices trading below our MA. If prices break our 1st support, prices can potentially dip towards our 2nd support at 0.67047 in line with 200% Fibonacci projection and 100% Fibonacci retracement.

Areas of consideration:

• H4 time frame, 1st resistance at 0.67895
• H4 time frame, 1st support at 0.67365

USD/CAD:

On the H4, with price moving above the ichimoku cloud, we have a bullish bias that price will rise to our 1st resistance at 1.26225 which is in line with horizontal swing high resistance and 50% Fibonacci retracement from 1st support at 1.25516, which is in line with horizontal overlap support and 127.2% and 161.8% Fibonacci extension level. Alternatively, price may break 1st support structure and head for 2nd support at 1.24922, which coincides with horizontal swing low support and 161.8% Fibonacci extension level .
Areas of consideration:

• H4 time frame, 1st support at 1.25516
• H4 time frame, 1st resistance at 1.26225

OIL:

On the H4, with price moving above the ichimoku cloud, we have a bullish bias that price will rise to our 1st resistance at 85.5 which is in line with horizontal swing high resistance from 1st support at 82.83, which is in line with horizontal overlap support and 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level. Alternatively, price may break 1st support structure and head for 2nd support at 80.54, which coincides with horizontal swing low support and 50% Fibonacci retracement level .

Areas of consideration:

• H4 time frame, 1st resistance of 85.5
• H4 time frame, 1st support of 82.83

Dow Jones Industrial Average:

On the H4, with price moving below our moving average, we have a bearish bias that price will drop from our 1st resistance at 36303 which is in line with horizontal swing overlap resistance to 1st support at 35415, which is in line with horizontal overlap support and 61.8% fibonacci retracement. Alternatively, price may break 1st resistance structure and head for 2nd resistance at 36861, which coincides with horizontal swing high resistance.

Areas of consideration:

• H4 time frame, 1st resistance of 36303
• H4 time frame, 1st support of 35415

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, testifying at his confirmation hearing on the Hill, soothed markets overnight in a performance worthy of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Mr Powell noted that the Fed could hike rates to rein in inflation, intended to start the balance sheet run-off sooner rather than later, but also said inflationary pressures would peak mid-year. What he didn’t say was also important. He didn’t back four rate hikes in 2022, nor a March start to hikes, nor did he give any details on when the Fed balance sheet run-off would start.

It was a masterful performance really, leaving the bowls neither too full nor too shallow; but just right from the financial market’s perspective. Ignoring recent comments from hawkish FOMC members while reinforcing that the Fed has likely accomplished its employment objective and was well aware of the inflation one. Certainly, if Mr Powell believes inflation will peak in H2 2022, there seems no need for a panicked start to hikes in March, let alone four of them. If anything, that the Fed has shown over the past two years, it is an abundance of caution and patience.

That was enough to unleash the buy-the-dip gnomes, who had been straining at the leash these past few sessions. Equities rallied, oil rallied, US yields fell, the US Dollar fell, and even gold rallied. As goldilocks as it gets. Even if the Fed hikes to 1.0%-1.25% this year, real US yields will still be very negative. Hardly corporate finance Armageddon. The music can still play in equity markets in 2022, it's just that we’ve likely seen the best of the technology gains, and markets will see a lot more two-way price action to keep them honest. Nor am I ruling out a 10-15% drop in US markets and other Caligula’s of Valuations, they would still be comfortably in a longer-term bullish uptrend.

Today has seen a few data releases from Asian heavyweights China, South Korea, and Japan. All of which sounded cautious notes for varying reasons. China’s YoY Inflation Dec came in at 1.50% vs 1.80% exp. South Korean Unemployment crept higher unexpectedly to 3.80%. In both circumstances, the blame can be laid on omicron restrictions crimping domestic economic activity. Cases are quietly climbing in Mainland China and Hong Kong, along with widening restrictions, and with Covid-zero policies in place, omicron presents a serious growth risk to China if it fully jumps the fence.

Conversely, Japan’s Reuter’s Tankan Index fell to 17.0 for January from 22.0 in December as Japanese businesses grappled with rising prices. That’s correct, your eyes are not deceiving you. Japanese businesses are grappling with rising prices and may have to raise prices. That will be a 30-year shock to the system but don’t expect any action from the Bank of Japan. The pandemic may have finally done the job that the Ministry of Finance and bank of Japan spent decades failing at.

India releases inflation later this evening and there are definite upside risks to the expected 5.80% print. Throw in rising omicron cases into a low vaccination population, and new social restrictions in cities such as New Delhi, and the ingredients are there for a stagflationary surprise. A high inflation print tonight will do the INR and Sensex no favours tomorrow.

We also get German Wholesales Prices and Eurozone Industrial Production this afternoon, but the main event will be the US Headline and Core Inflation YoY for December, expected at 7.0% and 5.40% respectively. Although Mr Powell managed to goldilocks the market overnight, keeping his three bears at bay, if US inflation tops 7.0% this evening, all his good work could be undone.

Asian equities jump on Wall Street rally.

The soothing words of Jerome Powell overnight unleashed anxiously waiting, but side-lined buyers, resulting in a strong overnight recovery by Wall Street. The S&P 500 rallied 0.92%, the Nasdaq leapt higher by 1.41%, and the Dow Jones rose 0.52%. In Asia, futures on all three have held steady.

Asian markets have coat tailed the New York rally and moved higher today. Notably, those that have struggled as the Nasdaq fell over the past few seasons. The Nikkei 225 has jumped 1.75% higher in response, with the South Korean Kospi rallying 1.15%, and Hong Kong also leaping 1.75% higher.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite has drifted 0.15% higher, with the more growth-centric CSI 300 climbing by 0.45%. Singapore and Taipei have drifted 0.15% higher, while Jakarta has gained 0.45%, and Kuala Lumpa and Manilla are unchanged. Australia’s ASX 200 and All Ordinaries have added 0.45% today.

The broader rally has favoured more value-centric markets with a heavier correlation to the Nasdaq today. As such, I am not expecting fireworks from Europe when it opens, having enjoyed a good season with the US overnight. The US inflation data will be the next hurdle for the equity rally continuance. Above 7.0% likely brings the inflation trade back, limiting gains, while a sub 6.50% headline should keep the party going as Fed hiking timetables get reset back to mid-year.

Risk sentiment recovery pushes US Dollar lower.

The Powell-inspired risk sentiment rally overnight saw US yields edge lower and weighed heavily on the US Dollar, which staged a broad retreat. The dollar index fell 0.36% to 95.60, just above support at 95.50. The US inflation data tonight will either confirm a period of US Dollar weakness or result in a nasty whipsaw price action. In the meantime, I wait patiently for a daily close above or below 95.50 or 96.50 to signal the US Dollar’s next directional move.

EUR/USD and GBP/USD gained around 0.40% to 1.1370 and 1.3640, where they remain unchanged in Asia. EUR/USD’ needs to close above 1.1400 to lessen the bearish outlook. However, GBP/USD has closed above 1.3600 and should now target 1.3800 in the days ahead, partying like some private drinks at 10 Downing Street. USD/JPY is steady at 115.25 but remains a bid on dips into 115.00 as long as US yields remain at these levels.

AUD/USD and NZD/USD are unmoved in Asia after edging higher to 0.7210 and 0.6790. Both continue to be bounced around on RORO (risk-on, risk-off) sentiment swings, but ultimately, are range-trading right now. The moves higher overnight weren’t overly convincing suggesting nerves ahead of US inflation data tonight. Key levels for AUD/USD are 0.7150 and 0.7300, and 0.6700 and 0.6850 for NZD/USD.

USD/CAD tumbled 0.85% to 1.2570 overnight and has activated a hand-and-shoulders formation after closing below the neckline at 1.2630. The reasons for the Canadian Dollar rally still elude me but I will respect the technical picture. That now suggest USD/CAD can fall to between 1.2300 and 1.2360 in the days ahead.

USD/Asia softened overnight, with regional currencies strengthening slightly as Jerome Powell took the wind out of the Fed tightening trade. USD/KRW has fallen to 1190.00, USD/PHP to 51.00, while USD/MYR has eased to 4.1790, and USD/THB to 33.369. USD/CNY and USD/CNH remain just below the key pivot level at 6.3800, trading at 6.3650 and 6.3700 respectively today. which is becoming a key pivot point now. Activity is muted in Asia with the region clearly waiting for US inflation data tonight before deciding its next moves.

Oil prices leap higher after Powell testimony.

Oil prices rocketed higher overnight as the Powell testimony removed the threat of early rate hikes, for now, allowing the fundamentals of constrained OEPC+ production, and an omi-gone variant recovery, to reassert themselves with a vengeance. Brent crude rocketed 3.25% higher to $83.60 a barrel, while WTI leapt 3.65% higher to $81.25 a barrel. Both contracts have firmed slightly in Asia to $83.80 and $81.45 a barrel respectively.

This sets the scene for more gains in the week ahead, having traded sideways the past few sessions as equity markets have corrected lower. It seems that even the threat of faster tightening by the Fed over the past few days couldn’t undermine oil prices, and if US inflation is lower than 6.50% tonight, after the Powell comments overnight, then oil prices should continue rising. Assuming China doesn’t suffer a sharp slowdown, that omicron actually becomes omi-gone, and with OPEC+’s ability to raise production clearly limited, I see no reason why Brent crude cannot move towards $100.00 in Q1, possibly sooner. Having said that, I acknowledge there are plenty of variable outcomes in the previous sentence, the biggest threat being omicron in China, India, and Indonesia.

In the nearer term, Brent crude has support at $83.00 and $81.00 a barrel, with resistance at $86.00 a barrel. WTI has support at $80.50 and $78.50 a barrel, with resistance at $82.00 and 85.00 a barrel. One note of caution is that both Relative Strength Indexes (RSIs) are moving towards overbought. That could limit oil’s gains for the rest of the week and could signal a short-term correction but won’t change the underlying bullish outlook.

Gold rallies in Asia.

Gold saw the fast-money buyers return overnight as the Fed tightening trade was stopped in its tracks by Jerome Powell’s testimony. That pushed gold 1.10% higher to $1821.50 an ounce. As ever, I believe the rally should be taken with a huge grain of salt, as past price action suggests gold will fall just as quickly at the first sign of stalling momentum. A higher US inflation print could create that situation tonight.

Gold has edged lower to $1819.00 an ounce in Asia and has resistance just above at $1823.50, and $1830.00 an ounce. Support lies at $1800.00, followed by $1785.00 and $1780.00 an ounce.