Fri, Apr 24, 2026 15:35 GMT
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    US CPI ticks up to 2.4%, core unchanged at 2.8%, undershoot expectations

    ActionForex

    US consumer inflation data for May came in softer than expected, offering some relief to markets concerned about price pressures from tariffs and broader cost pass-throughs.

    Headline CPI rose just 0.1% mom, below consensus of 0.2% mom. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, also surprised to the downside with a 0.1% mom rise against an expected 0.3% mom. The gains in overall prices were primarily driven by shelter (0.3% mom) and food (0.3% mom), while energy posted a -1.0% monthly drop.

    On an annual basis, headline CPI rose slightly from 2.3% yoy to 2.4% yoy, still undershooting the forecasted 2.5% yoy. Core CPI held steady at 2.8% yoy, also missing expectations of 2.9% yoy.

    Full US CPI release here.

    ECB’s Lane: Last week’s rate cut aimed at anchoring expectations, avoiding prolonged undershoot

    ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane emphasized that last week’s rate cut was a strategic step to ensure inflation remains on track toward the 2% target over the medium term. He argued that, without this move, the "projected negative inflation deviation" over the next 18 months could have risked becoming entrenched.

    In a speech today, Lane also stressed the importance of clarity in ECB’s reaction function. By cutting the deposit facility rate to 2.00%, the central bank signaled that "we are determined to make sure that inflation returns to target in the medium term". This helps "underpin inflation expectations and avoid an unwarranted tightening in financial conditions."

    On the other hand, holding the rate at 2.25% could have sent the wrong signal, Lane warned, potentially triggering a market repricing that would reinforce a "more pronounced and longer-lasting undershoot of the inflation target."

    Full speech of ECB's Lane here.

    ECB’s Kazaks: Further fine-tuning cuts likely

    Latvian ECB Governing Council member Martins Kazaks signaled openness to further interest rate cuts, suggesting that while ECB has already delivered significant easing, "fine-tuning" adjustments could be needed depending on how the economy evolves.

    He noted that current market pricing for one more cut is “not out of the realm of the baseline,” but stressed that any additional moves must be carefully calibrated to keep inflation anchored near the 2% target.

    Kazaks warned against complacency, highlighting risks of a persistent inflation undershoot. While not yet leaning toward accommodative territory, he emphasized the importance of vigilance, particularly amid the uncertain impact of global trade tensions. So far, deflationary effects seem to dominate, but the final outcome remains highly uncertain and must be watched closely.

    USD/JPY Continues to Climb: Yen Loses its Safe-Haven Appeal

    The USD/JPY pair remains in an uptrend, trading around 145.00 on Wednesday and nearing a two-week low for the yen. The Japanese currency is under continued pressure as demand for safe-haven assets fades, fuelled by growing optimism over US-China trade negotiations.

    Trade optimism undermines yen demand

    Positive signals from the US-China trade talks have eased market tensions. After two days of meetings, both delegations described the dialogue as productive, with discussions expected to continue today. Reports suggest that diplomats have reached a preliminary agreement on implementing the Geneva Consensus. Under the agreement, China could ease export restrictions on rare earth metals, while the US might loosen controls on advanced technology sales to China.

    This improving external backdrop has diminished the appeal of the yen as a safe-haven asset, contributing to the continued strength of the dollar against it.

    Domestically, Japan’s producer price inflation rose 3.2% y/y in May, marking the slowest growth in eight months. This suggests easing cost pressures in production, which could reduce the urgency for aggressive monetary tightening.

    Still, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reaffirmed in parliament on Tuesday that the central bank remains prepared to implement a new rate hike, provided there is confidence in the sustainability of core inflation around the 2% target.

    Technical analysis of USD/JPY

    On the H4 chart, USD/JPY is moving upwards from support at 144.00, targeting 145.50, which is expected to be reached today. After hitting this level, a pullback to 144.00 is anticipated. Should the pair break below 144.00, the next move may extend to 142.20, with the possibility of continuing further to 140.50. A breakout above 145.50 would open the door to 146.25. The MACD indicator supports the bullish view, with its signal line above zero and pointing sharply upwards within the histogram zone.

    On the H1 chart, the pair is building an upward wave structure towards 145.50, which is likely to be fulfilled today. A corrective move to 144.00 is expected to follow. The pair remains in a broad consolidation range around these levels. The Stochastic oscillator also confirms this scenario, with its signal line above 50 and heading towards 80, indicating continued upward momentum in the short term.

    Conclusion

    USD/JPY continues to rise as risk appetite grows, and trade-related optimism diminishes the appeal of the yen. While positive domestic data and a willing BoJ support the yen longer term, the near-term technical setup remains bullish. Key resistance lies at 145.50 and 146.25, while a potential pullback could find support at 144.00, with deeper levels at 142.20 and 140.50 if the trend reverses.

    Ethereum Dynamics Point to an Altseason Approaching

     Market Picture

    Market capitalisation grew by 0.6% in 24 hours, adding almost 4% in a week to $3.45 trillion. The market consolidated near these values a couple of weeks ago. Such a step-by-step climb is quite familiar. The likely continuation of positive sentiment allows us to consider the area of historical highs around $3.7 trillion as the next stop. The abundance of money from institutional and professional traders has dramatically suppressed FOMO impulses, so the type of market growth now looks more like a climb with frequent breaks than a rocket launch. Although less intense, this type of growth is more suitable for long-term portfolios.

    Bitcoin is trading above $109K, experiencing increased selling pressure on growth above $110K. This pressure may become even more intense as it approaches $112K, the area of the historical high set at the end of May. Breaking through this level will make $135K the technical target.

    Ethereum has picked up momentum, adding nearly 5% in 24 hours to $2,800. It has recovered losses since the end of February and is consolidating above the 200-day moving average. If Ethereum’s dynamics are an indicator of altcoin sentiment, then we will see increased readiness for the altcoin season.

    News Background

    BlackRock’s largest Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has become the fastest-growing exchange-traded fund in history. IBIT’s assets exceeded $70 billion in 341 trading days, while GLD took 1,691 days to do so.

    Strategy additionally purchased 1,045 BTC ($110.2 million) last week at an average price of $105,426 per coin. The company now owns 582,000 BTC, purchased at an average price of $70,086. The total investment is estimated at $40.2 billion.

    The Coinbase premium (the difference between prices on the largest American crypto exchange and other platforms) has reached a four-month high, indicating support from American buyers, according to CryptoQuant.

    According to BaykusCharts, the supply of digital gold on exchanges has decreased by ~35%, from 1.55 million BTC to 1.01 million BTC, since July 2024.

    US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced the agency’s new approach to non-custodial storage of cryptocurrencies. The agency is also working on measures to exempt De-Fi platforms from regulatory barriers.

    USD/CAD Holds Near 2025 Low

    When we last analysed the USD/CAD chart on 4 June, we identified a descending channel that remains relevant.

    On 5 June, the pair reached a new low for 2025, and it is possible that bears will attempt to extend this move further over the course of the month.

    Why is USD/CAD declining?

    The Canadian dollar appears to be strengthening amid speculation that a trade agreement between the US and Canada could be finalised soon — possibly on 15 June, when the G7 summit is due to be held in Canada.

    Media reports highlight several indicators supporting this view:

    → Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada will meet its NATO spending target of 2% of GDP.

    → Canada refrained from retaliatory tariffs on steel and aluminium.

    → The US ambassador to Canada confirmed that “secret” negotiations are ongoing.

    Technical Analysis of the USD/CAD Chart

    Note that the R-line, which divides the lower half of the descending channel into two equal parts, acted as resistance — price reversed downward from this line and accelerated lower (as indicated by the arrow). This reinforces the view that bears currently dominate the USD/CAD market.

    For now, the 1.3650 level appears to be a support zone for bulls, but its strength may be tested today as markets react to US inflation data. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is scheduled for release today at 15:30 GMT+3. Be prepared for potential spikes in volatility.

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    GBP/JPY Daily Outlook

    Daily Pivots: (S1) 194.75; (P) 195.60; (R1) 196.43; More...

    Intraday bias in GBP/JPY remains neutral first, and more consolidations could be seen. But further rise is in favor as long as 191.86 support holds. Firm break of 196.38 will resume whole rally from 184.35 to 199.79 resistance, and possibly further to 100% projection of 180.00 to 199.79 from 184.35 at 204.14.

    In the bigger picture, price actions from 208.09 are seen as a correction to rally from 123.94 (2020 low). Strong support should be seen from 38.2% retracement of 123.94 to 208.09 at 175.94 to contain downside. However, sustained break of 175.94 will bring deeper fall even still as a correction.

    EUR/JPY Daily Outlook

    Daily Pivots: (S1) 164.92; (P) 165.28; (R1) 165.93; More...

    Intraday bias in EUR/JPY remains on the upside at this point. Current rise from 154.77 would target 166.67 resistance, and possibly further to 61.8% retracement of 175.41 to 154.77 at 167.38. On the downside, below 164.53 minor support will turn intraday bias neutral again first.

    In the bigger picture, price actions from 175.41 are seen as correction to up trend from 114.42 (2020 low). Strong support should be seen from 38.2% retracement of 114.42 to 175.41 at 152.11 to contain downside. However, sustained break of 152.11 will bring deeper fall even still as a correction.

    EUR/GBP Daily Outlook

    Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.8432; (P) 0.8450; (R1) 0.8483; More...

    Intraday bias in EUR/GBP stays on the upside. Rebound from 0.8354 is in progress for 38.2% retracement of 0.8737 to 0.8354 at 0.8500. Strong resistance could be seen from 0.8500 to complete the corrective bounce. On the downside, break of 0.8413 support will bring retest of 0.8354 low. However, firm break of 0.8500 will pave the way to 61.8% retracement at 0.8591 instead.

    In the bigger picture, price actions from 0.8221 medium term bottom are merely forming a corrective pattern. Nevertheless, there is no clear momentum to break through 0.8201 key support (2022 low) yet. Hence, range trading is expected between 0.8221/8737 for now.

    EUR/AUD Daily Outlook

    Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.7469; (P) 1.7511; (R1) 1.7559; More...

    Intraday bias in EUR/AUD stays neutral at this point. On the downside, firm break of 1.7460 support will suggest that recovery from 1.7245 has already completed at 1.7705, 38.2% retracement of 1.8554 to 1.7245 at 1.7745. Intraday bias will be back on the downside for 1.7245 first. Firm break there will resume whole decline from 1.8554. On the upside, sustained break of 1.7745 will target 61.8% retracement at 1.8054.

    In the bigger picture, with 55 W MACD staying well below signal line, 1.8554 is likely a medium term top already. Price actions from there are seen as a corrective pattern only. While deeper pullback might be seen, downside should be contained by 38.2% retracement of 1.4281 (2022 low) to 1.8554 at 1.6922 to bring rebound. Up trend from 1.4281 is still expected to resume at a later stage.