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A quick change in sentiment pushed the dollar index price to the lowest of the week in European trading on Friday, after it hit weekly high on Thursday afternoon, just ahead the US data which deflated the dollar.

The price action has been in a sideways mode in past couple of weeks and moving above new one-year low and 200WMA, as markets await Fed policy meeting next week to get more clues about dollar’s direction.

The Fed is likely to start cutting interest rates in its monetary policy meeting next week, but it is still unclear what will be the size of rate cut as bets for either cut (25 or 50 basis points) continue to rise and decline, according to incoming economic data.

The dollar is expected to fall if US policymakers opt for more aggressive scenario, with violation of pivotal supports at 100.30/00 (200WMA / psychological) to expose targets at 99.20/98.92 (17 July 2023 low / Fibo 61.8% of 89.15/114.72 uptrend).

On the other hand, the currency may rise if the central bank disappoint markets by decision for 25 basis points rate cut however, sustained break above the top of recent range (101.85) will be required to bring bulls back to play.

Res: 101.22; 101.50; 101.86; 102.21.
Sup: 100.86 100.49; 100.30; 100.00.

USDJPY remains firmly in red and cracked pivotal Fibo level at 140.48 (61.8% retracement of 127.22/161.95), the upper boundary of 140.48/00 key support zone, after renewed weakness in past two days fully offset positive signal from Wednesday’s long-tailed daily candlestick.

The pair is on track for another weekly loss, with long upper shadow on weekly candlestick, pointing to strong offers and adding to downside prospects.

Technical picture on daily chart is firmly bearish (strong negative momentum / price weighed by descending daily Ichimoku cloud / MA’s in bearish setup with formation of 55/200DMA death-cross, reinforcing negative outlook).

Firm break of 140.48/40 pivots will be increasingly bearish and risk extension towards 137.23 trough (July 2023 low).

Falling 10DMA (143.22) should cap extended upticks and keep larger bears intact.

Res: 141.68; 142.08; 143.04; 143.22.
Sup: 140.25; 140.00; 138.60; 137.23.

The euro has extended its gains on Friday. EUR/USD is trading at 1.1091 in the European session at the time of writing, up 0.13% today. The euro has climbed 0.7% since the ECB’s rate cut on Thursday.

ECB lowers rates to 3.5%

The European Central Bank delivered as expected on Thursday, trimming the key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.5%. This was the second rate cut in the current rate-lowering cycle, as the ECB responded to falling inflation and a deteriorating eurozone economy.

The war against inflation is largely won, which enabled the ECB to deliver the rate cut. Inflation in the eurozone has dropped to 2.2%, close to the target of 2%. The ECB updated inflation forecast was unchanged from June, with inflation expected to average 2.5% in 2024 and 2.2% in 2025

At a press conference, ECB President Lagarde reiterated that rate decisions would be made “meeting by meeting” based on economic data, essentially ditching forward guidance. Lagarde sounded somewhat hawkish, noting that wage growth remains high and the labor market is still resilient. The ECB is being cautious and has signaled it will take a slow approach to further cuts and the markets are looking at a cut in December. If economic conditions suddenly worsen, the central bank would have to consider a rate cut next month.

The Federal Reserve meets next week and rate cut odds continue to swing wildly. The US producer price index eased to 1.7% y/y in August, down from a downwardly revised 2.1% in July and below the market estimate of 1.8%. This sent the odds of a half-point cut soaring to 41%, up from just 13% yesterday, according the CME’s FedWatch. The Fed meeting is live, with plenty of uncertainty as whether the Fed will cut by 25 or 50 basis points.

EUR/USD Technical

• EUR/USD faces resistance at 1.1099 and 1.1123
• There is support at 1.1052 and 1.1028

Gold finally broke to the upside yesterday, moving sharply through the 2529 level and out of the consolidation we've been tracking in wave four for the last two weeks. So far, we’re seeing a nice extension to the upside, which suggests that wave five is in progress. However, it should be subdivided into five sub-waves before we can call an end to the uptrend. Ideally, we’ll see another leg higher after the next fourth- subwave retracement, with 2590 to 2600 as the next upside projection and potentially strong resistance for the entire fifth wave.

If you're looking to join the trend here, keep in mind that it might be a bit late, especially since moves out of a triangle are final in a higher degree sequnce, and that market is ready to turn, when least expected.

Drop back below 2529 will signal for a top.

• GBPJPY resumes negative momentum, but hopes for a pivot remain
• Sellers need a close below 185.65 to take full control

GBPJPY came under renewed downside pressure after closing Thursday’s session with mild gains around 186.00.

The pair shifted from a recent low of 183.70 earlier this week, forming a hammer candlestick and giving hope for a potential upward reversal. If the bears manage to close below 185.00-185.65 today, the candlestick pattern may not be a reliable signal despite the RSI and stochastic oscillator being near oversold levels.

A continuation lower could retest August’s base of 183.00, while slightly beneath that, the price could meet the support trendline, which joins the lows from 2022 and 2024 at 182.00. Breaking that floor too, the sell-off could pick up steam towards the 180 psychological level or closer to the extension of the ascending trendline last seen in Q1 2023 at 179.00.

To improve the short-term outlook above September’s high of 193.46, the bulls will have to put in a lot of effort. The 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) could be the first obstacle near 188.20. Then, some congestion might occur around 189.84, where the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the 2024 uptrend is placed. Further up, the door will open for the 50- and 200-day EMAs currently seen around 191.64.

Overall, GBPJPY has not escaped downside risks, though it could postpone any further selling if it manages to close above 185.00-185.65 once again. 

As shown by the XAU/USD chart:

→ Gold has reached a new all-time high;

→ This morning, gold is trading around $2,567 per ounce.

Bullish sentiment is being driven by expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. According to MoneyControl, the International Monetary Fund stated on Thursday that it would be "appropriate" for the Fed to start its long-awaited monetary easing cycle at its meeting next week, as inflation risks have eased.

On 6 September, we analysed the gold price chart and identified:

→ an ascending channel (shown in blue);

→ two resistance lines forming a “bullish flag” pattern.

Gold’s surge to a new all-time high has broken through the “bullish flag,” suggesting a potential resumption of the rally. How successful could this be?

Technical analysis of the XAU/USD chart today shows that the price is approaching resistance levels formed by:

→ the upper boundary of the blue channel;

→ Resistance line 3, which can be viewed as the target following the breakout of resistances 1 and 2, according to technical analysis principles.

Therefore, gold has limited potential for further growth due to the proximity of these resistance levels. It's worth noting that the RSI is in the overbought zone, which could encourage bulls to take profits at this historic peak.

Given these factors, the market may be vulnerable to a correction. However, the key influence will be the actual decision from the Fed, which will be announced next Wednesday.

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Yesterday, the European Central Bank’s Governing Council cut the refinancing rate, as expected, from 4.25% to 3.65%.

The ECB also stated that monetary policy would remain sufficiently restrictive "for as long as necessary" to ensure inflation returns to its medium-term target of 2%.

Financial markets responded with:

→ A strengthening of the euro. EUR/USD rose by more than 0.5% after the rate cut announcement.

→ A rise in European stock market indices.

For example, Germany's DAX 40 index (Germany 40 mini on FXOpen) received a bullish boost, which supports more optimistic conclusions in today's technical analysis:

→ Price movement fits within the ascending channel shown in blue.

→ The thickened line highlights that the median of the channel repeatedly acted as support before early August. As indicated by the arrow, it regained this role after the sharp decline on 5 August.

→ The linear regression channel (shown in purple) points to upward momentum.

Investors may feel optimistic, expecting that this autumn demand forces could lift the DAX 40 (Germany 40 mini on FXOpen) towards the upper boundary of the channel.

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This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Eurozone industrial production fell by -0.3% mom in July, missing expectations of 0.2% mom rise. The decline was driven by significant drops in production across key sectors: intermediate goods fell by -1.3%, capital goods by -1.6%, and durable consumer goods by -2.8%. On the positive side, energy production saw a slight increase of 0.3%, while non-durable consumer goods rose by 1.8%.

In the broader EU, industrial production slipped by -0.1% momh. Notably, Malta (-5.5%), Estonia (-4.8%), and Romania (-3.4%) reported the largest production declines. Conversely, Ireland led gains with a robust +9.2% increase, followed by Croatia at +8.0% and Belgium at +7.3%.

Full Eurozone industrial production release here.

ECB officials shared varied perspectives on the economic outlook and monetary policy today, following yesterday’s 25bps rate cut. This move was largely anticipated as ECB continues its cautious approach to address both inflation and slowing growth.

ECB Deputy Governor Olli Rehn highlighted the "good reasons" behind the rate cut, amid declining inflation. He also stressed that "current uncertainties further emphasize the dependence on fresh data and analysis" to guide policy decisions.

Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel, another member of the Governing Council, struck a positive tone, stating, "We assume that core inflation will improve, especially with the declining wage trend in the eurozone." He added that in Germany, "things are moving in the right direction."

Meanwhile, Bank of France President François Villeroy de Galhau acknowledged the challenges posed by weaker-than-expected activity data, particularly in France. However, he maintained a cautious outlook, noting the potential for "a very gradual recovery" beyond the short-term boost from the Olympics. He emphasized that the pace of monetary easing "has to be highly pragmatic" and that ECB "keeps full optionality" for future meetings.

Bank of Slovenia President Bostjan Vasle reiterated ECB's data-dependent approach, adding that "we are not committed to any predetermined rate path," with inflation still largely driven by core components and services.

Bank of Estonia Governor Madis Muller, echoing these views, expressed concerns over services inflation but noted growing confidence in the broader inflation outlook, despite expectations of a temporary acceleration.

• USDCAD remains below 1.3600
• MACD and RSI indicate upside recovery

USDCAD is moving back and forth of the 200-day simple moving average, which is standing marginally beneath the 1.3600 round number. Earlier in the week, the market successfully travelled towards the 1.3620 bar, adding optimism for more bullish actions.

The technical oscillators are confirming an upside recovery after prices bounced off the 1.3440 support level. The MACD is holding above its trigger line in the negative region, while the RSI is trying to cross above the neutral threshold of 50.

If the pair maintains the buying interest, it may re-challenge the 1.3620 resistance level before touching the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) at 1.3660. Traders may also hit the 1.3790 resistance, taken from the inside swing low on July 31.

On the other hand, a dive beneath the 20-day SMA, which is currently near 1.3545, could send the bears towards the 1.3420-1.3440 support region. More downside pressure could endorse the bearish tendency, flirting with 1.3360.

All in all, USDCAD has been in a negative trend in the short term since the beginning of August, particularly after it printed a new low at 1.3420.