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Eurozone retail sales volume contracted -1.2% mom in March, much worse than expectation of -0.2% mom. The volume of retail trade decreased by -1.4% mom for food, drinks and tobacco and by -1.1% mom for non-food products, while it increased by 1.6% mom for automotive fuels.

EU retail sales declined by -1.1% mom. Among Member States for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Latvia (-2.7%), Germany and Poland (both -2.4%) and Luxembourg (-1.9%). The highest increases were observed in Romania (+2.9%), Portugal (+2.3%) and Ireland (+1.0%).

Full Eurozone retail sales release here.

Swiss CPI slowed from 2.9% yoy to 2.6% yoy in April, below expectation of 2.8% yoy. Core CPI (excluding fresh and seasonal products, energy and fuel) was unchanged at 2.2% yoy. Domestic prices edged down from 2.7% yoy to 2.6% yoy. Imported prices plunged from from 3.8% yoy to 2.4% yoy.

For the month, CPI was unchanged at 0.0% mom. Core CPI rose 0.2% mom. Domestic prices rose 0.2% while imported prices rose 0.2% mom.

Full Swiss CPI release here.

EURGBP erased Tuesday’s fast pickup, extending its two-day decline to a new one-month low of 0.8740 early on Friday.

The bulls ran out of fuel near the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the 0.8201-0.9249 uptrend at 0.8850 and the upper boundary of the three-month-old bearish channel, increasing speculation that a new bearish wave might be now in progress. Adding to the negative risks is Thursday’s close below the support trendline drawn from August’s lows seen at 0.8800.

The RSI and the MACD are raising a red flag too as the former is sloping downwards below its 50 neutral mark and the latter is decelerating within the negative region. Still, the bears may not take control unless the 0.8725-0.8700 zone, where the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) meets the 50% Fibonacci level, gives way. A clear step lower could activate an aggressive downfall towards the 0.8645 hurdle, while a steeper decline could reach the channel’s lower band seen near 0.8615.

A bounce higher may initially re-challenge the 0.8800-0.8820 bar ahead of the 0.8850-0.8875 resistance region. If the bulls successfully claim the latter, the recovery may stretch towards the 0.8925 barricade and then up to the key 0.8978-0.9000 territory.

In a nutshell, EURGBP is expected to face additional selling pressure in the short term, with the confirmation likely coming below 0.8725-0.8700.

The RBA highlights the key to the policy debate – the risks to the inflation forecasts from sticky services inflation.

The Reserve Bank’s May Statement on Monetary Policy shows that the Bank has lowered its growth and inflation forecasts for 2023 from the February Statement.

The forecasts in the May Statement assume the cash rate peaks at 3.75%, which is in line with the assumption used in the February SOMP, while the AUD assumption is around 4% lower on a TWI basis.

Forecast growth for 2023 has been lowered from 1.6% to 1.2% reflecting weaker outcomes in both household consumption (1.7% to 1.3%) and business investment (3.7% to 2.3%).

Despite these changes and the boost to population growth the unemployment track is unchanged. (3.6% in June; 4.0% in December)

Inflation forecasts have also been lowered “due to slightly weaker than expected March quarter outcome”.

Headline inflation in 2023 has been lowered from 4.8% to 4.5% and trimmed mean inflation has been lowered from 4.3% to 4.0%.

However, the inflation path does not change through 2024 with headline inflation in 2024 still forecast at 3.2% (trimmed mean 3.1%) and 2.9% (trimmed mean 2.9%) by June 2025.

Wages growth has also been downgraded from 4.2% to 4.0% in 2023.

The Bank notes that “the downgrades to the labour market and labour costs offset a stronger outlook for rent inflation and a small depreciation in the exchange rate.”

The weaker growth outlook is also putting some further downward pressure on inflation through, “retailers have increasingly cited weaker demand as a constraint on their ability to increase prices.”

We were given a “flavour” of the Bank’s concerns for the risks to the inflation outlook in the Governor’s statement following the May Board decision to raise the cash rate by 25 basis points. He emphasised his concerns with the resilience of services inflation – consistent with observations overseas.

In turn those services pressures that are largely linked to wages growth are exacerbated if productivity growth in the services sectors remains weak. This theme figures prominently in the commentary, “services inflation is expected to remain high in 2023… growth in unit labour costs is expected to be solid over the forecast period, adding to cost pressures for labour intensive market services.”

This dynamic is worrying the Bank. “Inflation could also be more persistent if productivity growth does not pick up, which would make the current outlook for labour costs more inflationary than anticipated.”

On the other hand, there is some recognition of the link between the softening of demand that is recognised in the lowering of the growth forecasts and inflation through goods inflation. “If prices for consumer durables reversed one third of the price increases recorded since the onset of the pandemic, year ended inflation would be around half a percentage point lower than the current forecast … inflation would be around the middle of the target range in the second half of 2024, instead of being above it.”

So, the key theme in the SOMP is the risks around the inflation outlook given the evidence both domestically and offshore that services inflation is slow to fall. That can be explained by the ongoing tightness of the labour market holding up wages growth and poor productivity in the market services sector which is boosting unit labour costs.

This dilemma appears to have recently become a source of considerable frustration for the Board. Their policy instrument – interest rates - is doing its job in restraining demand as demonstrated by the significant downward revisions (from the already modest forecast pace) to household spending and investment growth but has had no real success in easing pressures in the labour market or, as is to be expected, boosting productivity.

The Board is also looking abroad at similar messages, “Globally…services price inflation remains strong and could prove to be quite persistent.”

What does this message mean for the policy outlook?

The Bank’s current forecasts are based on no further increase in the cash rate. That differs from the February forecasts where the same 3.75% peak in rates was embedded in the forecasts. (At the time of the February Board meeting the cash rate was 3.10%). The forecasts still indicate that the 2.9% “target” of inflation will be reached by mid 2025.

Consequently, despite the guidance that “Some further tightening of monetary policy may be required.” the forecasts indicate that is not expected to be necessary to achieve the long-term target of 2.9%.

But forecasts are not definitive – particularly two years out.

We expect that if there is to be another hike (which is not our current base case) it will come at the August Board meeting when a complete picture of developments in overall inflation and services inflation will be available from the June quarter Inflation Report.

The Bank’s forecasts indicate that the Board will, by August, still be observing a record tight unemployment rate (3.6%); a fall in trimmed mean inflation over the quarter from 6.6% to 6.0%; a fall in headline inflation from 7% to 6.3%. Those results would be necessary to support the Board’s view that it is still on target to achieve the 2.9% by June 2025. Our current inflation forecasts suggest that the results would give the Board encouragement that inflation is slowing more quickly than they had expected.

Spending growth is expected to be slowing sharply with GDP growth and consumer spending growth down to 1% (annualised) in the first half of 2023 – in line with our own forecast.

Globally, while labour markets and services inflation may be holding up, spending growth is expected to under extreme pressure – with a real prospect of a US recession and the FOMC firmly on hold.

In some ways this scenario is similar to the data observed in May – tight labour market; inflation still way too high (but lower than expected).

But the evidence of the impact of the monetary policy tightening on real activity is expected to be much more sobering by August than we saw in May.

Our central case remains that a positive surprise on lower than expected inflation; evidence of the impact on demand of the accumulated rate hikes; and offshore pessimism will be enough to keep the Board on hold in August. But the eery comparison of the likely tight labour market and robust services inflation with May certainly indicates upside risks to our scenario.

GBPJPY was stuck in an uptrend since the beginning of the year and generated a new seven-year high of 172.31 last Tuesday. Although the recent completion of a golden cross between the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) and the 200-day SMA induced bullish pressures, the pair experienced a downside correction.

The short-term oscillators currently suggest that bullish forces are waning but remain in control. Specifically, the RSI has flatlined above its 50-neutral mark despite its recent drop, while the MACD histogram is softening above both zero and its red signal line.

Should selling interest persist, the previous resistance of 167.96 could now act as immediate support. Dipping beneath this region, the pair could decline towards 166.83 before the 164.20 hurdle gets tested. Further retreats might then cease at the April support of 162.76.

On the flipside, if the price reverses higher again, the December 2022 peak of 169.26 could be the first barrier for the bulls to conquer. An upside violation of that zone could pave the way for the seven-year high of 172.31. Slicing through that barricade, the pair could ascend towards levels not seen in years, where the March-May 2014 resistance of 173.45 could curb any upside attempts.

In brief, GBPJPY experienced a pullback after its 2023 advance peaked at a fresh seven-year high of 172.31.  However, the price retains its bullish structure and only a break below the 200-day SMA could shift the outlook to bearish.

USDCAD is diving beneath the 1.3500 psychological mark and the 20-day simple moving average (SMA) after failing to jump above the 1.3640 resistance. The MACD is moving sideways near its trigger and zero lines, while the RSI is falling beneath the neutral threshold of 50. In the long-term view, the market has been still holding within a descending triangle since October 2022.

Any more losses could meet an immediate key level near the 200-day SMA at 1.3450, ahead of the 1.3300 pscyhological mark. Beneath this, the price may hit the lower boundary of the triangle at 1.3260 and the 1.3225 support. Steeper downside pressures may shift the outlook to bearish.

On the flip side, a successful rise above 1.3640 could surge towards the downtrend line at 1.3750 before the bulls take the pair until the 1.3800 handle and the 1.3860 barrier, changing the current bearish situation to neutral.

To sum up, USDCAD is easing in the short-term and the broader outlook remains bearish as the price is trading within the bearish pattern.

AUD/USD is moving higher and might climb further higher above 0.6740. NZD/USD is also rising and might rally above the 0.6310 resistance zone.

Important Takeaways for AUD USD and NZD USD Analysis Today

• The Aussie Dollar started a fresh increase above the 0.6670 and 0.6700 levels against the US Dollar.
• There was a break above a major contracting triangle with resistance near 0.6700 on the hourly chart of AUD/USD at FXOpen.
• There is a key bullish trend line forming with support near 0.6260 on the hourly chart of NZD/USD at FXOpen.

AUD/USD Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of AUD/USD at FXOpen, the pair started a fresh increase from the 0.6640 support. The Aussie Dollar was able to clear the 50-hour simple moving average to move into a positive zone against the US Dollar.

There was also a break above a major contracting triangle with resistance near 0.6700 and the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the 0.6717 swing high to the 0.6641 low.

The AUD USD chart indicates that the pair is now consolidating near the 1.236 Fib extension of the downward move from the 0.6717 swing high to the 0.6641 low. On the upside, it is facing resistance near the 0.6740 level.

An upside break above the 0.6740 resistance might send the pair further higher. The next major resistance is near the 0.6780 level. Any more gains could open the doors for a move toward the 0.6840 resistance zone.

On the downside, initial support is near 0.6740. The next support could be the 0.6670 level and the 50-hour simple moving average. If there is a downside break below the 0.6670 support, the pair could extend its decline toward the 0.6640 level. Any more losses might signal a move toward 0.6580.

NZD/USD Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of AUD/USD on FXOpen, the pair followed a bullish path from the 0.6205 support. The New Zealand Dollar gained bullish momentum after it broke the 0.6260 resistance against the US Dollar.

The pair settled well above the 50-hour simple moving average. It is now consolidating gains near the 0.6310 level. If there is a downside correction, the pair could test the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the 0.6207 swing low to the 0.6312 high at 0.6285.

The NZD USD chart suggests that there is a key support forming near the 50-hour simple moving average at 0.6260. It is close to a key bullish trend line and the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the 0.6207 swing low to the 0.6312 high.

If there is a downside break below the trend line support, the pair might slide toward the 0.6205 support. Any more losses could send NZD/USD toward 0.6150.

On the upside, an initial resistance is near the 0.6310 level. The next major resistance is near the 0.6340 level. A clear move above the 0.6340 level might even push the pair toward the 0.6365 level. Any more gains might open the doors for a move toward the 0.6400 resistance zone in the coming days.

Market picture

The cryptocurrency market capitalisation is marginally lower by 0.1% compared to 24 hours ago, recovering from a 2% drop at the end of the previous day. The Cryptocurrency Fear and Greed Index dropped 3 points overnight to 61 but remained at the Geed territory. Most of the top ten cryptocurrencies are losing ground over the last day, while Bitcoin and XRP are slightly gaining.

Bitcoin has risen 0.3% in the last 24 hours and more than 1% since the start of the day. In the early hours of this morning, the price slipped close to $29.5K, the highest level since the end of April. The first cryptocurrency overcame a sharp decline on May 1st and is now testing downside resistance through last month’s local highs. A consolidation above this level would be a significant signal for buyers and could trigger a growth surge.

Ethereum’s upward-sloping 50-day moving average regularly supports local dips, as in Bitcoin. The 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the March-April momentum was also a nominal support line. This is also where the former resistance area from March is located, which now becomes support.

The average commission per Ethereum transaction has reached the highest level since May 2022, above $15. This situation is mainly due to the rally around meme tokens such as PEPE. The problem is similar for Bitcoin; the average transaction fee has exceeded $7 due to the hype around the Ordinals.

News background

Cardano creator Charles Hoskinson warned that the collapse of American banks this year could repeat the 2008 financial crisis. However, cryptocurrencies are showing resilience in a challenging macroeconomic environment.

Michael van de Poppe, founder of trading platform Eight, urged market participants to “take money out of banks” and invest in hard assets such as gold, silver, bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies. He said preparing for “a decade of cryptocurrencies and commodities” was necessary.

The collapse of FTX Group in November led to a shift in the share and influence of crypto exchanges in the digital asset market. According to Coingecko’s research, Binance’s market share has reached 62%, followed by Upbit (7%) and OKX (6.4%). The rest of the top 10 hold less than 6% of the global market.

Coinbase will stop lending against Bitcoin amid a crackdown by US authorities.

Cable hit new 2023 high in early Friday, lifted by results of UK local election, in which conservatives suffered heavy losses, as voters showed their disappointment over weak economic growth, high inflation and political scandals.

Election results improved pound’s sentiment and brighten outlook for Labour party in the next general election.

Weaker dollar also contributed to the latest acceleration, which looks for today’s close above 1.2600 zone to confirm break and signal further advance as the pair is on track for the seventh straight weekly gain.

Bullish daily studies (MA’s in bullish setup; positive momentum is strengthening, 20-d Bollinger bands expand) add to positive signals.

Markets await today’s key event – US labor report for April, which is expected to show further slowdown in US job growth and increase in unemployment, with April’s figure below forecast (180K f/c vs 236K in Mar) to add pressure on dollar, already dented by dovish Fed and offer fresh support to sterling.

Bulls eye targets at 1.2725/59 (100WMA / Fibo 61.8% retracement of larger 1.4249/1.0348 downtrend), with stronger bullish acceleration to attack 200WMA (1.2868) and unmask psychological 1.30 barrier.

Rising daily Tenkan-sen offers solid support at 1.2510, followed by rising daily Kijun-sen (1.2454) loss of which would sideline bulls and risk deeper pullback.

Res: 1.2634; 1.2666; 1.2725; 1.2759.
Sup: 1.2583; 1.2545; 1.2510; 1.2454.

On the hourly chart of EUR/USD at FXOpen, the pair struggled near the 1.1090 resistance and reacted to the downside. The Euro declined below the 1.1040 support against the US Dollar.

The pair retested the 1.1000 support and is currently moving higher. On the upside, immediate resistance is near the 50-hour simple moving average at 1.1045.

The next major resistance is near the 1.1060 level. A break above the 1.1060 resistance zone could start a decent increase toward the 1.1090 zone. A close above the 1.1090 level might start a strong increase toward the 1.1150 resistance.

Conversely, the pair might resume its decline from the 1.1060 level. Initial support is near the 1.1040 zone and a connecting bullish trend line. The next major support is near 1.1000, below which EUR/USD could test the 1.0945 support.