Fed’s rate pause and Dollar fluctuating

After the FOMC statement was unveiled yesterday, the dollar index held its ground firmly above the pivotal $105 level, putting pressure on gold prices.

In the aftermath of the FOMC statement unveiled yesterday, financial markets fluctuated as investors dissected the nuanced signals emanating from the Fed's leadership regarding its policy outlook. The dollar index held its ground firmly above the pivotal $105 level, exerting pressure on gold prices despite the Fed's decision to temporarily halt its rate increases in September. Jerome Powell's communication conveyed an unwavering stance on maintaining interest rates at a restrictive level until sustained inflation control is achieved. Concurrently, oil prices faced headwinds, influenced by the Fed's hawkish tone and compounded by a lower-than-expected reduction in U.S. stockpiles. All eyes are currently trained on the Bank of England's impending interest rate decision, amplified by lower-than-anticipated UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures that have fueled speculation of a potentially more dovish monetary policy stance from the British central bank.

Market movements

Dollar Index

The US dollar staged an impressive rebound even as the Federal Reserve maintained its interest rates within the 5.25% to 5.50% range. Notably, hawkish stances among most Fed policymakers, with the anticipation of another rate hike before the year's end, underpinned the greenback's strength. The two-year Treasury yields surged to levels not witnessed in 17 years following the Fed's announcement.

The Dollar Index is trading higher while currently testing the resistance level. MACD has illustrated diminishing bearish momentum, while RSI is at 58, suggesting the index might extend its gains after breakout since the RSI stays above the midline.

Resistance level: 105.40, 106.25.

Support level: 104.25, 103.05.

XAU/USD

The gold market experienced a notable downturn following the Federal Reserve's hawkish statements, with investors shifting their attention towards the resurgent US dollar. The optimistic economic outlook, fueled by the Fed's upgraded GDP growth projections, prompted investors to reconsider their positions in favour of US investments, contributing to the gold market's decline.

Gold prices are trading lower while currently testing the support level. MACD has illustrated increasing bearish momentum, while RSI is at 51, suggesting the commodity might extend its losses after breakout since the RSI retreated sharply from overbought territory.

Resistance level: 1950.00, 1975.00.

Support level: 1930.00, 1910.00.

EUR/USD

The euro faced a significant decline as the US dollar continued to strengthen. Disappointing eurozone Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures fell short of expectations, impeding the euro's ability to recover against the USD. Moreover, the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance, announced yesterday, underscores the US central bank's readiness to maintain interest rates at restrictive levels for an extended period in pursuit of its targeted inflation rate. This commitment has strengthened the dollar, particularly as the struggling eurozone economy lacks the necessary support for the European Central Bank (ECB) to implement an aggressive monetary tightening policy.

EUR/USD has a lower high price pattern, and the bullish momentum earlier seems to have vanished as the RSI and MACD both declined.

Resistance level:1.0700, 1.0760.

Support level: 1.0640, 1.0540.

GBP/USD

The British Pound has recently dipped to levels not witnessed since May as the Fed's hawkish posture lent strength to the dollar, even in the face of last night's rate pause. The Fed's message was resolute: U.S. interest rates will remain at their currently restrictive levels until inflation is controlled. Conversely, the Bank of England (BoE) is poised to release its interest rate decision today. The market, buoyed by a UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) that fell short of expectations, now anticipates a more dovish monetary policy stance from the British central bank.

The Pound Sterling has been breaking below its support level and is constantly trading below its long-term downtrend resistance level, suggesting a bearish signal for the Cable. The RSI and the MACD have been flowing in the lower region, echoing the bearish bias for the pair.

Resistance level: 1.2400, 1.2470.

Support level: 1.2310, 1.2200.

NZD/USD

In the early Asian trading session, the New Zealand Dollar exhibited resilience, propelled by encouraging economic data. Statistics New Zealand reported a substantial improvement in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the last quarter, rising from a previous reading of 0.0% to a robust 0.90%, outperforming market expectations of 0.50%..

The Kiwi is trading higher following the prior rebound from the support level. However, MACD has illustrated increasing bearish momentum, while RSI is at 41, suggesting the pair might experience technical correction since the RSI stays below the midline.

Resistance level: 0.5985, 0.6015.

Support level: 0.5925, 0.5890.

Dow Jones

The simultaneous rise in US Treasury yields and the Fed's hawkish stance triggered further selloffs in the US equity market, underscoring the market's sensitivity to interest rate dynamics. Despite a turbulent trading day, marked by rollercoaster volatility, market focus now pivots back to US economic data for further trading signals.

The Dow is trading lower while currently testing the support level. MACD has illustrated increasing bearish momentum, while RSI is at 44, suggesting the index might extend its losses after breakout since the RSI stays below the midline.

Resistance level: 34900.00, 35590.00.

Support level: 34355.00, 33720.00.

USD/JPY

The USD/JPY pair shows resilience as it remains steadily above its recent consolidation range, signalling a bullish trend. Despite the Federal Reserve announcing a rate pause yesterday, the US dollar has strengthened due to a hawkish statement from the Fed's chair. Investors have reacted by driving the dollar's value higher. Today, all eyes are on the release of Japan's Consumer Price Index (CPI), which could potentially serve as a catalyst for the USD/JPY pair to establish a clear direction.

USD/JPY is firmly traded at a high level, and the RSI as well as the MACD, have been constantly flowing at the upper region, suggesting a bullish bias for the pair.

Resistance level: 148.90, 151.45.

Support level: 147.25, 145.00.

CL Oil

Oil prices faced headwinds as the Federal Reserve signalled the likelihood of higher rates persisting. However, the oil market's losses were contained by bullish inventory data. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), US Crude Oil Inventories showed a significant decrease, declining from 3.954 million barrels to -2.135 million barrels, surpassing market expectations.

Oil prices are trading lower following the prior retracement from the resistance level. MACD has illustrated increasing bearish momentum, while RSI is at 41, suggesting the commodity might extend its losses since the RSI retreated sharply from overbought territory.

Resistance level: 92.45, 95.80.

Support level: 87.70, 84.45.