Markets at a key crossroads as risk recovery turns more cautious [Video]

Market Overview

A risk positive start to the week has just begun to lose a little steam this morning. Markets have been able to respond to some good newsflow for a change, as the steps towards a $2.2 trillion package of US fiscal support edges closer and hints of positive steps emanate from Brexit trade negotiations. This is leaves markets at an intriguing inflection point. The dollar has been strengthening in recent weeks as risk appetite has faltered amidst rising second wave COVID fears. This is still a key factor for traders to price for, but if Congress can get a new fiscal support package over the line, it would be a very welcome boost in the coming days. After a couple of sessions of reacting to the initial news, this morning, markets are looking more circumspect. Previously, we have seen hope of agreement in Congress dissipate quickly. It seems that markets need further traction in Congress (but also the EU/UK Brexit trade negotiations) in order to take a view. The dollar has drifted off, but only marginally and so far there has been little sustainable damage to its multi-week recovery. Equities have rebounded, but the move is stalling slightly today. Gold has bounced after a recent phase of selling pressure, but is also stalling. The one decisive mover today seems to be sterling, but again, the politics can change quickly, leaving sterling as a volatile play right now.

Wall Street closed decisively higher with the S&P 500 +1.6% at 3351, whilst futures are consolidating early today (E-mini S&Ps +0.1%). Asian markets were mildly positive overnight (Nikkei +0.1% and Shanghai Composite +0.4%), whilst European markets are cautious in early moves (FTSE futures -0.4%, DAX futures -0.3%). In forex, the rebound on GBP is once more in force, whilst AUD and NZD performing well is risk positive. JPY is the main underperformer. In commodities, the rebound on gold (+0.1%) has just consolidated this morning, with silver dropping back (-0.7%). Oil is giving back some of yesterday’s gains too.

The economic calendar is a bit busier today as we approach the end of the month. German inflation is due at 1300BST and is expected to show German HICP falling by -0.1% in the month of September (after falling by -0.2% in August) and also falling by -0.1% on the year (-0.1% in August). The US Trade Balance is at 1330BST and is expected to show a slight increase in the deficit to -$81.8bn in August (from $-$80.1bn in July). The S&P Case Shiller House Price Index is at 1400BST and is expected to improve to +3.8% in July (from +3.5% in June). The main data point of the day is the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence at 1500BST which is expected to improve well to 89.5 in September (from 84.8 in August).

There is an abundance of Fed speakers to watch out for today, with four on the docket. FOMC’s John Williams (voter, centrist) speaks twice at 1415BST and 1800BST, whilst FOMC’s Patrick Harker (voter, leans slightly hawkish) speaks at 1430BST. Vice Fed chair Richard Clarida (voter, can lean slightly dovish) speaks at 1640BST, whilst FOMC’s Randall Quarles speaks first at 1800BST and then again at 2000BST. With an array of comments this could show some elevated volatility for the dollar today.

Chart of the Day – USD/CAD 

The dollar rally which has pulled USD/CAD higher over the past few weeks has begun to consolidate in the past few sessions. The question is whether this is a pause or the whether the rally has run its course. On USD/CAD, the bulls will be now looking to build support around the two important levels which were recently broken. The recent breakout above 1.3230/1.3260 completed a small base pattern (implying +240 pips towards 1.3470). However, the more important breakout was above the long term pivot line around 1.3310 which really confirmed the development of recovery. Ideally the bulls would hold above 1.3310 now to sustain recovery momentum. However, with a new four week uptrend coming in at 1.3210 today, a higher low in the band 1.3230/1.3310 would be another positive signal for the bulls. Momentum is reflecting a decisive recovery now and that near term weakness will still be seen as a chance to buy. The next resistance above 1.3420 comes in at 1.3460/1.3480 which coincides with the base pattern implied target. A breach of 1.3230 would be a disappointment now.

Brent Crude Oil

With the support of the mid-range pivot at $41.30 holding firm over the past week, there is a sense that the bulls are just beginning to feel a little more confident once more. Recent sessions have built on support to form a couple of positive candles where intraday weakness is being seen as a chance to buy. This is a market still very much in the midst of an extended range now, with a multi-month range of $37.00/$46.50. This has tightened to $39.30/$43.80 in the past few weeks, and all around a $41.30 pivot. Trading slightly above the pivot leaves a mild positive bias now. We look to use near term slips towards $41.30 as a chance to buy for pressure towards $43.80. A close under $41.30 flips to a negative bias towards $39.30.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

A third consecutive day of gains for the Dow and the market has pulled decisively higher. A move through the 27,465 rebound lower high from last week has improved the outlook as investors begin to position for a package of fiscal support from Congress. With the strong reaction of the past few sessions, the bulls are once more on the brink of taking control. Pulling decisively through the resistance band of 27,445/27,580 (the multi-week top neckline) would be a decisive signal. A slight pullback into the close still leaves a few question marks but futures are ticking higher again today and if the Dow can close above the falling 21 day moving average (closed last night at 27,820) then the bulls will be well in control for a test of the first lower high at 28,365. If the market also now begins to use 27,445/27,580 as a basis of support this will also add weight to the improving outlook.

Other assets insights

EUR/USD Analysis: read now
GBP/USD  Analysis:  read now
USD/JPY  Analysis:  read now
GOLD Analysis: read now