Forex Updates by Solid ECN

[Solid ECN]

GBPUSD Soars: Overbought Signals Emerge

Today's trading session saw the GBPUSD climb sharply. The pair broke through the top boundary of its bullish trend, indicating strong buying interest. At the same time, the RSI indicator moved into an area typically considered overbought, while the Awesome Oscillator pointed towards a possible divergence. These signals hint at a potential downward adjustment in the GBPUSD's price in the next trading session. It's expected that the pair might give back a portion of its recent gains, possibly retesting the 23.6% Fibonacci level and then maybe the 38.2% level.

Moreover, these levels could act as appealing entry points for buyers looking to capitalize on the uptrend, suggesting the bullish momentum may persist.​

 

[Solid ECN]

GBPJPY Update: Bullish Flag Dynamics and Key Resistance Levels

The GBPJPY currency pair recently reached the R2 resistance level but then dropped back to the middle of its bullish flag pattern. This pattern indicates a generally upward trend, with R1 serving as a key support level. If the currency pair breaks above the R2 level, its next goal might be reaching R3, which is in line with the top edge of the flag.

As long as the R1 level remains unbroken, it supports the upward trend. However, if this support level is breached, there's a chance that the GBPJPY pair could fall towards the lower boundary of the flag, a movement further backed by the monthly pivot point.​

 

[Solid ECN]

A Shift in the Dollar: Weak Data Sparks Talk of Rate Cuts

On Tuesday, the dollar index stabilized at around 103.1, marking its lowest point in three months. It's poised to close November with a near 3% decline, the most significant monthly fall in a year. This downturn follows weak economic indicators, fueling speculation that the Federal Reserve might halt interest rate hikes and possibly reduce rates next year.

Market predictions suggest a 25% likelihood of rate cuts by March 2024, increasing to 45% by May. Looking forward, investors are keenly awaiting the release of PCE prices, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, alongside personal income, spending data, and the ISM Manufacturing PMI for more clues. This week also features speeches from several Fed officials at different events. The dollar has weakened notably, especially against the yen and antipodean currencies.​

 

[Solid ECN]

GBPUSD Sees Strong Uptrend, Caution Advised for Long Positions

The GBPUSD currency pair recently began a stronger upward movement, surpassing its previous bullish trend. As of now, it's trading near 1.2703, with the RSI indicator indicating an overbought condition for nearly a day. Our previous technical analysis of GBPUSD cautioned that the pair was overbought, advising against long positions for retail traders. This advice remains relevant and applicable.

For investors considering going long, the 1.260 level presents a good and fair entry point, should there be any price adjustments in the GBPUSD pair.​

 

[Solid ECN]

EURUSD: Testing the Waters at 1.096

In the EURUSD market, the bears are currently putting pressure on the 1.096 support level. At the same time, the RSI indicator has exited the overbought zone, yet there's a noticeable divergence present. If the EURUSD manages to stay above 1.0963, the market sentiment is likely to remain bullish.

However, if the price of EURUSD dips below 1.0963, this bullish trend may pause. In this case, the focus will shift to how the market responds to the pivot point, which is also backed by the lower boundary of the bearish channel.​

 

[Solid ECN]

How Hong Kong’s Retail Sector Slowed Down in October​

In October 2023, Hong Kong’s retail sector grew by only 2.7% compared to the same month last year. This was a big drop from the 10.0% growth rate in September 2023. It was also the lowest growth rate since December 2022.

One of the main reasons for this slowdown was the decline in sales of some essential items, such as food, drinks, tobacco, fuels, and consumer durable goods. These items are usually bought by local residents for their daily needs. However, due to the high inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic, many people reduced their spending on these items.

Another reason was the weak demand for luxury goods, such as jewellery, watches, clocks, and valuable gifts. These items are usually bought by tourists and wealthy customers. However, due to the travel restrictions and the political unrest, many tourists and investors stayed away from Hong Kong.

On the other hand, some categories of retail sales still performed well in October 2023. These included clothing, footwear, and other consumer goods. These items are usually bought by young and fashionable customers. They also benefited from the online shopping platforms and the festive promotions.

Compared to September 2023, retail sales increased by 6.1% in October 2023. This was mainly because of the seasonal factors and the low base of comparison. However, this increase was not enough to offset the year-on-year slowdown.
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The Impact of Retail Sales on the Economy​

Retail sales are an important indicator of the economic health of a country or a region. They reflect the level of consumer confidence, income, and spending. They also affect the employment, tax revenue, and business activity of the retail sector.

Therefore, the slowdown in retail sales in Hong Kong could have a negative impact on the economy. It could reduce the income and profits of the retailers and their suppliers. It could also lower the tax revenue and the public spending of the government. It could also discourage the investment and the innovation of the retail sector.

However, the slowdown in retail sales could also have some positive effects on the economy. It could encourage the consumers to save more and spend less. It could also motivate the retailers to improve their efficiency and quality. It could also stimulate the diversification and the transformation of the retail sector.​

 

[Solid ECN]

Lithium Prices Continue to Fall​

The price of lithium carbonate, a key ingredient for making batteries, has dropped to CNY 120,000 per tonne. This is the lowest price since August 2021. The reason for this price drop is that there is more lithium than people need. People are not buying as many electric vehicles (EVs) as expected in China, which is the biggest market for lithium batteries. Instead, battery makers are using up their existing stocks of lithium, which they bought when the Chinese government gave them a lot of subsidies in 2021 and 2022. Some experts now think that there will be enough lithium for everyone until 2028. This is a big change from the previous predictions that there would be a shortage of lithium soon. In November 2022, the price of lithium was as high as CNY 600,000 per tonne.

The situation is not much better in other countries. In the US, people are not buying many EVs either, because they have to pay more interest on their loans. This makes them less willing to spend money on big items like cars. Meanwhile, the production of lithium is still going strong. Mineral Resources, the second-largest producer of spodumene, a type of lithium ore, plans to double its output in Western Australia next year.
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The Effect of Lithium Prices on the Economy​

Lithium prices are an important indicator of the economic health of the battery and EV industries. They show how much demand and supply there is for lithium, and how much profit and cost there is for the producers and consumers of lithium. They also affect the employment, tax revenue, and business activity of these industries.

Therefore, the fall in lithium prices could have a negative impact on the economy. It could reduce the income and profits of the lithium miners and battery makers. It could also lower the tax revenue and the public spending of the governments that support these industries. It could also discourage the investment and the innovation of these industries.

However, the fall in lithium prices could also have some positive effects on the economy. It could encourage the consumers to save more and spend less. It could also motivate the lithium miners and battery makers to improve their efficiency and quality. It could also stimulate the diversification and the transformation of these industries.​

 

[Solid ECN]

EURUSD: Easing Near the Cloud

The EURUSD currency pair's downtick slowed near the lower line of the bullish flag. This pivotal mark is additionally supported by the Ichimoku cloud. For the bullish trend to maintain, the price should hold above the cloud and/or the 23.6% Fibonacci level. In this case, we can expect the EURUSD to continue its upward trend inside the flag.

To trigger a long trade on the pair, it is recommended to patiently wait for the technical indicators to support the bullish scenario. The Stochastic oscillator hovers in the oversold zone, while the ADX indicator is about to cross above the 20 level. While the ADX indicator demonstrates that the trend is lacking momentum, the stochastic oscillator or RSI should cross above the signal lines.

Conversely, the bullish flag will be invalid if the bears close and stabilize the price below the 23.6% Fibonacci level. Please note, this event won't invalidate the bullish trend as long as the EURUSD hovers above the Ichimoku cloud.​

 

[Solid ECN]

Bitcoin Bulls Break Resistance, Eye $40,000 Next

The price of bitcoin climbed over the 38,250 level in the latest trading session, continuing its bullish trend. However, the bitcoin bulls are facing the middle line of the bullish flag as their next obstacle. The technical indicators show that the RSI still has some space to reach the overbought zone. At the same time, the awesome oscillator bars changed to green, indicating the strength of the upward movement.

The middle line of the flag is unlikely to resist the buying force. As a result, analysts at FxNews predict that the BTCUSD price will go up and target the $40,000 mark, which matches the top line of the flag.

This analysis is valid as long as the pair is trading within the bullish flag.

 

[Solid ECN]

EURUSD at a Crossroads: Resistance Clash and Trend Predictions

The EURUSD pair is approaching a critical point, the 23.6% resistance level, which interestingly aligns with the Ichimoku cloud. Currently, the technical indicators are hinting at a potential sell-off. If the price manages to remain under the cloud, there's a strong chance we'll see a further downward trend, potentially reaching the 38.2% level, and maybe even the 50% mark.

However, there's another side to consider. Should the EURUSD pair successfully break through the 23.6% resistance and maintain its position above this level, it would suggest a shift in momentum. In such a scenario, the current bearish outlook would no longer be valid, indicating a possible change in trend.​

 

[Solid ECN]

USDJPY's Bullish Stance Meets Resistance

Currently, the USDJPY pair is positioned within a bullish flag formation. Yet, there's been a notable change - the price has fallen below the Ichimoku cloud, hinting at a potential shift in the market's direction. As of now, the pair is undergoing a test at the lower boundary of this flag, and the ADX indicator is suggesting that we may see significant fluctuations ahead.

If the price drops past this crucial point, it's likely we'll see a further slide down to the 144.5 support level. This would be a key movement to watch for.

On the other hand, if the bulls succeed in keeping the price stable above 146.2, it could signal a continuation of the upward trend. In such a scenario, the pair might target the 23.6% mark on the Fibonacci retracement scale, possibly even stretching to the 38.2% level.​

 

[Solid ECN]

AUDUSD Pair in a Downward Trend: What are the Key Levels to Watch?

At the moment, the AUDUSD pair is facing a significant drop of almost 0.63% on a daily basis and is approaching the support levels that are determined by the lowest points of the last day of November.

If the pair breaks below this structure, it may encounter the next support level at the 200-day exponential moving average (golden curve), which also coincides with the 61.8% Fibo retracement of the upward movement that started in October 2023. On the other hand, the main resistance level could be the local highs near the 50% Fibo retracement.​

 

[Solid ECN]

GBPUSD in the Ichimoku Cloud

The GBPUSD pair is currently ranging within the Ichimoku cloud, which has stabilized the price above the 23.6% Fibonacci level. For the bullish trend to continue, the pair must cross above the bearish flag.

Failure to do so could lead to a decline towards the 38.2% Fibonacci level, which is a significant event to watch out for.

 

[Solid ECN]

Swiss Franc Strengthens as SNB Adjusts Forex Reserves​

The Swiss franc has been on a strong upward trajectory, surpassing 0.875 against the USD in November, marking its highest point since early August. This increase is largely fueled by expectations that the US Federal Reserve might cut rates by the second quarter of 2024, which has put pressure on the US dollar. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, moderate inflation and a slowing economy have contributed to limited monetary policy support for the franc. Inflation has remained under the 2% mark for the fifth month in a row as of October, and the latest data indicates that the country's GDP growth stalled in the second quarter.

Moreover, diminishing concerns over a major escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict have reduced the demand for the franc as a safe haven, leading it to approach four-month lows against the euro. Despite these factors, the franc is still on track to end 2023 stronger against both the dollar and the euro. This strength is partly attributed to the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) reduction in foreign currency reserves, which dropped to a nearly six-year low in October.​

 

[Solid ECN]

Turkish Central Bank's Bold Moves Amidst Lira's Fall

The Turkish lira has been on a downward trajectory, now reaching nearly 29 units against the US dollar. This decline persists even as the central bank of Turkey continues to implement what they call 'intentional devaluation,' a strategy that hasn't changed despite increasing interest rates. To manage this situation, the bank has tightened reserve requirements for the lira. This move is aimed at reducing the amount of money available in the interbank market. As a result, local interest rates have risen, aligning more closely with the cost of borrowing lira internationally.

Over the last three months, the currency's value has been consistently dropping, setting new lows almost every day. On average, the lira loses just over 0.1% daily, which has led to a staggering 50% decrease since the beginning of the year. In a surprising turn, the central bank, during its latest meeting on November 23rd, raised the benchmark one-week repo rate by 500 basis points, reaching 40%. This increase exceeded market expectations, which predicted a rise of only 250 basis points. This decision signals the bank's intensified effort to curb the ongoing inflation trend.​

 

[Solid ECN]

Dollar Stays Strong as Job Market Data Looms

On Thursday, the dollar index maintained its position above 104, with investors taking a cautious approach. They are waiting for the upcoming monthly jobs report, which is anticipated to offer new insights into the current state of the US labor market. The report, due on Friday, is expected to reveal an increase in employment by 170,000 in November. Additionally, it's predicted that the unemployment rate will stay at a 22-month peak of 3.9%, and wage growth might slow down to 4%, marking the lowest since June 2021.

Recent data presents a mixed picture. Wednesday's figures suggested a slowdown in the US labor market, with the ADP report showing fewer job additions in November than anticipated, and labor costs in the third quarter being lower than expected. Despite these indications of a cooling labor market, the dollar has stayed near its highest levels in almost three weeks. This resilience is partly due to traders increasing their bets on rate cuts by other central banks. Currently, the market is pricing in about an 85% likelihood of the European Central Bank cutting rates in March 2024.​

 

[Solid ECN]

Gold Technical Analysis

Gold has been stabilizing its price above the Ichimoku cloud as expected. The pair is currently trading in a narrow range between $2,009 and $2,039. The direction and magnitude of the next breakout are crucial for the future trend.

If the XAUUSD price breaks above the upper boundary of the range, the bulls will have a clear path to the 23.6% resistance level at $2,078.

On the other hand, if the price falls below the lower boundary of the range, the bears will try to push it back into the Ichimoku cloud and test the support level at $1,984. The market sentiment and the global economic outlook will likely influence the price movement of gold in the coming days.​

 

[Solid ECN]

DXY Edges Up, Future Projections Show Increase

On Friday, December 8, there was a small rise in the DXY, with an increase of 0.1831 or 0.18%, bringing it to 103.72. This marked a slight upturn from its previous level of 103.54 recorded in the last trading session.

Projections from Solid ECN, based on our global macro models and analysts' expectations, suggest that the United States Dollar could reach around 104.29 by the end of this quarter. Peering further into the future, our forecasts indicate that in 12 months' time, the Dollar might increase to approximately 107.58.​

 

[Solid ECN]

GBPUSD Sees Slight Decline, Predicted to Lower Further

On Friday, December 8, the GBPUSD experienced a modest decrease, dropping 0.0046 or 0.37% to close at 1.2544, down from 1.2590 in the previous trading session. This shift reflects a slight downward trend in the currency pair.

It is anticipated that the British Pound will trade around the 1.25 mark by the end of the current quarter. Extending the outlook further, over the next 12 months, the Pound is estimated to potentially trade at around 1.20.​

 

[Solid ECN]

Bitcoin's Steady Rise: December 9th Update

On Saturday, December 9th, the value of Bitcoin in US Dollars was 44,193, showing a small rise of 33 or 0.07% from the last trading session. Over the past month, Bitcoin's value increased by 18.51%. If we look at the past year, it went up by 157.98%.

Predictions suggest that by the end of this quarter, the price of Bitcoin in US Dollars might decrease to 37,157 and further drop to 30,991 in a year, as per projections from global macro models and what experts anticipate.​