Market Focus

The broad U.S. equity markets experienced a sell-off on the first trading day of the week. The S&P 500 dropped 56.58 points to close at 4300.46, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 2.1%. Meanwhile, Dow closed 0.9% down. Market sentiment was affected by the rising yield curve and soaring commodity prices. Since the Federal Reserve meeting last week, the 10-year Treasury yield has jumped to around the 1.5% region. Rising bond yields were motivated by the increasingly hawkish stance that global central banks are presenting. The imminent bond tapering and possible interest rate hike have especially affected “big tech” firms. As such, the S&P info-tech index suffered a more than 2% drop.

OPEC+ failed to come to an agreement on raising production restrictions. Instead, the group is sticking to the previously agreed-upon plan of lifting collective output by 400,000 barrels per day. Affected by the news, the WTI rose 2.3% to close at 77.62 dollars a barrel, while the Brent Crude jumped 2.5% to close at 81.26 dollars a barrel, its highest settling price in three years.

Market participants will now shift their attention to the ADP Nonfarm payroll and the U.S. initial jobless claim figures – both important gauges of economic recovery – which will be released on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, respectively.

Main Pairs Movement

The US dollar shed some ground on Monday, but no critical level was affected. Greenback losses were limited as the market’s mood was sour, with the focus on Evergrande and China’s financial stability.

The single currency was among the worst performers against the US dollar. EUR/USD pair currently trades around 1.1620, after meeting sellers in the 1.1640 price zone. Cable regained the 1.3600 level, despite some tensions related to Brexit and fuel shortages.

The USD/JPY pair edged lower amid the poor performance of equities and lower government bond yields. The US 10-year Treasury note yield dropped below 1.50% after a breaking attempt at the start of the day. CHF appreciated sharply in a risk-off sentiment. USD/CHF settled at 0.9245. Australia has a packed macroeconomic calendar, which includes the RBA monetary policy decision.

Global indexes closed in the red as investors eyed news coming from China. Evergrande, the troubled property giant, requested a trading halt over the announcement of a major transaction. The news suggested the company will sell a majority stake in its property management business for more than US$5 billion, a sign that the company is still working on covering its US$305 billion debt.

Technical Analysis

GBPUSD (4-Hour Chart)

The British pound pushing above 1.3600 could open the door for further gains, but a daily close above the latter is required. In case of that outcome, the first resistance level would be the September 24 low at 1.3657. A breach of that level could push the pair towards key supply levels like the figure at 1.3700 and the 50-day moving average at 1.3758.

On the flip side, failure at 1.3600 would exert additional downward pressure on Cable. The first demand zone would be the July 20 low at 1.3571. A break of that level would expose 1.3500, followed by October’s first low at 1.3433.

The RSI indicator is at 45, and the MACD histogram is negative. Though remaining bearish, both of them are with upside slopes, suggesting the sentiment is recovering.

Resistance: 1.3657, 1.3700, 1.3758

Support: 1.3571, 1.3500, 1.3433

 

EURUSD (4-Hour Chart)

Fibre surged for a second consecutive day, but the advance seems to be a correction after the U.S. session. The pair is currently trading at 1.162 after meeting sellers at the 1.1645 level. In the meantime, global share indexes closed in the red, as investors eyed news coming from China, giving support for the safe-haven sentiment.  

From a technical perspective, EUR/USD is trading at the edge of the upper bounds of the Bollinger Bands, driving a downside movement. Meanwhile, the RSI index has pulled back from the overbought territory to the neutral area at 49.7 as of writing.

For sideways, we expect the first barricade ahead to be at 1.1645, following a strong resistance at 1.168.

Resistance: 1.1645, 1.168

Support: 1.1612, 1.1564

USDCAD (4-Hour Chart)

The Loonie weakened during the last week despite surging energy prices. According to National Bank of Canada analysts, the correlation is unusual, and that energy prices should decline further, or the Loonie should strengthen. The pair has extended the reversal from last week’s peak at 1.2587 as of writing, to hit intraday lows at the 1.2555 area.

From a technical perspective, the RSI index show 33 figure that close to over sought area which suggests a bearish market movement at the moment. On the other hand, MACD shows another downside guidance where figure successive print negative figures as of writing.

For the slipway, it doesn’t seem to have much downside support level, with the last support at 1.256.

Resistance: 1.26, 1.2638

Support: 1.256