Forex Market Analysis: Monday 15 Jan 2024

Economic data: Markets closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Earnings: Markets closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

CURRENCIES:

Event Focus: UK Unemployment and Inflation Data
- Major event risk from the UK includes upcoming releases of unemployment and inflation data.
US Market Dynamics: Lower Yields and Rate Cut Forecasts
- US dollar maintains its trading range despite declining yields and heightened expectations for rate cuts.
- US 2-year yield experiences a six-day decline, with markets predicting nearly 25 basis point cuts in each meeting from March to November.
- Note: Potential rate adjustments by the Fed may be limited due to the proximity to the presidential elections.
US Dollar Basket Performance: Trading within Range
- The US Dollar Basket, a proxy for USD performance, has been trading within a range for the past two weeks.
- The significant resistance at the 103.00 level, coupled with the presence of the 200 and 50-day simple moving averages, limits the dollar’s upside potential.
Challenges for the USD: Declining Yields and Rate Cut Expectations
- The USD faces challenges such as decreasing yields, a more imminent prospect of rate cuts, and easing price pressures.
Implied Fed Funds Rate: Market Expectations
- Market expectations, as reflected in the implied Fed Funds Rate via the Fed Funds Futures Market, indicate anticipation of future rate cuts.
Inflation Outlook: Despite Slightly Higher CPI Readings
- Despite slightly higher Consumer Price Index (CPI) readings last month, expectations suggest a continued drop in inflation.
- USD’s current range-holding is attributed in part to its safe-haven appeal, particularly following joint US and UK strikes on Houthi targets.
Global Economic Outlook: Chinese Q4 GDP Data
- Chinese Q4 GDP data is anticipated to provide insights into the global economic outlook.
Safe Haven Appeal of USD: Influenced by Geopolitical Events
- USD’s safe-haven appeal is reinforced by geopolitical events, such as joint US and UK strikes on Houthi targets, contributing to its range-holding status.
Gold Performance: Notable Safe Haven Asset
- Gold, a significant safe-haven asset, exhibited an increase over the weekend, aligning with USD’s safe-haven appeal.
Key Levels for USD: Resistance at 103.00
- The USD faces resistance at the major level of 103.00, with the 200 and 50-day simple moving averages further contributing to this resistance zone.
Factors Influencing USD Range: Safe Haven Status
- Despite various challenges, the USD’s ability to maintain its range is influenced by its safe-haven status, particularly in response to recent geopolitical developments.

STOCK MARKET:

Market Recap and Outlook:
- Stocks resumed winning streak after a nine-week break to start 2024.
- Nasdaq Composite led with a 3% gain; S&P 500 approached a record high.
- Microsoft surpassed Apple as the world’s most valuable company.
Upcoming Focus:
- In a holiday-shortened week, attention shifts to financial sector results and Wednesday’s retail sales data.
- US markets closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Retail Sales Forecast:
- Retail sales expected to rise by 0.4% in December, exceeding the 0.3% gain in November.
- Bank of America anticipates “robust” retail sales due to applied seasonal adjustments.
Economic Calendar:
- Thursday: Initial jobless claims data.
- Friday: University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment report.
Geopolitical Events:
- Monday: Iowa caucuses mark the official start of the 2024 US presidential election.
- Rising tensions in the Red Sea draw increased investor attention.
Earnings Reports:
- Investment banks Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) set to report.
- Focus on the investment banking story and the trajectory after a challenging year.
Inflation Insights:
- Last week’s inflation data showed firmer consumer prices but moderated producer prices.
- Red Sea-related disruptions noted as an “upside risk” to inflation forecasts.
Fed Rate Cut Expectations:
- Investors price in a 77% chance of a 0.25% Fed rate cut in March.
- Barclays economists expect incremental cuts starting in March but at a more gradual pace.
Earnings Season Kickoff:
- Major money center banks, including JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citi, reported results.
- JPMorgan reported a nearly $50 billion record annual profit.
Tech Sector Focus:
- The financial sector takes the spotlight initially, but the tech sector’s performance will be closely monitored.
- Forward P/E ratio for the Technology sector stands at 27, second highest among S&P 500 sectors.
Magnificent Seven and Nasdaq Influence:
- Results from “Magnificent Seven” tech giants, including Meta Platforms, Alphabet, Amazon, and Tesla, will impact the Nasdaq and overall market sentiment.
- Negative guidance from tech sector companies above recent averages.
Sector Valuations:
- Technology sector’s forward P/E ratio at 27, second only to Real Estate, which traded at 39.
- Technology’s performance crucial as it accounts for over 28% of the S&P 500’s market cap.
Fourth Quarter Earnings Season:
- The tech trade’s impact on overall market direction will be significant as the earnings season progresses.
Investor Sentiment:
- The party for fourth-quarter earnings season begins when reports from the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants start rolling in.

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