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    Forex Market Analysis: Global Market Insights: US Dollar, Stocks, and Geopolitical Dynamics

    January 15, 2024

    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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