EUR/USD grinds higher toward 1.0900, Fedspeak eyed
EUR/USD is edging higher toward 1.0900 early Monday, helped by a better market mood. The pair also draws support from softer US Dollar and US Treasury bond yields, awaiting Fedspeak amid light European trading.
Gold price rises to a new record high, escalating geopolitical tensions in focus
Gold price gains momentum on Monday. The yellow metal hit a record high near $2,441 during the Asian session on Monday amid renewed hopes for interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
GBP/USD advances to near 1.2700 due to rising expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2024
GBP/USD extends its gains for the second consecutive session, trading around 1.2710 during the Asian hours on Monday. A weaker US Dollar supports the pair. The Pound Sterling may face a challenge as the BoE is expected to deliver 60 basis points rate cuts in 2024.
Week Ahead: Ethereum and DeFi to come under spotlight this week Premium
Bitcoin’s attempt at a comeback has stirred the pot, causing altcoins to become volatile again. With the US Securities and Exchange Commission set to make its decision on Ethereum ETFs this week, some sectors of altcoins might see higher liquidity and volatility than others.
Will they/won’t they cut rates as commodity prices in focus
What a difference a couple of days make. One day stock markets are making record highs and banking on rate cuts, the next stocks are giving back gains and rate cut expectations are being pared back.
DEEPER DIVE
Like there’s no tomorrow: Unpacking consumer credit
The recent run-up in revolving debt combined with the much higher financing costs raises doubts about the ability of credit to continue to make up for the shortfall between modest real income growth and aspirational spending.
Inventories are quiet, a little too quiet
The economy is in the midst of an unusually calm stretch with respect to inventory investment. It is like the point in the scary movie when someone points out that all the forest creatures have gotten quiet.
Softer growth, cooler inflation and rate cuts remain on the horizon
Economic growth in the United States appears to be in solid shape. Although real GDP growth came in well below consensus expectations and amounted to just 1.6% annualized in Q1-2024.
FXS Signals
Technical Confluences Detector
Gold eyes $2,450 and Fedspeak for a sustained uptrend Premium
Gold price is off a new lifetime high at $2,441 but looks to extend Friday’s upswing at the start of the week on Monday. The US Dollar (USD) is struggling alongside the US Treasury bond yields, as risk sentiment remains in a sweeter spot on China’s stimulus measures.
Gold price gains on China’s support, Fed rate cut bets
However, market participants refrain from placing fresh bets on the Gold price, anticipating a slew of speeches from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers, which could offer fresh cues on the central bank’s path forward on interest rates.
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
Crypto analyst says Bitcoin bottom is very close, another correction in BTC likely
Bitcoin is trading above $67,000 on Sunday after securing support at $65,000. While BTC holds its gains steady, analysts evaluate the price trend of the largest asset by market capitalization and predict a deeper correction in Bitcoin.
AI tokens could really ahead of Nvidia earnings
Amidst other narratives, AI tokens could gather momentum with the upcoming earnings result of NVIDIA next week. The $2.3 trillion company’s stock emerged as a poster child for the crypto AI sector and gains in the stock catalyzed a rally in cryptocurrency tokens.
Whale rotates capital from WIF to TREMP and BONK, Solana meme coins make comeback
Lookonchain identified a large wallet investor who rotated capital from Solana based meme coin Dogwifhat to Doland Tremp and Bonk. The two meme coins have added double-digit value to their prices in the past 24 hours, as seen on CoinGecko.
Crypto political donations surge to $94 million pre election, exceed previous elections by 13%
Crypto industry giants supported political campaigns in the US looking for pro-crypto governance in the US. A Bloomberg report from May 17 shows that crypto donors have spent $94 million in an effort to get pro-crypto regulation in the US.
THE STOCK OF THE DAY
With 7% gain, BABA reaches six-month high Premium
Alibaba closed up 7.1% on Thursday as the ecommerce giant benefited more from JD.com’s earnings beat than its own. This gain, the best since January 23, puts Alibaba stock in striking distance of an important resistance band on the daily chart as it trades at a six-month high.
ECONOMIC CALENDAR
WEEKLY FORECAST
EUR/USD: Could FOMC Minutes provide fresh clues? Premium
The EUR/USD pair advanced for a fourth consecutive week, comfortably trading around 1.0860 ahead of the close. Progress had been shallow, as the pair is up roughly 250 pips from the year low of 1.0600 posted mid-April. The Euro lacks self-strength as economic progress in the area has been relatively limited, partially due to tight monetary conditions. The pair’s rally is a good indication of the broad US Dollar’s (USD) weakness.
GBP/USD: Upcoming UK inflation will put the rally to the test Premium
The British Pound (GBP) exhibited a bullish trend throughout the week and managed to advance to fresh five-week peaks around 1.2700 against the US Dollar (USD). This encouraged GBP/USD to close its third week of gains out of the last four ones, leaving behind at the same the key 200-day SMA at 1.2539.
US Dollar: More Fedspeak and rate cut bets in the spotlight Premium
A dreadful week for the Greenback saw the USD Index (DXY) retreat to the area of five-week lows in the 104.00 neighbourhood, managing to regain some composure in the latter part of the week.
Gold: XAU/USD looks to extend uptrend once it confirms $2,400 as support Premium
Gold (XAU/USD) price continued to push higher this week and rose above $2,400 on Friday, gaining nearly 2% for the week. Investors will continue to scrutinize comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials next week and look for fresh hints on the timing of the policy pivot in the minutes of the April 30-May 1 meeting.
Bitcoin: Is BTC out of the woods? Premium
Bitcoin (BTC) price action in the past two days has confirmed the resumption of the bull run. However, BTC needs to clear a few key hurdles before investors can go all-in.
Week ahead: Flash PMIs, UK and Japan CPIs in focus – RBNZ to hold rates
After cool US CPI, attention shifts to UK and Japanese inflation. Flash PMIs will be watched too amid signs of a rebound in Europe. Fed to stay in the spotlight as plethora of speakers, minutes on tap. No fireworks expected from RBNZ policy decision.