Daily Market Report
26 May 2023

There was no respite for the selling pressure around the European currency on Thursday either, as EUR/USD saw its decline test fresh lows in the proximity of the 1.0700 neighbourhood against the usual backdrop of the tenacious march north in the greenback.
 
On the latter, the USD Index (DXY) finally surpassed the key 104.00 barrier for the first time since mid-March in a context still dominated by rising unease surrounding the US debt ceiling issue and the unrelenting move higher in US yields across the curve.
 
Still around the debt ceiling, and while the estimated X-date looms closer (at some point in early June, according to Treasury Secretary Yellen), House Speaker McCarthy said on Wednesday he was optimistic a deal could be reached by June, although concerns remained on the rise after Fitch put the country's AAA rating under scrutiny later that day. 
 
In the macro scenario, expectations over a quarter-point rate raise by the ECB in June appear unchanged, while the likelihood that the Federal Reserve could make a similar decision has been gathering traction as of late, particularly against the backdrop of resilient fundamentals and hawkish narratives from many Fed’s speakers. Further hikes by the ECB were also favoured by comments from ECB’s Board member Knot, who advocated at least two more 25 bps rate hikes, at the time when he suggested that market pricing of rate cuts is overly optimistic.
 
Data-wise, in the euro area, Germany's economy contracted at an annualized 0.5% in the January-March period and 0.3% vs. the previous quarter.
 
Still in Germany, Consumer Confidence gauged by GfK improved marginally to -24.2 for the month of June.
 
In the US calendar, another revision of the GDP Growth Rate expected the economy to expand 1.3% YoY in Q1 and the GDP Price Index to rise 4.2%. Additionally, Initial Jobless Claims rose by 229K in the week to May 20, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index improved to 0.07 and Pending Home Sales contracted 20.3% YoY In April.
 
EUR/USD reached a new low for the month of May at 1.0707 on May 25, just ahead a minor support at 1.0712 (March 24) ahead of the March low of 1.0516 (March 15) and the 2023 low of 1.0481 (January 6). On the upside, temporary barriers are encountered at the 100- and 55-day SMAs at 1.0813 and 1.0879, respectively, just below the psychological level of 1.1000. Beyond this point, there are no significant obstacles until spot reaches the 2023 top of 1.1095 (April 26), supported by the round level of 1.1100 and the weekly peak of 1.1184 seen (March 31, 2022). Another significant round level lies ahead at 1.1200. The day-to-day RSI eased to the 34 area.
 
Resistance levels: 1.0801 1.0831 1.0904 (4H chart)
 
Support levels: 1.0707 1.0516 1.0481 (4H chart)

There were no changes to the upside bias in USD/JPY for yet another session on Thursday. In fact, the pair this time advanced to fresh highs in levels just shy of the key 140.00 mark for the first time since late November 2022.
 
The tenacious march north in the dollar catapulted the USD Index (DXY) to fresh peaks past the 104.00 barrier, while US yields across the curve advanced to new multi-week peaks.
 
In Japan, the bond market appears to have woken up, as the JGB 10-year yields rose for the third session in a row and approached the 0.45% region.
 
In the Japanese calendar, Foreign Bond Investment rose ¥964.7B in the week to May 20 in what was the sole release on Thursday.
 
USD/JPY's next resistance is at its 2023 peak of 139.83 (May 25), with further rally potential. If the pair continues to rise in value, it may retest the weekly highs of 139.89 (November 30 2022) and 142.25 (November 21 2022). Just the opposite, initial support is at the crucial 200-day SMA at 137.19 before the 55- and 100-day temporary SMAs at 134.24 and 133.40, respectively. Further south, the pair is expected to meet the weekly low of 133.01 (April 26), followed by a minor support at 132.01 (April 13) and the April low of 130.62 (April 5). In a deeper move, the March low of 129.63 (March 24) and the February low of 128.08 (February 8) should come to the fore seconded by the 2023 low at 127.21 (March 16) The everyday RSI entered the overbought territory past 70.
 
Resistance levels: 139.96 141.61 142.25 (4H chart)
 
Support levels: 137.73 137.49 136.39 (4H chart)

GBP/USD accelerated the decline and confronted the key 1.2300 zone, or new monthly lows, on Thursday.
 
Indeed, Cable dropped for the fourth session in a row amidst the intense upside momentum in the greenback and increasing cautiousness among traders in light of persistent concerns around the US debt ceiling negotiations.
 
From the BoE, MPC member J. Haskel did not rule out more rate hikes when he noted that increasing company profits are not driving inflation and emphasized that the UK labor market remained highly tight. Haskel also said that he is focusing more on short-term economic statistics.
 
In the UK calendar, Car Production expanded 9.9% in the year to April, and the CBI Distributive Trades worsened to -10 for the current month (from 5).
 
If the May low of 1.2308 (May 25) is broken, GBP/USD may be forced to revisit the temporary 100-day SMA at 1.2284 prior to the April low of 1.2274 (April 3). Further declines might result in a retest of the important 200-day SMA at 1.1973 before reaching the 2023 bottom of 1.1802. (March 8). On the opposite side, if the pair continues to rise, the first hurdle to conquer will be the weekly high at 1.2546 (May 16) ahead of the 2023 top of 1.2679 (May 10). Buyers may potentially aim for the 200-week SMA at 1.2864, seconded by the psychological milestone of 1.3000. The daily RSI retreated to the sub-39 region.
 
Resistance levels: 1.2387 1.2469 1.2510 (4H chart)
                                                                  
Support levels: 1.2308 1.2274 1.2189 (4H chart)

AUD/USD retreated for the third session in a row on Thursday, this time briefly piercing the 0.6500 support to record fresh 6-month lows amidst the intense rally in the greenback.
 
The mixed performance from the commodity complex also weighed on the Aussie dollar, as it only saw copper prices attempt a mild bounce on Thursday.
 
Further collaborating with the sour mood around the high-beta currency resurfaced the uneven recovery in the Chinese economy in the wake of the pandemic, as well as the dovish hike by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) earlier on Thursday and the likelihood that the RBA could follow this move at its next meeting.
 
The Australian docket was empty on Thursday, leaving attention to the release of flash Retail Sales for the month of April on Friday.
 
On May 25, the AUD/USD reached a new low for 2023, hitting 0.6498. If this level is breached, it could pave the way for the weekly lows at 0.6386 (November 10, 2022) and the November 2022 low at 0.6272 (November 3). On the contrary, if the pair manages to surpass the 200-day SMA at 0.6704, the next significant obstacle would be the May top of 0.6818 (May 10), followed by the critical psychological level of 0.7000. Above this zone, the weekly peak of 0.7029 (February 14) emerges before the 2023 high at 0.7157 (February 2). The daily RSI dropped heavily to the 34 region.
 
Resistance levels: 0.6632 0.6675 0.6709 (4H chart)
 
Support levels: 0.6498 0.6386 0.6272 (4H chart)

Gold prices retreated further and printed new 2-month lows near $1940 per ounce troy on Thursday.
 
The second session in a row with losses in the yellow metal was once again on the back of the unabated rally in the greenback, which motivated the USD Index (DXY) to trespass the 104.00 hurdle, while the relentless advance in US yields across the curve also added to the downbeat sentiment around the precious metal.
 
In the meantime, bullion is expected to trade on the cautious side ahead of the release of the US inflation figures gauged by the PCE/Core PCE on Friday.
  
Further selling pressure pulled gold to a new May low of $1939 on May 25, which currently seems to be supported by the intermediate 100-day SMA of $1933. The important 200-day SMA appears south of here at $1829, well before the 2021 bottom of $1804 (February 28). Meanwhile, sporadic recoveries might encounter interim resistance around the 55-day SMA at $1982 ahead of the critical $2000 level. There are no notable opposition levels from here until the 2023 top of $2067 (May 4), which is supported by the March 2022 high of $2070 (March 8) and the unmatched peak of $2075. (August 7, 2020).
 
Resistance levels: $1985 $2000 $2022 (4H chart)
 
Support levels: $1939 $1885 $1809 (4H chart)

Silver prices remained in free-fall on Thursday, this time breaking below the $23.00 yardstick to print new 9-week lows near $22.80. So far, the ounce of the grey metal has lost nearly 13% from the YTD highs past the $26.00 mark recorded earlier in May to current levels.
 
Once again, the stronger dollar in combination with an extra advance in US yields kept the activity in the commodity universe subdued, while speculation of a lacklustre recovery in China also added to current concerns around the industrial metal.
 
At the same time, the Gold/Silver Ratio extended the move higher and trespassed the 85.00 hurdle for the first time since late March, up for the fourth session in a row at the same time.
 
If the May low of $22.77 (May 25) is breached, silver could challenge the 200-day SMA at $22.00 before reaching the key round level at $20.00 and the 2023 low of $19.90 (March 10). On the flip side, bullish investors can keep an eye on the temporary resistance levels at the 100- and 55-day SMAs at $23.36 and $24.12, respectively, before the 2023 top at $26.12 (May 5). This is followed by the April 2022 high at $26.21 (April 18), ahead of the weekly peak of $26.94 (March 8) and just ahead of the key $27.00 round level).
 
Resistance levels: $23.61 $24.01 $24.76 (4H chart)
 
Support levels: $22.75 $22.12 $21.45 (4H chart)

Prices of WTI abruptly reversed three consecutive daily builds and retreated to the $71.00 region on Thursday.
 
The sharp move lower in the commodity followed comments from Russian Deputy PM A. Novak, who talked down the probability that OPEC+ could announce extra oil output cuts at its meeting early in June.
 
Also helping in the daily pullback emerged the increasing unease in response to the still-absence of a deal around the US debt ceiling issue as well as the relentless march north in the US dollar.
 
In line with the pullback in crude oil prices, gasoline futures dropped more than 3% to the $2.62 region after four consecutive daily upticks.
 
It appears that the WTI has been performing well this week, and further gains are expected to meet resistance at the interim 100-day SMA at $75.90, followed by the key $80.00 barrier and the 200-day SMA at $79.9. Additionally, the 2023 peak of $83.49 (April 12) and the November 2022 top of $93.73 (November 7) are worth noting. If sellers retake control, it is essential to watch for key support levels, including the 2023 low of $63.61 (May 4), the December 2021 low of $62.46 (December 2), and the critical $60.00 per barrel.
 
Resistance levels: $74.69 $75.12 $76.89 (4H chart)

Support levels: $71.03 $70.01 $69.38 (4H chart)

Another negative performance of US equities tracked by the Dow Jones forced the index to revisit the 32500 region for the first time since late March on Thursday. The strong knee-jerk, however, fizzled out towards the end of the session in Wall St.
 
The index continued its slide for the eighth straight session as uncertainty over the still-unresolved debt ceiling persisted. After the latest negotiations, officials were expected to leave Washington without an agreement to avoid a government default. It is worth noting that Congress must raise or suspend the debt ceiling by early June or the U.S. risks defaulting on its obligations.
 
Meanwhile, market jitters have intensified after ratings agency Fitch put the U.S. on notice of a possible downgrade in light of the ongoing uncertainty.
  
All in all, the Dow Jones dropped 0.10% to 32768, the S&P500 rose 0.66% to 4142, and the tech-reference Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.58% to 12679.
 
The potential for additional losses looms over the Dow Jones now that it has broken below the crucial 200-day SMA at 32774. Further declines could lead to the 2023 low of 31429 (March 15) ahead of the 2022 low of 28660 (October 13). On the opposite side, if the index moves upwards, the first possible target is the weekly high at 33652 (May 19) followed by the May peak at 34257 (May 1), the 2023 high at 34342 (January 13), and the December 2022 high at 34712 (December 13). If the index surpasses this level, it may accelerate towards the April 2022 top of 35492 (April 21). The RSI lost the grip and breached 37.
 
Top Performers: Microsoft, Apple, Goldman Sachs

Worst Performers: Intel, Walgreen Boots, Verizon

Resistance levels: 33335 33772 34257 (4H chart)

Support levels: 32586 31805 31429 (4H chart)