Archives of “December 23, 2019” day

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EURUSD rotates to a new day high

  
Analysis, Forex

Back above the 50% midpoint

The EURUSD has rotated back higher and in the process has moved above the 50% midpoint at 1.10895. The 100 bar MA on the 4-hour comes in at 1.1096 and is the next target. On Friday, the price fell below that level and moved down to test its 200 hour MA on the 4-hour AND the 100 day MA as well (the price bounced off the 200 bar MA).
Back above the 50% midpoint
So today – going forward – the price trades between those MA levels. They are risk and bias defining levels to eye.  Breaks above or below will tilt the bias more in the direction of the break.
Keep in mind that there is little to go on this week and that there are a lot of traders who have mailed it in for the year. So the charts – and trading – can get choppy.  If you have shopping to do, do it. If you have to trade, these levels would be the ones to eye (and hope for follow through).

How the Fed and the US-China trade war shaped gold in 2019 and what’s in store for 2020?

  
  Analysis

The Fed and the US-China trade war have been the two defining forces in driving gold direction this year

Gold D1 23-12

Despite the fact that the Fed has shelved its so-called mid-cycle adjustment and the US and China have reached a Phase One trade deal, gold looks set to end the year with over 15% gains – rising from ~$1,280 to ~$1,485 currently today.
It has been quite the journey upwards for gold this year and I dare say that most market participants would not have thought that at the end of last year. This has been one of the trades that markets only began to get right at the start of June this year.
We talked about the reasons why at the time and how the run higher in gold still has legs to go, especially if the Fed delivers on a more easing bias:
And boy, did the Fed deliver. The rate cuts may be somewhat politically motivated but at the end of the day, it is what it is and you can only trade what is in front of you.
The upside in gold this year stalled at ~$1,550 around mid-September as Fed rate cut talks begin to temper down looking towards next year and as US-China trade talks started to find some progress towards a potential deal.
Eventually, both factors also flipped around the Fed is now on pause – possibly until the end of next year – while US and China looks set to sign off on the Phase One trade deal.

So, what’s next for gold as we approach 2020?

If there’s a lesson to be taught for gold traders this year, it is one on the importance of adapting. As the market landscape changes, we as traders must adapt to that and be ready to catch the shift and capitalise on the opportunity at hand.
As things stand, there are a couple of reasons to not expect gold to run back higher as we saw from June to September this year:
1. Fed is not seen cutting rates any time soon
2. Global economy is seeing some green shoots amid the economic slowdown
3. US-China trade war has reached a temporary ceasefire
In my view, the potential downside for gold here is if the global economy starts to pick up again next year. That will see more flows go back into emerging markets (and risk assets) and away from safety assets and growth will be the main story once again in global markets.
In that lieu, keep an eye out on key leading economic indicators. A break below $1,450 and $1,400 especially in gold may precipitate more weakness back towards $1,250 to $1,300 in the medium-to-long term next year – provided those factors above stay the course.
The worst-case scenario for traders is that global growth continues to remain subdued but isn’t deteriorating much more. Essentially, that puts us in this low growth environment but no imminent threat of a major recession.
This half-dead global economy will leave plenty of waiting and wandering instead of chasing any firm moves based on changes in the fundamental direction.

Is there any chance for gold to run higher next year?

Most definitely and once again, it’s contingent on the three factors above. Imagine this scenario instead of what we’ll get above next year:
1. Fed eventually continues cutting rates
2. Global economy pickup is nowhere near what it should be, weaker signs still persisting
3. US-China trade truce is broken and tensions escalate again
Right now, these are not really the “base case” scenario for gold but much like what we saw this year, it is important to pick up on the change in the market landscape because that can lead to the sort of run we saw in gold from June to September.
Who’s to say that it may not happen again next year? What are your thoughts on gold as we look towards 2020? Feel free to share them in the comments below.

Markets open in Asia today … but a holiday mood prevails

  
  Analysis

Twas the night before Christmas (no, its not) and all through the economic data agenda not a thing was stirring not even ….

OK. That is not gonna work at all.
The next couple of weeks will be a bit light in the markets, with many participants taking a break. Trading will be thinned out. Markets are open though, so there may be some movement if you are still trading.
On the data agenda today in the timezone we’ll get Australian private sector credit for November and also Singapore inflation data. Japanese data is light also, the All Industry Activity Index for October is due later in the afternoon.

US President Trump says a ‘breakthrough’ on China trade deal, will be signing it very shortly

  
  Analysis

Trump speaking in Florida on Saturday

  • “We’ve just achieved a breakthrough on the trade deal and we will be signing it very shortly”
via Reuters.
Nothing further at this stage.
Such a comment should be a positive input for risk currencies come Monday, but of course one has to view President Trump’s comments with a degree of caution. He can be, and is quite often, economical with the truth, incorrect, talking his book, uncertain of the facts, playing for applause. Or all of those. Still, on the face of it, saying phase one of the trade deal will be signed very shortly is a positive.
Trump speaking in Florida on Saturday
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