Tuesday 30th June: Technical Outlook and Review

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Key risk events today:

China Manufacturing PMI and Non-Manufacturing PMI; New Zealand ANZ Business Confidence; RBA Deputy Gov. Debelle Speaks; Canada GDP m/m; Chicago PMI; US CB Consumer Confidence; Fed Chair Powell Testifies.

(Previous analysis as well as outside sources – italics).

EUR/USD:

The euro ended a shade higher against the buck going into the European close Monday, after EUR/USD retreated south of 1.13 amid a healthy DXY bid.

In the second half of last week, downside attempts were contained at 1.12 on the H4. Quasimodo support at 1.1185 also remains in the crosshairs south of the round number, as does the 127.2% Fibonacci extension point at 1.1150 and 50.00% retracement ratio at 1.1146.

Further afield, trade is seen fading long-standing trend line resistance, taken from the high 1.2555, on the weekly timeframe. Consequently, the 2020 yearly opening level at 1.1222 is under fire. Any sustained move under the aforementioned barrier seats the 2016 yearly opening level at 1.0873 on the hit list, while a EUR/USD bid shines light on the possibility of reaching the 2019 yearly opening level at 1.1445.

The story on the daily timeframe, since the beginning of June, price has been languishing south of resistance at 1.1349. Support derived from the 1.1147 27 March high, therefore, could soon become a reality, a level that merges closely with a 38.2% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 1.1155. Interestingly, breaching 1.1147 reveals the 200-day SMA (orange – 1.1032), closely followed by support at 1.0995 and a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 1.0988.

Areas of consideration:

Outlook unchanged from Monday’s technical briefing –

In light of recent support from 1.12 on the H4, buyers have likely tucked protective stop-loss orders under the round number.

This unlocks the door to a possible fakeout scenario today, involving a dip through 1.12 into H4 Quasimodo support at 1.1185. Not only would this move trip sell-stop liquidity below 1.12, it would drag in any willing buyers off the Quasimodo formation. A H4 close back above 1.12 off 1.1185, therefore, would likely be a welcomed sight for buyers, targeting 1.13.

In addition to Monday’s work, traders may also wish to acknowledge the 127.2% Fibonacci extension point at 1.1150 and 50.00% retracement ratio at 1.1146 on the H4 as a potential support area. This area converges with daily support at 1.1147 and 38.2% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 1.1155.

GBP/USD:

Sterling extended losses Monday amid a DXY recovery off lows at 97.11, exploring levels south of June’s opening level at 1.2345 and eventually the 1.23 handle on the H4. Quasimodo support at 1.2248 also came to light yesterday, a level which if breached potentially sets the stage for an approach to 1.22.

Following two consecutive losing weeks south of a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 1.2718 and 2019 yearly opening level at 1.2739, GBP/USD finished unchanged last week, though considerably off best levels. Navigating deeper waters on the weekly timeframe invites an approach to Quasimodo support at 1.2163.

The daily timeframe, meanwhile, has price action stationed beneath trend line support-turned resistance, taken from the low 1.1409. The route lower appears one-way towards support coming in at 1.2014, sited just south of the 1.2075 May 18 low. Before reaching this far south, though, weekly Quasimodo support must be absorbed at 1.2163.

Areas of consideration:

For those who read Monday’s technical briefing you may recall the following (italics):

With the weekly timeframe pointing to the likelihood of further selling over the coming week, targeting 1.2163, bearish scenarios south of June’s opening level at 1.2345 on the H4 and on a break of 1.23 may be of interest. Conservative traders will likely seek a retest at the underside of the aforementioned levels before committing.

Unfortunately, no clear retest motion has yet to be observed at either 1.2345 or 1.23.

Alongside keeping an eye on the underside of the said levels as resistance, traders may also want to watch for a break of H4 Quasimodo support at 1.2248 today for potential bearish scenarios to 1.22, and possibly beyond.

AUD/USD:

Outlook remains unchanged due to lacklustre movement.

AUD/USD essentially finished another day unmoved, cruising under the 0.69 handle with downside remaining contained around 0.6850ish on the H4. Sidestepping 0.6850, the highway south seems clear until the 0.68 juncture. Technically speaking, this figure also throws across a Quasimodo support (black arrow denotes the left shoulder).

Resistance, forged in the shape of a 2020 yearly opening level and a 2019 yearly opening level, at 0.7016 and 0.7042, respectively, continues to offer a dominant presence on the weekly timeframe. It might also interest traders to note that just above the said resistances we have a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 0.7128 (green). In terms of support, crosshairs are perhaps fixed on 0.6677.

From the daily timeframe, Quasimodo resistance at 0.7049 is in sight, merging closely with trend line support-turned resistance, taken from the low 0.6670. Attention on this timeframe also remains at support coming in from 0.6751. Interestingly, lurking beneath here we also have the 200-day SMA (orange – 0.6665), located close by weekly support mentioned above at 0.6677.

Areas of consideration:

According to technical research, in particular the breach of 0.69 to the downside, sellers may have the upper hand.

A retest at the underside of 0.69 (red arrows), one that preferably holds by way of a H1/H4 bearish candlestick pattern, would likely appeal to sellers, targeting the 0.68 neighbourhood as an initial take-profit zone. Aggressive traders, on the other hand, will already likely be short the break of 0.69, with protective stop-loss orders possibly tucked above 0.6922 (blue arrow), the top edge of a local supply resting above 0.69.

USD/JPY:

The US dollar concluded strongly higher against the Japanese yen Monday, extending space north of 107 handle on the H4. Flow also overthrew Quasimodo resistance at 107.57 and marginally surpassed June’s opening level at 107.73 to test the 127.2% Fibonacci extension point at 107.82 (sited just ahead of 108). Consequently, 107.57 is now likely to serve as support.

With the recent push north, ahead of the 105.98 6th May low, weekly price appears to be making its way back towards the 2020 yearly opening level at 108.62.

Quasimodo support at 106.35 on the daily timeframe nudged its way into the limelight last week and has so far delivered healthy upside. The possibility of further buying, therefore, remains, with crosshairs fixed on the 200-day SMA (orange – 108.37) as an upside objective.

Areas of consideration:

Having noted room for buyers to stretch their legs on both the weekly and daily timeframes, targeting 108.37 (daily) and 108.62 (weekly), the H4 support at 107.57 could hold ground and provide a platform to consider buying opportunities from. This would, of course, entail going up against H4 resistances at 107.73 and 107.82, as well as 108.

Conservative traders, to help avoid an unnecessary loss in the event we fail to override nearby H4 resistances, may consider waiting for additional confirmation off 107.57 before pulling the trigger.

USD/CAD:

USD/CAD remained capped south of 1.37 Monday, unable to gain a foothold above the round number. WTI prices concluded higher, climbing through $39.50/bbl. The US dollar index, on the other hand, ended unchanged, though considerably off worst levels.

From the weekly timeframe, room to advance north of the 2017 yearly opening level at 1.3434 is certainly there. A potential hurdle to be aware of, though, falls in by way of the 2016 yearly opening level at 1.3814, with follow-through buying likely to try and tackle a dense block of supply between 1.4190/1.3912.

Price action on the daily timeframe recently took over the top edge of a falling wedge pattern (1.3686/1.3504) and also nearby resistance at 1.3653. Friday, as you can see, overthrew the aforementioned resistance, with Monday retesting the base as support. Take-profit targets out of falling wedges can be measured by taking the base value and adding this figure to the breakout point (black arrows), which as you can see in this case, converges closely with the next daily resistance at 1.3807.

Areas of consideration:

Outlook unchanged from Monday’s technical briefing –

Both weekly and daily timeframes exhibit scope to explore higher levels, and therefore point to a break of 1.37 to the upside.

A H4 close above 1.37, in light of the higher timeframe’s position, may have breakout buyers jump on board. Conservative traders may at least want to see a retest at the round number occur before engaging. Irrespective of the entry technique, the upside target falls in at the H4 resistance area from 1.3822/1.3780 (made up of June’s opening level at 1.3780, a 127.2% Fibonacci extension point at 1.3786, the 1.38 handle and Quasimodo resistance at 1.3822).

In view of the confluence around 1.3822/1.3780, both on the H4 and higher timeframes (daily resistance converges with the area at 1.3807 and weekly resistance also at 1.3814), not only does this make for a logical target for longs north of 1.37, it also puts forward a tidy resistance zone to work with for possible shorting opportunities.

USD/CHF:

From the weekly timeframe, you will note price action made contact with support at 0.9447 and has, so far, generated notable upside. This may be adequate enough to stir further buying and begin an approach to the 2020 yearly opening level at 0.9671, stationed close by the 2018 yearly opening level at 0.9732.

On the daily timeframe, the initial break of weekly support at 0.9447 (11 June) threw breakout sellers into a bear trap as daily buyers vigorously defended AB=CD structure (black arrows) at 0.9395. The initial upside target out of the daily AB=CD pattern, traditionally speaking, can be found at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 0.9580 (derived from legs A-D), positioned above resistance at 0.9542, which, as you can see, has so far done a superb job in holding back buyers. In the event we overrun 0.9542 and also 0.9580 we could, according to traditional measures, cross swords with the next AB=CD target at 0.9705, the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement ratio, also taken from legs A-D. This implies a push above trend line resistance, taken from the high 0.9901.

In the second half of last week, 0.95 made an appearance as resistance on the H4. This brought about a test of the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 0.9545 and 127.2% Fibonacci extension at 0.9440 Monday, followed by a noteworthy advance through 0.95 into Quasimodo resistance at 0.9525. Note beyond here we have daily resistance at 0.9542 and a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 0.9545.

Areas of consideration:

Weekly support at 0.9447 remains a key level in this market. Therefore, until this level surrenders, bullish strategies may be the way forward for the time being.

For traders who read Monday’s technical briefing you may also recall the following (italics):

A break of 0.95 may be on the cards, attracting breakout buying to H4 Quasimodo resistance at 0.9525 and daily resistance at 0.9542, followed by a possible pop to the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement ratio at 0.9580 on the daily timeframe (the initial take-profit target out of the daily AB=CD pattern).

Well done to any readers who managed to latch onto a bid above 0.95. Intraday buyers have likely reduced risk to breakeven on the test of H4 Quasimodo resistance at 0.9525, with the expectation of follow-through moves to daily resistance at 0.9542.

Dow Jones Industrial Average:

US equities rallied Monday, following Wall Street’s major indexes plunging more than 2% Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 580.25 points, or 2.32%; the S&P 500 jumped 44.19 points, or 1.47%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 concluded higher by 111.81 points, or 1.14%.

Monday’s advance engulfed June’s opening level at 25232 on the H4 and settled within striking distance of March’s opening level at 25823, closely followed by trend line resistance, taken from the high 26787.

The 2018 yearly opening level at 24660 remains an important base of support on the weekly timeframe. In the event buyers manage to keep their head above water here, we may eventually pull in the 27638 high, followed by the 2020 yearly opening level at 28595. Below 24660, however, traders’ crosshairs may be fixed on the 2019 yearly opening level at 23313.  

Since June 16, the 200-day SMA (orange – 26280) has absorbed upside attempts, with Monday bringing in support from 24934 on the daily timeframe. In case buyers lack follow-through here, dipping a toe in waters south of 24934 may see support at 23291 call for attention. Another key observation is a potential AB=CD correction (blue arrows) at 23553.

Areas of consideration:

Having seen buyers attempting to establish a position north of weekly support (2018 yearly opening level) at 24660 and also daily support at 24934, trying to fade March’s opening level at 25823 and trend line resistance on the H4 may be difficult.

Equally difficult, though, is trying to enter into long positions above H4 trend line resistance, as the 200-day SMA lurks close by at 26280.

XAU/USD (GOLD):

Gold prices ended Monday pretty much unmoved, forming an indecision candle on the daily timeframe. In light of this, much of the following analysis will echo thoughts put forward in Monday’s technical briefing.

From the weekly timeframe:

XAU/USD bulls entered an offensive phase last week, making considerable progress north of Quasimodo resistance at 1739.6.

1739.6, therefore, could serve as support going forward, with another Quasimodo resistance at 1787.4 also on the radar.

Daily timeframe:

Resistance at 1747.0 gave way in early trade last week, laying the foundation for an extension to the weekly Quasimodo resistance mentioned above at 1787.4. Notably, from the daily timeframe, we can see Friday retested 1747.0 as support in the shape of a hammer candlestick pattern. This presents a potential bullish vibe.

H4 timeframe:

Last week faded a clear-cut H4 ABCD correction that topped around 1780.0ish (black arrows), with Friday aggressively spiking to lows just ahead of support at 1744.5.

Most ABCD traders will still be watching for a dip to the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement at 1736.7 (derived from legs A-D), which, as you can see, converges closely with June’s opening level on the H4 at 1738.1.

What’s also interesting is the recently engulfed weekly Quasimodo resistance at 1739.6 could, as highlighted above, serve as support going forward – this level merges closely with our 38.2% Fibonacci retracement on the H4 at 1736.7.

As for upside targets, weekly Quasimodo resistance at 1787.4 remains prominent on all three timeframes right now.

Areas of consideration:

Traders short the H4 ABCD correction, as emphasised above, will likely have eyeballs on the 38.2% H4 Fibonacci retracement at 1736.7 as an initial target.

The threat of further buying on the higher timeframes, however, poses a real threat to H4 sellers. This is evident from daily support recently making its presence felt and price action printing a bullish candlestick signal (hammer pattern). As a result, along with the fact the overall trend has faced north since 2016, this could be enough to draw in additional buyers (with most basing entry and exit levels on the daily hammer pattern), targeting weekly Quasimodo resistance at 1787.4 as an initial upside base.

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