Daily Market Outlook, May 19, 2023

Asian equities are mostly positive heading into the weekend, taking their cue from the tech-led gains on Wall Street. The Nasdaq's strong performance and the S&P 500 reaching a nine-month high due to optimism surrounding the debt ceiling and solid economic data set a positive tone. The Nikkei 225 index surged 0.8% at the opening, reaching its highest level since August 1990. However, the index faced resistance near the 31k handle and trimmed some gains as investors digested the latest CPI figures, which mostly met expectations but showed a faster pace of acceleration. However, Chinese markets underperformed as Alibaba's revenue disappointed investors. 

The remaining data docket lacks significant data releases. In the Eurozone, notable speakers from the European Central Bank (ECB) include President Lagarde and Executive Board member Schnabel. The ECB has signalled its intention to raise interest rates further in the upcoming policy update in June and potentially beyond. Canadian retail sales are anticipated to decline for the second consecutive month. Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee member, Haskel, is scheduled to speak, focusing on productivity measurement issues rather than monetary policy.

In the United States, investors will focus on the  Federal Reserve Chair Powell and New York Fed President Williams who will participate in a monetary policy conference. Their statements will be closely monitored, particularly regarding the possibility of a Fed policy "pause" next month.

FX Options Expiries For 10am New York Cut

(1BLN+ represent larger expiries, more magnetic when trading within daily ATR)

  • EUR/USD: 1.0750 (758M), 1.0820-25 (601M)

  • 1.0835-50 (1.36BLN), 1.0880-85 (301M), 1.0900 (842M)

  • USD/JPY: 136.00 (600M), 136.25 (285M), 138.00 (484M)

  • 138.50 (200M), 139.00 (376M), 140.00 (290M)

  • EUR/JPY: 148.00 (250M)

  • USD/CHF: 0.8875 (250M), 0.9000 (565M)

  • GBP/USD: 1.2280-90 (732M), 1.2500 (481M)

  • AUD/USD: 0.6600 (249M), 0.6645-50 (746M), 0.6685 (211M)

  • 0.6700 (235M)

  • USD/CAD: 1.3420-30 (718M), 1.3455-65 (688M)

  • 1.3475-85 (561M), 1.3500 (1.44BLN)

CFTC Data As Of 12/05/2023

  • USD net spec short position grew in May 3-9 period; $IDX -0.24$

  • EUR$ -0.38% in period, specs +5,933 contracts now long 179,422

  • Net EUR long position highest since Oct 2020, was +212k in Aug 2020

  • $JPY -0.96% in period, specs +7,309 contracts yen short pared to -61,015

  • GBP$ +1.2%, trade to new 2023 high; specs buy 3,463 contracts now long 4,528

  • $CAD -1.77%, specs cut CAD short +7,833 contracts; AUD$ +1.52%, specs -4,183

  • BTC -3.62% in period, specs buy dip add 255 contracts now long 423 (Source RTRS)

Overnight News of Note

  • Tsy’s Coffers Dwindle To Lowest Since 2021 Under Debt Cap’s Shadow

  • US Agrees On Taiwan Trade Terms, Clouding Plans For China Talks

  • G-7 Restricts More Goods But Avoids Near-Total Russia Export Ban

  • UK Household Confidence Extends Rebound Despite 10% Inflation

  • China's Commerce Minister To Meet With Raimondo, Tai Next Week

  • China Considers Moving Stakes In Bad Banks To Sovereign Wealth Fund

  • Japan’s Inflation Quickens Again, Putting Pressure On BoJ View

  • Dollar Buoyed By Hawkish Fed Expectations As Debt Deal Eyed

  • Yuan’s Biggest Weekly Loss In Three Months Tests PBoC Tolerance

  • Oil Set For Best Week Since Mid-April On US Debt-Deal Optimism

  • Japan's Nikkei Rises To Hit The Highest Since August 1990

  • Applied Materials Forecasts Third-Quarter Revenue Above Estimates

  • Disney To Yank Shows From Streaming Service In Savings Push

  • FDA Vote In Support Of Pfizer RSV Vaccine To Protect Newborns

(Sourced from Bloomberg, Reuters and other reliable financial news outlets)

Technical & Trade Views

SP500 Bias: Intraday Bullish Above Bearish Below 4180 - Target Hit - New Pattern

  • Below 4090 opens 4040

  • Primary support is 4000

  • Primary objective is 4207

  • 20 Day VWAP bearish, 5 Day VWAP bullish

EURUSD Bias: Intraday Bullish Above Bearish below 1.0860

  • Below 1.0850 opens 1.0710

  • Primary support  is 1.07

  • Primary objective is 1.1128

  • 20 Day VWAP bearish, 5 Day VWAP bearish

GBPUSD Bias: Intraday Bullish Above Bearish below 1.2430

  • Below 1.2370  opens 1.2310

  • Primary resistance  is 1.2540

  • Primary objective 1.23

  • 20 Day VWAP bearish, 5 Day VWAP bearish

USDJPY Bias: Intraday Bullish above Bearish Below 137.50

  • Below 135.90 opens 135

  • Primary support  is 133

  • Primary objective is 138.80

  • 20 Day VWAP bearish, 5 Day VWAP bullish

AUDUSD Bias: Intraday Bullish Above Bearish below .6650

  • Below .6620 opens .6590

  • Primary resistance  is .6710

  • Primary objective is .6580

  • 20 Day VWAP bearish, 5 Day VWAP bearish

BTCUSD Intraday Bias: Bullish Above Bearish below 26500

  • Below 26000 opens 25800

  • Primary support 26000

  • Primary objective is 34600

  • 20 Day VWAP bullish, 5 Day VWAP bullish