Stock traders found some comfort in weakening government bond yields. The 2-year Treasury yield weakened 3.83% last week and is down over 10% from this years high so far. The finalized University of Michigan survey of inflation expectations unexpectedly cooled for June, perhaps an early stage that inflation might have found a turning point.
As a result, the US Dollar weakened against its major peers, suffering from a combination of improving sentiment and falling Treasury yields. One would think that the sentiment-linked Australian and New Zealand Dollars would perform handsomely in this environment, but that was not the case. Bond yields fell more strongly in Australia and New Zealand, hurting AUD and NZD.
Australia is an economy closely tied to the global business cycle, making it vulnerable to rising fears about slowing growth across the world. Speaking of which, this will likely become the next big theme in the coming months as central banks tackle high inflation. Trying to reverse rising prices is one thing, but subsequently finding a sweet spot without overshooting is another.
It is also not surprising to see crude oil prices soften amid rising concerns about recessions. The commodity is quite heavily linked to global growth estimates. Bitcoin prices have also slowed their astronomical descent. Cryptocurrencies are in general very vulnerable to a rising interest rate environment. BTC/USD‘s stabilization likely reflects optimism about inflation’s turning point.
What is in store for the week ahead？ From the United States, all eyes are on the Feds preferred gauge of inflation, core PCE. It will be for the same period that headline CPI data surprised higher. Another strong print could easily reverse some of the optimism we have been seeing in markets. Speeches from various central bank heads are also due. German consumer confidence and inflation are due. What else is in store for markets in the week ahead？
US DOLLAR PERFORMANCE VS. CURRENCIES AND GOLD
FUNDAMENTAL FORECASTS:
Euro Weekly Forecast: EUR/USD in Need of a Nudge Ahead of Next Weeks Key Economic Data
The euro came out of the intense week relatively unscathed as it heads into another stacked week full of key economic data while EUR/USD holds above 1.05.
Pound Weekly Fundamental Forecast: Unflattering GBP Set to Continue
Sterling ends the week slightly higher but price action over the last 72 was essentially flat. Crucial PCE inflation next week and US, UK final GDP figures.
Stock Market Week Ahead: S&P 500 & FTSE 100 Forecast
Global central bank repricing prompts a bear-market rally. Downside risks remain, however.
Gold Prices Eye Bullish Turnaround, Silvers Outlook Clouded by Recession Fears
Gold and silver tend to show a close correlation, but their performance could begin to diverge as rising recession odds cloud the outlook for some precious metals with industrial applications
Australian Dollar May Fall as Global Growth Fears Fester
The Australian Dollar has been trading as a barometer of the markets recession fears. It may fall in the week ahead as worries about global growth continue to fester.
TECHNICAL FORECASTS:
S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones Forecast for the Week Ahead
Stocks have stabilized and look poised to continue to recover in the days/weeks ahead; levels & lines to know.
Japanese Yen Technical Forecast: USD/JPY Chart Flashes Mixed Signals around 2002 High
The Japanese Yens rapid descent versus the US Dollar moderated last week as prices gyrated around the 2002 high. Mixed chart signals give USD/JPY a mixed outlook for the week ahead.
US Dollar Forecast: Positive Slope in 50-Day Points to USD Breakout
The US Dollar Index (DXY) may attempt to break out if it continues to track the positive slope in the 50-Day SMA (103.04).
Crude Oil Price Outlook: WTI Trendline Breakout Spells Trouble as Retail Traders Buy
Crude oil prices are at risk on rising concerns about slowing economic growth, with WTI breaking under a key trendline. Retail traders are now also majority net-long, a bearish signal.
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