Mid-Week Technical Outlook: USD Majors & Commodities

– A sense of unease gripped financial markets on Wednesday as a rocket blast in Poland overnight left investors on edge.

Renewed fears of further escalation in geopolitical tensions dragged European markets lower with the risk-off sentiment hitting US equity futures. In the currency space, the dollar got no love which offered an opportunity for G10 currencies to fight back. While gold found comfort above $1780 as market players rushed to safe-haven destinations.

Looking at the economic calendar, dollar volatility could be around the corner as investors closely scrutinize speeches from numerous Fed officials and US economic data. Just this afternoon US retail sales surged 1.3% month-over-month in October after the flat reading in September. Although this report beat market expectations, buying sentiment towards the dollar remained muted. As the week progresses, the developments surrounding the missile blast in Poland are likely to influence sentiment, especially if investors remain jittery about the prospects of further escalation.

With dollar bears marking their territory and the fundamentals pointing to further weakness down the road, G10 currencies could strike back hard.

EURUSD hits 200-day SMA 

A broadly weaker dollar has inspired EURUSD bulls to rally over the last few days. The currency pair has turned bullish on the daily charts with the MACD trading above zero. The 1.0427 level could be a tough nut to crack but a strong breakout above this point may open a path toward 1.0530. If prices are capped below 1.0427, the next key point of interest can be found at 1.0280.

GBPUSD breaks above 1.1850 

Sterling pushed higher on Wednesday after the latest UK inflation figures jumped to a 41-year high of 11.1% in October, exceeding market expectations. This development may re-kindle expectations around the Bank of England raising interest rates aggressively to combat soaring prices. A weaker dollar has also played a role in the GBPUSD’s rally as prices approach levels not seen since mid-August. Looking at the technicals, another solid daily close above 1.1850 could trigger an incline toward 1.2050. Alternatively, a move back under 1.1850 may see a sell-off towards 1.1750 and 1.1500, respectively.

AUDUSD to challenge 200-day SMA?

If the dollar continues its slippery decline, this could push the AUDUSD toward 0.6850. A strong breakout and daily close above 0.6850 has the potential to encourage a move higher toward 0.6950. Should bulls run out of steam before hitting 0.6850, bears could target the 0.6700 level.

USDJPY lingers around 139.50 

The trend is bearish on the USDJPY as there have been consistently lower lows and lower highs. Sustained weakness below 139.50 could trigger a selloff towards 137.50 and lower. Should prices stage a rebound back above 139.50, prices could challenge 142.00

Commodity spotlight – Gold

Gold seems to be on standby as investors digest the latest US retail sales data and developments revolving around Poland. However, the precious metal may resume drawing strength from a weaker dollar and subdued Treasury yields as the trading week progresses. Given how the dollar may be influenced by the numerous speeches from Fed members and US economic data, this could find its way back to gold which is trading below $1780 as of writing.

Gold remains bullish on the daily charts as there have been consistently higher highs and higher lows. A solid move above $1780 could encourage an incline towards the psychological $1800 resistance level – where the 200-day SMA resides. Should this resistance prove to be a tough nut to crack, prices could descend back below $1780 with the next key level of interest found at $1750 and $1715 – just above the 100-day SMA.