WTI Crude breached $53 during trading on Tuesday after industry data pointed to a potential ninth straight week of inventory builds which revived some oversupply concerns. Although OPEC members have made an effort to stabilizing the oil markets by cutting output, the growing threat of U.S shale ramping up production continues to limit gains on the commodity. While oil markets may be seen to be trapped in a fierce tug of war, a resurgent Dollar from the prospects of higher US rates could expose WTI to further downside shocks. From a technical standpoint, WTI Crude bulls are struggling around $52.50 with weakness below this level opening a path towards $51.50.
Gold pressured by rate hike expectations
Gold was exposed to further downside losses during early trading on Wednesday as expectations heightened over the Federal Reserve raising US interest rates next week. A strengthening Dollar from the improving sentiment towards the United States has fuelled the metals selloff with prices trading around $1213 as of writing. From a technical standpoint, Gold is under pressure on the daily charts with sellers eyeing $1200. Previous support around $1220 could transform into a dynamic resistance that offers that encourages a selloff towards $1200 and potentially lower.
EURUSD bears eye 1.0500
The growing political risks in Europe have left the Euro vulnerable to sharp losses. Although the economic fundamentals of the Eurozone continue to look encouraging, it is the uncertainty revolving around the French elections that has haunted investor attraction towards the currency. Market participants may direct their attention to Thursday ECB meeting which most anticipate concluding with the central bank leaving monetary policy unchanged. From a technical standpoint, the EURUSD is bearish on the daily charts. The downside momentum could encourage bears to drag prices towards 1.0500 in the short term and 1.0350 in the medium to longer term.
GBPUSD struggles above 1.2200
Sterling remains gripped by the Brexit developments and the rising anxiety ahead of the Article 50 invoke should create a foundation for bears to install repeated rounds of selling. In a technical perspective, prices are trading below the daily 20 SMA while the MACD has crossed to the downside. With the pair creating lower lows and lower highs on the daily charts, the prerequisites of a bearish trend have been firmly achieved. Technical traders may observe how prices react below 1.2200 with further weakness opening a path towards 1.2100 and 1.2000 respectively.
GBPJPY breaks below 139.00
The bearish combination of Sterling weakness and Yen’s resurgence from risk aversion has left the GBPJPY vulnerable to heavy losses this week. This pair may come under renewed selling pressures in the medium to longer term as uncertainty heightens from the Brexit developments. From a technical standpoint, the pair is bearish on the daily charts as prices are trading below the 20 simple moving averages. A decisive break down below 138.50 could open a path lower to the next relevant support level at 137.00.