• GBP/USD edges higher toward 1.2700 in the European morning on Wednesday.
• ADP Employment Change and ISM Services PMI data from the US will be watched closely.
• Fed Chairman Powell will be delivering a speech in the American session.

Following Monday’s sharp decline, GBP/USD recovered modestly on Tuesday. The pair continues to edge higher toward 1.2700 in the early European session on Wednesday.

The data from the US showed on Tuesday that JOLTS Job Openings for October rose to 7.74 million from 7.37 million in September. This reading came in above the market expectation of 7.48 million and helped the US Dollar (USD) stay resilient against its rivals, limiting GBP/USD’s upside.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey will speak at the Financial Times Live Global Boardroom at 09:00 GMT on Wednesday. Later in the day, ADP Employment Change and ISM Services PMI data for November will be featured in the US economic docket.

Investors expect the private sector employment to rise by 150,000. A positive surprise, with a reading at or above 200,000, could boost the USD with the immediate reaction. On the other hand, a print below 100,000 could revive concerns over worsening conditions in the labor market and hurt the USD.

In the American session, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will participate in a moderated discussion at the New York Times DealBook Summit, starting at 18:45 GMT. The CME FedWatch Tool shows that markets are currently pricing in a nearly 75% probability of a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut in December. In case Powell leaves the door open for a policy hold, the USD could gather strength against its rivals and force GBP/USD to turn south.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the 4-hour chart holds slightly above 50 and GBP/USD managed to hold above the 100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) after testing this level several times since Tuesday, highlighting sellers’ hesitancy.

Looking north, resistances could be spotted at 1.2700 (Fibonacci 38.2% retracement of the latest downtrend), 1.2750 (Fibonacci 50% retracement) and 1.2810-1.2800 (Fibonacci 61.8% retracement, 200-period SMA). On the downside, immediate support is located at 1.2650 (100-period SMA) before 1.2630-1.2620 (50-period SMA, Fibonacci 23.6% retracement) and 1.2600 (round level, static level).

Our featured currency pair of the week is the USD/JPY. The pair fell in November even as the dollar index rose for the second consecutive month. Last week saw the dollar come under pressure, as major pairs such as the EUR/USD and GBP/USD staged a relief bounce. The yen was the biggest performer last week, underscoring expectations about a potential rate hike from the Bank of Japan, just as the world’s other central banks are now on the easing path. But now it has arrived at a key technical support area of around 150.00 ahead of critical US economic releases this week. With a jam-packed calendar including, ISM Manufacturing and Services PMIs, the closely watched JOLTS Job Openings report, and the monthly Non-Farm Payrolls report to come, traders are bracing for volatility. These data points are expected to influence the USD/JPY forecast, especially with both the Fed and BoJ policy decisions looming in December.

BOJ rate hike buzz lifts yen’s appeal

The yen is gaining traction as speculation mounts that the Bank of Japan might raise rates in December. This expectation isn’t just bolstering the yen against the dollar; it’s also pressuring other pairs like EUR/JPY, which recently dropped below 160.00 and is now flirting with the 157.00 zone. The euro’s struggles, tied to Europe’s ongoing economic and political issues, amplify the yen’s strength.

But it looks like speculators are trying to ride the yen rally. Last week, large speculators piled into long positions on the yen amid renewed expectations of a 25 basis point hike from the Bank of Japan this month. Notably, large speculators reduced short positions and ramped up long exposure by more than 23%, adding nearly 15K contracts to their bullish bets. 

Key US data to shape USD/JPY forecast

Looking ahead to this first week of December, all eyes are on pivotal US economic indicators. While ISM PMIs will provide clues about the health of the world’s largest economy, the JOLTS report could take centre stage as the Federal Reserve zeroes in on employment trends. Signs of weakness in these reports might tilt the odds toward a December rate cut, currently priced with a 65% probability. 

Meanwhile, the November jobs report, due Friday, will be the headline event. After last month’s unexpectedly strong figures and the political shift from Trump’s re-election, expectations for aggressive Fed cuts in 2025 have waned. Whether the Fed decides to cut rates in its final 2024 meeting could hinge on this critical data, setting the tone for USD/JPY’s trajectory into the new year.

Here is a list of key data highlights from the US and what to expect:

Technical USD/JPY forecast:  Potential for a pullback if THIS support gives way

Source: TradingView.com

Last week’s drop in USD/JPY underscores a possible key swing low for the yen, potentially setting the stage for further recovery in the yen. But for that to happen, the USD/JPY will need to stage a decisive break below the key 150.00 support level.

Previously a strong resistance area, this level now serves as a battleground. A rebound here could see the pair testing the 200-day moving average and targeting resistance around 151.30-152.00.

However, if support fails—marked by a decisive daily close below the 149.40-150.00 range—a sharper decline towards 147.20 or even 144.53 (the next potential support levels) may follow. This scenario would paint a more bearish-leaning technical USD/JPY forecast heading into the two central bank meetings later this month.

— Written by Fawad Razaqzada, Market Analyst

Follow Fawad on Twitter @Trader_F_R

EUR/USD falls amid French political uncertainty

• French government is on the verge of collapse
• Eurozone manufacturing PMI contracts further
• USD rises as Trump threats trade tariffs
• EUR/USD looks to test 1.05

EUR/USD is falling at the start of the week after strong gains last week as the US dollar rebounds and amid French political uncertainty.

France’s far-right National Party has given Prime Minister Michel Barnier until today to accept the party’s demands for concessions in the proposed Budget, which Barnier is attempting to push through the fragile coalition government.

Barnier is between a rock and a hard place. If he fails to give in, the RN threatens to call a vote of no confidence, which will almost certainly collapse the government. However, if he does give in, high spending will keep the country in an economically fragile position.

French borrowing costs have risen to the highest level against German borrowing costs since the 2012 crisis. The CAC is also falling sharply lower.

Meanwhile, eurozone manufacturing PMI data was confirmed at 45.2, deepening contraction in the sector. The downturn remains widespread, with manufacturing activity deteriorating across major economies, including Germany and France, which recorded the lowest readings.

Separately, the US dollar is rebounding on safe-haven flows after President Trump threatened BRICS countries with 100% trade tariffs should they threaten the USD’s dominance.

Attention is also on the Federal Reserve ahead of a busy week for U.S. economic data, terminating with the nonfarm payroll report on Friday. The data comes as the Fed weighs up whether to cut rates this month after two consecutive rate reductions. The market is pricing in a 66% probability of a 25 basis point rate cut in December.

In addition to data, several Fed officials are due to speak this week, including Fed Chair Jerome Powell, on Wednesday.

EUR/USD forecast – technical analysis

EUR/USD rebounded from a low of 1.0330 but failed to retake the 1.06 or 1.07 levels necessary to negate the steep downtrend from 1.12 reached at the end of September. This, combined with the RSI below 50, keeps sellers in the driving seat.

Sellers will look to break below 1.05 to retest 1.0450, the 2023 low.  A break below 1.0330 is needed to create a lower low.

Buyers need to retake 1.06 to have any chance of building a base higher.

FTSE inches higher after strong Chinese manufacturing data, but UK data disappoints

• China’s manufacturing PMI rises to 51.5 & new orders soar
• UK manufacturing PMI falls to 48 in November from 49.9
• FTSE trades within a holding pattern

The FTSE is trading flat as investors weigh off encouraging Chinese manufacturing data, political instability in France, and disappointing UK manufacturing PMIs.

Data from China showed that manufacturing activity grew at the strongest pace in five months. The cakes in manufacturing PMI rose to 51.5 in November when I had a forecast of 50.5. Manufacturers’ new orders are growing at the fastest pace in three years, suggesting that recent stimulus efforts are already seeping into the economy.

The good news is helping to lift miners, with Anglo American and Rio Tinto trading around 1% higher.

Meanwhile, the UK manufacturing PMI was slightly more disappointing, sinking to 48 in November, down from 49.9 in October, marking a nine-month low as new orders dry up. Headwinds from a rise in employment taxes following the New Labour government’s budget, a 7% rise in the minimum wage, disruption to shipping in the Red Sea, and threats to global goods tariffs have created a challenging environment for manufacturers.

Also, keeping a lid on any gains or concerns over the political situation in France, where Barnier’s government holds on by a thread.

FTSE forecast – technical analysis

The FTSE continues to trade within a familiar range, capped on the upside by 8325 and 8150 on the lower side.

While the FTSE has recovered from the November low of 8000, rising above the 200 SMA and the 50 SMA, buyers will need to break out above 8325 to bring 8400 into target and 8480, the all-time high.

Immediate support is seen at 8230 the 50 SMA. Below here 8150 comes back into play, which is also the 50 SMA.

• EUR/USD trades in a tight range near 1.0500 early Tuesday.
• Political uncertainty in France, Fed-ECB policy divergence limit the pair’s upside.
• Technical sellers could remain interested while 1.0520 holds as resistance.

EUR/USD started the week on a bearish noted and dropped below 1.0500 on Monday. The pair holds its ground early Tuesday but shows no signs of a steady recovery.

The risk-averse market atmosphere helped the US Dollar (USD) gather strength against its rivals and weighed on EUR/USD on Monday. Additionally, political woes in France further weighed on the Euro. “The French government is all but certain to collapse later this week after far-right and left-wing parties submitted no-confidence motions on Monday against Prime Minister Michel Barnier,” Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the potential monetary policy divergence between the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the European Central Bank (ECB) doesn’t allow the pair to gain traction.

Atlanta Fed President Bostic said late Monday that he is undecided on whether a rate cut is needed in December. On a similar note, “one could argue a case for skipping a rate cut in December, will be watching data closely to decide,” NY Fed President John Williams noted. On the flip side, ECB policymaker Martins Kazaks argued that the inflation problem will soon end and added that rate cuts must continue. 

In the second half of the day, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish JOLTS Job Openings data for October. A significant negative surprise, with a reading at or below 7 million, could hurt the USD with the immediate reaction and help EUR/USD edge higher.

EUR/USD Technical Analysis

EUR/USD dropped below 1.0520, where the Fibonacci 23.6% retracement of the latest downtrend is located. While this level holds as resistance, technical sellers could remain interested. On the downside, supports could be seen at 1.0440 (static level) and 1.0400 (end-point of the downtrend, static level).

In case EUR/USD rises above 1.0520, next hurdle is located at 1.0545 (100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart) ahead of 1.0600 (Fibonacci 38.2% retracement).

Created on December 03, 2024

• In my daily analysis of the GBP/USD currency pair, the first thing that comes to mind is that the British pound has taken it on the chin.
• At this point, it looks like we have seen a lot of resistance near the 1.2750 level. If we can break above there, it would obviously change things but right now it looks like it’s a massive brick wall.
• Because of this, I’ll be paying close attention to the 1.2750 level for any significant change.

Consolidation

The consolidation has been somewhat obvious between the 1.25 level on the bottom, and the 1.2750 level on the top. The size of the candlestick on Monday is rather ugly, and that does suggest that a lot of people will be running to the US dollar again. Quite frankly, the downtrend has been formally ensconced, so at this point in time I don’t see any reason to think that the trend will change easily. However, like I said, if we were to break above the 1.2750 level, then I would have to reconsider some things.

If we were to break down below the 1.25 level, then it opens up the possibility of a significant drop down to the 1.23 level. Interest rates continue to be an issue for the United States, despite the fact that a lot of market participants believe that the Federal Reserve is going to be cutting interest rates by 25 basis points during the month of December. Because of this, the market is likely to be very noisy, but I do think that eventually we will have to come to some type of conclusion. The conclusion could be in either direction, but as I think we have seen recently, it’s very difficult for this market to break out to the upside. Because of this, the market is likely to continue to see a lot of volatility, but sooner or later, we could see a rather large move.

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Created on December 03, 2024

• The US dollar initially did try to recover against the Japanese yen during the trading session on Monday, but a lower than anticipated manufacturing PMI number may have been a bit of a problem.
• While that has seen the US dollar rocket higher against other currencies, I think this is more or less a situation where traders are starting to focus on whether or not the Federal will cut rates in December, and that has a major influence on this pair.

In general, this is a situation where traders continue to see concerns about the interest rate differential narrowing. Now, the bond market had a lot to say about that recently, but it looks like the bond market’s giving that up a little bit. As we are below the 150 yen level, now I think things are getting really interesting.

Is the Selling Done?

Whether or not we are done selling off remains to be seen, but you can still make an argument for an uptrend. This most recent swing high though, that could be an ominous sign. I suspect at this point, you’re probably better off waiting for some type of bounce to get involved. It just has the feel of a falling knife type of situation.

That doesn’t mean that the US dollar itself is going to do poorly, and I just think that in the realm of safety bid, US dollar is right up there, but it’s not the Japanese yen. If we can turn around and recapture the 50-day EMA close to the 151.33 yen level, then I think you start to look in the other direction again. I’m not necessarily looking to short this USD/JPY pair, I guess what I’m saying is, I’m just not looking to get long of it at this point in time, although over the longer-term, I will be looking to take advantage of the interest rate swap at the end of each day.

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EUR/USD rises but the outlook remains weak

• France’s government is on the brink of collapse
• US JOLTS job openings are due
• EUR/USD recovers from 1.0460 support

EUR/USD is inching higher after steep losses in the previous session. The market is waiting cautiously for further developments in France and looks ahead to a big week for U.S. economic data.

PM Michel Barnier’s coalition government is on the brink of collapse, and he’s expected to face a vote of no confidence tomorrow, which he is unlikely to win. This could lead to further political uncertainty in the eurozone’s second-largest economy.

Political instability runs alongside a weak economic outlook. Yesterday’s PMI data showed that the region’s manufacturing sector recession continues and shows no sign of letting up.

Adding Trump’s threat of trade tariffs when he takes office in January to the mix, it’s hard to be anything but bearish towards the Euro.

EUR/USD parity wasn’t even a topic for conversation a few months ago. Now, it looks like a possibility in 2025

Separately, the US dollar is easing lower, giving back some of yesterday’s gains. The US dollar typically suffers seasonal weakness in December. However, following Donald Trump’s indication of support for a stronger dollar, that might not necessarily be the case this year.

Over the weekend, trump threatened tariffs, on BRIC members that weren’t committed to the USD as a reserve currency.

Attention today now turns to jolts job openings, which are expected to hold steady at 7.44 million.

The data comes ahead of a busy week for U.S. economic figures, including ADP payrolls, ISM services PMI, and Friday’s non-farm payroll report.

Strong data could see the market rein in fed rate cut expectations fella.

EUR/USD forecast – technical analysis

After running into resistance at 1.06, EUR/USD rebounded lower but found support at 1.0460, the 2023 low. The price trades caught between these levels. The RSI is below 50 and the 50 SMA crossed below the 200 SMA in a bearish signal.

Sellers will look to extend the 2-month bearish trend by taking out support at 1.0460 to brig 1.04 into focus ahead of 1.0330, the 2024 low.

Any recovery would need to rise above 1.06 to negate the trend and create a higher high. Above here, 1.07 comes into play.

Oil rises ahead of inventory data & OPEC’s meeting later in the week

• OPEC+ is expected to postpone the unwinding of production cut
• Chinese data helped the demand outlook
• Oil trades in a familiar range

Oil prices are rising in the European session but continued to trade in a narrow range ahead of the OPEC class policy meeting on Thursday.

The market is expecting the group of oil producers to delay its planned unwinding of production cuts beyond January 2025 in the hope of rebalancing the market and protecting prices. The outlook for supply surplus has put pressure on prices, meaning there is little option but to defer.

 Yesterday, Chinese factory activity expanded, raising hopes that the oil demand outlook is improving as the recent stimulus measures seep through the economy. However, optimism over data from China is being offset by questions over the outlook for Fed rate cuts in the coming months.

Geopolitical tensions remain in focus in the Middle East after the US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah appears to be on shaky ground.

Attention now turns to US crude stockpiles which are expected to have fallen last week while gasoline and distillate inventories are forecast to have risen. API data is due today, and EIA inventory data will be released on Wednesday.

Oil forecast – technical analysis

Oil continues to trade within a familiar range that it has traded within since September. The price is capped on the upside by 71.50 -72.50 and around 67 -67.50 on the downside. The RSI is neutral.

Sellers will want to wait from a break below 67.00 to enter a sell position, bringing 65.50, the 2024 low, into focus ahead of 63.50, the October 2023 low.

Should buyers rise above 72.50, bulls will look to 75.00 round number and 76.60 the 200 SMA.

Created on December 03, 2024

• As I look at the Euro against the British pound, I have to ask a lot of questions of whether or not we are breaking down more significantly than we have seen in the past.
• When I zoom out on the charts going back to approximately the summer of 2016, this is an area that’s held since then.

Because of that, if we break down from here, we could see the Euro just crater. That being said, it also somewhat lends itself to being a place for contrarian traders to get involved and start betting against the markets in general. It obviously would be a very difficult ride to the upside, but I think if we get beyond the 0.84 level, then you can have some credence for that.

On a Drop in this Pair

If we break down below the 0.82 level, then like I said, we really start to drop perhaps all the way down to 0.77 before it’s all said and done. That would be a brutal sell-off, but not necessarily something that is out of the realm of possibility. I think both of these economies have major issues, but right now, I think the biggest problem that I know of is probably Germany, and that does not bode well for the euro overall.

The euro is basically a basket case at this point. And I think you continue to have the major issues of the fact that you have all of these countries that have trouble cooperating. We also have the issues in Ukraine and that’s not going anywhere. So really at this point in time, while I’m not necessarily overly bullish on the pound, I definitely don’t like the euro.That’s the main takeaway here. However, I am willing to go either way. If the market tells me, it’s time to start buying, then so be it.

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GBP/USD is trading at $1.26640, up 0.12%, showing a slight bullish tilt as it holds above the pivot point at $1.26443. Immediate resistance lies at $1.26916, with further targets at $1.27235 and $1.27500.

On the downside, key support levels to watch are $1.26179 and $1.25887. The pair is supported by an upward trendline, with the 50-day EMA at $1.26683 reinforcing near-term strength.

Meanwhile, the 200-day EMA at $1.26571 serves as a critical foundation for maintaining upward momentum.  If prices remain above $1.26443, buyers could push toward the next resistance levels.

Euro Pressured Amid Weak Manufacturing Data

The Euro faced headwinds as manufacturing data across the Eurozone disappointed. Spain’s Manufacturing PMI dipped to 53.1 from 53.9, while Italy (44.5), France (43.1), and Germany (43.0) reported weaker-than-expected activity, all pointing to persistent contraction.

The bloc’s Final Manufacturing PMI held at 45.2, signaling ongoing economic challenges.

However, Italy’s unemployment rate improved to 5.8% from 6.0%. Markets now await Spanish unemployment data and France’s government budget balance for further direction.

EUR/USD Technical Forecast

Created on December 02, 2024

• The US dollar has plunged against the Japanese yen during the trading session on Friday to dip below the 150 yen level.
• But this is an area that I think will continue to be crucial, so it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.
• I like the idea of buying on a dip that then finds itself bouncing, and I think that’s what we’re watching right now to see whether or not it happens.

We are right around the 200 day EMA, so I would anticipate a certain amount of technical trading in this area regardless. The fact that the 150 yen level is a large round psychologically significant figure is probably something worth paying attention to anyways. Ultimately, I think this is a situation where if we can break above the top of the candlestick for the Friday session, then we could really start to take off towards the 155 yen level.

On the other hand, if we break down below the bottom of the candlestick for the USD/JPY trading session on Friday, then we could go down to the 148 in level, possibly even 146 yen. There is an interest rate differential that you need to pay close attention to. With that being said, I think you’ve got to look at this as a scenario where traders will probably continue to find one way or the other to take advantage of this interest rate differential.

If things settle down. When you look at the pullback that we’ve seen from the bounce, we’re only at about the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level. So really, it is still technically bullish. It’s just been tough to be bullish over the last four or five sessions. A bounce from here though, would solidify the idea of people taking advantage of the carry trade. So, we’ll have to wait and see how that plays out.

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