Daily Market Analysis - TUESDAY JUNE 20, 2023

Investors Await Central Bank Actions Amid Global Economic Concerns and Uncertainties Prevail

Today events:

USA - Building Permits (May)
USA - FOMC Member Bullard Speaks
USA - Housing Starts (MoM) (May)
USA - FOMC Member Williams Speaks
Eurozone - ECB McCaul Speaks
Eurozone - ECB's De Guindos Speaks

On the evening of Monday, following a public holiday, there was a slight decline in stock futures as investors braced themselves for significant speeches expected from officials of the Federal Reserve (Fed) and members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) throughout the week. This anticipation added to the prevailing uncertainties and lack of clarity that characterized the previous week.

In the United States, the inflation data was considered acceptable but not extraordinary, prompting the Fed to temporarily halt its actions while projecting multiple interest rate hikes in the future. In contrast, the European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates and emphasized the potential for further increases.

Now, all eyes are on the Bank of England (BoE) as it confronts the formidable task of managing the current situation. Despite the efforts of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to maintain control, there exists a looming risk of inflation spiraling out of hand. Among the major economies grappling with the dual objectives of taming inflation and ensuring a smooth economic transition, the United Kingdom appears to be encountering the greatest challenges in effectively attaining these goals.

GBP/USD daily chart

An intriguing observation can be made regarding the GBP/USD currency pair. Despite retracing from its recent peak around $1.28, the pair has still managed to register a notable 3% gain over the past month. Notably, the British pound has also exhibited strength against the euro, appreciating by more than 1.6% during the same period. This is particularly noteworthy when considering the past situation in September, where the pound was nearing parity with the dollar as UK Gilt yields surged. Presently, it is trading close to the $1.30 mark. This suggests that the foreign exchange market does not currently reflect a prevailing perception of an imminent economic disaster for the UK.

In the realm of EUR/USD, Tuesday presents challenges for the currency pair to gain significant momentum. It remains confined within a narrow trading range, with the pair hovering just above the 1.0900 level during the Asian session.

US Dollar Currency Index daily chart


Following its recent decline, the US Dollar (USD) is currently in a phase of recovery. Last Friday, it reached a low that had not been witnessed in over a month. However, the USD has been displaying a gradual strengthening trend for the past three consecutive days. This resurgence of the USD poses a challenge for the EUR/USD currency pair, causing it to retreat to the latest level of 102.55.

EUR/USD daily chart

However, despite the prevailing challenges, the downside for the EUR/USD pair seems to find some support, at least temporarily, thanks to the hawkish stance adopted by the European Central Bank (ECB). The ECB's optimistic outlook serves as a factor that mitigates the potential decline of the pair.

Furthermore, the current subdued sentiment in equity markets works in favor of the US Dollar's role as a safe-haven currency. This situation, in turn, limits the upside potential for the EUR/USD pair. Concerns regarding a potential global economic slowdown, particularly in China, cast a shadow over reports of China contemplating a comprehensive stimulus package to bolster its economy. These worries continue to dampen investor sentiment. Even the recent decision by the People's Bank of China to lower the one-year and five-year Loan Prime Rates (LPRs) on Tuesday fails to alleviate anxieties or provide significant momentum to the major currency pair.

It is noteworthy that the ECB has recently raised interest rates for the eighth consecutive time, propelling them to the highest level witnessed in 22 years. The central bank has also emphasized the necessity of further rate hikes to attain the Eurozone's medium-term inflation target of 2%.

XAU/USD daily chart

In contrast, gold has undergone substantial volatility in the preceding month. Despite the dissemination of recent data and central bank determinations, this precious metal has remained confined within a narrow price range of $1,940 to $1,980, demonstrating minimal signs of breaking out in either direction in the immediate future.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that market conditions can swiftly shift. The current week is particularly eventful, as it is characterized by a flurry of central bank interest rate decisions and a multitude of speeches by Federal Reserve officials. These upcoming events have the potential to introduce new dynamics and variables into the financial markets.