Referring back to my long-term idea posted in January (linked below “1H2023 USD/ZAR weekly timeframe”) I believe that the pair has started its 5th impulse wave higher towards the 2020 high around the 19.30’s after the failed break below the critical support rate of 16.80.
The rand has depreciated for five consecutive weeks since mid-January which has seen the local unit slide roughly 7.65%. The economic calendar for this week is a heavy one with a host of local and international events and data prints which is expected to throw the pair into a wide trading range. Locally, SA’s finance minister will present the updated budget tomorrow. The main point of discussion that investors will look out for is Eskom and it is anticipated that the government will advance their plans to take on a sizeable amount of debt from the ailing power utility. The rand also faces a potential grey listing by the FATF this week. Honestly, don’t expect any local factors that will be rand positive anytime soon.
Internationally, Wednesday’s FOMC meeting results will be released which will probably just support the Fed’s recent hawkish sentiment. To wrap up the week, US GDP results for 4Q2022 will be released and on Friday the US PCE price index will be updated, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation. It’s difficult to make a call how these data prints will influence investor sentiment.
Despite all the above factors that are undoubtedly rand negative, the rand could pull the pair lower towards the 61.8% Fibo rate of 17.84 if risk-on sentiments flow into the markets following the FOMC minutes, US GDP and PCE data prints. The rand tends to pullback aggressively after an uptrend, it overshoots like a rubber band to the top and bottom side. If this pullback materializes, buying at rates around 17.80 may be favourable. The support levels currently sit on the psychological rate of 18.00, 23.6% Fibo at 17.95 and then the critical support at 17.83 which coincides with the neckline of the broken parallel channel. I’m personally looking to leave buy limit orders between 17.75 and 17.85. A break above 18.28/18.30 will invalidate the expected pullback.
Technically the daily MACD seems to be rolling over and could cross to a sell signal while the RSI is sitting in overbought zones at 67.85 which supports this expected pullback.
Two factors that also support this USD/ZAR pullback is my expected pullback in the DXY and the fact that Platinum is finding support around $920 per oz (ideas linked below).
The rand has depreciated for five consecutive weeks since mid-January which has seen the local unit slide roughly 7.65%. The economic calendar for this week is a heavy one with a host of local and international events and data prints which is expected to throw the pair into a wide trading range. Locally, SA’s finance minister will present the updated budget tomorrow. The main point of discussion that investors will look out for is Eskom and it is anticipated that the government will advance their plans to take on a sizeable amount of debt from the ailing power utility. The rand also faces a potential grey listing by the FATF this week. Honestly, don’t expect any local factors that will be rand positive anytime soon.
Internationally, Wednesday’s FOMC meeting results will be released which will probably just support the Fed’s recent hawkish sentiment. To wrap up the week, US GDP results for 4Q2022 will be released and on Friday the US PCE price index will be updated, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation. It’s difficult to make a call how these data prints will influence investor sentiment.
Despite all the above factors that are undoubtedly rand negative, the rand could pull the pair lower towards the 61.8% Fibo rate of 17.84 if risk-on sentiments flow into the markets following the FOMC minutes, US GDP and PCE data prints. The rand tends to pullback aggressively after an uptrend, it overshoots like a rubber band to the top and bottom side. If this pullback materializes, buying at rates around 17.80 may be favourable. The support levels currently sit on the psychological rate of 18.00, 23.6% Fibo at 17.95 and then the critical support at 17.83 which coincides with the neckline of the broken parallel channel. I’m personally looking to leave buy limit orders between 17.75 and 17.85. A break above 18.28/18.30 will invalidate the expected pullback.
Technically the daily MACD seems to be rolling over and could cross to a sell signal while the RSI is sitting in overbought zones at 67.85 which supports this expected pullback.
Two factors that also support this USD/ZAR pullback is my expected pullback in the DXY and the fact that Platinum is finding support around $920 per oz (ideas linked below).
