General Market OutlookHello, I want to talk about markets in general before the week start.
The Federal Reserve is trying to navigate with limited data. Recently, after Governor Waller used ADP data without authorization, the Fed lost access to ADP’s high-frequency employment data as well.
CPI and core CPI both came in at 3%, slightly below market expectations but in line with Cleveland Fed and Bloomberg models. With inflation not overheating, there is little reason for the Fed to delay rate cuts in its remaining two meetings this year, though these cuts are likely already priced in. The real focus will be on what FED will do in 2026.
This week brings meetings from the Fed, ECB, BOJ, and BOC, while the Trump–Xi talks will take center stage. For me, the most important event will be the US–China negotiations. China holds a structural advantage: its exports have remained resilient despite US tariffs, supported by rising trade with South America, Africa, the EU, and South Asia. Meanwhile, the US remains heavily dependent on China for rare earths, a situation unlikely to change soon. However, China’s top priority remains its economy, which should keep the door open for compromise and negotiations.
Also, keep an eye on the shutdown situation and upcoming earnings reports.
US bond yield is falling, now a battle around 4% is ongoing for 10-y yield. If it bounced from 3.85% trendline dollar might try to recover, but so far I don't see any reason for a dollar jump, rather the tight range between the trendline from 2011 and 100 resistance likely to continue.
EURUSD is trying to recover with slighlty bullish trend but this trend could turn into flag formation easily if dollar index to make a move towards 100. I expect EURUSD to continue recover with strong data from EU and weaker data from US. If shutdown extends further, both stock market and dollar might turn bearish.
There’s nothing new to add for USDJPY beyond the previous analysis. If the base case scenario unfolds, it will support the dollar index retesting its trendline in the coming weeks.
Nasdaq is still trending high with insane amount of AI investments and better than expected earnings. High valuations, shutdown and China fears are not in the spotlight yet. As long as Nasdaq trend channel continues, no reason to back out bullishness, but careful if it break because corrections often came very hard.
Crypto market is yet to recover after the massive sudden crash. Bitcoin is less effected, but still has a problem. If 114k regained, maybe signs of recovery will be more clear. But the danger is not over yet.
My base case for gold to hold above 4000 and recover towards 4250. 4160 is a key resistance this week. I expect gold is getting to a long term peak, likely to hit before the year end but still has some way to go. I will write about Silver's long term cycle in a couple of days so stay tuned for that.
