The monthly FOMC statement
is when the Fed policymakers make their big announcement on monetary policy
adjustments or interest rate changes. As such, this FOMC statement US dollar economic
event tends to spark a huge reaction from the U.S. dollar and could even
dictate longer-term forex trends for dollar pairs.
Fed officials usually
divulge changes in their economic projections during the rate statement too,
and these play a role in shaping policy biases. Even without actual interest
rate changes, the Fed outlook makes a strong influence on market expectations,
which then affect dollar price action.
A quiet economic calendar in
European trading hours is likely to see traders looking ahead to what is
arguably the week’s most significant bit of scheduled event risk: the Federal
Reserve monetary policy announcement. The rate-setting FOMC committee is
expected to deliver a final $15 billion “taper” of asset purchases, ending the
QE3 stimulus program. The probability of a surprise extension seems
overwhelmingly unlikely. That means the announcement’s market-moving potential
will be found in guidance for the timing of the first subsequent rate hike
inferred from the accompanying policy statement.
Recent weeks have witnessed
a moderation in the post-QE3 Fed tightening outlook as global slowdown fears
encouraged speculation that the central bank will want to safe-guard the US
recovery from knock-on effects of weakness elsewhere by delaying normalization.
Indeed, Fed Funds futures now reveal priced-in expectations of a rate hike no
sooner than December of next year, far later than prior bets calling for a move
around mid-year.
A change in the FOMC
statement reflecting renewed concerns about persistently low inflation would
validate this shift, weighing on the US Dollar.
US DOLLAR
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Prices paused to consolidate following a breakout that seems to mark
longer-term uptrend resumption. A daily close above the 11102-43 area marked by
the 23.6% Fibonacci expansion and the October 3 high exposes the 38.2% level at
11216. Alternatively, a turn below the intersection of channel top
resistance-turned-support and the 23.6% Fib retracement at 10959 clears the way
for a test of the 38.2% threshold at 10845.
S&P 500 TECHNICAL
ANALYSIS –
Prices advanced to a one-month high to test resistance at 1987.70, the 23.6%
Fibonacci expansion. A break above that on a daily closing basis exposes the
38.2% level at 2010.10. Alternatively, a reversal below the 14.6% Fib at
1973.80 aims for the October 27 low at 1951.40.
GOLD TECHNICAL
ANALYSIS –
Prices turned lower as expected after putting in a bearish Evening Star
candlestick pattern. Sellers now aim to challenge the 23.6% Fibonacci expansion
at 1216.87, with a break below that on a daily closing basis exposing the 38.2%
level at 1193.16. Alternatively, a reversal back above the 14.6% Fib at 1231.49
aims for the 1248.57-55.20 area marked by a falling trend line set from
mid-July and the October 21 high.
CRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Prices put in a Bullish
Engulfing candlestick pattern, hinting a bounce may be ahead. A break above
87.67, the intersection of the 14.6% Fibonacci retracement and channel floor
support-turned-resistance, exposes the 23.6% level at 90.62. Near-term support is
at 82.88, the October 15 low
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