The new year began with a mild downturn in the stock market, seeing the S&P 500 drop by 0.57% after an impressive 2023. Tech giants like Apple faced setbacks, while defensive stocks supported the Dow Jones. Despite this, the market enjoyed a bullish run in 2023 due to a strong economy and Fed signals. Analysts maintain optimism, anticipating a potential rebound during the earnings season. In currency markets, the dollar rebounded by 0.8% after a dovish Fed stance, influencing various pairs like EUR/USD and USD/JPY. The focus shifts to upcoming U.S. economic indicators and FOMC minutes for insights into potential market shifts.
Stock Market Updates
The stock market kicked off the new year on a slightly bearish note, with the S&P 500 falling by 0.57%, marking its first decline after a strong 2023. The Nasdaq Composite experienced its worst day since October, dropping by 1.63%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed a slight gain of 0.07%. Apple faced a significant setback, sliding over 3% due to a downgrade from Barclays, impacting the performance of the Magnificent Seven market leaders basket. However, defensive stocks like Johnson & Johnson and Merck supported the Dow’s positive momentum.
In 2023, the stock market saw a remarkable surge, with the S&P 500 climbing for nine consecutive weeks, ending the year on a high note—its best streak since 2004. The bullish run was fueled by a resilient economy, cooled inflation, the Federal Reserve signaling an end to rate hikes, and an anticipation of future rate cuts. Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia led the charge, with the Nasdaq Composite registering its best year since 2020. Despite the initial decline in the new year, analysts like Hatfield remain optimistic about equities, foreseeing a potential rebound during the upcoming earnings season.
On Tuesday, across all sectors, the market experienced a slight decline of 0.57%. Health Care, Utilities, and Energy sectors showed positive gains, with Health Care leading at +1.76%, followed by Utilities at +1.38% and Energy at +1.19%. Conversely, Information Technology took a significant hit, dropping by -2.58%. Sectors like Consumer Discretionary, Communication Services, and Industrials also experienced declines ranging from -0.91% to -0.95%. Meanwhile, Financials and Real Estate showed modest gains, while Materials faced a small decrease of -0.20%.
Currency Market Updates
The currency markets witnessed a resurgence of the dollar index by 0.8% following profit-taking on short trades that ensued after a more dovish stance from the Fed in mid-December. This unexpected turn led to a tumble in Treasury yields and rate expectations, prompting a surge in risk-taking behavior. The focus now hovers around the upcoming key U.S. labor market data, ISM releases, and the scrutiny of FOMC meeting minutes as market participants gauge the impact of these factors on the dollar’s recent slide and the potential for a reversal.
EUR/USD experienced an 0.82% decline, approaching the 50% retracement level of December’s surge, while USD/JPY rose 0.8%, seeking to breach resistance around 142 to push towards 143. Sterling mirrored the pressures faced by EUR/USD, dropping by 0.77%, largely influenced by lagging gilt treasury yield spreads. Concurrently, USD/CAD ascended by 0.63%, propelled by Canada’s PMI hitting a 3-1/2-year low at 45.4. Market sentiment hinges on upcoming crucial U.S. economic indicators that are expected to confirm a cooling labor market with receding inflationary pressures, yet still shy of the Fed’s 2% target. The interplay of these data releases will likely shape the trajectory of major currency pairs in the coming days.
Picks of the Day Analysis
EUR/USD (4 Hours)
EUR/USD Declines as Dollar Gains Ground Amidst Economic Contractions
The EUR/USD pair experienced a significant downturn, touching lows of 1.0940 amidst a stronger US Dollar driven by a gloomy market sentiment due to persistent economic contraction signals at the close of 2023. S&P Global’s released PMI data for both the Eurozone and the US showcased a slight improvement in the EU’s manufacturing index while the US saw a contraction, aligning with a risk-averse atmosphere that pushed stocks downward and lifted Treasury yields. Eyes are now on upcoming data, particularly the December US ISM Manufacturing PMI and FOMC Meeting Minutes, as Chairman Jerome Powell hinted at potential rate cuts, prompting curiosity about policymakers’ official discussions.
On Tuesday, the EUR/USD moved lower and reached the lower band of the Bollinger Bands. Currently, the price moving slightly above the lower band, suggesting a potential upward movement. Notably, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) maintains its position at 32, signaling a bearish outlook for this currency pair.
Resistance: 1.0980, 1.1068
Support: 1.0892, 1.0814
XAU/USD (4 Hours)
XAU/USD Holds Steady Amidst Market Caution and Dollar Strength
Spot Gold maintained a steady stance, lingering around its daily opening without a definitive trajectory, recuperating slightly from an intraday dip to $2,055.82. The US Dollar gained traction throughout the European trading session, bolstered by Wall Street’s subdued performance. Investor apprehension loomed after the long weekend, accentuated by the forthcoming pivotal US employment data and a lineup of significant economic indicators. The sentiment downturn followed the disappointing US S&P Global Manufacturing PMI, overshadowing the better-than-expected European Manufacturing PMIs. This cautionary atmosphere was compounded by US stocks dipping and government bond yields edging upwards, indicating renewed market apprehension regarding projected rate cuts across major economies. Eyes remain fixed on the imminent US employment reports and upcoming European inflation updates, shaping the short-term technical outlook for XAU/USD.
On Tuesday, XAU/USD moved lower and reached the lower band of the Bollinger Bands. Currently, the price moving just above the lower band, suggesting a potential upward movement. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 46, signaling a neutral outlook for this pair.
