EUR/USD analysis, USD/CAD and GOLD outlook - Technical Tuesday

• EUR/USD analysis: Could euro bottom soon?
• Gold outlook: Metal still holding long-term levels
• USD/CAD technical analysis: Loonie hits 1.35 resistance

In this week’s report, we will provide technical analysis on the EUR/USD and USD/CAD and discuss the GOLD outlook. The slight risk off tone across financial markets has kept the dollar supported on haven flows. But with US CPI to come, we could see a potential reversal in the dollar’s bullish trend this week, with major currency pairs testing some key levels.

EUR/USD analysis: Could euro bottom soon?

The EUR/USD was unable to reclaim broken support around 1.1030-1.1050 area following Friday’s rally as the slight risk off tone across financial markets have kept the dollar supported on haven flows. Similar price action has been witnessed in other dollar pairs, gold and silver.

So, the move lower in the EUR/USD has entirely been due to the renewed strength in US dollar, than necessarily weakness in the euro. Indeed, some euro crosses like the EUR/AUD and EUR/NZD have broken to new highs on the year, pointing to strength in the single currency. This means that when the dollar eventually tops out, the euro stands ready to benefit, as it is relatively stronger compared to the likes of the AUD and NZD.

So far, we haven’t seen any signs of a bottom for the EUR/USD, as it continues to break short-term support levels. The base of the big breakout in July was around 1.0900 to 1.0920 area, which has already been tested last week, leading to a nice rally. However, the rebound faded and we are now back to square one. The bulls will want to see a clear reversal pattern form around the currency levels if they are to maintain control of the long-term bullish trend.

The line in the sand is at 1.0833, the low from July. Any move below that level would nullify this year’s bullish trend because we will then have a lower low in the EUR/USD.

But clearly, the onus is on the bulls. They will need to show up and fast. Perhaps a potentially weaker US CPI could trigger the recovery on Thursday.

Gold outlook: Metal still holding long-term levels

The renewed strength in bond yields amid all the policy tightening from major central banks have prevented gold from staging a clear breakout, with price action turning bearish ever since the metal hit a new record of $2081 in May. A monthly close above $2K still remains elusive for gold. With the breakdown of support levels such as $2000 and then $1980, the bears have got back some control.

But if you zoom out from the recent short-term price action, you will notice that the long-term technical levels on gold are holding, and the metal may push higher again in the not-too-distant future. The bulls must wait for a bullish signal, though, rather than pre-empt any moves as the recent price action has not been too convincing.

Still, it is important not to get too bearish until there is more evidence that the metal has indeed topped out. With the 200-day average sloping upwards, and gold holding its own above the key $1900 support level, gold investors would not be too bothered about the recent bearish price action.

In the short-term, bullish gold speculators would need to see the formation of a hammer-like candle to signal that the metal has bottomed out. Would that happen at some point this week, with the release of US CPI remains to be seen. But clearly US interest rates are at or near a peak. If gold were to fall big time, it should have done so by now. The fact that this hasn’t happened despite the Fed’s aggressive tightening, is perhaps a sign of strength.

USD/CAD technical analysis: Loonie hits 1.35 resistance

The USD/CAD rallied to 1.35 handle, after rising more than 115 pips on the session, extending its advance from last week. The USD/CAD was testing its bearish trend line around this key psychological level at the time of writing. With the US CPI due on Thursday, there is a possibility that rates may start to decline again from around the current levels. An improvement in risk appetite could certainly help. That being said, until and unless the bears return with a vengeance to cause a clear reversal in the trend, we wouldn’t entertain any trade ideas on the short side. Key support is now at 1.3385 to 1.3400 area, which had been strong resistance in the past. This is that area that the bulls must no defend following the breakout. Failure to do so would most likely trigger a sharp slide. Meanwhile, the next upside target is from here is just under 1.3570, the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level and the base of the breakdown back in early June.

Source for all charts used in this article: TradingView.com

-- Written by Fawad Razaqzada, Market Analyst

Follow Fawad on Twitter @Trader_F_R

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