DAX, GBP/USD Forecast: Two trades to watch

DAX rises to a fresh all-time high boosted by rate-cut bets 

• ECB hawk Isabel Schnabel’s U-turn boost stocks 
• EZ retail sales forecast to rise 0.2% MoM in Oct vs -0.2%  
• DAX rises to 16568 all-time high 

The DAX and its European peers are pushing higher following on from a strong session in Asia. Weak US labor market data fueled bets that the Federal Reserve could soon start to cut interest rates. Optimism surrounding a Fed rate cut is offsetting concerns surrounding the Chinese economy. Stocks in Asia had fallen sharply in the previous session after Moody’s downgraded its outlook on Chinese credit to negative. 

Optimism that the ECB could also start cutting interest rates soon continues to underpin demand for equities. ECB known hawk Isabel Schnabel said another rate hike was rather unlikely given the remarkable slowdown in inflation. Eurozone CPI cooled to 2.4% YoY in October. Her U-turn prompted the markets to ramp up bets of an interest rate cut as early as March.  

Attention is now turning to eurozone retail sales, which are expected to rise 0.2% after falling -0.2% in September.  A pickup in retail sales would indicate that consumer confidence is improving, which could help ease concerns over recession in the eurozone region. 

The data comes after PMI data yesterday showed that business activity remained in contraction in November despite the composite PMI rising to a 4-month high. 

Looking ahead, US ADP data could also influence sentiment in the US session. Weak jobs data could fuel Fed rate cut bets. 

DAX forecast – technical analysis 

DAX continues its ascent in a rising channel, rising above 16530, the July high, and reaching a fresh all-time of 16568. The RSI is deep in overbought territory, so buyers should be cautious. 

Buyers could look for a rise above 16568 to extend gains towards the upper band of the rising channel at 16750 before bringing 17000 into focus. 

Support can be seen at 16530, the previous all-time high, and 16430, the June high. A break below here opens the door to 16044, the August high. 

 GBP/USD looks to BoE’s Bailey & US ADP payroll data

• BoE Andrew Bailey to speak 
• US ADP payroll data to rise to 130k vs 113k 
• GBP/USD steadies around 1.26 

GBP/USD is inching higher after two days of losses as the rally in the USD studies. Still, the pound has broadly been supported as BoE policymakers push back on rate cut expectations and on growing expectations that the Fed could cut rates early next year. 

Attention is on Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who is due to speak. Last week, Andrew Bailey's hawkish comments that he will do whatever is necessary to bring inflation back to the target 2% level boosted the pound above 1.27. Any comments today regarding the future path for interest rates could influence the pair. 

Bailey’s speech comes after data yesterday showed that the composite PMI returned to growth after four months thanks to an upward revision to service sector activity, easing fears over a recession. 

Construction PMI figures are out today; however, given this accounts for around 10% of the UK economy, they are not expected to influence GBP/USD. 

Meanwhile, the US dollar is holding steady as investors look ahead to ADP payroll figures, which are expected to rise 130K in November, up from 113 K in October.  

The data comes after yesterday's JOLTS job openings fell more than expected, indicating that the labor market could be cooling. After the Fed’s aggressive rate hiking cycle, demand slows, and firms are reining in hiring expectations. 

Weaker ADP payroll figures today could reinforce that view of a cooling labor market and support the idea that the Federal Reserve could cut rates in Q1 next year. The data also comes ahead of Friday's nonfarm payroll report, and Fed policymakers are in a blackout period ahead of next week’s FOMC meeting. 

GBP/USD forecast – technical analysis 

GBP/USD rebounded lower from resistance at 1.2730, falling below its rising trendline, dating back to early October. 

Support can be seen at 1.2550, the August low, ahead of the 200 sma at 1.2470; below here, sellers could gain momentum. 

On the upside, buyers will look to rise above 1.2650, the rising trendline resistance to extend gains towards 1.2730 and create a higher high. ]