Powell takes center stage as statement negates strong CPI and PPI

In Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s prepared comments for his semi-annual testimony before Congress, he says that “substantial further progress” is still a way off. What does that mean? No tapering any time soon! With the unemployment rate at 5.9%, he notes that the jobs market is also a long way off from progress needed to begin tapering bond purchases. And although he acknowledged that inflation is likely to be elevated this year, he expects it to be moderate overall. Right or wrong, this is consistent with what Powell has been saying from the beginning: The Fed will let inflation run hot while they focus on maximizing employment.

And inflation is HOT! Yesterday’s CPI headline print of 5.4% YoY was the highest in 13 years, while the core CPI print was 4.5% YoY, the highest reading in 30 years! Today, PPI was released and the headline June print was 7.3% YoY and the Core PPI was 5.6% YoY. The headline number was the highest since the current series began in November 2010. In theory, PPI feeds through to CPI as producers pass along higher prices to consumers. However, Powell continues to see these numbers as transitory.

Everything you need to know about the Federal Reserve

Powell’s extreme dovishness trumped the strong inflation readings as stocks move higher, while yields and the USD move lower. USD/JPY is also held down by trendline resistance near today’s highs at 110.70, which dates to early January.

Source: Tradingview, City Index

USD/JPY had been moving lower since putting in near-term highs on July 2^nd. The pair bounced on July 8^th, which resulted in a pennant formation. Today the pair broke lower after reaching resistance near July 7^th highs, as well as the longer-term rising trendline (see daily chart). The target for the break of a pennant is the distance from of the pennant “pole” added to the breakdown point of the of the pennant. In this case, USD/JPY targets 108.56, which is also horizontal support from May 19^th and May 25^th.

Source: Tradingview, City Index

USD/JPY is currently trading near the first support level of 110.10, which is the 50% retracement level from the May 25^th lows to the July 2^nd highs. The 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level from the same timeframe and the July 8^th lows are just below between 109.53 and 109.73. Resistance is at the bottom trendline of the pennant near 110.50 and then the top trendline of the pennant and the long-term trendline (daily chart) near 110.70.

Although inflation is running hot, it appears that the Fed is willing to let it continue high until employment is “maximized”. Whether Powell is right or wrong, doesn’t seem to matter. The saying in the markets that seems applicable to this situation is “Don’t fight the Fed”!

Learn more about forex trading opportunities.

StoneX Financial Ltd (trading as “City Index”) is an execution-only service provider. This material, whether or not it states any opinions, is for general information purposes only and it does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. This material has been prepared using the thoughts and opinions of the author and these may change. However, City Index does not plan to provide further updates to any material once published and it is not under any obligation to keep this material up to date. This material is short term in nature and may only relate to facts and circumstances existing at a specific time or day. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, legal, tax or other advice and no reliance should be placed on it.

No opinion given in this material constitutes a recommendation by City Index or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although City Index is not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, City Index does not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

For further details see our full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFD and Forex Trading are leveraged products and your capital is at risk. They may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved by reading our full risk warning.

City Index is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd. Head and Registered Office: 1st Floor, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET. StoneX Financial Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales, number: 05616586. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register Number: 446717.

City Index is a trademark of StoneX Financial Ltd.

The information on this website is not targeted at the general public of any particular country. It is not intended for distribution to residents in any country where such distribution or use would contravene any local law or regulatory requirement.