ascending channel

Russia’s weekend mutiny cast doubts on Putin’s grip on power. No major impact on markets but keep a lookout on Gold, which bounced off the key support zone of US$1,913/1,896 per ounce. Stern FX verbal intervention from Japan’s top currency official. Watch USD/JPY key near-term support at 142.50/25. US banking stocks tumbled ahead of annual key Fed’s banks’ stress test results Before the start of this new trading week, market participants were being jolted from their weekend leisure activities to shift their focus to the internal coup in Russia that may put President Putin’s power grip in jeopardy. Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, a Russian key independent military contractor that has played a significant role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine territorial conflict voiced displeasure with Russia’s top leadership in handling the Russia-Ukraine situation, took over two Russian cities and order his mercenaries to march towards Moscow on Saturday.   Russia’s weekend mutiny started fast and ended fast Upon reaching 200 km within Moscow, Prigozhin’s troops halted and made a U-turn back to their field camps. In addition, Putin dropped earlier treason charges on the Wagner Group and allowed Prigozhin to head to Belarus, Russia’s western neighbour for exile. In less than 48 hours, the mutiny in Russia is over without any clear details on what has transpired that led to Prigozhin’s retreat as Putin has not made any official speech or press conference yet. US Secretary of State Blinken commented that the weekend’s uprising by Prigozhin, a former Putin royalist has posed a direct challenge to Putin’s grip on power in Russia and provided a battlefield advantage to Ukraine. On the other hand, several geopolitical commenters have analyzed the situation to be in favour of Putin in which Wagner Group’s mutiny may be used as a cover for Putin to remove the top brass in Russia’s Ministry of Defence; Shoigu, the defence minister and Gerasimov, chief of the general staff as they posed a threat to Putin’s rule. Thus, the change of Russia’s military leadership may be part of the “deal” package that the Kremlin and Prigozhin agreed on.   No significant movements in markets but watch gold In today’s Asian session, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 e-mini futures were up slightly by around +0.20% after posting their worst weekly losses last week in three months. Major Asian stock indices were mixed at this time of the writing, Nikkei 225 (-0.24%), Kospi 200 (+0.60%), Hang Seng Index (-0.14%), Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (+0.13%), and CSI 300 (-0.70%). The US dollar is almost unchanged on average with the US Dollar Index inching down by a meagre -0.1%. Gold, a traditional safe haven asset that tends to benefit in light of major geopolitical risks upheaval in the past has exhibited some interesting price actions movement from a technical analysis perspective.     Gold’s decline has managed to bounce off from a key support zone of US$1,913/1,896 per ounce   Fig 1: Gold (XAU/USD) medium-term trend as of 26 Jun 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) Last week’s decline seen in Gold (XAU/USD) has led its price actions to hit a crucial medium-term pivotal support zone of US$1,913/US$ 1,896 per ounce (printed an intraday low of US$1,910 last Friday, 23 June) which is being defined by a confluence of elements; the lower boundary of the medium-term ascending channel in place since 3 November 2022 low, 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the prior medium-term up move from 3 November 2022 low to 4 May 2023 high, and approximately the downside price objective of recent “Descending Triangle” bearish breakdown. Momentum has also improved as the daily RSI oscillator has managed to stage a bounce off the key corresponding support at the 36 level. Watch the US$1,896 key medium-term pivotal support and a clearance above US1,940 intermediate resistance sees the next resistance coming in at US$1,990 (also the 50-day moving average).   FX verbal intervention from Japan After a strong upside movement seen in the USD/JPY that recorded a weekly gain of +1.3% last week which outperformed other major USD crosses, the US Dollar Index only rose by +0.56% over the same period, Japan’s Vice Finance Minister Masato Kanda, a top currency official that has oversight over foreign exchange market matters has sounded the alarm in today’s morning Asian session. Based on a Reuters report, Kanda said that the authorities will respond to any excessive moves in the foreign exchange market, warned that the recent yen moves were rapid and will not rule out any chance of an FX intervention. He said, “Regardless of the direction, it’s generally not good for the economy if exchange rates move excessively in a way that deviates from economic fundamentals.” Today’s verbal intervention was the most pronounced made by any of Japan’s finance ministry officials in the past month when USD/JPY sailed past the prior 141.00 and 142.00 psychological levels “effortlessly”. USD/JPY has shed -0.2% intraday and broke key near-term support at 143.45 at this time of the writing, the next support to watch will be at 142.50/25 (former swing highs of 11/21/22 November 2022).     Fed’s annual banks stress test results out on Wednesday The US Federal Reserve will unveil the results of its annual stress tests on the 23 biggest US banks on Wednesday, 28 June. The key focus will be on a section of the test, labelled as “exploratory market shock”, this is the first time such a test is being conducted on the trading books of the largest US banks. The urgency and significance of the “exploratory market shock” stress test come after the US regional banks’ turmoil. Hence, monitoring of fixed income duration risk is paramount now given that the latest Fed’s hawkish monetary policy guidance is to keep interest rates higher for a longer period. Last week, the US banking stocks shed by -6.80% as indicated by the SPDR S&P Bank exchange-traded fund, its worse weekly performance in seven weeks and underperformed the S&P 500.     Fig 2: S&P 500 major trend with VIX as of 26 Jun 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) If the “exploratory market shock” stress test results come in unfavourable, it may put more downside pressure on US banking stocks which in turn may trigger a volatility upside breakout in the VIX, a measurement of implied volatility on the S&P 500 as it has compressed to a low level of 13.44 not seen since early February 2020 before the pandemic. A sudden spike in VIX may dampen the current bullish mood for US stock indices.  

Current impulsive up move of CHF/JPY has cleared above major resistances of 157.98 & 158.45. Short-term momentum remains bullish. 159.90 is the key short-term support to watch.   The CHF/JPY cross has continued to its relentless rally as it broke above key resistance levels; 157.98 (the high obtained right during the EUR/CHF unpegged shock in January 2015) and 158.45 (Oct 1979 major swing high).   Broke above Oct 1979 major swing high of 158.45     Fig 1: CHF/JPY long-term secular trend as of 27 Jun 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The next key medium-tern resistance zone stands at 163.20/166.70 defined by a cluster of Fibonacci extension levels (see 3-month chart). The key medium-term support rests at 146.60 defined by the 200-day moving average and the former swing highs of July/October 2022.   The short-term uptrend remains intact     Fig 2: CHF/JPY minor short-term trend as of 27 Jun 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The price actions of CHF/JPY have continued to evolve within a minor ascending channel in place since the 13 June 2023 low of 153.37 and traded above the upward-sloping 5-day moving average (see 1-hour chart). The hourly RSI has just staged a bullish breakout which indicates that short-term momentum remains positive. Watch the 159.90 key short-term pivotal support with the next resistances coming in at 162.00 (psychological level) and 163.20 (the intersection between the upper boundaries of both the medium-term and minor ascending channels). However, a break below 159.90 negates the bullish tone to expose the next minor supports at 158.70 and 157.20.

Soft US CPI is not enough.    The US dollar extended losses after breaking a long-term ascending channel base yesterday. The British pound rallied on yet another stronger than expected wages growth data released yesterday morning. Average weekly earnings excluding bonuses increased 7.3% in the three months to May. And although the unemployment rate ticked up to 4%, it was because more Brits started looking for jobs, and not because people lost the jobs they had.   But don't be jealous of Brits that get such a good jump in their pay because UK inflation is still too hot. The average mortgage rate rose to 6.6%, the highest since 2008, inflation in Britain is sitting at 8.7%, and according to truflation, prices grow at a speed that's faster than 11%. The thing is, the robust wages growth partly explains why the Bank of England (BoE) is having so much pain fighting inflation, and that's why yesterday's data fueled the expectation of another 50bp hike from the BoE at its next meeting. The BoE's policy rate is seen peaking at the 6.5/7% range by the Q1 of next year as predicted by many analysts. Cable hit 1.2970 level, the highest since last April, but whether this really could continue will depend on 1. where the US dollar will be headed after today's CPI data in the short run, and 2. where the UK economy is headed if the BoE hikes rates to 6.5/7% range in the long run. Because the BoE hikes will continue pressuring the British housing market, and growth, and that could limit Cable's topside potential following a kneejerk positive reaction.     Lower US CPI won't be enough to soften the Fed hawks' hand.  The consumer price index in the US is expected to have fallen to 3.1% from 4% printed a month earlier. But unfortunately, it won't be enough to prevent the Fed from further rate hikes, because the further fall in headline inflation to 3% is due to a favourable base effect on energy prices, while core inflation is expected to remain sticky at around the 5% mark - still more than twice the Federal Reserve's (Fed) 2% policy target.   Plus, the rebound in oil prices hints that the risk of an uptick in headline inflation is building stronger for the coming months. The barrel of American crude rallied past the 100-DMA yesterday and is flirting with the $75pb level this morning. Trend and momentum indicators remain positive, and we are not in overbought territory just yet, meaning that this rally could further develop. The next natural target for the oil bulls stands at the 200-DMA, at $77pb level. In percentage terms, we are talking about a 12% rally since the start of the month, and the rebound is a response to the further production restriction from Riyadh and Moscow that are determined to push oil prices to at least $80pb level, and also Beijing's stepping up efforts to boost the Chinese economy by fresh monetary and fiscal stimulus.   But despite the lower OPEC supply and news of fresh monetary and fiscal stimulus from China, US crude should see a solid resistance into $77/80 range as, yes, in one hand, OPEC+ is cutting supply to boost prices, and their supply cuts will dampen the global oil glut in H2 - even more so if China finally achieves a healthier recovery. But on the other hand, the Chinese recovery is not a won game just yet, while increased oil output outside the cartel helps keeping price pressure contained. American crude production is on track for a record year this year, and half of the new crude is coming from the US where companies like Devon Energy that deliver strong output thanks to improved efficiencies.     RBNZ stays pat, BoC to deliver a final 25bp hike  The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) kept its policy rate unchanged at 5.5%. Later today, the Bank of Canada (BoC) is expected to announce a final 25bp hike in this tightening cycle. The Fed however is seen hiking two more times as the strength of the US jobs data, combined with solid economic data, and little pain on US housing market thanks to life-long mortgages.   Therefore, it's interesting that the US dollar depreciates while there is nothing that hints at softening in the Fed's hawkish policy stance. That, and the fact that we will soon be flirting with oversold market conditions in the US dollar hint at a rebound in the greenback, if backed with robust core inflation and strong economic data.     By Ipek Ozkardeskaya, Senior Analyst | Swissquote Bank  

4-week of decline has almost reached 31,530 key medium-term support Oversold condition with the formation of hourly bullish “Hammer” Japanese candlestick Key intermediate resistances will be at 32,730 and 33,200 This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “Nikkei 225 Technical: Minor corrective decline in progress” published on 6 July 2023. Click here for a recap. The price actions of the Japan 225 Index (a proxy of the Nikkei 225 futures) have extended its minor corrective decline within its medium-term uptrend phase and almost met the 31,530 support as per defined in our earlier report. It printed a current intraday low of 31,769 in today, 12 July Asian session at this time of the writing. Interestingly, several positive elements have emerged that advocate for a potential bullish reversal in price actions at least in the short-term horizon.   The drop in price actions has reached the medium-term ascending channel support   Fig 1:  Japan 225 short-term & medium-term trends as of 12 Jul 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The four weeks decline of -6.6% from its 16 June 2023 high of 34,015 has almost reached the lower boundary of the medium-term ascending channel in place since the 15 March 2023 low of 26,449 that is now acting as a support at 31,530. The aforementioned 31,530 support also confluences closely with the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the medium-term uptrend from the 15 March 2023 low to the 16 June 2023 high and the 1.236 Fibonacci extension of the minor decline from the 16 June 2023 high to the 27 June 2023 low projected from 3 July 2023 high.    

Short-term downside momentum has waned       Fig 2: Gold (XAU/USD) minor short-term uptrend of 25 Jul 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) As seen on the 1-hour chart of Gold (XAU/USD), its recent slide from its 20 July 2023 high of US$ US$1,987.53 has reached the lower boundary of a minor ascending channel from 6 July 2023 low now acting as near-term support at US$1,952.50. In addition, the hourly RSI oscillator has flashed a bullish divergence signal at its oversold region. These observations suggest that the downside momentum of the 5-day slide from the 20 July 2023 high has started to wane where a potential short-term bullish reversal may take shape. Watch the US$1,939 key short-term pivotal support (also close to the 50-day moving average) with the intermediate resistance at US$1,990, and clearance above it sees US$2,010 next (the upper boundary of the minor ascending channel). However, a break below US$1,939 invalidates the bullish reversal scenario to expose the medium-term support zone of US$1,913/1,896.  

Recent bullish breakout from “Descending Wedge” has led to a 10% rally to reach a medium-term resistance zone of US$83.80/84.90. Technical elements are now advocating a potential corrective pull-back with supports coming in at US$79.80 and US$77.20. Today’s surprise three interest rate cuts by China’s central bank, PBoC has triggered a risk-off behaviour in cross-assets (FX, stock indices, commodities) via a negative reflexivity feedback loop.   This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “WTI Oil Technical: Potential bullish reversal Descending Wedge in play” published on 21 July 2023. Click here for a recap. The price actions of West Texas Oil (a proxy of WTI crude oil futures) have indeed shaped the bullish breakout from its “Descending Wedge” configuration on 24 July and rallied by +10% to print an intraday high of US$84.92 per barrel on last Thursday, 10 August which coincided with a medium-term resistance zone of US$83.80/84.90 (see daily chart). Today, West Texas Oil has shed almost -1% intraday at this time of the writing to print an intraday low of $81.60 that recorded an accumulated loss of -3.7% in the past two sessions since Thursday, 10 August high of US$84.92. The current weakness of oil has been in line with a broad-based risk-off behaviour seen in cross-assets today (FX, major stock indices & industrial metals commodities) attributed to the contagion fear in China’s financial system after a major trust fund failed to make timely payments to holders of its wealth management products that are backed by unsold properties of indebted property developers. Today’s unexpected interest rate cut by China’s central bank, PBoC on its 1-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) interest rate by 15 basis points (bps), more than the previous 10 bps cut implemented in June to bring it down to 2.50%, its lowest level since late 2009. The 1-year MLF rate is a benchmark interest rate in China where PBoC provides a credit line to major commercial banks which in turn acts as a guide for another two benchmark interest rates that commercial banks charged to customers: the 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates. Interestingly, PBoC enacted two more interest rate cuts today on the overnight standing lending facility (SLF) which was cut by 10 bps to 2.65% while the 7-day and 1-month SLF rates were cut by 10 bps each to 2.80% and 3.15% respectively. Three interest rate cuts in a single day are considered a “rare” event in China given that the current guidance from China’s top policymakers is in favour of targeted stimulus policies to address the current economic growth slowdown rather than enacting “opening the liquidity floodgate” measures. Hence, today’s surprise move on China’s more accommodative monetary policy stance is perceived as a heightened red alert on its financial system where trust firms’ default risks have risen that may trigger a systemic contagion which in turn created the negative reflexivity feedback loop seen today.     Daily RSI oscillator conditions suggest an imminent short-term pull-back   Fig 1:  West Texas Oil medium-term trend as of 15 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The daily RSI oscillator flashed a bearish divergence condition at its overbought region on 9 August 2023 which suggests that the medium-term upside momentum of West Texas Oil is overstretched, and its price actions face the risk of a corrective pull-back to retrace certain portions of the current 26% rally of its medium-term uptrend phase from 28 June 2023 low of US$66.95. A bearish breakdown below minor ascending channel support   Fig 2:  West Texas Oil minor short-term trend as of 15 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) Today’s price actions of West Texas Oil have staged a bearish breakdown below its minor ascending channel support from the 28 June 2023 low. Watch the US$83.80 key short-term pivotal resistance to maintain the short-term bearish tone to see the next support coming in at US$79.80 and a break below it exposes US$77.20 next (also the key 200-day moving average). On the flip side, a clearance above US$83.80 invalidates the corrective pull-back scenario for a retest of the 10 August 2023 swing high area of US$84.90 and a clearance above it sees the next resistance coming in at US$87.00 (psychology level & Fibonacci extension).  

Yesterday, the pair formed several good signals to enter the market. Let's analyze what happened on the 5-minute chart. In my morning review, I mentioned the level of 1.0870 as a possible entry point. Growth and false breakout of this level generated a sell signal, and the pair fell by more than 60 pips. During the US session, safeguarding the support level at 1.0808 and weak US data produced a buy signal. As a result, EUR/USD managed to compensate for all morning losses and rose by more than 50 pips.   For long positions on EUR/USD: Softer-than-expected preliminary US PMI data exerted downward pressure on the dollar and the euro strengthened in the second half of the day. Obviously, there's a lot of market manipulation, making the situation increasingly tense before the Jackson Hole symposium. Yesterday's data made it clear: if the Federal Reserve continues its tight policy stance, the economic situation will only worsen. This has further confused market participants, who were expecting hawkish statements from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. In the absence of EU reports in the first half of the day, I expect EUR/USD to trade within the channel. Therefore, it is advisable to trade on a dip following a false breakout near the low of 1.0849, which is in line with the bullish moving averages. An immediate resistance target is set at 1.0889, formed on Tuesday.   A breakout and a downward test of this range will strengthen demand for the euro, suggesting a bullish correction around 1.0928. The ultimate target is found at 1.0958, where I will be locking in profits. If EUR/USD declines and bulls are idle at 1.0849, the bear market will persist. Only a false breakout around the next support at 1.0827 will signal to buy the euro. I will initiate long positions immediately on a rebound from the low of 1.0804, aiming for an upward correction of 30-35 pips within the day.   For short positions on EUR/USD: The sellers lost all their advantage yesterday and now they need to start from the beginning. Today, to maintain the bearish momentum, sellers will have to assert their strength at the new resistance of 1.0889. The pair may test this level soon. The absence of economic reports will help the bears with a false breakout of this level and will lead to another descent towards the 1.0849 support. However, only a breakout below this range, followed by an upward retest, will generate another sell signal, paving the way to the low of 1.0827, where I expect big buyers to emerge in hopes of building the lower band of the new ascending channel. The ultimate target is seen at 1.0804, where I will be locking in profits. If EUR/USD moves upward during the European session and lacks bearish activity at 1.0889, the bulls may try to re-enter the market. In such a scenario, I would go short only when the price tests the new resistance at 1.0928 that was formed yesterday. Selling at this point is possible only after a failed consolidation. I will initiate short positions immediately on a rebound from the high of 1.0958, considering a downward correction of 30-35 pips within the day.     COT report: The COT (Commitment of Traders) report for August 15 shows a notable increase in long positions and a drop in short positions. These figures already factor in the crucial US inflation data, which brought back some buyers to the market. The Federal Reserve meeting minutes released last week also indicated that not all committee members are aligned with the idea of raising interest rates to combat inflation. This keeps the chances of the euro's recovery alive, especially following the Jackson Hole symposium happening later this week where Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak. His address might shed light on the central bank's future policy direction. It is important to note that the recent decline in the euro seems to be appealing to traders. The optimal medium-term strategy under current conditions remains buying risk assets on a dip. The COT report highlights that non-commercial long positions increased by 4,418 to stand at 232,466, while non-commercial short positions decreased by 5,634 to 72,603. Consequently, the spread between long and short positions surged by 1,125. The closing price was lower, settling at 1.0922 compared to 1.0981 the previous week.     Indicator signals: Moving averages: Trading is taking place around the 30-day and 50-day moving averages, indicating market uncertainty. Please note that the time period and levels of the moving averages are analyzed only for the H1 chart, which differs from the general definition of the classic daily moving averages on the D1 chart. Bollinger Bands If EUR/USD declines, the indicator's lower border near 1.0825 will serve as support.   Description of indicators: • A moving average of a 50-day period determines the current trend by smoothing volatility and noise; marked in yellow on the chart; • A moving average of a 30-day period determines the current trend by smoothing volatility and noise; marked in green on the chart; • MACD Indicator (Moving Average Convergence/Divergence) Fast EMA with a 12-day period; Slow EMA with a 26-day period. SMA with a 9-day period; • Bollinger Bands: 20-day period; • Non-commercial traders are speculators such as individual traders, hedge funds, and large institutions who use the futures market for speculative purposes and meet certain requirements; • Long non-commercial positions represent the total number of long positions opened by non-commercial traders; • Short non-commercial positions represent the total number of short positions opened by non-commercial traders; • The non-commercial net position is the difference between short and long positions of non-commercial traders.    

EUR/USD: Yesterday, the euro experienced a slight correction and took a breather after rallying on Tuesday. The price did not drop below the support level of 1.0834, and this morning it is trying to rise above the price channel line (1.0850). If it consolidates above it, the next target will be 1.0937/46 with an intermediate level of 1.0905. One notable aspect of the substantial rally on Tuesday is that it occurred on average volumes. This implies that the stop-losses of major sellers were not closed; they are even higher. Two possible scenarios could unfold: a deep correction might occur either from the accumulation of these stop-losses or after their closure, leading to another powerful upward movement. In any case, we expect the price to reach the target level of 1.1096. The signal line of the Marlin oscillator has turned downward from the upper band of its own ascending channel. Here, too, there could be two scenarios: the line is working on the lower band of the channel, which can affect the price in expanding the consolidation, potentially down to the Fibonacci retracement lower ray (1.0777), or the line from the current levels turns upwards with a retest of the upper band of the channel, or it breaks above into the overbought territory (likely testing 1.0937/46).   On the 4-hour chart, it appears as if the upward movement will persist since there were only candle shadows in the support range. The Marlin oscillator has already fallen low enough, releasing tension; it is ready to rise further. We will find out whether the price consolidates above resistance or below support.

Key elements remain positive that support the ongoing short-term uptrend phase. Watch the key short-term support at 15,930. Next intermediate resistance stands at 16,200. Fig 1: Germany 30 minor short-term trend as of 24 Nov 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) Since its bullish breakout from its former medium-term descending channel resistance last Tuesday, 14 November, the price actions of the Germany 30 Index (a proxy for the DAX futures) have continued to exhibit positive elements. Oscillating within a short-term uptrend phase since end of October 2023 Firstly, it has continued to oscillate within the upper half of a minor ascending channel in place since the 27 October 2023 low of 14,586.   Secondly, the hourly RSI momentum indicator managed to stage a rebound from key parrel support at the 45 level without any prior bearish divergence condition at its overbought condition which suggests that short-term bullish momentum remains intact. Watch the 15,930 key short-term pivotal support (the median line of the minor ascending channel & minor congestion area of 21/23 November 2023 and a clearance above 16,050 near-term resistance sees the next intermediate resistance coming in at 16,200 (upper boundary of the minor ascending channel & Fibonacci extension cluster. On the flip side, failure to hold at 15,930 negates the bullish tone for a minor corrective decline towards the next intermediate support zone of 15,660/560 (also the 200 and 20-day moving averages).

Short-term RSI momentum indicator has flashed out bullish exhaustion condition after 6 consecutive weekly positive closes. At the risk of minor corrective decline sequence below 16,910 key short-term resistance. Intermediate supports rest at 16,590 and 16,440. This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “Germany 30 Technical: New intraday record high, short-term bullish trend intact” published on 6 December 2023. Click here for a recap. The Germany 30 Index (a proxy for the DAX futures) has managed to soar towards the 16,780/850 resistance zone as highlighted in our last analysis and printed a fresh all-time high of 16,829 yesterday, 12 December. Overall, the major uptrend phase from the October 2022 low of 11,795 remains intact with its major resistance zone at 17,780/18,170 (see Fig 1). Fig 1: Germany 30 long-term secular trend as of 12 Dec 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) At risk of minor corrective decline after 6 consecutive weekly positive closes Fig 2: Germany 30 minor short-term trend as of 12 Dec 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) In the shorter term, its medium-term uptrend phase in place since the 27 October 2023 low of 14,586 has reached overstretched conditions as it has recorded six consecutive weekly positive closes. In addition, current price actions have almost reached the upper boundary of the medium-term ascending channel with a bearish divergence condition being flashed out by its hourly RSI momentum indicator at its overbought region yesterday, 11 December. These observations suggest an increasing risk of an impending minor corrective decline sequence with 16,910 as a key short-term pivotal resistance and break down below 16,735 near-term support sees the next intermediate supports coming in at 16,590 and 16,440. However, a clearance above 16,910 negates the bearish tone to expose the next intermediate resistance at 17,100.

WTI crude oil has started to evolve into a short-term uptrend phase reinforced by the recent liquidity infusion by China’s central bank, PBoC upcoming 50 bps cut on the RRR. The current 5-day rally of WTI crude oil has reached a key medium-term resistance zone of US$79.00/79.40 with a short-term overbought condition. At the risk of a minor mean reversion decline with intermediate supports at US$75.30 and US$74.80. This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “WTI Oil Technical: Sideways within a potential minor bottoming configuration” published on 16 January 2024. Click here for a recap. Benchmark oil prices have bottomed and traded higher since the start of this week as the West Texas Oil (a proxy of WTI crude oil futures) had rallied by +4.9% week-to-date at this time of the writing, its best weekly gain since the 9 October 2023. On top of the rising geopolitical risk premium that is supporting firmer oil prices from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East region and Red Sea shipping route, the additional liquidity infusion from China’s central bank (PBoC) with an upcoming 50 bps cut on commercial banks’ reserve requirement ratio has also triggered an indirect “demand-pull” catalyst on oil prices. CTA funds may have contributed to the current bullish momentum frenzy All in all, these factors have created short-term reflexive positive feedback into the oil market reinforced by possible speculative CTA funds that run on momentum-driven models that piled into oil futures with a bullish bias. The price actions of the benchmark Brent and WTI crude oil have pierced above their respective 50-day moving averages on Monday, 22 January and have capped their prices previously since late October 2023; positive momentum begets positive momentum. At the risk of a minor mean reversion decline below US$78.40 Fig 1:  West Texas Oil medium-term trend as of 26 Jan 2024 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart)   Fig 2:  West Texas Oil minor short-term trend as of 26 Jan 2024 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) In the lens of technical analysis, the recent push-up of West Texas Oil since the start of this week has led its hourly RSI momentum indicator to hover close to an extremely overbought level of around 74 in place since 12 January 2024. This current overbought condition has also taken form as its price action is now coming close to a key medium-term resistance zone of US$78.00/78.40 (upper boundary of the minor ascending channel from 17 January 2024 low & close to the key 200-day moving average). Therefore, the odds have increased for a potential minor mean reversion decline to retrace a portion of the ongoing short-term uptrend phase with the next intermediate supports coming in at US$75.75/75.30 and US$74.80. On the flip side, clearance above the US$78.40 pivotal resistance invalidates the mean reversion decline scenario for a continuation of the bullish trend towards the next intermediate resistance at US$79.75 in the first step.