intraday high

Hang Seng Index has dropped by -2.4% since last Friday’s high ex-post interest rate cuts by PBoC. Short-term uptrend from 31 May 2023 low remains intact as it still trades above the 200-day moving average. Key support to watch will be at 19,090.   This is a following-up analysis of our earlier publication, “Hang Seng Index Technical: Potential breakout from channel resistance” dated on 9 June 2023 (click here for a recap). The Hong Kong 33 Index (a proxy for the Hang Seng Index futures) has staged the expected bullish breakout and almost met the first resistance of 20,300 as it rallied by +5% from 9 June to an intraday high of 20,205 last Friday, 16 June in light of a shift in the China central bank, PBoC conservative targeted monetary policy stance to a more accommodating approach as it cut 3 key interest rates within two weeks; 7-day reverse repos, 1-year medium-term lending facility, and the 1-year & 5-year loan prime rates today, 20 June that are being used to price corporates/consumer loans and mortgages respectively. Since Monday, 19 June, the Index has tumbled by -2.4% which seems to have fallen victim to the “buy the rumours, sell on the actual news release” mantra as today’s cut on the loan prime rates have been almost fully priced in.      

Short-term momentum is likely to have turned negative as seen in the hourly RSI. Key short-term resistance stands at 0.6720. Intermediate supports to watch will be at 0.6630 and 0.6600/6580. This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “AUD/USD Technical: Positive momentum ahead of RBA” published on 4 July 2023. Click here for a recap. The price actions of the AUD/USD have staged the expected push-up and met the first resistance of 0.6720 as it printed a current intraday high of 0.6742 in today, 12 July Asian session. Short-term elements are suggesting the risk of a short-term retreat as the release of the US CPI data looms later today at 1230 GMT.   Reintegrated below 20 and 200-day moving averages Fig 1: AUD/USD medium-term trend as of 12 Jul 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The recent one and half week of rebound of +145 pips seen on the AUD/USD from its minor swing low of 29 June 2023 has stalled at the key 20 and 200-day moving averages which confluences with the 27 June 2023 swing high and the 38.2 % Fibonacci retracement of the prior minor decline from 16 June 2023 high of 0.6900 to 29 June 2023 low as well as the 1.236 Fibonacci extension of the rebound from 29 June 2023 low to 4 July 2023 high projected from 6 July 2023 low.     Short-term momentum has turned negative   Fig 2: AUD/USD minor short-term trend as of 12 Jul 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The hourly RSI oscillator has just exited its overbought region (above the 70 level) today and right now, it is attempting to break below its parallel ascending support at the 49 level which suggests that short-term momentum is likely to have turned negative. Watch the 0.6720 key short-term pivotal resistance to maintain a bearish tone; a break below 0.6630 exposes the next support at 0.6600/6580. However, a clearance above 0.6720 negates the short-term bearish tone to see the next resistance at 0.6790 (also, close to the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the prior minor decline from 16 June 2023 high of 0.6900 to 29 June 2023 low).  

AUD is the biggest gainer (+0.22%) against the USD in today’s Asian morning session. The current rebound of the AUD/USD has taken shape right at the key 200-day moving now acting as support at 0.6700. Intermediate resistance for the AUD/USD stands at 0.6835. This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “AUD/USD Technical: Short-term bullish revival” published on 18 July 2023. Click here for a recap. Since the 20 July 2023 intraday high of 0.6847, the AUD/USD has declined by 132 pips to print a low of 0.6715 yesterday, 24 July in light of short-term bearish sentiment seen in China equities due to the continuation of bleak key economic data (Q2 GDP, retail sales, youth unemployment, housing prices) that indicates weak internal demand environment, and heightened risk of a deflationary spiral in China. Interestingly, the 132 pips slide has managed to find support on the key 200-day moving average and staged a bounce of 41 pips to print a current intraday high of 0.6756 in today’s Asian morning session. The Aussie dollar is the strongest currency against the USD with an intraday gain of +0.22% that surpassed the other majors, GBP (+0.13%), JPY (+0.13%), NZD (+0.11%), EUR (+0.08%), CHF (+0.05%), CAD (+0.02%) at this time of the writing during today, 25 July Asian morning session. Today’s outperformance of the AUD/USD has been reinforced by China’s top decision-making body, the Politburo which issued a statement of “hope” at the end of its meeting yesterday that vowed to implement counter-cyclical policy to boost consumption, more support for the property market, and ease local government debt.   The medium-term trend is still sideways   Fig 1: AUD/USD medium-term trend as of 25 Jul 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The medium-term trend of the AUD/USD is still trapped with a sideways range configuration between 0.6930 and 0.6580.   Held at key 200-day moving average with bullish short-term momentum   Fig 2: AUD/USD minor short-term trend as of 25 Jul 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) In conjunction with the current rebound right at the 200-day moving average, the hourly RSI oscillator has traced out a series of “higher lows” after an exit from its oversold region and has yet to reach its overbought region. These observations suggest that short-term momentum has turned bullish. Watch the 0.6700 key medium-term pivotal support to maintain the bullish tone with intermediate resistance coming in at 0.6835 and a clearance above it sees 0.6890 next (also the 16 June 2023 swing high). On the flip side, failure to hold above 0.6700 negates the bullish tone to expose the next near-term support at 0.6630.

Medium-term uptrend of Gold (XAU/USD) remains intact. Its recent slide of -1.7% from the 20 July 2023 high of US$1,987.53 has pull-backed close to its 50-day moving average. Short-term elements suggest a potential bullish reversal for Gold (XAU/USD) with key support at US$1,939. This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “Resilient gold is supported by geopolitical risk” published on 11 July 2023. Click here for a recap. Gold (XAU/USD) has staged the bullish breakout above US$1,940 and rallied to an intraday high of US$1,987.53 on 20 July 2023, just a whisker away from the US$1,990 resistance (former congestion support zone from 10 April 2023 to 16 May 2023).   The medium-term uptrend remains intact   Fig 1: Gold (XAU/USD) medium-term trend of 25 Jul 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) Despite the recent slide of -1.7% from the 20 July 2023 high to print an intraday low of US$1,953.28, the medium-term uptrend phase of Gold (XAU/USD) in place since the 3 November 2022 low of US$1,616 remains intact as it price actions held right above the 50-day moving average at this time of the writing.

AUD underperformed among the major currencies against the USD from 27 to 28 July 2023 ex-post FOMC, ECB, and BoJ. Split view among economists and interest rates traders on RBA monetary policy decision today. Short-term bearish downside momentum at this juncture as the AUD/USD failed to trade above the 200-day moving average. Key short-term resistance on AUD/USD is at 0.6740. This is a follow-up analysis of our prior report, “AUD/USD Technical: Rebounded right at 200-day moving average” published on 25 July 2023. Click here for a recap. The AUD/USD staged a rebound thereafter and reached an intraday high of 0.6821 on 27 July, just shy of the 0.6835 intermediate before it staged a bearish reversal and shed -198 pips ex-post FOMC, ECB, and BoJ to print an intraday low of 0.6623 on last Friday, 28 July. The Aussie has underperformed among the major currencies against the US dollar in the last two trading days of last week where the AUD/USD recorded an accumulated loss of -1.68% from 27 July to 28 July versus EUR/USD (-0.63%), GBP/USD (-0.71%), and JPY/USD (-0.65%) over the same period. The weak performance of the AUD/USD is likely to be attributed to the wishy-washy monetary policy guidance of the Australian central bank, RBA that led to a split forecast among economists and traders for today’s RBA monetary policy decision.   Split view among economists and traders on RBA decision According to polls, the consensus among economists is calling for a hike of 25 basis points hike to bring the policy cash rate to 4.35% after a pause in the previous meeting in July. In contrast, data from the ASX 30-day interbank cash rate futures as of 31 July 2023 has indicated a patty pricing of only a 14% chance of a 25-bps hike, down significantly from a 41% chance priced a week ago.     Fig 1: AUD/USD medium-term trend as of 1 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) From a technical analysis standpoint, the price actions of the AUD/USD are still trapped within a major sideway range configuration with its range resistance and support at 0.6930 and 0.6580 respectively.   Short-term momentum has turned bearish   Fig 2: AUD/USD minor short-term trend as of 1 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The AUD/USD has managed to stage a minor rebound of 117 pips from its last Friday, 28 July intraday low of 0.6622 in conjunction with an oversold reading seen in the hourly RSI oscillator on the same day. Interestingly, the minor rebound has challenged and retreated at the key 200-day moving average yesterday, 31 July during the US session (printed an intraday high of 0.6739). Right now, the hourly RSI oscillator has broken below its ascending support after it hit an overbought condition yesterday which indicates that short-term momentum has turned bearish. Watch the 0.6740 key short-term pivotal resistance to maintain the bearish tone, and a break below 0.6625 intermediate support exposes the major range support of 0.6600/6580. However, a clearance above 0.6740 negates the bearish tone to see the next resistance at 0.6835 in the first step.

Details of the economic calendar on August 7 Monday was traditionally accompanied by an empty macroeconomic calendar. Important statistical data in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States were not published.   Analysis of trading charts from August 7 The EUR/USD exchange rate dropped below the 1.1000 level again, indicating a prevailing bearish sentiment in the market. It should be noted that the current movement is characterized as a correction from the medium-term trend peak. Regarding the GBP/USD, the slowing growth rate may also indicate a prevailing bearish sentiment among market participants. It's important to highlight that, according to tactical analysis, there's a three-week corrective move from the local peak of the medium-term trend, during which a slight pullback has occurred. Essentially, the euro and the British pound continue to decline relative to the U.S. dollar, and the current movement can be seen as a temporary deviation from the main trend.   Economic calendar for August 8 The speeches by several representatives of the U.S. Federal Reserve System are of particular interest today, as it is expected that no significant economic indicators will be published. EUR/USD trading plan for August 8 If the euro against the U.S. dollar consistently stays below the 1.1000 level, it may lead to an increase in short positions and a further drop to 1.0900. However, if the price holds above the 1.1050 level, traders will consider a bullish scenario. In that case, a subsequent recovery phase of the euro rate is possible, which may conclude the current market correction.   GBP/USD trading plan for August 8 If the quote remains stable below the 1.2700 level, the bearish scenario becomes relevant within the correction framework. This will lead to an increase in short positions and possibly an update of the correction's low. At the same time, a bullish scenario implies a gradual recovery in the value of the British pound relative to the ongoing correction. A primary technical signal for a bullish scenario might emerge if the price holds above the 1.2800 level during the day.     What's on the charts The candlestick chart type is white and black graphic rectangles with lines above and below. With a detailed analysis of each individual candle, you can see its characteristics relative to a particular time frame: opening price, closing price, intraday high and low. Horizontal levels are price coordinates, relative to which a price may stop or reverse its trajectory. In the market, these levels are called support and resistance. Circles and rectangles are highlighted examples where the price reversed in history. This color highlighting indicates horizontal lines that may put pressure on the asset's price in the future. The up/down arrows are landmarks of the possible price direction in the future.  

Details of the Economic Calendar on August 21 Monday, as usual, was accompanied by an empty macroeconomic calendar. No significant statistical data were published in the European Union, United Kingdom, or United States.   EUR/USD trading plan for August 22 Stable maintenance of the price above the level of 1.0900 may have a positive effect on the euro rate. However, until we see a breach of the 1.0950 level, we cannot assert with absolute confidence that sellers have eased their pressure and that the correction movement will no longer resume in the market.     GBP/USD trading plan for August 22 In this situation, traders prefer a breakout strategy, as this approach can clearly indicate the subsequent direction of market prices. A decline will become relevant if the price consistently stays below the 1.2650 level. This condition could contribute to the continuation of a downward corrective movement. A rise assumes a gradual recovery of the pound sterling's value relative to the current corrective movement. A primary technical signal of potential growth may appear if the price holds above the 1.2800 mark.   What's on the charts The candlestick chart type is white and black graphic rectangles with lines above and below. With a detailed analysis of each individual candle, you can see its characteristics relative to a particular time frame: opening price, closing price, intraday high and low. Horizontal levels are price coordinates, relative to which a price may stop or reverse its trajectory. In the market, these levels are called support and resistance. Circles and rectangles are highlighted examples where the price reversed in history. This color highlighting indicates horizontal lines that may put pressure on the asset's price in the future. The up/down arrows are landmarks of the possible price direction in the future.

Bearish elements have emerged at a key inflection/resistance level of 15,415. The leader of the AI boom, Nvidia has shaped a bullish exhaustion where its initial price actions’ exuberance dissipated ex-post Q2 earnings result release. 15,135 key short-term resistance to watch on the Nasdaq 100 to maintain bearish bias.   This is a follow-up analysis of our prior reports, “Nasdaq 100 Technical: Minor countertrend rebound” and “D-day for the US stock market as Nvidia earnings loom” published on 15 August 2023 and 23 August 2023 respectively. Click here and here for a recap. The price actions of the US Nas 100 Index (a proxy for the Nasdaq 100 futures) have indeed shaped the expected minor countertrend rebound sequence from the 18 August 2023 low of 14,553 and rallied by +5.6% to print an intraday high of 15,375 during yesterday’s 24 August European opening hour. The upward spurt seen on Thursday, 24 August at the start of the Asian session has been primarily attributed to a strong upmove of +6% seen in the share price of Nvidia in the after-US hours trading session of Wednesday, 23 August right after the release of its stellar fiscal Q2 earnings result. Interestingly, the exuberance of Nvidia that has triggered an initial positive feedback loop into the benchmark US stock indices dissipated as the US session got underway yesterday. In addition, several key bearish technical elements emerged which suggests that the potential impulsive down moves of the short to medium-term bearish trend of the US Nas 100 Index has resumed.   Daily bearish Marubozu candlestick formed right a key inflection/resistance zone   Fig 1: US Nas 100 medium-term trend as of 25 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart)     Fig 2: Medium-term trend of Nvidia & SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF as of 24 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) As seen in Figure 1, several bearish elements have been detected on the daily chart of the US Nas 100 Index. Firstly, its price actions have formed a firm bearish tone candlestick pattern called “Marubozu”, a long-body candle where its opening price and closing price were almost the same as its intraday high and intraday low respectively.   Secondly, the emergence of such a key bearish reversal candlestick pattern is being formed right at a key inflection zone where the 50-day moving average and the former swing low of 24 July 2023 confluence at a 15,415 resistance level adds credence to a potential future bearish movement in price actions of the Index. Thirdly, the current conditions of the daily RSI oscillator suggest that medium-term downside momentum remains intact. The price actions of Nvidia as seen in Fig 2 have also depicted similar bearish elements where it ended yesterday’s 24 August US session with a daily bearish “Marubozu” and reintegrated below a key resistance of 474.10 with a high-volume reading. The US Nas 100 slipped back below the 20-day moving average Fig 3: US Nas 100 minor short-term trend as of 25 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The hourly chart of the US Nas 100 has indicated the potential continuation of the impulsive down move of its short-term downtrend phase as the minor countertrend rebound from the 18 August 2023 low is likely to be over. Watch the 15,135 key short-term pivotal resistance (also the 20-day moving average) to maintain the bearish tone and a break below 14,580 exposes the next support at 14,300/250 (Fibonacci extension cluster & and a graphical support, refer to the daily chart in Fig 1). On the other hand, a clearance above 15,135 negates the bearish tone to see a retest on the 15,415/460 medium-term resistance.    

The recent three weeks of -13.90% decline has reached a key medium-term support level of 17,530. The latest reading of its daily MACD trend indicator has indicated a possible pause in the medium-term downtrend movement. Key short-term support to watch will be at 17,970 with intermediate resistances at 18,600 and 18,910.   The Hang Seng Index is set to record its worst monthly performance since October 2022 as it recorded a month-to-date loss of -9.70% as of yesterday, 28 August 2023, on the track to be one of the worst-performing major benchmark stock indices in August. The current medium-term bearish onslaught has been primarily attributed to a heightened deflationary risk spiral in China and contagion risk from indebted property developers coupled with a lack of material stimulus measures to negate these negative repercussions. In the lens of technical analysis, price actions of liquid tradable financial assets do not move in a vertical movement where there are certain periods of time, consolidation or countertrend movements can occur within a longer period of trending phases as market participants infer and digest new information. Interestingly, the current price actions of the Hong Kong 33 Index (a proxy of the Hang  Seng Index futures) are suggesting a potential countertrend movement may be taking shape within a medium-term downtrend phase that is still intact since the 27 January 2023 high of 22,688.     Price actions tested key medium-term support with positive elements   Fig 1: Hong Kong 33 medium-term trend as of 29 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The recent three weeks of -13.90% decline seen in the Hong Kong 33 Index from its 31 July high of 20,381 has managed to stall and rebounded from a key medium-term support of 17,530 that is being confluence by several different elements; the 28 November 2022 swing low, lower boundary of the “Expanding Wedge” configuration, 76.4% Fibonacci retracement of the prior medium-term up move from 31 October 2022 to 27 January 2023 high.   In addition, the daily MACD trend indicator has managed to stall at parallel horizontal support (bullish divergence) while price actions traced out “lower lows” over a similar period. These observations suggest a possible slowdown in medium-term downside momentum which in turn increases the odds of a countertrend rebound scenario.     Watch the 17,970 key short-term support     Fig 2: Hong Kong 33 minor short-term trend as of 29 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart) The Index has staged a minor rebound of +5.65% from its 21 August 2023 low to print an intraday high of 18,539 yesterday, 28 August on the backdrop of a positive new measure to boost short-term investors’ sentiment in the China stock market where policymakers enacted a 50% reduction to stock trading levy, its first cut since 2008 Great Financial Crisis. If the 17,970 short-term pivotal support manages to hold ground, the Index may see a further bounce within its ongoing minor countertrend rebound phase towards the next intermediate resistances at 18,600 and 18,910 (also the 50-day moving average). On the flip side, a break below 17,970 invalidates the countertrend rebound scenario to expose the next immediate support at 17,570/17,370.    

Bullish acceleration within long-term secular uptrend to print a fresh all-time high of 166.60 yesterday, 30 August. Current minor pull-back of 102 pips from 166.60 all-time high has almost reached a short-term oversold condition as indicated by the hourly RSI. Key short-term support rests at 165.10. The cross-pair CHF/JPY has continued its impulsive up-move sequence in the month of August where it rallied by +291 pips as of 31 August 2023 at this time of the writing, capping off a relentless bullish acceleration seen in the past six months with an accumulated gain of +2,378 pips since January 2023 reinforced by a clear bullish breakout from the longer-term secular ascending channel resistance (upper boundary) in the month of April 2023. It has already surpassed the prior major secular peak of 158.45 printed in October 1979 and hit a fresh all-time intraday high of 166.60 yesterday, 30 August.   Bullish acceleration of long-term secular uptrend phase   Fig 1:  CHF/JPY long-term term secular trend as of 31 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart)   Hourly RSI oscillator has almost reached oversold condition Fig 2:  CHF/JPY minor short-term trend as of 31 Aug 2023 (Source: TradingView, click to enlarge chart)