FOREX: MXN Surges Back as Trump/Sheinbaum Strike Accords

Feb-03 18:30
  • FX markets have been extremely volatile Monday, with the initial likely implementation of tariffs prompting a broad strengthening of the greenback, and particular pressure on the Mexican peso and the Canadian dollar. However, positive discussions between US and Mexican officials, and an associated tariff pause on Mexico, have seen currency markets reverse significantly.
  • The Mexican peso came surging back as President Sheinbaum appears to have made good on her promises that Mexico had a plan in the event of tariff implementation. While only pushed back by a month, the multiple accords have provided a much more optimistic backdrop and should foster hopes of a broader trade agreement.
  • USDMXN traded as low as 20.4164 after rising to 21.2932 overnight. Short-term positioning likely leaves the downside vulnerable at this juncture, and the 50-day EMA is the closest point of reference for some added momentum south. This average intersects today at 20.4111, closely matching session lows. Below here, key support has been defined at 20.1343, the Jan 24 low.
  • Despite the headlines being Mexico centric, similar price action saw USDCAD almost reverse the entire gap to last Friday’s close, hitting a pullback low of 1.4546 from session highs of 1.4793.
  • Overall, the USD index does remain over half a percent in the green, largely reflective of the general weakness for major equity indices, highlighted by 0.75% declines for the likes of AUD, NZD and EUR. EURUSD specifically was unable to bridge its opening gap, rising only to a recovery high of 1.0335 before fading back below 1.03. The earlier extension to fresh cycle lows today highlights a resumption of the technical downtrend. Attention is on 1.0138, the 1.764 projection of the Sep 25 - Oct 23 - Nov 5 price swing.
  • US JOLTS data highlights the Tuesday docket, before the more meaningful calendar points of US refunding, the BOE decision and Friday’s NFP.

Historical bullets

JGB TECHS: (H5) Returns Lower

Jan-03 23:45
  • RES 3: 149.55 - High Mar 22 (cont)
  • RES 2: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)  
  • RES 1: 144.48/146.53 - High Nov 11 / High Aug 6 
  • PRICE: 142.12 @ 15:01 GMT Jan 03
  • SUP 1: 141.65 - Low Dec 30
  • SUP 2: 141.56 - 1.764 proj of the Aug 6 - Sep 3 - 9 price swing
  • SUP 3: 141.05 - 2.000 proj of the Aug 6 - Sep 3 - 9 price swing   

Markets slipped on the hawkish Fed and are yet to fully recover, touching 141.65 on the way lower. Medium-term trend signals on the continuation chart continue to point south. A resumption of the trend would pave the way for a move towards 141.56, a Fibonacci projection point on the continuation chart. A stronger recovery would open 144.48, the Nov 11 high. Further out, key resistance is at 146.53, the Aug 6 high (cont). 

USDCAD TECHS: Bull Flag Highlights A Clear Uptrend

Jan-03 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.4669 2.0% 10-dma envelope
  • RES 3: 1.4539 3.382 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 2: 1.4508 3.236 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 1: 1.4467 High Dec 19 
  • PRICE: 1.4392 @ 15:50 GMT Jan 3 
  • SUP 1: 1.4336 Low Dec 20  
  • SUP 2: 1.4307/4232 20-day EMA / Low Dec 17 
  • SUP 3: 1.4136 50-day EMA
  • SUP 4: 1.4011 Low Dec 5

USDCAD is unchanged and bulls remain in the driver’s seat. The latest pause appears to be a flag formation - a bullish continuation signal. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4508 next, a Fibonacci projection level. Initial firm support to watch lies at 1.4307, the 20-day EMA. A pullback would be considered corrective.

AUDUSD TECHS: Southbound

Jan-03 20:30
  • RES 4: 0.6471 High Dec 9
  • RES 3: 0.6408 50-day EMA               
  • RES 2: 0.6341 High Dec 18   
  • RES 1: 0.6247/6282 High Dec 30 / 20-day EMA
  • PRICE: 0.6204 @ 15:21 GMT Jan 3 
  • SUP 1: 0.6179 Low Dec 31 
  • SUP 3: 0.6158 1.236 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
  • SUP 3: 0.6100 Round number support 
  • SUP 4: 0.6045 1.500 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing

A bearish trend condition in AUDUSD remains intact and the pair continues to trade closer to latest lows. Recent weakness maintains the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position too, highlighting a dominant downtrend. Scope is seen for an extension towards 0.6158 next, a Fibonacci projection. Initial firm resistance to monitor is 0.6282, the 20-day EMA.