EUR/USD: the Bank of Italy insists on revising interest rate policy
The EUR/USD pair shows mixed dynamics, holding near the 1.0590 level. Trading activity remains elevated, but market participants have not decided on the direction of the trend after the growth recorded at the beginning of the week.
Yesterday's macroeconomic statistics from the eurozone failed to provide significant support for the euro, which continues to trade near local highs due to the weakening of the dollar. In October, the core consumer price index in the region increased by 0.2% month-on-month and 2.7% year-on-year, which coincided with market expectations. The broader indicator also increased by 0.3% and 2.0%, respectively. These data indicate that inflation has stabilized at the target level, which causes uncertainty about the future steps of the European Central Bank (ECB). Particular attention was drawn to statements by the head of the Bank of Italy, Fabio Panetta, who advocated lowering interest rates to support an economy on the verge of stagnation. He noted that delay could lead to inflation falling significantly below the target level, which would complicate its recovery with the help of monetary instruments.
The US dollar came under pressure after the publication of weak statistics. In October, the number of construction permits fell to 1.325 million after the September value of 1.430 million, and their volume decreased by 0.6% in percentage terms after a decrease of 3.1% a month earlier. The number of construction starts also decreased by 3.1% after a 1.9% decrease in September. However, a positive factor was the dynamics of the Redbook retail sales index, which accelerated from 4.8% to 5.1% in November. On Friday, S&P Global is scheduled to publish November indices of business activity in the manufacturing sector and the service sector in the United States and the eurozone, which may become key factors for the further movement of the pair.
- Resistance levels: 1.0600, 1.0630, 1.0665, 1.0700.
- Support levels: 1.0561, 1.0530, 1.0500, 1.0450.
AUD/USD: the attention of market participants is focused on the RBA protocols
The AUD/USD pair shows a corrective decline, trading around 0.6526, while the Australian currency remains positive, and the US dollar continues to weaken.
The day before, the minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting on November 5 were published. Representatives of the regulator confirmed that the key challenge for the country's economy is high inflation. Although the overall index shows a decline due to cheaper fuel, core inflation, reflecting long-term trends, continues to grow. According to RBA analysts, it will not return to the target range of 1.0–2.0% before 2026. In the current situation, the growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) remains low, which necessitates maintaining a restraining monetary policy.
The RBA left the key interest rate at 4.35%, stressing that the policy of strict borrowing conditions will remain in place until favorable macroeconomic conditions appear. The agency also pointed out that the transition to lower rates is possible only if there is a stable growth in consumption and a significant deterioration in the labor market situation. Experts believe that the regulator's further steps will depend on the dynamics of domestic demand and the state of global economic relations.
- Resistance levels: 0.6560, 0.6670.
- Support levels: 0.6490, 0.6400.
Silver market analysis
In morning trading, the XAG/USD pair is holding around 31.16, supported by rising gold prices and statements by representatives of the US Federal Reserve.
The US central bank continues to adhere to the strategy of easing monetary policy, planning to reduce the key rate by 25 basis points in December. Such a move could strengthen the position of assets competing with the dollar, especially in the long term. A reduction in the interest rate, according to analysts, will lead to a reduction in the debt burden, which will create conditions for expanding production and increasing consumption of industrial metals. According to the forecasts of the Silver Institute, the demand for this metal will reach 700 million ounces in 2024, which corresponds to an annual increase of more than 7%.
On the other hand, data from the CME FedWatch Tool indicates a decrease in the probability of a December rate cut: over the past two weeks, it has decreased from 80% to 58.9%. Against the background of this uncertainty, investors may pay more attention to precious metals, which will potentially lead to an increase in their value closer to the Fed meeting.
- Resistance levels: 31.70, 33.70.
- Support levels: 30.70, 28.70.
Crude Oil market analysis
In the morning, WTI Crude Oil quotes show multidirectional dynamics, trading around the 69.00 mark. The instrument remains near the local highs reached on November 11, but is under pressure from news about a decrease in the supply of hydrocarbons. The Norwegian company Equinor ASA announced a reduction in production at the largest Western European field Johan Sverdrup due to power outages. In turn, the American Chevron announced a temporary limitation of production capacities at the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan in connection with maintenance.
Problems in the Chinese economy continue to have an impact on the oil market. Despite the efforts of the authorities, recovery remains limited, and experts from the International Energy Agency (IEA) predict that in 2024 the global surplus of hydrocarbon supply may exceed 1 million barrels per day. The key role in balancing the market will be played by the further policy of OPEC+ regarding the increase in production volumes.
Additional pressure on the quotes was exerted by the report of the American Petroleum Institute (API), published the day before. In the week ending November 15, commercial oil reserves unexpectedly increased by 4,753 million barrels, while analysts had forecast an increase of 0.8 million barrels. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is expected to be published today at 17:30 (GMT+2). Preliminary estimates indicate a possible slowdown in stock growth from 2.089 to 0.800 million barrels, which may affect further price dynamics.
- Resistance levels: 70.00, 71.00, 71.60, 72.17.
- Support levels: 69.06, 68.15, 67.00, 66.00.