AUDUSD: RBA has decided on the future course of monetary parameters
Local strengthening of the Australian currency allows the AUDUSD pair to test the 0.6699 mark.
"Bullish" momentum finds support in the RBA's decision to adjust the interest rate from 3.60% to 3.85% and the FX residual indicator to 3.75%, contrary to analysts' forecasts that the agency would leave the key indicator unchanged. According to comments by Philip Lowe, the head of the regulator, in an accompanying letter, the previous meeting was marked by officials' decision to take a wait-and-see approach to assessing the impact of inflation on the economy. As noted by the Board of Governors, consumer prices have slowed considerably, but it will take at least two years for consumer prices to return to the upper allowable threshold of 3.35%. In turn, the national labor market continues to be affected by contradictory factors and unemployment is at its lowest point in 50 years. Thus, the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to resume its price correction activity by tightening monetary parameters, and Lowe said that the hawkish vector will be maintained in the future, if necessary.
- Resistance levels: 0.6740 and 0.6850.
- Support levels: 0.6670, 0.6560.
GBPUSD: pair intends to update the maximum peak of May 2022
Successful fixing of asset positions above 1.2450 the GBPUSD pair has taken the May 2022 peak at 1.2650 as a target.
"The Brit is strengthening ahead of the Bank of England meeting announced for May 11, at the end of which analysts expect to hear about an increase in the interest rate. The officials may take a brave step and strengthen the cost of borrowing by 0,50% at once because the consumer prices still reflect a double-digit figure. The pound will get additional impetus for support in case the market estimates are justified, which will help develop a long-term upward trend. Meanwhile, analysts at the International Monetary Fund note the need for caution on the part of the Bank of England and the ECB in raising interest rates, given the potential risks that could increase financial stress and also have an impact on Treasury yields. Economists advocate the need for a flexible approach, not ruling out the possibility of a repeat of the banking crisis, which may repeat the March collapse in the U.S. financial sector in March, which was a complete surprise to the market and customers.
- Resistance levels: 1.2650 and 1.2900.
- Support levels: 1.2268, 1.2040, 1.1800.
Crude Oil market analysis
North American light crude oil WTI is in a downward trend at 75.62 amid a published list of OPEC+ cartel countries that have announced production cuts for the period from May to December this year on a voluntary basis.
According to preliminary estimates, additional production cuts will cumulatively reach 1.66 million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia and Russia will take the first positions on reduction of production by 500.0 thousand barrels per day, Iraq will reduce production by 211.0 thousand, UAE - by 144.0 thousand, Kuwait - by 128.0 thousand. In its turn, Kazakhstan will reduce production rate by 78.0 thousand barrels per day, Algeria - by 48.0 thousand barrels, Oman - by 40.0 thousand and Gabon - by 8.0 thousand. According to OPEC+ position, such correction will help support price stability on the trading floors, protecting the price of raw materials from strong volatility.
- Resistance levels: 78.70, 84.60.
- Support levels: 73.80, 67.00.
Analysis for S&P 500 index
The key US economic index is testing 4167.0.
The US stock market resumes attempts to strengthen the upward movement of the indicators, using the emerging phase of corporate report publications. Pfizer Inc., Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Starbucks Corp. are scheduled to report today, May 2. The obvious "anchor" for the US market is the pharmaceutical sector, and experts expect the quarterly revenue figure for Pfizer Inc. to drop to $16.60 billion from the previous $24.29 billion, and then the share yield to drop to $0.9827, ending a two-year trend of positive momentum.
Meanwhile, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is fighting vigorously and decisively against competitors for new consumer market share, maintaining revenue in the $5.3 billion area. The paper may bounce back slightly to $0.56, but the correction is expected to be seasonal in nature.
- Support levels: 4130.0, 4050.0.
- Resistance levels: 4200.0, 4300.0.