Forex Analysis & Reviews: 15.12.2023 - Jerome Powell changed his...

15.12.2023 01:35 PM

Jerome Powell changed his rhetoric, and the dollar couldn't withstand it

The EUR/USD pair on Thursday experienced growth to the corrective level of 61.8% (1.0960) and solidified above it. Such a strong rise in the European currency was caused by the information background on Wednesday and Thursday. It turned out that traders were not prepared for Jerome Powell's comments and new stance. Christine Lagarde's speech only added fuel to the fire. Thus, the process of the euro's rise may continue towards the next level at 1.1035. The consolidation of the pair's exchange rate below the level of 1.0960 will work in favor of the American currency, with some decline toward the Fibonacci level of 50.0% (1.0862).

The wave situation has become not more complex but less appealing. We are accustomed to market movements proceeding fairly smoothly, so any sharp rise or fall causes panic among all traders and analysts. The last upward wave has overlaid all previous waves. The trend has changed to "bullish" at the moment, but now practically any downward wave will not be able to change it back to "bearish." For the resumption of the "bearish" trend, the euro needs to fall by 250–300 points. The euro has soared, and now what will its landing be like?

Jerome Powell has been regularly stating for a long time (all the last months) that the process of tightening monetary policy is not complete. He repeatedly drew the market's attention to the fact that inflation remains very high, speaking about rate cuts prematurely, and the Federal Reserve could raise the rate at any moment by one or even two more times. However, on Wednesday evening, he unexpectedly stated that rates would be lowered next year, and this statement alone could cause a total collapse of the US dollar. If the talk is now about rate cuts, decisions on hikes will not be made. Powell said, "Rate hikes are unlikely."

Yesterday, Christine Lagarde "added fuel to the fire," unlike Powell, who did not talk about easing monetary policy next year. The situation now is as follows: is the Federal Reserve ready to start lowering rates, and is the ECB not? Powell's abrupt change in rhetoric is a reason to get rid of the dollar. Maintaining Lagarde's hawkish position is also a reason to get rid of the dollar.

Is there hope for the dollar to rise now? In my view, expecting a strong rise in the US currency in the near future is not advisable. If the ECB signals its readiness to start easing early next year, then the dollar will start having a trump card in hand. Right now, it can only count on a corrective rise.

On the 4-hour chart, the pair has made a reversal in favor of the European currency and consolidated above the 50.0% Fibonacci level at 1.0957. This consolidation allows counting on the continuation of growth towards the next corrective level at 38.2% (1.1032). No imminent divergences are observed in any of the indicators today. The "bullish" trend continues, but a bounce off 1.1032 or a close below 1.0957 will allow bears to regain some of the lost positions over the past two days.

Forecast for EUR/USD and trader recommendations:

What can be advised to traders in the current situation? Further growth of the euro today is unlikely. The euro will find it extremely difficult to find support in business activity reports due today in the EU and Germany. I believe that the pair may rise to the level of 1.1035 on the hourly chart, but it will be very difficult for it to climb higher. Upon consolidation below the level of 1.0960, I advise opening sales with a target of 1.0862 on the hourly chart. On a rebound from the level of 1.1035, I also advise selling the pair.

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*Disclaimer: The market analysis posted here is meant to increase your awareness, but not to give instructions to make a trade.