Tensions surrounding China are moving back into the fold, as the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s encroachment into Hong Kong turn the heat back up on relations between the United States and China. Still, investors have shrugged off the renewed headwinds, for now. The ASX 200 index is up nearly 30 percent since getting crushed to its lowest level since 2012 in March. Bulls, however, have slightly favored Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, bidding it 34 percent higher since its March lows.

ASX 200 INDEX & NIKKEI 225 INDEX PRICE CHART (DAILY TIME FRAME)

(Click on image to enlarge)

Chart Created in TradingView by Thomas Westwater

While the market flashed warning signs in recent weeks - such as the risk-sensitive AUD/USD selling off at its March 9 resistance level on Wednesday. Bulls in both equity and forex markets have yet to capitulate to macro themes surrounding the increasing tensions between Hong Kong and China, an issue that may begin to dictate the more prominent US-China relationship.

AUD/USD PRICE CHART (DAILY TIME FRAME)

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Source: IG Charts

On the other hand, market bulls are hardly driving prices higher on blind enthusiasm. Monetary efforts from Australia and Japan have been aggressive considering the COVID-19 pandemic. The RBA lowered its cash rate to 0.25%, a record low for the bank. Meanwhile, the BOJ continues its aggressive bond-buying program. On the fiscal side, Japan most recently bolstered its fiscal response, with the country approving a new $1.1 trillion stimulus package on Wednesday.

However, risks to the rally exist at week’s end as U.S. President Trump announced a press conference to be delivered Friday regarding China. Equity markets in the U.S. gave up gains into the closing minutes on Thursday alongside the news report. The Trump administration is expected to announce action punishing China for the recent events seen in Hong Kong.

Turning to the technical picture on the ASX 200 index, bulls have controlled the tempo of price for the better part of the last couple of months. However, Thursday’s price action formed a Gravestone Doji, as buyers failed to sustain a push higher on the daily time frame. Bulls ran into resistance near the bottom edge of a still open gap formed in early March.

ASX 200 INDEX (DAILY TIME FRAME)

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Source: IG Charts

Looking at Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index reveals a more optimistic outlook for the technical setup. The index’s price action shows that bulls have enjoyed considerable progress in recent months, with few points of resistance as the index progresses towards recovering March’s COVID-19 induced selloff.