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Asian equity markets showed a positive start to the week, although gains were limited due to investors digesting softer-than-expected inflation data from China. The Nikkei 225 initially extended last week's slump but managed to rebound in late trade, ending with a marginal decrease. On the other hand, the Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite traded higher, with the Hang Seng also in the green supported by the tech sector, as hopes grew that China's tech crackdown might be easing. However, gains in mainland China were constrained by disappointing Chinese inflation figures, which revealed zero consumer inflation and a deeper contraction in factory gate prices. US Treasury Secretary Yellen commented on making progress during her trip to Beijing, stating that ties were put on a "super footing." It's important to note that expectations for her visit were set at a low level, with the primary objective being to establish and deepen ties with the new Chinese economic team and reduce the risk of misunderstandings. These comments may have influenced market sentiment regarding US-China relations.

Today's data calendar is relatively light, with only the Eurozone Sentix investor confidence survey scheduled for release. UK Chancellor Hunt and Bank of England Governor Bailey will be delivering speeches at the annual Mansion House dinner this evening. The text of Governor Bailey's speech will be published at 16:00 BST, although it remains uncertain how much he will address the monetary policy outlook.

In recent days, market expectations for central bank policy rates have been on the rise. Forecasts suggest that UK interest rates could reach 6.5% by early 2024, while US interest rates are also expected to peak at a higher level. The release of hawkish Minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting confirmed that the pause in US interest rates witnessed in June is likely to be short-lived. Despite a drop in the unemployment rate and stronger-than-expected growth in wages according to the latest US labour market report, concerns about inflationary pressures persist, even though the increase in payrolls fell short of expectations. Although a 25bps rate hike at the upcoming July meeting is widely anticipated by the markets, there is scepticism about whether the Fed will follow up with another increase in September. Today, several Fed officials, including Barr, Daly, Bostic, and Mester, will be speaking, and market attention will be focused on any indications of concern about recent data that could suggest a higher risk of a September rate hike.
 

CFTC Data As Of 07-07-23

• USD net spec short pared in Jun 28-Jul 3 period, $IDX +0.58% in period
• EUR$ -0.77% in period, specs -2,191 contracts into dip, now +142,837
• $JPY +0.3% in period, specs -5,050 contracts on diverging rates now -117,920
• GBP$ -0.29%, specs -1,729 contracts, now +50,265; less-dovish Fed lifts USD
• $CAD +0.21% specs +7,374 contracts flip position to +4,527
• AUD$ +0.09% in period, specs -5,158 contracts now -44,582
• BTC +0.5% in period specs +18 contracts now short 2,076 contracts(Source: Reuters)
   

FX Options Expiries For 10am New York Cut 

(1BLN+ represent larger expiries, more magnetic when trading within daily ATR)

• EUR/USD: 1.0800 (941M) 1.0840-50 (700M), 1.0920 (1.2BLN)
• 1.0970-80 (2.1BLN), 1.1000 (804M)
• USD/CHF: 0.8955 (401M), 0.9100 (502M)
• GBP/USD: 1.2765-70 (590M). EUR/GBP: 0.8510-25 (275M), 0.8635 (200M)
• AUD/USD: 0.6685 (1.1BLN), 0.6700 (331M), 0.6720 (264M)
• USD/JPY: 143.00 (1.1BLN), 143.30 (250M)
   

Overnight News of Note

• China’s Factory-Gate Price Index Tumbles Deeper Into Deflation
• Japan Logs Current Account Surplus For Fourth Month As Trade Gap Narrows
• NZIER: RBNZ Shadow Board Recommends No Change To OCR
• EU Signs New Zealand Trade Deal To Boost Exports, Investments
• Yellen Sees 'Progress' In Rocky US-China Ties, Expects More Communication
• Yellen Says Still Too Early To Rule Out Risk Of US Recession
• ECB’s Villeroy: ECB Rate Hikes To End Soon At ‘High Plateau’
• ECB’s Centeno Sees Inflation Slowing With Core Prices To Follow
• BoE's Bailey Rejects Calls To Raise Inflation Target Above 2%
• Markets Turn Against UK As Inflation And Growth Outlook Darkens
• SNB’s Schlegel Not Deterred By Recent Inflation Dip
• Rutte’s Gambit Risks Unravelling As Dutch Rivals Seek His Ouster
• Alibaba Mulls Selling Shares To Ant For Buyback As Probe Ends
• Apple’s Vision Pro Will Take Far Longer Than iPad, Watch To Spur Big Revenue
• 'Chinese Storm' Looming Over Europe's EV Sector, Renault Chairman Warns
   

(Sourced from Bloomberg, Reuters and other reliable financial news outlets)

Technical & Trade Views

SP500 Bias: Intraday Bullish Above Bearish Below 4365

• Below 4350 opens 4330
• Primary support is 4300
• Primary objective is 4540
• 20 Day VWAP bullish, 5 Day VWAP bearish

(Click on image to enlarge)

EURUSD Intraday Bullish Above Bearsih Below 1.09

• Below 1.0890 opens 1.0830
• Primary support is 1.07
• Primary objective is 1.1050
• 20 Day VWAP bullish, 5 Day VWAP bullish

(Click on image to enlarge)

GBPUSD Bias: Intraday Bullish Above Bearish Below 1.2750

• Below 1.2730 opens 1.268
• Primary support  is 1.26
• Primary objective 1.2880
• 20 Day VWAP bullish, 5 Day VWAP bullish

(Click on image to enlarge)

USDJPY Bullish Above Bearish Below 143

• Below 143 opens 142.30
• Primary support  is 141
• Primary objective is 140.50
• 20 Day VWAP bullish, 5 Day VWAP bearish

(Click on image to enlarge)

AUDUSD Bias:Intraday Bullish Above Bearish Below .6660

• Below .6600 opens .6550
• Primary support  is .6448
• Primary objective is .6917
• 20 Day VWAP bearish, 5 Day VWAP bullish

(Click on image to enlarge)

BTCUSD Intraday Bullish Above Bearish below 30000 

• Below 29400 opens 28600
• Primary support  is 28400
• Primary objective is 32750
• 20 Day VWAP bullish, 5 Day VWAP bearish

(Click on image to enlarge)

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