Market euphoria cooled last week as global indexes marched cautiously lower after appearing to find a bottom. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 wrapped up the past 5 trading days -2.70% and -2.08% respectively. The VIX “fear gauge” fell 28.59% last week, the most since February 2018. Yet sentiment-linked crude oil prices surged over 31% in the best five days since at least 1983. 

Oil’s aggressive surge, alongside the Canadian Dollar, occurred amid expectations that the Saudi-Russia price war could come to an end as output might be reduced. Next week there will be an OPEC+ meeting with the goal to help stabilize energy prices. Though initially there appeared to be some confusion over the size of cuts as Saudi Arabia hoped developed countries could join in.

The US Dollar outperformed its G10 counterparts as aggressive US fiscal stimulus was priced in. The markets will continue assessing data from the world’s largest economy as it holds the most confirmed coronavirus cases at the time of writing. About 10 million citizens applied for jobless claims over the past two weeks as the country lost 701 thousand jobs in March. That was the most since 2009.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, IHS data showed that the Euro-Area economy is at risk to contracting about 10% annually. Unsurprisingly the Euro treaded lower. Meanwhile gauges of business activity showed the Chinese economy recovering from dismal drops in February. The onslaught of data continues with a recovery in excess market volatility playing out. Can this hold?

FUNDAMENTAL FORECASTS:

Euro Forecast: Decision on Coronabonds Critical For EUR/USD Outlook:

The coming week could see a decision by the Eurozone nations on whether to issue bonds guaranteed by all of them jointly and severally – a ruling likely to have a major impact on the Euro’s next big move.

Gold Prices May Fall on FOMC Minutes, Recession & Credit Risks:

Gold prices may surrender if the FOMC meeting minutes further reinforce fears about the prospect of a deep, virus-driven recession amid thin liquidity conditions.

Australian Dollar at Risk as Markets Eye Third Coronavirus Rate Cut:

The Australian Dollar has already seen two RBA interest rate cuts in a month but now markets are looking for a third. If they get it, Aussie rates will be at zero for the first time.

S&P 500, FTSE 100, Nikkei 225 Forecasts for the Week Ahead:

Stock volatility has calmed somewhat despite continued economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus and containment guidelines as major central banks vow to prop up their economies at any cost.

TECHNICAL FORECASTS:

Gold Price Weekly Forecast: 2020 High on the Radar:

Gold may continue to retrace the decline from the yearly high ($1704), as the price for bullion initiates a fresh series of higher highs and lows.

Canadian Dollar Forecast: USD/CAD in Limbo, Clarity to Come:

USD/CAD is caught at a bit of a cross-roads, it should start to iron itself out in the coming week; a low created late-March is an important spot to watch on the chart.

DAX 30, FTSE 100 Technical Forecasts:

Upside momentum stalls with the DAX and FTSE 100 vulnerable to testing lower levels, as the economic backdrop deteriorates further.

Sterling (GBP) Outlook: GBP/USD, EUR/GBP and GBP/NZD Prices and Charts:

GBP/USD has faded over the week and is now eyeing further downside, while EUR/GBP has bounced of an important technical indicator.

Japanese Yen Weekly Forecast: USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, CAD/JPY:

The Japanese Yen faced a mixed week against currencies such as the US Dollar, Euro, British Pound, and Canadian Dollar. What is ahead for USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY and CAD/JPY?

Oil Price Forecast: Extreme Volatility Ahead of Virtual OPEC Meeting:

Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster ride through the first three months of 2020, dropping by as much as 71% and, then this week, rallying by as much as 50%.

EUR/USD Outlook: Giving Back Short Term Gains -Euro vs USD Price Forecast:

In late March, EUR/USD reversed lower signaling a possible start of bearish move. Will bears continue pressing the price next week?

US DOLLAR WEEKLY PERFORMANCE AGAINST CURRENCIES AND GOLD