CURRENCIES:

Gold Price Analysis (XAU/USD):

• Current Sentiment: Bearish
• Recent Trends: Prices fell for the second consecutive session, nearly erasing gains from Monday’s rally.
• Market Behavior: Gold has been trading sideways for the past two weeks, indicating market indecision.
• Key Levels:
  • Resistance: $2,355; breaking this could lead to $2,415.
  • Support: $2,280; breaching this could see a drop to $2,260 and possibly $2,225.

USD/JPY Analysis:

• Recent Performance: Prices rose, surpassing the resistance at 154.65.
• Potential Outcomes:
  • Bullish Scenario: Price could approach 158.00 and may test the 160.00 level, though intervention by Tokyo could reverse gains.
  • Bearish Scenario: If prices drop, support might be found at 154.65 and 153.15, with potential further declines towards 152.00.

EUR/USD Forecast:

• Current Performance: Slight decline, threatening key support level.
• Critical Support: 1.0750; a decisive breach could lead to a pullback towards 1.0725 and 1.0695.
• Resistance Levels:
  • Immediate Resistance: 1.0790 followed by 1.0820, aligning with a medium-term downtrend.
  • Further Gains: Could advance towards 1.0865, representing the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the 2023 drop.

STOCK MARKET:

Inflation Concerns: Acknowledges it will take longer than expected to lower inflation to desired levels.

Current Economic Policies: No pre-set path for policy, suggesting flexibility in response to economic changes.

Supply Chain and Economic Growth: Noted improvements in supply chains have cooled inflation but may not continue; slower economic growth needed to reduce demand and inflation.

Recent Statements by Fed Officials:

• John Williams, New York Fed President: Advocates maintaining current policy levels, emphasizing stability.
• Neel Kashkari, Minneapolis Fed President: Suggests rates might stay at current levels longer than anticipated; open to hikes if inflation nears 3%.

Federal Reserve’s Recent Decisions:

• Interest Rates: Maintained at 5.25%-5.50%, the highest in 23 years.
• Monetary Policy Impact: Described as “moderately restrictive,” balancing the risk of premature rate cuts against the necessity of sustained restrictive measures.

Economic Observations and Forecasts:

• Inflation Trends: First three months showed stagnation in inflation reduction after declines in the latter half of the previous year.
• Future Rate Adjustments: No cuts expected until there’s confidence in sustainable movement towards a 2% inflation rate.

Collins’ Economic Outlook:

• Labor Market and Wage Growth: Monitoring for non-inflationary wage increases and a balanced job market.
• Productivity Insights: Recent boosts in productivity seen as temporary adjustments, not long-term gains.

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