Yen Capitulates on Ishiba Dovish Tone

• Hong Kong's HSI retreat on heightened profit-taking sentiment.

• Yen Slid, in yesterday's session as New Japan's Prime Minister, voiced dovish in yesterday's speech.

• The U.S. dollar was bolstered by the higher-than-expected ADP job data that was released yesterday.

Market Summary

Hong Kong's stock rally paused in today's session after the Chinese index surged by over 30% from its September lows. The equity market is now facing profit-taking pressure, with the Hang Seng Index down nearly 3% as of writing.

In contrast, Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped at the market's open, driven by a surprise statement from new Prime Minister Ishiba, who expressed caution about another rate hike this year, citing the economy's unpreparedness. This dovish outlook fueled gains in Japanese equities. However, the Japanese Yen weakened considerably in the last session, sliding more than 2% against a strengthened U.S. dollar.

The U.S. dollar gained momentum after the ADP job data exceeded market expectations, signalling continued labour market strength. However, strong U.S. jobs data weighed on Wall Street, with all three major indexes trading flat amid concerns about potential Fed tightening.

In the commodity market, gold was pressured by the strengthening dollar, leading the precious metal to trade sideways, despite escalating Middle East tensions. Oil prices initially surged on supply concerns stemming from the conflict, but a surprise build in U.S. crude inventories led to a sharp decline in prices, leaving oil traders cautious.

Market Movements

DOLLAR_INDX, H4

The Dollar Index surged, rebounding sharply due to strong economic data and hawkish statements from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. ADP's Nonfarm Employment Change rose from 103K to 143K, surpassing expectations of 124K. Economists anticipate that the upcoming nonfarm payroll report will show a steady labor market, with 140,000 jobs added and the unemployment rate holding at 4.2%. These positive indicators reduced expectations for a 50-basis point rate cut by the Fed in the upcoming meeting.

The Dollar Index is trading higher while currently testing the resistance level. However, MACD has illustrated diminishing bullish momentum, while RSI is at 77, suggesting the index might enter overbought territory.

Resistance level: 101.80, 102.35

Support level: 100.95, 100.30

XAU/USD, H4

Gold prices rebounded slightly as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East spurred demand for safe-haven assets. The ongoing conflict, particularly the missile strikes between Iran and Israel, has led investors to shift their focus toward gold. However, gains were limited due to strong U.S. economic data, particularly the better-than-expected ADP Nonfarm Employment report. Investors are maintaining a cautious stance ahead of Fridays Nonfarm Payroll and Unemployment rate data, which could further impact gold's movement.

Gold prices are trading flat while currently consolidating in a zone. MACD has illustrated diminishing bullish momentum, while RSI is at 52, suggesting the commodity might edge lower since the RSI retreated sharply from overbought territory .

Resistance level: 2670.00, 2685.00

Support level: 2645.00, 2630.00

GBP/USD，H4

The GBP/USD pair has broken to a new low after breaching its previous fair-value gap, signalling a bearish bias. The U.S. dollar strengthened, buoyed by stronger-than-expected ADP nonfarm employment change data, which drove the Dollar Index (DXY) to a 3-week high. Looking ahead, both the U.K. and U.S. will release PMI readings later today, which are expected to be pivotal in shaping the pair's movement. Strong PMI data from the U.S. could further support the dollar, while any surprises from the U.K. data may provide support for the Pound Sterling.

The GBP/USD is on the brink of breaking below from its current price consolidation range suggesting a bearish signal for the pair. The RSI is approaching the oversold zone while the MACD continues to edge lower, suggesting the bearish momentum is forming.

Resistance level: 1.3280, 1.3350

Support level: 1.3220, 1.3140

USD/JPY, H4

The USD/JPY pair surged to its highest level in a month following a surprise speech by Japan's new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, last night. Ishiba indicated that the country is not ready for another rate hike, erasing market expectations of a potential BoJ rate hike by the end of 2024. This dovish stance from Japan's leadership contributed to the yen's weakness. Meanwhile, the strengthening U.S. dollar, supported by robust economic data, further bolstered the pair, driving it to its recent high.

The pair recorded its biggest single-day gain since September by more than 2%, suggesting it is currently trading with strong bullish momentum. The RSI has gotten into the overbought zone, while the MACD has broken above the zero line and is diverging, suggesting the bullish momentum is gaining.

Resistance level: 149.20, 151.75

Support level: 146.00, 143.45