Fears of global slowdown continue to weigh on Copper and AUD/USD

Yesterday’s release of the dismal German Gfk Consumer Confidence print and the US Central Bank Consumer Confidence print are still weighing on the collective minds of the markets.  The German number came in at -27.4 vs -26.2 in June, the lowest print ever.  The US Consumer Confidence print was 98.7 for June, down from 103.2 in May.  In addition, the 1-year inflation component was 8% vs 7.4% prior.  The poor confidence numbers, combined with the recent weaker than expected PMI data, has been weighing on Copper and the Aussie since the beginning of June.  Even better than expected Retail Sales data from Australia for May, released earlier today, couldn’t help AUD/USD!

What are economic indicators?

Commodity markets will be watching manufacturing data due out later in the week to determine if the world economy is still expecting a slowdown. China’s NBS Manufacturing PMI for July will be released tomorrow with an expectation of 50.5 vs 49.6 last. In addition, the US will release its ISM Manufacturing PMI for June, with expectations of 54.9 s 56.1 in May.  There will also be revisions to the S&P Global Manufacturing data for June, which were initially released last week.  It should be noted that the Australian print was better than expected, however that did little to help AUD/USD.

Copper has long been known as a barometer to gauge the health of the world economy.  Hence, it is nicknamed Dr. Copper. The industrial metal has been falling since March 7^th when it reached a high of 5.037.  Since then, Copper has pulled back below the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level from the lows of March 2020 to the highs of March 7^th.  It has also tested and held horizontal support dating to January 8^th, 2021 near 3.740.  If the PMI data this week is worse than expected, Copper may continue to fall.  The next support level is the 50% retracement from the previously mentioned timeframe near 3.503.  However, notice the RSI is oversold and pointing higher, an indication that copper may be ready for a correction.  First resistance is at 3.942, then 4.034.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

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AUD/USD has a high positive correlation with copper on a daily timeframe.  The correlation coefficient between the 2 assets is currently +0.87.  Readings above +0.80 are considered strong.  AUD/USD has been moving lower since making a near-term high on April 5^th at 0.7649.  The pair made a low near trendline support on May 12^th at 0.6829 and bounced to the 50% retracement level from the April 5^th highs to the May 12^th lows.  However, the pair has since come off and is testing the May 12^th lows.  If Copper breaks, AUD/USD is likely to follow.  If the pair breaks the May 12^th lows, the next level of support is at a confluence of support near the downward sloping trendline and the 50% retracement level from the lows of March 2020 to the highs of April 5^th.  Below there, horizontal support dating to March 2020 crosses at 0.6680.  However, if there is a better outlook on the economy and copper bounces, horizontal resistance crosses at 0.7069 and 0.7141.  Above there, price can move to the highs of June 3^rd at 0.7283.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

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Consumer confidence data and manufacturing PMI data has been weighing on both Copper and commodity currency pairs, such as AUD/USD.   With more manufacturing due out later in the week, traders need to watch Dr Copper to help gauge the health of the economy.  If copper continues its move lower, watch for AUD/USD to move lower with it!

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