US CPI Shock Ignites Equities 

As we round out another week in financial markets we’re certainly not short of interesting price moves to comment on. This week has seen a slew of key trading developments on the back of the US midterms, US CPI release and changes in China’s COVID policy. Talking with traders ahead of the week, it seems the big move that everyone is focused on is the breakout in equities. While US markets have certainly benefited from the drop in the Dollar, the star of the show this week has been the DAX. So, let’s take a look at what’s caused the move and, as always, if you caught it? Well done! If you missed it? There’s always next week!

What Caused the Move?

Dollar Drop

The big driver behind the breakout in the DAX this week has been the improvement in risk sentiment linked to a weaker US Dollar. With US inflation having dropped by .5% in October, falling back to 7.7% annually from 8.2% prior, the US Dollar fell sharply as traders began pricing in a smaller .5% hike from the Fed in December. The impact of this shift has been clearly visible across markets this week with risk assets soaring as USD fell.

Gas Prices Falling 

Along with the drop in the US Dollar, the DAX has also been boosted by the ongoing drop in European gas prices. The spike in gas prices over the summer was one of the key economic threats to the eurozone and with those prices now subsiding quickly, the outlook for eurozone businesses and households is improving somewhat. There are hopes that lower energy prices will help tame rampant inflation and, on the back of US inflation softening, traders are anticipating a similar cooling of consumer prices in the single market in coming months which should allow scope for the ECB to hit the brakes on its tightening program, or at least slow its pace.

Technical Views

DAX

The rally in the DAX this week has seen the market breaking out above the 13672.31 level. The index is now pushing above the 14170.79 level and, with both MACD and RSI bullish here, the focus is on a continuation higher towards the 14703.98 level next. The near-term view remains bullish while 14170.79 holds as support with the index now looking to carve out a fuller bullish reversal.