ECB policymakers keen to cool euphoria over inflation drop

FULL STORY

The European Central Bank needs to see further progress in
dampening inflationary pressures, and companies along with governments need to
chip in to prevent more policy tightening, ECB policymakers said on Wednesday.

Policymakers speaking at various venues across Europe
appeared keen to cool any euphoria about the rapid fall in prices, arguing that
the overall picture was more mixed. Some policymakers even argued that further
rate hikes should not be taken off the table.

• „You do see some progress (in underlying inflation),
  but not yet enough,“ ECB chief economist Philip Lane said in Riga
• „The ‚last mile‘ before we reach our inflation target
  may well be the hardest,“ Nagel said in London.
• „It is far, far too early in my view to start talking
  about whether we need to start reducing or cutting rates… And also it is too
  early to declare that we have reached the top of the ladder“ of interest
  rate hikes, Makhlouf said in Dublin.

This article was written by Ryan Paisey at www.forexlive.com.

Swiss respond to removal from US currency manipulation list

FULL STORY

The Swiss National Bank responded on Wednesday to the U.S. Treasury removing Switzerland from its monitoring list of countries that appeared to be manipulating their currencies.

Switzerland had run into trouble with the U.S. after the SNB’s massive purchase of foreign currencies, designed to weaken the safe haven franc as it surged in value.

The SNB has since changed course, allowing the franc to weaken as a tool to dampen imported inflation.

This article was written by Ryan Paisey at www.forexlive.com.

· The Testnet boosts
Aethir’s Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure (DCI), enabling a seamless
integration with its cloud game portals and establishing tokenomics to foster
industry wide innovation.

· Developers and users can
try out Aethir’s Testnet and provide feedback on the Testnet Discord channel.
Developers can get more information from Aethir’s technical docs.

Aethir, a pioneer in
Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure (DCI) for Gaming and AI, has announced the
launch of its Testnet. The Aethir Testnet launch enhances Aethir’s
Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure (DCI), delivering permissionless integration
with Aethir’s cloud-hosted game portals and laying the foundation for
beneficial tokenomics to support industry innovation.

Aethir recently
joined NVIDIA’s Inception Program to propel its mission of revolutionising the
gaming and AI industries.

Aethir’s
Testnet is the embodiment of years of development, innovation, and a sustained
vision to decentralise cloud infrastructure, unlocking the value of ultra-low
latency and scalable GPU-based compute.

“This is
a significant milestone for Aethir and the Web3 cloud industry, as we march
toward our goal of delivering a more equitable and developer-friendly Internet
supporting the use cases of tomorrow. We welcome developers to continue
building and innovating within Aethir’s Atmosphere, leveraging compute resources,
or contributing compute resources to foster a new way to interact across the
Internet ecosystem. Aethir’s Testnet is just the beginning, and it couldn’t be
possible without the support of the Web3 community as we democratise cloud
gaming, human-AI-interaction, and other exciting use cases,” said Kyle Okamoto,
CTO of Aethir.

The
Aethir Testnet provides game developers the tools and capabilities to onboard
their games and instantly create cloud gaming portals, while AI-focused
enterprises can enhance the human-AI interaction layer with scalable localized
computing power. Additionally, it gives enterprise GPU infrastructure providers
the opportunity to contribute their computing resources and receive rewards for
providing cloud services to Aethir’s community.

Key
Features of Aethir’s Testnet

· API Integration: Game developers can
upload games and create unique gaming portals using Aethir’s Testnet APIs

· Blockchain Browser: Developers and Container
Providers (Containers are the GPU resource providers within Aethir’s network)
can access on-chain data seamlessly

Development
Support Features:

· Operational Support Center: Aethir has also launched
an Operational Support Center to support developers and Container Providers as
they continue to scale the ecosystem.

· Onboarding Support: Comprehensive Onboarding
Guidelines are live for Game Developers and Container Providers. This
step-by-step guide ensures a smooth onboarding process for all Testnet
participants.

· Website Resources: All relevant materials,
Software Development Kits (SDKs), deployment tools and guidelines are
accessible on Aethir’s website.

Built on
Arbitrum, a highly scalable and reliable Ethereum-based blockchain, Aethir’s
Testnet launch enables ultra-low latency, scalable GPU-based compute publicly
accessible worldwide. The Aethir Testnet will undergo several phases in
coordination with community feedback and Aethir’s broader company
roadmap.

“At
Aethir, we’re not just pioneering the future of decentralised cloud computing;
we’re redefining the relationship between the AI and gaming industries, and
real-time cloud computing. With the launch of the Aethir Testnet, we’re
inviting developers and GPU resource providers to sign up and experience our
infrastructure. This is a small, but important, step for the company, and a
huge leap forward for the cloud computing industry overall,” said Mark Rydon,
co-founder and CEO of Aethir.

While
the Aethir Testnet launch is a significant milestone, Aethir will be releasing
continuous and regular updates as its technology continues to evolve. The
emphasis will be on enhancing user experience, improving real-time cloud
rendering capabilities, and strengthening the ecosystem via increased developer
support.

About
Aethir

Aethir (https://www.aethir.com/)
is revolutionising the cloud infrastructure landscape by focusing on
Decentralised Cloud Infrastructure (DCI) tailored for gaming and AI companies.
Addressing a pressing issue in current cloud technology, Aethir offers an
infrastructure alternative that solves the cost and latency challenges
associated with delivering premium GPU computational loads to latency sensitive
industries. Aethir offers an elegant infrastructure design that becomes faster
and cheaper as it expands. Built by a seasoned team with experience in scaling
top cloud gaming infrastructure, Aethir is an indispensable infrastructure
solution for delivering low-latency, GPU resources via the cloud. Aethir is at
the forefront of catering to the ever-evolving needs of the AI and Gaming
industry, leading the way in the development and deployment of next-gen cloud
solutions.

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.

US

• The Fed left interest rates unchanged as
  expected with basically no change to the statement.
• Fed Chair Powell stressed
  once again that they are proceeding carefully as the full effects of policy
  tightening have yet to be felt.
• The recent US Core PCE came
  in line with expectations.
• The labour market is
  starting to show some weakness as Continuing Claims are now
  rising at a fast pace and the NFP data
  last Friday missed across the board.
• The US Consumer
  Confidence fell for the third consecutive month
  although the data beat expectations.
• The US ISM
  Manufacturing PMI last week missed expectations by a big
  margin, followed later on Friday with a disappointing ISM Services PMI,
  although the index remained in expansion.
• The market doesn’t expect the Fed to hike anymore.

New Zealand

• The RBNZ kept its official cash rate
  unchanged while
  stating that demand growth continues to ease and it’s expected to decline
  further with monetary conditions remaining restrictive.
• The New Zealand recent inflation data missed expectations supporting the
  RBNZ’s stance.
• The latest labour market report showed a notable increase in
  the unemployment rate and a slowdown in wage growth which is something that is
  likely to keep the RBNZ on the sidelines.
• The Manufacturing PMI continues to slide further into
  contraction, but the Services PMI jumped back into expansion.
• The market doesn’t expect the RBNZ
  to hike anymore.

NZDUSD Technical Analysis –
Daily Timeframe

On the daily chart, we can see that the NZDUSD pair
surged into the key resistance levels
following the miss in the NFP data last Friday. The sellers stepped in around
the 0.60 handle and the price sold off paring back all the Friday gains. The
failed break above the trendline left
behind a fakeout, which is generally a reversal pattern.

NZDUSD Technical Analysis –
4 hour Timeframe

On the 4 hour chart, we can see that we have a good
support zone around the 0.5915 level where there’s also the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level
for confluence. This is
where the buyers are likely to step in with a defined risk below the level to
position for another rally into the highs and target a breakout. The sellers,
on the other hand, will want to see the price breaking lower to target the
support around the 0.5860 level.

NZDUSD Technical Analysis –
1 hour Timeframe

On the 1 hour chart, we can see that if
the price breaks below the 0.5915 support, the buyers will have another
opportunity to position for a rally with an even better risk to reward setup
around the 0.5860 support where there’s also the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement
level for confluence. The sellers, again, will increase the bearish bets in
case the price breaks below the 0.5860 support and target a new low.

Upcoming Events

This week is pretty empty on the data front with just
the US Jobless Claims on Thursday and the University of Michigan Consumer
Sentiment on Friday. The market is likely to focus on the US Jobless Claims on
Thursday given the recent weakness in the labour market data.

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.

The always awesome Newsquawk US Market Open

• European equities/US futures in the red with sentiment sour ahead of a busy day of Fed speak
• Fixed benchmarks are back in bull-flattening mode, lifting from yesterday’s lows pre-supply
• DXY firmly above 105.50, whilst Antipodeans sink on weaker sentiment and post-RBA hike
• As expected, the RBA announced a 25bps hike, ensuing initial upside in the AUD before slipping on weaker forward guidance
• Crude benchmarks pare back yesterday’s gains, with base metals also in the red owing to the firmer Dollar and general market sentiment
• Looking ahead, highlights include US International Trade, IBD/TIPP, Manheim Index, NY Fed Q3 Household Debt & Credit Report, Speeches from Fed’s Goolsbee, Schmid, Williams, Logan, Barr, Waller, UK King’s Speech and Earnings from CNH Industrial, Uber, eBay & Occidental Petroleum Corp

This article was written by Ryan Paisey at www.forexlive.com.

Futures dip as rate cut optimism wanes; more Fed speakers on tap

FULL STORY

U.S. stock index futures slipped on Tuesday as optimism about the Federal Reserve easing monetary conditions next year fizzled out, with markets on tenterhooks ahead of comments by more central bank officials.

Market participants will parse commentary from Fed Board Governor Christopher Waller and New York Fed President John Williams later on Tuesday for more clues on the central bank’s interest rate path.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks will grab the spotlight on Wednesday.

This article was written by Ryan Paisey at www.forexlive.com.

The Nasdaq Composite yesterday held all the gains
from last week as the economic calendar remains poor until the final part of
the week. The technicals are likely to lead the price action in the days ahead with
the attention turning to the US Jobless Claims data on Thursday as the market
will want to see how fast the labour market is weakening.

Nasdaq Composite Technical
Analysis – Daily Timeframe

On the daily chart, we can see that the Nasdaq Composite
yesterday retested the broken minor trendline as the
buyers continue to remain in control. The price is now overstretched as
depicted by the distance from the blue 8 moving average. In such
instances, we can generally see a pullback into the moving average or some
consolidation before a continuation.

Nasdaq Composite Technical
Analysis – 4 hour Timeframe

On the 4 hour chart, we can see more closely the
break and retest of the minor trendline. The buyers should be targeting the
major trendline where we can also find a key swing level at 13700. In case the
price gets there, the sellers are likely to step in more aggressively with a
defined risk above the trendline to position for a drop into new lows.

Nasdaq Composite Technical
Analysis – 1 hour Timeframe

On the 1 hour chart, we can see that in
case the price extends to the 13700 level, we will probably have a divergence with
the MACD. That
would be a sign of weakening momentum, which is often followed by pullbacks or
reversals. From a risk management perspective, the buyers would be better off
waiting for a pullback instead of chasing the rally at these stretched levels.
The sellers, on the other hand, will have a great risk to reward setup around
the 13700 resistance.

Upcoming
Events

This week is pretty empty on the data front with just
the US Jobless Claims on Thursday and the University of Michigan Consumer
Sentiment on Friday. The market is likely to focus on the US Jobless Claims on
Thursday given the recent weakness in the labour market data.

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.

The last week was incredible for the Nasdaq
Composite with the index rallying for five consecutive trading days. The bulk
of the rally came after the FOMC rate decision where the Fed left interest rates unchanged and Fed
Chair Powell delivered less hawkish than expected remarks. The
Nasdaq Composite then extended the gains into the weekend after the NFP report
missed forecasts and the ISM Services PMI came
lower than expected.

One may think that the stock market sees a soft
landing and the fall in Treasury yields is a good thing. Unfortunately,
Treasury yields fell likely because the bond market sees more weakness to come
in the next few months given the softening in the labour market. So, the rally
we’ve seen out of the disappointing data is likely to be misplaced and the
market might correct that soon.

Nasdaq Composite Technical
Analysis – Daily Timeframe

On the daily chart, we can see that the Nasdaq
Composite erased most of the losses of the past two weeks and reached the key trendline around
the 13450 level. We can notice that the price is now overstretched as depicted
by the distance from the blue 8 moving average. In such
instances, we can generally see a pullback into the moving average or some
consolidation before the next move.

Nasdaq Composite Technical
Analysis – 4 hour Timeframe

On the 4 hour chart, we can see that we got some
selling into the close before the weekend. We can also notice that the price is
overstretched even on this timeframe. The sellers are likely to step in with a
defined risk above the high to position for a drop back into the 13174 support. The
buyers, on the other hand, will be better off to wait for a pullback instead of
chasing the rally at these levels.

Nasdaq Composite Technical
Analysis – 1 hour Timeframe

On the 1 hour chart, we can see that we
have a nice support zone around the 13174 level where we can find the confluence with
the upward trendline, the red 21 moving average and the 38.2% Fibonacci
retracement level. This is where the buyers are
likely to pile in with a defined risk below the trendline to position for a
break above the major trendline. The sellers, on the other hand, will want to
see the price breaking lower to increase the bearish bets and target a new low.

Upcoming
Events

This week is pretty empty on the data front with just
the US Jobless Claims on Thursday and the University of Michigan Consumer
Sentiment on Friday. The market is likely to focus on the past week events and
will be eager to see the US Jobless Claims on Thursday given the recent weakness
in the labour market data.

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.

The online trading and fintech space are among some of the most competitive industries, where only the top performing brands can truly stand out. UF AWARDS MEA 2024 will look to showcase these leaders, taking place this January at the upcoming iFX EXPO Dubai 2024.

UF AWARDS MEA 2024 are the financial service industry’s most prestigious rewards, highlighting the best B2C and B2B brands in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). These unique honours recognise excellence, pioneering achievements, innovation, and significant contributions made in the online trading and fintech space.

Perhaps most importantly, the UF AWARDS acknowledge leading brands who provide traders and businesses with an industry benchmark and standard that other companies aspire to trade and do business with. These honours constitute the most distinguished in the industry with the biggest titles on the line to kick off 2024.

Nominations Round Underway for the Coveted UF AWARDS MEA 2024

No two UF AWARDS are the same, with companies vying for these special titles and the bragging rights that come with them. Does your brand have what it takes to win the industry’s highest honours? The road to victory for the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 starts with the Nomination Round, which is now open.

The Nomination Round for the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 brings participants one step closer to being recognized as the industry’s elite. Despite having just opened, industry enthusiasts are already presently lining up to show support for their brands of choice. The hype surrounding these awards is real, and with so many B2C and B2B companies looking to stake their claim as the best in the business, the competition is already heating up.

Honouring Excellence Across the Middle East & Africa

The UF AWARDS MEA 2024 Ceremony will be held on January 17, concluding the first day of the iFX EXPO Dubai 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. iFX EXPO is the world’s leading online trading event. For over a decade, this landmark exhibition has brought together professionals in online trading, fintech, and financial services across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Unsure of how to nominate your brand? Brands looking to make a splash or stand out from the crowd across a wide range of B2C and B2B categories can do so by simply registering on the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 website and filling in the nomination form. As a reminder, only registered users can nominate a brand, so sign up today and make your voice heard!

Nominations for the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 will remain open until December 15. This will be directly followed by a subsequent voting round that will last from December 20 until January 10. Registered users will have a chance to cast their votes from a short list of nominated B2C and B2B brands.

What Makes the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 Unique?

There is no shortage of accolades in the industry, but only the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 reign supreme. This is because nominations and voting are done by industry peers with the most prestigious industry titles for the year on the line.

The stakes for the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 simply could not be higher with unrivalled brand exposure for targeted audiences up for grabs. Just how important would winning these awards be for your brand?

Celebrate validation and the ultimate recognition for your brand’s achievements as an industry elite. Indeed, only the most trusted brands can lay claim to these awards, enhancing brand image, gaining international publicity, and standing out from any competition.

Introducing the Categories Up for Grabs

The UF AWARDS MEA 2024 spans a diverse list of categories from both the B2C and B2B space. Discover your brand’s perfect match by exploring each exciting category via the following link.

This includes some of the most sought-after titles that can elevate your brokerage or fintech brand to the vanguard of the industry:

• BEST BROKER – MEA
• MOST TRANSPARENT BROKER – MEA
• MOST TRUSTED BROKER – MEA
• BEST TRADING PLATFORM – MEA
• BEST B2B LIQUIDITY PROVIDER – MEA
• BEST SOCIAL TRADING SOLUTION – MEA

Are you ready to be recognised as one of the most trusted names in the industry today? The path to glory and the UF AWARDS MEA 2024 starts with your nomination.

Nominate now and become a part of history this January in Dubai.

This article was written by FL Contributors at www.forexlive.com.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that a „healthy and stable“ relationship with Australia served each country’s interests, and that it was important to move forward with strategic ties.

FULL STORY

Mutual benefit is what China wants, Xi told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the first Australian leader to visit Beijing since 2016, as both men met at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of the Chinese capital.

China’s January-September imports from Australia increased 8.1% from a year earlier to $116.9 billion, Chinese customs data show. In 2022, imports plunged 12.7% to $142.1 billion.

This article was written by Ryan Paisey at www.forexlive.com.