<p>Kuroda filled the Christmas stockings of anyone long yen last week. If you missed that, we hope that Santa Claus brings you something special.</p><p>Trading on Monday will be extremely thin and it will be choppy all next week as the year winds down. Have a look at the <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/EconomicCalendar“ target=“_blank“ rel=“follow“>economic calendar</a> to see what’s coming up.</p><p>Merry Christmas from all of us!</p>

This article was written by Adam Button at www.forexlive.com.

<ul><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-stocks-close-near-the-highs-for-the-day-20221223/“>US stocks close near the highs for the day</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/wti-crude-oil-settles-at-7956-20221223/“>WTI crude oil settles at $79.56</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-house-passes-17-trillion-spending-bill-20221223/“>US House passes $1.7 trillion spending bill</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/atlanta-fed-q4-gdpnow-tracker-rises-to-37-from-27-20221223/“>Atlanta Fed Q4 GDPNow tracker rises to +3.7% from +2.7%</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/dallas-fed-trimmed-mean-pce-price-index-34-vs-39-prior-20221223/“>Dallas Fed trimmed mean PCE price index +3.4% vs +3.9% prior</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/major-european-indices-close-the-day-with-mixed-results-20221223/“>Major European indices close the day with mixed results</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/canada-october-federal-budget-deficit-c190b-vs-c368b-in-oct-2021-20221223/“>Canada October Federal budget deficit C$1.90B vs -C$3.68B in Oct 2021</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/what-are-the-2022-holiday-trading-hours-in-bond-and-stock-markets-20221223/“>What are the 2022 holiday trading hours in bond and stock markets</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-november-new-home-sales-640k-vs-600k-expected-20221223/“>US November new home sales 640K vs 600K expected</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/michigan-consumer-sentiment-final-for-december-597-versus-591-preliminary-20221223/“>Michigan consumer sentiment final for December 59.7 versus 59.1 preliminary</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-november-pce-core-inflation-47-vs-47-expected-20221223/“>US November PCE core inflation +4.7% vs +4.7% expected</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/us-durable-goods-for-november-21-versus-06-expected-20221223/“>US durable goods for November -2.1% versus -0.6% expected</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/canadian-october-monthly-gdp-01-vs-01-expected-20221223/“>Canadian October monthly GDP +0.1% vs +0.1% expected</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/technical-analysis/the-nzd-is-the-strongest-and-the-jpy-is-the-weakest-as-the-na-session-begins-20221223/“>The NZD is the strongest and the JPY is the weakest as the NA session begins</a></li><li><a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/forexlive-european-fx-news-wrap-dollar-mildly-lower-xmas-awaits-20221223/“>ForexLive European FX news wrap: Dollar mildly lower, Xmas awaits</a></li></ul><p>There was a flurry of data today before markets settled into the holiday week ahead that will have Stock and bond markets closed on Monday in observance of Boxing Day and Christmas and early closes next Friday and on Monday for New Years. The forex market will be open Monday to Friday as is customary, but with the economic schedule light and most traders taking the week off, the activity should be limited. </p><p>For year end flows (tax related), activity must be completed by Wednesday to get under the end of year wire. </p><p>Today the US had durable goods, Core PCE including personal consumption, Michigan consumer confidence and new-home sales.</p><p>Durable goods orders came out mixed. The headline number was weaker than expectations but if you subtracted out the transportation, it wasn’t so bad. Revisions were not so great though.</p><p>PCE headline and core inflation came in about as expected with the core PCE still up 4.7% but down from 5.0% last month. Included in that report is personal income which rose by a greater than expected 0.4% versus 0.3%. But consumption was worse than expected at 0.1% versus 0.2%.. Later in the morning, the Univ. of Michigan final reading came in at 59.7 up from 59.4 the preliminary. Both were higher than last month’s 56.8 reading. The current conditions rose to 59.4 from 58.8 last month. The expectations Index was also higher 59.9 versus 55.6. Inflation one year forward came in at 4.4% versus 4.9% last month. Although lower, it is still above the Federal Reserve’s estimate of 3.1% at the end of 2023.</p><p>In the forex market, the strongest of the majors was the NZD and the AUD. The weakest were the JPY and CHF. THe USD was also weaker today vs most of the major currencies. </p><p>In other markets:</p><ul><li>spot gold is up $5.88 or 0.32% at $1798.04</li><li>spot silver rose to $0.16 or 0.69% at $23.72</li><li>WTI crude oil closed higher by $1.90 at $79.41</li><li>bitcoin was steady and $16,814. It was near mid range of the day’s trading range</li></ul><p>In the US stock market, the major indices worked their way from negative territory to positive terrritory by the close:</p><ul><li>Dow rose 0.53%</li><li>S&P rose 0.59%</li><li>Nasdaq rose 0.21%</li><li>Russell 2000 rose 0.39%</li></ul><p>Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season. </p><p>Joy to the world….</p>

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

<p>With the day moving toward a close, the stocks are moving off their high levels. The NASDAQ index is now negative on the day. US yields remain higher and near their highest levels. The two year yield is up 6.3 bps at 4.327%. The 10 year yield is at 3.751%, up 8 bps on the day.</p><p>The major stock indices are trading within the low to high ranges from yesterday as traders look toward the holiday weekend. The markets will be closed on Monday in observance of Boxing Day/Christmas (one day later). </p><p>Gold is up $3.34 or 0.19% on the day. </p><p>Bitcoin is steady at $16818 (it as near $16840 at the start of the day). </p>

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

<p>The major US indices are closing the day higher and near highs for the day. </p><p>At session lows the </p><ul><li>Dow Industrial Average was down -213 points</li><li>S&P index was down -25.37 points</li><li>NASDAQ index was down -114.30 points</li></ul><p>The final numbers for the day are showing:</p><ul><li>Dow industrial average rose 176.42 points or 0.53% at 33203.92</li><li>S&P index rose 22.43 points or 0.59% at 3844.81</li><li>NASDAQ index rose 21.75 points or 0.21% at 10497.87</li><li>Russell 2000 rose 6.845 points or 0.39% at 1760.93</li></ul><p>For the trading week:</p><ul><li>Dow Industrial Average rose 0.86%</li><li>S&P index fell -0.20%</li><li>NASDAQ index fell -2.45%</li><li>Russell 2000 fell -0.14%</li></ul><p>With one week left of trading, the numbers for 2022 are showing:</p><ul><li>Dow Industrial Average down -8.63%</li><li>S&P index down -19.33%</li><li>NASDAQ index down -32.90%</li><li>Russell 2000 down -21.57%</li></ul>

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

<p>The price of WTI crude futures are settling at $79.56 . That’s up $2.07 or 2.671%</p><p>Frigid temperatures across most of US are contributing to the move to the upside. The high price today extended back over the $80 level to $80.30. The low price was down at 78.01.</p><p>Looking at the hourly chart, the price moved back above the 38.2% retracement of the move down from the November 7 high. That level comes in at $79.16. </p><p>The rising 100 hour moving average is down at $77.4, and the rising 200 are moving averages at $76.52. Earlier this week, the price tested that 200 hour moving average and found successive buyers against the level. That gave the buyers the go-ahead to push the price to the upside from a technical perspective.</p>

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

<p>The vote in the House was 225-201 with one Democrat (AOC) voting ’no‘ and 10 Republicans voting ‚yes‘.</p><p>The bill funds the government through next September.</p><p>Gold has had a nice month so far and steadied after yesterday’s slump. All this spending is one day going to be a big tailwind for gold.</p>

This article was written by Adam Button at www.forexlive.com.

<p class=“MsoNormal“>With the world having a shortage of a large majority of items, the
public has had to deal as the uprising of prices in their favorite hobbies and
collectibles skyrockets. Whether it be Nintendo Switches which were largely
popular during COVID shutdowns or PC parts that are still rare, collectibles
are becoming rarer and rarer. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>That being said, there are problems with certain pop culture
collectibles, like the overprinting of Funko pops that has started to drive the
price down for quite a few. For the large majority, prices have steadily
increased, making it difficult to get our hands on a fresh pack of Fossil,
Jungle, or any WOTC.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Not to mention newer packs and sets are retailing for more expensive
prices. What’s the deal, will they continue to rise in price due to resellers
or will they fall in value as overprinting and holding becomes an issue?</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>As gaming continues to grow as an industry, and media becomes a form of
entertainment on a daily basis, more and more consumers are wanting their
favorite shows or games to occupy their time. Twitch and Youtube unboxings are
a thing of popularity and Tiktok card openings are as popular as ever with
stars like PokeRev and Leonhart bringing mainstream attention to Pokémon cards.
</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Yet, the substantial push that started the craze over again began with
Logan Paul. Logan Paul brought down the hammer on remaining TCG card packs like
shadowless boxes and Neo-Genesis. Fans of the series would call out Logan Paul
for creating an influx of rising prices for a series that they loved dearly.
However, this was not only on Logan, as collectables like video games have had
no slow-down in delusional price points.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Let’s start with the original release of these card sets, as the
Pokémon craze did not happen until around 1999. Starting with the original sets
like Wizards of The Coast or Japanese Pocket Monsters, many fans originally
kept their booster boxes sealed. Base sets or booster packs in general from
this series now retail for over two-hundred dollars, with an increase of sixty
times the original price. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Now, this is simply for a booster pack, imagine owning a first edition
booster box! First edition booster packs can sell for around five hundred
dollars each, being an increase of one hundred and fifty-one times the original
price. You read that correctly. If we were looking at first edition booster
boxes, those can fetch the heftiest of prices, and upwards towards six figures.
Pokémon cards are largely sought after, till this day.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Each passing generation of Pokémon gets a new set of starters and
additions to said generation. There have now been up to eight generations of
Pokémon sets released into the world, with various subsets for each generation.
For example, Crown Zenith is the next set to be released in the Sword &
Shield era, with Lucario being the cover Pokémon to pull from the set. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Before that, was the infamous Lugia Alt Art card from the Silver
Tempest which can fetch five hundred dollars in mint condition. Keep in mind,
sets like these are unknown as to how they will react to price in the future.
Some may be worth more than others, but that depends on the set of cards and
who the poster Pokémon for them is. Rarer Pokémon like Lugia, Charizard, and
varied legendaries are sought after more so than others. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Let’s move on to one of the most valuable Pokémon cards of all time,
and potentially the most popular Pokémon in gaming, card, and television
history. The PSA 10 Base Set Holo Shadowless Charizard. A mouthful, but more
than fetches a pretty penny in price for those lucky enough to own one or pull
one. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>This is the card that got the majority of Pokémon players and fans back
into collecting these rare cards. Many Charizards have been printed and
replicated to try and replace this one, but none have reached the limits and
rarity of the card that started the craze. For those who have pulled these
cards, you can bet they are sealed away in cases and collections, only to be
sold for the correct prices. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>What exactly is the correct price for one of these? Let’s say it would
be around four hundred thousand dollars, and that is a steal for one listed on
the market as they are bound to grow in value as the years pass. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>For modern day, the best investment I see with new sets would be the
25th Celebration Pokémon packs. Although the majority of them are reprints from
the Wizards Of The Coast set, they seem to have almost doubled in value since
their initial release. Not to mention that as these original run of Pokémon
sets get opened and sold, less will be available from the set that started it
all. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>In our opinion, more fans will start to flock to the readily available
25th Celebration packs. There are a large amount of different sets out there
that could be worth the price and time, if you have both. Anything Neo-Genesis
from the second generation of Pokémon is beloved and becoming as priceless as
these. Black & White booster packs would also be a find to pick up, if
obtained for below correct price-points. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Alternatively, will the costs or rates of our favorite collectables be
a detriment to the future? Kids no longer have the chance to open up and enjoy
their favorite Pokémon cards because of scalpers and reselling, taking the fun
away from those who play or collect. Not to mention games have risen overtime,
with PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox classics costs increasing. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>Luckily, Game Freak has done well in printing enough Pokémon booster
packs to get that vintage feeling with cheaper sets like Fusion Strike and
Darkness Ablaze. It seems like Pokémon cards will continue their ascension to
the top of everyone’s want lists.</p><p class=“MsoNormal“>In general, I say to not start looking for Pokémon cards with the idea
that they will be worth the price of the shadowless Charizard. In due time, all
of these vintage packs and modern packs will have their time, just as anything
else does with growth and passing years. </p><p class=“MsoNormal“>As Pokémon games continue their progression and releases, like Scarlet
and Violet or Pokémon GO, fans will be willing to attach themselves to anything
that is released with their favorite Pokémon. For any <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.eldorado.gg/pokemon-go-accounts/a/57-1-0″ target=“_blank“ rel=“follow“>Pokémon Go shinies</a>
that are rare finds in games like GO, feel free to check Eldorado.gg for the
latest and greatest deals.</p>

This article was written by ForexLive at www.forexlive.com.

<p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>The full quote from Suzuki being that „I understand that BOJ governor Kuroda’s comment as meant to say that the BOJ would continue with its prior and existing policy“. Sure, sure. You can understand why they don’t want markets to get ahead of things but once again, their credibility will be at stake if such remarks fail to hold true next year.</p>

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

<p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>Core PCE prices are on the data docket in US trading today and that will might set out one final twist, albeit unlikely, before the Christmas weekend comes along. The monthly reading is estimated to show a 0.2% increase but the annual reading is estimated to slow to +4.7%, with some arguments for why pointed out earlier <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/inflation-indicator-pce-data-coming-up-from-the-us-on-friday-23-december-2022-soft-20221223/“ target=“_blank“ rel=“follow“>here</a>.</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>With markets already settling into the holiday mood, it is hard to see this as being a major mover but then again, it is in part inflation data. So, that’s always worth watching based on recent behaviour in markets.</p><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>It’ll be a long weekend amid the Christmas holiday and stocks are tentative for now, throwing some caution to the wind with US futures flattish after <a target=“_blank“ href=“https://www.forexlive.com/news/equities-stay-under-pressure-ahead-of-the-christmas-weekend-20221223/“ target=“_blank“ rel=“follow“>yesterday’s setback</a>.</p>

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.

<ul><li>GDP +4.4% vs +3.8% y/y prelim</li></ul><p style=““ class=“text-align-justify“>A light revision lower as the Spanish economy managed to grind out a measly growth in activity in Q3. The initial post had a bit of an error as the Reuters print was inaccurate and subsequently corrected:</p>

This article was written by Justin Low at www.forexlive.com.