Dollar Firms and Oil Rebounds Ahead of Fed Decision

Key Takeaways

  • Investors are preparing for a busy stretch of central bank decisions, economic data and corporate earnings, with interest rates and growth in focus.
  • Alongside these decisions, the UK Budget and Microsoft and Alphabet earnings will provide insights into fiscal policy and business conditions.
  • Attention then turns to tomorrow’s US GDP, core PCE and ECB decision for further signals on growth, inflation and interest rates.

Currency markets have already reacted to one policy surprise: the RBNZ unexpectedly held rates at 2.75%, sending NZD/USD down as much as 1.7%. The dollar remains firm ahead of the remaining announcements. Meanwhile, oil has recovered from Tuesday’s decline as renewed Middle East supply concerns draw attention back to geopolitical risks.

Today’s Focus: The BoC decision at 21:45 and EIA inventories at 22:30 (GMT+8) precede the Fed announcement at 02:00 on October 29 and Chair Warsh’s press conference at 02:30. Markets expect the Fed to hold its 3.75–4.00% target range; guidance on December could still move the Dollar, yields and risk assets. Microsoft and Alphabet report after the October 28 US close, corresponding to early October 29 in GMT+8.

 

Global Market Review 28/10/2026

  • Tuesday, October 27: Dow added 15.99 points, or 0.03%, to 52,377.57; S&P 500 rose 0.60% to 7,722.60; and Nasdaq Composite gained 1.18% to 26,477.81, with AI shares leading the gains.
  • Reference quotes showed the Dollar Index at 102.37 (+0.34%), the 2-year Treasury yield at 4.737% (+2.3 bps), and the 10-year at 4.997% (+0.8 bps).
  • Brent was $114.15 (-1.43%), WTI $99.90 (-1.83%), and gold $4,057.80 (+1.03%).
  • Wednesday’s chart snapshots showed USOIL rebounding to $101.36 and gold easing to $4,046.

 

Economic Calendar

Key Events on October 28 (GMT+8)

  • Also scheduled: UK Autumn Budget. Microsoft and Alphabet earnings follow the US close (early October 29 in GMT+8).
Time (GMT+8)EventImportance
04:30US API Crude Stocks***
08:30AU CPI YoY SEP**
09:00RBNZ Rate Decision***
15:00Germany GfK Consumer Confidence NOV**
21:45BoC Rate Decision***
22:30US EIA Crude Stocks**

Key Events on October 29 (GMT+8)

Time (GMT+8)EventImportance
02:00Fed Rate Decision***
02:30Fed Press Conference***
18:00Euro Area Economic Sentiment OCT**
20:30US Core PCE Price Index MoM SEP***
20:30US GDP Annualised QoQ Advance Q3***
20:30US Initial Jobless Claims***
21:15ECB Rate Decision***
21:45ECB Press Conference***

 

Markets Analysis 28/10/2026

EURUSD chart on 28 October shows a cautiously bearish trend with resistance at 1.1191 and support at 1.1112.

  • Resistance: 1.1155/1.1173
  • Support: 1.1095/1.1077

Analyst’s View: A firm Dollar and uncertainty about the Fed’s December rate path continue to weigh on the Euro ahead of consecutive Fed and ECB decisions. Both banks are expected to hold, making their assessment of inflation and future tightening more important than the immediate rate outcome. France’s fiscal uncertainty remains a domestic constraint, despite some relief from Moody’s decision to leave its rating unchanged.

EUR/USD is near 1.1124 after moving lower to 1.1155 and 1.1137. Price is below the descending channel’s midline and near its lower boundary, with 1.1113 as the next intermediate level. A break below 1.1113 would bring 1.1095 and 1.1077 into focus.

Bias: Cautiously Bearish

 

GBPUSD chart on 28 October displays a cautiously bearish outlook with resistance at 1.3353 and support at 1.3278.

  • Resistance: 1.3312/1.3353
  • Support: 1.3246/1.3212

Analyst’s View: Today’s UK Budget adds a domestic policy test ahead of the Fed decision. Investors will assess whether the fiscal package can support growth while preserving credibility on public borrowing. UK inflation at 3.5% continues to support expectations of a November BoE hike, but that support may be offset if the Budget disappoints or the Fed signals a more restrictive rate outlook.

GBP/USD is near 1.3301 after retreating from 1.3419 and slipping below 1.3312 within a descending channel. The next intermediate level is 1.3279; a break below it would draw attention to 1.3246 and 1.3212.

Bias: Cautiously Bearish

 

USDJPY chart on 28 October indicates a neutral to cautiously bullish bias, with resistance at 158.20 and support at 157.52.

  • Resistance: 158.20/158.53
  • Support: 157.52/157.18

Analyst’s View: The US–Japan rate gap continues to favor the dollar as investors await the Fed and Friday’s BoJ decision. However, Japan’s core inflation above 2% keeps further BoJ tightening in view, while official warnings against disorderly currency moves may limit Yen weakness. The pair’s response will therefore depend on whether Fed guidance reinforces expectations of December tightening and how that compares with the BoJ’s outlook.

USD/JPY is near 157.97 after rebounding from the 156.41 area. It is above 157.86 but still below the rising channel’s midline, with resistance at 158.20 and 158.53. Holding above 157.86 would support another attempt to move higher.

Bias: Neutral to Cautiously Bullish in the Short Term

 

US Crude Oil Futures (OCT) chart on 28 October shows a neutral bias with resistance at 103.75 and support at 99.11.

  • Resistance: 103.76/106.68
  • Support: 99.13/96.80

Analyst’s View: Oil has rebounded after renewed reports of threats to Saudi refining infrastructure brought supply risks back into focus following Tuesday’s diplomacy-driven decline. The Houthis claimed a refinery strike, though Saudi authorities have not yet confirmed the specific impact. API reported a 2.031-million-barrel inventory draw, compared with 4.930 million the previous week. Tonight’s EIA report will provide another check on US inventories, while further diplomatic progress could limit the geopolitical risk premium.

USOIL is near $101.36 after bouncing from around $99.80, but it remains just below the $101.47 Fibonacci level and the rising channel’s midline. Sustaining a move above $101.47 would improve rebound prospects, with $103.76 and $106.68 as the marked resistance levels. Failure to hold the recovery would bring $99.13 back into focus, followed by $96.80.

Bias: Neutral

 

Spot Gold (XAU/USD) chart on 28 October has a neutral to bearish bias, with resistance at 4,031 and support at 3,974.

  • Resistance: 4087/4113
  • Support: 4028/4001

 

Spot Silver (XAG/USD) chart on 28 October reveals a cautiously bearish bias, with resistance at 54.65 and support at 53.04.

  • Resistance: 55.63/56.33
  • Support: 53.34/52.64

Analyst’s View: Gold recovered on Tuesday as falling oil prices eased near-term inflation concerns, despite a firmer Dollar. Wednesday’s oil rebound has brought energy-related price risks back into focus ahead of the Fed. A more restrictive December policy signal could weigh on non-interest-bearing gold, while a less hawkish message could support the recovery. Yields after the announcement will matter, along with the Dollar’s response.

Gold: Rebound stalled near the $4,061 Fibonacci level; gold is still in the lower part of a descending channel. A move back above $4,061 would be an initial improvement, while a break above $4,087–$4,113 would confirm stronger recovery. Below $4,028, focus shifts to $4,001 then $3,975.

Silver: After rebounding from $52.64, silver is around $54.05—above the channel midline but below $54.92. Holding above $54.92 could push toward $55.63 and $56.33. Falling below $54.05 exposes $53.34 and then $52.64, keeping the downtrend in play.

Bias: Gold Neutral to Cautiously Bearish; Silver Cautiously Bearish

 

Dow Jones Futures chart on 28 October has a neutral to bearish bias, showing resistance at 52,583 and support at 52,159.

  • Resistance: 52585/52779
  • Support: 52160/51970

Analyst’s View: Tuesday’s technology-led advance left the Dow only slightly higher, underscoring the uneven strength of the equity recovery. Renewed gains in oil could heighten cost concerns for energy-consuming businesses, while the Fed’s guidance will shape expectations for financing costs. Investors will weigh both the policy message and company earnings forecasts to gauge whether the broader profit outlook can support another move higher.

US30 is near 52,251, below 52,350 and the rising channel’s midline, after the recent rebound lost momentum. The first marked support is 52,160, followed by 51,970. A break below 51,970 would weaken the channel-based recovery.

Bias: Neutral to Cautiously Bearish

 

NASDAQ 100 chart on 28 October shows a neutral to cautiously bullish outlook with resistance at 29,749 and support at 29,135.

  • Resistance: 30058/30367
  • Support: 29439/29135

Analyst’s View: Anthropic’s IPO plans and SK Hynix’s stronger-than-expected results have improved sentiment toward AI and memory-chip shares. Microsoft and Alphabet’s earnings will now test the revenue, cash-flow, and spending assumptions underpinning that recovery. The Fed’s December guidance adds a valuation test: higher expected rates could offset better earnings news, while a less restrictive outlook could support the rebound.

NAS100 is near 29,694 after rebounding from the 28,747 area and trading above the descending channel’s midline. The immediate hurdle is 29,749, followed by the marked resistance zone at 30,058–30,367. Holding above 29,439 would support the recovery.

Bias: Neutral to Cautiously Bullish in the Short Term

 

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) chart on 28 October shows a neutral bias, displaying resistance at 80,456 and support at 79,105.

  • Resistance: 81988/82661
  • Support: 79796/79134

Analyst’s View: Bitcoin has recovered from its earlier move below $80,000, as stronger technology sentiment has lifted risk appetite. Strategy’s pause in weekly purchases removes one source of support buying but does not, by itself, determine the market’s direction. The Fed announcement and major technology earnings remain the immediate catalysts: a more restrictive policy message could challenge the rebound, while improving risk appetite could help it extend.

Bitcoin is near $80,851 after bouncing from the $79,134 support area, near the midline of a short-term rising channel and above $80,481. The next intermediate hurdle is $81,314, followed by resistance at $81,988 and $82,661. Holding above $80,481 would support the recovery. A loss of that level would shift attention to $80,000, then to the marked supports at $79,796 and $79,134.

Bias: Neutral

About the author

 

Martin Lam is ATFX Chief Analyst for Asia Pacific, with over 20 years of experience in global forex and investment markets. He holds a degree in Finance and Economics from Deakin University and has held senior roles at leading FX brokerage firms.

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