Fed Holds Rates; PCE and ECB Take Center Stage

Key Takeaways

  • With the Fed decision complete, attention turns to today’s US PCE inflation, third-quarter GDP and ECB announcement, followed by the BoJ tomorrow.
  • The Fed’s two dissenters favored a hike, but the committee made no commitment on December.
  • Mixed Microsoft and Alphabet results add an earnings test for technology shares.

Today’s Focus: US core PCE, GDP and jobless claims arrive together at 20:30 (GMT+8). Core PCE is forecast at 0.3% month-on-month and GDP at 3.2% annualized. The ECB follows at 21:15, with its press conference at 21:45; inflation assessments and guidance on further tightening will be central.

 

Global Market Review 29/10/2026

  • Wednesday, October 28: the Dow gained 97.53 points, or 0.19%, to 52,475.10; the S&P 500 rose 0.28% to 7,743.98; and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.27% to 26,549.85.
  • Futures subsequently weakened as Alphabet fell after earnings, while Microsoft advanced.
  • Reference quotes showed the Dollar Index at 102.15 (-0.21%), the 2-year Treasury yield at 4.697% (-3.9 bps) and the 10-year at 5.018% (+2.1 bps).
  • WTI was $102.78 (+2.88%) and gold $4,067.04 (+0.23%).
  • Thursday’s later chart snapshots put USOIL near $101.88 and gold near $4,063.

 

Economic Calendar

Key Events on October 29 (GMT+8)

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

Key Events on October 30 (GMT+8)

  • Four-hour chart snapshots may differ from cash closes and reference quotes because of timing and instrument specifications.
Time (GMT+8)EventImportance
08:30AU PPI QoQ Q3**
Time TBCTime TBC: BoJ Rate Decision***
Time TBCTime TBC: BoJ Quarterly Outlook Report (Bank’s View)***
14:30BoJ Press Conference***
17:00Germany GDP QoQ Flash Q3***
18:00Euro Area GDP QoQ Flash Q3***
20:30Canada GDP MoM AUG**
21:00Germany CPI YoY Preliminary OCT**

 

Markets Analysis 29/10/2026

EURUSD chart on 29 October 2026 shows resistance at 1.1173 and support at 1.1113 with a neutral to cautiously bearish bias.

  • Resistance: 1.1173/1.1192
  • Support: 1.1113/1.1095

Analyst’s View: The Fed’s divided hold leaves further tightening in view, but today’s PCE and GDP releases will help shape that outlook. The ECB is also expected to hold, so the comparison between the two banks’ guidance will matter for the Euro. France’s unresolved fiscal issues remain a domestic constraint, despite some relief from Moody’s rating decision.

EUR/USD is near 1.1146 after rebounding from the 1.1113 area. Price has recovered to 1.1137 and moved above the descending channel’s midline, although 1.1155 remains an immediate hurdle. Clearing it would bring 1.1173 and 1.1192 into focus. A loss of 1.1137 would weaken the stabilization and draw attention back to 1.1113, then 1.1095.

Bias: Neutral to Cautiously Bearish

 

GBPUSD chart on 29 October 2026 displays key resistance at 1.3353 and support at 1.3246 with a neutral bias.

  • Resistance: 1.3353/1.3386
  • Support: 1.3246/1.3212

Analyst’s View: Sterling is balancing expectations of a November BoE hike against uncertainty over the US rate outlook. UK inflation at 3.5% supports the tightening case, while investors continue to assess the Budget’s implications for growth and borrowing. Today’s US data could determine whether Dollar moves reinforce or interrupt the Pound’s recovery.

GBP/USD is near 1.3324 after recovering from 1.3278 and moving above the midline of the descending channel. Holding 1.3312 would support another attempt toward 1.3353 and 1.3386, although the channel still limits the broader recovery. If price falls back below 1.3278, attention would shift toward the marked supports at 1.3246 and 1.3212.

Bias: Neutral

 

USDJPY chart on 29 October 2026 highlights resistance at 158.20 and support at 157.18 under a neutral bias.

  • Resistance: 158.20/158.53
  • Support: 157.18/156.76

Analyst’s View: The US–Japan rate gap continues to favor the Dollar, but tomorrow’s BoJ forecasts could alter expectations for December. Japan’s core inflation at 2.1% keeps further tightening relevant even if the Bank holds at 1.25%. Official warnings against disorderly currency moves may also temper further Yen weakness.

USD/JPY is near 157.88 after rebounding from the 156.41 area, above the descending channel’s midline but below 158.20 resistance. Holding above 157.86 would support another test of 158.20, then 158.53. A decline through the intermediate level at 157.52 would instead bring 157.18 and 156.76 into focus.

Bias: Neutral

 

US Crude Oil Futures (OCT) chart on 29 October 2026 shows resistance at 104.16 and support at 100.74 with a neutral bias.

  • Resistance: 104.16/105.20
  • Support: 100.74/99.68

Analyst’s View: Oil continues to respond to competing supply headlines. Regional diplomacy has raised hopes of avoiding a wider conflict, while threats to Saudi infrastructure and shipping keep disruption risks in focus. Further progress in talks could reduce the risk premium, whereas renewed attacks could reverse that relief. Today’s US growth data also provides a demand-side test.

USOIL is near $101.88 after pulling back from the $102.83 area. Price remains just above the $101.80 Fibonacci level but below the midline of the rising channel. A recovery to $102.83 would support a test of $104.16 and $105.20. A failure to hold $101.80 would weaken the immediate rebound and bring $100.74, then $99.68, into focus.

Bias: Neutral

 

Spot Gold (XAU/USD) chart on 29 October 2026 shows support at 4028 and resistance at 4113 with neutral to bullish bias.

  • Resistance: 4113/4140
  • Support: 4028/4001

 

Spot Silver (XAG/USD) chart on 29 October 2026 shows resistance at 54.95 and support at 53.37 with a neutral bias.

  • Resistance: 54.95/55.65
  • Support: 53.37/52.68

Analyst’s View: Gold has recovered above $4,000, but elevated oil prices and the Fed’s divided vote keep inflation and tightening risks relevant. Today’s core PCE release will test that outlook.

Gold is near $4,063 within a short-term rising channel, just above $4,061 but below $4,087. Holding $4,061 and clearing $4,087 would improve the rebound and bring $4,113 and $4,140 into focus. A break below $4,028 would instead expose $4,001, with the recent low near $3,975 relevant beyond it.

Silver also faces the inflation and rate test, while GDP matters for its industrial-demand outlook. Price is near $54.11 within a short-term rising channel, just above $54.08. Holding that level would support a recovery toward $54.95 and $55.65. Below $53.37, attention would return to $52.68; the recent bounce alone does not establish a lasting trend reversal.

Bias: Gold Neutral to Cautiously Bullish; Silver Neutral

 

Dow Jones Futures chart on 29 October 2026 shows resistance at 52780 and support at 52351 with a cautious bullish bias.

  • Resistance: 52780/52967
  • Support: 52351/52160

Analyst’s View: Wednesday’s modest cash-market gain gives way to a fresh test from US growth and inflation data. Stronger activity could support earnings expectations, but persistent inflation could keep financing costs elevated. The Fed’s hold therefore offers limited clarity on its own; investors will assess the data alongside company guidance and the impact of energy costs on margins.

US30 is near 52,663, above 52,587 and the rising channel’s midline after rebounding from the 52,300 area. Holding 52,587 would preserve scope to test 52,780 and 52,967. If the recovery fades and price loses 52,351, the next marked support is 52,160, which would become the focus of a deeper pullback.

Bias: Neutral to Cautiously Bullish in the Short Term

 

NASDAQ 100 chart on 29 October 2026 shows resistance at 29746 and support at 29135 with a cautiously bearish bias.

  • Resistance: 29746/30056
  • Support: 29135/28747

Analyst’s View: Alphabet fell as investors weighed its results and investment spending. Investment-related losses affected Alphabet’s reported profit, while its capital spending kept cash generation in focus. The contrasting results highlight earnings quality alongside the inflation and rate outlook that influences technology valuations.

NAS100 is near 29,531 after retreating from the 29,746 area, but it remains above 29,438 and the descending channel’s midline. A recovery to 29,746 would bring 30,056 into focus. A loss of 29,438 would weaken the recent rebound and expose 29,135, followed by 28,747. The broader descending channel remains relevant despite last week’s recovery from lows.

Bias: Neutral to Cautiously Bearish

 

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) chart on 29 October 2026 shows resistance at 81988 and support at 79796 with a cautiously bearish bias.

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

Analyst’s View: Bitcoin’s earlier rebound toward $81,000 followed improved tech sentiment ahead of the Fed decision. The next test is whether it can hold that recovery as technology futures weaken and markets reassess tightening risks. Today’s PCE and GDP releases could influence both rate expectations and risk appetite, while Strategy’s recent purchase pause removes one source of regular buying.

Bitcoin is near $80,801, above the $80,481 Fibonacci level but below the midline of a short-term rising channel. A recovery to $81,314 would bring $81,988 and $82,661 into focus. A break below $80,481 would weaken the rebound and return attention to $80,000, followed by the marked supports at $79,796 and $79,134.

Bias: Neutral to Cautiously Bearish

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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