Dax, Ftse Positive in First Trading Session of 2023 While Dow Lags

DAX 40, FTSE 100, Dow Jones Talking Points:

Dax, FTSE Trade Higher While Dow Jones Futures Lag

Global stock indices have entered the new year on a positive note with Dax and FTSE trading higher. With the first trading session well underway, China’s reopening and expectations of a ‘mild’ recession have encouraged recent gains.

While Europe, United States and the United Kingdom continue to grapple with the winter cold, rising demand for energy could place additional pressure on growth prospects for 2023.

However, with the recent German inflation report showing positive signs of easing, interest rate expectations and economic data will likely continue to drive risk sentiment.

Visit DailyFX Education to Learn About the Relationship Between Interest Rates & Stock Prices

German Dax Technical Analysis

From a technical perspective, the German Dax is currently holding above support at the key psychological level of 14000. After the formation of a golden cross (when the 50-period moving average rises above the 200-period moving average) in December, a move above the 50-day MA (moving average) at 14052 assisted in driving prices higher.

Dax Futures Daily Chart

Chart prepared by Tammy Da Costa using TradingView

As Dax futures pull back from today’s high of 14358, the 14400 handle is the next psychological level that needs to be broken to sustain the upside move. If bulls are able to gain traction above this level, the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement may come into play at 14513 opening the door for the December high at 14682.

Although Dax 40 futures are still trading well below last year’s January high of 16274, a rejection of October ’22 low of 11829 helped mute the bearish move. For sellers to regain confidence, prices would need to fall below the December low of 13795 which could bring the next level of support back into play at 12425.

Dow Jones (DJI) Technical Analysis

In anticipation of the first NFP employment report which is due for release this Friday, Dow futures have eased back below 33200. With the current daily low resting around 33140, the 38.2% retracement of the 2022 move remains as critical resistance at 33701.

Dow Jones Futures Daily Chart

Chart prepared by Tammy Da Costa using TradingView

With the US Dollar providing an additional catalyst for price action, USD resilience could see Dow surrender additional gains. Meanwhile, if the major currency struggles against its counterparts, a move above 33600 may drive DJI higher.

FTSE 100 Analysis

For the FTSE 100, gains have been driven by the real estate sector followed by healthcare. Although the UK index has benefited from the recent shift in sentiment, IG retail sentiment suggests that participants should not rule out the possibility of further gains.

Source: Refinitiv

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests FTSE 100 prices may continue to rise.

Traders are further net-short than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger FTSE 100-bullish contrarian trading bias.

— Written by Tammy Da Costa, Analyst for DailyFX.com

Contact and follow Tammy on Twitter: @Tams707