Fed Remarks Dampen Rate Hike Hopes Ahead of NFP Release

(By ATFX Analyst Team)

Key Takeaways

Fed Governor Christopher Waller said he would support keeping rates unchanged if inflation continues to ease. His dovish comments reduced expectations of a September rate hike, pushing U.S. stocks and gold higher, while Treasury yields and the dollar declined.

Today’s Focus: The U.S. August Nonfarm Payrolls report will be released tonight, the last major employment report before the Fed’s September meeting. Markets expect payrolls to rise by 58,000 (previous: -23,000), unemployment to remain at 4.1%, and average hourly earnings to increase 0.3% m/m (previous: 0.1%). The data could significantly impact rate expectations and market volatility.

 

Global Market Review 04/09/2026

  • U.S. stocks rallied sharply on Thursday after Fed Governor Waller’s dovish remarks directly undermined expectations of a September rate hike.
  • The U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.69%, while gold surged nearly 2% to a four-day high.
  • Oil remained near its highest level since late July amid ongoing geopolitical developments.

 

Key Events Today:

  • 16:50 BoE Gov Bailey Speech ***
  • 17:00 EU Retail Sales JUL **
  • 20:30 US Non Farm Payrolls AUG ***
  • 20:30 US Unemployment Rate AUG ***
  • 20:30 CA Unemployment Rate AUG **

 

Key Data and Events Coming Week(GMT+8)

  • Monday: US & Canada Holiday, GERMANY Industrial Production, EU GDP & Sentix Investor Confidence
  • Tuesday: JP GDP
  • Wednesday: CN CPI & PPI
  • Thursday: API Crude Oil Stock Change, GERMANY CPI, ECB Interest Rate Decision, US PPI & Initial Jobless Claims, US Existing Home Sales, OPEC Monthly Report
  • Friday: EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change, GB GDP, US CPI, US Michigan Consumer Sentiment

 

Markets Analysis 04/09/2026

20260904 EURUSD Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 1.1669 / 1.1711
  • Support: 1.1574 / 1.1532

After posting its largest gain in two weeks during Thursday’s rebound, EUR/USD remained above the 1.1600 level in Friday’s Asian session as traders awaited the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report.

Analyst View: The NFP report will likely determine whether the pair can stage a decisive breakout toward the 1.1700 handle or reverse lower toward the 20-day moving average near 1.1580.

Bias: Wait- and -see

20260904 GBPUSD Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 1.3599 / 1.3629
  • Support: 1.3475 / 1.3451

Sterling recovered part of its weekly losses and held above the lower boundary of its recent bearish channel.

Analyst View: After approaching the 20-day moving average, the pair retreated, suggesting bullish momentum remains limited. Initial resistance is seen in the 1.3550-1.3560 zone, where the 10-day and 20-day moving averages converge.

Bias: Wait- and -see

20260904 USDJPY Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 156.59 / 157.20
  • Support: 154.62 / 154.00

The yen extended its gains as traders increased bets on further Bank of Japan tightening, sending USD/JPY toward its August lows.

Analyst View: Bearish momentum has eased ahead of the U.S. jobs report, but as long as the pair remains below 156.00, downside pressure could persist toward previous lows unless strong U.S. employment data trigger renewed buying interest.

Bias: Consolidating At Lows

20260904 US Crude Oil Futures (OCT) Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 93.62 / 94.55
  • Support: 89.59 / 88.63

Oil prices extended gains, reaching their highest level since July 23 amid ongoing geopolitical concerns.

Analyst View: Crude is approaching previous highs, with the $93.50 area remaining a key resistance level. Traders will also monitor market sentiment following the U.S. payrolls release.

Bias: Watch Previous Highs

20260904 Spot Gold (XAU/USD) Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 4555 / 4609
  • Support: 4423 / 4380

20260904 Spot Silver (XAG/USD) Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 69.14 / 70.17
  • Support: 64.83 / 63.83

Gold traded higher as lower Treasury yields and a weaker dollar supported demand ahead of the U.S. jobs report.

Analyst View: With prices currently trading between key moving averages, a strong payrolls report could trigger a pullback, while weaker employment data may support a decisive move above 4500.

Bias: Rangebound Ahead of NFP

20260904 Dow Jones Futures Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 53998 / 54383
  • Support: 53152 / 52773

The Dow posted its biggest daily gain in nearly a month as lower yields boosted risk sentiment after dovish Fed remarks.

Analyst View: Dow has broken above several key moving averages and returned to last week’s highs. Whether it can extend gains beyond 54,000 will largely depend on tonight’s payrolls report.

Bias: Cautiously Bullish

20260904 NASDAQ 100 Keys Instruments

  • Resistance: 29625 / 29757
  • Support: 29311 / 29206

The Nasdaq surged to a four-day high, supported by falling Treasury yields and improving market sentiment.

Analyst View: Climbed above its 10-day moving average and is testing the 20-day moving average. A breakout could open the door toward the 29,700 area and last week’s highs.

Bias: Cautiously Bullish

20260904 Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Keys Instruments

83479/84073

79477/78862

Bitcoin surged on Thursday and topped $80,000 for the first time in nearly a week, on a good day overall for risk assets, which caught a bid from sliding U.S. Treasury yields.

Analyst View:

BTC/USD recorded its strongest gain in almost two weeks and broke out of its recent consolidation range. Further upside could target the highs seen in early May, although market attention remains firmly on tonight’s NFP report.

Bias: Watch Previous Highs

Enjoy trading! The content is for reference only. Please ensure that you understand the risk.

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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