EUR capped, NOK strength overdone

February 22, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

The positive reaction to the Greek bailout deal failed to gain traction leaving risk assets under a degree of pressure. The fact that the deal was highly expected played a role in the unenthusiastic reaction but markets may also be cautious given the major tasks that still like ahead including a tough reform timetable for Greece, parliamentary approvals in various countries and implementation of the debt swap.

EUR looks stretched. The lack of follow through in terms of EUR upside suggests that the currency will struggle. The news of the deal came as a relief to markets but after so many days of negotiations failure to agree would have been inconceivable. However, the aftermath has seen renewed doubts creep into the market especially given the short time horizon (just nine days) for Greece to implement reform measures.

Market positioning suggests that there is still scope for some EUR upside but I doubt that the deal will be sufficient to prompt a big wave of short covering. Eurozone fundamentals remain weak and if anything the exercise in forming an agreement about Greece has revealed various splits within the Eurozone. Superior US growth expectations plus relatively higher US bond yields suggest EUR will struggle to extend gains in the medium term. Short term EUR/USD gains are likely to be capped at 1.3322.

EUR/NOK has dropped sharply over recent weeks, with NOK strength accelerating in February. The currency has been the second best performer versus EUR so far this year much to the chagrin of Norwegian officials who feel that the strength in the currency will weigh on the economy. Such concerns should be taken at face value. The NOK is highly overvalued according to various measures of ‘fair value’ but I do not expect the strength in NOK to persist over the short term.

Last week, warnings from Norway‘s central bank that they are ready to act to curb NOK strength may provoke some hesitation to enter long NOK positions especially as weakening economic growth will only strengthen the resolve of officials to prevent excessive currency strength. The NOK is sensitive to risk aversion and any correction in the recent rally in risk appetite could render the NOK highly vulnerable to renewed weakness.

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Greek deal reached but euro rally to fade

February 21, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

The EUR rallied on the news of a breakthrough in talks to reach a deal to provide Greece with a second bailout of up to EUR 130 billion until 2014 and PSI (private sector involvement) in a debt swap with a nominal haircut of 53.5%. The question is whether the EUR has room to rally further. I suspect that a deal has been increasingly priced in and the room for further appreciation is set to be limited in the short term.

A stronger EUR shows some confidence in the ability of officials to move forward but will prove counter productive given the negative impact on the Eurozone economy at a time when growth is already sliding into recession. Moreover, the relative rise in US bond yields compared to bund yields will create headwinds to any further EUR appreciation. Overall, we are cautious of buying into the EUR rally at current levels.

Effectively the deal buys time for Greece to implement its stated reforms allowing the debt / GDP ratio to drop to 120.5% by 2020. The private sector debt swap procedure will be launched tomorrow. However, the deal was reached shortly after a report that suggested that Greece may need a further bailout on top of the EUR 130 billion announced.

The report which highlighted the risks of an especially deep recession in Greece and consequent risks to reducing the county’s debt / GDP ratio explains the reluctance of countries including Germany, Netherlands and Finland to agree on the proposals.

The bottom line is that the positive impact on markets may fade soon. There was already a great deal of expectation built into the rally in risk currencies over recent weeks and it is doubtful whether the final announcement of a Greek deal will be sufficient for the rally to continue.

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FX outlook this week

February 19, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Direction in FX markets will largely hinge on developments at the beginning of the week in Europe but a US holiday (Presidents’ Day) will mean a subdued start. US data has continued to beat expectations as revealed by the recent gains in core retail sales, manufacturing surveys, jobless claims and industrial production. US recovery is taking shape and the USD is finally showing some signs of perking up on the news.

Rising US bond yields have provided the USD with some support although the impact has been muted by higher bond yields elsewhere. Nonetheless, despite ongoing speculation of more Fed quantitative easing the USD looks set to be on a slightly firmer footing over coming days. In a relatively light week of data releases housing data will be the major focus of attention.

Assuming approval for a second Greek bailout goes ahead (after much procrastination) the week will at least begin on a positive note for the EUR. Whether the EUR will extend gains will partly be determined by the release of flash February purchasing managers’ indices (PMI) and the German IFO business confidence survey. Our forecasts of weak service sector readings but firm manufacturing indices will be a mixed blessing for the EUR but overall data will remain consistent with mild recession.

Failure of EUR/USD to sustain a move below the psychologically important 1.30 level suggests a bit more resilience over coming days. Nonetheless, speculation of a Greek euro exit will not fade quickly and markets will likely gyrate between ‘risk on’ and ‘risk off’ depending on the latest comments from Greek or European officials. All in all, the EUR will continue to struggle to move higher.

For a change one of the bigger movers in currency markets over recent days has been the JPY. Its decline following more aggressive monetary policy action by the Bank of Japan has extended further. The move by the BoJ helped to suppress Japanese government bond yields (JGBs) allowing USD/JPY to move higher in line with relatively higher US yields. This week’s release of January trade data will support the case for more JPY weakness given the deteriorating trend.

The data will also strengthen the resolve of the Japanese authorities to intervene in FX markets should the JPY strengthen anew. Immediate focus will be whether USD/JPY can break through the psychologically important 80 level where JPY weakness will be met by plenty of exporters offloading USDs. I suspect the upside momentum in USD/JPY will fade over coming days unless US bond yields continue their ascent.

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Greek tensions hit EUR, Aussie jobs boost AUD

February 16, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Eurozone tensions continue to act as a weight on global market sentiment and the EUR. Talk of a delay of part or all of the second Greek bailout until after elections in April has intensified speculation of a disorderly Greek default. Chinese support for Europe expressed yesterday has done little to alleviate the strain. Attention will now turn to the meeting of the Eurogroup in Brussels on Monday.

Relatively positive US economic data including a jump in the NAHB homebuilders survey to its highest level since May 2007 and hints by Federal Reserve officials of support for more quantitative easing in the minutes of the Jan 24-25 FOMC meeting have failed to outweigh negative developments in Europe.

A ‘risk off’ tone will filter through markets today. Data wise, US Philly Fed and housing starts will continue the positive tone of US releases, while in Europe bond auctions in France and Spain will be watched closely.

Australian jobs data for January came in stronger than forecast, rising by 46.3k compared to consensus of 10k. The unemployment rate surprisingly dropped to 5.1%. The increase in jobs more than made up for last month’s disappointment and highlights some signs of stability in job market conditions. Moreover, the data supports last week’s decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to keep rates on hold.


AUD jumped on the data but I expect the follow through to be limited especially given the fact that the AUD remains one of the most sensitive currencies to risk aversion. Upside will be restrained to resistance around 1.0788 versus USD today.

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Euro and yen downside risks

February 15, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

The lack of progress on a second bailout for Greece will keep markets nervous, leaving risk assets vulnerable to further slippage. The USD will be a beneficiary in this environment. Weak Eurozone GDP data for Q4 2011 released today will contrast with relatively firm data including industrial production and the Empire manufacturing survey in the US, leaving the story of US economic outperformance intact.

EUR has lost steam and looks vulnerable to a further correction lower. The fact that EU finance ministers have cancelled a meeting due to be held today means that markets will have to prolong their wait for an agreement on a second bailout package for Greece.

News that Greece’s political leaders will send a commitment to European officials today that they will implement further austerity measures will give some reassurance that things are moving in the right direction but a looming deadline for debt redemption in March will mean heightened nervousness.

Admittedly the market is still short EUR but positioning has moved close to its 3-month average suggesting a less potential for aggressive short covering. Following the downgrade of ratings of several Eurozone countries yesterday and a likely drop in Q4 2011 Eurozone GDP today, caution will be the prevalent theme today, leaving EUR/USD on the back foot and opening the door for a test of technical support around 1.3026.

The Bank of Japan’s decision to increase its asset purchase program and set an inflation goal had an immediate negative impact on the JPY. A sharp drop in GDP growth in Q4 last year, persistent deflation pressures and more aggressive action from other central banks pushed the BoJ into action.

Will there be any follow through on the JPY? USD/JPY had already been under some upward pressure in the wake of the widening in US bond yields versus Japan. The move by the BoJ will result in even more of a widening in yield differentials especially given that the BoJ actions means there will be an increase in official purchases of Japanese government bonds, helping to suppress JGB yields.

In the near term USD/JPY has broken above its 200 day moving average level, paving the way for a test of the 31 October 2011 high around 79.55. Further out, our bond forecasts show that both US and Eurozone 2-year bond yields will increase relative to Japanese yields over the coming months, supporting our forecasts of USD and EUR appreciation versus JPY.

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