The week ahead

March 10, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

There are plenty of events to chew on over coming days including central bank decisions in Japan tomorrow and New Zealand on Wednesday. The Bank of Japan is unlikely to ease policy further so soon after its actions to boost loan growth while in contrast the RBNZ is set to begin its hiking cycle. On the data front US releases will still be weather impacted to some extent although February retail sales is likely to post a small gain. Moreover, Michigan confidence is set to rise, boosted by higher equity prices.

In Europe, attention will focus on industrial production releases in January, with French and Spanish IP data due to be released today. Overall production is likely to have expanded at a healthy clip of 0.4% MoM in the Eurozone as indicated by survey data. Finally, Australian jobs data is set to show some improvement on Thursday as the pace of deterioration in job market conditions slows.

In Asia the reverberations from the weaker Chinese data will likely impact sentiment across the region. Exports dropped by whopping 18.1% in February while imports rose more strongly than expected at 10.1% yielding a trade deficit of USD 22.99 billion. Central bank decisions in Korea and Thailand are on tap this week. Thailand is a close call, with risks of another policy rate cut but we expect the BoT to stay on hold. Currencies in Asia strengthened last week led by the IDR and INR. Gains this week will be morel limited, especially against the background of higher US yields.

Posted in Asia, Australia, Bank of Japan, China, ECB, eurozone, New Zealand. Tags: , . Leave a Comment »

Chinese data casts a shadow over markets

March 10, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

The better than expected reading for January US jobs growth (175k versus 149k consensus) helped to buoy asset markets at the end of the week, with major US equity indices posting gains. The uptick in the US unemployment rate to 6.7% was also not perceived badly as it will put less pressure on the Fed to change its forward guidance. The jobs data helped to overcome concerns over ongoing tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine.

Consequently the USD strengthened as US yields rose, with the 10 year Treasury yield almost touching 2.82%. The most sensitive currency pair to higher US yields is USD/JPY and further upside traction is likely. The main exception to the USD rebound was the EUR, which continued to benefit from the ECB’s lack of policy easing or dovish commentary at its policy meeting last week.

Chinese data released over the weekend will prove to be less constructive for asset markets at the turn of this week, however, with a surprise trade deficit registered over February and slowing inflation to a 13 month low. Exports dropped by whopping 18.1% in February while imports rose more strongly than expected at 10.1% yielding a trade deficit of USD 22.99 billion.

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GBP/USD struggling above 1.6700

March 6, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Although the Bank of England meeting is likely to be a non event today from a market perspective GBP/USD is clearly struggling to sustain a move above 1.6700. GBP/USD has breached 1.6700 12 times since mid February but only closed above this level 4 times. Over the near term strong resistance around 1.6769 will cap gains in the currency pair, with GBP continuing to look vulnerable above 1.6700. Some recent misses on the data front have not helped GBP’s cause, suggesting that caution for GBP bulls is warranted. GBP bulls may find more traction versus EUR instead of USD, with EUR/GBP set to come under further downward pressure as the EUR weakens anew. A break below 0.8200 beckons.

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Good data boosts AUD

March 6, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Australia released some solid data this morning, with both January retail sales (1.2% MoM versus 0.4% consensus) and trade data (AUD 1433 mn versus AUD 100 mn consensus) beating expectations. Following on from yesterday’s better than forecast Q4 GDP data the news gave a boost to AUD helping it to break 0.90 versus the USD. The data especially retail sales highlights the growing strength of the consumer in Australia and reaffirms that the next move in policy rates will be up. Taken together with a firmer tone to risk appetite and the relatively solid 7.5% official growth target set for China’s economy this year, AUD/USD is set to remain well supported.

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CHF pressures

March 6, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

USD/CHF and EUR/CHF enjoyed a bounce as risk aversion eased but continued uncertainty over the situation in the Ukraine suggests that any upward momentum will be limited. The fact that the largest economic impact from any worsening in tensions with Russia will be felt in the Eurozone highlights that life may become difficult once again for the Swiss National Bank as renewed safe haven inflows move into the country. Indeed the EUR/CHF floor at 1.20 may be tested over coming weeks. Data tomorrow will likely give further reason for the SNB to oppose CHF strength, with the annual rate of CPI inflation set to remain very low.

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