USD undermined, GBP supported for now

February 27, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Despite its overnight bounce the USD index is trading close to its lowest levels this year undermined by a series of weaker economic data and related to this a failure of US bond yields to push higher. Alongside this relatively soft USD tone is a generally subdued and range bound tone to FX markets in general.

Even my quantitative models suggest little impetus for big moves in EUR/USD and USD/JPY. However, I expect this to change over coming weeks. Once the US economy shakes off the shackles of poor weather conditions the USD will be in a better position to recoup its recent losses.

In the near term Fed Chairman Yellen’s testimony today will garner some attention but the speech is unlikely to break the USD or FX markets out of their malaise.

GBP is holding up well, taking advantage of a subdued USD tone. As a consequence of firmer data the market appears to be gearing up for an eventual rate hike, with Bank of England members sounding more upbeat, even if it is unlikely to occur anytime soon.

Consequently over the near term GBP looks well supported although eventually we expect the currency to settle back to earth. In particular 3 month interest rate differentials with the USD appear to suggest that GBP/USD gains are overdone.

This doesn’t mean that its time to sell now but market positioning has turned more positive over recent weeks, above its 3-month average, suggesting further short term gains will be more gradual, with strong GBP/USD resistance around 1.6745.

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Positive tone to be sustained

February 18, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

A quiet start to the week following the President’s Day holiday in the US saw mixed performances among European equity markets overnight. There was however, a continued improvement in risk appetite as indicated by a further decline in the VIX “fear gauge”.

The impulse provided for today’s sessions is limited although markets are likely to get off to a positive start. The USD managed to show some stability following recent pressures, albeit at a low level, while gold prices remained supported above the key 200 day moving average level.

The main event today is the Bank of Japan policy decision which will be watched closely following yesterday’s release of disappointing Q4 GDP data.

The German February ZEW survey is also on tap, with a relatively stable reading likely to be registered although attention appears to be more on the new Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzie rather than on economic data.

Additionally UK inflation data for January is set to reveal that inflation has dropped below target highlighting that the BoE is going to be in no rush to hike policy rates over coming months

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Risk rally losing steam

February 13, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

The rally in risk assets is losing its momentum, with US stock markets failing to extend gains following a four day rally while US Treasury yields continued their ascent in the wake of Fed Chairman Yellen’s testimony highlighting no deviation from tapering. Her testimony to the Senate will be delayed today while US data in the form of retail sales is likely to register a soft outcome. Sentiment was boosted overnight by strong Chinese trade data in January and the approval by the US Congress allowing a suspension of the debt limit, a far cry from the major saga that took place last time the debt ceiling was about to be breached.

Additionally Eurozone markets will find some support from comments by European Central Bank board member Coeure who noted that the central banks is “very seriously” considering negative deposit rates. His view may be supported by the release of the ECB monthly bulletin today and Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF). Coeure’s comments undermined the EUR however, while in contrast sharp upward revisions to growth forecasts by the Bank of England in its Quarterly Inflation Report boosted GBP. Suffice to say, EUR/GBP dropped like a stone and looks set to remain under downward pressure.

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EUR and GBP outlook this week

February 10, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

In Europe, the main focus will be on the preliminary estimate of Eurozone Q4 2013 GDP data which is likely to post a gain of 0.2% QoQ as most countries in the Eurozone are set to have recorded positive growth over the quarter. EUR traded more positively at the end of last week but looks like it will struggle to retain gains versus USD above its 100 day moving average around 1.3608.

Markets will also digest the decision by the German Constitutional Court to effectively defer a decision on Outright Monetary Purchases by the European Central Bank to the European Court of Justice. Although there will be some caution ahead of the March 18 final decision on OMT, EUR will find some, albeit limited relief as it seems less likely that the European Court will strike it down.

In the UK the Bank of England Quarterly Inflation Report will reveal an upward revision to growth forecasts but downward revisions to inflation and importantly an adjustment of forward guidance to a broader range of indicators rather than just unemployment. Indeed, as in the US the BoE will not give the impression that they are about to raise policy rates given the sharp fall in the unemployment rate. GBP/USD will be range bound ahead of the release of the QIR, with gains likely gapped around 1.6471.

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GBP losing ground

February 6, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

The Bank of England is set to keep policy rates and asset purchases unchanged today This will offer little comfort to GBP following its recent falls from its highs around 1.6669 versus USD. GBP has also lost ground against the EUR but this is unlikely to persist. GPB was not helped by the lower than expected purchasing managers index (PMI) manufacturing survey in January although confidence in the manufacturing sector remains at a high level.

In the wake of a quicker decline in the unemployment rate than expected (the unemployment rate fell to 7.1% in the three months through November) the BoE is faced with the risk that their current forward guidance proves inappropriate. The BoE has set a rate of 7% at which it would consider raising policy rates and this could be hit very soon. Given that the BoE is highly unlikely to want to hike policy rates any time soon Governor Carney will need to allay concerns over the prospects of higher policy rates by altering its forward guidance.

Manufacturing and industrial production data tomorrow will give further direction, with healthy gains expected to provide some support to GBP. However, given that the policy meeting today is likely to prove to be a non event the Quarterly Inflation Report next week will quickly move into focus.

GBP/USD appears to be gravitating towards its 100 day moving average around 1.6252 but major technical support is seen around 1.6220.

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