Green light for a break of USD/JPY 100

April 22, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Growth concerns came back to the fore in the wake of disappointing releases in the US and China as well as a downward revision to global growth forecasts by the International Monetary Fund. Data releases this week will not do much to allay growth fears. Although the advance reading of Q1 US GDP is likely to reveal a firm 3% QoQ annualised outcome the momentum in the US economy clearly tailed off towards the end of the quarter as more forward looking data releases attest to. The US and global economy is likely to pick up steam as the year progresses but admittedly recent data releases point to a similar pattern as recent years of firm Q1 activity followed by weakness later.

Meanwhile in Europe, purchasing managers’ indices and the German IFO business sentiment survey will show some further moderation, while credit conditions remain constrained indicating a downbeat outlook over the rest of the year. Consequently pressure for a policy rate cut from the European Central Bank is likely to intensify, with a cut likely by the end of this quarter. EUR/USD continues to trade above its 1.3001 technical support level but momentum is fading. Weaker economic data this week will likely undermine the EUR further.
gold
Following last week’s strong volatility in commodity and gold prices in particular some stability is likely over coming days, with gold retracing some of its losses and regaining the USD 1400 level. Equity markets finished the week in firmer mood after falls earlier in the week but the plethora of US Q1 earnings scheduled over coming days will help to determine whether the gains can be held. So far earnings have beaten expectations on balance, but notably expectations have been fairly low in the first place.

There was plenty of attention on currencies at the G20 meeting but the final outcome left the door open to further JPY weakness while the communiqué highlighted the “unintended negative side effects” for easier monetary policy. Although this was a veiled warning about potential build up of asset price bubbles as central banks ease policy, it is unlikely to sway the Bank of Japan from accelerating its balance sheet expansion. Aside from a probable breach of USD/JPY 100 there is unlikely to be much follow through from the G20 meeting this week.

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USD undermined by data, Gold under pressure

April 15, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Risk measures remain generally well supported, with markets remaining fairly resilient to Eurozone concerns as the European Central Bank (ECB) OMT threat continues to do its work to deflate tail risks. Even the EUR continues to sit stubbornly around 1.31 versus USD while Eurozone peripheral bonds remain supported.

The Eurogroup and Ecofin announcement of an extension of Irish and Portuguese loans and the revelation that Cyprus will need even more funds than previous estimates (EUR 23 billion compared to EUR 17.5 billion previously) has been taken in its stride by markets. Eurozone inflation and the April German ZEW investor confidence survey will be the highlights of the calendar in the region this week although neither should dent the generally supportive tone.

Firm risk appetite is contributing to some of the pressure on commodity prices, with the CRB commodities index losing further ground as precious metals slide. Gold prices have now entered a bear market given the more than 20% fall since September 2011 as ETF and speculative investors continue to exit. There is little sign that investors are about to let up the selling pressure, with the trend continuing to be lower.

Data releases this week in the US will be of particular focus to determine whether the economy is entering into renewed downward lurch or is facing a mere blip along the way to recovery. Indeed, the recent run of softer data including weaker than expected March retail sales and April consumer confidence data released at the end of last week have reinforced growth concerns while supporting US Treasuries and undermining the USD.

The Fed’s Beige Book will help give some indication of how growth is faring across the US while industrial production and housing starts ought to show some gains. Q1 13 earnings reports will also be in focus. The weakness in US data over recent weeks is likely to be merely a blip on the path to recovery but nonetheless the impact of the Sequester may be accentuating the softening in the growth indicators.

Elsewhere Japanese FX policy will come under scrutiny at the G20 meeting this week, with officials likely to press Japan to refrain from competitive currency devaluation echoing the message from the US Treasury’s semi-annual currency report to Congress at the end of last week. USD/JPY has lost some upside momentum as a result and is set to slip further, with support seen around 96.71.

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USD/JPY close to breaching 100

April 9, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Japan and the JPY continue to garner most market attention as the currency’s weakness continues to extend, leading to pressure in closely correlated currencies and markets especially in Asia, notably in Korea. European tensions have not eased to any significant degree with some praise for Portugal’s attempts to overcome a constitutional court ruling on planned budget cuts but little progress elsewhere including in Italy where there is no sign of any agreement on the formation of a new government.

Equity markets in the US edged higher but direction will come from the host of Q1 earnings announcements over coming weeks as the US earnings seasons kicks in. Commodity prices continue to remain weak, with the CRB commodities index trading its lowest level in several months while the Baltic Dry index also continues to move lower, pointing to a slightly more negative outlook on the growth front.

USD/JPY has continued its ascent following the inspiration provided by the BoJ last week from its surprisingly aggressive new policy measures. The sharp move higher in USD/JPY over recent days is all the more impressive given that the US yield advantage over Japan has actually narrowed over the period while risk aversion has crept higher.

The market is clearly giving BoJ governor Kuroda the benefit of the doubt and it appears that there are plenty of JPY sellers on any rally in the currency. While I am a bit cautious in the near term about the ability of USD/JPY to push much higher it is clear that the trend is well in place for further JPY weakness and it is worth noting that speculative JPY positioning is not yet at extreme levels.

My model on USD/JPY based on yield differential and risk forecasts suggests that USD/JPY will be able to sustain a break above 100 over coming weeks and on this basis I have revised my forecasts. I now expect USD/JPY to reach 104 by end 2013 and 110 by end 2014 from 97 and 101 previously.

I look for further gains in GBP. Against the EUR, GBP has underperformed recently but we do not see GBP weakness persisting especially given the weight of negative factors building up for the EUR. A likely bounce in February UK industrial production today will build on the better than expected reading for UK March house prices as revealed in the RICS data this morning (-1% compared to consensus of -5%) while the BRC retail sales survey also came in better than expected with like-for-like sales rising by 1.9% in March.

The firmer data readings will provide some support for GBP over the short term and will likely help to fuel short covering in a speculative market that is still heavily short GBP according to the CFTC IMM data. I look for GBP/USD to breach technical resistance around 1.5393 over coming sessions, with any pull back likely to be restricted to support around 1.5159.

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USD weaker except versus JPY, EUR gains unsustainable

April 8, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Risk aversion is creeping higher whether due to weaker data and budget concerns in the US, political uncertainty in Europe or tensions in the Korean peninsular. Central banks continue however, to do their utmost to keep monetary conditions sufficiently easy to facilitate recovery.

The Bank of Japan was the latest to do its part under the helm of governor Kuroda, with new measures including a major increase in asset purchases, delivering a positive surprise to markets while pushing the JPY sharply weaker.

Only the ECB appears to lag in terms of central bank activism keeping policy on hold last week despite weak economic conditions are ongoing austerity pain. A series of industrial production releases across the Eurozone including German February IP scheduled for release today will not change the picture materially.

The much weaker than expected US March jobs report in which payrolls increased by only 88k, concern that economic activity is following a similar pattern to previous years ie strength in Q1 followed by weakness in Q2, has intensified. I do not believe this is the case but the jury is still out.

At the least the data will embolden Fed doves who will use the data as evidence that any tapering off in asset purchases should not occur quickly. A series of Fed speeches this week including one by Fed Chairman Bernanke tonight will be listened to very closely to determine whether the jobs report has provoked further caution from the Fed. Moreover, Fed FOMC minutes will be scrutinized to determine how the Fed will adjust the flow rate of asset purchases to the changing outlook.

The overall tone to FX markets is one of broad based USD weakness, with the notably exception of the JPY where the relatively aggressive BoJ stance has provoked a bigger reaction. The EUR has taken advantage of a softer USD but is unlikely to sustain gains around the EUR/USD 1.3000 level given the political problems across the Eurozone and relatively weaker economic conditions.

Indeed, news that Portugal’s constitutional court rejected austerity measures has put at risk the ability of the country to achieve its budget targets and regain access to international bond markets. Meanwhile Cyrpus’ bail in continues to leave a sour taste among depositors across the region while Italy continues to edge towards fresh elections.

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No Fed suprises, Cyprus unresolved, Kuroda weakens yen

March 21, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

The Fed delivered no surprises overnight, with policy settings and guidance left unchanged and only minor changes the statement. Slight downward revisions to near term growth and the unemployment rate reflected recent fiscal issues but the Fed sounded more upbeat on current economic conditions. The Fed statement helped markets retain a better mood despite the continued fluidity of the situation in Cyprus.

On this front, as Cyprus tries to renegotiate the terms of EUR 10 billion the country appears to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Increasing the levy on higher value deposits as has been suggested threatens to infuriate Cyprus’ biggest creditor Russia but at the same time a lack of any forthcoming deal will put at jeopardy and liquidity support from the ECB to Cyprus’ banks. Markets appear to be giving the country and Eurozone officials some leeway leaving most asset markets in ranges.

Although the saga in Cyprus had helped to extend the EUR’s decline the truth is that the currency was already in decline from its 1 February high around 1.3712 in the wake of an increasingly adverse growth and yield gap with the US and Italian political uncertainty.

While market panic over Cyprus appears to have eased helping the EUR to find some stability the fact remains that no solution is on the table and once again it feels as though Eurozone officials are belatedly scrambling to find solutions before market patience runs out. EUR/USD looks supported however, around the 200 day moving average at 1.2878.

USD/JPY has been correlated most with the relative move in 10Y yield differentials between US Treasuries and Japanese JGBs. Given the prospects that the 10Y differential in terms of Treasuries versus JGBs will widen further it implies yet more gains in USD/JPY.

It is worth watching yields closely but at this point I await stronger signals that US bond yields are headed higher before contemplating a further JPY decline. In the near term USD/JPY looks supported around 94.72 as risk appetite returns and ahead of an inaugural speech by BoJ Governor Kuroda in which he is expected to announce a major policy shift aimed at bold easing according to Japanese press.

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