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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Euro treads water ahead of ECB decision

February 6, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

EUR/USD has been treading water in a relatively tight range ahead of the European Central Bank meeting later today but the currency looks vulnerable to further slippage in the days ahead. Having dropped from its high around 1.3898 on 27 December the EUR has failed to sustain any bounce.

The ECB is unlikely to offer any support to the currency especially given that there is a small chance that they may even trim policy rates at today’s meeting. If the Bank does not cut rates today, the ECB is set to open the door to a cut in March, something that would undermine the EUR further.

Either way, the EUR is losing support and our quantitative models highlight the potential for further downside moves in the currency. Other measures such as short term interest rate differentials also highlight risks to EUR.

EUR/USD is set to edge lower to technical support around 1.3477 in the near term.

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Attention turns to ECB and BoE

February 6, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Ahead of two key central bank policy decisions by the European Central Bank and Bank of England where no change is expected as well as tomorrow’s release of the US jobs report, range trading is likely to dominate. Risk aversion measures remain elevated however, and further slippage by US stocks was recorded overnight.

The USD remained supported within ranges, helped by firmer US Treasury yields. Fed officials overnight showed little inclination to alter the pace of tapering despite the recent turmoil in emerging markets suggesting that emerging markets can expect little relief from the Fed.

Meanwhile, US data releases provided mixed signals, with the ADP private sector employment report (a key indicator for tomorrow’s non farm payrolls data) coming in below consensus at 175k in January (consensus 185k) while the US ISM non manufacturing survey (a survey of service sector participants) was slightly higher than consensus at 54.0 in the same month.

Aside from the policy rate decisions December US trade data and Q4 non farm productivity are on tap today although neither are likely to be big market movers.

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JPY and EUR find support

January 24, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Rising risk aversion is supporting the JPY but the currency may also be finding some support from the misplaced view that the Bank of Japan may not need to be any more aggressive in its policy stance to reach its 2% inflation target, with Japan’s finance minister noting that deflationary conditions have almost ended. Such talk looks premature.

Japan still has a long way to go to reach and sustain inflation at its target. The risk is that without any structural reforms (jobs market, manufacturing sector, immigration) deflation and slower growth could quite easily take hold again. In any case, the Bank of Japan is likely to embark on more aggressive policy in the months ahead in order to achieve the 2% target. In the near term USD/JPY looks supported around 102.50.

The EUR found some additional support from a strengthening in manufacturing confidence in the region, which highlighted that economic recovery continues to take shape. Fitch’s affirmation of Germany’s credit ratings at AAA has also helped sentiment towards the currency.

In the near term much of the same tone is likely although the relatively stronger US economic performance and tapering expectations will mean the USD will not fall too far. EUR/USD will face technical resistance around its 2014 high at 1.3776.

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