Fed shift hits the dollar

May 2, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

The economic trajectory into Q2 continues to worsen, a factor which likely played into the statement from the Federal Reserve that it is “prepared to increase or reduce the pace of its purchases” of assets, a marked shift from the previous stance of assessing the timing of a reduction of Fed asset buying noted at the March FOMC meeting.

Reinforcing the view was the weaker than expected increase in private sector payrolls in the April ADP jobs report (119k versus 150k consensus), implying downside risks to the consensus for tomorrow’s April non-farm payrolls data. Indeed, we now look for a 120k increase in payrolls compared to 150k previously expected.

March US construction spending was also weaker than forecast while the ISM manufacturing index dropped, albeit remaining in expansion territory (above 50). The data led to a further drop in the USD, commodity prices, equities and lower US Treasury yields.

Little change in market direction is expected today, with caution ahead of tomorrow’s US jobs report. Ahead of this, a likely 25bps cut in policy rates by the European Central Bank will capture attention. Although by no means a done deal, the majority of the market has shifted towards such an expectation in the wake of weaker data.

The real surprise from the ECB could come from any further hint or announcement of non conventional measures. In turn any such hint could dent the EUR limiting its ability to capitalise on a weaker USD tone. In any case sellers are likely to emerge on any rally in EUR/USD to resistance around 1.3220.

Final readings of purchasing managers’ indices in Europe, US March trade data and Q1 non farm productivity will account for the remaining releases today although none of these are likely to be market movers, leaving the USD under pressure ahead of tomorrow’s jobs report.

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EUR upside limited, JPY bears frustrated, AUD capped

April 30, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Risk assets continue to rally spurred by hopes / expectations of ongoing (Federal Reserve) and additional (European Central Bank) monetary stimulus, the formation of a new government in Italy (however unstable it may turn out to be) and a better than expected outcome for US March pending home sales, bucking the trend of disappointing US data over recent weeks.

Consequently commodity prices have rallied helped by industrial and precious metals while the USD has come under sustained selling pressure. Ahead of the major events over coming days (ECB and Fed meetings, non farm payrolls) the positive risk tone is unlikely to change although US consumer and business confidence measures will be scrutinised to determine whether how sentiment is holding post sequester.

Market relief following the formation of a new government in Italy was evident in the positive reception to Italy’s bond auction yesterday. Although this was no big surprise, it highlights the ongoing power of the ECB’s OMT threat and the calming influence it is has had on peripheral bonds and the EUR.

Even so, a likely policy rate cut by the ECB and potential hints at future non conventional easing will be sufficient to prevent the EUR from capitalizing much on the generally softer USD tone this week. Additionally as revealed in the weaker than expected Eurozone April sentiment indicators yesterday the fundamental argument for both lower policy rates and a weaker EUR remains compelling. In the near term EUR/USD will remain supported above 1.2985, but renewed downward momentum is not far off.

Lower relative US yields continue to undermine USD/JPY. Until the yield differential (in particular 10 year US Treasury vs. Japanese JGBs) widens it is difficult to see USD/JPY regaining sufficient momentum to break the 100 level. The speculative market is clearly geared up for a weaker JPY as reflected in the CFTC IMM positioning data revealing a hefty short JPY position, but if anything this may frustrate any move lower in JPY in the near term.

Nonetheless, the rebound in the JPY recently is likely to prove temporary. Although last week’s unchanged policy decision from the Bank of Japan was largely expected, the gap between current CPI and the BoJ’s 2% target is widening, implying further easing and in turn JPY weakness in the pipeline.

AUD has managed a firm early week bounce but can it be sustained? There is a limited and second tier flow of Australian data over coming days and some caution ahead of China’s official April purchasing manager’s index which may limit the ability of the AUD to make much headway over coming days. Nonetheless, market positioning in AUD looks much healthier (ie less room to cut longs) while the drop in the USD index bodes well for AUD. AUD/USD will be capped around 1.0409 in the near term, with strong support around 1.0221.

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Dollar undermined by lower yield

April 29, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Risk assets in general appear to have gained traction on the basis that central banks will maintain or expand highly accommodative monetary policies via further asset purchases and balance sheet expansion. The Federal Reserve and European Central Bank will likely provide more fuel to the fire this week, with the former set to maintain its policy settings including USD 85 billion in asset purchases while the latter is set to cut its policy refi rate by 25bps to 0.50%.

Weaker data into Q2 in the US (and the softer than expected reading for Q1 GDP annualised 2.5% QoQ pace revealed last Friday) effectively seals the case for maintaining ultra easy policy at least until later in the year when the Fed is set to taper off asset purchases. As for the ECB are mere rate cut may not be sufficient with attention on any prospects for non conventional easing and rebuilding the monetary transmission mechanism.

Weekend news in the Eurozone was positive, with Italy finally forming a government following two months of deadlock but the week should begin quietly with holiday in Japan and China. In any case market activity is set to be limited ahead of central bank policy decisions and the US April jobs report at the end of the week where a 150k increase in payrolls.

As the US Q1 GDP report revealed the impact of the Sequester via massive spending cuts is increasingly biting into growth and while expectations of ongoing monetary accommodation is helping to buoy markets, growth recovery will need to strengthen to justify the current optimism built into markets. At least there is some realisation, finally in the Eurozone, that recovery may need to be reinforced with less austerity.

FX market activity will remain hesitant ahead the key events this week but overall it appears the USD will lose further wind out of its sails especially as US bond yields continue to drop. The US 10 year Treasury yield dropped to is lowest level this year, a factor that has particularly undermined the USD against the JPY where a failure to test the 100 level has also contributed to a drop in the currency pair. A test of USD/JPY 100 is off the cards unless and until US yields rise again. Lower US yields are helping EUR/USD to stay above the 1.3000 level although this is being mitigated by the fact that German 10 year bund yields are also declining.

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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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