Market angst remains

March 13, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

The same themes continue to worry markets, with Ukraine and China cited on a daily basis as the main causes of market angst. Additionally there is a growing feeling that US equity indices may have topped out given the lack of additional impetus from earnings or economic data.

There is not much on the data front today that will change this dynamic for markets and what there is will be unimpressive, with US retail sales set to have remained soft in February (consensus 0.2%) as bad weather hit spending.

The main market movers overnight have been commodity prices which continue to weaken, with the CRB commodities index falling while the Baltic Dry Index also took a tumble. Gold continues to outshine hitting a high of $1375 per ounce, benefitting from the continued rise in risk aversion while in contrast copper prices dropped to a four year low around $6495 before rebounding slightly.

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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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Calmer market tone ahead of key events

March 6, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

Markets have taken on somewhat of a calmer tone in part due to hopes that discussions between the US and Russia will find some form of solution to the recent escalation of tensions in Ukraine. The nearing of European Central Bank and Bank of England policy decisions today and the US jobs report on Friday have also led to inaction and range trading in markets. Consequently US equities ended flat overnight while risk appetite improved.

Meanwhile, investors are continuing to ignore poor US data attributing it to the weather, with a weaker than forecast February ADP private sector jobs report (139k versus 155k consensus) and February ISM non manufacturing survey (51.6 versus 53.5 consensus), registered overnight. Notably the Fed’s Beige Book repeatedly highlighted the weather impact on US data. Clearly weaker data is not being seen as changing the path of Fed tapering over coming months.

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JPY and Asian FX outlook

March 4, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

JPY is facing a double whammy of upward pressure related to both rising risk aversion and a narrowing US yield advantage over Japan. The latter influence has been significant, with 10 year US Treasury yields dropping by around 70bps since the end of last year, versus 10 year Japanese JGB yields. The net result is that the currency pair has fallen sharply over recent weeks and will remain constrained until US yields resume their ascent.

In the near term the escalation of tensions in the Ukraine will fuel increased safe haven demand for JPY potentially leading to a test of a test of technical support around USD/JPY 100.62 (11 September 13 high). However, strong demand around the 101.20-30 level suggests that it may require another leg lower for US yields to fuel a further sharp drop in USD/JPY.

Asian currencies are set to continue to show some relative resilience to events in Ukraine although a weaker bias is expected. Most currencies remain relatively insensitive to gyrations in risk appetite except KRW which registers the biggest correlation with our risk barometer.

Overall, lower US yields will help provide some support to Asian currencies and investors will continue to differentiate based on domestic factors rather than shifts in risk appetite. Additionally some relative stability in the CNY / CNH may also help to limit pressure on Asian currencies.

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US dollar restrained further

March 3, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

The USD will continue to be restrained by poor weather conditions and lower US Treasury yields (around 2.6%), especially against the JPY which has also been supported by higher risk aversion and consequent safe haven demand. The USD index is at threat from dropping to its October 2013 lows around 78.998 (currently 79.828)

A similar story applies to the CHF, with USD/CHF hitting its lowest level since late 2011 around 0.8783. This pattern will not change in the short term, especially given the potential escalation in tensions in the Ukraine, keeping the CHF under upward pressure as safe haven inflows increase. EUR/CHF has dropped sharply as a result, with the resolve of the Swiss National Bank to support its line in the sand at 1.20 set to be tested shortly.

Risk currencies in contrast will likely come under growing short term pressure including AUD, NZD and many emerging market currencies. AUD/USD will likely trade with a heavy tone even though the RBA is unlikely to cut policy rates at its meeting tomorrow.

EUR benefitted from the upside surprise for Eurozone inflation but has run into resistance around 1.3800 versus USD. Speculative EUR positioning has continued to rise but the fact that CFTC IMM positioning has risen to above its 3 month average suggests that further EUR gains will be more limited.

Indeed although the USD continues to be restrained by weaker data and lower US yields, the potential for a dovish surprise from the ECB will limit the ability of the EUR to capitalise on USD weakness this week. Strong technical resistance for EUR/USD will be found around 1.3894 (2013 high).

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