USD firm but running into resistance

January 7, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Happy New Year!

The consensus view for 2013 favours equities over bonds helped by expectations of a sustained improvement in risk appetite as tail risk diminishes further. Additionally relative valuations support the consensus. So far equities are on track although it may be a mistake to make a strong judgement based on the first week’s trading.

The US December jobs report provided more evidence that the US economy will trundle along this year at a modest pace of growth. Meanwhile, the US fiscal cliff agreement may have played into a tone of firmer risk appetite but the fact that in less than two months there may be even greater tensions on the debt ceiling and spending cuts suggest that a one way bet of improving risk appetite can by no means be guaranteed.

The USD has begun the year in firm shape appearing to break free from the constraint of improving risk appetite at the turn of the year. In part its strength especially against the JPY can be attributed to higher US bond yields which in turn was pushed higher by less dovish than expected Fed December 11-12 FOMC minutes last week. Given that yields are running into technical resistance the USD may find less support from this source over coming days.

A light data week will give little directional impetus to the USD, with highlights including trade data, consumer credit and small business confidence. Instead the USD will take its cue from various Fed speakers who will likely provide more elaboration on their views on an eventual exit from QE. The USD is likely to remain firm in the short term although we would be wary of extrapolating trends based on early year moves.

In contrast to the limited US data schedule there are plenty of data releases and events in Europe to digest this week including the European Central Bank Council meeting. The ECB is unlikely to ease policy at this meeting, with those in the Council against a cut unlikely to have shifted their stance although a rate cut, possibly in March remains on the cards. Data releases will continue to show weakness although importantly sentiment surveys will stabilise rather than drop further.

Sovereign debt issuance may take more importance for the EUR this week, with Austria, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Italy and Spain all scheduled to issue debt. Given the better risk environment a generally favourable reception to the debt issues will give the EUR some solace, likely preventing the currency from sliding further. Strong EUR/USD technical support is set to come just below 1.3000 at 1.2996.

Posted in ECB, equity markets, eurozone, US. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

USD and JPY on the back foot

December 17, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Running into the end of the year it is clear that the USD is turning into the biggest loser. In part this reflects year end flows but also the dovish Fed stance and uncertainty about a resolution of the fiscal cliff. Indeed, with the Fed FOMC meeting out of the way the lack of progress on averting the fiscal cliff is quite disconcerting. Market confidence of an agreement appears to be slipping judging by the weakness in risk assets at the end of the week.

The USD is unlikely to make up much ground in the days ahead despite some likely positive data releases including yet more data showing housing market recovery, gradually improving manufacturing confidence gauges as well as a revision higher to Q3 GDP.

The EUR is on the verge of ending the year in strong form (too strong for Eurozone economies) as news of agreements on Greece’s loan tranche and banking supervision have given the currency even more support. Much of the rally in the EUR is likely to come from position adjustment into year end and could reverse quickly into new year, however.

Nonetheless, there is no doubt that receding tail risk due in large part due to continued support from expected eventual ECB asset purchases (OMT) activation will limit any downside in the EUR. In the near term the EUR may still take some direction from the German IFO survey on Wednesday but assuming that this survey continues its stabilisation, EUR/USD will likely maintain gains above technical support around 1.2880.

Japan faces a new reality following elections following Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Demoractic Part (LDP) victory in lower house elections. In particular, pressure for more aggressive policy will be sustained given the two thirds majority obtained. Nonetheless, it is not obvious that coalition parties will be as welcoming while some of the rhetoric from LDP leader Abe has already softened.

As the deterioration in the Tankan survey revealed the economic picture is clearly worryingly weak. Trade data over the coming week will be scrutinised to determine the lingering impact of frictions with China as well as the strength of the JPY. On this note, a further increase in asset purchases by the BoJ this week will mean that the JPY is unlikely to retrace its losses very quickly. Nonetheless, USD/JPY will face strong resistance around 84.60.

Posted in Bank of Japan, eurozone, Japan, US. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Highlights this week

December 10, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Better than expected Chinese data over the weekend, speculation that Greece is close to reaching its debt buyback target and even some signs of progress in reaching a resolution to avert the fiscal cliff set up risk assets for a generally positive start to the week. Talks between the administration and senior Republicans will continue this week but it appears that some senior Republicans are willing to give up their objections to tax hikes on the very wealthy.

The November US jobs report released at the end of last week which revealed a 146k increase in payrolls and a drop in the unemployment rate to 7.7% is likely to have little influence at the turn of the week. The report was met with a muted reaction. While on the face of it the data was better than expected, downward revisions to past months and a surprising lack of impact from Hurricane Sandy left markets somewhat perplexed.

However, not everything is rosy. Last week’s sharp downward growth revisions to Eurozone growth by the European Central Bank (ECB), a plunge in US consumer sentiment and comments from Italian Prime Minister Monti that he intends to resign will cast a shadow over markets, restraining any upside.

Although activity will likely continue to thin as holidays approach there is still plenty too chew on this week. In the US the Fed is set to continue purchasing USD 85 billion of longer dated securities following the end of Operation Twist but this should come as little surprise to the market and therefore will yield little reaction. There will be some encouraging news on the consumer as retail sales bounce back in November.

Across the pond the European Council meeting beginning on Thursday will be in focus, with banking union and bank recapitalisation among the topics up for discussion. Given the hint of monetary easing by the ECB markets will scrutinise upcoming data for the timing but a likely increase in the German ZEW investor confidence survey in December and stabilisation in the Eurozone composite purchasing manager’s index will not prove compelling enough to warrant an imminent rate cut.

Elsewhere in Japan the upcoming elections will mark the highlight of the calendar over the weekend although the weaker than expected Q3 GDP reading this morning (-0.9% QoQ) and expected deterioration in the Tankan survey later in the week will maintain the pressure for more aggressive policy action and a weaker JPY.

EUR took a hit from the ECB’s dovish stance last week and will not take too kindly to the news of Monti’s intended resignation after the fiscal 2013 budget in Italy. EUR/USD 1.2880 still marks a solid support level for the currency.

USD/JPY continues to probe higher but extreme short market positioning will likely limit the ability of the currency pair to push higher. On the topside 83.15 will market strong resistance for the currency pair.

AUD and NZD look generally well supported, with Chinese data over the weekend giving further support although for AUD/USD 1.0519 will continue to act a tough technical barrier to crack.

Posted in Federal Reserve, Greece, Italy, US. Tags: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Bullish INR but other Asian currencies held back

December 7, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Although the European Central Bank (ECB) left policy rates unchanged the post meeting press conference effectively opened the door to a rate cut in Q1 next year following sharp downward revisions to growth projections and well below target inflation projected over the medium term. A major casualty of the shift in ECB tone was the EUR which dropped over one big figure from a high of around 1.3089. Technical support for EUR/USD is now seen around 1.2885.

The Baltic Dry Index has continued to decline over recent days sending an ominous signal for growth ahead. Meanwhile, once again politics cast a shadow over European markets as Italy’s government overcame a confidence motion, with ex Prime Minister Berlusconi’s PDL party threatening to withdraw support and bring down the government.

Trading is likely to remain thin today as markets await the US November jobs report. The report will undoubtedly be soft (consensus is for an 85k increase in November payrolls) but as much of the weakness in jobs growth will be due to Hurricane Sandy the market impact is likely to be muted leaving a likely constructive tone to risk appetite going into next week.

Asian currencies continue to take direction from the CNY, with the lack of upside traction in this currency leaving most Asian currencies within ranges despite the fact that equity flows to Asia have been very strong over recent days, with inflows of over $2 billion registered this week alone. The implication is that central banks in the region have become increasingly active in preventing Asian currency strength.

One currency that has a limited influence from the CNY is the INR and this currency continues to outperform on reform hopes. The passage through India’s lower house of parliament allowing foreign investment into retailers was encouraging and hopes have grown that it will be followed by passage in the upper house. Further gains in the INR are seen over coming sessions, with a short term break below USD/INR 54.00 looming.

Posted in Asian currencies, India, Italy, US. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Putting the brakes on the CNY

November 29, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Markets are becoming increasingly headline driven, with risk appetite gyrating on any fresh lead on fiscal cliff developments. Initially risk assets dropped in the wake of weaker than expected US new home sales data and renewed fiscal cliff concerns but reversed course following more encouraging comments from US House speaker Boehner and President Obama who both indicated that a deal was moving closer to fruition. The comments also sparked a drop in the USD while gold prices came under pressure.

Meanwhile, Eurozone peripheral bond spreads continue to tighten in the wake of the Greek debt deal as tail risks continue to decline. An Italian debt auction may test the market’s new found confidence today. Incidentally the deal will be put to the vote tomorrow in Germany. Data releases are generally taking a back seat to fiscal cliff developments but once again there will be stark contrasts between Europe and the US, with weakening economic sentiment indicators in Europe on the one hand and an upward revision to US Q3 GDP on the other.

Currencies will continue to track the gyrations in risk, but in large part remain in well defined ranges. EUR/USD reversed its losses as fiscal cliff resolution hopes grew but will struggle on the top side. Comments by Moody’s in its credit review on Greece released this morning will also dent EUR sentiment with the ratings agency noting that Greek debt remains unsustainable even after the country’s debt deal. EUR/USD resistance is seen around 1.3023 while support around 1.2870 is expected to hold over the near term.

USD/JPY pushed back above the 80.00 level overnight but I would prefer to sell the currency pair on any run up to 82.50. While weak data such as the bigger than expected decline in October retail sales (-1.2% YoY) highlight the need for more aggressive policy, the “Abe” effect has largely been discounted and markets may wait for elections on December 16 before deliberating on further JPY direction. Ultimately I remain JPY bears but in the near term the up move looks overextended.

China has put the brakes on the CNY as fixings have been less strong over recent days. Given the strong correlation with many other Asian currencies this is resulting in more restraint across the Asian FX spectrum. The most impacted currencies will be the KRW and TWD, as they possess the highest sensitivities to CNY. A slowing in the pace of portfolio inflows, with notably South Korea and Indonesia seeing outflows of equity capital over the month, will also restrain Asian currencies.

Posted in Asian currencies, eurozone, Greece, US. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a Comment »
« Older posts
Newer posts »