Ukraine fallout

March 4, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

So far most of the damage from the escalating crisis in the Ukraine and growing tensions between the West and Russia has been inflicted on Russian markets but global asset markets are also feeling increasing pain from the fallout. The most recent developments highlight that tensions have worsened further.

Equity markets in Europe were next in line for selling pressure, with sharp declines registered while US stock also dropped, but to a lesser degree. Commodity prices have also felt the shock, with European natural gas prices rising sharply and oil also higher. Gold has been a major beneficiary extending gains to around USD 1350.

US Treasury yields settled around 2.6% while the USD bounced as risk aversion spiked. My Risk Aversion Barometer rose over 3% while the VIX “fear gauge” jumped. Asian markets are likely to feel some pressure today although the impact is likely to be much less significant than elsewhere. Nonetheless, the lack of first tier data releases means that most attention will be focussed on developments in Ukraine over today’s trading session.

Posted in Europe. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

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).

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

Geopolitical tensions to weigh on risk assets

March 3, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

There continues to be a disconnection between rising geopolitical risks as tensions between Russia and Ukraine intensify, and the performance of equity markets. US equities ended the week on a high note despite a bigger than expected downward revision to US Q4 GDP and risk sentiment overall remained supported according to our risk barometer. Other data were helpful for markets as February Chicago manufacturing confidence (PMI) and Michigan consumer confidence came in better than expected. The firmer tone to risk assets will not last, with risk aversion set to intensify today.

Markets continue to give US economic data the benefit of the doubt, downplaying the harsh weather impact on economic data. This is set to continue this week, with the release of a plethora of US data including January personal income and spending and February ISM manufacturing confidence, February vehicle sales, the Fed’s Beige Book, January trade balance and last but not least February non farm payrolls at the end of the week. All of the data will be hit by recent unseasonable US weather and therefore will look weak on balance, but markets will once again not fret a great deal.

There are several other key events this week that will garner market attention including central bank decisions from the Reserve Bank of Australia tomorrow, Bank of England, and European Central Bank on Thursday. Hopes that the ECB will easy monetary policy were dashed somewhat by a higher than expected reading for Eurozone HICP February inflation although there is still a possibility that some easing in liquidity conditions are announced. The RBA and BoE are not expected to change monetary policy settings this week.

Posted in Australia, Bank of England, ECB, eurozone, US. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Low volatility unsustainable

February 28, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

There seems to be a real disconnection between the problems / tensions in China, Ukraine, Turkey, Thailand etc and market sentiment.

Even in the US the market has happily swallowed Yellen’s speech that data weakness is all related to bad weather (US equities rose to record highs overnight while the VIX index has edged lower). Well once the weather improves the data had better improve too otherwise that theory will be shot to pieces and markets will be hit.

In particular there really does appear to be a surprisingly degree of complacency towards events in Ukraine (see earlier comments). On that note even if the Ukraine avoids default via money from US/Europe/IMF tensions with Russia remain a major issue.

In terms of FX reaction JPY and CHF could face more upward pressure while the EUR is looking increasingly exposed. High beta FX EM FX will look increasingly vulnerable against this background.

What is surprising is that both major FX and EM FX implied volatility indices (1m, 3m) are tracking below their historical vol indices. The low level of volatility in both FX and equity markets looks unsustainable.

Posted in Thailand, Turkey, US. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

EUR and JPY outlook

February 28, 2014 — Mitul Kotecha

EUR/USD took some advantage of a softer USD tone, with the currency pair breaking above 1.37 once again. However, the release of flash Eurozone HICP inflation readings today will take the shine off the EUR given that it will likely support the case for further policy easing at the 6 March European Central Bank policy meeting.

Benign readings for both headline and core inflation estimates are expected to be revealed today, consistent with small cuts in the ECB’s refi rate and strengthened forward guidance. EUR/USD will find strong resistance around its 2014 high at 1.3776.

Japan’s data slate released this morning came in better than expected. The jobless rate held at low level at 3.7% while the jobs to applicants’ ratio increased to 1.04 in a further sign of strengthening job conditions. CPI inflation marked its 8th straight month of gains while industrial production, retail sales and overall household spending beat expectations.

The main take away is that inflation is close to peaking and the risks of further Bank of Japan policy action is rising. This will limit the downside for USD/JPY but further slippage in US yields overnight mean that USD/JPY upside remains restrained. 101.67 – 102.85 is likely to hold as a near term range for the currency pair.

Posted in ECB, Japan. Tags: , . 2 Comments »
« Older posts
Newer posts »