Ready for Fed QE2

September 22, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

The USD was already under pressure ahead of the Fed FOMC decision last night, with the EUR benefiting in particular from successful debt auctions in Ireland and Spain. The Fed statement resulted in a further lurch lower for the USD index as it fell through the 81.00 level on its way to testing the August low of 80.09. EUR/USD broke important technical resistance levels moving above its 200-day moving average (1.3215). In contrast, gold prices continued to surge hitting a new record high whilst 2-year Treasury yields fell to an all-time low.

The US Federal Reserve confirmed that it was ready to ease if needed. Although the decision to leave the Fed funds target rate at 0% to 0.25% unchanged and commitment to maintain exceptionally low levels of the rate for an “extended period” came as no surprise there was a subtle change in the language of the statement regarding further easing. The Fed noted that it was “prepared to provide additional accommodation if needed” a shift from the previous wording that it “will employ its tools as necessary”.

It appears to be a case of not if but when the Fed embarks on further quantitative easing and/or other policy accommodation. Once again the Fed offered no guideposts to determine the timing of easing and the decision will ultimately be data dependent. Nonetheless, the bias has clearly shifted towards more balance sheet expansion.

We expect core inflation to decline further over the coming months although we do not forecast a drop to as low as 0.5%. Nonetheless, declining core CPI could lead to the Fed’s disinflation concerns intensifying. Indeed, providing further rationale for the Fed’s conditional easing bias was the particularly dovish stance on inflation in the FOMC statement.

If it wasn’t obvious before it has become increasingly clear now that the USD will not relinquish its role as the ultimate funding currency for a long time to come. Although interest rate differentials are not yet the main driver for most currency pairs, with risk aversion retaining this role for now, there is a very high correlation between certain high yielding currencies and their respective interest rate differentials against the USD.

For instance, there is a high and significant correlation between interest rate differentials between Japan, Australia, Canada and the US and their respective currency pairs. AUD/USD is one to watch as the currency hit a fresh 25 month high overnight. Although the AUD looks rich at current levels, the shift in relative yield with the US overnight provides a further underpinning to the currency, with parity being talked about once again.

Even USD/JPY moved lower in the wake of the Fed statement dropping just below 85.00 although the threat of further official Japanese FX intervention will likely prevent a sharp drop in the currency pair. It will be interesting to see how far the market is prepared to go, with further threats of FX intervention by Prime Minister Kan overnight. Despite the threats the narrowing in US / Japan bond yields overnight suggests more downside pressure on USD/JPY and a fresh challenge for the Japanese authorities.

Posted in Australia, Bond markets, central banks, Currencies, Economics, Economy, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, Fiscal/Budget, FX, Interest rates, Japan, Monetary Policy, US, US administration. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

The Week Ahead

September 20, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

Equity markets and risk trades have generally performed well over the last couple of weeks, with for example the S&P 500 around 7.5% higher since its late August low, whilst equity and currency volatility have been generally low, the latter despite some hefty FX intervention by the Japanese authorities which did provoke a spike in USD/JPY volatility last week.

Risk appetite took a knock at the end of last week in the wake of worries that Ireland may seek EU / IMF assistance although this was denied by Irish officials. A similar worry inflicted Portugal, and as a result peripheral bond spreads were hit. Sovereign worries in Europe have not faded quickly and bond auctions in Greece, Spain and Portugal will garner plenty of attention this week. Renewed worries ahead of the auctions suggest that the market reception could be difficult.

Attention will swiftly turn to the outcome of the Fed FOMC meeting tomorrow and in particular at any shift in Fed stance towards additional quantitative easing following the decision at the August FOMC meeting to maintain the size of the Fed’s balance sheet. Given the recent improvement in US economic data the Fed is set to assess incoming data before deciding if further measures are needed.

Housing data in the US will also garner plenty of attention, with several releases scheduled this week. Increases in August housing starts, building permits, existing and new home sales are also expected. Whilst this may give the impression of housing market improvement, for the most part the gains will follow sharp declines previously, with overall housing market activity remaining weak following the expiry of the government tax credit.

Weakness in house prices taken together with a drop in equity markets over the quarter contributed to a $1.5 trillion drop in US household net wealth in Q2. Wealth had been recovering after its decline from Q2 2007 but renewed weakness over the last quarter will not bode well for consumer spending. Household wealth is around $12.4 trillion lower than its peak at the end of Q2 2007.

Aside from the impact of renewed sovereign concerns, European data will not give the EUR much assistance this week either, with Eurozone September flash PMIs and the German IFO survey of business confidence set to weaken as business and manufacturing confidence comes off the boil. If the Fed maintains its policy stance whilst risk aversion increases over coming days the USD may find itself in a firmer position to recoup some of its losses both against the EUR and other currencies.

This will leave EUR/USD vulnerable to drop back down to around support in 1.2955 in the very short-term. As indicated by the CTFC IMM data there has been further short EUR position covering last week whilst sentiment for the USD deteriorated, suggesting increased room for short-USD covering in the event of higher risk aversion.

The impact of Sweden’s election outcome over the weekend is unlikely to do much damage to the SEK despite the fact that the coalition government failed to gain an outright majority. EUR/SEK has edged higher over recent days from its low around 9.1528 but SEK selling pressure is unlikely to intensify following the election, with EUR/SEK 9.3070 providing tough technical resistance.

Posted in central banks, Currencies, Economics, Economy, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, FX, Germany, IMF, Interest rates, Monetary Policy, Sweden, US, US administration. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

No Let Up in USD Pressure

September 17, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

At the end of a momentous week for currency markets it’s worth taking stock of how things stand. Much uncertainty remains about the global growth outlook, especially with regard to the US economy, potential for a double-dip and further Fed quantitative easing. Although there is little chance of QE2 being implemented at next week’s Fed FOMC meeting speculation will likely remain rife until there is clearer direction about the path of the US economy.

In Europe, sovereign debt concerns have eased as reflected in the positive reception to debt auctions this week. Nonetheless, after a strong H1 2010 in terms of eurozone economic growth the outlook over the rest of the year is clouded. Such uncertainty means that markets will also find it difficult to find a clear direction leaving asset markets at the whim of day to day data releases and official comments.

The added element of uncertainty has been provided by Japan following its FX intervention this week. Whilst Japanese officials continue to threaten more intervention this will not only keep the JPY on the back foot but will provide a much needed prop for the USD in general. Indeed Japan’s intervention has had the inadvertent effect of slowing but not quite stopping the decline in the USD, at least for the present.

The fact that Japanese officials continue to threaten more intervention suggests that markets will be wary of selling the USD aggressively in the short term. The headwinds on the USD are likely to persist for sometime however, regardless of intervention by Japan and/or other Asian central banks across Asia, until the uncertainty over the economy and QE2 clears.

Japan’s intervention has not gone down well with the US or European authorities judging by comments made by various officials. In particular, the FX intervention comes at a rather sensitive time just as the US is piling on pressure on China to allow its currency the CNY to strengthen further. Although US Treasury Secretary Geithner didn’t go as far as proposing trade and legal measures in his appearance before Congress yesterday there is plenty of pressure from US lawmakers for the administration to take a more aggressive stance, especially ahead of mid-term Congressional elections in November. Ironically, the pressure has intensified just as China has allowed a more rapid pace of CNY nominal appreciation over recent days although it is still weaker against its basket according to our calculations.

Another country that has seen its central bank intervening over many months is Switzerland, with the SNB having been aggressively intervening to prevent the CHF climbing too rapidly. However, in contrast to Japan the SNB is gradually stepping back from its intervention policy stating yesterday that it would only intervene if the risk of deflation increased. Even so, Japan may have lent the Swiss authorities a hand, with EUR/CHF climbing over recent days following Japan’s intervention.

The move in EUR/CHF accelerated following yesterday’s SNB policy meeting in which the Bank cut its inflation forecasts through 2013, whilst stating that the current policy stance in “appropriate”. Moreover, forecasts of “marked” slowdown in growth over the rest of the year highlight the now slim chance of policy rates rising anytime soon. Markets will eye technical resistance around 1.3459 as a near term target but eventually the CHF will likely resume its appreciation trend, with a move back below EUR/CHF 1.3000 on the cards.

Posted in central banks, China, Commodities, Currencies, Economics, Economy, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, Financial crisis, FX, Interest rates, Monetary Policy, Switzerland, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

US payrolls clues

September 1, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

Most investors will be glad to see the back of August, a month that marked the biggest monthly decline in US stocks in nine years. The main imponderable is whether September will be any better. A series of manufacturing surveys globally today will do little to restore confidence although there was some good news in a slight increase in China’s official August purchasing managers index (PMI) as well a stronger than forecast increase in Australian Q2 GDP, which will likely provide some short-term relief for risk trades.

There was also some slight solace for markets in terms of US data at least from the point of view that the data was not as disappointing as many recent releases. Although the August Chicago PMI slipped (to 56.7) consumer confidence increased (to 53.5) though admittedly confidence remains at a relatively low level. The job market situation detailed within the consumer confidence report was more pessimistic in August than the previous month, however, with those reporting jobs hard to get moving higher. This sends a negative signal for Friday’s payrolls data.

There will be more clues to Friday’s US jobs report today which will enable any fine tuning of forecasts to take place in the wake of the August ADP employment report and ISM manufacturing survey. Consensus forecasts centre on a 15k increase in private jobs. Despite the slight increase in the Empire manufacturing survey in August, the falls in other manufacturing surveys point to some downside risks to the ISM today, with a simple average of the three pointing to the ISM closer to the 50 mark, which will highlight a loss in US manufacturing momentum.

Manufacturing surveys elsewhere will also be in focus, with the final PMI readings scheduled to be released for the eurozone and UK. There is likely to be confirmation of the slight drop in the eurozone PMI to 55.0 in August while the UK PMI is likely to drop to around 57.0 over the month. Both surveys remain at a relatively high level but it is clear that activity is moderating in H2 2010 from a healthy level in H2. The data will give little support to the EUR but the currency has found a degree of stability over the last couple of days. Nonetheless, a further downward move is in prospect.

The Fed FOMC minutes provided little for markets to get excited about. The minutes noted concerns about large scale asset purchases from some Fed officials, indicating resilience to increasing quantitative easing despite acknowledging increased downside risks to the growth and inflation outlook. It is unclear exactly what will be the trigger for further QE as acknowledged by Fed Chairman Bernanke last week.

The minutes will do little to help market confidence given the hesitancy to pursue further QE and provide further stimulus to the economy but the USD is likely to benefit from the fact that the Fed may not be as eager to expand its balance sheet further. Other currencies that remain beneficiaries in the current risk averse environment are the JPY and CHF. The JPY may find further upside more difficult given ongoing intervention fears but the trend remains for a lower USD/JPY in the coming weeks.

Posted in Asia, Australia, central banks, China, Currencies, Economics, Economy, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, FX, Interest rates, Japan, Monetary Policy, UK, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

Bernanke Boost

August 30, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

Last week ended with a downward revision to US Q2 GDP. The data clarified that growth momentum going into Q3 was indeed quite weak though it probably didn’t take the GDP revision to tell us this nugget of information, something that has been evident from the run of weak data over recent months.

Softer growth in Q2 placed particular attention on the Jackson Hole speech by Fed Chairman Bernanke in which he acknowledged the slowing in the pace of growth, but also forecast a moderate economic recovery in H2 2010. Importantly if the Fed is proven wrong he noted the FOMC would undertake unconventional (quantitative easing) QE II measures if needed.

The net impact on Bernanke’s speech and the smaller than expected downward revision to US Q2 GDP was to provide a boost to risk appetite. Sentiment will at least begin this week on a positive note in the knowledge that the Fed stands ready to act although double dip fears are far from over.

One trigger for Fed action will be a further deterioration in job market conditions and markets will pay close attention to the August US jobs report at the end of the week. Bloomberg consensus estimates forecast a 100 drop in payrolls, with private payrolls up 47k and the unemployment rate edging higher to 9.6%. Such an outcome would do little to boost confidence in a jobs market recovery.

The week begins with all eyes on Japan however, with an emergency Bank of Japan (BoJ) meeting in focus. USD/JPY has already jumped higher on the belief that concrete action will emerge to weaken the JPY. The risk of disappointment is high and at most the BoJ will announce measures to extend loans to banks. A lack of other action especially in the form of FX intervention alongside a likely increase in risk aversion once the Bernanke bounce wares off, will result in a renewed USD/JPY move lower, with a breach of 85.00 likely. As seen in the chart below a decisive turn in the Japanese stocks will be a key factor in helping to eventually drive USD/JPY higher.

Two other central bank meetings of note this week are the European Central Bank (ECB) and Sweden’s Riksbank meetings on Thursday. No change in policy by the ECB will be of little surprise but the release of new staff projections, with growth likely to be revised up in 2010 but left unchanged for 2011, will be of interest. Developments regarding open market operations will also be of attention. In contrast, the Riksbank is widely expected to hike rates by 25bps on the back of a firming economy and house price inflation.

A UK holiday today will likely keep liquidity thin and as noted above risk currencies including AUD, NZD and CAD as well as Asian currencies will start the week firmer but will struggle to hold gains as the week progresses. EUR/USD has benefited little from improved risk appetite and will have a hard time this week making much any headway although potential EUR/CHF buying from the SNB may give some, albeit limited support.

A renewed downside move to support around EUR/USD 1.2455 remains on the cards in the short term. Overall USD sentiment has become less negative as reflected in the CFTC IMM positioning data in contrast to a renewed deterioration in EUR speculative sentiment. We look for more of the same.

Posted in central banks, Currencies, Economics, Economy, emerging markets, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, FX, Interest rates, Japan, Monetary Policy, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »
« Older posts
Newer posts »