Will they or won’t they? Following the slightly higher than expected January CPI inflation reading and some improvement in economic data such as the Feb PMI manufacturing survey earlier this week expectations for policy easing by the ECB today have diminished. Consequently the EUR has been well supported above 1.3700 even in the face of growing conflict on its doorstep in Ukraine. The risk / reward today is therefore skewed to a bigger EUR (negative) reaction if the ECB does act to ease policy, a possibility that the market may not be giving sufficient credence too. For what it’s worth 3m interest rate futures and 2 year US – Eurozone yield differentials suggest that EUR/USD is overbought.
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US dollar restrained further
March 3, 2014 — Mitul KotechaThe 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).
EUR and JPY outlook
February 28, 2014 — Mitul KotechaEUR/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.
China worries inflicting damage globally
February 26, 2014 — Mitul KotechaA combination of worries on both sides of the pond has inflicted damage on risk assets globally. US equities closed lower, Treasury yields dropped, USD was weaker while gold prices rose. In Asia, China growth concerns, overexpansion of credit, and currency weakness are increasingly infiltrating markets globally.
Meanwhile in the US, consumer confidence surprisingly slipped in February, albeit from a high level while the annual pace of house price gains slowed slightly in December. The data added a further layer of pressure on stock markets and US January new home sales data will not help matters as it is likely to give further evidence of slowing housing momentum.
While it is now easy to blame much of the weakness in US economic data on adverse weather conditions hopes / expectations that US data will improve going forward will be tested soon. In the absence of first tier data today, attention will remain firmly fixed on events in China and in particular whether the CNY and CNH registers further declines.
Given all the attention on the Chinese currency, major currency markets have been lulled into tight ranges, with our measure of composite implied G3 FX volatility declining further. Our implied volatility index has now dropped to the lowest levels since the end of October last year.
USD/JPY is likely to face some downward pressure in the short term given the rise in risk aversion and lower US yields overnight. EUR/USD remains supported but remains susceptible to downside risks given the potential for easier monetary policy at the upcoming European Central Bank meeting next week.
What to watch in Europe and Japan this week
February 24, 2014 — Mitul KotechaEuropean equuty markets ended higher last week shrugging off some disappointing manufacturing and service sector survey readings. The highlight of the Eurozone calendar this week is today’s release of the February German IFO business confidence survey which is expected to register a small increase from the 110.6 reading in January, supporting the message that German growth is consolidating over Q1 14.
Eurozone inflation readings will be important too, with the flash reading of February HICP inflation released at the end of the week set to record another soft reading of 0.7% YoY, supporting the case for further policy easing from the European Central Bank soon.
While the EUR may benefit from a firm IFO reading any gains will be short lived. Soft inflation will help cap gains in the currency especially given the renewed warning this weekend by ECB President Draghi of more policy action if needed.
Elsewhere, data this week will reveal that the main measure of Japanese inflation appears to be peaking around 1%, with core inflation set to decline over coming months. After last week’s softer than expected Q4 GDP reading the pressure on the Bank of Japan for monetary action and in turn a weaker JPY will continue.
Meanwhile, Japan’s job data is expected to reveal that the unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% in January. USD/JPY will remain support around its 100 day moving average at 101.65.
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