No surprises likely from ECB and BoE

February 7, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Markets appear to be entering into a more nervous period following several weeks of upside for risk assets. While risk appetite measures remain elevated equity markets appear to be running out of momentum in the short term.

A combination of European political concerns as elections approach in Italy, corruption allegations in Spain, currency frictions, the continued impasse in the US over impending spending cuts or simply a market that has overtaken reality, it appears that a pause in the rally in risk assets is on the cards.

A test of sentiment towards Spain will take the form of a Spanish bond auction today while central bank policy decisions in the Eurozone and UK will garner most attention today although no big surprises are expected as both central banks are set to keep policy on hold.

Anyone expecting the European Central Bank to echo the views on some European politicians by taking a stand against the strength of the EUR will be sorely disappointed. While clearly uncomfortable from a growth perspective the rise in EUR will be rationalised as a reflection of better market sentiment towards Eurozone assets. In fact the ECB could be a cause of EUR strength with its shrinking balance sheet playing a role in supporting EUR especially as it contrasts with the Fed’s balance sheet expansion.

Further ECB balance sheet contraction in the months ahead as LTRO payments are made could put into jeopardy my forecast of a lower EUR/USD (1.25 by end 2013). In the past the ECB has verbally intervened by warning on the strong volatility of the EUR but this is unlikely to happen anytime soon as 3 month EUR/USD implied volatility is still close to multi month lows. In any case the market may already be self correcting, with EUR appearing to lose some steam over recent days. Near term consolidation is likely around the ECB meeting.

The Bank of England in contrast to the ECB may be welcoming the moves in GBP over recent weeks given the stimulus provided to the UK economy from a weaker pound. An unchanged BoE policy decision today will have minimal impact on GBP, with more attention on the testimony of incoming governor Carney, especially given his recent comments about tying monetary policy to economic growth during “exceptional times”. The comments had already dealt a blow to GBP but unless Carney elaborates further I do not expect GBP to be hit much more.

Even so, GBP/USD risks remain to the downside given ongoing concerns about a credit ratings downgrade and a negative technical picture. Taking a short EUR/GBP position may offer some better prospects for those wishing to enter GBP long positions as the upside momentum in the currency pair appears to be flagging although I suggest waiting for more concrete signals of a turnaround before entering into such a position.

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JPY and GBP to slip further

January 29, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Market gyrations were relatively limited overnight, with a rise in the VIX fear gauge and rise in Chinese equities the most notable market moves overnight. US data was mixed, with enthusiasm over a solid gain in December durable goods orders tempered by a drop in pending home sales. Notably the Baltic Dry Index has extended its decline over recent days, suggesting that the risk rally is losing some steam.

Nonetheless, core debt yields continue to test important psychological levels, with the 2% barrier in sight for 10 year US Treasuries. Data and events today include a US consumer confidence, for which we expect a slight decline in January, and various European Central Bank speakers. Additionally, the ECB’s main refinancing operation (MRO) will be scrutinised to determine bank’s health following last week’s LTRO payback. Overall, direction looks limited ahead of this week’s Fed FOMC decision and US jobs report.

The JPY’s drop has proven to be relentless. Despite being blamed for instigating a currency war Japanese officials are showing little let up in their push for JPY weakness. Although there has been some widening in the US Treasury and German bunds yield advantage over Japanese JGBs it does not fully account for the sharp JPY move. Interestingly speculative JPY short positions have actually lessened, implying that the drop in the JPY is attributable to other investor classes.

Additionally Japan has registered net portfolio inflows over recent weeks and so cannot explain the JPY’s drop. One factor that is weighing on the JPY is the improvement in risk appetite; USD/JPY is the most correlated currency with our risk barometer over the past 3 months. As risk and yield appetite has picked up JPY has effectively regained its mantle as funding currency. USD/JPY will face some tough resistance levels from around the 91.48 level, but so far the currency pair has made short work of breaking through resistance.

In one respect GBP’s drop against the USD and EUR reflects a reversal of safe haven flows similar to JPY. Notably however, GBP has not been correlated with the JPY. Its decline is more associated with renewed UK economic worries and in turn expectations of further Bank of England asset purchases, especially under the helm of a new governor. Moreover, speculation of a credit ratings downgrade has not been helpful to GBP. The net result is a reduction in speculative interest and further selling pressure.

Fortunately for the UK economy a weaker currency is no bad thing unless it provokes growing inflationary pressures. Given the dovish noises from incoming BoE Governor Carney, it looks as though there is little concern on this front. Manufacturing confidence data at the end of this week is unlikely to dispel economic concerns, leaving GBP vulnerable to further slippage.

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EUR and GBP slipping, JPY lower

January 10, 2013 — Mitul Kotecha

Slightly better market sentiment allowed equity markets in the US to close higher in the wake of earnings helped too boost sentiment but overall direction remains limited ahead of a plethora of earnings releases over coming days and more immediately the European Central Bank and Bank of England meetings today.

Fed speakers will also be watched closely, while bond auctions in Spain and Italy will be another key influence for Eurozone markets. Meanwhile, the VIX ‘fear gauge’ rebounded slightly but remains at a low level while the USD index continued its ascent and is likely to continue to remain firm.

The ECB and BoE are set to leave policy unchanged today but this will not prevent both EUR and GBP from losing ground against the USD. The principle risk to GBP revolves around the UK economy. Weaker data releases have restrained GBP both against the USD and EUR.

Given the likelihood that growth will not recover quickly this will continue to act as a weight on GBP in the months ahead. Only the fact that the Eurozone economy will look even weaker will allow GBP to appreciate versus EUR while relative US economic outperformance will ensure a relatively softer GBP versus USD.

The breach of GBP/USD’s 100 day moving average level around 1.6061 is a trigger for a steeper decline. Conversely EUR/GBP may register some further short term upside but technical indicators suggest a relatively flat picture for the currency pair over coming weeks.

It is clear that the Japanese authorities have a fresh determinism to weaken the JPY as reflected by the news that Japan purchased bonds issued by the European Stability Mechanism. Additionally pressure on the Bank of Japan to implement a 2% inflation target has not eased, with Prime Minister Abe continuing to highlight the prospects of a joint accord between the government and BoJ.

Reflecting these factors and the higher starting point for USD/JPY I have revised my forecast and now look for the currency pair to end 2013 at 92.00 versus 85.00 previously. It will not be a one way bet for the JPY, however. Its drop against the USD looks excessive especially as it has largely been driven by expectations rather than actual policy change. There is scope for disappointment should policy be less aggressive than hoped for.

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GBP resilience, SEK vulnerable

December 18, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Signs of some further flexibility on both sides reveal that negotiations over the US fiscal cliff are progressing, albeit very slowly. Discussions between President Obama and House speaker Boehner yesterday appeared to go relatively well but the chances of a deal by year end remain slim. Against this background US equities posted gains while risk measures improved ignoring the weaker than expected reading for the December Empire manufacturing survey.

There is little else in terms of directional influence today, with highlights including RBA December board minutes, a vote on the Italian 2013 budget, UK inflation data and an interest rate decision in Sweden. The overall tone is likely to continue to be constructive for risk assets.

While I expect GBP to show some resilience over the coming year especially against the EUR, I look for the currency to eventually end the year weaker against the USD. The principal risk to GBP revolves around the UK economy. It seems very likely that the UK economy has contracted in the final quarter of the year. Worryingly, a weaker external environment taken together with the relative resilience of GBP has resulted in a deteriorating trade deficit, which could ultimately inflict pressure on GBP to weaken.

The fact that the UK basic balance (direct investment + portfolio flows + current account) position remains in negative territory also suggests that the underlying support for GBP is weak. Given these soft economic fundamentals it is difficult to see GBP breaking significantly higher over the coming months. Although the relationship is not perfect, my expectation that EUR/USD will drift lower over the course of 2013 will act to drag EUR/GBP lower too, with my forecast at 0.79 by end year.

EUR/SEK has probed higher over recent weeks and look to register further upside. Today’s Riksbank policy meeting will be the next focal point for SEK but with a rate cut largely priced in following recent deterioration in employment data and other signs of slowing growth, the SEK is unlikely to find any support in the near term. Sweden’s industry body and the OECD have highlighted the policy room to lower interest rates, with the OECD also noted the fiscal leeway that Sweden has should economic conditions worsen.

Officials are also targeting the exchange rate given recent comments by Sweden’s finance minister Borg about increasing foreign exchange reserves over the longer term. The implication is that the SEK will suffer as other currencies are bought against it. The weakness in the SEK is consistent with my quantitative models and a break of EUR/SEK 8.80 is looming over the short term.

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Sell into the USD/JPY rally, EUR bottoming out, GBP vulnerable

November 19, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

Following a week when risk measures continued to worsen there may not be much respite over coming days. The usual suspects will continue to direct sentiment including US fiscal cliff discussions, Greece’s next loan tranche and debt sustainability, the timing of any possible Spanish bailout request, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza strip. Added to this list are worries about economic growth.

Data releases this week are expected to be soft in general, with US existing home sales set to slip in October, weak readings for Eurozone flash purchasing managers’ indices and an eight consecutive drop in the German IFO business climate survey in November. Trading conditions will likely thin over coming days as the US Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday approaches.

Events over coming days will at least give further clues on the monetary policy front, with Fed Chairman Bernanke scheduled to give a speech at the Economics Club of New York, an event which may shed some light on Fed policy once Operation Twist ends. In the UK Bank of England minutes will also be scrutinised for clues on more QE, with a likely split decision set to be revealed. GBP continues to suffer from a bad combination of weak activity and higher inflation, leaving the currency vulnerable to further selling, especially against EUR.

Additionally, the Bank of Japan will decide on policy although a pause is expected this week given that easing measures were only announced at the last meeting at the end of October. The general election on December 16 may also complicate BoJ policy. USD/JPY’s upside potential looks limited from current levels and a lack of action from the BoJ tomorrow will likely undermine the current pair further. USD/JPY will find strong resistance around 81.78.

In Europe policy decisions will focus on developments in Greece, with the next loan tranche for the country to be decided and discussions on the 2014-2015 EU budget set to take place. The loan Greek aid discussions tomorrow ought to lead to an agreement to distribute EUR 31.5 billion in aid to Greece. The decision may help the EUR to edge higher, although EUR/USD will need to break above its 200 day moving average around 1.2807 before it can register more concrete signs of recovery.

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