Fed’s status quo fuels caution

June 23, 2011 — Mitul Kotecha

The Fed’s status quo did little to stir markets overnight although there was a decidedly negative tone to equities and commodities, perhaps spurred by the downgrading of US growth forecasts. The fact that the Fed did not indicate that it is considering further asset purchases but instead will keep its balance sheet at around $,2800 billion also acted as a drag on markets.

The major concern for markets remains the depth and length of the current ‘soft patch’. The Fed believes it will be temporary and we concur, but clearly the slide in equity markets over recent weeks, suggests that there has been a divergence between stock market expectations and reality. The USD however, may actually be finding a medium term bottom, with the fact that the Fed is not considering QE3,

The downbeat Fed stance combined with a cautious reaction to the Greek government’s passage of a confidence motion indicates that markets will remain cautious over the near term. Indeed, comments by the Greek opposition that they will not support further austerity measures dashed any hopes of unity and will add another obstacle towards an easing in Greek tensions.

As it is the continued wrangling between European officials over private sector participation in any debt rollover as well as uncertainty over how ratings agencies will react, threatens to keep sentiment under pressure. The EUR has remained surprisingly resilient but its muted reaction to the passage of the confidence motion has given way to some weakness and the currency remains a sell on rallies.

GBP was a major underperformer weighed down by the relatively dovish Bank of England MPC minutes in which some members were even discussing further asset purchases. The currency faces further risks from a the CBI reported sales data for June where a decline in sales is likely to be reported. GBP/USD looks vulnerable to a drop below its 200 day moving average around 1.6027.

Posted in central banks, Commodities, Currencies, Economics, Economy, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, Fiscal/Budget, FX, Greece, Interest rates, Monetary Policy, UK, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

US Dollar Finding Support

June 13, 2011 — Mitul Kotecha

The US dollar is finding growing relief from the fact that the Fed is putting up a high hurdle before more quantitative easing (QE3) is even considered. As highlighted by Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke last week he is not considering QE3 despite a spate of weak US data. Of course until US bond yields move higher the USD will fail to make much of a recovery and in turn this will need some improvement in US economic data.


The May retail sales release is unlikely to provide this with headline sales likely to undergo an autos related drop while core CPI released on Wednesday is set to remain benign in May. There will be better news on the US manufacturing front, with surveys and hard data likely to bounce back.

There is still plenty of scope for USD short covering as reflected in the fact that IMM USD positions fell further as of the 7th June, with the market still heavily short USDs. The USD index has likely found a short term bottom, with a break above the 50-day moving average level around 74.6874 in focus.

EUR has lost momentum , with the European Central Bank’s (ECB) confirmation of a July policy rate hike prompting a major sell off in the currency, even with interest rate markets barely flinching. The EUR is susceptible to developments regarding Greece and the news on this front is not good. Divisions between policy makers including the ECB about the extent of private sector involvement in a second bailout package threaten to prolong the pain.

Similarly divisions within the Greek parliament about further austerity measures needed to secure a second bail could also derail the process. Further negotiations this week will be closely scrutinised, likely taking more importance than data releases, with only the final reading of May inflation and industrial production of note this week.

As revealed by the CFTC IMM data, EUR long positions jumped early last week leaving plenty of scope for unwinding, something that is likely to take place this week. Nonetheless, support around the 30 May low of EUR/USD 1.4256 is likely to prove difficult to break on the downside this week.

GBP took a hit in the wake of yet more weak activity data in the form of May industrial and manufacturing production data. The economic news will be no better this week, with retail sales set to drop in May and CPI inflation set to rise further in April. The data will only add further to the confusion about UK monetary policy as the dichotomy between weak data and persistently high inflation continues.

Admittedly the weak data releases can at least partially be explained away by the Royal wedding and Easter holidays but this will provide little solace to GBP bulls. GBP will likely struggle against a firmer USD this week although its worth noting that GBP speculative position has been negative for 3-straight weeks, suggesting that at least there is less room for GBP position unwinding. GBP/USD is likely to hold above support around 1.6055 this week.

Posted in Bond markets, central banks, Currencies, ECB, Economics, Economy, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, Financial crisis, FX, Germany, Greece, Interest rates, Monetary Policy, UK, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

Euro weaker despite hawkish ECB

June 10, 2011 — Mitul Kotecha

The bounce in EUR/USD following the European Central Bank (ECB) press statement following its unchanged rate decision proved short-lived with the currency dropping sharply as longs were quickly unwound, with EUR/USD hitting a low around 1.4478. The sell off occurred despite the fact that the ECB delivered on expectations that it would flag a July rate hike, with the insertion of “strong vigilance” in the press statement.

The reaction was a classic ‘buy on rumour, sell on fact’ outcome and highlights just how long EUR the market was ahead of the ECB meeting. Interestingly the interest rate differential (2nd futures contract) has not widened versus the USD despite the hawkish ECB message and in any case interest rate differentials are not driving EUR/USD at present as reflected in low correlations.

This leaves the EUR susceptible to Greek developments and the news on this front is less positive. ECB President Trichet ruled out any direct participation (ie no rollover of ECB Greek debt holdings) in a second Greek bailout whilst potentially accepting a plan of voluntary private participation in any debt rollover. The ECB’s stance is at odds with that put forward by German Finance Minister Schaeuble pressuring investors to accept longer maturities on their Greek debt holdings.

In contrast the USD appears to be finding growing relief from the fact that the Federal Reserve is putting up a high hurdle before QE3 is considered. As highlighted by Fed Chairman Bernanke earlier this week the Fed is not considering QE3 despite a spate of weak US data. This was echoed overnight by the Fed’s Lockhart and Plosser, with the former noting that there would need to be a substantially weaker economy and the latter noting that there would have to be a “pretty extraordinary” deterioration in the economy to support QE3.

Posted in central banks, Currencies, ECB, Economics, Economy, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, FX, Germany, Greece, Interest rates, Monetary Policy, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

EUR Becomes The Anti USD

June 8, 2011 — Mitul Kotecha

The USD is close to giving back the full extent of the gains it made during May. The USD index hit a low of around 72.696 on 4th May and looks on track to re-test this level.

It would be easy to say that the USD is being undermined by low US bond yields but whilst this is partly true only USD/JPY has had a significant correlation with bond yield differentials over the past 3-months.

The reality is that the EUR has become the anti USD at present. Whilst the EUR composes 57.6% of the USD index which would imply a high correlation between the USD index and EUR, it does not explain the fact that the correlation over the past 3-months is at an extremely high 0.98.

It is probably a relief for USD bulls that the currency is not being particularly influenced by yield differentials at present as it would be even weaker if it was so. US bond yields continue to be depressed by growth concerns, following a spate of weaker US data releases, culminating in the May jobs report last week.

Speculation about QE3 is similarly unhelpful for the USD but the prospects of this occurring are still very slim and notably whilst Bernanke highlighted the “frustrating slow” economic recovery in a speech last night he did not indicate a desire to embark on QE3.

Nonetheless, any clues about Fed policy will be closely scrutinised and this includes today’s Beige Book of regional economic conditions. Our expectation of a relatively downbeat report suggests that the USD will find no support from this source.

Ultimately USD recovery will require EUR weakness but the European currency appears to have regained its ‘Teflon’ coating as its resistance to bad news grows once again. The EUR was helped yesterday by a stronger than expected April retail sales report and will undoubtedly find further solace from confirmation of a strong start to the year in terms of Q1 GDP today.

Overall direction continues to come from news in the eurozone periphery, however. The fact that officials appear to be inching towards an agreement in Greece has clearly been appreciated by the EUR. Moreover, potential ECB backing for debt rollovers by private investors will alleviate some concerns.

Nonetheless, at current levels, with EUR/USD on the path to its 4th May high around 1.4940 it appears that a lot is already priced in and the scope for disappointment is high.

Posted in Bond markets, Currencies, ECB, Economics, Economy, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, FX, Greece, Interest rates, Monetary Policy, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments »

US Ratings Under Threat

June 3, 2011 — Mitul Kotecha

The USD succumbed to further pressure overnight as Moody’s Investor Service threatened to place the US Aaa rating on review for downgrade if there is no agreement reached on raising the US debt ceiling. Although the news prompted a rise in US Treasury yields it did little for the USD.

News that the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet expanded to a record $2.772 trillion in the week ending June 1 highlights the ongoing headwinds to the USD from Fed asset purchases. The fact that there is even talk of QE3 in the wake of weak US data suggests that the headwinds will not dissipate quickly.

Direction today will come from the US May jobs report though this is unlikely to deliver any good news for the USD. Forecasts for non-farm payrolls have likely been revised lower to sub 100k compared to the published consensus forecast of 165k following the weaker indications from the May ADP jobs report and ISM data this week. A weak payrolls outcome will only intensify worries about the depth and length of the US ‘soft patch’.

Although market expectations are also likely to have been downwardly revised, something that may cushion the blow to the USD, it will be difficult to get away from the fact that growth in Q2 is weaker than many had thought.

EUR was well supported overnight, boosted by a relatively successful Spanish bond auction yesterday and reports that officials have agreed in principle to a 3-year adjustment plan for Greece covering funding needs to 2013 although there was no confirmation of such an agreement.

As a result, EUR/USD tested 1.45 and looks supported ahead of today’s US payrolls data. EUR’s recovery in general has been impressive but gains above 1.45 are likely to prove more difficult even if an agreement on Greece is close to being achieved.

As usual Japan’s political gyrations are having little impact on the JPY as the currency is instead buffeted by risk aversion swings and yield differentials. In fact USD/JPY has been rather well behaved over recent weeks as indicated by implied options volatility.

Prime Minister Kan’s success in winning a no-confidence motion came at a cost and may provide very little political stability. Kan said will resign as soon as post-earthquake recovery efforts are completed and once he is gone there is likely to be some realignment of existing political parties.

As for the JPY it will remain unscathed by political events. Over the near term USD/JPY is likely to cling to the 81 handle but we maintain our bearish view on the JPY in the medium term under the assumption that there is a sharp widening in US – Japan bond yield differentials.

Posted in Bond markets, central banks, Currencies, ECB, Economics, Economy, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, Fiscal/Budget, FX, Greece, IMF, Interest rates, Monetary Policy, UK, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »
« Older posts
Newer posts »