Double-dip fears pressure USD

July 2, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

Markets have found it hard to decide whether to sell the USD due to weaker economic data or buy it on higher risk aversion, but the moves overnight were clear; the USD sold off sharply in the wake of a run of soft data releases. Four separate US releases came in below consensus yesterday, with the June ISM, jobless claims, pending home sales and domestic vehicle sales, all disappointed to varying degrees, especially pending home sales, which dropped an astonishing 30% in June.

The news could have been much worse today, with the release of the US June jobs report. Following the 13k increase in the June ADP employment count the consensus forecast for nonfarm payrolls looked way too optimistic; consensus expectations were for a 130k drop in payrolls according to Bloomberg, with estimates ranging from 0 to -250k. In the event payrolls dropped by 125k and the unemployment dropped to 9.5%, an outcome that was not as bad as feared.

It was not just the US ISM that slipped, but a host of global purchasing managers indices (PMIs) weakened in June including China and India, supporting the view that economic activity will lose momentum in H2 2010. Before we all get too carried away it is worth noting that most manufacturing surveys are coming off a high level.

Nonetheless, for once it wasn’t European concerns that sparked an increase in risk aversion as eurozone banks borrowed less than feared from the ECB, and the Spanish bond tender passed off relatively well, factors that helped EUR/USD jump above 1.25000. Although I remain bearish on the prospects for the EUR over coming months, there may be some further near term upside, with EUR/USD 1.2675, the next resistance level in focus.

As a consequence of US double-dip fears, risk aversion remains at a high level, with US bond yields and commodity prices dropping sharply, leaving commodity currencies sharply lower. In the current environment the USD is likely to be sold on rallies.

On the commodity currency front, AUD/USD may find some relief from the news of a compromise on a proposed mining tax, but the weight of risk aversion will limit any rebound, with my preference to play AUD upside versus NZD. The main concession from Australian Prime Minister Gillard reduce was to reduce the tax to 30% for iron and coal, whilst retaining the 40% tax for oil and gas projects. The agreement likely increases the chance of an election in Australia in the next couple of months as Gillard capitalises on a popularity bounce. Fresh elections could be another factor that limits AUD upside over coming weeks.

Posted in Asia, Australia, Bond markets, central banks, China, Commodities, Currencies, Economics, Economy, emerging markets, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Fiscal/Budget, FX, India, Spain, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments »

Euro Has That Sinking Feeling

June 7, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

The reaction to the US May jobs report shows that markets are particularly susceptible to negative US news at a time when growth fragilities in Europe are becoming increasingly apparent. Coupled with worries about Hungary, risk aversion has jumped.

Unsurprisingly the EUR took the brunt of pressure. Rhetoric over the weekend may help to assuage some fears but I suspect it is too late now that the cat is out of the bag. Hungary’s government maintained that it will meet this year’s budget deficit target of 3.8% of GDP. European Union officials also attempted to calm market concerns, downplaying any comparison of Hungary to Greece.

The overall EUR/USD downtrend remains intact. Renewed doubts about German participation in the EU/IMF rescue package, with the German constitutional court potentially blocking its contribution, will add to pressure as well as a UK press report titled EUR ‘will be dead in five years’ . The January 1999 EUR/USD introduction level around 1.1830 has now moved squarely into sight.

It is unlikely that data and events this week will do much to reverse the market’s bearish tone. Highlights include the ECB, BoE and RBNZ meetings in Europe, UK and New Zealand, respectively. The ECB (Thursday) is highly unlikely to shift its monetary policy stance. Given some opposition to bond purchases from within the ECB council the comments in the accompanying statement will be closely monitored. The BoE will also leave policy unchanged on the same day but the RBNZ is set to begin its hiking cycle with a 25bps move.

On the data front the US slate includes the Fed’s Beige Book, April trade data, May retail sales and June Michigan confidence. The Beige Book is likely to reveal some improvement in activity with little sign of inflation, whilst the trade deficit is set to widen further due to a higher oil import bill. Retail sales will reveal an autos led increase in the headline reading but more subdued core sales, whilst consumer confidence is set to rise for a second straight month.

There will be more attention on rhetoric from EU officials rather than eurozone data, with the Eurogroup of Finance Minister’s and Ecofin meetings garnering more interest. In Japan, politics will take centre stage, with the new cabinet line up in focus following the confirmation of Naoto Kan as Prime Minister. Comments by the new PM himself will be of interest, especially with regard to combating deflation and in particular any elaboration on his penchant for a weaker JPY.

All-in-all, the week is unlikely to see a let up in pressure on risk trades and will start much as the last week ended. Although the market’s attention is on the EUR, it should be noted that the AUD has lost even more ground so far this month although the EUR remains the biggest loser in terms of major currencies so far this year (vs USD). In the case of the AUD the move reflects a massive unwinding of long positioning (as reflected in the latest CFTC IMM data which shows that speculative AUD positioning has dropped to its lowest since March 2009).

In contrast in the case of the EUR where positioning is already very negative, the move simply reflects deteriorating fundamentals. The fact that European officials are showing little concern about the decline in the EUR (why should they given that the currency is now trading around fair value) and in some cases encouraging it, suggests that there is little to stop EUR/USD from dropping much further and parity is looming a lot closer.

Posted in Australia, central banks, Currencies, Economics, Economy, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, Financial crisis, Fiscal/Budget, FX, Germany, Greece, Hungary, IMF, Interest rates, Japan, Monetary Policy, Politics, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Renewed concerns

June 2, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

Despite some positive US data, with both the May ISM manufacturing index and April construction spending coming in stronger than forecast, market sentiment soured. The relative calm that was exhibited at the end of May is giving way to renewed fears as equity markets weaken, volatility increases and risk aversion intensifies. Risk trades are set to remain on the back foot, with the EUR likely to remain the weakest link. After testing support close to 1.2110 EUR/USD bounced but remains vulnerable to a fresh test of this level in the short-term.

A combination of concerns including rumours of ratings downgrades, with France the new target, Middle East tensions, weaker Chinese manufacturing activity and worries about increasing bank writedowns in Europe, have conspired to drag markets lower. The failure to stem the hue oil-leak in the US contributed to the malaise as the US government announced a criminal probe.

For the most part, data releases were unhelpful to risk appetite as the majority of global purchasing managers indices (PMIs) slipped in May, led by China. Only a few increased, including India and notably Ireland, whilst the Spanish and Greek PMIs fell. Although the US ISM index slipped the components looked positive, especially the employment component which moved higher, suggesting some upside potential for Friday’s May payrolls data for which we look for a 500k increase.

A picture of divergence appears to be growing in the eurozone, which will act as another source of pressure on the EUR. Germany’s outperformance is widening as reflected by the fact the German unemployment dropped to 7.7% in May in contrast to a rise in eurozone unemployment, to 10.1%. Moreover, Germany was the only country where its PMI was actually revised higher relative to the flash reading. There are also growing divisions within the European Central Bank (ECB), in particular towards the purchase of government bonds, with German ECB members particularly critical.

Posted in central banks, China, Currencies, Economics, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Financial crisis, Fiscal/Budget, FX, Germany, Greece, India, Monetary Policy, Spain, US. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Switching risk on and off

May 26, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

There are several words that can be used to describe current highly risk averse market dynamics including panicked, nervous, fickle, tense, jittery, risky, volatile etc, all of which spark negative thoughts in the minds of investors. Aside from real worries such as renewed banking sector concerns, especially in Europe and in particular with regard to Spanish savings banks, there are also plenty of rumours afflicting market sentiment. In this environment deriving fact from fiction is not particularly easy whilst battling against the heavy weight of negative sentiment.

Although the pull back in risk appetite over recent weeks looks small compared to the peak in risk aversion during the financial crisis, the pace of the drop in markets has been dramatic and the withdrawal of risk seeking capital has been particularly aggressive. For example, in less than one month Asian equity markets have registered an outflow of around half of the total equity capital flows so far this year. Worryingly and despite the backstop in terms of central bank liquidity provision there are signs of renewed tensions in the money markets, with the libor-OIS spread and TED spread widening over recent days.

One of the most interesting observations in the current environment is that risk aversion has been increasing despite encouraging economic data. Not only has economic data been positive but in general has been coming in above consensus, showing that the market has underestimated the bounce in growth in the second quarter. Why is positive data not soliciting a more positive market reaction? Recent data is perhaps being seen as backward looking, and there is growing concern about the likely downdraft on economic activity in H2 2010, especially in Europe as deficit cutting measures bite.

News on the budget front in Europe has been relatively positive too, with Greece registering a sharp decline in its deficit, as well as announcing plans to tighten tax administration procedures. Meanwhile, the Italian cabinet reportedly approved a package of measures to reduce its deficit. On the flip side budget cuts across Europe are leading to growing public opposition, testing the resolve of eurozone governments to pass austerity measures. The public opposition means that the real test is in the implementation and execution of austerity measures. Signs of progress on this front will be key to turn confidence in the EUR around.

The USD remains king in the current environment and any pull back is likely to be bought into though Moody’s ratings agency’s warnings that the US AAA sovereign rating may come under pressure if there was no improvement in the US fiscal position, highlights the risks over the medium term to this currency. The EUR is set to remain under pressure though it is worth noting that the pace of its decline appears to be slowing, leaving open the potential for some consolidation. Near-term technical support for EUR/USD is seen at 1.2142 but a broader range of around 1.18.23-1.2520 is likely to develop over coming weeks.

Posted in bank rescue, Bond markets, central banks, Economics, Economy, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, Federal Reserve, Financial crisis, Fiscal/Budget, FX, Germany, Greece, IMF. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

Risk Aversion Back With A Vengeance

May 5, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

Risk aversion is back with a vengeance as reflected in the rise in equity volatility (VIX), drop in equity markets and rally in US Treasuries.  European peripheral debt markets sold off despite the EU/IMF aid package for Greece, whilst EUR/USD slid below 1.3000.  Various rumours dealt a blow to markets including talk of a sovereign ratings downgrade and a EUR 280 billion bailout for Spain.   The message is clear.  This situation is becoming increasingly dire by the day.  Europe is in big trouble and the whole euro project is under threat of unravelling.  

Concerns about parliamentary approvals, implementation/execution risk, prospects for relatively weaker growth in Europe, as well as contagion to Spain and Portugal, has tempered any enthusiasm towards the EU/IMF bailout package.  In addition, despite the large size of the EUR 110 billion loan package there are growing worries that it will be insufficient to cover Greece’s funding requirements over the next three years.  All of this implies that the EUR will remain under pressure for some time yet.  I have previously spoken about a drop to around EUR/USD 1.25 but the risk is for a much sharper decline is growing.

The USD is the clear winner, spiking to its highest level since May 2009 and is looking well set to consolidate its gains over the short-term despite the fact that net aggregate USD speculative positioning has already reached its highest level since September 2008 (according to the CFTC Commitment of Traders IMM data) in contrast to EUR positioning, which is at a record low.  This is unlikely to stand in the way of further downside for EUR/USD, with the next technical support level seen at 1.2885, which would match the previous lows see in April 2009.

A combination of worries including contagion to Spain and Portugal, policy tightening in China, debt concerns in the UK and Japan, all threaten to undo the positive message from recent positive economic data including further strengthening in Purchasing Managers Indices globally.   The immediate attention remains on Greece and growing scepticism about the ability of Greece to carry out austerity measures in the face of rising domestic opposition, including a nationwide strike today. 

The rout in US and European markets will spill over to Asia, putting equity markets and Asian currencies under pressure.  Another risk currency to suffer is the AUD, which has dropped sharply following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting, in which the Bank indicated that rates were close to peaking.  Speculative positioning has dropped for the past two weeks as longs are taken off but AUD/USD weakness is set to be temporary, with buyers likely to emerge around near term support seen around 0.9001.

Posted in Asia, Australia, Bond markets, central banks, China, Currencies, Economics, Economy, equity markets, Europe, eurozone, FX, Germany, Greece, IMF. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »
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