Plenty of event risk

July 3, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

In the wake of the EU Summit at the end of last week sentiment has stabilised, with risk indicators such as the VIX ‘fear gauge’ reflecting a firmer tone to risk appetite. Although a few stumbling blocks have arisen such as the objections by both Finland and Holland to bond purchases by the ESM bailout fund they may not be sufficient to derail the project. The euphoria is likely to fade in the days ahead but the US Independence day holiday tomorrow may keep trading somewhat subdued.

There are plenty of events this week including central bank decisions by the RBA (Australia), Riksbank (Sweden), ECB (Eurozone) and BoE (UK), to provoke some excitement. A likely rate cut from the ECB and an extension of asset purchases by the BoE will give markets plenty to chew on. Finally, at the end of the week the US June jobs report will also be closely watched. We forecast a 100k increase in payrolls but will look for clues from tomorrow’s ADP jobs report.

The disappointing US June ISM manufacturing survey released yesterday highlighted that growth risks will remain a key weight on the market dampening any improvement in risk appetite over coming weeks. Moreover, weaker growth in Europe will make it more difficult to achieve budget targets, while adding to pressure to ease bailout terms. Undoubtedly the European summit was a step in the right direction but with plenty of details still needing to be thrashed out and growth concerns intensifying it would be highly optimistic to expect a fully fledged ‘risk on’ to ensue.

Notably the EUR has given back some of its gains after failing to break above 1.2700 against the USD. Further downside is likely but the EU Summit outcome has meant that the risk of a sharp drop lower has receded. Although there is likely to have been some short covering following the summit outcome EUR short positions remain significant, a factor that may also limit downside in the currency. EUR/USD will find some short term support around 1.2553 but will likely edge down to around 1.2500 over coming sessions.

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Calm start to the week

May 28, 2012 — Mitul Kotecha

There will be some relief reverberating through markets at the news this weekend that Greek opinion polls show growing support for pro-bailout parties. While the Greek election is still some weeks off suggesting that uncertainty will not ease quickly this news will allay fears of a quick ‘Grexit”. The week will begin quietly, with holidays in the US, keeping market trading largely thin and within ranges.

However, there are plenty of data releases and events which will result in increased nervousness as the week goes on. Data this week will reveal further contrasts between the US and Eurozone, with sentiment gauges in the latter set to deteriorate further while consumer confidence in the former will improve. In turn, Eurozone asset underperformance including EUR weakness will remain in place.

The contrast in the outlook for the US and Eurozone has been reflected in a significant shift in speculative positioning. CFTC IMM data reveals an all time high in speculative US positioning but in contrast an all time low in EUR positioning. The USD is winning by being a less ugly currency than the EUR and for now the markets are content to ignore US problems. This is set to continue over coming weeks.

Key data and events this week include the Irish referendum on the fiscal pact on Thursday and the US May jobs report on Friday. Ahead of these there is some periphery supply, with Italy coming to the primary market today. Polls point to a ‘yes’ vote in the Irish referendum, perhaps unsurprising given the risks of losing access to funding if voters vote ‘no’.

In the US markets look for a 150k increase in payrolls though its worth noting that there are less clues this month given the early release date. This slow but steady improvement in jobs will not be particularly exciting but at the same time it will no do the USD much damage either.

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Disappointments Galore

February 24, 2010 — Mitul Kotecha

Well the calm at the beginning of the week did not last very long.  Although the overnight price action can hardly be labelled as panic given both FX and equity volatility remain relatively well behaved, there is no doubt that worries are creeping back into the market psyche.  It seems that markets are once again trading on each piece of news and for the most part the news is not encouraging.  

A plethora of disappointments will set a negative tone for markets today.   Risk has come off the table in the wake of the worse than expected February German IFO business confidence survey and US Conference Board consumer confidence.   Cautious comments by Bank of England Governor King in which he kept the door open to further quantitative easing and a ratings downgrade of four of the largest Greek banks has added to the damage.

The German IFO was likely dealt a temporary blow by severe weather conditions.   The 10.5 point fall in US consumer confidence from an already relatively low level had no mitigating factors however, and revealed a deterioration in job market conditions, which combined with renewed weakness in jobless claims, does not bode well for next week’s US payrolls report, pointing to a decline of around 40k in February payrolls.

Overall, the market mood has darkened and there is little to turn sentiment around in the near term.  In prospect of likely weak reading for US payrolls next week and continuing worries about European fiscal/debt problems any improvement in risk appetite is likely to be limited.  This will help bond markets, the USD and JPY but most risk trades will face pressure. 

It is still worth being selective in FX markets.  The EUR remains the weak link and is set to struggle to make any headway, with upside likely to be restricted to resistance around 1.3747.  Similarly GBP is set to struggle in the wake of King’s comments as well as ongoing economic and deficit concerns, with GBP/USD vulnerable to a drop to around 1.5293.   In contrast, Asian currencies and commodity currencies look far more resilient.

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Post US Jobs Data FX Outlook

December 5, 2009 — Mitul Kotecha

The massive upside surprise to US payrolls could prove to be a significant indicator for the USDs fortunes in the months ahead.  To summarize, payrolls dropped by 11k, much less than expected. Net revisions totaled +148k, the workweek rose and the unemployment rate fell to 10%, also better than forecast and likely a surprise to the US administration who hinted at a rise in the unemployment rate.

Equity and bond market reaction was as would be expected; equities rallied and bonds sold off.  Gold prices dropped sharply too.  However, and this is what was most interesting, the dollar strengthened. Why is this odd? Well, over the past 9 months any news that would have been perceived as positive for risk appetite was associated with dollar weakness.  This reaction clearly did not take place following the jobs data. 

It’s worth noting that going into the payrolls data markets were very short USDs as reflected in the CFTC Commitment of Traders IMM data which revealed the biggest aggregate net short USD position since 25 March 2008. The bounce in the USD could have reflected a strong degree of short covering especially against the JPY where net long JPY positions had jumped to close to its all time high.  Going into year end expect to see more position adjustment, perhaps indicating a return of the JPY funded carry trade is back on the cards.

The dollar’s reaction to the payrolls data was reminiscent of its pre-crisis relationship of buying dollars in anticipation of a more aggressive path for US interest rates and indeed markets brought forward expectations of higher rates following the data.  It is probably too early to believe that the dollar’s movements are once again a function of interest rate differentials but it is a taste of things to come. In any case, markets will be able to garner further clues from a speech by Fed Chairman Bernanke today.

The post payrolls dollar reaction could have also reflected the fact that EUR/USD failed to break above the 1.5145 high over the week resulting in a capitulation of stale long positions, especially as the move towards reducing liquidity provision by the ECB also failed to push the EUR higher. If the S&P 500 stays above 1100 EUR/USD could retrace higher for the most part a broad 1.48-1.51 range is likely to dominate over the week.  Nonetheless, a break below 1.4820 could provoke an accelerated stop loss fuelled drop in EUR/USD.  ECB President Trichet speaks today and may reiterate that the ECB’s measures to begin scaling back its liquidity provision should not be taken as a step towards monetary tightening.

USD/JPY proved interesting last week pushing higher in the wake of strong rhetoric by the Japanese authorities threatening intervention to prevent JPY strength. The BoJ’s attempt to provide more liquidity to banks also helped on the margin to weaker the JPY but the impact of the move is likely to prove limited. Nonetheless, exporters and Japanese officials may be more relaxed this week, if USD/JPY can hold above 90.00.  However, a likely sharp revision lower to Japanese Q3 GDP tomorrow will help maintain calls for a weaker JPY.

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