Australiandollar
AUD CAD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
At their April meeting, the RBA took a slightly more hawkish stance by removing their reference to ‘patience’ in terms of policy tightening. With the bank taking a sanguine view of rising price pressures, the statement did reveal a growing concern for inflation with 10 references to ‘inflation’ in the statement. The bank explained that higher energy and commodity price could see a sizeable increase to inflation forecasts in the May report. In their Financial Stability report the bank urged borrowers to prepare for an increase in rates, which was a further signal from the bank. Even though the meeting showed a bank that is turning the page, the statement also revealed very similar conditionality such as incoming wage and inflation data. Following the meeting, markets have a bit of an overreaction by pricing in a >80% chance of a rate hike at the May meeting but was later pushed back to <30%. Given the importance of wage data, and since that is only release on the 18th of May, the most likely meeting for a first hike is the June meeting. Westpac investment bank agrees with our take with the bank expecting a 15bsp lift off in June, followed by 25bsp hikes in July, August, Oct and Nov. Even though this confirms our fundamental bullish bias, the >14 hikes priced by end 2023 means risks of lower repricing is building.
2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis
Apart from the RBA, there are 3 drivers we’re watching for the med-term outlook: Recovery – unlike other nations where growth & inflation is expected to slow, Australia is expected to see recovery, mostly thanks to stimulus in China China – With the PBoC & CCP stepping up monetary and fiscal stimulus, any recovery in China bodes well for Australia (China accounts for 40% of Australian exports). It also means the current virus situation in China posesshort-term downside risks for AUD. The AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar as well Commodities – Iron Ore (31%), Coal (14%) and LNG (10%) is more than 50% of Aussie exports, with rising prices giving the AUD huge support from terms of trade. If commodities remain supported it remains a support for AUD, but of course also means any sizeable corrections would weigh on the AUD, which means geopolitical and China demand developments remain focus points.
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the AUD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the AUD.
4. CFTC Analysis
It’s taken many weeks of stretched positioning, but AUD net-shorts have continued to unwind and have moved out of stretched territory. After a decent run higher, price action has been looking stretched, which means we’ll prefer deeper pullbacks before initiating new med-term AUD longs.
5. The Week Ahead
The main focus for the AUD in the week ahead will be QQ CPI data, China developments and commodities . For the QQ CPI , market consensus is expecting quite a jump with YY headline seen at 4.6% from 3.5%, with both the Trim and Weighted YY measures both seen comfortably above 3%. This supports the idea that the RBA will be looking raise rates at upcoming meetings by stating that inflation developments have brought forward the likely timing of a first hike. However, whether a beat or not, the most likely scenario for lift off remains in June. On China’s side, markets will be watching Caixin PMI as well as the Covid situation (what’s good or bad for China usually spills over into the AUD so pay attention to that). For commodities , the geopolitical tensions have seen commodity prices surge and have given Australia’s terms of trade a solid boost. As commodities have been supported by geopolitical stress and stimulus hopes from China, anything that dents that optimism and sees mean reversion in commodities will be important to watch for the AUD. This also means that the AUD might counterintuitively trade mixed on geopolitical de-escalations depending on how commodities react. However, it is important to note that the AUD exhibited very ‘traditional’ risk sensitivity to equity markets last week, which suggests overall risk sentiment might be coming back into focus for the Antipodean.
CAD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
The BoC delivered on expectations with a 50bsp hike as well as announcing a start to passive QT from the end of April by ending its reinvestment of maturing bonds. The bank upgraded both inflation and growth estimates as markets were expecting but did play a hawkish card by also increasing their neutral rate estimate to 2.5% from 2.25%. They acknowledged the growing risks from the current geopolitical situation but made it very clear that they are concerned about inflation and their hike of 50bsp showed that they think that policy needs to be normalized quickly (which some took as a hint that another 50bsp is on the way). The bank didn’t offer any additional clarity on QT but did note that they are not considering active QT of selling bonds just yet. Some conditionality also surfaced, where they explained that any sudden negative shocks to growth or inflation could see them pause hikes once they get closer towards neutral ( Gov Macklem also added that they might need to get rates slightly above neutral in the current cycle). Overall, it was a more hawkish than expected BoC decision, but interesting to note that STIR markets did not price in another 50bsp following the meeting (only a 25bsp) hike. We remain of the opinion that we are close to peak hawkishness for the BoC and are looking for the last push higher in the CAD for opportunities to sell.
2. Intermarket Analysis Considerations
Oil’s impressive post-covid recovery has been driven by many factors such as supply & demand , global demand recovery, and more recently geopolitical concerns. At current prices the risk to demand destruction and stagflation is high, which means we remain cautious of oil in the med-term . Reason for caution: Synchronised policy tightening targeting demand, slowing growth, consensus longs, steep backwardation curve, heightened implied volatility . We remain cautious oil , but geopolitics are a key driver and focus for Petro-currencies like the CAD (even though the CAD-Oil correlation has been hit and miss).
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the CAD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the CAD.
4. CFTC Analysis
Aggregate positioning was bullish yet again, but not as bullish as the prior week. We also started to see a first possibly sign that price action could have reached a bit of a top after recent BoC news have been priced in. We think markets are setting up a similar path compared to April 2021, Oct 2021 and Jan 2022 where markets were too aggressive to price in CAD upside only to see majority of it unwind later. For now, timing is very important, and we’re waiting for deeper pullbacks in AUDCAD & USDCAD for long opportunities.
5. The Week Ahead
It’s a very light econ calendar for Canada this week, which means risk sentiment and WTI will be interesting drivers to watch. The correlation between WTI and CAD has been mostly hit and miss over the past couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore Oil’s potential impact on CAD price action. Thus, the energy market will be in focus as usual where any oil-positive developments could support the CAD while any oilnegative news could pressure the CAD. As for risk sentiment, it’s interesting that the only high-beta major that held up okay last week despite risk off tones was the CAD. We’re not sure what to make of that right now, but know that if market sentiment deteriorates enough, that the CAD will not be able to stay immune to that.
AUD CAD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
At their April meeting, the RBA took a slightly more hawkish stance by removing their reference to ‘patience’ in terms of policy tightening. With the bank taking a sanguine view of rising price pressures, the statement did reveal a growing concern for inflation with 10 references to ‘inflation’ in the statement. The bank explained that higher energy and commodity price could see a sizeable increase to inflation forecasts in the May report. In their Financial Stability report the bank urged borrowers to prepare for an increase in rates, which was a further signal from the bank. Even though the meeting showed a bank that is turning the page, the statement also revealed very similar conditionality such as incoming wage and inflation data. Following the meeting, markets have a bit of an overreaction by pricing in a >80% chance of a rate hike at the May meeting but was later pushed back to <30%. Given the importance of wage data, and since that is only release on the 18th of May, the most likely meeting for a first hike is the June meeting. Westpac investment bank agrees with our take with the bank expecting a 15bsp lift off in June, followed by 25bsp hikes in July, August, Oct and Nov. Even though this confirms our fundamental bullish bias, the >14 hikes priced by end 2023 means risks of lower repricing is building.
2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis
Apart from the RBA, there are 3 drivers we’re watching for the med-term outlook: Recovery – unlike other nations where growth & inflation is expected to slow, Australia is expected to see recovery, mostly thanks to stimulus in China China – With the PBoC & CCP stepping up monetary and fiscal stimulus, any recovery in China bodes well for Australia (China accounts for 40% of Australian exports). It also means the current virus situation in China posesshort-term downside risks for AUD. The AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar as well Commodities – Iron Ore (31%), Coal (14%) and LNG (10%) is more than 50% of Aussie exports, with rising prices giving the AUD huge support from terms of trade. If commodities remain supported it remains a support for AUD, but of course also means any sizeable corrections would weigh on the AUD, which means geopolitical and China demand developments remain focus points.
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the AUD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the AUD.
4. CFTC Analysis
It’s taken many weeks of stretched positioning, but AUD net-shorts have continued to unwind and have moved out of stretched territory. After a decent run higher, price action has been looking stretched, which means we’ll prefer deeper pullbacks before initiating new med-term AUD longs.
5. The Week Ahead
The main focus for the AUD in the week ahead will be QQ CPI data, China developments and commodities. For the QQ CPI, market consensus is expecting quite a jump with YY headline seen at 4.6% from 3.5%, with both the Trim and Weighted YY measures both seen comfortably above 3%. This supports the idea that the RBA will be looking raise rates at upcoming meetings by stating that inflation developments have brought forward the likely timing of a first hike. However, whether a beat or not, the most likely scenario for lift off remains in June. On China’s side, markets will be watching Caixin PMI as well as the Covid situation (what’s good or bad for China usually spills over into the AUD so pay attention to that). For commodities, the geopolitical tensions have seen commodity prices surge and have given Australia’s terms of trade a solid boost. As commodities have been supported by geopolitical stress and stimulus hopes from China, anything that dents that optimism and sees mean reversion in commodities will be important to watch for the AUD. This also means that the AUD might counterintuitively trade mixed on geopolitical de-escalations depending on how commodities react. However, it is important to note that the AUD exhibited very ‘traditional’ risk sensitivity to equity markets last week, which suggests overall risk sentiment might be coming back into focus for the Antipodean.
CAD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
The BoC delivered on expectations with a 50bsp hike as well as announcing a start to passive QT from the end of April by ending its reinvestment of maturing bonds. The bank upgraded both inflation and growth estimates as markets were expecting but did play a hawkish card by also increasing their neutral rate estimate to 2.5% from 2.25%. They acknowledged the growing risks from the current geopolitical situation but made it very clear that they are concerned about inflation and their hike of 50bsp showed that they think that policy needs to be normalized quickly (which some took as a hint that another 50bsp is on the way). The bank didn’t offer any additional clarity on QT but did note that they are not considering active QT of selling bonds just yet. Some conditionality also surfaced, where they explained that any sudden negative shocks to growth or inflation could see them pause hikes once they get closer towards neutral (Gov Macklem also added that they might need to get rates slightly above neutral in the current cycle). Overall, it was a more hawkish than expected BoC decision, but interesting to note that STIR markets did not price in another 50bsp following the meeting (only a 25bsp) hike. We remain of the opinion that we are close to peak hawkishness for the BoC and are looking for the last push higher in the CAD for opportunities to sell.
2. Intermarket Analysis Considerations
Oil’s impressive post-covid recovery has been driven by many factors such as supply & demand, global demand recovery, and more recently geopolitical concerns. At current prices the risk to demand destruction and stagflation is high, which means we remain cautious of oil in the med-term. Reason for caution: Synchronised policy tightening targeting demand, slowing growth, consensus longs, steep backwardation curve, heightened implied volatility. We remain cautious oil, but geopolitics are a key driver and focus for Petro-currencies like the CAD (even though the CAD-Oil correlation has been hit and miss).
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the CAD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the CAD.
4. CFTC Analysis
Aggregate positioning was bullish yet again, but not as bullish as the prior week. We also started to see a first possibly sign that price action could have reached a bit of a top after recent BoC news have been priced in. We think markets are setting up a similar path compared to April 2021, Oct 2021 and Jan 2022 where markets were too aggressive to price in CAD upside only to see majority of it unwind later. For now, timing is very important, and we’re waiting for deeper pullbacks in AUDCAD & USDCAD for long opportunities.
5. The Week Ahead
It’s a very light econ calendar for Canada this week, which means risk sentiment and WTI will be interesting drivers to watch. The correlation between WTI and CAD has been mostly hit and miss over the past couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore Oil’s potential impact on CAD price action. Thus, the energy market will be in focus as usual where any oil-positive developments could support the CAD while any oilnegative news could pressure the CAD. As for risk sentiment, it’s interesting that the only high-beta major that held up okay last week despite risk off tones was the CAD. We’re not sure what to make of that right now, but know that if market sentiment deteriorates enough, that the CAD will not be able to stay immune to that.
GBPAUD Bullish Divergence on RSI may stop the sellingThe GBPAUD pair has been declining after the January 28 Lower High on the multi-year Channel Down. As long as the 1D MA50 (blue trend-line) is holding as Resistance, this bearish sentiment should continue to dominate. During the last Lower Low leg in July 2020, when the 1D MA50 broke to the upside, the selling stopped and GBPAUD turned sideways on a neutral price action.
Before that, the first sign to warn of this change in trend was the bullish divergence on the 1D RSI, which was on Higher Lows while the price action was on Lower Lows. We suggest to keep selling only if the Diverging Lower Lows trend-line breaks (dashed line) and target the -0.5 Fibonacci extension (orange trend-line). Until then, wait for the 1W MACD to make a Bullish Cross and buy. If that takes place above the Diverging Lower Lows line, target the 0.786 Fib retracement level within the Channel Down (blue). If it takes below the Diverging Lower Lows, target 1.77000.
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AUDUSD Daily OutlookThe pair is consolidating bounce off 50-DMA support, holds break above 5-DMA
Technical analysis shows major trend is bullish, while minor trend is turning bullish on the daily charts.
Major Resistance Levels:
R1: 0.7464 (20-DMA)
R2: 0.7
Major Support Levels:
S1: 0.7427 (21-EMA)
S2: 0.7400 (5-DMA)
AUDUSD: Bullish Continuation is Highly Probable 🇦🇺🇺🇸
Hey traders,
AUDUSD broke and closed above a resistance line of a big falling parallel channel on an hourly time frame.
It looks like the pair is reversing and a minor bearish trend looks violated now.
I expect a bullish continuation to 0.7458 / 0.7482 levels.
❤️Please, support this idea with like and comment!❤️
AUD CAD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
At their April meeting, the RBA took a slightly more hawkish stance by removing their reference to ‘patience’ in terms of policy tightening. With the bank taking a sanguine view of rising price pressures, the statement did reveal a growing concern for inflation with 10 references to ‘inflation’ in the statement. The bank explained that higher energy and commodity price could see a sizeable increase to inflation forecasts in the May report. In their Financial Stability report the bank urged borrowers to prepare for an increase in rates, which was a further signal from the bank. Even though the meeting showed a bank that is turning the page, the statement also revealed very similar conditionality such as incoming wage and inflation data. Following the meeting, markets have a bit of an overreaction by pricing in a >80% chance of a rate hike at the May meeting but was later pushed back to <30%. Given the importance of wage data, and since that is only release on the 18th of May, the most likely meeting for a first hike is the June meeting. Westpac investment bank agrees with our take with the bank expecting a 15bsp lift off in June, followed by 25bsp hikes in July, August, Oct and Nov. Even though this confirms our fundamental bullish bias, the >14 hikes priced by end 2023 means risks of lower repricing is building.
2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis
Apart from the RBA, there are 3 drivers we’re watching for the med-term outlook: Recovery – unlike other nations where growth & inflation is expected to slow, Australia is expected to see recovery, mostly thanks to stimulus in China China – With the PBoC & CCP stepping up monetary and fiscal stimulus, any recovery in China bodes well for Australia (China accounts for 40% of Australian exports). It also means the current virus situation in China posesshort-term downside risks for AUD. The AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar as well Commodities – Iron Ore (31%), Coal (14%) and LNG (10%) is more than 50% of Aussie exports, with rising prices giving the AUD huge support from terms of trade. If commodities remain supported it remains a support for AUD, but of course also means any sizeable corrections would weigh on the AUD, which means geopolitical and China demand developments remain focus points.
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the AUD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the AUD.
4. CFTC Analysis
It’s taken many weeks of stretched positioning, but AUD net-shorts have continued to unwind and have moved
out of stretched territory. After a decent run higher, price action has been looking stretched, which means we’ll
prefer deeper pullbacks before initiating new med-term AUD longs.
5. The Week Ahead
There are no economic data highlights for the week ahead, which means China and commodities will arguably be the main drivers. With the PBoC set to meet on Wednesday, any further promises of support will be important to watch for the AUD. Consensus is looking for the PBoC to ease the MLF and LPR, with some also looking for another RRR cut as well. Some analysts have argued that the competitive rise US yields versus Chinese counterparts might see a more patient PBoC as CN10Y fell below US10Y for the first time in 12 years last week. Any hesitation from the PBoC to step up to the plate could be a negative for the AUD. For commodities , the geopolitical tensions have seen commodity prices surge and have given Australia’s terms of trade a solid boost. As commodities have been supported by geopolitical stress and stimulus hopes from China, anything that dents that optimism and sees mean reversion in commodities will be important to watch for the AUD. This also means that the AUD might counterintuitively trade mixed on geopolitical de-escalations depending on how commodities react.
CAD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
The BoC delivered on expectations with a 50bsp hike as well as announcing a start to passive QT from the end of April by ending its reinvestment of maturing bonds. The bank upgraded both inflation and growth estimates as markets were expecting but did play a hawkish card by also increasing their neutral rate estimate to 2.5% from 2.25%. They acknowledged the growing risks from the current geopolitical situation but made it very clear that they are concerned about inflation and their hike of 50bsp showed that they think that policy needs to be normalized quickly (which some took as a hint that another 50bsp is on the way). The bank didn’t offer any additional clarity on QT but did note that they are not considering active QT of selling bonds just yet. Some conditionality also surfaced, where they explained that any sudden negative shocks to growth or inflation could see them pause hikes once they get closer towards neutral ( Gov Macklem also added that they might need to get rates slightly above neutral in the current cycle). Overall, it was a more hawkish than expected BoC decision, but interesting to note that STIR markets did not price in another 50bsp following the meeting (only a 25bsp) hike. We remain of the opinion that we are close to peak hawkishness for the BoC and are looking for the last push higher in the CAD for opportunities to sell.
2. Intermarket Analysis Considerations
Oil’s impressive post-covid recovery has been driven by many factors such as supply & demand , global demand recovery, and more recently geopolitical concerns. At current prices the risk to demand destruction and stagflation is high, which means we remain cautious of oil in the med-term . Reason for caution: Synchronised policy tightening targeting demand, slowing growth, consensus longs, steep backwardation curve, heightened implied volatility . We remain cautious oil , but geopolitics are a key driver and focus for Petro-currencies like the CAD (even though the CAD-Oil correlation has been hit and miss).
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the CAD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the CAD.
4. CFTC Analysis
Another bullish positioning signal with the recent positioning update. With Asset Manager net-longs still in the top 80 percentile we think markets are setting up a similar path compared to April 2021, Oct 2021 and Jan 2022 where markets were too aggressive to price in CAD upside only to see majority of it unwind later. For now, timing is very important, and we’re waiting for deeper pullbacks in AUDCAD & USDCAD for long opportunities.
5. The Week Ahead
For the week ahead the main data highlight for the CAD will be March CPI figures on Wednesday. Inflation will be important to watch as always (especially in the current macro backdrop), but with the BoC hiking 50bsp last week this week’s print won’t be enough to change the BoC’s mind. The event can of course create short-term volatility in the events of a big miss or beat. Despite the BoC providing some signals that another 50bsp could be on the table, STIR markets have not jumped to price it. Thus, a solid beat might see markets pricing in a 50bsp hike while a surprise miss could see markets sticking to a 25bsp but being close to peak hawkishness also means a miss could be a catalyst to get back on the short side for CAD. The correlation between WTI and CAD has been mostly hit and miss over the past couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore Oil’s potential impact on CAD price action. Thus, the energy market will be in focus as usual where any oil-positive developments could support the CAD while any oil-negative news could pressure the CAD.
AUD USD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
At their April meeting, the RBA took a slightly more hawkish stance by removing their reference to ‘patience’ in terms of policy tightening. With the bank taking a sanguine view of rising price pressures, the statement did reveal a growing concern for inflation with 10 references to ‘inflation’ in the statement. The bank explained that higher energy and commodity price could see a sizeable increase to inflation forecasts in the May report. In their Financial Stability report the bank urged borrowers to prepare for an increase in rates, which was a further signal from the bank. Even though the meeting showed a bank that is turning the page, the statement also revealed very similar conditionality such as incoming wage and inflation data. Following the meeting, markets have a bit of an overreaction by pricing in a >80% chance of a rate hike at the May meeting but was later pushed back to <30%. Given the importance of wage data, and since that is only release on the 18th of May, the most likely meeting for a first hike is the June meeting. Westpac investment bank agrees with our take with the bank expecting a 15bsp lift off in June, followed by 25bsp hikes in July, August, Oct and Nov. Even though this confirms our fundamental bullish bias, the >14 hikes priced by end 2023 means risks of lower repricing is building.
2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis
Apart from the RBA, there are 3 drivers we’re watching for the med-term outlook: Recovery – unlike other nations where growth & inflation is expected to slow, Australia is expected to see recovery, mostly thanks to stimulus in China China – With the PBoC & CCP stepping up monetary and fiscal stimulus, any recovery in China bodes well for Australia (China accounts for 40% of Australian exports). It also means the current virus situation in China posesshort-term downside risks for AUD. The AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar as well Commodities – Iron Ore (31%), Coal (14%) and LNG (10%) is more than 50% of Aussie exports, with rising prices giving the AUD huge support from terms of trade. If commodities remain supported it remains a support for AUD, but of course also means any sizeable corrections would weigh on the AUD, which means geopolitical and China demand developments remain focus points.
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the AUD usually benefits from overall positive risk sentiment as well as environments that benefit pro-cyclical assets. Thus, both short-term (immediate) and med-term (underlying) risk sentiment will always be a key consideration for the AUD.
4. CFTC Analysis
It’s taken many weeks of stretched positioning, but AUD net-shorts have continued to unwind and have moved
out of stretched territory. After a decent run higher, price action has been looking stretched, which means we’ll
prefer deeper pullbacks before initiating new med-term AUD longs.
5. The Week Ahead
There are no economic data highlights for the week ahead, which means China and commodities will arguably be the main drivers. With the PBoC set to meet on Wednesday, any further promises of support will be important to watch for the AUD. Consensus is looking for the PBoC to ease the MLF and LPR, with some also looking for another RRR cut as well. Some analysts have argued that the competitive rise US yields versus Chinese counterparts might see a more patient PBoC as CN10Y fell below US10Y for the first time in 12 years last week. Any hesitation from the PBoC to step up to the plate could be a negative for the AUD. For commodities, the geopolitical tensions have seen commodity prices surge and have given Australia’s terms of trade a solid boost. As commodities have been supported by geopolitical stress and stimulus hopes from China, anything that dents that optimism and sees mean reversion in commodities will be important to watch for the AUD. This also means that the AUD might counterintuitively trade mixed on geopolitical de-escalations depending on how commodities react.
USD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
In March the Fed delivered on a 25bsp hike as expected with Fed’s Bullard the only dissenter voting for a 50bsp hike. The Dot Plot saw a big upgrade from 3 hikes (Dec) to 7 hikes for 2022, with the FFR seen reaching 2.75%- 3.0% in 2023 before falling in 2024. They did however lower their neutral rate from 2.5% to 2.4% which were a negative. Inflation forecasts for 2022 were raised to 4.1% (previous 2.7%) but med-term inflation saw less aggressive upgrades. Even though the overall message and projections were hawkish, the fact that GDP estimates were lowered to 2.8% from 4.0% shows the Fed expects their actions to impact demand and also reflect some of the recent geopolitical uncertainties. The Fed didn’t share new details on QT but noted that the decision to start selling assets will be made at a coming meeting (markets consensus sees a July start as likely) and added that good progress in QT discussions means a May announcement is likely. During the presser the Chair expressed his view that the economy is doing really well and, should be more than able to withstand the incoming rate hikes (a very similar situation like we had in 4Q18). When asked whether 50bsp hikes could be on the table, the chair explained that the FOMC has not made decision to front-load hikes and will keep an eye on incoming inflation data to determine their policy actions going forward, but of course added that every incoming meeting was live. Overall, the Fed was hawkish, but due to very strong pre-positioning and close to peak hawkishness priced for STIR markets the meeting saw a ‘sell-the-fact’ reaction across major asset classes.
2. Global & Domestic Economy
As the reserve currency, the USD’s global usage means it’s usually inversely correlated to the global economy and global trade. The USD usually appreciates when growth & inflation slows (disinflation) and depreciates when growth & inflation accelerates (reflation). Thus, current expectations of a cyclical slowdown are a positive driver for the Dollar. Incoming data will be watched in relation to the ‘Fed Put’ as there are many similarities between now and 4Q18, where the Fed were also tightened into a slowdown. If growth data slows and the Fed stays hawkish it’s a positive for the USD, however if the Fed pivots dovish that’ll be a negative driver for the USD.
3. CFTC Analysis
Aggregate USD positioning remains close to 1 standard deviation above the mean, and close to prior tops where the USD topped out in previous cycles. That does not change the bullish outlook for the USD in the med-term but means that we would wait for pullbacks before initiating new longs with price at new cycle highs.
4. The Week Ahead
The week will be thin in terms of US economic data, with the Philly Fed Business Index and S&P Global Flash PMIs the main highlights. The focus here for the USD will once again be on the growth side, where another fasterthan-expected slowdown could be supportive for the USD given its usual inverse correlation to global growth expectations. In the event that growth data surprise higher though, we should not be surprised if we see the USD push lower afterwards, but we should also not get complacent in the growth-inspired reactions in the USD given how stretched prices have been. What that means is that we need to be mindful of the possibility that current USD bulls take some profit as we push into major and key 2020 resistance levels (2-year highs and new cycle
highs). As a growth hedge, the current environment of slowing growth and a hawkish Fed bodes well for the USD, which means the med-term bullish bias remains intact, but the risk to reward of chasing it at the highs is not very attractive right now, and means patience is not a bad idea right now.
AUDCAD formed a bearish reversal pattern.The AUDCAD pair just hit the 1D MA50 (blue trend-line) after a rejection on the 0.95200 level. This resembles the February 25 2021 rejection of a similar 1-6 fractal in late 2020/ early 2021. We do expect a test of the 0.89125 low by Q3, however are prepared to take the loss and turn to buying if 0.95200 breaks, which is the invalidation line.
Most recent AUDCAD signal:
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Dominant Currency Sentiment – Diverging Yields JPY is once again leading to the downside as the growing divergence between US and Japanese yields keeps the currency pressured. Furthermore, Reuters argues that “many investors are betting the yen has further to fall. The latest CFTC data for the week ending April 12 shows net short yen positions are the largest in three and a half years.”
In contrast to JPY and leading to the upside is AUD, with the commodity linked currency supported by the latest RBA meeting minutes, which suggested that the central bank expects a further rise in inflation and therefore expects to raise rates sooner than was initially expected.
Looking ahead today’s economi8c calendar is light on tier one data, keeping the market’s focus on current themes, particularly monetary policy outlooks and their influence on external factors raning from yields to the global economic outlook.
AUDCAD: Very Bullish Setup 🇦🇺🇨🇦
AUDCAD reached a key weekly structure resistance at the beginning of April.
Then the pair formed a head and shoulders pattern on a daily time frame.
Friday's candle closed below its horizontal neckline.
It looks like the pair will keep falling.
Next support - 0.919
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AUDNZD Long-term sell opportunityThe AUDNZD pair broke above its August 2020 Lower Highs trend-line in late March and is now approaching the 1.104500 Resistance. This is similar to the late October 2017 break-out above the Lower Highs. In fact the two phases seem identical on a wider 3 year scale.
The 2017 fractal reversed soon after it broke above the Lower Highs and initially reached as low as the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level. That is currently just below the 1.04000 level, and is our long-term target on the AUDNZD pair. Notice that the RSI on the 1W time-frame is at the highest level since July 2008 of the subprime mortgage crisis.
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AUDJPY Sell signal on overbought 1D RSIThe AUDJPY pair has given a clear medium-term bearish signal. The 1D RSI got rejected late last month within its multi-year Resistance Zone with the price initially reacting with a pull-back but has since recovered and turned neutral.
Every time that the price hit the 1D RSI Resistance Zone since 2020, it pulled-back to at least the previous Fibonacci level: In June 2020 it pulled-back to the 0.0 Fib from the 0.5 Fib, in February 2021 it pulled-back to the 0.5 and then even 0.0 Fib from the 1.0 Fib. Finally in October 2021 it pulled-back from the 1.0 Fib straight to the 0.0 Fib.
Right now, it is trading on the 1.5 Fibonacci extension level. Naturally we are expecting a pull-back on a two month horizon to the 1.0 Fib at least. A monthly candle closing below it, can even kick-start a deeper correction to the 0.5 Fib. This is a great low risk trade for swing traders.
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