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Australiandollar

AUDUSD close to breaking bullish long-termThe AUDUSD pair has turned bullish on the medium-term since it broke (firstly) above the dashed Lower Highs trend-line (similar to the September-October 2020 fractal) and (secondly) above the 1D MA200 (orange trend-line), which has been intact since July 06 2021. The 1D MA50 (blue trend-line) is supporting and right now the pair is attempting the most important test on the long-term, the Lower Highs trend-line of the Channel Down, which is the dominant (bearish) trend since the start of 2021. If broken, expect a Resistance 1 test (0.75570) initially, as long as the Higher Lows trend-line and the 1D MA50 are supporting. A 1D candle closing above the Resistance 1, can initiate a 0.78235 test, which is the Symmetrical Resistance of the September-October 2020 fractal. On the other hand, a 1D candle closing beow the Higher Lows trend-line, is a sell signal towards the 0.70000 Support. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Please support this idea with your likes and comments, it is the best way to keep it relevant and support me. ** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by TradingShot
3
AUD CAD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: WEAK BULLISH 1. Monetary Policy At their March meeting, the bank didn’t do much to surprise markets and stuck to a similar script compared to the previous meeting, with the exception of adding the Russia/Ukraine war as a major new source of uncertainty. While Unemployment is at 4.2% and expected to be below 4% throughout 2023, and with Inflation above the middle of the target range and expected to rise to 3.25 this year and stay at 2.75% throughout 2023, the continues dovish façade is getting a little embarrassing for the bank. Even though wage growth failed to surprise higher, consensus still expects it to reach 3% in Q2 and well above 3% in Q3, and once the 3% level is reached the RBA would have complete ran out of reasons to stay dovish. It’s clear that markets are looking straight through this though as STIR markets, bond yields and the AUD failed to see any real downside after the meeting and continued higher after a very brief and small dip lower. For now, the bank stays dovish, but the longer they stay in denial the longer the chances of a more aggressive hawkish pivot later. 2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis Apart from the RBA, there are 4 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 a solid post-covid recovery China – With the PBoC stepping up stimulus & expectations of further fiscal support expected in 1H22, the projected recovery in China bodes well for Australia as China makes up close to 40% of Australian exports. However, the AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar. Commodities – Iron Ore (24% of exports) and Coal (18% of exports) keep grinding higher for various reasons, one being China’s expected recovery and the other the energy and inflation concerns given the geopolitical risks, and as long as these commodities are supported, they should continue to support the AUD. 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 The bag holders finally reacted! For weeks now we’ve been very surprised by the reluctance of big net-short positions for the AUD among market participants. Given all the recent positive developments for the AUD we would have expected a bigger unwind to take place much sooner. However, with a mammoth reduction of 30K net-short contracts for both large specs and leveraged funds it’s safe to say the unwind has begun. The more this reduces though the less our potent the upside for the AUD might be so just keep that in mind. 5. The Week Ahead The week ahead will be extremely quiet on the data from for the AUD. Which means the overall focus will fall to China, commodities and risk sentiment. The announcements from the CCP last week saw immediate support for Chinese equities and also boosted Aussie commodity prices and supported the AUD. Thus, any continued good news from China is a key catalyst to watch for the antipodean. This is closely linked to commodities as well, where Australia’s key commodity exports Iron Ore, LNG and Coal have remained well supported, and any news or developments that keep them supported or cause them to drop will be very important for the AUD. As always risk sentiment remains a focus for the AUD, where any major developments between Russia and Ukraine can have an impact, but commodities have been the dominant driver for the AUD in recent weeks so the sensitivity to pure risk flows has been less intense than usual. Our preferred way of expressing expected strength for the AUD is versus the CAD (check out recent trade ideas for information on why). CAD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL 1. Monetary Policy The BoC did not surprise at their March meeting by hiking rates to 0.50% from 0.25% and continuing the reinvestment phase regarding asset purchases. The bank noted that the Russia/Ukraine war was a new major uncertainty for the economy and that as a result inflation is now expected to be higher in the near-term. They were optimistic about the growth outlook though and reiterated that it expects further interest rate rises will be needed. On the QT side, Gov Macklem noted that around 40% of the bank's bond holdings were due to mature within two years, and suggested that balance sheet could shrink quickly, and also added that they will discuss ending the reinvestment phase and starting QT at the April meeting. The Governor also said he didn’t rule out the potential for 50bsp rate rises as oil is putting upside pressure on oil, noting that oil prices around $110 per barrel could add another percentage point to inflation. With markets implying close to another 5 hikes this year, we remain cautious on the currency as a slowing US and Canadian economy means the bank should struggle to maintain it’s current hawkish path in the weeks and months ahead. 2. Intermarket Analysis Considerations Oil’s massive post-covid recovery has been impressive, driven by various factors such as supply & demand (OPEC’s production cuts), strong global demand recovery, and of course ‘higher for longer’ than expected inflation. The geopolitical crisis the world is facing right now have opened up a big push higher in WTI, trading at levels last seen since 2008 last week. With oil prices at these levels the risk to demand destruction and stagflation is higher than ever and means we remain cautious oil in the med-term. Reason for that view is: Synchronised policy tightening from DM central banks targeting demand, slowing growth and inflation, a consensus that is very long oil (growing calls for $100 WTI), very steep backwardation futures curve which usually sees negative forward returns, heightened implied volatility. However, recent geopolitical risks have been a key focus point for oil and means escalation and de-escalation will be important to watch. 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 We think the recent price action and positioning data has seen the CAD take a very similar path compared to April and Oct 2021 where markets were way too aggressive and optimistic to price in upside for the CAD, only to then see majority of it unwind. However, oil prices remain in focus as a key intermarket driver, albeit the correlation has been very hit and miss over recent weeks. 5. The Week Ahead The data schedule is feather light for the CAD this week. We continue to remain cautious on the CAD anddespite continued calls for a roaring economy we do not share the optimism. The recent jobs print, even though it was positive at face value, was not that impressive when incorporating the Omicron-related drop. Furthermore, even though inflation were higher than expected, it wasn’t the type of upside scare we’ve seen in other economies like the US, UK and EU. If expectations for a slowdown in the US and Canadian economies are correct, it increases the probability that the BoC will need to turn dovish in coming weeks and months and means we continue to look for upside in the AUDCAD on a med-term basis, but in the short-term we are cautious of some corrective price action after the one-sided upside we saw last week so just keep that in mind.
by thunderpips
5
Today’s Notable Sentiment ShiftsGBP – The pound dropped on Thursday after the Bank of England raised interest rates but sounded less certain about the pace of further tightening to combat soaring inflation. Summarising the meeting, Aviva noted that “In contrast to both the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, the Bank of England delivered a relatively dovish message to investors today… there was more of a focus on slower growth and its impact on households going forward”. AUD – The Aussie rebounded on Thursday as strong employment data pushed bond yields higher and triggered calls for a more aggressive stance form the RBA. Speaking after the employment report, CBA stated that there was now a clear risk the RBA would drop its commitment to being “patient” on rates at the next board meeting in April. Concluding that they “anticipate the RBA will move to an explicit hiking bias at the May Board meeting, and to commence normalizing the cash rate in June.”
by thunderpips
1
Dominant Currency Sentiment – AUD Supported Heading into today’s European trading session, the risk tone is leaning risk-on. Asia-Pacific indices are notably positive, measures of volatility subdued and safe-havens pressured. Leading Asia-Pacific indices to the upside is the Hang Seng at +6.16%, followed by the Nikkei 225 at +3.46%, the Topix at +2.47% and the CSI 300 and ASX 200 at +1.96% and +1.05%, respectively. In the FX complex, the positive risk-on tone – which remains a function of hopes for further stimulus from Beijing – sees safe-havens leading to the downside. CHF is currently the session laggard, followed closely by JPY and USD, with AUDUSD reclaiming the 0.73 handle. Indeed, the positive risk tone and strong employment report sees AUD leading to the upside. Both Employment Change and the Unemployment Rate beat expectations causing some analysts to now to suggest the RBA should adopt a more aggressive stance. CBA notes there is now a clear risk the RBA would drop its commitment to being “patient” on rates at the next policy meeting. Looking ahead. Today’s European trading session will see the latest inflation figures from Europe. However, the main event will be the BoE’s latest policy decision, where the central bank is widely expected to announce a further 25 basis point hike.
by thunderpips
AUD USD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: WEAK BULLISH 1. Monetary Policy At their March meeting, the bank didn’t do much to surprise markets and stuck to a similar script compared to the previous meeting, with the exception of adding the Russia/Ukraine war as a major new source of uncertainty. While Unemployment is at 4.2% and expected to be below 4% throughout 2023, and with Inflation above the middle of the target range and expected to rise to 3.25 this year and stay at 2.75% throughout 2023, the continues dovish façade is getting a little embarrassing for the bank. Even though wage growth failed to surprise higher, consensus still expects it to reach 3% in Q2 and well above 3% in Q3, and once the 3% level is reached the RBA would have complete ran out of reasons to stay dovish. It’s clear that markets are looking straight through this though as STIR markets, bond yields and the AUD failed to see any real downside after the meeting and continued higher after a very brief and small dip lower. For now, the bank stays dovish, but the longer they stay in denial the longer the chances of a more aggressive hawkish pivot later. 2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis Apart from the RBA, there are 4 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 a solid post-covid recovery China – With the PBoC stepping up stimulus & expectations of further fiscal support expected in 1H22, the projected recovery in China bodes well for Australia as China makes up close to 40% of Australian exports. However, the AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar. Commodities – Iron Ore (24% of exports) and Coal (18% of exports) keep grinding higher for various reasons, one being China’s expected recovery and the other the energy and inflation concerns given the geopolitical risks, and as long as these commodities are supported, they should remain supported. 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 CFTC positioning data for the AUD was interesting with large spec seeing almost no change (remember we anticipated a lot more unwind in this week’s data), while leverage funds saw a hefty increase in net-shorts and asset managers a hefty reduction in shorts. The only thin common among all three is that we are still in net-short territory, which despite frothy upside in the AUD, can still see upside, but price action is stretched right now. USD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH 1. Monetary Policy The Jan FOMC decision was hawkish on multiple fronts. The statement signalled a March hike as expected, but Chair Powell portrayed a very hawkish tone. Even though Powell said they can’t predict the rate path with certainty, he stressed the economy is in much better shape compared to the 2015 cycle and that will have implications for the pace of hikes (more and faster). Furthermore, he explained that there is ‘quite a bit of room’ to raise rates without damaging employment, which suggests upside risks to the rate path. A big question going into the meeting was how concerned the Fed was about recent equity market volatility . But the Chair explained that markets and financial conditions are reflecting policy changes in advance and that in aggregate the measures they look at isn’t showing red lights. Thus, any ‘Fed Put’ is much further away and inflation is the Fed’s biggest concern right now. The Chair also didn’t rule out the possibility of a 50bsp hike in March or possibly hiking at every meeting this year, which was hawkish as it means the Fed wants optionality to move more aggressive if they need to. We didn’t get new info on the balance sheet and Powell reiterated that they’re contemplating a start of QT after hiking has begun and they’ll discuss this in coming meetings. Overall, the tone and language were a lot more hawkish than the Dec meeting and more hawkish than consensus was expecting. 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 slow (disinflation) and depreciates when growth & inflation accelerates (reflation). Thus, current expectations of a cyclical slowdown (and possible stagflation) are good 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 tightening into a slowdown. If growth data slows and the Fed stays hawkish it’s a positive for the USD, once the Fed pivots dovish that’ll be a negative for the USD. 3. CFTC Analysis The USD remains a net-long across major participants, but with price action looking stretched and with peak hawkishness for the Fed arguably close with >6 hikes priced, the risk to reward of chasing USD strength is not very attractive right now. Continued stagflation and geopolitical risks it mean that stretched positioning might not be as important as usual. JP Morgan also shared some stats that suggest the USD has a historical tendency to strengthen in the 6 months going into a first hike but then to weaken during the 6 months directly after a first hike. This is an interesting phenomenon which is worth keeping in mind given the USD’s recent performance.
by thunderpips
3
Dominant Currency Sentiment – AUD Leads FX MajorsHeading into today’s European trading session, the risk tone is leaning risk-on. Asia-Pacific indices are notably stronger, measures of volatility subdued and safe-havens weaker. Leading Asia-Pacific indices to the upside is the Hang Seng at +8.30%, followed by the CSI 300 at +4.32%, the Nikkei 225 at 1.64% and the Topix and ASX 200 at +1.46% and +1.10%, respectively. In the FX complex, the positive risk tone sees AUD leading to the upside, closely followed by CAD. The risk-on tone appears to be primarily driven by hopes for more stimulus in China following comments from Vice Premier Liu He, who stated that “China will roll out policy steps favourable for its capital markets”. In contrast and leading to the downside is USD, while JPY also trades lower across the board – in keeping with the current risk tone. Consequently, DXY once again trades below the 99.00 handle, while NZDJPY has reclaimed the 80.00 handle. Looking ahead, today’s European session is light on tier one data, with the main event coming in late in today’s US trading session – the FOMC’s latest policy decision. Before then, however, we will see the release of Canadian CPI and US Retail Sales.
TVC:DXY
by thunderpips
10
AUD CAD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: WEAK BULLISH 1. Monetary Policy At their March meeting, the bank didn’t do much to surprise markets and stuck to a similar script compared to the previous meeting, with the exception of adding the Russia/Ukraine war as a major new source of uncertainty. While Unemployment is at 4.2% and expected to be below 4% throughout 2023, and with Inflation above the middle of the target range and expected to rise to 3.25 this year and stay at 2.75% throughout 2023, the continues dovish façade is getting a little embarrassing for the bank. Even though wage growth failed to surprise higher, consensus still expects it to reach 3% in Q2 and well above 3% in Q3, and once the 3% level is reached the RBA would have complete ran out of reasons to stay dovish. It’s clear that markets are looking straight through this though as STIR markets, bond yields and the AUD failed to see any real downside after the meeting and continued higher after a very brief and small dip lower. For now, the bank stays dovish, but the longer they stay in denial the longer the chances of a more aggressive hawkish pivot later. 2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis Apart from the RBA, there are 4 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 a solid post-covid recovery China – With the PBoC stepping up stimulus & expectations of further fiscal support expected in 1H22, the projected recovery in China bodes well for Australia as China makes up close to 40% of Australian exports. However, the AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar. Commodities – Iron Ore (24% of exports) and Coal (18% of exports) keep grinding higher for various reasons, one being China’s expected recovery and the other the energy and inflation concerns given the geopolitical risks, and as long as these commodities are supported, they should remain supported. 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 CFTC positioning data for the AUD was interesting with large spec seeing almost no change (remember we anticipated a lot more unwind in this week’s data), while leverage funds saw a hefty increase in net-shorts and asset managers a hefty reduction in shorts. The only thin common among all three is that we are still in net-short territory, which despite frothy upside in the AUD, can still see upside, but price action is stretched right now. 5. The Week Ahead Right now, we think the Australian economy is well-placed compared to its peers as its economy is expected to recover alongside that of China (after going through a slowdown in 2021) just as other major economies are expected to slow. Even though markets have been pricing in a steep rate path for the RBA, we still think the large net-short positioning means lots of catch-up potential for the AUD. Even though recent wage data printed below target, market consensus still looks for 3% in Q2 and 3.5% by Q3, which means as long as inflation stays high (no expectation for that to slow as yet) and the labour market remains tight, the RBA should be next in line to tilt more hawkish, with a hike in rates very likely by the middle of the year. That means this week’s upcoming labour data will be important, where a good print will further solidify ideas of a policy pivot. The other intraweek focus is of course geopolitics, where the AUD has been well isolated from equity sell offs as key commodities like Iron Ore, Coal and LNG keep rising. However, with the amount of upside we’ve seen in a very short space of time we do need to be mindful of some possible mean reversion at some stage in the short-term. Counter-intuitively, if de-escalation news between Russia & Ukraine sees downside for commodity prices that would be expected to create a risk-on environment, which would usually be positive for the AUD, but it could end up weighing on the AUD if commodities drop, so we need view AUD through a commodity lens not just a risk sentiment lens. The other point to watch in the week ahead is the covid situation in China, which over the weekend saw China placing 17.5 million residents in Shenzhen under lockdown. At the same time there is also further speculation about more stimulus from the PBoC which could counter some of the negatives, but a risk worth keeping in mind. CAD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL 1. Monetary Policy The BoC did not surprise at their March meeting by hiking rates to 0.50% from 0.25% and continuing the reinvestment phase regarding asset purchases. The bank noted that the Russia/Ukraine war was a new major uncertainty for the economy and that as a result inflation is now expected to be higher in the near-term. They were optimistic about the growth outlook though and reiterated that it expects further interest rate rises will be needed. On the QT side, Gov Macklem noted that around 40% of the bank's bond holdings were due to mature within two years, and suggested that balance sheet could shrink quickly, and also added that they will discuss ending the reinvestment phase and starting QT at the April meeting. The Governor also said he didn’t rule out the potential for 50bsp rate rises as oil is putting upside pressure on oil , noting that oil prices around $110 per barrel could add another percentage point to inflation . With markets implying close to another 5 hikes this year, we remain cautious on the currency as a slowing US and Canadian economy means the bank should struggle to maintain it’s current hawkish path in the weeks and months ahead. 2. Intermarket Analysis Considerations Oil’s massive post-covid recovery has been impressive, driven by various factors such as supply & demand (OPEC’s production cuts), strong global demand recovery, and of course ‘higher for longer’ than expected inflation . The geopolitical crisis the world is facing right now have opened up a big push higher in WTI, trading at levels last seen since 2008 last week. With oil prices at these levels the risk to demand destruction and stagflation is higher than ever and means we remain cautious oil in the med-term . Reason for that view is: Synchronised policy tightening from DM central banks targeting demand, slowing growth and inflation , a consensus that is very long oil (growing calls for $100 WTI), very steep backwardation futures curve which usually sees negative forward returns, heightened implied volatility . However, recent geopolitical risks have been a key focus point for oil and means escalation and de-escalation will be important to watch. 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 We think the recent price action and positioning data has seen the CAD take a very similar path compared to April and Oct 2021 where markets were way too aggressive and optimistic to price in upside for the CAD, only to then see majority of it unwind. However, oil prices remain in focus as a key intermarket driver. 5. The Week Ahead Markets might once more be getting too bullish on the CAD at the wrong time. The CAD, which has not really been benefiting from the big rise in energy prices, saw quite a jolt higher on Friday after the recent jobs report. At face value it was a good print, but under the hood it there was some negatives. Firstly, even though the headline printed above max expectations, the bulk of the gains were part-time jobs. Furthermore, if we account for last month’s contraction, full-time employment only grew by 40K. This week the calendar has CPI data, where another surprise upside print is expected by some to see an even more hawkish BoC . However, with over 6 hikes once again embedded and priced in STIR markets, and with WTI prices started to show some signs of a slowdown in bullish momentum, the odds are arguably tilted towards a more dovish as opposed to more hawkish BoC in the months ahead. However, the short-term could see further strength in the case of a beat, but we will use any additional upside in the CAD to look for selling opportunities.
by thunderpips
2
AUD USD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSAUD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: WEAK BULLISH 1. Monetary Policy At their March meeting, the bank didn’t do much to surprise markets and stuck to a similar script compared to the previous meeting, with the exception of adding the Russia/Ukraine war as a major new source of uncertainty. While Unemployment is at 4.2% and expected to be below 4% throughout 2023, and with Inflation above the middle of the target range and expected to rise to 3.25 this year and stay at 2.75% throughout 2023, the continues dovish façade is getting a little embarrassing for the bank. Even though wage growth failed to surprise higher, consensus still expects it to reach 3% in Q2 and well above 3% in Q3, and once the 3% level is reached the RBA would have complete ran out of reasons to stay dovish. It’s clear that markets are looking straight through this though as STIR markets, bond yields and the AUD failed to see any real downside after the meeting and continued higher after a very brief and small dip lower. For now, the bank stays dovish, but the longer they stay in denial the longer the chances of a more aggressive hawkish pivot later. 2. Idiosyncratic Drivers & Intermarket Analysis Apart from the RBA, there are 4 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 a solid post-covid recovery China – With the PBoC stepping up stimulus & expectations of further fiscal support expected in 1H22, the projected recovery in China bodes well for Australia as China makes up close to 40% of Australian exports. However, the AUKUS defence pact could see retaliation against Aussie goods and is worth keeping on the radar. Commodities – Iron Ore (24% of exports) and Coal (18% of exports) keep grinding higher for various reasons, one being China’s expected recovery and the other the energy and inflation concerns given the geopolitical risks, and as long as these commodities are supported, they should remain supported. 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 Remember that the updated COT data we received on Friday only included price action until Tuesday of last week, which means the meteoric rip from the latter part of last week is not included in the data. Even though positioning is still very stretched and there is still room to unwind, we would expect quite a sizeable reduction in the current net-shorts with next week’s data as bag holders is no doubt starting to get worried. USD FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH 1. Monetary Policy The Jan FOMC decision was hawkish on multiple fronts. The statement signalled a March hike as expected, but Chair Powell portrayed a very hawkish tone. Even though Powell said they can’t predict the rate path with certainty, he stressed the economy is in much better shape compared to the 2015 cycle and that will have implications for the pace of hikes (more and faster). Furthermore, he explained that there is ‘quite a bit of room’ to raise rates without damaging employment, which suggests upside risks to the rate path. A big question going into the meeting was how concerned the Fed was about recent equity market volatility . But the Chair explained that markets and financial conditions are reflecting policy changes in advance and that in aggregate the measures they look at isn’t showing red lights. Thus, any ‘Fed Put’ is much further away and inflation is the Fed’s biggest concern right now. The Chair also didn’t rule out the possibility of a 50bsp hike in March or possibly hiking at every meeting this year, which was hawkish as it means the Fed wants optionality to move more aggressive if they need to. We didn’t get new info on the balance sheet and Powell reiterated that they’re contemplating a start of QT after hiking has begun and they’ll discuss this in coming meetings. Overall, the tone and language were a lot more hawkish than the Dec meeting and more hawkish than consensus was expecting. 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. Thus, USD usually appreciates when growth & inflation slow (disinflation) and depreciates when growth & inflation accelerates (reflation). With expectations that growth and inflation will decelerate this year that should be a positive input for the USD. However, incoming data will also be important in relation to the ‘Fed Put’. There are many similarities between now and 4Q18, where the Fed were also tightening aggressively going into an economic slowdown. As long as growth data slows and the Fed stays aggressive that is a positive for the USD, but if it causes a dovish Fed pivot and lower rate repricing it would be a negative input for the USD. 3. CFTC Analysis With peak hawkishness for the Fed arguably close to baked in for the USD, it’s been interesting to view the positioning unfold in the past few weeks. The USD remains a net-long across large specs, leveraged funds and asset managers, but price action has been looking stretched. However, given growing stagflation and geopolitical risks it means stretched positioning might not be as important right now, but worth keeping in mind of course.
by thunderpips
1