Dollar Weakens After FED AnnouncementsAs of now, the FED interest rate decision has been announced and the FED has kept the interest rate constant. In addition to keeping it steady, Powell still made harsh and hawkish statements. Personally, I have question marks in my mind about how full these explanations are. Because now the job is not just to reduce inflation and most business sectors have started to break. I don't think it can go on like this.
If we are talking about interest rates, the only factor we need to look at is the dollar index. The dollar index has technically formed a descending triangle. The level to be seen in a down break will be $ 98.
Interestrates
DXY D1 - Long Signal (relief rally)The US Inflation data came in with another surprise lower, declining faster than expected. The Core CPI YoY slowed down to 4.8% in June, down from 5.3% in May. This is the lowest core inflation print since October 2021. This is also the biggest drop since January 2021. On the other hand, the US CPI YoY dropped to 3.0% down from 4% during the same period, posting the lowest reading since March 2021 and the biggest drop since May 2020. The data was enough to shift market expectations significantly. Prior to the data, markets were pricing in the possibility of 3 more rate hikes before the end of the year, now markets are pricing in only one more rate hike in July’s meeting.
The US dollar index declined sharply right after the inflation data announcement, breaking multiple key support areas, reaching as low as 100.40 by NYSE closing bell, which is the lowest daily close since April 2022. In addition, the index posted the biggest daily decline since November 2022. With this daily close, it’s safe to say that the downside trend has resumed. Since expectations shifted significantly, the index is now pricing in one more rate hike before the next easing cycle. The next support area stands at 100.0 psychological support, which should be watched carefully, as buyers are likely to appear.
30Y: Housing Cost Jumps Amid Falling Headline InflationCBOT: 30-Year Micro Yield Futures ( CBOT_MINI:30Y1! ), Treasury Bond Futures ( CBOT:ZB1! )
As a result of runaway inflation and rising interest rates, US home buyers are confronted by high home prices, high down payments, and high monthly mortgage payments.
A sneak peek into official housing market data between 2021 and 2023:
• Median sales price of houses sold in the US ( FRED:MSPUS ) was $436,800 in the first quarter of 2023, per Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED);
• The median home price was $433,100 in Q1 2022 and $369,800 in Q1 2021. In the span of merely two years, home price jumped 18.1%;
• Thirty-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.81% on July 6th ( FRED:MORTGAGE30US );
• The same mortgage was quoted at 5.30% a year ago and only 2.90% in July 2021.
A typical family of four living in the State of Illinois earned a median income of $113,649 in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s survey data. The example cited below illustrates the dramatic rise in housing cost from a family perspective:
• If a 30-year-fixed mortgage is taken with a 20% down payment, the upfront cost is $87,360 (20% of FRED:MSPUS at $436,800), which is up $13,400 or 18.1% from two years ago;
• Assuming the family’s take-home pay is 75% of gross income, their after-tax income would be $85,237 per year, or $7,103 per month;
• Down payment already exceeded annual income. Adding in closing fees, moving cost, appliances and new furniture, upfront home investment could be well over $100K;
• Using a mortgage calculator, we find that monthly mortgage payments were $1,724 if the home was bought two years ago; this equates to 24.3% of take-home pay;
• New monthly payments would be $2,682, up sharply by 55.6%; mortgage expense now takes up 40.3% of the family’s after-tax income!
This shows that an average US family these days can’t afford a median-price new home.
A Tale of Two Cities
The sharp increase in housing cost flies in the face of official US inflation data. June CPI report will be released on Wednesday. Economists forecast headline inflation to fall to 3.0% from 4.0% and core CPI to be lowered to 5.0% from 5.3% in May.
The subset of inflation data shows Shelter cost growing at 8.0% annual rate in May. This doubles the headline CPI but is still a vast understatement for the soaring housing cost.
So, where is the disconnection? Here is my theory.
High mortgage rates have a bigger impact on mortgage payments than home price appreciation. Based on my calculation, each 1% increase in interest rate would translate into 9% more in monthly mortgage payments. In our example, mortgage rate grew about 4% from 2021 to 2023, and a mortgage is taken on a home priced at 18% higher. The resulting monthly payments jumped 55.6%.
The compounding effect of higher prices and higher rates is fatal. I do not foresee either dropping in a meaningful way by next year. Therefore, do not expect the lower inflation to provide immediate relief to home buyers.
Housing Market is not likely to crash
US new home sales ( ECONOMICS:USNHS ) peaked at 1 million units in October 2021. Since then, it has nosedived and almost cut in half to 550K units by September 2022.
Existing home sales ( ECONOMICS:USEHS ) followed a similar trend. It topped out at 6.6 million units in August 2020, and dropped to 4.0 million units in January 2023.
Despite the hurdles facing home buyers, the US housing market appears to have recovered. New home sales reached 763K units in May, up nearly 12% from April. Existing home sales were 4.3 million units, up 300K from the beginning of the year.
How could the housing market hold up? Isn’t homeownership already beyond reach? According to the National Association of Realtors, 65.5% of US families are homeowners. We could say that those with a “lock-in” rate are insulated from rising housing costs.
Homeowners are “trapped” in their home in a rising interest rate environment. If they sell their houses and buy new ones, they will forfeit their 3% mortgage. This explains why existing home sales recovers at a much slower pace than new home sales. Low inventory and fewer sellers relative to buyers, together keep the housing market going strong.
Prospective home buyers are not so lucky. But they have options. First is to lower their expectation and buy a smaller home; Second is to downgrade from single family home to townhouse or condominium. Finally, postpone home purchases and continue to rent.
Several Economists predicting a housing market crash as big as the 2008 Subprime crisis. I think the Big Shorts would be disappointed this time. Prior to 2008, up to one third of homeowners had adjustable-rate mortgages. They survived rate-reset only because their house value went up. When it didn’t, they couldn’t refinance and defaulted on their loan.
These days, adjustable-rate accounts for just 5% of all mortgages. The housing market is healthier now. FRED data shows the mortgage delinquency rate at 1.73% in Q1 2023, and the rate has been declining consistently for seven quarters.
How Is This Relevant for Trading?
I hold the view that the US housing market is very resilient. As long as the job market does not deteriorate, it could weather significant challenges including higher interest rates, indicating that the demand for home mortgages would stay strong.
Whether you buy a new home or an existing one, a single-family home, a townhouse, a condo, or a trailer home, chances are you need a mortgage. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is the most popular type of home loans in the US. Hence, this is where we should find solutions to manage interest rate risk.
Interest rate data shows that the 30-year fixed rate is not closely correlated to the Fed’s interest rate decisions. In the past 12 months, the Fed Funds rate gained 130%, while the 30-year Fixed only moved up 28%. Since last November, the Fed raised interest rates five times, but the 30-year Fixed stayed relatively unchanged.
My theory is that the decline in home sales countered the effect of rising funding cost, putting the mortgage rates in sideway moves. Now that the housing market recovers, 30-year Fixed could be on the way up. The July FOMC meeting could provide a boost if the Fed raises 25 bp as the market predicts.
There is no liquid financial instrument on the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. However, it is closely correlated to the 30-year Treasury yield. The mortgage rate currently is priced at 2.8% above the Treasury yield. The spread appears to be stable over time.
If we are bullish on the 30-year fixed mortgage rate, we could consider the following:
One, to set up a short position on CBOT Treasury Bond Futures ( $ZB ). Remember that bond price and yield are inversely related. Rising yield would cause the bond to lose value.
Each Treasury Bond futures contract has a face value of $100,000. The price quotation is based on $100 par value. The minimum tick is 1/32 of one point (0.03125), or 1,000/32 = $31.25. SEP contract (ZBU3) is quoted $123 and 22/32 on Monday July 10th.
Two, to set up a long position on CBOT 30-Year Micro Yield Futures ( $30Y ). On July 10th, the August contract is quoted 4.029%.
Each 30Y contract has a notional value of interest rate times 1000 index points. A move by a minimum tick of 0.001 index point would result in a gain or loss of $1 per contract.
What’s the difference between these two? Treasury bond futures are very liquid. It traded 387,170 contracts and had an Open Interest of 1.25 million on July 7th.
Micro Yield Futures are more intuitive. If yield goes up, futures price goes up too. The contract is catered to individual investors. Its margin requirement is $290, compared to $4,200 for the bond futures.
Happy Trading.
Disclaimers
*Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
🛎Mastering Key Forex Fundamentals🛎
♦️Navigating the world of forex trading can be both thrilling and challenging. While it may seem overwhelming to keep track of all the complex factors that affect currency movements, some key fundamentals can significantly impact forex markets. In this article, we will discuss three essential forex fundamentals: non-farm payrolls, interest rates, and central bank policies, offering you a straightforward understanding of their significance and effects.
♦️Non-farm Payrolls:
One of the most influential economic indicators in forex trading is the non-farm payrolls (NFP) report. Published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the NFP report reveals the number of jobs added or lost (excluding the farming sector) in the United States during the previous month.
▪️Why it matters:
The NFP report provides traders valuable insights into the strength of the U.S. economy. A higher-than-expected NFP figure indicates an expanding job market, economic growth, and potential currency strength. Conversely, if the NFP data disappoints, it suggests a weaker economy and can lead to currency depreciation.
♦️Interest Rates:
Interest rates play a crucial role in forex trading. They reflect the cost of borrowing in a particular country and influence investor behavior and currency values.
▪️Why it matters:
Changes in interest rates impact currency demand. When a central bank hikes interest rates, it attracts foreign investors seeking higher returns, leading to increased demand for the currency and potentially strengthening its value. Conversely, when rates are lowered, it may spur borrowing and economic growth, but can also result in currency devaluation due to decreased attractiveness for investors.
♦️Central Bank Policies:
Central banks are instrumental in forex markets due to the control they exert over monetary policies.
▪️Why it matters:
By adjusting interest rates, implementing quantitative easing measures, or intervening in currency markets, central banks can directly influence their nation's
currency value. Statements and speeches made by central bank officials can provide insight into their future monetary policy decisions, guiding forex traders' expectations.
♦️To master forex trading, a solid understanding of key fundamentals is essential. Factors such as non-farm payrolls, interest rates, and central bank policies carry significant weight and can lead to substantial currency movements. Familiarize yourself with economic indicators, monitor central bank actions and announcements, and always exercise caution and risk management when trading forex.
♦️Remember, successful trading requires continuous education, practice, and experience. Stay informed, adapt your strategies accordingly, and remain patient as you navigate the dynamic and exciting world of forex trading.
😸Thank you for reading buddy, hope you learned something new today😸
Do you like this post? Do you want more articles like that?
GOLD XAUUSD SHORT DUE TO RISING OIL PRICEDear Ziilllaatraders,
Production Costs: Oil is a key input in many industries, particularly transportation, manufacturing, and energy production. When oil prices rise, the cost of raw materials, transportation, and energy used in the production process also increases. These increased costs are often passed on to consumers through higher prices for goods and services. This is known as cost-push inflation, where the increase in production costs leads to higher prices for final products.
Transportation Costs: Higher oil prices directly affect transportation costs, including fuel costs for shipping goods. As the cost of transporting goods increases, businesses may pass on these additional expenses to consumers through higher prices. This can lead to an overall increase in the prices of various goods and services in the economy.
Inflation Expectations: Expectations of future price increases can play a significant role in driving inflation. When oil prices rise, it can create a perception that overall prices will continue to increase. This can lead to higher inflation expectations among consumers, businesses, and investors. In turn, these expectations can influence wage negotiations and pricing decisions, contributing to a self-perpetuating cycle of inflationary pressures.
Thats why I think on 12 July inflation is going to get higher due to the measurements to calculate inflation. This will cause the FED to tighten policy and raise interest rates which will in turn again increase the value of the dollar as explained in my last post.
What do you guys think? Make sure to share your opinion and idea?
Greetings,
Ziilllaatrades
SOFR: Farewell to LIBORCME: SOFR ( CME:SR31! )
On June 30th, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler posted a 3-minute short video on Twitter. In this educational piece titled RIP LIBOR, he explains what the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is, and why its passing away is actually a good thing for consumers.
As CFTC Chairman in 2009-2014 and SEC Chairman since 2021, Mr. Gensler oversaw the investigation of the 2012 LIBOR scandal and its replacement by the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) in 2021 as the benchmark interest rate for US dollar.
Eurodollar and LIBOR
Offshore Dollar, the US currency deposited in banks outside of the United States, is commonly known as Eurodollar. Traditionally, offshore dollars were traded mainly among European banks. The name sticks to these days and applies to funds in non-European banks as well.
A key advantage of trading Eurodollar is the fact that it is subject to fewer regulations by the Fed, being outside of the US jurisdiction. London is the largest trading hub for Eurodollar.
The London Interbank Offered Rate came into being in the 1970s as a reference interest rate in the Eurodollar markets. By 1986, the British Bankers' Association (BBA) began publishing the US Dollar LIBOR daily. The BBA Libor was calculated based on interest rates reported by 17 member banks who together represented the bulk of Eurodollar transactions. Libor has been widely used as a reference rate for many financial instruments, including:
• Forward rate agreements
• Interest rate futures, e.g., CME Eurodollar futures
• Interest rate swaps and swaptions
• Interest rate options, Interest rate cap and floor
• Floating rate notes and Floating rate certificates of deposit
• Syndicated loans
• Variable rate mortgages and Term loans
• Range accrual notes and Step-up callable notes
• Target redemption notes and Hybrid perpetual notes
• Collateralized mortgage obligations and Collateralized debt obligations
How important was Libor? It is a reference rate in the documentation by private trade association International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), which sets global market standard for OTC derivative transactions.
In 2008, 60% of prime adjustable-rate mortgages and nearly all subprime mortgages were indexed to the USD Libor in the US. Furthermore, American cities borrowed 75% of their money through financial products that were linked to the Libor.
Libor has been the indispensable global benchmark for pricing everything from credit card debt to mortgages, auto loans, corporate loans, and complex derivatives.
CME Eurodollar Futures
In 1981, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange launched Eurodollar futures, the first ever cash-settled futures contract. It quickly became the most liquid contract by CME. At its peak, over 1,500 traders and clerks worked at the Eurodollar pit on CME trading floor.
Not to be confused with the Euro currency, Eurodollar futures contracts are derivatives on the interest rate paid on a notional or "face value" of $1,000,000 time deposit at a bank outside of the United. It uses the 3-month USD Libor rate as its settlement index. The late Fred D. Arditti, CME economist, is credited as the brain behind Eurodollar futures.
Eurodollar futures are priced as a Money Market instrument. The CME IMM index is used to convert a coupon-bearing instrument such as bank deposit, into a discounted instrument that does not make regular interest payments.
For instance, a futures price of 95.00 implies an interest rate of 100.00 - 95.00, or 5%. The settlement price of a Eurodollar futures contract is defined to be 100.00 minus the official BBA fixing of 3-month Libor on the day the contract is settled.
The 2012 LIBOR Scandal
The LIBOR Scandal was a highly publicized scheme in which bankers at major financial institutions colluded with each other to manipulate the Libor rate. As the scandal came to light in 2012, investigators found that the banks had been submitting false information about their borrowing costs to manipulate the Libor rate. This allowed the banks to profit from trades based on the artificially low or high rates.
A dozen big banks were implicated in the scandal. It led to lawsuits and regulatory actions. After the rate-fixing scandal, LIBOR's validity as a credible benchmark was over. As a result, regulators decided that Libor would be phased out and replaced.
If you want to learn more about the LIBOR scandal, feel free to check out the 2017 bestseller by David Enrich: “The Spider Network: The Wild Story of a Math Genius, a Gang of Backstabbing Bankers, and One of the Greatest Scams in Financial History”.
What is the SOFR
In 2017, the Federal Reserve assembled the Alternative Reference Rate Committee to select a Libor replacement. The committee chose the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as the new benchmark for dollar-denominated contracts.
The daily SOFR is based on transactions in the Treasury repurchase market, where firms offer overnight or short-term loans to banks collateralized by their bond assets ,similar to pawn shops.
Unlike LIBOR, there’s extensive trading in the Treasury repo market, estimated at $4.8 trillion in June 2023. This theoretically makes it a more accurate indicator of borrowing costs. Moreover, SOFR is based on data from observable transactions rather than on estimated borrowing rates, as was the case with LIBOR.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing the SOFR in April 2018. By 2021, SOFR has replaced most of the LIBOR-linked contracts. The LIBOR committee officially folded up on June 30, 2023. Chairman Gensler apparently chose this day to post his RIP LIBOR video to mark the end of an era.
The difference between Fed Funds Rate and SOFR
Fed Funds Rate is set by the Fed’s FOMC meeting, and SOFR is published by the NY Fed. However, they are very different.
• Fed Funds Rate is considered a risk-free interest rate, and only member banks have access to this ultra-low rate through the Fed’s discount window.
• SOFR is a commercial interest rate where banks charge each other. The NY Fed publishes the rate based on transactions in the US Treasury repurchase market.
SOFR is similar to LIBOR because they are both commercial interest rate benchmarks. On the other hand, Fed Funds Rate is a policy rate set by the US central bank.
CME SOFR Futures and Options
CME Group launched the 3-month SOFR futures and options contracts in May 2018. The contracts were based on the SOFR Index, published daily by the New York Fed.
SOFR futures contracts are notional at $2,500 x contract-grade International Monetary Market (IMM) Index, where the IMM Index = 100 minus SOFR. At a 5.215 IMM, for example, each contract has a notional value of $13,037.50. CME requires a $550 margin per contract. An interest rate move by a minimum tick of 0.25 basis point would result in a gain or loss of $6.25.
At the beginning, SOFR contracts traded side-by-side with the Eurodollar contracts. By 2021, Eurodollar liquidity has transitioned to SOFR contracts. By April 2023, All Eurodollar contracts were delisted, and the transition was completed.
For all intended purposes, you could think of the SOFR futures as the same as the legacy Eurodollar contracts, with the only notable exception being the settlement index switched from LIBOR to SOFR.
On June 30th, the daily trading volume and Open Interest of SOFR contracts were 4,443,245 and 9,310,433 contracts, respectively. On the same date, CME Group total volume and OI were 23,769,103 and 104,221,083, respectively.
On the latest trade day, SOFR accounts for 18.7% of CME Group’s trade volume and 8.9% of its total open interest. Indeed, SOFR has successfully replaced Eurodollar as new No. 1 contract at CME and is arguably the most liquid derivatives contract in the world.
Where We Are at the SOFR Market
On June 30th, the JUN SOFR contract (SR3M3) expired and settled at 94.785. This translates to the JUN SOFR rate of 5.215 (100-94.785).
SEP 2023 (SR3U3) is now the new lead contract. It settled at 94.595 and implied a forward SOFR rate at 5.405 (100-94.595). This shows that the futures market expects a rate increase in the next Fed meeting.
Like Eurodollar futures, rising futures price will confer to declining SOFR rate, as rate is equal to 100 minus futures price. Similarly, a decline in futures price equates to a rising SOFR rate.
Happy Trading.
Disclaimers
*Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
How to position for yield curve un-inversions!It has been some time since we delved into the intricate world of interest rates and their prospective trajectories. With the yield curve experiencing significant movement in recent weeks, it's high time we reassess our stance. Following a staggering 500 basis points increase, we now find ourselves potentially nearer to the end of the rate hike cycle than ever before. The recent hawkish pause announced in the last meeting has left market participants on tenterhooks, pondering the future course of action in the ongoing battle against inflation.
Given the downward trend in inflation and the possibility of at least one more rate hike, 'real' yields have ascended beyond the 0% level, as depicted in the chart above. Since the 2010s, real yields have consistently struggled to surpass the 1.2% level. However, the recent lower inflation prints place the 'real' yield at a new decade high of 1.25%. So, how does the yield curve inversion behave during periods of real yields? Interestingly, in three of the past four instances, the curve 'un-inverted' once real yields exceeded 0.
Of greater significance is the yield curve's response after the Fed cuts rates. Since 1989, this has been a key signal of the yield curve un-inversion. Given this event's proximity and the current 2Y-10Y yield curve, we contemplate the optimal strategy to capitalize on this likely un-inversion.
One approach is to examine all possible inversion combinations between the 2, 5, 10, and 30-year yields. All these combinations present an inverted curve, except for the 10Y-30Y segment.
Upon dissecting the analysis to focus solely on 2-year inversions, we observe the following:
The 2-year inversion is generally the steepest, with the 2Y-10Y ranking as the most inverted segment of the yield curve. All inversions anchored with the 2Y are at their all-time highs, plunging us into uncharted waters.
In contrast, the 5-year and 10-year yields exhibit more subdued movements. Their inversions have yet to reach all-time highs, and the overall range of movement is relatively restrained.
Therefore, to maximize returns on the un-inversion move, one could position to short either the most inverted section of the curve, the 2Y-10Y, or the 2Y-30Y, which typically experiences the largest movement upon un-inversion.
Handily, CME has the Micro Treasury Yield Futures, quoted in yield terms, which allows us to express this view in a straightforward manner allaying the complications with DV01 calculation. By creating a short yield spread position, we are not merely speculating on the direction of individual yields but rather on the relative movement between them. Trading the yield spread instead of just an outright position in a single part of the curve also protects us from parallel shifts in the yield curve, especially in volatile times like these. This strategy takes advantage of the yield curve dynamics, particularly the inversion trend we've been observing. We create the short yield spread position by taking a short position in the Micro 2-Yr Yield Futures and a long position in the Micro 10-Yr Yield Futures or Micro 30-Yr Yield Futures to express the curve un-inversion view, with 1 basis point move equal to 10 USD.
The charts above were generated using CME’s Real-Time data available on TradingView. Inspirante Trading Solutions is subscribed to both TradingView Premium and CME Real-time Market Data which allows us to identify trading set-ups in real-time and express our market opinions. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
Disclaimer:
The contents in this Idea are intended for information purpose only and do not constitute investment recommendation or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products or services. They serve as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate fundamental concepts in risk management under given market scenarios. A full version of the disclaimer is available in our profile description.
Reference:
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
$TNX looks interesting on the Weekly ChartThe consensus is LOWER #interestrates
(I mean, they have been around 3.2ish)
Every time the 10Yr #yield was in this same situation it FOLDED.
Easier to see on daily.
However, something looks lil different this time around.
Can't make it out on the daily.
Let's see the weekly chart.
Hmmm...
Not yet, but gaining momentum...
If the 10 Yr yield starts pumping this could be good for $DXY.
Likely mean the inverse for precious metals like #Silver & #Gold.
#stocks #crypto
Yields are mixed but all point higher, history repeating?🚨🚨🚨
Going to make a stink about #yield again.
Short term #interestrates have been creeping higher.
Let's👀@ #bond Yields.
6M = holding steady, trading slightly higher.
BUT,
1Yr = BROKE RECENT HIGHS. It's at resistance but shows momentum.
2Yr = Closing in on TSX:SVB closure high. This is where #banks began to break down.
10Yr TVC:TNX @ current downtrend is being tested. Break through is good.
HUH?
Higher = good short term for #stocks. Markets have a history of breaking AFTER rates begin to trade lower and yield curve normalizes. This can take a year or so.
Not saying markets will be pumping for a year. Just saying this is historical. We could be setting up for much more upside but with RISK.
We posted on the 2008 yield crisis some time ago.
We’ve been here before. 2000’s Nasdaq vs Today.The Nasdaq's formidable recovery from the October 2022 bottom resulted in an impressive 42% surge, a rare feat for a major index. However, as it grapples with resistance at the 15250 level this past week, we are compelled to question if this upward momentum is running out of steam. Notably, historical instances where the Relative Strength Index (RSI) soared past the 70 level have often been followed by a downward shift for the index.
We diligently monitor the Nasdaq's ratio against other major indices to gauge its relative value. At its current level, the Nasdaq seems to be trading at a premium compared to several other major indices.
When we consider this ratio, the Nasdaq appears to be near its all-time highs. In fact, it's trading close to or above the levels seen during the dot-com bubble of the 2000s in all comparisons. When juxtaposed with the S&P and Dow, we find that this level is not unprecedented; each time the ratio has previously reached this level, it was swiftly corrected.
Drawing a parallel between the economic conditions of the 2000s and now, it seems that we are in familiar territory, or as they say, ‘we’ve been here before’.
To illustrate the similarities, let's consider the dot-com peak in March 2000 as a reference point.
The current economic indicators closely mirror those from the 2000s, as reflected in measures such as Dollar strength, inflation, unemployment, and interest rates. In particular, the US 2Y-10Y spread indicates an inversion of the yield curve that surpasses even the extent seen during the 2000s. Simultaneously, the other indicators nearly align with their respective levels from that period.
This begs the question: What has been propelling the Nasdaq higher? Could it be the hype surrounding AI and technology, or is it the liquidity in the market?
We posit that it's a combination of both factors, as the tech rally and increased reserve balance seem to coincide with the ratio’s upward movement. Although we don't foresee a tech bubble bursting as it did in the 2000s, there's undeniable enthusiasm for the Nasdaq. Given the current setup's striking resemblance to the 2000s, we can glean lessons from that period to position ourselves optimally.
One potential strategy could be to short the Nasdaq 100 Futures on CME outright at the current level of 15086, with the take profit at 13900 and a stop loss at 15600. Alternatively, investors expressing a bearish view on the Nasdaq 100 ratio could consider shorting 2 Nasdaq 100 Futures and going long on 3 S&P500 Futures.
In the second setup, the dollar value of the position is equal, as the contract value of the Nasdaq 100 Futures and the S&P500 Futures is approximately the same, at roughly 600,000 USD for the full-sized contract at the current price level for both index. The same setup can be replicated using the micro Nasdaq 100 and S&P500 futures at the same ratio, where the position value is now roughly 60,000 USD.
For each 1 point move in the standard size E-MINI S&P 500 Futures contract, the equivalent value is 50 USD and 5 USD for the Micro contract. Similarly, each 1 point move in the standard-sized E-MINI Nasdaq 100 Futures contract equates to 20 USD, and 2 USD for the micro contract.
Trading this spread could potentially benefit from a margin offset of up to 70%, meaning that the capital required to initiate this trade is significantly reduced. This setup could be particularly attractive for traders seeking to optimize their capital usage while gaining exposure to these major indices.
The charts above were generated using CME’s Real-Time data available on TradingView. Inspirante Trading Solutions is subscribed to both TradingView Premium and CME Real-time Market Data which allows us to identify trading set-ups in real-time and express our market opinions. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
Disclaimer:
The contents in this Idea are intended for information purpose only and do not constitute investment recommendation or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products or services. They serve as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate fundamental concepts in risk management under given market scenarios. A full version of the disclaimer is available in our profile description.
Reference:
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
Decoding Forex Mysteries: USDCHF & EURGBP Reaction to Rate HikesWelcome to the intriguing world of Forex, where currencies act at their own rhythm, sometimes defying expectations and confounding even the most experienced traders. In this article, we are going to unravel the “mysteries” surrounding the reactions of USDCHF and EURGBP to recent interest rate hikes. We will dive into the realms of market anticipation, monetary policy statements, and the significance of staying ahead in this dynamic landscape.
1. The Resilience of USDCHF
As the Swiss National Bank (SNB) raises interest rates from 1.5% to 1.75%, market observers brace for the anticipated downward movement of the USDCHF. However, contrary to expectations, the currency pair displays remarkable resilience. Let's explore the underlying factors:
a) Priced-in Expectations: The forex market is renowned for its ability to assimilate information in advance. It is likely that market participants had already factored in the interest rate hike, blunting the immediate impact on USDCHF. Such anticipatory behavior highlights the importance of staying attuned to prevailing sentiment and analyzing market positioning.
b) Comparative Interest Rates: Understanding the relative interest rates of different currencies is paramount. If the rate hike in Switzerland was aligned with or lower than market expectations, and other major currencies offered more attractive rates, investors might have favored those currencies, mitigating the downward pressure on USDCHF.
c) Monetary Policy Statement Outlook: Monetary policy statements accompanying interest rate decisions provide crucial insights into central banks' future intentions (you can usually watch them live on YouTube 30 minutes after the data release or on Bloomberg type of channels). Since the SNB's statement revealed a cautious and neutral stance, it has tempered the impact of the rate hike on USDCHF. Market participants pay close attention to forward guidance, as it shapes expectations regarding future policy actions and influences currency movements.
2. The Curious Behavior of EURGBP
Let us now turn our attention to EURGBP, which failed to sustain a short sentiment following the Bank of England's interest rate hike from 4.5% to 5.00% (versus the expected 4.75%) and left a nasty week. To understand this curious behavior, we delve into the following factors:
a) Market Expectations: The forex market is often driven by expectations and anticipatory positioning. If traders had already priced in the interest rate hike, the actual announcement might not have triggered a significant market reaction. Therefore, the lack of sustained short sentiment in EURGBP could be attributed to market participants adjusting their positions in advance. The GBP was up already by 4% within the last month against major currencies, so a big chunk of market was already longing EG for the expected short term recovery (guilty, but we also made a 2.9% profit closure on this).
b) Monetary Policy Outlook: Beyond interest rate changes, central banks' monetary policy outlooks play a vital role in shaping currency dynamics. The accompanying statement from the Bank of England, which shed light on their future plans, indicated a more gradual approach to tightening or expressed concerns about economic conditions. Such cues influence market sentiment and limit the downward pressure on EURGBP. In case of UK, this is already not a good look with their inflation rates :/
Now, you may ask: “Investroy, what do we do if fundamentals don’t exhibit the expected economical impact?” Don’t worry, we got you!
A Prerequisite for Success In the ever-evolving forex market, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. To navigate the intricacies and maximize opportunities, traders must adopt a proactive approach:
a) Monitor Central Bank Communications: Understanding central banks' intentions requires careful analysis of their policy statements, speeches, and press conferences. These sources provide valuable clues about future policy decisions and can guide trading strategies.
b) Assess Economic Indicators: Keep a keen eye on economic indicators that impact currency valuations, such as GDP, inflation, and employment data. These indicators provide a foundation for understanding a country's economic health and can influence currency movements.
c) Stay Informed of Geopolitical Developments: Geopolitical events, such as trade disputes or political instability, can significantly impact forex markets. Being aware of these developments and their potential consequences on currency movements is crucial for staying ahead.
d) Analyze Market Sentiment: Sentiment analysis, gauging the collective psychology of market participants, can offer valuable insights. Monitoring market sentiment through various indicators, such as positioning data and sentiment surveys, helps identify potential shifts and align trading strategies accordingly.
e) Embrace Technological Tools: Utilize advanced trading platforms and tools that provide real-time data, customizable charts, and algorithmic trading capabilities. These resources empower traders to analyze market trends, spot patterns, and execute trades swiftly.
Bonus) this one is a little subjective, but markets are very cyclic, if something is oversold, but everybody is expecting further bearish move, be sure there is a retracement coming before that happens 😊
Stay safe and enjoy your day!
short term buy on crude oilU.S. Oil still stuck in consolidation, making big ranging moves. Monday was a federal holiday, Juneteenth. New York -Traded Texas intermediate, or WTI did not make much movement upon opening. Sunday or Monday, closing with a bearish candle at $90.87. Tuesday dropped 1% or 100 pips to 69.82 area, then regaining by the end of the day closing at 71.63
Wednesday Fed Chair J. Powell had a testimonial that continued into Thursday. This testimony comes a week after a hawkish interest rate “skip” Last week the federal Reserve was careful to word skip, and not a pause so the markets would not react in a negative way. The dollar soared, along with U.S. stock, with oil tumbling. Top investors and analysts stated the Fed wanted to appear to be hawkish in the next FED meeting so the market would not lose everything it has gained; stating they see it very unlikely the FED will continue to raise rates and believe the fed is done raising rates. The two-day testimony Powell was sure to emphasize raising of rates is not over, and he is standing strong on bringing inflation down to 2%.
A hawkish Powell has pushed oil down nearly 4% Wednesday and Thursday. Alongside a hawkish Powell the BOE raised interest rates by half a percentage point. The U.K.’s interest rate is now at 5%; the highest it has been since 2008. The BOE decided to raise rates drastically this time due to U.K. inflation will take longer than anticipated to bring down. The U.K. is right behind the Federal with interest rate at 5% and the U.S. at 5.25% pausing for the first time for 10 straight FED meetings.
The U.S. Crude inventory was released Thursday. The forecast for the week ending on June 16 was 1.873M actual came in as -3.831M. Crude oil inventories is reported on a weekly basis for the pervious week. This report measures the number of barrels of commercial oil held by U.S. firms, reported by the EIA (Energy Information Administration. Last week inventories fell greater than expected implying Oil demand is greater which is bullish for oil. It is typical for oil demand to be greater this time of year with summer travel. Wednesday marked the first day of the summer. The report caused oil to spike just a little, as other economical news overweighed the bullish report. Crude oil moves against the dollar, with hawkish news for the dollar it is bearish for oil.
Powell being adamant about continuing to raise rates and the BOE raising rates could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.
Crude oil has been ranging (consolidating) in the same zone on the 4hr and daily timeframe since May 03. 2023. Oil has rejected off the demand zone two time and rejected the supply zone twice as well. Only the daily a Double top can be seen forming. Oil would need to break and close below the neckline for the double top to confirm a continued sell down. If neckline is broken and closes below oil can go to pervious rejected low of $65.50 and 63.96. The Fib retracement was used to confirm retracement levels of potential TP areas.
If oil rejects at the neckline, it is possible the range will continue you. If it rejects the neckline a potential buy with retracement/reversal key areas being $72.71 and $74.20. Crude oil would need to break and close above $74.95 for a confirmation for a long term buy.
EUR/USD possible bullish reversal today or tomorrow Building permits and housing starts were better than forecast, this may cause some selling in EUR/USD.... The HTF daily chart is both short term and intermediate term bullish, However the market is currently trading within a HTF 4hr timeframe gap which was formed last week... i am anticipating that the market will fill this 4hr gap due to todays bearish EUR/USD news, once it fills the gap i believe that the market will continue upwards to at least test the current daily timeframe short term high possibly due to the pause on interest rate hikes from the FED (interest rates > building permits) i feel as if interest rates currently have a stronger higher timeframe influence on the market... I AM LOOKING FOR A LONG ENTRY THIS WEEK, ANY SHORTS WILL BE INTRADAY POSITIONS, I AM LOOKING TO SWING LONGS FOR THE WEEK/INTO NEXT WEEK.... THESE ARE MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS, THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVISE!
Correlation study: 10-year real interest rate vs. AAPL (1983 - )Apple share price (AAPL) plot above, inverted real rates (0-REAINTRATREARAT10Y) plot below + 1M 200ma, from 1983 to 2023.
Results:
-Strong inverse correlation with 10-year real interest rates and AAPL share price.
-Real rates < 2 % positively correlate with stronger AAPL returns.
-10-year real interest rates bounced from the 2 % level in September 2022 ... May 2023.
"‘John Bull’, says someone, ‘can stand a great deal, but he cannot stand two percent. . ."
- Walter Bagehot, 1852
The Roller Coaster is always a Bumpy ride 🎢The Market can feed everyone but it's not not the market's duty. The market's duty is to provide a playground for a fair auction to take place. The conditions and the rules at the playgorund change from time to time but principles never cease to exist. The market needs liquidity to trend and it's the losing trader's emotion that fuels that. The market will achieve it's own goals just as mother nature and the dragon of time will eat us all. The market is a neutral entity and not one of us as participants are immune to it's wrath. Respect the market as it can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent. Pay close attention to money management and/or Position sizing because it will help you attain your goals.
With all that said I have outlined my favorite level's on the chart.
There are traders buying the high and the market will not make it easy on them.
Or maybe the market breaks everything like the night king in Game of thrones.
All you should do is take good risk/reward ideas. Create a system suited towards your
personalities and inclinations. Orient yourself to what is most comfortable but be pro-active with your
entries. Cut your losses short and let you profits run. Don't cut your winners just because you want to be right about the direction.
Pay yourself for the time you spend in front of the screen.
I have other obligations but the way I would go about trading interest rates would be to wait 1Hr after the news. Once the market has decided the direction, I lower my position size and follow my system's entry technique for trading with momentum. Additionally, If the market reacts off one of my level's I will anticipate a double top/double bottom. Safe Trading.
$DXY - 'ABC' Waves Completed - The Dollar Index TVC:DXY seems to have completed Wave C of its A-B-C Elliot Waves Correction, today on ECONOMICS:USINTR Fed's announcement.
TVC:DXY must hold the lows of Wave C at 102.6 and 1 level of Fibb' Zone,
otherwise, its macro downtrend from 114 High will be printing another Bearish Lower High
This, however, would be a fantastic opportunity for The Financial Markets
to explode more on their uptrend resumptions .
TRADE SAFE
*** NOTE that this is not Financial Advice !
Please do your own research and consult your Financial Advisor
before partaking in any trading activity based solely on this Idea .
🔥 FED Pauzing Interest Rates Is NOT BullishAs of a couple of minutes ago the FED has announced that they will pauze the interest rates and not hike any further. Since rising interest rates seems bearish for markets, a pauze is often a much more bearish signal.
As seen on the lower chart, once the FED pauzes the hiking cycle ('flat mountain top'), it has often signaled a stock market crash in the not so distant future.
With the most recent pauze, one would be cautious for the future at the very least.
Do you think a stock market crash is coming? Share your thoughts🙏
XAUUSD - KOG REPORT - FOMC!KOG Report
FOMC – 14/06/23
This is our view for FOMC today, please do your own research and analysis to make an informed decision on the markets. It is not recommended you try to trade the event if you have less than 6 months trading experience and have a trusted risk strategy in place. The markets are extremely volatile, and these events can cause aggressive swings in price.
We’ll start by saying we’ve had a decent week so far as well as month and will not be wanting to give anything back to the market. For that reason, we’re sharing the levels we have for the potential move and the regions to look for a reaction in price. It is expected to move, especially during the press conference which will take place after the statement. We would say best practice is to wait for them to take the price where they want, let is settle and look for signs of a reversal before jumping into a trade.
We’ve seen a big range forming here over the last few weeks which has been used to accumulate orders, maybe now enough for Gold to find its feet and make the move many traders are anticipating. We have the immediate levels of 1950-55 order region which we are now above and potentially looking for the price to settle pre-event around here.
We have the higher levels of 1980-85 which we were looking for on the KOG Report so target region for longs that are held from below could be around that level. If price is driven up into that region, we would be looking for resistance higher to potentially see a reaction in price and a confirmed reversal before even attempting to short it.
On the flip side, we have order region 1930-35 and below that the extreme level of 1915-07 on the break. If the price is driven down, then we will potentially be looking here for a reaction in price and upon confirmed reversal signs look to take the long trade back up.
As we’ve said above, we’re sharing our view with everyone but please do your own research. We’re not likely to enter any new trades, rather let the runners we have open run or close at break even. The best trades and set ups will come once the price has been taken to it’s level.
Please do support us by hitting the like button, leaving a comment, and giving us a follow. We’ve been doing this for a long time now providing traders with in-depth free analysis on Gold, so your likes and comments are very much appreciated.
As always, trade safe.
KOG
USDJPY FOMC Prep 14th JuneIf the FOMC does pause on further rate hikes as forecasted, this is likely to cause further weakness in the DXY (read DXY analysis)
Weakness in the DXY could see the USDJPY trade lower. The USDJPY has been range bound since the start of June, trading between the resistance of 140.40 and support of 138.74.
Currently trading along the 140 price level, weakness in the DXY could see the price reverse lower, back down to the support level. Similar to the price action on the 5th of June.
A surprise rate hike from the FOMC could see the USDJPY rise, but the upside would be limited with the next key resistance level around 141 (the previous swing high at the end of May) and also with the increasing belief that any surprise rate hike would be the last to come from the FOMC.
DXY Outlook FOMC Prep 14th JuneWill the Federal Reserve finally decide to pause on further rate hikes, keeping interest rates at 5.25%, or will the Feds hike rates one final time to take rates to 5.50%?
There has been much speculation about the likely outcome of the US FOMC regarding its interest rate decision.
Especially with the most recent CPI data being released at 4.0% (Expected 4.1% Previous 4.9%) a significant slowdown in inflation growth is being witnessed and it is likely to play towards encouraging the Feds to pause on further hikes.
Although the June unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.7%, the NFP was still significantly stronger than expected at 339k.
There are several technical analysis factors applying the downward pressures on the DXY, in particular, the downward trendline, 50MA and the 103.40 resistance level.
If the Feds does pause on rates, I'd be looking for the DXY to trade down to the support area of 102.80 and 103, which coincides with the 50% Fibonacci retracement level.
EURUSD before FEDCPI data came out yesterday and EURUSD hit the 1.0800 resistance and is holding at those levels for now.
Today we await the most important news.
At 20:00 Bulgarian time, the FED will announce the decision on interest rates, and 30 minutes later the press conference will begin.
Regardless of the decision, we will see large fluctuations and it is advisable to reduce the risk beforehand.
The objective remains confirmation of the upward movement here, with possible stops in both directions.