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Japanese Equities Remain Compelling Despite Record Crushing RiseAnimal spirits are palpable in the Land of Rising Sun. Nikkei-225 smashed through it previous all-time-high set more than 40 years ago. Japanese equity markets have turned steaming hot over the past year after stagnation through lost decades. Strong foreign investment inflows, positive impact from the corporate governance reforms, portfolio rebalancing away from China, and low valuations, are collectively serving as robust tailwinds for the Japan equity market. Yet risks remain from an early BoJ policy pivot, high inflation eroding spending power, and limited domestic capital investment. This paper delves into factors driving record rally of Nikkei-225 index, its outlook, and posits a hypothetical trade to benefit from its continued ascent. WIDE RANGING REFORMS IN PLAY TO BOOST MARKETS. IS IT WORKING? In 2022, the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”) embarked on market restructuring plan with the creation of new market segments. Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange TSE rolled out a raft of corporate governance reforms in March 2023. It summarized key initiatives that investors aspire to see into fruition, namely (a) Weigh the cost of capital from investors perspective, (b), Report profitability and valuation metrics from multiple perspectives, and (c) Allocate resources to improve corporate value. Reforms aim to boost capital efficiency by utilizing excess cash reserves held by Japanese firms. Price-to-book ratio (“PBR”) is a key metric in TSE’s cross hairs. As of 31/Dec , more than half the firms that have submitted disclosures have a PBR of less than one. PBR less than one suggests that a firm’s dissolution value is greater than its market cap. Data Source: TSE Even among some of the largest firms in the country, PBR is less than 1. Data Source: TV Stock Screener A TSE Review shows that firms are allocating additional resources towards growth initiatives. It suggested share buybacks and dividends were effective means for improving profitability. Impact of the reforms are visible in many ways. Higher shareholder returns (through dividends and buybacks) are already manifest across many firms. Still, there is a long way to go. Disclosures and reforms are not widespread yet. As smaller firms join, capital investment could spread wider. Data Source: TV Stock Screener Also, while dividend growth is high, capex growth remains low. A focus on investor returns improves stock valuations in the near term. However, a larger push towards long-term capital investments will be required for long-term sustained growth. Capital spending by firms surged 16.4% YoY in Q4. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is pushing for its citizens to invest in domestic firms rather than save. He has re-launched the NISA tax-free investment programme. It provides extended tax-exemption periods and higher annual investment limits. The scheme, if successful, could channel large chunks of new capital into Japanese equities. Domestic participation remains low for now. Japanese investors prefer foreign stocks over domestic ones as per a Morningstar study . VIBRANT FOREIGN INFLOWS IN JAPANESE EQUITIES While domestic investors are yet to embrace its domestic markets, foreigners are leading the charge. US investors have poured USD 8.3B into Japan focused ETFs ( AMEX:EWJ , AMEX:BBJP , and AMEX:DXJ ) since 2023. JAPANESE EQUITIES REMAIN UNDERVALUED Japanese equities remain under-valued. Warren Buffet famously invested USD 6 billion during the pandemic in Japanese trading giants citing that he was offered a “ridiculous price”. Despite the recent market surge, P/E for stocks in the Nikkei-225 stands at mere 20.8x. Comparatively, stocks in the S&P 500 have an average P/E of 34.9x. Data Source: TV Stock Screener Nikkei-225 valuations are even more attractive when adjusted for growth. Average (excl. outliers) TTM PEG ratio for Nikkei-225 firms is 1.3x while for the S&P 500 its 2.5x. Data Source: TV Stock Screener Low profit growth remains a concern for Japanese firms. According to the Japan Ministry of Finance figures , ordinary profits rose by 13% YoY in Q4 2023, while high, that’s slower than 21% during Q3 2023. JAPAN IS ALSO AN AI BENEFICIARY Tokyo Electron, Renesas, and Advantest, constituents within the Nikkei-225 index have emerged as AI rush beneficiaries. Specifically, Tokyo Electron has surged more than 58% YTD. Softbank is another top performer thanks to its investment in $ARM. Heatmap of Nikkei-225 with key firms that comprise a large weightage in the index highlighted in blue. Nikkei-225 is a price-weighted index. Tokyo Electron commands the second largest weight in the index at 9.4% due to its high price. Advantest is third with 4.7%. Softbank ranks fourth with 4.45%. Therefore, a sustained AI fuelled market rally is likely to positively impacting the index. Not just the chip stocks, the Nikkei rally has been top-heavy due to outperformance of other large stocks too. Fast Retailing (the top weight in the index) is also supported by strong tailwinds and solid financial performance which has clocked a 26% rise YTD (versus 19% jump in the index). If outperformance among the large Japanese firms continue, the Nikkei will continue to race at a fast pace. NIKKEI IS STARTING TO FACE HEADWINDS Despite impressive performance and bright outlook, cause for concerns exist in the near term. Rising concerns that the BoJ may exit its loose monetary policy sooner than previously expected could snap the rally. Inflation has started to rebound. Wage growth estimates are solid. Revised figures for capital spending are expected to show that the economy avoided a technical recession in Q4. The benchmark index is starting to face resistance. An earlier than expected BoJ pivot could put brakes on this rally. Some market participants expect the BoJ policy pivot as soon as the 19/March policy meeting. Most expect the pivot to occur at the 26/April meeting. A consensus on the exact meeting has not been reached among BoJ officials according to Bloomberg . HYPOTHETICAL TRADE SETUP Nikkei is benefiting from strong tailwinds. It also faces the risk of a near-term correction, particularly from anticipated strengthening of the Yen. A hypothetical long position in the Yen denominated CME Nikkei-225 index futures with an entry upon near term correction is posited for a superior reward-to-risk ratio. The following hypothetical trade setup comprising of a long position in the Nikkei-225 Yen Denominated futures expiring in June (NIYM2024) benefits in case the Nikkei-225 rises. As the payout from the position is denominated in Yen, a strengthening of the Yen will serve as an additional boost to the dollar P&L. • Entry: 37,900 • Target: 41,690 • Stop Loss: 35,000 • Profit at Target: ¥1,895,000 ( (41690 – 37900) x 500 Yen/index point) • Loss at Stop: -¥1,450,000 ( (35000 – 37900) x 500 Yen/index point) • Reward-to-Risk Ratio: 1.3x MARKET DATA CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. 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 This case study is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. Trading or investment ideas cited here are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management or trading under the market scenarios being discussed. Please read the FULL DISCLAIMER the link to which is provided in our profile description.
CME:NIY1!Long
by mintdotfinance
USDJPY H4 6 March 2024USD/JPY, H4 6 March 2024 The USD/JPY pair continues to trade within a consolidation range, fluctuating between the 150.80 and 149.75 levels. Notably, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Japan's largest bank, is reportedly adjusting its positions in anticipation of a potential move by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) in March. Senior management at the bank has suggested that there is a 50% chance the BoJ may shift its monetary policy, a move that could have significant implications for Japanese government bonds and the strength of the Japanese Yen. USD/JPY eases slightly but remains trading sideways within its consolidation range. Suggesting bearish momentum may be forming. Resistance level: 150.80, 151.70 Support level: 149.40, 147.60
Short
by top_fx
USDJPY Watch: Inflation Release to Shape yen’s Path? Japan's economy recently slid to the fourth-largest position, trailing Germany. This shift is primarily attributed to a weakened Japanese yen. In 2023, Japan's GDP stood at approximately $4.2 trillion, while Germany's was around $4.45 trillion. The weakness in the Japanese yen is pressuring BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda to address this by tightening Japan's ultra-easy policy. However, this move is complicated by concerns about inflation, which BOJ policymakers still consider unsustainable, even as inflation negatively impacts domestic demand, contributing to a technical recession in the Japanese economy. The upcoming release of Japan's inflation rate, scheduled for the coming Monday, is anticipated to significantly influence the BOJ's decision regarding potential rate hikes in the coming months. Analysts predict a possible rate increase as early as April, especially if the country's annual spring wage negotiations confirm a trend of substantial wage increases. On the 4-hour chart, we are watching for the possibility of the USDJPY breaking above the weekly high of 150.430 and reversing the string of lower highs going back to the beginning of last week (which just so happens to be the yearly high for the pair).
by BlackBull_Markets
Firepower abounds for Japanese equitiesJapanese equities ended 2023 on a high note. Japan’s post pandemic re-opening, accommodative monetary stance, high equity risk premiums and improving corporate governance reforms were important tailwinds for Japanese equities in 2023. Over the last 12 months Japan has benefited from global investor inflows who are diversifying their investments in Asia, with geopolitical tensions and sluggish growth causing a rotation from China to Japan. There are several catalysts in place to fuel Japan’s equity market rally: Increasing capex & higher wage growth Revamping the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) Corporate Japan’s ongoing reform initiatives Capex outlook bolstered by manufacturers The end of deflation is a catalyst unique to Japan. The Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) December Tankan survey indicates manufacturers will continue to boost capex in fiscal 2024 to prepare for the next growth cycle. Manufacturers plan to increase capex in fiscal 2024 by 14.6%2. Higher cash holdings for Japanese corporates and labour shortages are important incentives to invest in automation over the long run. Japan is at a demographic crossroads. The employment conditions diffusion index (DI) highlights Japan’s labour shortage to be the worst in 30 years3. To compensate, companies will need to invest in improving productivity. Demographics driving wage inflation At the same time, waning labour supply owing to an aging population is likely to bring back wage growth. The spring wage growth negotiations in 2023 drove wages up by 3.6%4 (the highest level in 30 years) and 2024 could see a further rise. Demand continues to increase in healthcare and social welfare owing to increasing domestic demand. Strong wage growth remains the key to the sustainability of inflation and inflation is likely to influence investors choice of asset allocations. As long as Japanese equities continue to benefit from inflation, we believe it would be natural for funds to increasingly flow into Japanese equities. Japan’s savings to investment drive Japan is transforming into an asset management led nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Kishida. In an effort to unlock nearly US$14Trn of household financial assets tied up in cash deposits, Japanese leaders are embarking upon reforms, like the introduction of 401(k)s in the US back in the 1970s. This is being done with the introduction of a revised Nippon Individual Savings Account “NISA” program offering tax benefits and portability. Starting in 2024 maximum investment amounts allowed under NISA have been increased and investors can enjoy the system’s tax benefits permanently. Japan’s wave of reform Corporate Japan’s ongoing reform initiatives, which include the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s (TSE) March 2023 announcement dubbed the “Price to Book (PBR) Guideline”, discussed here had a strong impact on companies. This was evident from the immediate rise in payout ratios following the announcements. By the end of January, the TSE plans to provide a list of companies that have either disclosed capital efficiency measures or have such measures under consideration. There is a strong likelihood that companies ‘under consideration’ could surprise on the upside with capital return announcements in the upcoming results season. Japan’s wave of reform Corporate Japan’s ongoing reform initiatives, which include the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s (TSE) March 2023 announcement dubbed the “Price to Book (PBR) Guideline”, discussed here had a strong impact on companies. This was evident from the immediate rise in payout ratios following the announcements. By the end of January, the TSE plans to provide a list of companies that have either disclosed capital efficiency measures or have such measures under consideration. There is a strong likelihood that companies ‘under consideration’ could surprise on the upside with capital return announcements in the upcoming results season. Japan continues to deliver strong earnings results Japan’s economy has continued to recover, and we expect the economy to withstand the modest slowdown in global growth. Japanese equities are testing 34-year highs in 2024, bolstered by 2Q FY3/24 earnings results. Net income for Japanese equities came in 6.2% ahead of consensus, with beats concentrated in domestic-oriented sectors including utilities & food/household products5. Corporate reforms had a significant impact on chemicals and auto parts sectors. Japan’s earnings revision breadth remains in positive territory in contrast to earnings trends in China and Europe. Positive earnings revisions alongside a structural trend to rising return on equity (ROE) is supporting Japan’s equity outperformance versus the rest of the world. Monetary policy likely to stay on hold until Q2 An important concern in 2024 remains the path of monetary policy by the BOJ, its impact on the yen and the repercussions for Japanese equities. Governor Ueda told Prime Minister Kishida that the Bank will monitor the strength of domestic demand, taking into consideration whether higher wages push services prices higher and the 2024 wage outlook. Recent inflation data continues to slow, as the prior high import costs work through the system amidst soft domestic demand. We expect the BOJ to exit negative interest rates in Q2, taking into consideration the spring wage negotiations. The yen may appreciate in H2 2024, on narrowing US-Japan interest rate spreads. A stronger yen could renew concerns over a possible negative effect on Japanese corporate earnings. However, a strong yen may not be too much of a hindrance to Japanese equities, with the market set on the theme of further vitality in the economy with rising wages and improving capex. Sources 1 Factset, WisdomTree as of 31 December 2023 2 Bank of Japan, 13 December 2023 3 Bloomberg as of 31 December 2023 4 Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) 5 IBES, Factset, MSCI Japan This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
PEPPERSTONE:JPN225
by aneekaguptaWTE
USD/JPY: JPY Struggles Amid Global TensionsUSD/JPY: JPY Struggles Amid Global Tensions The Japanese Yen (JPY) faces challenges in gaining momentum against the US Dollar (USD) as it retreats in the European session. European equity market optimism hampers the JPY's safe-haven appeal, while the USD sees positive traction ahead of the awaited FOMC meeting. Technical Analysis: The JPY faces resistance at 148.500 within the Fibonacci range of 61.8% to 78.6%, coupled with a potential bearish channel's dynamic trendline. Stochastic RSI divergence signals caution, and the price is poised for a potential bearish move. Market Dynamics: Global uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, could limit JPY losses, supported by the Bank of Japan's recent hawkish stance. The looming uncertainty about the Fed's interest rate cuts may restrain aggressive USD bets, keeping the USD/JPY pair in check. Looking Ahead: Traders await key US economic data, including the Consumer Confidence Index and JOLTS Job Openings, for potential market direction amid the central bank event risk. The interplay of technical signals and geopolitical factors shapes the outlook for the JPY in the near term. Our Idea: Below 150.75 look for further downside with 145.00 & 142.00 as targets.
Short
by FOREXN1
1
Ride the Japanese Wave, Don't Grab That China Falling KnifeIt was nearly three years ago when the China stock market notched a short-term peak. Recall how the world's second-largest economy was initially seen as a growth engine coming out of the worst of the pandemic. An authoritative regime in China, led by President Xi Jinping, crippled the economy's expansion trajectory through harsh ongoing lockdowns and by clamping down on many industries, one after another. Then in early 2023, hope sprang eternal that China would re-open amid a burst of consumer spending, a la what was seen during the 'revenge travel' period in the United States back in 2021 and 2022. That did not come to fruition, and the Hang Seng Index is now down by more than 50% in the last three years. With all that turmoil going on in China, Japan's Nikkei 225 Index has continued to soar. Up more than 20% since February of 2021, the once sleepy Tokyo stock market features among the best momentum readings of all countries. Based on these trends, sticking with the 'long Nikkei, short China' trade should keep working, in my view. Another way to play it is by being long developed market stocks and avoiding emerging market funds (which still have a roughly 20% allocation to China). Finally, while China trades at a single-digit P/E ratio today, Japan is by no means expensive. Goldman Sachs notes that the country's current 12-month forward earnings multiple is just 14.9, about average compared to its 20-year history (Asia-Pac ex-Japan is 12.3x, for perspective). Interestingly, Japan is back up to 6% of the global stock market allocation while China has sunk to just 3%. Perhaps it is indeed the land of the rising sun while China is a classic "sub"-merging market. A solid ETF to play Japan continues to be the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity ETF (DXJ) which hedges exposure to the Japanese Yen. The ETF has a solid track record of outperforming other Japanese country funds.
TVC:HSILong
by mikezaccardi
1
USD/JPY Under Pressure: Dovish Fed Outlook and BoJ's Caution..USD/JPY Under Pressure: Dovish Fed Outlook and BoJ's Caution Fuel Bearish Momentum The USD/JPY pair continues to experience losses as the US Dollar (USD) weakens, influenced by the dovish outlook presented by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in the first quarter of 2024. The recent decline gained momentum on Friday, triggered by softer domestic consumer inflation data, amplifying uncertainty regarding the potential timing of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) tightening its ultra-loose policy. Minutes from the BoJ's October monetary policy meeting further indicated a commitment to maintaining the current accommodative stance, putting additional downward pressure on the Japanese Yen (JPY). Market Developments: As the USD/JPY pair trades lower around 140.70 during the early European session on Thursday, attention is drawn to the psychological areas of 141.00 and 141.600, which now pose as immediate resistance levels. The next significant barrier is identified at the 142.00 level, suggesting that the pair faces an uphill struggle in its attempt to reverse the prevailing bearish sentiment. Technical Analysis and Correlation: Building on our technical analysis and considering the correlation with the EUR/USD pairs, the outlook for USD/JPY points towards a continuation of the bearish momentum. The dovish Fed stance and cautious BoJ approach contribute to the prevailing downward pressure on the USD/JPY pair, emphasizing the potential for further losses in the near term. Looking Ahead: The uncertainty surrounding the timing of the BoJ's policy tightening and the dovish tone from the Fed are likely to remain key drivers for the USD/JPY pair. Traders and investors will closely monitor any developments in monetary policy discussions and economic indicators that could offer insights into the future direction of the currency pair. As the USD/JPY pair faces resistance levels and grapples with the repercussions of dovish central bank outlooks, the bearish momentum seems poised to persist. The interplay between the Federal Reserve's stance and the Bank of Japan's cautious approach sets the stage for continued volatility in the pair. As market participants navigate these dynamics, the focus remains on potential opportunities arising from the evolving conditions in the currency markets. Our preference Short positions below 143.00 with targets at 139.90 & 138.50 in extension.
Short
by FOREXN1
1
Is the Santa Claus Rally on Its Way Again?The lights, carols and the last FOMC of the year, you know the drill by now, Christmas is here soon! As we head into the year's end, it's the perfect time to revisit an old idea we had last Christmas. In our piece last December titled “ Is the Santa Claus rally real? ” we explored the concept of the Santa Claus rally, discussing why and how a modified version might work. To recap, last year we proposed examining the Santa Claus rally through a spread between the S&P500 and the Nikkei, rather than focusing solely on either the S&P or Nikkei alone. This approach was based on several reasons: 1) Holiday Impact: The Christmas holiday holds greater cultural importance in the US, likely resulting in more holiday observance in the US compared to Japan. 2) Diverging Monetary Policies: The Bank of Japan is set to meet next week, and while no change in the policy rate is expected, we're looking for any hints on the timing of an exit from negative interest rates. Conversely, the Federal Reserve has just signalled expectations of up to 75bps rate cuts in 2024, marking a policy shift. These differing policies could influence equities in their respective markets differently. 3) Difference in Accounting/Financial Years: Different accounting practices and book closure dates mean that institutional traders in each market will have varying flows as they prepare to close positions for the financial year. 4) January Effect Front-Running: Investors re-establishing positions after December's tax loss harvesting. With policy directions now swapping, optimism for this strategy's success is higher this year. The Federal Reserve signalling an end to hikes, has resulted in the S&P500 surging closer to previous all-time highs. Meanwhile, the USDJPY has collapsed from its high of 152, as views grow that the BOJ might end its negative interest rate policy sooner than expected, as alluded to by BOJ Governor Ueda. This Christmas, we'll compare what happened last Christmas to see if a similar pattern emerges this year. A review of last year's Christmas effect shows that the spread rose roughly 12% from mid-December to mid-February. This result adds to the current streak of a 60%-win rate since 2013, now improving to 63% with a simple average return of about 33%. Examining each index individually, we find that periods where the S&P 500’s RSI is above 75 and the Nikkei 225’s RSI is around 50 have generally preceded critical junctures where the S&P 500 continues to rise while the Nikkei remains rangebound or falls. Additionally, observing the S&P500 and Nikkei 225 spread, we notice an ascending triangle pattern, with current price action breaking above. An ascending triangle is typically associated with bullish continuation. Considering the broad macro factors, such as changing monetary policy stances aligning with the historical behavior of the Santa Claus rally, along with a bullish technical setup, we lean bullish on this spread. To express this bullish view, one could go long on the E-mini S&P 500 Futures and short on the Nikkei/USD Futures. At the current price levels, the notional value of one S&P 500 Futures contract is 4771*50 = 238550 and the notional for the Nikkei futures is 33010*5 = 165050, hence to match the notional we can trade 2 S&P 500 Futures contracts against 3 Nikkei Futures contract with the intent of holding the position from now till the middle of February. 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.fool.com www.jstor.org
CME_MINI:ES1!Long
by inspirante
14
Navigating Waves: USDJPY Analysis - Seizing the Double BottomRapid Downslide Following FED News : Downslide suggests that there may have been a negative reaction in the USDJPY pair due to news related to the Federal Reserve (FED). Events and statements from central banks, especially the FED, can significantly impact currency pairs. Formation of Double Bottom Pattern around 141.500 Range : A double bottom pattern is a bullish reversal pattern that forms after a downtrend. If there is a slowdown and a potential double bottom pattern around the 141.500 range, it could indicate a potential reversal in the downward trend. Expectation of Short Impulse Towards 143.787 : The analysis suggests an anticipated short-term upward movement toward the 143.787 level. Traders may view this as a potential scalp opportunity, indicating a short-term trading strategy. Continuation of Bearish Momentum: Despite the short-term upward movement, there is an expectation of the continuation of bearish momentum. This indicates that the overall trend remains bearish, and the upward movement may be considered a temporary retracement rather than a trend reversal. It's important to note that trading in the foreign exchange market involves inherent risks, and market conditions can change rapidly. Additionally, the success of any forecast depends on various factors, including economic indicators, geopolitical events, and market sentiment. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, traders should refer to live market data, technical analysis tools, and financial news sources. Additionally, considering the dynamic nature of the forex market, it's recommended to use risk management strategies and consult with financial experts before making trading decisions.
Long
by wikitrades
2
GREED, GREED, GREED but what follows?About a month back, I made a solid move in the market that sparked a strong rally. Now, as we near the end of a strong earnings season, I'm in a neutral position, but I'm taking steps to secure gains by trimming my positions. I reckon a decent pullback would be beneficial before considering further upward movement. There's quite a few gaps to fill due to some impulsive buying, and I believe reallocating capital is crucial for a healthier market, especially considering how much weight big tech holds in the SPY. NVIDIA's earnings showed remarkable strength. They surpassed already optimistic expectations by a significant 10%. The $600 target set by premium sellers seemed overly ambitious, yet those sellers managed to benefit from the earnings report released last week. Many institutional investors are operating under the assumption of a smooth landing in 2024, envisioning reduced rates, a depreciating US Dollar, a weakened Chinese macroeconomy, and sustained dominance in Large Cap Tech. The consensus among fund managers leans towards the belief that the Fed's rate hike cycle is nearing its end, with expectations of forthcoming decreases in short-term rates. Additionally, there's a noticeable shift of interest towards Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Japanese stocks. (Source: BofA Global Fund Manager Survey, BLOOMBERG)
AMEX:SPY
by SPADESASSETS
What Next For The Yen?In Karate, offense is the best form of defence. The BoJ knows it. Japan faces a raft of economic headwinds which shows up in Yen’s performance. The BoJ intervened strongly last year to support the currency when it skirted around current levels. Yen is hovering at those levels again. BoJ is anticipated to act. Such interventions typically mark the bottom. This paper explores recent economic data to analyse the potential for monetary policy changes by BOJ. JAPANESE MACROECONOMIC CONDITIONS HAMPER YEN FROM STRENGTHENING Starting September, the Yen has trended lower relative to the USD among currency majors. The Yen has weakened the most. As described previously , BoJ’s aims to kickstart the economy onto a high growth trajectory to exit decades of painful deflation. Recent macroeconomic data indicates weakness. This reaffirms the need for continued loose monetary policy. However, a frail Yen poses a different type of challenge for the BoJ with higher import costs for fresh food and fuel. This leaves the BoJ in a predicament between loose monetary policy and intervention to support the Yen. What does recent inflation, GDP, and wage data point to? Inflation Inflation declined M-o-M in September. CPI cooled to 2.8% falling below 3% for the first time in a year. Importantly, Japan’s producer prices are now below 2% in a sign that inflation might have peaked. Consumer prices will fail to prevail above 4% for long with input prices moderating. The BoJ expects inflation to persist until March next year at current levels and to cool towards target rates in the following 12 months. GDP Growth The Japanese economy shrank 2.1% YoY in Q3. This is far below expectations of 0.6% decline and a sharp slowdown from +4.5% growth in Q2. Slow economic growth makes economic stimulus essential to sustain it. Wages Nominal wage growth continues to decline. Real wages are even more concerning. Wages have declined for the last 18 months when adjusted for inflation. Next Shunto negotiations are set to complete by mid-Jan 2024 with outcome remaining uncertain. The BoJ highlighted that wage uncertainties and price-setting behaviour pose upside risk to prices. Meanwhile, high inflation will keep impacting real wages, affecting people's ability to spend. THE BANK OF JAPAN IS STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE At the October monetary policy meeting, the BoJ announced changes to the bond yield cap. The Yield Curve Control (YCC) policy and range were kept unchanged. However, a small modification was made to change the 1% JGB yield cap from a rigid one to a loose reference. These changes hint at BoJ setting itself up for the eventual roll-back of the YCC policy altogether. Next BoJ policy meeting is set for December 19th. The BoJ will likely maintain stimulus and hold rates low amid feeble consumer & business spending. The policy change will be through YCC dismantling, impacting the JGB market. It will require careful planning and deft timing. Meanwhile, the BoJ may intervene to stem continued Yen weakness. The officials have expressed this sentiment over the last two weeks via warnings for participants shorting the Yen over the past two weeks. Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) intervened three times last year, injecting USD 68 billion to support the Yen when it was trading near 150/USD. These interventions, unannounced, led to sharp and unexpected currency moves. Unlike previous exchange rate-based interventions, the BoJ’s current predicament revolves around volatility and public perception. Reuters reports that if Japan aims to prevent yen appreciation, the MoF will issue short-term bills to raise Yen, which is then sold in the market to weaken the currency. Alternatively, to curb Yen depreciation, authorities will tap into Japan's FX reserves, exchanging dollars for the Yen. In recent weeks, Japanese authorities have issued warnings and expressed readiness to intervene as the Yen continues to weaken, despite a moderating USD. Masato Kanda, Japan's top currency official, emphasized the urgency of their judgments and the potential for intervention, resonating with rhetorics used a year ago. MIXED SIGNALS FROM CURRENCY DERIVATIVES MARKETS Although asset managers are not positioned as net short as they were in late-September, they increased their net short positioning (weakening Yen) last Tuesday. Similarly, leveraged funds also increased net short positioning sharply last week. Options markets contrarily signal strength in the Yen. P/C ratio for CME Japanese Yen Options (JPU) is 0.42 implying two puts for every five calls. JPUs are quoted with the Yen as the base currency so call options express a view of the Yen strengthening. Moreover, bullish bets have increased heavily over the past week. Specifically, nearest monthly and weekly contracts (JPZ3 and WJ4X3) show Yen strengthening in the near term. Bullish bets in December options outnumber bearish bets by three times. Although put open interest (OI) is concentrated near current levels with the highest OI at 0.0066 (151 in USD/JPY), call OI is more spread across with a large OI at strike of 0.0069 (145 in USD/JPY) which has ballooned over the last week. This signals that options market expects Yen strengthening by next month. Finally, implied volatility on JPU is near its lowest level since March 2022. Source: CME CVOL Options skew on JPU is close to one, indicating that premiums on calls and puts are equally priced. Convexity remains elevated signalling investor interest in OTM options suggesting likelihood of sharp moves ahead. HYPOTHETICAL TRADE SETUP Given 12-month low implied volatility, a position in JPU can yield cost-effective protection against sharp Yen moves. Alternatively, with the anticipated stability in Japanese interest rates, a short futures position in CME Japanese Yen futures, as previously discussed in a paper , is a viable approach to capitalizing on Yen's expected weakening. We can tap into JPU to safeguard this position against unforeseen risks of yen strengthening from BoJ intervention. Furthermore, CME offers weekly options for Japanese Yen futures, expiring from Monday through Friday of the week. This enables investors to attain short-term exposure on a more focused scale, accompanied by lower premiums compared to monthly options. A long call option position in JPUZ3 (expiring on December 8) would benefit from a BoJ intervention. The trade setup consists of an entry at a strike of 0.0068 (JPY 147.0588) in JPUZ3 call options. These options are at a delta of 25 and expire in 30 days providing a good trade-off between low premium and adequate exposure to the underlying. As of settlement on November 17th, premium for these options stood at USD 245 at an implied volatility of 8.26%. Source: CME Options Calculator The position breaks even at 0.00682 (JPY 146.6275) and turns profitable when (a) underlying futures price increases above strike price, and/or (b) implied volatility increases. Source: CME QuikStrike MARKET DATA CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. 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 This case study is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. Trading or investment ideas cited here are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management or trading under the market scenarios being discussed. 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CME:6J1!Long
by mintdotfinance
Japan Inflation Overview JAPAN CPI Japan Headline and Core CPI for Sept both came in lower than expected. Japan Headline CPI: YoY – Actual 3.0% / Exp. 3.2% / Prev. 3.2% (green on chart) Japan Core CPI: YoY – Actual 4.2% / Exp. 4.3% / Prev. 4.3% (blue on chart) The chart below illustrates that Core CPI appears to be plateauing with Headline CPI decreasing from 4.3% to 3% since Jan 2023. Similar to the Eurozone chart you can we are long way from the moderate levels of inflation between -1.5 – 1.5% from 2015 – 2020 below. Japan’s economy contracted by 2.1 per cent during the third quarter of 2023, following an expansion in the previous two quarters. Analysts fear the country might slip into a recession. The contraction was sparked by a combination of sticky core inflation holding close to its 4.2 – 4.3% ceiling since May 2023, the slowing of exports, and low pay rises that appear to have led to weak domestic consumption. “Given the absence of a growth engine it wouldn’t surprise me if the Japanese economy contracted again in the current quarter. The risk of Japan falling into recession cannot be ruled out.” - Takeshi Minami – Chief Economist Norinchuckin Research Institute
ECONOMICS:JPCCPI
by PukaCharts
Soft landing calls for tough choices2023 has been a tough year for stock pickers. The gap between equity factor styles has been vast over H1. Growth, riskier in nature, posted the best performance up 24% year-to-date (YTD) followed closely behind by quality up 20% YTD1. The excitement around artificial intelligence (AI) reached a fever pitch in H1 2023, supporting growth-oriented technology stocks. As we enter H2 2023, we remain constructive on select areas of global equity markets. The resilience of the US economy has defied all odds. The strength of the US consumer (accounting for 70% of GDP), alongside the fiscal impulse, has been the cornerstone of the US’ extraordinary resilience. While inflation has shown encouraging signs of decline in the US, strong economic momentum alongside a rebound in commodities raises the risk of a re-acceleration of inflation. In turn, rates could remain higher for longer, resulting in Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts being delayed until Q1 2024. In such an environment, an enhanced equity income approach could fit well. Even if the earnings outlook weakens in China, proactive policy support via rate cuts could support its stock multiples. In Europe, where we are likely to witness a mild recession, we believe adopting a more cautious and defensive approach is warranted. Earnings revision ratios remain the strongest in Japan while they are the weakest in emerging markets. US equities are the belle of the ball It was the narrowest market in history, with just 25% of stocks outperforming the S&P 500. Expectations of cooling inflation aiding the Fed to end its current tightening cycle supported the performance of higher-duration growth stocks. For investors calling for a soft landing, rates are likely to remain at current levels or higher for a longer duration of time. A tight US labour market, with unemployment at historic lows and rising wages, is likely to slow the downward pricing momentum in the service sector. As the market regime transitions, it should provide a ripe opportunity for market breadth2 to improve. Markets may begin to favour value and dividend-paying stocks. History has shown us that breadth tends to improve as the economy recovers from a downturn. Peak pessimism towards China China’s reopening rebound has faded. The transition to a less debt-fuelled, less property-reliant and more consumer-driven economy is an important adjustment. We expect government stimulus policies to be aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the private sector. Further iterations of policy rate cuts by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) are likely to follow; however, outright quantitative easing won’t be on the cards, as it is likely to further weaken the yuan, which the PBOC would like to avoid. With a low correlation to US equities (at 20x P/E)3 coupled with a high valuation discount, pockets of China continue to provide good investment prospects. Pockets of opportunity in non-state-owned enterprises Non-state-owned enterprises, particularly within the Technology, Communication Services and Health Care sectors, faced the brunt of China’s regulatory crackdown. These regulatory interventions stifled growth in key sectors such as e-commerce, mobile payment, ride-hailing, and online education. It also resulted in the suspension of initial public offerings (IPOs) and delisting of Chinese internet companies. Growing political frictions in supply chains are incentivising China to regain independence in the semiconductor and hardware space. Chinese technology companies are trading at a significant discount compared to US peers, offering plenty of room to catch up. Prefer defensives over cyclicals as Europe runs out of steam Nearly six months back, investors marvelled at how the euro-area economy had emerged from the energy crisis. That momentum appears to be fading as China’s recovery slows down, consumer confidence declines, and the impact of tighter monetary policy gains a stronghold on the economy. Higher inflation over the past year is holding back demand from households, which is hurting growth. The monetary tightening over the past year not only triggered an increase in real rates, it also impacted borrowers’ credit metrics. Owing to this, eurozone banks have tightened their lending standards.4 Banks remain the primary source of corporate funding in Europe. The credit impulse—that is, the annual change in the growth of credit relative to GDP—in the euro area reached its lowest point since 2010. TINA is alive in Japan There is no alternative (TINA) to equities is still alive in Japan. This is evident from higher equity risk premiums of 2.97% for Japan compared to 0.41% in the US.5 While the rest of the world has been busy trying to quell the inflation fires, Japan has emerged from the COVID-19 lockdowns with a faster pace of growth and higher inflation. A combination of higher equity risk premiums, a weaker yen supportive of the Japanese export market, corporate reforms, and attractive valuations have been important catalysts for equities. Policy shift still remains loose The Bank of Japan (BOJ) took a significant step towards normalisation in July by announcing a further adjustment to its yield curve control (YCC) regime. The BOJ formally changing its course constitutes an acknowledgement that inflation is returning to the Japanese economy. Yet the BOJ lowered its (median) inflation forecast for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to +1.9% and left its FY 2025 projection unchanged at +1.6%, in effect justifying ongoing easing by the BOJ. With Japan’s nominal growth rising over the coming years, the revised policy by the BOJ still remains loose, supporting the case for Japanese equities. Historically, a weaker yen has benefitted the performance of Japanese exporters as it enhances their competitive advantage. Adopting a tilt towards dividend-paying Japanese equities is likely to reap the benefits of not only a weaker yen but also corporate governance reforms. Conclusion As we progress into year-end, the outlook remains more nuanced. In the US, we favour value and dividend stocks as equity market breadth improves. While China’s problems in the housing sector are likely to remain a drag on domestic demand, we do see pockets of opportunity in undervalued sectors – technology and healthcare. Given the strong manufacturing headwinds facing Europe, we expect weak growth in the eurozone for the remainder of 2023, potentially favouring a tilt towards defensive stocks. Sources 1 Bloomberg as of 11 October 2023. 2 Breadth is measured by comparing the equal weighted performance versus the market cap-weighted performance of the US stocks listed on the S&P 500 Index. 3 P/E = price to earnings ratio. 4 Euro area Bank Lending Survey (BLS), April 2023. 5 Bloomberg, WisdomTree, as of 29 September 2023. Equity risk premium is the difference between the earnings yield and the respective 10-Year Government Bond Yield. This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
SP:SPX
by aneekaguptaWTE