The best overall indicator of currency movements remains Global Stock Indexes, lead by the bell weather S&P. When the S&P is up, so also are commodities, and the AUD, NZD, CAD, and EUR. The safe-haven currencies, the JPY, USD, and CHF, tend to go down. When the S&P is down, the opposite tends to occur. Thursday saw a divergence, which may be another hint at the current rally’s weakening. In sum, most currency pairs continue to take direction from the S&P.
Thus as stocks and commodities rose this week, so did the risk currencies, while the safety ones dropped.
The coming week is likely to be light on news and liquidity, suggesting a quiet, range bound week that could get volatile in a hurry if a surprise hits that could be amplified by the lack of trading volume.
USD: Ready to Rally If Global Risk Assets [Stocks, Which Then Lead Commodities, AUD, NZD, CAD, & EUR] Pullback
Outlook: Bullish
Summary
Signs of Over Bought Market Suggest Pullback, Rising Demand for Safe-Haven Currencies Like the USD (also JPY, CHF) -Eventually
Existing home sales see a record increase in July, thanks to deflated prices(down another $30K on average) through foreclosures, inventories, give new energy to rally as market again focuses on the positive
Drop in housing starts, however, undermines existing home sales as evidence of recovery.
Fed Chairman Bernanke offers a cautiously optimistic outlook among his peers at Jackson Hole
Will the dollar topple or has resistance set the stage for a true reversal?
Commodity related firms in China report earnings, may clarify strength of Chinese commodity demand, surprises could affect stocks, commodities and commodity currencies and those that move opposite them (i.e. virtually all global asset markets)
Summary Table Key USD Events
Details
After four consecutive days of selling pressure (the currency’s worst trend since the end of May), the USD once again finds itself near its yearly lows. The market has flirted with renewing the dollar’s bear trend for nearly two months now. It is only a matter of time and speculation before the world’s reserve currency finds direction once again – especially as the global recovery gathers traction and the scales between risk and reward tilt towards higher returns.
In determining what may be the ultimate catalyst for a renewed trend, we have to determine what traders are more concerned about: risk appetite or growth potential. Investor sentiment is notoriously difficult to gauge as it is notoriously fickle and often sparked by innocuous factors that quickly snowball through speculation. However, there is a good chance that, in the end, both paths may lead back to growth.
Through the worst of the financial crisis, the US dollar garnered a clear distinction as a safe haven through its reserve status and the liquidity of the government debt that backed it. Whether this title still fits or not, the dollar’s flight-to-safety quality continues to drag it down while equities, commodities and other popular ‘risky’ asset classes rally.
In the short-term, this designation may in fact benefit the currency. The low volume behind the current rally suggests that risk appetite may be weakening and a pullback in risk assets, which would benefit safe-haven currencies like the USD (also JPY and CHF), may be coming soon.
Considering the risks just beneath the surface of this speculatively-fueled recovery, it is no surprise that doubt is developing. Since the worst of the financial crisis depressed investment levels to oversold conditions, we have seen a natural rebound turn into an impromptu bull trend on the foundation that the global economy is returning to growth. However, the evidence suggests these expectations are overdone and that a pullback in risk assets is likely.
The early signs of recovery are merely evidence that the recession is easing and stability is returning. Policy officials and economists have unanimously warned that expansion through the next year will stagnate; but speculation has built off of its own momentum. Eventually, these divergent assessments have to realign - and it isn’t the nature of growth projections to suddenly change. However, with statistics like rising unemployment, strained credit availability and the US already facing the most bank failures in a year since 1992 (through August nonetheless); there are plenty of catalysts to spark a wave of fear.
In particular, the continued rise in unemployment undermines the very foundations of a real recovery in at least 2 critical ways. Firstly, it reduces consumer spending, which is about 70% of US GDP, and an irreplaceable market for the world’s export economies. This reduced spending then feeds a vicious cycle of declining business, further unemployment, and more commercial and consumer debt defaults.
Main Events for the USD this Week
In the days ahead, the market will find a better sense of the United State’s standing in the race to recovery. Second readings of German, UK and US 2Q GDP numbers will provide important updates on the component data behind the headline readings. Consumer spending, capital investment and exports will be critical in evaluating the pace of recovery beyond the three months ending in June. Among the other notable economic listings on the docket, consumer confidence, personal income and spending figures will measure the health of an economic group that accounts for approximately 70 percent of GDP. Another notable contribution could be made housing. This past week, existing home sales marked their biggest jump on record, but due to a sharp drop in prices due to foreclosures and at the consequence of rising inventories. A genuine recovery in this vital source of wealth and employment depends on credit and consumer health.
EUR
Fresh 2009 Highs Possible If Data Supports End of Euro Zone Recession
Outlook: Bullish
Summary
German investor sentiment jumped to the highest level in over 3 years
German producer prices plunged 7.8% in July from a year ago, the sharpest drop since records began in 1949
German services, French manufacturing PMI breached 50 in August, signaling growth for first time in over 12 months, adding to ECB rate increase speculation, supporting EUR rise
Summary Table of Key EUR Events
Details
The euro staged an impressive rebound against the US dollar from 1.4050 last week, closing Friday just below resistance at 1.4350. The appreciation was the result of a variety of factors, including broad US dollar weakness, but also from fundamental forces. Indeed, German services PMI surged to a 16-month high of 54.1 in August while French manufacturing PMI hit a 15-month high of 50.2, signaling an expansion in activity after growth had contracted for more than a year.
Together, these helped push the Euro-zone composite PMI, which encompasses both manufacturing and services, up to a 14-month high of 50 from 47.0. Now, 50 is the point of neutrality for these indices, so the data suggests that business activity in the Euro-zone registered no change during August, but put into perspective with the record lows seen in the first quarter, the news is positive. The data was timely when also considering Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments from the Jackson Hole Symposium – a meeting of the world’s central bankers and finance ministers – as he said we are "beginning to emerge" from a deep global recession. Given strong PMI reports, it looks like the Euro-zone could be helping lead the way.
Main Economic Events for the EUR
That said, upcoming economic reports may exacerbate this optimistic sentiment or derail it. On Wednesday, the German IFO survey of business confidence. Like the latest ZEW survey, the results are anticipated to reflect a surge in confidence, with the index estimated to creep up to a 10-month high of 89.0 in August from 87.3. On Thursday, the German GfK survey of consumer confidence is projected to rise to a more than 1-year high of 3.6 in September from 3.5 and on Friday, Euro-zone economic confidence is anticipated to increase to a 10-month high of 78.0 in August from 76.0. Overall, a steady stream of positive news could be the impetus to drive EURUSD to fresh 2009 highs. That said, such a move would also require a broad increase in risk appetite, as the US dollar is still treated as a safe haven asset.
JPY
The euro staged an impressive rebound against the US dollar from 1.4050 last week, closing Friday just below resistance at 1.4350. The appreciation was the result of a variety of factors, including broad US dollar weakness, but also from fundamental forces. Indeed, German services PMI surged to a 16-month high of 54.1 in August while French manufacturing PMI hit a 15-month high of 50.2, signaling an expansion in activity after growth had contracted for more than a year.
Together, these helped push the Euro-zone composite PMI, which encompasses both manufacturing and services, up to a 14-month high of 50 from 47.0. Now, 50 is the point of neutrality for these indices, so the data suggests that business activity in the Euro-zone registered no change during August, but put into perspective with the record lows seen in the first quarter, the news is positive. The data was timely when also considering Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments from the Jackson Hole Symposium – a meeting of the world’s central bankers and finance ministers – as he said we are "beginning to emerge" from a deep global recession. Given strong PMI reports, it looks like the Euro-zone could be helping lead the way.
Main Economic Events for the EUR
That said, upcoming economic reports may exacerbate this optimistic sentiment or derail it. On Wednesday, the German IFO survey of business confidence. Like the latest ZEW survey, the results are anticipated to reflect a surge in confidence, with the index estimated to creep up to a 10-month high of 89.0 in August from 87.3. On Thursday, the German GfK survey of consumer confidence is projected to rise to a more than 1-year high of 3.6 in September from 3.5 and on Friday, Euro-zone economic confidence is anticipated to increase to a 10-month high of 78.0 in August from 76.0. Overall, a steady stream of positive news could be the impetus to drive EURUSD to fresh 2009 highs. That said, such a move would also require a broad increase in risk appetite, as the US dollar is still treated as a safe haven asset.
JPY
Continues Following Risk Assets, Thus Hurt by Global Equities Strength, But Likely to Benefit When They Drop
Outlook: Neutral
Summary
· Japanese Yen forecast to rally further versus US Dollar, British Pound
· Japanese Yen may gain as China tightens banking rules
· Yen nonetheless under pressure as S&P 500 rallies further
· Summary Table of Key JPY Events
Outlook: Neutral
Summary
· Japanese Yen forecast to rally further versus US Dollar, British Pound
· Japanese Yen may gain as China tightens banking rules
· Yen nonetheless under pressure as S&P 500 rallies further
· Summary Table of Key JPY Events
Details
The Japanese Yen finished the week near fresh monthly highs against the downtrodden US Dollar, but sharp rallies in the US S&P 500 and other risk sentiment barometers doomed the currency to losses against virtually all other counterparts. An earlier-week tumble in equities gave hope that the JPY would make a sustained turnaround against the majors—yet rising equity markets sent the JPY down along with the other safe-haven currencies.
A continued build in JPY-short positions nonetheless suggests that the Yen could rally sharply on episodes of financial market duress. Yet fresh 2009 highs in the US S&P 500 clearly gives us reason not to try and anticipate a JPY move up until equity markets start to pull in, reflecting a less optimistic financial market risk sentiment which would then benefit the JPY, USD, and CHF safe haven currencies.
An ostensibly busy week of Japanese economic event risk is relatively unlikely to force major moves in JPY pairs; instead, we will continue to watch the Nikkei 225 and S&P 500 for cues on short-term direction. Markets have proven largely immune to Japanese economic developments, and we have little reason to believe that the coming week will force any noteworthy shifts in this dynamic.
Main JPY Economic Events
Of course, any especially large surprises out of Trade Balance, Jobless Rate, or Household Spending results could cause short-term volatility in domestic stock indices—likely forcing commensurate moves in the JPY. Japan’s economy remains heavily reliant on export industries, and disappointing trade numbers could affect economic confidence. Jobless Rate and Household Spending numbers are perhaps less likely to force major volatility in domestic assets, but we should nonetheless keep an eye out for noteworthy developments.
The Japanese Yen remains at the whims of global market risk sentiment, and short-term moves will continue to depend on the trajectory of the S&P 500 and other risk barometers. The index’s meteoric rise to fresh 2009 peaks suggests that risks remain to the downside for the safe-haven Yen, but as we know quite well, market dynamics can change in an instant. Japanese Yen sentiment remains at bearish extremes, and we favor medium-term strength (USDJPY weakness). Yet the timing of the reversal will clearly depend on the influence of broader financial market flows
GBP
The Japanese Yen finished the week near fresh monthly highs against the downtrodden US Dollar, but sharp rallies in the US S&P 500 and other risk sentiment barometers doomed the currency to losses against virtually all other counterparts. An earlier-week tumble in equities gave hope that the JPY would make a sustained turnaround against the majors—yet rising equity markets sent the JPY down along with the other safe-haven currencies.
A continued build in JPY-short positions nonetheless suggests that the Yen could rally sharply on episodes of financial market duress. Yet fresh 2009 highs in the US S&P 500 clearly gives us reason not to try and anticipate a JPY move up until equity markets start to pull in, reflecting a less optimistic financial market risk sentiment which would then benefit the JPY, USD, and CHF safe haven currencies.
An ostensibly busy week of Japanese economic event risk is relatively unlikely to force major moves in JPY pairs; instead, we will continue to watch the Nikkei 225 and S&P 500 for cues on short-term direction. Markets have proven largely immune to Japanese economic developments, and we have little reason to believe that the coming week will force any noteworthy shifts in this dynamic.
Main JPY Economic Events
Of course, any especially large surprises out of Trade Balance, Jobless Rate, or Household Spending results could cause short-term volatility in domestic stock indices—likely forcing commensurate moves in the JPY. Japan’s economy remains heavily reliant on export industries, and disappointing trade numbers could affect economic confidence. Jobless Rate and Household Spending numbers are perhaps less likely to force major volatility in domestic assets, but we should nonetheless keep an eye out for noteworthy developments.
The Japanese Yen remains at the whims of global market risk sentiment, and short-term moves will continue to depend on the trajectory of the S&P 500 and other risk barometers. The index’s meteoric rise to fresh 2009 peaks suggests that risks remain to the downside for the safe-haven Yen, but as we know quite well, market dynamics can change in an instant. Japanese Yen sentiment remains at bearish extremes, and we favor medium-term strength (USDJPY weakness). Yet the timing of the reversal will clearly depend on the influence of broader financial market flows
GBP
Likely to Follow Trends in Risk Assets [stocks, commodities, AUD, NZD, CAD, EUR]
Outlook: Bearish
Summary
· Consumer Prices Unexpectedly Unchanged in July
· British Pound Takes a Hit After Bank of England Minutes
· UK Budget Deficit Soars by 8 Billion Pounds, Much More Than Expected
· Summary Table of Key GBP Events
Outlook: Bearish
Summary
· Consumer Prices Unexpectedly Unchanged in July
· British Pound Takes a Hit After Bank of England Minutes
· UK Budget Deficit Soars by 8 Billion Pounds, Much More Than Expected
· Summary Table of Key GBP Events
Details
Like most currencies, the British Pound is likely to look past much of the economic calendar to fall in with trends in risk sentiment as the primary driver of directional momentum once again in the week ahead. A trade weighted average of sterling’s value is now 88.1% correlated with the MSCI World Stock Index and 90.3% correlated with the Bloomberg/UBS CMCI Commodity Price Index, suggesting the currency trades largely in tandem with the broad direction of risky assets.
Judging the near-term direction of risk sentiment has been a tricky endeavor in recent weeks: an increasing number of voices have started to qualify the rally that began in March as “overdone” given the fragile economic environment, but the bears are clearly still too few to form a dominant enough majority to meaningfully overtake momentum; the resulting tug of war has been superimposed on a backdrop of low summertime liquidity, producing a great deal of volatility with seemly little follow-through. The long-term picture seems to offer more clarity, however:
Global equities are trading at the highest levels relative to earnings since 2003 ,which seems more than a little overdone considering the kind of revenue potential that is to be expected in a year when the global economy is set to shrink for the first time in the postwar period
Demand for commodities also looks fragile, with the bulls’ stand-by story of steady Chinese growth (for those who actually trust China’s data) challenged as China prepares to tighten credit access.
Overall, this points to a bearish medium-term bias for risky assets and hints that a reversal of the recent rally will invariably bring the British Pound along for the ride.
Main GBP Economic Events
Turning the economic calendar, a second revision of the second-quarter Gross Domestic Product figure headlines the docket of scheduled UK event risk. Expectations call for a validation of the originally reported 0.8% decline, bringing the annual growth rate to -5.6%, the worst in at least 53 years. Barring an unexpected, meaningful revision in the headline figure or any of the components, the outcome seems likely to be priced into the exchange rate already and is unlikely to cause much of a stir in currency markets. The releases of Augusts’ US Consumer Confidence, July’s Durable Goods Orders, and second quarter GDP figures will also be notable given their potency to drive overall market sentiment. Indeed, traders look to US economic data as a proxy for that of the world at large, expecting a rebound in the leading consumer market to yield positive spillover elsewhere. To that effect, these releases will likely prove market-moving across equity and commodity markets and thereby pull the sterling along as well.
See Part II for Continuation & Conclusions & Suggestions
Disclosure and Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of AVA FX. The author may hold positions in the above mentioned instruments.
Like most currencies, the British Pound is likely to look past much of the economic calendar to fall in with trends in risk sentiment as the primary driver of directional momentum once again in the week ahead. A trade weighted average of sterling’s value is now 88.1% correlated with the MSCI World Stock Index and 90.3% correlated with the Bloomberg/UBS CMCI Commodity Price Index, suggesting the currency trades largely in tandem with the broad direction of risky assets.
Judging the near-term direction of risk sentiment has been a tricky endeavor in recent weeks: an increasing number of voices have started to qualify the rally that began in March as “overdone” given the fragile economic environment, but the bears are clearly still too few to form a dominant enough majority to meaningfully overtake momentum; the resulting tug of war has been superimposed on a backdrop of low summertime liquidity, producing a great deal of volatility with seemly little follow-through. The long-term picture seems to offer more clarity, however:
Global equities are trading at the highest levels relative to earnings since 2003 ,which seems more than a little overdone considering the kind of revenue potential that is to be expected in a year when the global economy is set to shrink for the first time in the postwar period
Demand for commodities also looks fragile, with the bulls’ stand-by story of steady Chinese growth (for those who actually trust China’s data) challenged as China prepares to tighten credit access.
Overall, this points to a bearish medium-term bias for risky assets and hints that a reversal of the recent rally will invariably bring the British Pound along for the ride.
Main GBP Economic Events
Turning the economic calendar, a second revision of the second-quarter Gross Domestic Product figure headlines the docket of scheduled UK event risk. Expectations call for a validation of the originally reported 0.8% decline, bringing the annual growth rate to -5.6%, the worst in at least 53 years. Barring an unexpected, meaningful revision in the headline figure or any of the components, the outcome seems likely to be priced into the exchange rate already and is unlikely to cause much of a stir in currency markets. The releases of Augusts’ US Consumer Confidence, July’s Durable Goods Orders, and second quarter GDP figures will also be notable given their potency to drive overall market sentiment. Indeed, traders look to US economic data as a proxy for that of the world at large, expecting a rebound in the leading consumer market to yield positive spillover elsewhere. To that effect, these releases will likely prove market-moving across equity and commodity markets and thereby pull the sterling along as well.
See Part II for Continuation & Conclusions & Suggestions
Disclosure and Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of AVA FX. The author may hold positions in the above mentioned instruments.
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