Head of FX Strategy
Summary: The FOMC and ECB are set to meet this week, with a number of EM central bank decision on tap. While the FOMC meeting could prove interesting, the UK election will inevitably prove pivotal for sterling and the question of the US-China trade negotiations ahead of the scheduled December 15 US tariffs on Chinese imports is easily the most pressing.
Markets are in a buoyant mood coming into this week on the narrative that the global economy is stabilizing and that the central banks have opened the taps for maximum liquidity – particularly in the Fed’s case to avoid any liquidity mishaps into year end. Since the first of September, the Fed has expanded its balance sheet by some $300 billion. The messaging from the Fed around how it views the ongoing expansion of its balance sheet could prove the most pivotal takeaway from the FOMC meeting on Wednesday, as the prior meeting made clear that the Fed wants to pause on cutting rates for now. The blowout November US jobs report on Friday makes it easier for the Fed to justify the pause.
But the most pressing issue looming over this market is the fate of the US-China trade negotiations, the never-ending story that now finally requires a concrete decision – even if just a punt/delay – because of the approaching December 15 implementation date of the last round of US tariffs. China, meanwhile, sent an interesting message over the weekend in ordering its public sector to eliminate all foreign suppliers of computer equipment, an obvious move against US tech giants.
Ahead of the UK election, the consensus strongly points to Boris Johnson’s Tories sustaining a sufficiently large lead to realize a majority Tory government. The Guardian measure of polls shows the Tories with a 10% lead on Labour, though as my colleague Ole pointed out on this morning’s Market Call, tactical voting is a risk, not to mention that the unusually large LibDem popularity (as a Remain vote) is a complicating factor. Sterling is strongly bid again this morning, but would be surprised to see a significant extension ahead of Thursday. In the options market, the skew is strongly negative, i.e., the market knows that the side with the most volatility risk over the election is to the downside on an election shocker (hung parliament leading to more delay, etc.).
The US and Canadian jobs reports on Friday provided a massive contrast that caught USDCAD shorts (on the back of a less dovish Bank of Canada meeting on Wednesday) the wrong way around. Canada’s unemployment rate leapt an eye-watering 0.4% to 5.9% in just one month. Even if the data series is choppy, this is a weak development that bears further watching.
Chart: EURUSD
After recently posting record low implied volatility for every major option time horizon, EURUSD is potentially pivotal over the US-China trade negotiations outcome potentially far more than over the FOMC and ECB meeting this week. Ugly outcomes that see the December 15 round of tariffs going into effect are potential EUR negative as the EU is the most dependent bloc on exports, especially to China. Technically, a failure below the recently pivotal 1.1000 is the first sign of a fresh breakdown, while bulls at this point really need that strong surge above 1.1180 to suggest the pair is finally on the move to the upside.
The G-10 rundown
USD - the USD has drifted back and forth without conviction and the background factor suggesting that it is actually remarkably strong is that the Fed’s liquidity provision and three rate cuts have not yet engineered a major retreat.
EUR – as indecisive as ever here, but the single currency generally at risk on further negative news on the global economy and from negative outcomes for US-China trade talks. EURJPY looking interesting for downside potential, given JPY comments below.
JPY – historically highly responsive to US data, the heaviness in JPY crosses is notable and could deepen significantly on concern that the US-China relationship headed for further deterioration.
GBP – surprising to see the market continuing to bid up sterling when little has shifted in expectations terms. The higher it goes, the less potential for further upside if the consensus scenario of a Tory majority obtains.
CHF – residual bids in CHF on concerns that US-China trade relationship not headed in the right direction? Certainly, the EURCHF chart very inconclusive between 1.0850 and 1.1050.
AUD – the Aussie should be reactive to US-China trade talk news of sufficient clarity, but also watching a couple of interesting data points on the calendar Down Under, including tonight’s NAB Business survey. A longer-term, overarching risk for Australia is climate policy as the country has a uniquely dirty footprint linked as well to China (coal and iron ore) in an ecologically fragile corner of the world.
CAD – a whipsaw week for USDCAD last week on the less dovish Bank of Canada and then the disaster of Canada’s jobs numbers for November. CAD most at risk on weaker oil prices and any US data misses, but also sensitive to the trade tension.
NZD – the kiwi is over-achieving here but not sure where the catalyst for a reality check arrives from (outside of US-China trade noise triggering a downdraft).
SEK – a lot of tension in the SEK outlook. Supportive at the moment is the Riksbank’s determination to hike rates to zero this month and the backdrop of strong risk appetite, but potential negatives are extremely poor data in Sweden and any risks to the global outlook from the US-China trade talks.
NOK – the technical situation looks promising tactically for EURNOK bears as oil prices have also bulled up a bit higher on the latest OPEC shenanigans, but any NOK upside could quickly get cut short if the US-China trade talks sour. Also, seasonal headwinds for NOK into year-end.
Today’s Economic Calendar Highlights (all times GMT)
2024: The wasted year
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.
With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.
Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.
With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.
Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.
