FX Update: USDJPY to test above 110 if US yields continue climb

Forex 6 minutes to read
Picture of John Hardy
John J. Hardy

Chief Macro Strategist

Summary:  USDJPY reversed viciously back higher as the market sweeps the US-Iran confrontation off the agenda for now and celebrates the latest strong US economic data prints, with complacency and risk appetite dialed back higher to 11 ahead of the December jobs data from the US tomorrow.


The market consensus aligns with our view on the US-Iran conflict, that the risk of overt confrontation seems minimal, even if the longer term risks of asymmetric warfare are unknown and simply can’t distract the raging bulls anyway that swoop in to scoop up equities on the slightest dip. Earlier this week, we saw a somewhat stronger than expected ISM Non-manufacturing survey and yesterday it was a blow out December ADP payrolls number and strong upward revision of the November data – even if this survey, as I pointed out in a chart yesterday on Twitter (even if I surmised that the ADP may be quicker to pick up developments in the jobs market – oops), correlates poorly with the NFP series.

With the conviction that the Powell Fed is willing to allow the economy to “run hot” before reacting on the policy front and newfound conviction that the US economy will skirt recession – and perhaps that a resilient economy and parabolic go-go stock market will do more to ensure a Trump re-election, the US dollar is ramping higher against much of the even lower yielding and less economically dynamic G10 while the market’s reach for yield saw EM putting in another strong day yesterday. It seems EM has become a pure play on risk appetite, ignoring for now the historic dislike of a stronger US dollar (although the rising CNY is another boost for EM and USDCNY explored new lows for the recent cycle yesterday).

While we have an open mind on the status of the US dollar and increasing evidence on the charts now that the US dollar is not set to turn lower here, we are increasingly concerned that this market environment – for however long it extends – will see a disorderly demise when we do reach a real inflection point, even if we have not inkling of the potential height of the current moonshot.

Chart: USDCAD
With the USD pivoting stronger versus several other G10 currencies here, we zoom in on USDCAD today as the pair has recently traded below the pivotal 1.3000 level after CAD was the strongest G10 currency in 2019 and today features a “fireside chat” with Bank of Canada Governor Poloz, who must be eyeing the currency situation with a bit of alarm. While it is possible that Poloz maintains a relatively sanguine view of the outlook from here, we note that Canadian data is registering much weaker than expected data and as we have noted before it is hard to believe that Canada wants to maintain the G10’s highest policy rate. A shot across the bow from Poloz today and we could see USDCAD pulling sharply back into the range, with a sharp move back to perhaps 1.3150 a forceful rejection of the recent downside sequence and suggestive that the higher range is to hold for now. If Poloz is reluctant to send any message, we may have to wait for the December jobs data from both the US and Canada tomorrow to provide an additional catalyst.

09_01_2020_JJH_Update_01
Source: Saxo Group

The G-10 rundown

USD – since the beginning of the year the US dollar has been both strong during a risk off bout after the US-Iran issue and now with risk on and positive US macro data – not sure where the USD negative scenario is hiding here – we can’t find it.

EUR – the EURUSD has broken down and will have a hard time getting up if the narrative doesn’t change to a focus on EU fiscal stimulus or some other positive EU catalyst.

JPY – USDJPY was the big mover yesterday intraday and has emphatically reversed higher and will likely go much higher still if the US 10-year benchmark yield pulls to 2.00% and above, as that level coincides with testing the cycle highs short of 110.00.

GBP – sterling going nowhere as we await for signals from the budget and from the EU side on the eventual shape of a trade deal post-Brexit. As well, the go-go trade for sterling trades late last year was GBPUSD, which has now faltered badly under the weight of USD strength.

CHF – EURCHF easing off the downside pressure after sub-1.0800 traded briefly, but the divergence in CHF and JPY is notable in the crosses as CHF fails to respond to the jump in risk appetite and bond yields.

AUD – the Aussies has now fully reversed lower versus the USD, but how much downside energy can AUDUSD develop into the US-China trade deal signing and a heavily short speculative market?

CAD – an interesting test for USDCAD over the next couple of sessions as we discuss above.

NZD – a solid bounce in AUDNZD from yesterday’s lows and NZDUSD continues its stumble – thinking that downside risks outweigh upside risks in NZD crosses on valuation and the risk of the RBNZ eventually weighing in.

SEK – the vigorous resumption of the rally boosts the krona – but at these levels we prefer a stronger fundamental catalyst to believe in a more notable SEK rally (fiscal or better EU numbers/EU fiscal, etc.).

NOK – EURNOK downside momentum is dead as NOK fails to join the enthusiasm for riskier currencies, where traders seem to prefer EM longs relative to traditional risk-correlated G10 smalls.

Upcoming Economic Calendar Highlights (all times GMT)

  • 1200 – Mexico Dec. CPI
  • 1300 – US Fed’s Clarida (Voter) to Speak
  • 1315 – Canada Dec. Housing Starts
  • 1330 – US Nov. Building Permits
  • 1430 – US Fed’s Kashkari (Voter) to Speak
  • 1630 – US Fed’s Williams (Voter) to Speak
  • 1845 – Canada Bank of Canada Poloz ”Fireside Chat”
  • 0030 – Australia Nov. Retail Sales

Quarterly Outlook 2024 Q4

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Head of FX Strategy

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Head of FX Strategy

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

Saxo Bank A/S (Headquarters)
Philip Heymans Alle 15
2900
Hellerup
Denmark

Contact Saxo

Select region

International
International

Trade responsibly
All trading carries risk. Read more. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more

This website can be accessed worldwide however the information on the website is related to Saxo Bank A/S and is not specific to any entity of Saxo Bank Group. All clients will directly engage with Saxo Bank A/S and all client agreements will be entered into with Saxo Bank A/S and thus governed by Danish Law.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.