FX Update: Powell is a victim of his own success. FX Update: Powell is a victim of his own success. FX Update: Powell is a victim of his own success.

FX Update: Powell is a victim of his own success.

Forex
John J. Hardy

Head of FX Strategy

Summary:  The market is anticipating a hawkish speech from Fed Chair Powell today, and he could move the needle in the short term, but incoming US data will likely have far more to say about USD direction than the Fed as the market is anticipating eventual Fed rate cuts after a peak by mid next year because of a macro forecast that the Fed agrees with. Proving that forecast wrong will be needed for the USD bull to return.


FX Trading focus: US dollar teases tipping points in USDJPY, EURUSD on weekend developments in China. Commodity currencies weaken.

The US dollar jumped higher on the open on the news of widespread civil unrest in China in opposition to Covid policy there. This is the standard playbook for “risk off”. But since then, we have seen a lot of churning by European lunchtime today. At first, the Japanese yen was stronger still as both US long yields and energy prices dropped sharply overnight, but the JPY then weakened sharply in the crosses and pulled off the new lows posted intraday in USDJPY. Elsewhere, the euro went from weakness to pronounced strength, as discussed below in the EURCAD chart, even managing a marginal new high against the US dollar before the EURUSD pair eased back from the cusp of 1.0500. The most straightforward story on the news out of China was the weakening of oil-linked currencies CAD and NOK, and even more so the commodity- and China-linked Aussie. Of course, the renminbi was also sharply lower, if rather volatile, as USDCNH jumped above 7.2000.

The news of civil unrest in China is a sudden and considerable reaction to what was supposed to be the focus this week: the strength of the important incoming US data this week. If developments escalate further in China and point not only to the risk of further delay in Chinese demand coming back online, but also to new supply-side disruptions, this could prove a game changer. Imagine fresh inflationary risks driven by supply-side constraints that are entirely un-addressable by central banks. We’ll have to give the story some time to mature, but in the meantime, this issue pulling on our attention at the margin could reduce the reaction potential around US data releases this week.

Chart: EURCAD
Having a look at EURCAD today to emphasize the huge divergence in these two currencies in recent weeks. CAD is limping on oil prices rushing lower still after last week’s plunge after the news out of China over the weekend, with major oil grades trading at new lows today not seen since all the way back in January. The euro has enjoyed the tailwind of falling oil prices, the sense of emergency around gas prices this winter fading (however fragile the longer term outlook) and on the ECB getting more serious on signaling further rate tightening. Some of today’s boost in the euro may have come on ECB’s Klas Knot (widely considered at the hawkish extreme among ECB members) arguing that “To bring inflation back to target we will need a protracted period of time at which at least growth is below potential because otherwise we will never get the disinflation going.” Still, short EU rates were only a couple of basis points higher from Friday’s close. Can the pair go higher still? I suspect the answer to that is joined to the question of whether EURUSD can run higher still. So far, we have only seen a healthy correction after a tremendous slide in the euro, further euro- upside beyond another percent or two may get more difficult from here if a) US data remains persistently resilient and especially inflationary and b) if the developments in China begin to impact supply side constraints once again.

Source: Saxo Group

Table: FX Board of G10 and CNH trend evolution and strength.
An enormous momentum shift in CNH – is this on official “leaning”? It’s given AUD some life support. Elsewhere, a key test of the USD status through the end of this week. And NZD…too strong but needs a catalyst to fall. The CAD weakness may be on the news of HSBC selling its Canadian operations to the Royal Bank of Canada.

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Table: FX Board Trend Scoreboard for individual pairs.
USDCAD has turned positive, but this is more CAD weakness than USD strength (see above). Elsewhere – the EURSEK “trend” is nowhere to be believe until we are at least above 11.00 or below 10.75. And USDCNH has turned negative today – will that stick?

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Upcoming Economic Calendar Highlights

  • 1315 – US Nov. ADP Employment Change
  • 1330 – US Fed’s Bowman (Voter) to speak
  • 1445 – US Nov. Chicago PMI
  • 1500 – US Oct. JOLTS Job Openings
  • 1530 – US Weekly DoE Crude Oil and Product Inventories
  • 1735 – US Fed’s Cook (Voter) to speak
  • 1830 – US Fed Chair Powell to discuss Economic and Policy Outlook
  • 1900 – US Fed’s Beige Book
  • 0145 – China Nov. Caixin Manufacturing PMI

Quarterly Outlook 2024 Q3

Sandcastle economics

01 / 05

  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Invest wisely in Q3 2024: Discover SaxoStrats' insights on navigating a stable yet fragile global economy.

    Read article
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain inflation and evolving monetary policies.

    Read article
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynamics echo 2021's rally.

    Read article
  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperform in Q3 2024.

    Read article
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities in Q3 2024.

    Read article
Disclaimer

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited prepares and distributes information/research produced within the Saxo Bank Group for informational purposes only. In addition to the disclaimer below, if any general advice is provided, such advice does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of trading any financial instrument as trading can result in losses that exceed your initial investment. Please refer to our Analysis Disclaimer, and our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement. All legal documentation and disclaimers can be found at https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/.

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service. Access and use of Saxo News & Research and any Saxo Bank Group website are subject to (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; and (iii) the Risk Warning in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group.

Saxo News & Research is provided for informational purposes, 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. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. No Saxo Bank Group entity shall be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information on Saxo News & Research.

To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, such 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.

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments.Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Capital Markets or its affiliates.

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

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited
Suite 1, Level 14, 9 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Contact Saxo

Select region

Australia
Australia

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-au/about-us/awards

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited ABN 32 110 128 286 AFSL 280372 (‘Saxo’ or ‘Saxo Capital Markets’) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms, Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Saxo Capital Markets does not provide ‘personal’ financial product advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. The Target Market Determination should assist you in determining whether any of the products or services we offer are likely to be consistent with your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website is not intended for residents of the United States and Japan.

Please click here to view our full disclaimer.