All eyes on Asian FX as renminbi firms

All eyes on Asian FX as renminbi firms

Forex 4 minutes to read
John J. Hardy

Global Head of Macro Strategy

Summary:  The first indications that China is allowing its currency to strengthen set Asian currencies on edge. Elsewhere, the FOMC this week is expected to bring little to the table.


Note: This is marketing material.

Friday offered plenty of crosscurrents in FX as a strong US jobs report confusingly saw the US dollar retreating even as US treasury yields squeezed back higher, Later in the session, the greenback did rally a bit into the close of trade for the week. Some of that odd action in the dollar was down to a pointed move lower in the USD/CNH exchange rate, which pushed to a multi-month low of 7.2200 on Friday and was taken out in overnight trade today. This is the first sign in a long time that that China is allowing its currency to strengthen notably versus the US dollar, and the aftershocks are appearing across much of Asian, the Japanese yen a notable exception (remember the big dovish BoJ surprise last week). The epicenter of the impact was in the Taiwanese dollar, which is thinly traded and couldn’t absorb a sudden avalanche of new flows. It rose 6% on Friday and another few percent overnight before stabilizing a bit. This kind of move in the Taiwan dollar is unprecedented in modern history. Elsewhere, the action was less dramatic but still considerable, as the Malaysian ringgit powered sharply higher and the Singapore dollar is not far from its multi-year low versus the greenback. Clearly, the Trump tariff threat has Asian reassessing its mercantilist policies and considering the impact this will continue to have on their currencies, with the more freely tradeable currencies absorbing the implications the quickest, while China is moving very slowly thus far.

Chart: USDCNH
USDCNH is suddenly the currency pair to watch as the action late last week was the first time in a long time that China allowed such a pronounced move against the US dollar when the latter was not under significant pressure elsewhere. It could be a kind of delayed recognition that the US dollar has weakened considerably since the beginning of the year, a move that the USDCNH exchange rate has not really absorbed yet. For example, the powerful EUR rally in March and April meant that the EUR/CNH rate rose above 8.33 in April, it’s highest level since 2014. From here, the pace of any further CNH strengthening in USD/CNH terms as well as its breadth and whether it remains independent from the broader USD direction are the most interesting aspects to watch. The 7.00 level is the next obvious psychological and technical focus.

Source: Saxo

 

The week ahead

Today:
US April ISM Services – this survey has been frustratingly erratic, but still worth watching the employment sub-index for any counterpoint to the strong US jobs report Friday as well as the overall level of the headline index after March’s steep decline to 50.8. Some of that was driven by the March employment sub-index cratering to 46.2 from 53.9 in February.

Wednesday:
FOMC: 
Looking for minimal drama from the FOMC this week, with expectations at nil for a rate cut at this meeting and the June expectations sharply lowered after the strong jobs report. June is only in play if we get clear labor market data weakening before that meeting - Fed will see itself as data dependent with so little clarity on how the trade deals will shape up. Trump can’t help himself in further criticizing Fed Chair Powell as a “total stiff” and calling for rate cuts, though he reiterated he has no plans to fire Powell.

Thursday:
Norway’s Norges Bank and Sweden’s Riksbank. Gathering clouds for the Norwegian economy on the weak oil prices, but Norges Bank may keep cautious on lowering the rate outlook if it wants to keep NOK from fresh weakness. EURSEK has found new equilibrium around 11.00 with Riksbank not likely to add anything new to the equation as their rate cut cycle may be done (at the margin, some pricing of one last reduction to get the policy rate to an even 2.0%).

Bank of England. It’s time for another rate cut from the Bank of England, which the market has fully priced in. Guidance will be pivotal here as the June BoE meeting is priced about 50-50 for a further cut. (Also critical for sterling is the direction of risk sentiment – sterling got pummeled on the risk-off downdraft into Liberation Day and will likely remain sensitive to any fresh ugly market volatility bouts.)

US Weekly Initial Jobless claims – the high frequency labor market indicator that needs to flash red if we are headed into recession in the US. Last week’s spike was interesting, but apparently chiefly driven by a one-off spike in New York schoolteachers, who can oddly file for benefits during the Easter break.

Friday:
Canada’s April employment numbers. While CAD has strengthened back below 1.4000 in USDCAD, there is little for the Canadian economy to celebrate as the economy looks set to enter a recession. The jobs data never moves in a straight line, but could remind the market that Canada is not in a good place.

FX Board of G10 and CNH trend evolution and strength.
Note: If unfamiliar with the FX board, please see a video tutorial for understanding and using the FX Board.

The CNH momentum shift is the most notable development here – will this persist? AUD clearly picking up some interest (note 2-day and 5-day positive momentum shifts) from the firmer CNH and the key AUDUSD rate is trying at new multi-month highs in the Asian session.

 

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Table: NEW FX Board Trend Scoreboard for individual pairs.
Note the highlighted AUD pairs are set to switch to AUD-uptrends today if the AUD strength holds – driven clearly by the CNH firmness. Elsewhere, I am having a hard time getting behind the JPY crosses that have switched into uptrends – let’s see how these shape up in the coming couple of sessions.

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • Upending the global order at blinding speed

    Quarterly Outlook

    Upending the global order at blinding speed

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    We are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime shredding of the global order. As the new order takes shape, ...
  • Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Quarterly Outlook

    Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Jacob Falkencrone

    Global Head of Investment Strategy

  • Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Quarterly Outlook

    China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • 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

None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd. (Saxo) and the Saxo Bank Group provides execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation. Access and use of this website is subject to: (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; (iii) the Risk Warning; and (iv) any other notice or terms applying to Saxo’s news and research.

Saxo’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

Please refer to our full disclaimer for more details.

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. 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
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992