FXO Market Update - GBP lower

GBP has traded lower since the poor retail sales and PMI figurers last week. The weak reading from both indicates the economy is slowing and the pricing for BoE hikes is down with 25bps to now price 146bps hikes this year.

GBPUSD has taken out the 1.3000 support and broken down below the 1-year trend channel to now trade 1.2625. EURGBP is up 125 pips in the same time but is still trading within the trend channel. 

Vols are considerably higher with GBPUSD 1 month up from 7.0 on Friday to now trade 9.25 while EURGBP 1 month is up from 6.20 to 7.40. Risk reversals have also moved a lot for GBP puts with 1 month GBPUSD now trades 1.65 compared to 0.85 on Friday, EURGBP 1 month was trading 0.2 for EURGBP puts on Friday due to the French election and is now trading 0.75 for EURGBP calls.

We think GBP will continue to trade under pressure and see more potential in GBPUSD lower compared to EURGBP higher because of the more hawkish FED. We like to buy put spreads in GBPUSD to limit the premium and take advantage of the higher risk reversal and sell covered calls in EURGBP.

Buy 1 month 1.2600 GBPUSD put
Sell 1 month 1.2300 GBPUSD put
Cost 85 pips

Sell 1 month 0.8600 EURGBP call
Receive 25 pips

• The Top/Bottom charts shows the top 5 and bottom 5 values/changes for at-the-money vol, risk reversal (RR) and risk premium of the 45 currency pairs we are tracking.
• Risk premium: Implied (Imp) minus realized volatility. A positive risk premium means implied volatility trades above realized volatility, i.e. the implied volatility can be seen as “rich”.
• Change: The difference between current price/volatility and where it closed 1w ago.

FX Options Trading:

You should be aware that in purchasing Foreign Exchange Options, your potential loss will be the amount of the premium paid for the option, plus any fees or transaction charges that are applicable, should the option not achieve its strike price on the expiry date

If you write an option, the risk involved is considerably higher than buying an option. You may be liable for margin to maintain your position and a loss may be sustained well in excess of the premium received.

By writing an option, you accept a legal obligation to purchase or sell the underlying asset if the option is exercised against you; however far the market price has moved away from the strike. If you already own the underlying asset that you have contracted to sell, your risk will be limited.

If you do not own the underlying asset the risk can be unlimited. Only experienced persons should contemplate writing uncovered options, then only after securing full detail of the applicable conditions and potential risk exposure.

Learn more about FX Options:

Forex Options – An introduction

Forex Options – Exotic options