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)
AI: The good, the bad, and the bubble
While a deep recession may not be iminent thanks to central bank policy, interest rates will have to stay high for longer, and this will be accompanied by volatility risk from the unwinding of bubbles, especially within AI.
Steen Jakobsen,
Chief Investment Officer
The emergence of advanced AI systems is by far the most surprising event this year, turning everything upside down, while risks and benefits are debated. AI will also become an arms race between the US and China.
Peter Garnry,
Head of Equity Strategy
While commodities, broadly speaking, have faced some tough months, a partial reversal during June could signal that the asset class is getting back on its feet with energy holding up and precious metals with upside potential.
Ole S. Hansen,
Head of Commodity Strategy
The USD is on its back foot as markets celebrate an eventual Fed rate peak and steady long US yields. The stakes are even higher for the Japanese yen if longer major sovereign yield curves have to price in economic acceleration.
John J. Hardy,
Head of FX Strategy
As inflation remains high central banks face hard decisions about whether they should keep hiking interest rates or stop. Meanwhile, the rise of AI creates bubble-like conditions that only make the decision harder.
Althea Spinozzi,
Senior Fixed Income Strategist
The AI fever has turned the technology into a darling, pushing crypto further into no-man’s-land. There are striking similarities between AI and crypto, and if these are to come full circle, AI won't be spared for bubbles.
Mads Eberhardt,
Cryptocurrency Analyst
Stocks related to artificial intelligence (AI) have appeared on investors' radars. Expectations are high, but it may be necessary to consider how to get exposure to AI in a diversified way.
Hans Oudshoorn,
Trainer Academy
Japan’s expertise in semiconductors and robotic integration could be the foundation of AI dominance. Combining two of this year's themes, Japanese equities and artificial intelligence, brings a wave of opportunities.
Charu Chanana,
Market Strategist
As China navigates global fragmentation, its cycle of technology application, productivity enhancement, and growth is threatened by US breakthroughs in generative AI, limited computing power, and geopolitical tensions.
Redmond Wong,
Market Strategist
