Tag Archives: #ECB

No Bonds Will They Shed

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Chair Powell explained that the Fed
Cared not about bubbles widespread
Employment’s the key
And ‘til he can see
Improvement, no bonds will they shed

Meanwhile, cross the pond, Ollie Renn
Repeated the mantra again
The ECB will
Not simply stand still
And let euros outgain the yen

At the first FOMC meeting of 2021, Chairman Powell was very clear as to what was in focus, employment.  To nobody’s surprise, they left policy rates on hold and did not change the purchase metrics of the current QE program.  However, in the statement, they downgraded their outlook for the economy, which given the ongoing vaccination program seemed somewhat surprising.  However, the fact that vaccinations are taking longer to be administered than had been expected, seems to be driving their discussion.  He was also explicit that the Fed was set to continue their current program until such time as they achieve their twin goals of maximum employment and 2% average inflation.  Based on the recent rising trajectory of Initial Claims (expected today at 875K) and given even Powell described the fact that the Unemployment Rate likely significantly understates the true situation, it will be a very long time before the Fed even considers reducing their program.

When asked at the press conference following the meeting about potential bubbles in asset markets, with several questions specifically about GameStop stock (a truly remarkable story in its own right), the Chairman was also clear that employment was the thing that mattered, and the Fed was not focused on things like this.  He even explained that the Fed fully expected inflation data to rise this summer but would not waver from their course until maximum employment is achieved.  So, the message is clear, the balance sheet will continue to grow regardless of any ancillary issues that arise.

Keeping our focus on central banks, we turn to the ECB, where this morning it was Finnish Central Bank president Ollie Renn’s turn to explain to the markets that the ECB was carefully watching the exchange rate and its impact on inflation, and would use all the tools necessary to help boost inflation, including addressing a ‘too strong’ euro.  Kudos for their consistency as this was exactly the same message we heard yesterday from Klaas Knot, the Dutch central bank chief.  As well, during yesterday’s session there was an ECB statement that “markets [are] underestimating rate-cut odds.”  You may recall the Knot specifically mentioned the possibility of cutting interest rates by the ECB as well.  All told, there is a consistent message here as well, the euro is a key focus of the ECB and they will not allow it to trade higher unabated.  I have made this point for months, as the dollar bearish views became more entrenched, that the ECB would not sit idly by and allow the euro to rally significantly without responding.  This is the first response.

What are we to conclude from these two messages?  The conclusion I draw is that beggar thy neighbor policies continue to be at the forefront of monetary policy discussions within every major central bank.  While I’m sure they are not actually described in that manner, the results, nevertheless are just that, every central bank is committed to continuing to expand their balance sheet while adding accommodation to their respective economies, and so the relative impact remains muted.  In the end, nothing has changed my view that the Fed will cap yields, which right now are doing a good job of that all by themselves (10-year Treasury yields are -1bp today and back to 1.00%, their lowest level since the break higher on the Georgia election results), and that the dollar will suffer as real yields in the US plummet.  But again, that is Q2 or Q3, not Q1.

Perhaps, what is more interesting is that despite all this promised central bank largesse, yesterday was a massive risk-off session and today is following right in those footsteps.  Starting with equity markets, the bloodbath is universal.  Asia saw sharp declines (Nikkei -1.5%, Hang Seng -2.6%, Shanghai -1.9%) following the US selloff.  And it wasn’t just the main indices, literally every Asian market that was open yesterday fell, most by more than 1%.  European bourses are also all red this morning, but the magnitude of losses has been more muted.  Of course, they got to participate in yesterday’s sell-off, so perhaps that is not too surprising.  As I type, the CAC (-0.1%) is the best performer, with the DAX (-0.6%) and FTSE 100 (-1.0%) suffering more acutely.  Here, too, every market is in the red.  Interestingly, US futures are mixed, with DOW futures actually higher by 0.1%, but NASDAQ futures are down 0.7% after weaker than expected earnings and guidance from some of the Tech megacaps last night.

Bond markets are pretty much all in the green, with yields lower, but essentially, the entire space has seen yields decline just 1 basis point.  That is not really a sign of panic.  Perhaps, with yields so low, investors are beginning to understand that bonds no longer offer the hedge characteristics for risk that they have historically held.  In other words, is earning -0.64% to hold 10-year bunds really hedging negative outcomes in your equity portfolio?  A key part of the thesis that bonds are a haven is that you earn a stable return during tough times.  These days, that is just not the case, and the risk that yields normalize means the potential losses attendant to holding a bond portfolio at current yields is quite substantial.

Commodity prices are generally softer, but not by very much.  WTI (-0.4%) continues to consolidate its gains from Q4 but has basically gone nowhere for the past two weeks.  Gold (-0.2%), too, is treading water lately, although the technicians are starting to say it is in a mild downtrend.

And finally, the dollar is basically stronger once again this morning.  This is true vs. every G10 currency, with AUD (-0.7%) the worst performer, but all the commodity currencies (NZD -0.5%, CAD -0.4%) under pressure along with the havens (JPY -0.2%, CHF -0.2%).  This is simply another dollar up day, with risk still in question.  In the emerging markets, KRW (-1.35%) is by far the worst performer, suffering from the changing risk appetite as well as weaker than expected earnings from Samsung, the largest company in the country.  Capital exited the KOSPI and drove the won to its lowest level since early November.  But we are seeing weakness in the usual suspects with RUB (-0.6%), MXN (-0.4%) and BRL (-0.3%) all under some pressure.  The outlier here is ZAR (+0.2%) which after a very weak start alongside other commodity linked currencies, has rebounded on the news that the first Covid vaccines would be arriving by the end of the week.

There is a bunch of data this morning led by Initial Claims but also Q4 GDP (exp 4.2%), Leading Indicators (0.3%) and New Home Sales (870K).  This is the first reading for Q4, but the market is more intently focused on Q1 and Q2, so it is not clear the print will matter much.  Housing we know continues to perform extremely well, so the Claims data is likely the most important release, especially given Powell’s focus on employment.

As of now, risk remains on its heels, but it would not be that surprising if things turned around as Powell’s message of non-stop stimulus should encourage the bulls.  If that is the case, I would look for the dollar to cede some of its gains, but it is certainly not a signal to sell aggressively.

Good luck and stay safe
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Covid Comes Calling

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The German economy’s stalling
In Q1, as Covid comes calling
But still there’s belief
That fiscal relief
Will stop it from further snowballing

Consensus is hard to find this morning as we are seeing both gains and losses in the various asset classes with no consistent theme.  Perhaps the only significant piece of news was the German IFO data, which disappointed across the board, not merely missing estimates but actually declining compared with December’s data.  This is clearly a response to the renewed lockdowns in Germany and the fact that they have been extended through the middle of February.  The item of most concern, is that the manufacturing sector, which up until now had been the brightest spot, by far, is also seeing softness.  Now part of this problem has to do with the fact that shipping has been badly disrupted with insufficient containers available to ship products.  This has resulted in higher shipping costs and reduced volumes, hence reduced sales.  But part of this issue is also the fact that since virtually all of Europe is in lockdown, economic activity on the continent is simply slowing down.  It is the latter point that informs my view of the ECB’s future activities, namely non-stop monetary ease for as far as the eye can see.

When combining that view, the ECB will continue to aggressively ease policy, with the fact that the Fed is also going to continue to ease policy, it becomes much more difficult to estimate which currency is going to underperform.  Heading into 2021, the strongest conviction trade across markets was that the dollar was going to decline sharply, continuing the descent from its March 2020 highs.  And that’s exactly what we saw…for the first week of the year.  However, since then, the dollar has reversed those losses and currently sits higher on the year vs. most currencies.  My point is, and has consistently been, that in the FX market, the dollar is a relative game, and the policies of both nations are critical in establishing its value.  Thus, if every nation is aggressively easing policy, both monetary and fiscal, then the magnitude of those policy efforts are critical.  Perhaps, the fact that Congress has yet to pass an additional stimulus bill, especially given the strong belief that the Blue Wave would quickly achieve that, has been sufficient to change some views of the dollar’s future strength (weakness?).  Regardless, the one thing that is clear is that the year has just begun and there is plenty of time for more policy action as well as more surprises.  In the end, I do believe that as inflation starts to climb in the US, and real interest rates fall to further negative levels, the dollar will ultimately fall.  But that is a Q2-Q3 outcome, not really a January story.

And remarkably, that is basically the biggest piece of news from overnight.  At this point, traders and investors are turning their attention to the FOMC meeting on Wednesday, although there are no expectations for policy shifts yet.  However, the statement, and Chairman Powell’s press conference, will be parsed six ways to Sunday in order to try to glean the future.  Based on what we heard from a majority of Fed speakers before the quiet period began, there is no current concern over the backup in Treasury yields, and there is limited sentiment for the Fed to even consider tapering their policy of asset purchases, with just four of the seventeen members giving it any credence.  One other thing to remember is that the annual rotation of voting regional presidents has turned more dovish, with Cleveland’s Loretta Mester, one of the two most hawkish members, being replaced by Chicago’s Charles Evans, a consistent dove.  The other changes are basically like for like, with Daly for Kashkari (two extreme doves) and Barkin and Bostic replacing Harker and Kaplan.  These four are the minority who discussed the idea that tapering purchases could be appropriate by the end of the year, so, again, no change in voting views.

With this in mind, we can see the lack of consistent message from overnight activity.  Asian equity markets were all firmer, led by the Hang Seng (+2.4%), with the Nikkei (+0.7%) and Shanghai (+0.5%) trailing but in the green.  However, Europe has fared less well after the soft IFO data with all three major markets (DAX, CAC and FTSE 100) lower by -0.6%.  As to US futures, they are the perfect embodiment of a mixed session with NASDAQ futures higher by 0.8% while DOW futures are lower by 0.2%,

Bond markets, though, have shown some consistency, with yields falling in Treasuries (-1.0bp) and Europe (Bunds -1.7bps, OATs -1.5bps, Gilts -2.2bps).  The biggest winner, though, are Italian BTPs, which have rallied more than half a point and seen yields decline 5.3 basis points.  It seems that concerns over the government falling have abated.  Either that or the 0.70% yield available is seen as just too good to pass up.

On the commodity front, oil prices have edged up by the slightest amount, just 0.1%, as the consolidation of the past three months’ gains continues.  Gold has risen 0.4%, but there is a great deal of discussion that, technically, it has begun a downtrend and has further to fall.  Again, consistent with my view that real interest rates are likely to decline sharply in Q2, when inflation really starts to pick up, we could easily see gold slide until then, before a more emphatic recovery.

And lastly, the dollar, where both G10 and EMG blocs show a virtual even split of gainers and losers.  Starting with the G10, NZD (+0.3%) is today’s “big” winner, with SEK (+0.25%) next in line.  Market talk is about the reduction of restrictions in Australia’s New South Wales state as a reason for optimism in AUD (+0.15%) and NZD.  As for SEK, this is simply a trading move, with no obvious catalysts present.  On the flip side, the euro (-0.1%) is the worst performer, arguably suffering from that German IFO data, with other currencies showing little movement in either direction.

The EMG bloc is led by TRY (+0.4%), as it seems discussions between Turkey and Greece to resolve their competing claims over maritime boundaries is seen as a positive.  After the lira, though, no currency has gained more than 0.2%, which implies there is nothing of note to describe.  On the downside, ZAR (-0.4%) is the worst performer, which appears to be a positioning move as long rand positions are cut amid concerns over the spread of Covid and the lack of effective government response thus far.

On the data front, the week is backloaded with Wednesday’s FOMC clearly the highlight.

Tuesday Case Shiller Home Prices 8.65%
Consumer Confidence 89.0
Wednesday Durable Goods 1.0%
-ex transport 0.5%
FOMC Meeting 0.00%-0.25% (unchanged)
Thursday Initial Claims 880K
Continuing Claims 5.0M
GDP Q4 4.2%
Leading Indicators 0.3%
New Home Sales 860K
Friday Personal Income 0.1%
Personal Spending -0.4%
Core PCE 1.3%
Chicago PMI 58.0
Michigan Sentiment 79.2

Source: Bloomberg

So, plenty of stuff at the end of the week, and then Friday, two Fed speakers hit the tape.  One thing we know is that the housing market continues to burn hot, meaning data there is assumed to be strong, so all eyes will be on the PCE data on Friday.  After all, that is the Fed’s measuring stick.  The other thing that we have consistently seen during the past six months is that inflationary pressures have been stronger than anticipated by most analysts.  And it is here, where the Fed remains firmly of the belief that they are in control, where the biggest problems are likely to surface going forward.  But that is a story for another day.  Today, the dollar is wandering.  However, if the equity market in the US can pick up its pace, don’t be surprised to see the dollar come under a little pressure.

Good luck and stay safe
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If Things Cohere

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Said Madame Lagarde, it’s not clear
If the PEPP need extend past next year
It could be the case
We’ll slow down the pace
Of purchases if things cohere

Yesterday’s ECB meeting presented mixed messages to the market as it has become evident there is a growing split between the hawks and doves.  While policy was left unchanged, as universally expected, the question of the disposition of the PEPP was front and center.  Once again, Madame Lagarde indicated that they would continue supporting the economy, but that the need to utilize the entire amount of authorized spending power could be absent.  Despite the fact that she admitted Q1 GDP growth would likely be negative, thus causing a second recession, she would not commit to full utilization, let alone any additional monetary stimulus.  Rather, she discussed “financing conditions” which need to remain “favorable” for the ECB to be happy.  Alas, there is no definition of what those conditions are, nor how to track them.   She mentioned a number of indicators they monitor including; bank lending, credit conditions, corporate yields, and sovereign bond yields, but not which may have more or less importance nor how they combine them.  There doesn’t appear to be an index of any sort although as part of their ongoing strategic review, they are investigating whether or not to create one.  In the end, though, it appears they are very keen to insure they don’t get pinned down to a mechanical reaction function based on either economic or financial indicators.  Instead, they will continue to wing it.

As to the growing split, it is becoming evident that the hawkish contingent, almost certainly led by Germany but likely including the Frugal Four, has been pushing back on any additional stimulus as they already see sufficient money in the system.  Remember, German DNA has been informed by the hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic in the 1930’s and Bundesbankers, like Jens Weidmann, everywhere and always see the specter of too much money leading to a recurrence of that outcome.  While that hardly seems like a possible outcome in the current situation, especially with most European countries extending lockdowns through February now, thus further stressing the economy, they know that debt monetization is the first step toward hyperinflation. And while the ECB will never explicitly monetize the debt, they can pretty easily do it implicitly.  All that has to happen is for them to permanently reinvest the proceeds of maturing sovereign debt into the same securities, and that money will be permanently in the system.

Consider, because of the ECB’s construction, with 19 central bank members, the way policy is promulgated is that each national central bank is instructed to purchase sovereign bonds issued by their own country in a given amount. So, the Banca d’Italia buys BTP’s and the Bundesbank buys bunds.  If instructions from the ECB council are to replace maturing debt with newly issued debt constantly, then the country never has to repay the bond, and therefore, the money injection is permanent, i.e. debt monetization.  It seems likely, this is the hawks’ major concern.  It is almost certainly why they insist on repeating the idea that full utilization of the PEPP is not a given, and why Lagarde cannot follow her instincts to throw more money at the second recession.  But of course, this is anathema to the hawks, who want to see the collective ECB balance sheet slowly wound down.  In the end, this tension will inform the ECB’s actions going forward, which implies, to me, that the ECB will be less dovish than some other central banks, namely the Fed, and which implies the euro could well head somewhat higher over time.

And perhaps, despite a clear risk-off theme for today’s trading activity, that is why the euro is retaining a better bid than its G10 brethren.  As equity markets around the world pare back some of their recent gains (Nikkei -0.4%, Hang Seng -1.6%, Shanghai -0.4%, DAX -0.85%, CAC -1.2%, FTSE 100 -0.7%), the clear message is risk is to be reduced heading into the weekend.  And yes, US futures are all pointing lower as well, between -0.5% and -0.8%.  Meanwhile, bond markets are playing their part, true to form, on this risk-off day, with Treasury yields lower by 1.9bps, Bunds by 2.0bps and Gilts by 2.5bps.  However, Italian BTPs have seen yields climb 3.6bps as the market responds to this newly created concern that the ECB will not be supporting Italy as they had in the past.  Add to that the ongoing political concerns in Italy, where PM Conte has just indicated he may be forced to call a new election, and the fact that today’s PMI data showed the recent lockdowns have really been crushing the economy there, and BTP’s are behaving like the risk asset they truly are, rather than the haven asset they aspire to be.

Commodity prices are under pressure across the board this morning, led by oil (-2.5%) but seeing the same in gold (-1.1%) and the entire agricultural bloc, with prices down between 0.8% (cotton) and 2.4% (soft red wheat).

This brings us back to the dollar, which is broadly higher this morning in both G10 and EMG space.  The euro (+0.1%) is the star performer today, as per the above discussion, but beyond that and the CHF (+0.05%), the rest of the bloc is weaker.  NOK (-0.8%) leads the way down with the rest of the commodity bloc (AUD -0.7%, NZD -0.5%, CAD -0.5%) not quite as badly impacted.  At the same time, EMG currencies are also under broad pressure led by RUB (-1.4%) on weaker oil, MXN (-1.0%) and BRL (-1.0%) both on weaker commodities and general risk aversion, and ZAR (-0.9%) as its main export, gold, falls. As to the positive side of the ledger, only minor East European currencies, BGN and RON (both +0.05%), have managed to eke out any gains, apparently tracking the euro ever so slightly higher.

The data picture has not helped inspire any risk taking this morning as preliminary PMI data for January showed weakness throughout.  As we have seen, manufacturing continues to hold up fairly well, but services have seen no respite.  Of all those countries reporting today, the UK was in the worst shape (PMI Services 38.8, down from 49.4) but the Eurozone as a whole (Services 45.0) was no great shakes.  It is abundantly clear that Europe is in the midst of a double-dip recession.  On the US calendar, the preliminary PMI data is released (exp Manufacturing 56.5, Services 53.4) and then Existing Home Sales (6.56M) at 10:00.  One thing we learned yesterday is that the housing market in the US remains quote robust.

But, with the Fed still in its quiet period until the meeting next Wednesday, and Yellen’s testimony done and dusted, FX is going to be reliant on other markets for direction.  If risk continues to be shed, the dollar should be able to hold its own, and even edge a bit higher.  But if equity markets manage to reverse course, then the dollar could well head back lower.

Good luck, good weekend and stay safe
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Death Knell

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Though dinner was not quite a bust
And everything key was discussed
No deal was secured
And now we’re assured
Past Sunday all hope will combust

The pound, not surprisingly, fell
As traders have heard its death knell
Now eyes have all turned
To Frankfurt, concerned
Christine, Europe’s problems, won’t quell

One need only look at the pound’s performance this morning (GBP -0.8%) to understand that last night’s much touted dinner meeting between Boris and Ursula did not come to any conclusions.  While there appeared to be great comradery all around, and both parties were quick to say they understand how the other side feels, neither was willing to give ground.  The upshot is that the newest deadline appears to be this Sunday coming, when if a deal is not reached, there is a consensus that no deal will be reached in time.  While I continue to believe that this remains political theater, even if Sunday is simply another false deadline, the real deadline is now exactly 3 weeks away, so something needs to happen soon if a no-deal Brexit is to be prevented.  History has shown that deals of this nature, especially in Europe, always come down to the last possible moment.  We shall see if Sunday is that moment.  As to the potential impact on the pound, no-deal could easily take us to 1.25, while a successful conclusion is probably good for 1.40.

On to the day’s other major event, the ECB meeting, where Madame Lagarde is presiding over her fractious team once again as they seek to explain to us exactly what recalibration means.  You may recall that at the October meeting, Lagarde promised that the ECB would “recalibrate” its tools by this meeting.  This has come to be code for increased monetary policy easing of the following nature: €500 billion of additional PEPP purchases and a minimum 6-month extension of both the emergency pandemic program as well as the original QE, the APP (Asset Purchase Program) to run through the end of 2021.  In addition, the TLTRO III program is expected to be extended and expanded.  Expectations are growing that there may be two more tranches of these loans, that the loan tenors may be extended beyond 3 years, and that the interest rate, currently -1.0%, could be cut further.  One of the problems with the TLTRO, though, is that the two biggest users, Italy and Spain, have almost run out of capacity to use more of these loans, so any benefit on this front, even with expansion, is likely limited.

And truthfully, those are really the two key stories of the session so far.  Interestingly, yesterday’s news about an agreement regarding the EU’s pandemic budget seems to have had virtually no impact on the markets as yet.  You may recall that when this was first mooted, back in the summer, and the idea that the EU would issue joint bonds was agreed, many thought this was Europe’s Hamiltonian moment, finally bringing Europe’s fiscal house under one roof, and preparing for great things going forward.  So far, this has not been the case.  But the lack of market response to key steps forward must be a little disheartening for those involved.  Of course, it remains to be seen if this budget is truly the beginning of something new, or simply a response to the Covid pandemic, where Germany and its frugal neighbors felt they had no choice but to accept the outcome.  Certainly, if this is the true way forward, it removes one of the biggest structural impediments to the single currency and opens the way for a secular appreciation.  We shall see.

As to markets today, yesterday’s late day sell-off in the US was followed with modest Asian weakness (Nikkei -0.2%, Hang Seng -0.35%, Shanghai 0.0%) although European bourses have held onto modest gains.  Right now, the FTSE 100 (+0.7%) is leading the way (remember, a weaker pound typically helps the FTSE), with the CAC (+0.3%) and DAX (+0.1%) showing much less promise.  As to US futures, they are very little changed at this hour with no real information from their movement of a few points in either direction.

Bond markets, however, are a little more consistent, generally rallying slightly with yields edging lower.  The biggest mover are UK Gilts, with 10-year yields lower by 5.7 basis points as investors and traders are betting on a weaker UK economy with a no-deal outcome.  After that, the PIGS are doing well, with yields lower between 2-4 bps, as visions of further ECB purchases dance in investors’ heads.  Treasuries are moving in the same direction, but the 1 basis point decline in yield is hardly game-changing.

Commodity markets continue their confusing ways, this time with oil rallying slightly, (WTI
+1.5%) while gold is declining, -0.3%.  And finally, the dollar is having, what can only be described, as a mixed session.  In the G10, the pound has actually extended its early losses and is now down -1.0%.  As well, JPY (-0.3%) is also weaker despite (because of?) what seemed to be pretty reasonable manufacturing data overnight.  The rest of the bloc, however, is firmer vs. the dollar led by AUD (+0.6%) on the back of rising iron ore prices, although the gains fall away to much more modest outcomes beyond that.  CAD (+0.3%) seems to be benefitting from the rise in oil prices but nothing else is even noteworthy.

Emerging market currencies are also mixed, with the gainers led by BRL (+0.8% on the open) after the central bank left rates on hold last night, as universally expected, but also explained that the pledge to keep rates at that level may be coming to an end as inflation starts to rise in the country.  This was taken as quite hawkish, so I would look for further BRL appreciation going forward.  Elsewhere on the plus side is RUB (+0.45%) clearly benefitting from oil’s rise, and HUF (+0.35%) which continues to benefit from the EU budget deal.  On the downside, ignoring TRY, ZAR (-0.4%) is the worst performer, seeming to suffer from a surge in Covid cases, with KRW (-0.3%) seeming to feel the pressure of yesterday’s tech stock sell-off in the US.

We finally get some data of note this morning led by the weekly Initial Claims (exp 725K) and Continuing Claims (5.21M) data.  But we also see the latest reading on headline CPI (0.1%, 1.1% Y/Y) and core (0.1%, 1.5% Y/Y).  The great inflation/deflation debate continues amongst the economic community with the deflationists continuing to point to the data as their trump card, but the inflationists continuing to point to real life.  My money is on inflation, probably as soon as next year, that is far higher than the Fed currently anticipates.

And that’s really it for the day.  All eyes will be on the tape at 7:45 when the ECB releases their statement, and then Madame Lagarde will be on camera starting at 8:30am.  Barring a breakthrough on Brexit today (which seems highly unlikely) the pound seems to have room to fall further.  As to the euro, that is in Lagarde’s hands.  And the dollar in general?  The recent slow trend lower remains intact, and I wouldn’t start that fight quite yet.

Good luck and stay safe
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The Table is Set

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In Brussels, the table is set
As Boris and Ursula bet
That dinner together
Will be the bellwether
To ending the hard Brexit threat

So, appetite for risk is whet
With central banks sure to abet
More equity buying
As they keep on trying
To buy every last piece of debt

There hasn’t been this much interest in a meal in Europe since the one painted by DaVinci some 530 years ago.  Clearly, the big story is this evening’s dinner date between UK PM Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where they will make what appears to be the final attempt to get some political agreement on the last issues outstanding in order to complete the Brexit trade deal.  With just over three weeks before the UK exits the EU, time is clearly of the essence at this stage.  I remain confident that an agreement will be reached as it is in both sides’ collective interest to do so.  Rather, the current political theater is seen as necessary, again for both sides, in order to demonstrate they did everything they could to achieve the best possible outcome.  After all, Boris is going to have to cede some portion of UK sovereignty, and the EU is going to have to cede some adherence to their extraordinarily large canon of laws.

The FX market seems to share my opinion as the pound has rallied more than 1% since I wrote yesterday and is currently firmer by 0.7% since yesterday’s close.  As I wrote last week, I remain convinced that the market has not actually priced in a successful completion of a deal, rather that the pound’s performance over the past several months, a nearly 10% rise since July 1st, has simply been reflective of the broad dollar decline and not a bet on a positive Brexit outcome.  As such, I believe there is a good amount of upside potential for the pound in the event of a positive result, perhaps as much as 3% right away, and 5%-6% over time.  Similarly, if a deal is not reached, a 5% decline is in the cards.  But, for now, all we can do is wait to hear the outcome.  Dinner is at 8pm in Brussels, so likely there will be little news before 4pm this afternoon.

Away from the Brexit story, however, the market discussion continues to revolve around prospects for a quick implementation of the Covid-19 vaccine and the resumption of pre-pandemic economic activity.  One of the conundrums in this regard is that despite what appears to be a growing belief that the vaccine will solve the covid crisis, thus enabling a return to economic growth, the central banking community will continue to inject unfathomable sums of liquidity into banks, (and by extension markets and maybe even the economy), to support economic growth.  It seems a bit duplicative to me, but then I’m just an FX salesman sans PhD.  After all, if the vaccine will allow people to revert to their former selves, what need is there for central banks to keep buying bonds?  (And in some cases, equities.  As an aside, yesterday the BOJ reached a milestone as the largest equity holder in Japan, outstripping the government pension fund, GPIF, and now in possession of nearly 8% of the entire market there.)

The thing is, there is no prospect that this behavior is going to change.  For instance, tomorrow the ECB’s final meeting of the year will conclude, and they are expected to expand the PEPP by at least €500 billion and extend the tenor of the program between six months and a year.  In addition, they are expected to expand the TLTRO III program (targeted long-term refinancing operations) by another year, and there were even some hints at a rate cut there.  The latter would be extraordinary as the current rate is -1.0%.  This means that European banks that borrow funds in this program pay -1.0% (receive 1.0% pa) as long as they lend these funds on to corporate and business clients, with no restrictions on what they can charge.  Balances in this program have fallen from €1.3 trillion to just €180 billion since the summer, so it is believable that the rate will change.  The ECB particularly likes this program as they believe it really encourages business loans.

Something else to watch in tomorrow’s meeting is whether either the statement, or Madame Lagarde in her press conference opening, discusses the exchange rate.  Since the euro first traded above 1.20 back in September, which brought an immediate response from the ECB via some jawboning, the single currency had really done very little, until November, when the latest move higher began.  Now, after a 4% rally, it would not be surprising for the ECB to once again mention the importance of a “competitive” (read: weak) euro.  With inflation in the Eurozone remaining negative, Lagarde and company simply cannot afford for the euro to rise much further.  And none of this discussion includes what may well come from the FOMC next week!

But on to today’s activity.  Risk appetite continues to be strong where equity markets in Asia (Nikkei +1.3%, Hang Seng +0.75%) and Europe (DAX +0.8%, CAC +0.2%, FTSE 100 +0.4%) are all continuing yesterday’s modest gains.  The one exception here is Shanghai (-1.3%) which seemed to respond to inflation data overnight (CPI -0.5%).  The cause here seems to be declining pork prices (remember last year the Asian Swine Flu resulted in the culling of Chinese herds and dramatic price rises) but also the expectation that the PBOC is not going to change course with respect to forcing the deleveraging of the real estate sector and concomitant bubble there.

Bond markets are behaving as one would expect in a risk-on scenario, with Treasury yields reversing yesterday’s 2bp decline, while Bunds and OATs have both seen yields edge higher by 1 basis point.  Oil prices have rallied 1.5%, partly on risk attitude and partly on the story of an attack on Iraqi oil assets disrupting supply.  Finally, gold, which has really been rebounding since the end of last month, has given up 0.65% this morning.

Lastly, the dollar is generally softer today, against most G10 and EMG currencies.  AUD (+0.9%) is the leader this morning after the Westpac Consumer Confidence Survey printed at a much higher than expected 112.0.  For reference, that was the highest print since October 2010!  But as mentioned, the pound is firmer, as is virtually the entire bloc, albeit with less impressive moves.

In emerging markets, HUF (+0.8%) is the leading gainer, followed by PLN (+0.7%) and CZK (+.4%), all of which are far outperforming the euro (+0.1%).  It seems that the EU Stimulus deal, which was being held up by Hungary and Poland over language regarding the rule of law, has finally been agreed by all parties, with those three nations set to receive a significant boost when it is finally implemented next year.  On the flip side, TWD (-0.4%) was the worst performer as a late session sell-off wiped out early gains.  At this point, there is no obvious catalyst for the move, which looks very much like a large order going through an illiquid market onshore.

There is no data of note this morning and no speakers either.  Risk appetite remains the driver, with not only vaccine euphoria, but also hopes for a US stimulus bill rising as well.  In other words, everything is fantastic!  What could possibly go wrong?

As long as equities continue to rally, the dollar is likely to remain under pressure, but with the ECB on tap for tomorrow, I don’t expect a breakout, unless something really positive (or negative) comes out of dinner in Brussels.

Good luck and stay safe
Adf

Slipping Away

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Last week it appeared conversations
On Brexit, had built expectations
To broker a deal
That both sides would feel
Was fruitful for all Europe’s nations

Alas, based on headlines today
That good will is slipping away
Concern has now grown
That both sides condone
No deal, to the market’s dismay

Apparently, Brexit talks have reached their denouement, with the weekend efforts of PM Johnson and European Commission President Von der Leyen unable to bridge the final gaps.  The key issues regarding fishing in UK waters and state support for UK companies remain outstanding and neither side has yet been willing to budge.  There is clearly a great deal of brinksmanship ongoing here, but with the timeline so compressed, the chance for a No-deal outcome is still remarkably high.  In fact, as of a bit past 6am in NY, the headlines claim that negotiations might end by this evening in Europe, after one final call between the two leaders.

So, is this the end?  Is Brexit upon us, three weeks early?  And if so, what can we expect going forward?

The first thing to remember about international negotiations is they are never over, even when they have ended, especially in a situation of this nature.  The economic impact in both the UK and throughout Europe will be significant in a no-deal outcome, and this is something that neither side really wants to occur, despite any rhetoric to the contrary.  The most recent analyst estimates indicate that the UK’s economy will suffer a long-term reduction of 3.0% in GDP compared to the situation if a deal is completed.  Meanwhile, the EU’s impact will be a much smaller 0.5% of GDP, but that impact will be unevenly distributed, with Ireland expected to suffer a 6% decline in economic activity, while various other nations see much smaller effects.  Germany, too, will feel the pain, as German auto exports to the UK are one of the most lucrative parts of German industry, and with tariffs imposed, they will certainly decline.

And, ultimately, that is why the best bet remains that a deal will be done.  Especially given the economic disruption of the pandemic, the ability for either the UK or EU to blithely sit by and allow a critical trade relationship to crumble is virtually nil.  So, even if the talks ostensibly end later today, they will not have ended.  Both sides will still be seeking a deal, as both sides desperately need one.

However, investors are clearly worried, as evidenced by this morning’s price action across markets.  Perhaps the most obvious outcome is that of the pound, which has fallen 1.3% on the news.  Last week I was making the case that the market had not fully priced in a positive deal, and any agreement was likely to see the pound rally.  At the same time, a true collapse in talks with a no-deal outcome is likely to see a further decline, with 5%-7% seen as a reasonable result.  This morning’s movement is just a down payment on that, if no deal actually is the outcome.

But this news seems to have forced investors across markets to reconsider their current positioning and potential market responses to negative news.  Perhaps you are not old enough to remember what negative news actually is, so I will give a brief refresher here.  Negative news is a situation where not only is the economic impact indisputably harmful to a (country, company, currency), but that a central bank response of further policy ease will be unable to change the outcome.  Thus, Friday’s weaker than expected NFP number was not really negative because it encouraged the view that the Fed will ease further next week, thus offsetting any bad economics.  But Brexit changes the structure, not just the data, and no matter what the BOE does, customs checks are still going to slow down trade and commerce.

It is with this in mind that we look at markets this morning and see that risk is broadly being reduced.  Asian equity markets started the move as the Nikkei (-0.75%), Hang Seng (-1.25%) and Shanghai (-0.8%) all showed solid declines.  And this was despite Chinese data showing that exports from the mainland had increased a much greater than expected 21% and fostered a record large trade surplus.  In Europe, the situation is similar with one real exception.  The DAX (-0.3%) and CAC (-0.8%) are leading the Continent lower as investors react to the potential crimp in economic activity.  However, the FTSE 100 (+0.5%) is higher as most members of the index will benefit greatly from a weaker pound, and so are responding to the pound’s market leading decline.

Speaking of the pound, it has fallen 1.3% from Friday’s closing levels and is the leading decliner across all major currencies.  But weakness is evident in the commodity bloc as AUD (-0.5%), NZD (-0.4%) and CAD (-0.2%) are all suffering alongside oil (WTI -0.9%) and gold (-0.4%).  EUR (-0.1%) has been a relative outperformer as the market continues to estimate a much smaller impact of a no-deal scenario.  Meanwhile, in the EMG bloc, losses are virtually universal, but the magnitude is not that substantial.  For example, MXN (-0.7%) is the worst performer today, obviously suffering from oil’s decline, but we have also seen weakness throughout the CE4 (HUF -0.4%, CZK -0.3%, PLN -0.2%) along with ZAR and RUB, both having fallen 0.3%.  In fact, the one bloc that has outperformed today is APAC, where only two currencies (MYR -0.2% and SGD -0.15%) are in the red.  Given the genesis of the problems is in Europe, this should not be that surprising.

Bond markets are taking the risk-off theme seriously with Treasury yields lower by 2.2 basis points and European govvies seeing substantial demand.  Gilts lead the way, with a 5.6bps decline, but Bunds (-3.0bps) and OAT’s (-2.6bps) are also rallying nicely.  Remember, too, that the ECB meets Thursday with expectations built in for a €500 billion increase in PEPP as well as a maturity extension of between six and twelve months in addition to an increase in the TLTRO program, with a maturity extension there as well.  One other thing to watch from the ECB is whether or not they mention the euro and its recent rally.  Madame Lagarde and her colleagues cannot countenance a significant rally from current levels, and I expect they will make that clear.

As to data this week, aside from the ECB, CPI is the biggest thing in the US:

Tuesday NFIB Small Business 102.5
Nonfarm Productivity 4.9%
Unit Labor Costs -8.9%
Wednesday JOLTs Job Openings 6.325M
Thursday Initial Claims 725K
Continuing Claims 5.27M
CPI 0.1% (1.1% Y/Y)
-ex food & energy 0.1% (1.6% Y/Y)
Friday PPI 0.1% (0.7% Y/Y)
-ex food & energy 0.2% (1.5% Y/Y)
Michigan Sentiment 76.0

Source: Bloomberg

With the last FOMC meeting of the year next Wednesday, the Fed is in their quiet period so there will be no commentary on that front.  With this in mind, the dollar, which continues to trend lower, will likely need some new catalyst to take the next step.  At this point, the biggest surprise is likely to be a positive conclusion to the Brexit talks, but given what we have seen over the past eight months, it is pretty clear that investors remain hugely bullish on the idea of the post-pandemic economy and will not be denied in their belief that stocks can only go up.  My gut tells me that US equities, where futures are currently lower by 0.3% or so, will finish the day higher, and the dollar will cede much of its overnight gains, even without a deal.

Good luck and stay safe
Adf

Further Afflictions

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Each day there is growing conviction
The buck is due further affliction
More views now exist
The Fed will soon ‘Twist’
Thus, slaking the market’s addiction

But even if Powell and friends
Do act as the crowd now contends
Does anyone think
Lagarde will not blink
And cut rates at which her group lends?

You cannot read the financial press lately without stumbling across multiple articles as to why the dollar is due to fall further.  There is no question it has become the number one conviction trade in the hedge fund community as well as the analyst community.  There are myriad reasons given with these the most common:

1.     The introduction of the vaccine will lead to a quicker recovery globally and demand for risk assets not havens like the dollar
2.     The Biden administration will be implementing a new, larger stimulus package adding to the global reflation trade
3.     The Fed is going to embark on a new version of Operation Twist (where they swap short-dated Treasuries for long-dated Treasuries) in order to add more stimulus, thus weakening the dollar
4.     The market technical picture is primed for further dollar weakness in the wake of recent price action breaking previous dollar support levels.

Let’s unpack these ideas in order to try to get a better understanding of the current sentiment.

The vaccine story is front page news worldwide and we have even had the first country, the UK, approve one of them for use right away.  There is no question that an effective vaccine that is widely available, and widely taken, could easily alter the current zeitgeist of fear and loathing.  If confidence were to make a comeback, as lockdowns ended and people were released from home quarantines, it would certainly further support risk appetite.  Or would it?

Consider that risk assets, at least equities, are already trading at record high valuations as investors have priced in this outcome.  You may remember the daily equity rallies in October and November based on hopes a vaccine would be arriving soon.  The point is, it is entirely possible, and some would say likely, that the vaccine implementation has already been priced into risk assets.  One other fly in this particular ointment is that so many businesses have already permanently closed due to the government-imposed restrictions worldwide, that even if economic demand rebounds, supply may not be available, thus driving inflation rather than activity.

How about the idea of a new stimulus package adding to global reflation?  Again, while entirely possible, if, as is still widely expected, the Republicans retain control of the Senate, any stimulus bill is likely to disappoint the bulls.  As well, if this is US stimulus, arguably it will help support the US economy, US growth and extend the US rebound further and faster than its G10 and most EMG peers.  Yes, risk will remain in favor, but will that flow elsewhere in the world?  Maybe, maybe not.  That is an open question.

Certainly, a revival of Operation Twist, where the Fed extends the maturity of its QE purchases in order to add further support to the economy by easing monetary policy further would be a dollar negative.  I thought it might be instructive to see how the dollar behaved back in 2011-12 when Ben Bernanke was Fed Chair and embarked on the first go-round of this policy.  Interestingly enough, from September 2011 through June 2012, the first leg of Operation Twist, the dollar rallied 8.7% vs. the euro.  When the Fed decided to continue the program for another six months, the first dollar move was a continuation higher, with another 2.75% gain, before turning around and weakening about 6%.  All told, through two versions of the activity, the dollar would up slightly firmer (2.5%) than when it started.

And this doesn’t even consider the likelihood that if the Fed eases further, all the other major central banks will be doing so as well.  Remember, FX is a relative game, so relative monetary policy moves are the driver, not absolute ones.  And once again, I assure you, that if the euro starts to rally too far, the ECB will spare no expense to halt that rally and reverse it if possible.  Currently, the trade-weighted euro is back to levels seen in early September but remains 1.75% below the levels seen in 2018.  It is extremely difficult to believe that the ECB will underperform next week at their meeting if the euro is climbing still higher.  Deflation in Europe is rampant (CPI was just released at -0.3% in November), and a strong currency is not something Lagarde and her compatriots can tolerate.

Finally, looking at the technical picture, it may well be the best argument for further dollar weakness.  To the uninitiated (including your humble author) the variety of technical indicators observed by traders can be dizzying.  However, some include satisfying the target of an “inverted hammer” pattern, recognition of the next part of an Elliott Wave ABC correction and DeMark targets now formed for further dollar weakness.  While that mostly sounded like gibberish, believe me when I say there are many traders who base every action on these indicators, and when levels are reached in the market, they swarm in to join the parade.  At the same time, the hedge fund community, while short a massive amount of dollars, is reputed to have ample dry powder to increase those positions.

In sum, ironically, I would contend that the technical picture is the strongest argument for the dollar to continue its recent decline.  Risk assets are already priced for perfection, the vaccine is a known quantity and any Fed move is likely to be matched by other central banks.  This is not to say that the dollar won’t decline further, just that any movement is likely to be grudging and limited.  The dollar is not about to collapse.

A quick recap of today’s markets shows that risk appetite, not unlike yesterday’s lack of enthusiasm, remains satisfied for now.  Asian equities were mixed with the Hang Seng (+0.7%) the leader by far as both the Nikkei (0.0%) and Shanghai (-0.2%) showed no life.  European bourses are mostly lower (DAX -0.4%, CAC -0.25%) although the FTSE 100 is flat on the day.  And US futures are also either side of flat.

Bond markets, are rebounding a bit from their recent decline, with Treasuries seeing yields lower by 1 basis point and European bonds all rallying as well, with yields falling between 2bps and 3bps.  The latter may well be due to the combination of weaker than expected Services PMI releases as well as the news that Germany is extending its partial lockdown to January 10.  (Tell me again why the euro is a good bet here!)

Gold continues to rebound from its correction last week, up another $10 while the dollar, overall, this morning is somewhat softer, keeping with the recent trend.  GBP (+0.6%) is the leading gainer in the G10 on continued hopes a Brexit deal will soon be reached, but the rest of the bloc is +/-0.2%, or essentially unchanged.  EMG gainers include HUF (+0.7%) as the government there expands infrastructure spending, this time on airports, while the rest of the bloc has seen far smaller gains, which seem to be predicated on the idea of US stimulus talks getting back on track.

Initial Claims (exp 775K) data leads the calendar this morning with Continuing Claims (5.8M) and then ISM Services (55.8) at 10:00.  Yesterday’s Beige Book harped on the negative impact that government shutdowns have had on companies with no sign, yet, of vaccine hopes showing up in businesses.  At the same time, Chairman Powell, in his House testimony yesterday, explained that there was no rift between the Fed and the Treasury, and the Fed response when Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said he was recalling unused funds from the CARES act, was merely reinforcement of the idea that the Fed was not going to back away from their stated objectives.

In the end, the dollar remains under pressure and the trend is your friend.  With that in mind, though, it strikes that a decline of more than another 1%-2% will be very difficult to achieve without a more significant correction first.  Again, for receivables hedgers, these are good levels to consider.

Good luck and stay safe
Adf

Many Pains

Posted on by

In England and Scotland and Wales
The vaccine will soon be for sale
But Brexit remains
A source of more pains
If talks this week run off the rails

What a difference a day makes, twenty-four little hours.  Yesterday morning at this time, the bulls ruled the world.  Equity markets were rallying strongly everywhere, bond markets were under pressure, and the dollar was breaking below two-year support levels.  Although most commodity prices were having difficulty extending their recent gains, gold did manage to rebound sharply all day, and, in fact, is higher by another 0.7% this morning, its death being widely exaggerated.

However, aside from gold, this morning looks quite different on the risk front.  Perhaps, ahead of a significant amount of data coming the rest of the week (ADP this morning, NFP on Friday), as well as next week’s ECB meeting, this is, as a well-known Atlanta based beverage company first told us in 1929, the pause that refreshes.

Arguably, the biggest news this morning is that the UK has cleared the first vaccine for use against Covid-19 with the initial doses to be injected as early as next week.  I don’t think anyone can argue with the idea this is an unalloyed positive for just about everything.  If it proves as effective as the initial testing indicated, and if a sufficient percentage of the population gets inoculated, and if that leads to a rebound in confidence and the end of all the government imposed economic restrictions and lockdowns, it could open the door for 2021 to be a gangbuster-type year of growth and activity.  But boy, that sure is a lot of ifs!

And a funny thing about the market response to this news is that…nothing has happened.  The FTSE 100 is higher by a scant 0.2%, and has not shown the strength necessary to support other European markets as both the DAX (-0.3%) and CAC (-0.2%) are in the red.  Is it possible that the markets have already priced in all the ifs mentioned above?  And, if that is the case, what does it say about the future direction of risk appetite?

This being 2020, the year with imperfect hindsight, it should also be no surprise that the good news regarding the vaccine was offset with potential bad news about Brexit.  Michel Barnier, the EU’s top negotiator, indicated that while the mood was still positive in the round-the-clock negotiations, it is very possible that no deal is reached in time to be ratified by all parties.  And that time is drawing near.  After all, the previous deadlines were all artificial, to try to goose negotiations, but December 31st is written into a treaty signed by both sides.  The contentious issues remain access to UK waters by EU fishing vessels and the idea of what will constitute a level playing field between UK and EU companies given their newly different legal and regulatory masters.  In the event, GBP (-0.8%) is today’s worst G10 currency performer as it quickly fell when Barnier’s comments hit the tape.  Something else to keep in mind regarding the pound is that it feels an awful lot like a successful completion of a Brexit deal is entirely priced in.  So, if that deal is reached, the pound’s upside is likely to be quite limited.  Conversely, if no deal is agreed, look for a substantial shock to the pound, certainly as much as 5%-7% in short order.

And with that cheery thought in mind, let us peruse the overall market condition this morning, where eyeglasses are losing their tint.  Equity markets in Asia overnight were as close to unchanged as a non-holiday session would allow, with the largest movement from a main index, the Hang Seng, just +0.1%.  Both the Nikkei and Shanghai moved less, as investors seemed to be coping with a bit of indigestion after the recent sharp rally.  As mentioned above, European bourses have been no better, with only Spain’s IBEX (+0.4%) showing any hint of life, but the rest of the continental exchanges all in the red.  Even US futures markets are under modest pressure, with all three lower by about 0.2%.

The Treasury market saw an impressive decline yesterday, with yields rising 7 basis points in the 10-year, as the risk rally exploded all day long.  European bond markets also declined, but not quite like that.  Given the ECB’s reported -0.3% CPI reading, the case that bond yields on the continent should be rising is very difficult to make.  This morning, though, movement is measured in fractions of basis points, with only Italian BTP’s having recorded anything larger than a 1 basis point move today, in this case a decline in yields.  Otherwise, we are + / – 0.5 basis points or less in Treasuries, Bunds, OAT’s and Gilts.  In other words, nothing to see here.

Oil is feeling a bit toppish here, having rallied 36% during the month of November, but how ceding about 4% during the past few sessions.  OPEC+ talks remain mired in disagreement with the previous production cuts potentially to be abandoned.  However, taking a longer-term view, analysts are pointing to the changes in the US fracking community (i.e. bankruptcies there) and forecasting a significant decline in US oil production in 2021, which, if that occurs, is likely to provide significant price support.

And finally, the dollar, which fell sharply against virtually every currency yesterday, led by BRL (+2.7%) in the emerging markets and EUR (+1.2%) in the G10, has found its footing today.  Looking at the G10 first, NOK (-0.65%) is the laggard alongside the aforementioned pound and SEK (-0.5%).  The euro (-0.25%) has maintained the bulk of its gains after having finally pushed through key resistance at 1.2011-20, the levels seen in early September. Remember, short USD is the number one conviction trade for Wall Street for 2021, and EUR positions remain near all-time highs.

An aside in the euro is that markets continue to look to next week’s ECB meeting with expectations rife the PEPP will be expanded and extended.  Madame Lagarde promised us things would change, and every speaker since, including the Latvian central bank President, who this morning explained that €500 billion more in the PEPP with a timing extension to mid-2022 would be acceptable, as would an extension in the maturity of TLTRO loans to 5 years.  The point is that despite the confidence so many have that the dollar is destined to collapse next year, there is no way other central banks will allow that unimpeded.

Back to markets, on the EMG slate, the situation is similar with more losers than gainers led by ZAR (-1.1%) and PLN (-0.6%).  Of course, both these currencies saw stronger gains yesterday, so this seems to be a little catch-up price action.  Actually, CLP (+0.65%) has opened stronger this morning, simply adding to yesterday’s gains without an obvious catalyst, while KRW(+0.5%) continues to benefitt from better than expected trade and GDP data.

On the data front, this morning brings ADP Employment (exp 430K) as well as the Beige Book this afternoon.  As well, we will hear again from Chairman Powell, who in the Senate yesterday told us all that there needed to be more fiscal stimulus and that the Fed would do all they can to support the economy.  Given this has been the message for the past six months, nobody can be surprised.  However, one idea that seems to be developing is that the Fed could well announce purchases of longer dated bonds at their December meeting in two weeks’ time, which would certainly have an impact on the bond market, and would be seen as easier money, thus likely impact the dollar as well.  When he speaks to the House today, don’t look for anything new.

All told, today is a breather.  Clearly momentum is for a weaker dollar right now, but I continue to believe these are excellent levels for receivables hedgers to act.

Good luck and stay safe
Adf

Nothing but Cheerful

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While yesterday traders were fearful
Today they are nothing but cheerful
The vaccine is coming
While Bitcoin is humming
It’s only the bears who are tearful

Risk is back baby!!  That is this morning’s message as a broad-based risk-on scenario is playing out across all markets.  Well, almost all markets, oil is struggling slightly, but since according to those in the know (whoever they may be) we have reached so-called ‘peak oil’, the oil market doesn’t matter anymore.  So, if it cannot rally on a day when other risk assets are doing so, it is of no consequence.

Of course, this begs the question, what is driving the reversal of yesterday’s theme?  The most logical answer is the release of the newest batch of Manufacturing PMI data from around the world, which while not universally better, is certainly trending in the right direction.  Starting last night in Asia, we saw strength in Australia (55.8), Indonesia (50.6), South Korea (52.9), India (56.3) and China (Caixin 54.9).  In fact, the only weak print was from Japan (49.0), which while still in contractionary territory has improved compared to last month.  With this much renewed manufacturing enthusiasm, it should be no surprise that equity markets in Asia were all bright green.  The Nikkei (+1.35%), Hang Seng (+0.85%) and Shanghai (+1.75%) led the way with New Zealand the only country not to join in the fun.

Turning to European data, it has been largely the same story, with Germany (57.8) leading the way, but strong performances by the UK (55.6) and the Eurozone (53.8) although Italy (51.5) fell short of expectations and France (49.6) while beating expectations remained below the key 50.0 level.  Spain (49.8), too, was weak failing to reach expectations, but clearly, the rest of the Continent was quite perky in order for the area wide index to improve.  Equity markets on the Continent are also bright green led by the FTSE 100 (+1.95%) but with strong performances by the DAX (+1.0%) and CAC (+1.1%) as well.  In fact, here, not a single market is lower.  Even Russian stocks are higher despite the weakest PMI performance of all (46.3).

The point is, there is no risk asset that is not welcome in a portfolio today.  However, while the broad sweep of PMI data is certainly positive, it seems unlikely, given the market’s history of ignoring both good and bad data from this series, that this is the only catalyst.  In fairness, there was some other positive data.  For example, German Unemployment fell to 6.1%, a tick below last month and 2 ticks below expectations.  At the same time, Eurozone CPI was released at a slightly worse than expected -0.3% Y/Y in November, which only encourages the bullish view that the ECB is going to wow us next week when they unveil their latest adjustments to PEPP.

And perhaps, that is a large part of the story, expectations for ongoing central bank largesse to support financial markets continue to be strong.  After all, the buzz in the US is that the combination of Fed Chair Jay Powell alongside former Fed Chair Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary means that come January or February, the taps will once again open in the US with more fiscal and monetary assistance.  Alas, what we know is that the bulk of that assistance winds up in the equity markets, at least that has been the case to date, so just how much this new money will help the economy itself remains in question.

But well before that, we have a number of key events upcoming, notably next week’s ECB meeting and the Fed meeting the following week.  Focusing first on Frankfurt, recall that Madame Lagarde essentially promised action at their late October get together, and the market wasted no time putting numbers on those expectations.  While no rate cut is anticipated, at least not in the headline Deposit rate (currently -0.50%), the PEPP is expected to be increased by up to €600 billion with its tenor expected to be extended by an additional six months through the end of 2021.  However, before we get too used to that type of expansion, perhaps we should heed the words of Isabel Schnabel, the German ECB Executive Board member who today explained that while further support would be forthcoming, thoughts that the ECB would take the Mario Draghi approach of exceeding all expectations should be tempered.  Of course, the question is whether a disappointing outcome next week, say just €250 billion additional purchases, would have such a detrimental impact on the markets economy.  Remember, while Madame Lagarde has a great deal of political nous, she has thus far demonstrated a tin ear when it comes to market signals.  The other topic on which she opined was the TLTRO program, which she seems to like more than PEPP, and which she implied could see both expansion and even a further rate cut from the current -1.00%.

And perhaps, that is all that is needed to get the juices flowing again, a little encouragement that more money is on its way.  Certainly, the bond markets are exhibiting risk on tendencies, although yield increases of between 0.2bps (Germany) and 1.1bps (Treasuries) are hardly earth shattering.  They are certainly no indication of the reflation trade that had gotten so much press just a month ago.

And finally, the dollar, which is definitely softer this morning, but only after having rallied all day yesterday, so is in fact higher vs. yesterday morning’s opening levels.  The short dollar trade remains one of the true conviction trades in the market right now and one where positioning is showing no signs of abating.  Almost daily there seems to be another bank analyst declaring that the dollar is destined for a great fall in 2021.  Perhaps they are correct, but as I have repeatedly pointed out, no other central bank, certainly not the ECB or BOJ is going to allow the dollar to decline sharply without some action on their part to try to slow or reverse it.

A tour of the market this morning shows that CHF (+0.4%) is the leading gainer in the G10, although followed closely by SEK (+0.4%) and EUR (+0.35%).  Of course, if you look at the movement since Friday, CHF and EUR are higher by less than 0.1% and SEK is actually lower by 0.45%.  In other words, do not believe that the dollar decline is a straight-line affair.

Emerging markets are seeing similar price action, although as the session has progressed, we have seen more currency strength.  Currently, CLP (+0.9%), ZAR (+0.85%) and BRL (+0.8%) are leading the way here, all three reliant on commodity markets, which have, other than oil, performed well overnight.  The CE4 are also higher (HUF +0.6%, CZK +0.5%), tracking the euro’s strength, and Asian currencies had a fair run overnight as well, with INR (+0.5%) the best performer as a beneficiary of an uptick in stock and bond investments made their way into the country.

On the data front, today brings ISM Manufacturing (exp 58.0) and Construction Spending (0.8%), with the former certainly of more interest than the latter.  This is especially so given the PMI data overnight and the market response.  But arguably, of far more importance is Chairman Powell’s Senate testimony starting at 10:00 this morning, which will certainly overshadow comments from the other three Fed speakers due later.

Yesterday at this hour, with the dollar under pressure, it seemed we were going to take out some key technical levels and weaken further.  Of course, that did not happen.  With the dollar at similar levels to yesterday morning, and another dollar weakening sentiment, will today be the day that we break 1.20 in the euro convincingly?  As long as CNY remains strong, it is certainly possible, but I am not yet convinced.  Receivables hedgers, these are the best levels seen in two years, so it may not be a bad time to step in.

Good luck and stay safe
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Growth’s Embers

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Said Madame Lagarde, come December
There’s something you all must remember
It’s not ‘bout the size
But how we comprise
Our policy to fan growth’s embers

For a consensus driven institution, the ECB is, apparently, finding it pretty hard to arrive at a consensus on what the promised policy expansion should contain.  You may recall that at their meeting in late October, the ECB appeared pretty explicit that they would be increasing monetary support at the upcoming meeting.  The narrative quickly developed that another €500 billion of PEPP purchases would be appropriate, although there were some ideas that the ECB could expand the APP, their original QE program.  With this in mind, it is crucial to remember that markets typically take the most simplistic approach toward any analysis, and so respond to numbers.  Subtleties are either misunderstood or ignored by the trading community as they require far too much time to appreciate before responding.  After all, it is much easier for algorithms (and traders) to be programmed to buy on a large number and sell on a small number than to dig into the meaning of the words offered up by the ECB.

Keeping this in mind, it is quite interesting that recently, we have started to hear from numerous ECB members that the size of the program adjustments are not as important as their nature.  (Now where have we heard that before?)   Just this morning, Madame Lagarde herself was quoted as follows, “What is really important is that we make sure that the financing conditions are stable, are conducive to economic recovery as it comes.”  She also emphasized that “[market participants must] not only know that the level of financing is going to be there, but that it will be available for a period for time that will last long enough.”  Reading between the lines, this sounds like the mooted €500 billion expansion that has been the market baseline premise since the October meeting, is not going to be realized.  Looking back over the past week, comments from numerous other ECB members, including Chief Economist Philip Lane, as well as Finland’s Olli Rehn, Belgium’s Yves Mersch and Spain’s Pablo Hernandez de Cos have also highlighted that size doesn’t matter, but instead it is the nature and duration of the program that is important.

What are we to make of this change in emphasis?  Initially there are two conclusions that can be drawn.  First, some of the more hawkish members of the ECB; Germany, Austria and the Netherlands most likely, have made it clear that they don’t want to see an unlimited amount of asset purchases as those three nations still believe that central bank financing of government spending is a bad idea.  Thus, the fact that central bankers from more dovish countries are trying to temper expectations is playing to the hawks.

But there is another, more intriguing possibility, and that is that the ECB, who has been terrified of an overly strong euro, has realized that the Chinese renminbi’s consistent strength vs. the dollar (+8.6% since late May) has now been sufficient to offset the euro’s appreciation since that same time.  Essentially, the euro saw a very sharp rise from May through August but has been biding its time since then while the renminbi has been steadily climbing almost every day.  The point is, on a trade-weighted basis, the euro is no longer nearly as strong as it was in August, and so if EURUSD rises a bit further, the ECB may not be too troubled.  This is not to imply that they will be happy to see the euro go screaming up through 1.25 anytime soon, but if it trades to 1.20 or 1.21, it will probably not be ringing alarm bells.

Putting it all together leads me to believe that the ECB no longer is feeling quite as stressed about the euro’s strength vs. the dollar this summer, and so does not feel compelled to increase QE by that much in order to prevent a further rise.  The $2.2 trillion question (that is roughly the amount of EURUSD transacted each day according to the BIS) is, if the ECB disappoints the narrative, despite their claims, and the euro rallies sharply, what will they do then?  Poor Christine already has enough trouble speaking to the market effectively.  If this message gets muddled, it will really create problems, as well as the chance for an emergency program early next year.

With that in mind, let’s look at today’s activities.  After a modest sell-off in the US yesterday, Asia had another mixed session with the Nikkei (-1.1%) falling for a second day after its long run of gains, while the Hang Seng (+0.5%) and Shanghai (+0.2%) both finished with small pluses.  The European markets are all green, but the movement has been de minimis, with the DAX and CAC (+0.2% each) essentially leading the way while the FTSE 100 is simply flat.  Certainly, there is no massive risk-on attitude apparent.  Finally, US futures are all modestly higher at this hour, but 0.2% is a good description here as well.

Bond markets are also fairly muted this morning with Treasury yields essentially unchanged, having retraced half of the vaccine related movement of the past week.  European markets are similarly little changed, except for Greek bonds, where yields have fallen nearly 5 basis points.  But the rest of the curve is within one basis point of yesterday’s levels.  Again, it is hard to discern much risk attitude here.

Oil prices have pushed higher by 1% this morning but have not yet reclaimed the heights seen in the wake of the vaccine announcement.  Gold, meanwhile, has been wandering aimlessly of late, although there is a growing hubbub about Bitcoin, which has traded to $18k this morning.

Finally, to the dollar, which is clearly under pressure virtually across the board this morning.  In the G10 space, NOK (+0.55%) is the leader, following oil prices higher as ongoing enthusiasm over a vaccine driven recovery continues to be felt.  But we are seeing gains in SEK (+0.4%), once again showing its deserved status as a high beta currency, and JPY (+0.2%), which has recouped more than half of its very sharp decline seen last Monday in the wake of the first vaccine announcement.  As this doesn’t appear to be a risk-off scenario, I would attribute the yen’s gains more to the dollar’s broad weakness than anything else.  However, do not be surprised if we test, and this time break, 103.00 before too long.

Emerging market currencies are also broadly stronger, but the movement has been fairly contained.  Leading the pack is CLP (+0.7%) as copper prices are benefitting from the vaccine enthusiasm, as well as RUB (+0.6%) on the back of oil’s strength.  After that, the gains are far less impressive, but they are evident across all three major blocs.  On the downside, today’s notable loser is THB (-0.5%) as the central bank there commented on the baht’s recent strength (+3.0% in the past two weeks) and is set to unveil a package to rein in that strength.

On the data front, yesterday saw weaker than expected Retail Sales numbers here in the States, although that didn’t have much impact on things.  Overnight we have seen CPI data from Europe, which was largely in line with expectations and remains right near 0.0%.  This morning brings Housing Starts (exp 1460K) and Building Permits (1567K), which also seem unlikely to have much impact.  Four more Fed speakers are on the docket, but unlike the ECB, there doesn’t seem to be much disagreement on what needs to be done in the US (more fiscal stimulus, please!)

And that’s it really.  The dollar’s weakness feels a bit overdone in the very short term, but with this new attitude by the ECB, if I am correct, an eventual grind toward 1.21 seems possible.  However, do not mistake that for a dollar collapse in any way, shape or form.

Good luck and stay safe
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