Chief Macro Strategist
Summary: Yesterday may have been a watershed moment for the US dollar, which weakened on the combination of a weak November ISM Manufacturing survey and fresh signs of an aggressive protectionist stance on trade policy from the Trump administration.
Yesterday saw the novel combination of weak risk appetite, weak US treasuries and a weak US dollar after the Trump administration signaled new tariffs on Brazil, Argentina (steel) and France (luxury goods in response to taxes on US tech giants) and signaled that if no US-China trade deal is reached, it would mean the next round of tariffs would go into effect on December 15. Trump complained that Brazil and Argentina are hurting US farmers by maintaining artificially low exchange rates and the taxes on French luxury goods could be assessed at 100%. In general, in the not so distant past, news that seemed to threaten the prospects for a trade deal seemed to support the US dollar – certainly not the case yesterday. Is the market finally coming around to the view that Trump is dead set on getting a weaker US dollar? We have an open mind on whether the USD is finally turning lower here – with the next batch of data through this Friday the first hurdle and then the end-of-year USD liquidity issue the last hurdle for this year (assuming that Fed largely a non-event if data strong and slightly more cautious if data is weak).
Yesterday’s November ISM Manufacturing survey came in at a weak 48.1 versus 49.2 expected and a hair weaker than October’s 48.3, and interesting to see the USD lower on this, even as long US treasuries stayed weak and markets failed to adjust their Fed rate expectations on the news. The latter can’t be the case if we see a notably weaker ISM Non-manufacturing survey tomorrow and a much weaker than expected November jobs report Friday.
The RBA overnight was a more hawkish than expected affair, backing up Australian short rates another few basis points as the RBA hopes that the accommodation provided by prior cuts helps to boost asset markets (real estates) and get consumers in a sending mood, with strong population growth also noted – with the Bank of Canada up tomorrow, we have AUDCAD at an interesting crossroads technically on the chart – upside the side of least resistance if Bank of Canada signals more caution.
Chart: AUDUSD
The USD was lower across the board since yesterday, and the AUD got nominal support from an optimistic, or at least “wait and see” RBA meeting overnight, and perhaps as the market has taken Chinese data at face value. The ability of the Aussie to rally despite concerns on the US-China trade front is also notable. Positioning and the sudden momentum here are wind at the bulls’ back, with the next technical hurdle the descending channel formation that has defined the chart for the last year and more.
The G-10 rundown
USD – after so much quiet of late, it is tempting to see yesterday’s action as a watershed moment, but we need a determined follow through lower in the greenback – regardless of the US data mix through the rest of the week, for a better confirmation that something larger is afoot.
EUR – the 1.1000 level in EURUSD has held very well after two recent tests – clear from all of the noise of late, including Lagarde’s speech yesterday, that Euro Zone gearing up for a major climate policy push that will inevitably include a fiscal stimulus element – could this be financed in the form of super-national EUR climate bonds? EURUSD needs to clear the 1.1180 hurdle before we can start discussing notable technical developments.
JPY – the yen reacting strongly to risk off is the usual no-brainer, but perhaps more interesting is the spike in JGB yields at the long end, with the 10-year nearly reaching 0% overnight after the weak auction overnight. Japan is also warming up a fiscal stimulus – JPY supportive and an interesting turn in USDJPY overnight – will this one punch lower unlike the prior treacherous one?
GBP – a spectacularly weak BRC like-for-like survey overnight, but market only has eyes for smooth Brexit prospects and the boost to sentiment and capital inflows this will provide, as well as perhaps the idea that a weak economy improves Boris Johnson’s chances and increases the vigor of his eventual fiscal outlays.
CHF – USDCHF did not tarry above parity – if risk off fails to stick and bond yields head higher, would suspect EURCHF remains supported.
AUD – a very strong Aussie has to be taken at face value on the upbeat RBA – but how will the market absorb a more profound risk off move across markets, the US tariffs against China going into effect on December 15, etc.?
CAD – the loonie could prove weaker in the crosses if US data continues to come in weak – note AUDCAD technical situation ahead of the heavy load of US data through the end of this week and the Bank of Canada meeting tomorrow.
NZD – AUDNZD trying to turn the corner overnight, but a lot of wood to chop to turn the tide in the bulls’ favour there – note RBNZ Governor Orr out again late today.
SEK – a stronger Euro is supportive of an even stronger SEK, and rather impressive to see EURSEK heavy again after yesterday’s miserably weak Swedish PMI. The rise of the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats in the polls (polling as the largest party in Sweden at times lately) could encourage the sitting government into a more activist stance on the fiscal side.
NOK – EURNOK stuck mid-range, awaiting signals from the global economy and oil prices – we NOK firmer eventually, but seasonality is a head wind for NOK bulls until January.
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