Quarterly Outlook
Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun
Peter Garnry
Chief Investment Strategist
Summary: Norgesbank hiked with 25bp as expected and lifted the end of 2023 projection to 2.5%. Norgesbank remains one of the most hawkish central banks in G10 and the high oil price should continue to support NOK. EURNOK vol is down 1.5 vol over the last 2 weeks and now trades at pre-invasion levels at 9.00. Scandie vols remains the best value currencies when looking at the risk premium, EURNOK 1 month trades 2.5 vol below realized vol.
Saxo Bank publishes two weekly FX Options Market Update reports covering changes and updates on the FX Options and FX Volatility market. They describe changes in FX volatility levels, risk premium and ideas how to trade based on these.
Norgesbank hiked with 0.25% as expected and also indicated another hike in June with end of 2023 projection lifted 75bp to 2.5%, which was a bit more hawkish than expected. Norgesbank remains one of the most hawkish central banks in G10.
EURNOK spot has traded down 7% since end of February on back of higher oil and a hawkish central bank. Spot has taken out the low from 2021 and now trades at the lowest level since 2018. We remain bullish NOK and think EURNOK can continue to trade lower.
EURNOK 1 month is down from 10.60 at the start of the Russian invasion to now trade at 9.00. Scandies in general remains cheap when looking at risk premiums, EURNOK 1 month vol trades 2.5 vol below 1 month realized vol and 1.5 below the 1 week realized. Risk reversals have traded lower as spot and vol is coming lower, 1 month risk reversal trades at 1 vol for the topside. We like to buy EURNOK puts with the low and cheap vol and the positive risk reversal give extra discount on strikes on the downside. Either buy plain put or finance the put with a sold call.
Buy 1 month 9.4000 EURNOK put
Cost 620 pips
Sell 1 month 9.6500 EURNOK call
Receive 470 pips
Spot ref.: 9.4875
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.
Forex Options – An introduction
Forex Options – Exotic options
Forex Options - WebinarsDisclaimer
The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.
Please read our disclaimers:
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-gb/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)