FX Update: Mean reversion and lower volatility, but…

FX Update: Mean reversion and lower volatility, but…

Forex 4 minutes to read
John J. Hardy

Global Head of Macro Strategy

Summary:  FX traders are having a tough time finding a pulse as nearly every move of last has been some form of mean reversion that have consolidated recent trend impulses. Eventually, something will have to give, but until then implied volatility is dropping as the market scratches around for a catalyst in the fairly heavy load of macro data this week, as well as important US treasury auctions.


FX Trading focus: What to do when everything seems to be mean reverting?

As the FX Board of trend evolution for G10 currencies and CNH shows below, trend readings are very low – with nearly all of them below 2, whereas the one-week (five trading day) momentum shift has some hefty readings in places, like CHF and SEK to the upside, which shows we have steeply mean reverted from what were formerly the most pronounced trends: weak low yielding currencies that were reacting to the aggressive rise in US treasuries in March before that development suddenly fizzled this month. This week, while options implied volatilities are generally dropping, and technical developments are few and far between, we have a number of things that could yet drive either a further neutralization of the USD’s attempt to stage a comeback, or set the USD back to pressuring higher if developments this week boost treasury market volatility again and US real yield movement in either direction.

On the agenda for this week:

US macro data and corporate earnings data and how the market absorbs it. We have already seen some absurdly strong readings in measures like the March ISM Services Index and some very hefty rises in Prices Paid both there and in the ISM Manufacturing survey. This week, we get a look at the official US March CPI release (tomorrow) and the March US Retail Sales release (Thursday) and have a few Fed speakers out, but given the recent strong macro surprises already in the bag, it feels the  market is afraid to go all in on this proving a more than one-off transitory inflation and growth boost once the “pig in a python” of the latest stimulus works through the system. Elsewhere, the big retail banks Wells Fargo and Bank of America are reporting this week (Wednesday and Thursday, respectively) and their heavy retail presence could offer some color on the anticipation of lending activity in the pipeline. As for Fed speakers, we have heard far too much from them recently and their broken record chorus is “we will react to outcomes”.

US Treasury auctions today and Wednesday, especially the 10-year auction later today and the 30-year T-bond auction on Wednesday. The latest round of important auctions has gone reasonably smoothly, but always have to have an eye out.

German politics - . A great podcast discussing the German and EU political  situation in broad strokes is an interview  of Bobby Vedral over a Bilal Hafeez’s Macro Hive podcast. Vedral makes the excellent point that Draghi is probably the last best hope for Italy to extract something from the EU, while the German political situation will be crucial this year through the late September election for signaling whether Germany is all-in on Europe (correlated with scale of Green ascendance) or maintains the difficult stance we have seen at every turn since the sovereign debt crisis of 2010-12. At the weekend, conservative CSU leader Markus Söder threw his hat in the ring for the Chancellorship, as CDU leader Laschet is limping badly in the polls.

Chart: EURJPY
Not much in focus at the moment, but at an interesting technical crossroads is EURJPY, where we have seen a double top develop and a couple of false starts for fresh bears, who have as yet been unable to find real traction. The EURJPY rally has largely correlated with the rise in US yields, and this pair is likely to prove sensitive to yield developments after the Bank of Japan merely raised the acceptable ceiling for 10-year JGB yields to 25 bps. Since then, long yields in Japan and core Europe have largely traded sideways – but the pressure heats up if yields rise again in core Europe on the  scale that they rose from the beginning of the year (German 10-year moving from -60 bps to as high as -20 bps). As well, we are entering an interesting political season in Europe as the German political situation heats up (see above) ahead of elections five months from now, with the EU fiscal underwhelming. Watch long yields in the US and Europe as a coincident indicator on whether this pair is toppish or set for an extension higher on rising sovereign yields.

Source: Saxo Group

Table: FX Board of G-10+CNH trend evolution and strength
As noted above, we have weak trend readings in terms of absolute values, with the most remarkable development in recent sessions the scale of mean reversion, for example, SEK and CHF picking themselves off the mat after a drubbing in the face of rising US treasury yields, while sterling has moved in the opposite direction in a rather violent bout of mean reversion after strongly trending higher versus the Euro. In aggregate, we need to see clear chart developments in coming sessions to suggest that the mean reversion (for example, EURUSD rally to extend) is developing into a new real trend rather than a range trade, or we need to see a new acceleration in US yields that sees the broader USD move finding new legs, for example.

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Upcoming Economic Calendar Highlights (all times GMT)

  • 1300 – UK Bank of England’s Tenreyro to Speak

  • 1530 – US 3-year Treasury Auction

  • 1700 – US Fed’s Rosengren (Non-voter) to speak

  • 1700 – US 10-year Treasury Auction

  • 2245 – New Zealand Mar. Card Spending

  • 0130 – Australia Mar. NAB Business Conditions

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • Upending the global order at blinding speed

    Quarterly Outlook

    Upending the global order at blinding speed

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    We are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime shredding of the global order. As the new order takes shape, ...
  • Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Quarterly Outlook

    Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Jacob Falkencrone

    Global Head of Investment Strategy

  • Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Quarterly Outlook

    China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd. (Saxo) and the Saxo Bank Group provides execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation. Access and use of this website is subject to: (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; (iii) the Risk Warning; and (iv) any other notice or terms applying to Saxo’s news and research.

Saxo’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

Please refer to our full disclaimer for more details.

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992