FX Update: USD rebound needs far more to call it a reversal.

FX Update: USD rebound needs far more to call it a reversal.

Forex
John J. Hardy

Chief Macro Strategist

Summary:  The US dollar is rebounding as we kick off the week as China’s zero tolerance policy on Covid strikes again to dash sentiment on the first official deaths there in months. The rebound will need to continue take wing, likely amidst a more profound negative sentiment shift, to call a bullish reversal. One might think that the US Thanksgiving holiday this week should mean little volatility in the FX market, but recent years have seen no reduced volatility on Thanksgiving week.


FX Trading focus: US Thanksgiving weeks can be like any other, history shows. A lot more USD upside needed to call reversal. Big test for stretched kiwi over RBNZ.

We have opened the week on a sour note as China registered the first official Covid deaths there in months and moved to shut down activity in areas that were in the process of normalizing. Hard to believe that this China reopening story will every really arrive until we get a clear signal that the country’s leadership is willing to risk the impact of huge spike in the virus count. USDCNH is the USD pair of note that is perhaps closest to posting a bullish reversal – only needing another percent or so (up through 7.20-25 after trading 7.17 today) – to suggest the late setback for USD bulls is easing more profoundly.

It’s tempting to think that, with US markets closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and most of the country out on holiday on Friday as well, that we shouldn’t expect much in the way of volatility or directional moves in the greenback. The most recent historical evidence suggests this is a misguided assumption. In 2020, the weak US dollar of the time continued to set new broad cycle lows, while it saw a powerful resistance-breaking rise on the week of Thanksgiving last year. The context this year is less straightforward: the recent US dollar sell-off was on the heels of an enormous strengthening move and was triggered by that weak CPI data print on the November 10. But since the greenback troughed a short couple of sessions later, we have been largely backfilling, with considerable further room for that to continue without triggering a bullish reversal. That would require that EURUSD work down through 1.0100, GBPUSD through at least 1.1650, and AUDUSD through perhaps 0.6500. This week’s US data is mostly second-tier and is all piled on Wednesday because of the Thanksgiving holiday. (Wednesday sees the final University of Michigan confidence for November, Oct. Durable Goods Orders, Oct. New Home Sales, weekly initial jobless claims, and the FOMC minutes). The more important data, as we have emphasized, only rolls in from November 30 (October PCE) to the November CPI (December 13) with the November jobs report next Friday.

Chart: NZDUSD
A remarkable run for NZDUSD of late faces an interesting test here with somewhat downbeat risk sentiment and the market’s indecision on whether the RBNZ will hike by 50 basis points once again or will accelerate to a 75-basis point pace after hot inflation data for Q3. Even just a 38.2% retracement of the rally off the lows would see sub-0.6000 levels in play, with the specific level at 0.5941, also near a sticky resistance area on the way up.

Source: Saxo Group

Central bank highlights this week include the RBNZ, which is up Wednesday (Tuesday night European time) and where expectations shifted in favour of a 75 basis point move after the mid-October Q3 CPI release proved far hotter than expected, but have settled a bit, such that currently, the market is about 50-50 on whether it will be 50 or 75 basis points. I‘m not sure the RBNZ will want to accelerate its hikes when it was one of the first to move and has been consistent with the 50 basis point moves, with no need to play catch-up as it is among the rate leaders in the G10. As well, we have seen a strong dose of kiwi strength since that CPI release last month, as the NZD is some 5% higher against the AUD from the peak in late September and 10% stronger versus the US dollar (more in the chart below). Shortly put – certainly possible that the RBNZ goes 75 but I would find it surprising. As a side note, if risk sentiment returns, the kiwi may get very little from a larger move. In short, I am getting a bit contrarian on NZD strength after a run of the kiwi proving the strongest among G10 currencies for the last couple of weeks, I question the need for the RBNZ to accelerate this far into the cycle.

The other central bank meeting among G10 currencies is the Riksbank up on Thursday, with a 75 basis point move expected that will take the rate to 2.50% after the super-sized 100 basis point move in September. There is considerable trepidation in Sweden on the impact of the rate tightening on housing, where prices are tumbling already. One survey just out reported house prices down -3% in October and down -14% from peak With the majority of the tightening set to have unfolded over just two meetings over two months, the Swedish financial system could eventually face a challenge that will require some form of bailout if prices fall too rapidly, though there are no real signs of stress on the banking front, even if at least one property developer is seeking a debt restructuring. Regardless, quite a large discount in the krona has developed recently relative to its normal correlation with risk sentiment, which has been a strong tear on Europe over the last several weeks. Watching the 11.00+ highs of the cycle in EURSEK for next steps.

Table: FX Board of G10 and CNH trend evolution and strength.
Momentum has built up on positive side for the US dollar, if only sufficient to cut the negative USD trend reading in half – so a lot more needed to reverse weak USD picture. Elsewhere, noting the outsized NZD strength ahead of RBNZ on Wednesday and SEK weakness ahead of Riksbank on Thursday and despite strong risk sentiment in Europe.

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Table: FX Board Trend Scoreboard for individual pairs.
As noted, the USD pair closest to a reversal is USDCNH, while it is interesting to note JPY weakness today as EURJPY bids for an upside reversal and a pair like AUDJPY is not far from an upside reversal as well. Sterling continues its resilience after the bleak budget statement last Thursday, if not against the greenback today.

Source: Bloomberg and Saxo Group

Upcoming Economic Calendar Highlights

  • 1330 – US Oct. Chicago Fed National Activity Index
  • 1800 – US Fed’s Daly (Voter 2024) to speak
  • 2145 – New Zealand Oct. Trade Balance

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • 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

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...
Disclaimer

The Saxo 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 is not intended to and does not change or expand on this. 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 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 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 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 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 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-hk/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments. Saxo does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo or its affiliates.

Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited
19th Floor
Shanghai Commercial Bank Tower
12 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong

Contact Saxo

Select region

Hong Kong S.A.R
Hong Kong S.A.R

Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited (“Saxo”) is a company authorised and regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. Saxo holds a Type 1 Regulated Activity (Dealing in Securities); Type 2 Regulated Activity (Dealing in Futures Contract); Type 3 Regulated Activity (Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading); Type 4 Regulated Activity (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 Regulated Activity (Asset Management) licenses (CE No. AVD061). Registered address: 19th Floor, Shanghai Commercial Bank Tower, 12 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Trading in leveraged products may result in your losses exceeding your initial deposits. Saxo does not provide financial advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. Please click here to view the relevant risk disclosure statements.

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-hk/about-us/awards.

The information or the products and services referred to on this site may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and services offered on this website are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity residing in the United States and Japan. Please click here to view our full disclaimer.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.