EURUSD eyes massive 1.1500 level ahead of EU summit

Yesterday saw the market buffeted by fresh headlines from the Trump administration on whether China will be singled out in banning inbound investment in areas considered sensitive for national security. The signals have been conflicting, but it seems that Secretary of Treasury Mnuchin has managed to steer policy away from the most confrontational approach, though the net result may be the same – i.e. that the existing so-called “CFIUS” framework will be updated and mobilised to effectively carry out the same policy. 

After a rather wild swing in risk appetite on trade-policy headlines hitting the wires, yesterday resulted in a risk-off day with the major US stock indices settling back toward their lows and long US yields also drooping to local new lows. Somewhat surprisingly, the USD ended the day stronger across the board and with a flourish of conviction – even in USDJPY, although the JPY was firm in most crosses. The explanation may be down to China allowing the renminbi to sharply devalue over the last couple of weeks, which many are linking to the threat of US trade policy. Regardless of the reason, China is the  economic center of gravity in Asia, and its FX policy makes waves for the entire region. As well, the sharply higher oil prices yesterday are JPY-negative as Japan is so reliant on fuel imports.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand statement was in line with dovish expectations, though it did manage to trigger a slight further slide in front-end NZ yields, taking the NZD with it. The technical situation in both NZDUSD and AUDNZD looks rather pivotal, as the former looks at multi-year lows and the latter at the 1.0800-50 pivot zone that has set the tone in recent months. The statement maintained the conviction that a two-way policy potential is warranted, citing risks from trade tensions and a recent weak GDP print, while expressing the hope that inflation is likely to come into view over the longer haul.

For the balance of this week, we look forward to political headlines coming out of the European Union council summit, which starts today in Brussels. Late yesterday, Greece’s prime minister Tsipras made a friendly overture on accepting migrants back into Greece from Germany (no doubt in exchange for future political considerations and money to deal with the situation). This could extend German chancellor some leverage in dealing with other nations on the issue and make good with her CSU coalition partner on the issue. The EU has a tall task ahead of it in agreeing on migration policy as the outdated Dublin regulation is not up to task. Sterling seems to be fretting this EU council summit today on the lack of progress in Brexit negotiations – look for signals on that front as well and note that EURGBP is poised at the top of the multi-month range this morning and around the 200-day moving average.

Chart: EURUSD

EURUSD has given up its gains within the range after the odd period of not following through lower after the dovish European Central Bank meeting. The 1.1500 area is pivotal in the longer-term perspective and an extension of USD strength here could bring the 1.1200 area into view, as a major 61.8% Fibonacci support comes in just below that level for the entire rally sequence from the sub-1.0400 lows to the 1.2500-plus highs.