Talking Points:
Dollar Torn Between 19-Month Low Treasury Yields and S&P 500 Tumble
Euro Can’t Catch a Break as Docket Holds CPI, Jobs, Greece Auction
Yen Crosses Suffer Biggest Drop in Over Four Years
Dollar Torn Between 19-Month Low Treasury Yields and S&P 500 Tumble
The scent of fear hangs heavy in the air. While speculative benchmarks like US equities are only modestly off record highs and leveraged positioning looks to be relatively stable, the hallmarks of ‘risk aversion’ are coming through clearly. Asset classes that are otherwise unconnected (equities, high-yield fixed income, carry trade, emerging markets, etc) are all suffering a significant correction. Few things can align these different markets so readily to heavy selling pressure, and at the top of that list is an elemental need to unwind ‘risky’ positions. Should this fire truly catch, it can sweep through the markets quickly. Yet, we have seen many false starts before. Statistics like a 5-day, 4.2 percent decline from the S&P 500 for the worst start to a year in 14 years adds a level of excitability to the breadth of the sentiment move. Yet, such a wide fundamental turn will come with plenty of mile markers. Recent history suggests it is reasonable to remain skeptical; but should the migration of capital to havens build, investors should be ready to make the trade as probabilities finally flip.
One notable absentee from the list of high-profile risk players to start 2015 is the US Dollar. The Greenback is a safe haven in rough financial seas, yet its performance over the same period has proven uneven. There are those that consider this divergence from character evidence that the currency has changed colors and is now a ‘carry currency’. The Dollar has certainly build up considerable premium the past six months on a hawkish interest rate forecast that marks it as the first of the major central banks expected to hike rates. That represents ground that can be forfeited as the local and global policy view softens. However, the US currency is coming off of a zero bound and even a tempered outlook would place it in a materially-better position than counterparts like the ECB and BoJ. In a modest risk aversion view, pressure on US rates can play through without hitting a sentiment extreme where the Greenback takes up the roll of a liquidity beacon. If sentiment settles or collapses, the Dollar is in a good position to continue gaining ground.
Euro Can’t Catch a Break as Docket Holds CPI, Jobs, Greece Auction
Though it eased its pain, the Euro was still broadly lower through Wednesday’s session. Top scheduled event risk this past session was a round of December service sector and composite PMI figures which are considered good proxy for GDP. While the ‘core’ measures of the Eurozone, Germen and French reports were second readings; fresh readings would come from a few other important EZ members. On the one hand, Spain and Ireland showed improvement. On the other, Italy slipped back into contractionary territory (below 50). When we consider the improvements do little to fundamental change the outlook while weak showings exacerbate an already troubled situation, it is easier to understand the market’s siding with the pessimistic. Ahead, the fundamental headlines will be bigger. Employment figures for Germany and the Eurozone are important growth figures (the former moreso than the latter as Germany is the biggest hurdle to stimulus). The region’s CPI update will give us a definitive measure for just how intense the pressure for ECB President Draghi to push a QE program is. And, though it may be somewhat under the radar, watch for Greece’s 6-month bill auction. This is an opportunity to gauge the market’s confidence in Greece ahead of the election.
Yen Crosses Suffer Biggest Drop in Over Four Years
The Yen was this past session’s strongest major. Though not as stubborn as the S&P 500 as a barometer for investor sentiment, Yen crosses have proven remarkably resilient to false starts in risk aversion – and for good reason as the BoJ’s stimulus drive makes for a convincing counterbalance. Skepticism is starting to crack. The EURJPY and GBPJPY have now carved out hefty three-day declines (the biggest in three and four years respectively). Will Abe or Kuroda panic if the correction continues? It’s unlikely until we are much lower. Watch risk.
British Pound: Interest Rate Expectations Drop, Sterling Hobbled
While much attention has been paid to EURUSD and Yen crosses, the Cable (GBPUSD) has dropped sharply since 2015 trading began. Sterling selling has been hearty enough to offset the Euro’s own weakness to see EURGBP actually rise. The source of this Pound weakness is rate forecasts. Short Sterling futures have further pushed the timetable of the BoE’s first rate hike out to December. It was 1Q three months ago.
Australian Dollar: Local 10-Year Yield Hits Record Low
Australia’s benchmark 10-year Government Bond yield dropped as low as 2.614 percent today – the lowest on record. While low yields isn’t particularly unique in developed economies as investors seek safety, this is a stark reminder of just how little yield there is to be had from even the favored carry / high-returned assets. If risk aversion takes in earnest, it could be a significant correction before we return to a fair balance.
Emerging Markets Suffer But Not With the Same Intensity
Global equities have suffered tumbles we haven’t seen in years, which suggests risk aversion is become serious. And yet, we find the MSCI’s Emerging Market ETF is reticent to follow a similar intensity. Though near an 18-month range low, the ETF hasn’t even slipped below December’s lows. Yet, should conditions improve or worsen; troubles like those with Russia are unlikely to resolve quickly and easily.
Gold Safe Haven Appeal Gaining Traction
It seems we have finally struck a gold bug nerve. Through Tuesday, gold is up three consecutive day for the first time in three months. Between a flight to quality that is not strong enough to have market participants question liquidity (which pushes them to Dollars and Treasuries) is the perfect balance for the metal. However, that means this is another Goldilocks position that is unlikely to hold for long. **Bring the economic calendar to your charts with the DailyFX News App.
ECONOMIC DATA
GMT
Currency
Release
Survey
Previous
Comments
22:30
AUD
AiG Performance of Service Index (DEC)
43.8
Index has been declining for the year of 2014.
0:00
NZD
ANZ Commodity Price (MoM) (DEC)
-1.60%
Global commodity prices have been declining in 2014.
0:01
GBP
BRC Shop Price Index (YoY) (DEC)
-1.80%
-1.90%
Index has been contracting since May 2013.
1:45
CNY
Westpac-MNI Consumer Sentiment (DEC)
111
Has been declining in 2014.
7:00
EUR
German Retail Sales (MoM) (NOV)
0.20%
1.6%
Measure isn’t likely going to impact the market’s expectations of future ECB policy.
7:00
EUR
German Retail Sales (YoY) (NOV)
0.60%
1.70%
8:00
CHF
Foreign Currency Reserves (DEC)
472.0B
462.4B
Has been rising since the SNB pegged the Franc to the Euro.
8:30
EUR
Markit Germany Construction PMI (DEC)
53.5
Last month’s reading showed expansion despite the anemic growth in the EU.
8:55
EUR
German Unemployment Rate s.a. (DEC)
6.60%
6.60%
Unemployment rate declined in Germany in 2014.
8:55
EUR
German Unemployment Change (DEC)
-6K
-14K
9:00
GBP
New Car Registrations (YoY) (DEC)
8.00%
Has been rising in 2014.
9:00
EUR
Italian Unemployment Rate (NOV P)
13.30%
13.20%
Unemployment continues to be high in the Italy.
9:10
EUR
Markit Germany Retail PMI (DEC)
52.8
All three measures have been increasing since September 2014. Germany is only one showing expansion.
9:10
EUR
Markit Eurozone Retail PMI (DEC)
48.9
9:10
EUR
Markit France Retail PMI (DEC)
47.9
9:30
GBP
Lloyds Business Barometer (DEC)
42
Has been falling in 2014.
10:00
EUR
Euro-Zone Unemployment Rate (NOV)
11.50%
11.50%
EU unemployment rate might be at a high rate due to the weakness in the periphery countries.
10:00
EUR
Eurozone CPI Estimate (YoY) (DEC)
-0.10%
0.30%
Inflation has been growing anemically in the Eurozone and has been trending downward for the EU. Continued weakness in inflation might encourage the ECB to expand stimulus efforts.
10:00
EUR
Eurozone CPI – Core (YoY) (DEC A)
0.70%
0.70%
12:00
USD
MBA Mortgage Applications (JAN 2)
A volatile measure.
13:15
USD
ADP Employment Change (DEC)
225K
208K
Has been expanding at a strong pace this year. Labor market performance is used by Fed when deciding on short term interest rates.
13:30
USD
Trade Balance (NOV)
-$42.0B
-$43.4B
Weakness in the Eurozone and China might weigh on US exports.
13:30
CAD
International Merchandise Trade (Canadian dollar) (DEC)
-0.20B
0.10B
Lower oil prices might weigh on Canada’s oil exports.
15:00
CAD
Ivey Purchasing Managers Index s.a. (DEC)
52
56.9
Has remained unchanged for 2014.
GMT
Currency
Upcoming Events & Speeches
9:00
EUR
Greece to sell 1.25 Bln in 6 Month Bills (Amid Elections)
10:30
GBP
UK to sell £950 mln in 30 year Inflation-Linked Bonds
19:00
USD
Fed Releases Minutes from Its Dec. 16-17 FOMC Meeting
23:30
USD
Fed President Evans Speaks on Monetary Policy in Chicago
SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS
To see updated SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS for the Majors, visit Technical Analysis Portal
To see updated PIVOT POINT LEVELS for the Majors and Crosses, visit our Pivot Point Table
CLASSIC SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE
EMERGING MARKETS 18:00 GMT
SCANDIES CURRENCIES 18:00 GMT
Currency
USD/MXN
USD/TRY
USD/ZAR
USD/HKD
USD/SGD
Currency
USD/SEK
USD/DKK
USD/NOK
Resist 2
15.5900
2.5000
12.7000
7.8165
1.3650
Resist 2
8.7400
6.8500
8.4735
Resist 1
15.0000
2.4000
11.8750
7.8075
1.3475
Resist 1
8.1375
6.3325
7.8360
Spot
14.8820
2.3268
11.7308
7.7545
1.3372
Spot
7.9351
6.2688
7.7560
Support 1
14.3800
2.1900
10.2500
7.7490
1.3200
Support 1
7.5200
5.9100
7.2945
Support 2
13.6800
2.0700
9.3700
7.7450
1.2000
Support 2
7.3285
5.7775
6.7280
INTRA-DAY PROBABILITY BANDS 18:00 GMT
CCY
EUR/USD
GBP/USD
USD/JPY
USD/CHF
USD/CAD
AUD/USD
NZD/USD
EUR/JPY
Gold
Res 3
1.1986
1.5261
120.52
1.0225
1.1933
0.8159
0.7844
143.03
1243.42
Res 2
1.1957
1.5229
120.17
1.0198
1.1907
0.8136
0.7820
142.62
1236.80
Res 1
1.1928
1.5198
119.83
1.0172
1.1881
0.8113
0.7796
142.22
1230.19
Spot
1.1870
1.5135
119.13
1.0119
1.1829
0.8066
0.7749
141.41
1216.95
Supp 1
1.1812
1.5072
118.43
1.0066
1.1777
0.8019
0.7702
140.60
1203.71
Supp 2
1.1783
1.5041
118.09
1.0040
1.1751
0.7996
0.7678
140.20
1197.10
Supp 3
1.1754
1.5009
117.74
1.0013
1.1725
0.7973
0.7654
139.79
1190.48
v
— Written by: John Kicklighter, Chief Strategist for DailyFX.com
To contact John, email jkicklighter@dailyfx.com. Follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JohnKicklighter
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