AUD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
In Dec the RBA kept rates at 0.10% and weekly bond purchases at A$4bln until mid-Feb, as expected. They reiterated that they are committed to maintaining highly supportive monetary conditions and won’t raise rates until actual inflation is sustainably within their 2%-3% target range. They noted that the economy is recovering from the Delta slowdown and is expected to return to pre-Delta path in 1H22. The positive take from the meeting was that the RBA does not think Omicron will derail the recovery and sounded a bit more optimistic than markets anticipated. They also said they will consider the future of their QE program at the Feb meeting and outlined their criteria which include actions of other central banks, bond market functioning and actual and expected progress towards the goals of full employment and inflation consistent with their target. All in all, the bank still had a dovish stance but was more optimistic about the economy than expected. Furthermore, out of the 3 criteria set by the bank, the first two is arguably a green light, so now we wait for incoming economic data to see whether it’s good enough for the bank to stop QE.
2. Economic & Health Developments
There are 4 key drivers we’re watching for Australia’s med-term outlook: The virus situation – so far, the RBA has been positive about a post-Delta recovery, but incoming employment and inflation data will be crucial to see whether that optimism is justified. China – Even though the PBoC has finally stepped up with new stimulus & some fiscal support is expected in 1H22, the Covid-Zero policy in China does risk that the expected 2022 recovery might be delayed (not derailed) so the recent rapid rise in cases is one to watch in case China sees additional lockdown restrictions. Politically, the recent AUKUS defence pact could see possible retaliation from China against Australian goods. Commodities – Iron Ore, (24% of exports) and Coal prices (18% of exports) are important for terms of trade, and with both of them pushing higher on PBoC easing, that is a positive for the AUD as long as they remain their recent push higher. Global growth – as a risk proxy, where the global economy goes from here will be another important consideration for AUD, with more focus on China though.
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the AUD benefited from the market's improving risk outlook coming out of the pandemic as participants moved out of safe-havens. As a pro-cyclical currency, the AUD enjoyed upside alongside other cyclical assets supported by reflation and post-recession recovery best. If expectations for the global economy remains positive the overall positive outlook for risk sentiment should be supportive for the AUD in the med-term, but recent short-term jitters are a timely reminder that risk sentiment is also a very important short-term driver.
4. CFTC Analysis
Latest CFTC data showed positioning change of -7526 with a net non-commercial position of -89366. As outsized net-shorts are usually seen as a contrarian indicator we want to be mindful of potential squeezes higher for the AUD, which also means that the AUD is likely to be more sensitive to positive data than negative data. The downside in equities have seen an additional increase in net-shorts and has once again moved closer towards historical lows, so be weary of short squeezes in the event of positive news.
5. The Week Ahead
The week ahead is light in terms of economic data for the Aussie Dollar with only Retail Sales on the schedule. Even though it’s not a tier 1 data point, a substantial surprise could be market-moving for the AUD in the event of an unexpected beat which might see some of the stretched net-shorts square up and could create some upside in the AUD. Apart from that, the idea of a faster Fed as well as the steep rise in global yields have put equities under pressure, and as a favourite risk proxy has hit the AUD quite hard, so any further downside in equities will be important for the AUD this week and could see further pressure added if it also coincides with additional lockdown fears in China. On the China front we also have Chinese inflation data coming out this week so keep that on the radar for potential reactions in the AUD as well.
USD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
A lot more hawkish than expected is how the Fed’s Dec decision can be summed up. The Fed doubled the pace of tapering to $30 billion per month which will see the QE program conclude by March 2022 as was widely expected. The big change came from the updated Summary of Econ Projections where the median dot plot pencilled in 3 hikes for the Fed next year (up from just shy of 1 hike projected just 3 months ago), confirming money market and Fed Fund Future expectations. Fed Chair Powell explained they hadn’t decided whether to pause between the end of tapering and a first hike but reiterated that rates will likely only rise when the taper has concluded. Another positive shift was Powell’s comments that the balance of goals means it could possibly raise rates before full employment has been met due to high inflation, and also stated that with inflation above target, they cannot wait too long to get to maximum employment with current levels of inflation described as a threat to full employment. The hawkish tilt even went so far that the bank started to discuss the balance sheet but said they didn't make any decisions on when the balance sheet would shrink. Even though the dots projected 3 hikes for 2022, the updated rate hike trajectory only showed 1 additional hike over the forecast horizon, which combined with a lower terminal rate was less hawkish than some had feared. Nonetheless, with this recent meeting the Fed is now the second most hawkish CB after the RBNZ and should be supportive for the USD in the med-term. This past week’s meeting minutes also revealed that the bank has started discussing QT with majority of members thinking it’s appropriate to start QT soon after rate lift off which was a much more hawkish tilt than expected from the Fed.
2. Real Yields
With the hawkish tilt from the Fed, it should see breakeven inflation rates fall faster than US10Y as a more aggressive Fed should see med-term growth & inflation expectations fall. Rising real yields should be good for the USD as well and one to keep on the radar, especially after this weeks divergence.
3. Global Risk Outlook
What happens to growth and inflation this year will be key for the USD, not only growth and inflation in the US though but also on a global scale. The USD usually does bad in reflationary environments (where growth and inflation accelerates globally), while the USD usually does very well when growth and inflation decelerates globally). So, expectations that we are seeing a slowdown in both of them globally should be a positive input for the USD in the med-term. However, it also means there will be a lot of focus on the
incoming data to see how it develops.
4. CFTC Analysis
Latest CFTC data showed a positioning change of +2289 with a net non-commercial position of +39078. With large specs net-longs close to 2019 highs and leverage funds USD longs also looking stretched, and with a lot of the Fed hawkishness arguably priced in, the USD has been looking vulnerable to some unwinding, which is what we saw this past week. Even though the Fed remains on a hawkish path (for now) and the USD remains bullish from a fundamental outlook point of view, with positioning where it is right now, any recovery in risk sentiment or bad economic data in the US relative to the rest of the world could continue to add some pressure on the Greenback in the short-term. However, it will take a lot to change the overall fundamental bullish outlook given what markets are expecting from 2022.
5. The Week Ahead
In the week ahead all eyes will be on US CPI as the main event. Even though there are expectations for inflation to slow, we are not there yet as participants are expecting yet another strong increase for the YY print with the headline expected to push above 7% and the Core measure expected well above 5%. Are these numbers that will scare the markets or the Fed, arguably not, because what more is there to price in. With markets already pricing in 3 hikes (a high probability of a first one in March) and pricing in higher probabilities of more than 3 hikes alongside QT, this week’s print needs to be something truly exceptional to see even more priced in. Thus, just like with NFP last week, we are anticipating more of a downside risk for the USD given the very high bar set by the markets. With everything that has been priced in for the Fed already, an unexpected beat can open up some decent downside in the USD. Just keep in mind that will be tactical trades as the fundamental outlook remains bullish for the USD.
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
In Dec the RBA kept rates at 0.10% and weekly bond purchases at A$4bln until mid-Feb, as expected. They reiterated that they are committed to maintaining highly supportive monetary conditions and won’t raise rates until actual inflation is sustainably within their 2%-3% target range. They noted that the economy is recovering from the Delta slowdown and is expected to return to pre-Delta path in 1H22. The positive take from the meeting was that the RBA does not think Omicron will derail the recovery and sounded a bit more optimistic than markets anticipated. They also said they will consider the future of their QE program at the Feb meeting and outlined their criteria which include actions of other central banks, bond market functioning and actual and expected progress towards the goals of full employment and inflation consistent with their target. All in all, the bank still had a dovish stance but was more optimistic about the economy than expected. Furthermore, out of the 3 criteria set by the bank, the first two is arguably a green light, so now we wait for incoming economic data to see whether it’s good enough for the bank to stop QE.
2. Economic & Health Developments
There are 4 key drivers we’re watching for Australia’s med-term outlook: The virus situation – so far, the RBA has been positive about a post-Delta recovery, but incoming employment and inflation data will be crucial to see whether that optimism is justified. China – Even though the PBoC has finally stepped up with new stimulus & some fiscal support is expected in 1H22, the Covid-Zero policy in China does risk that the expected 2022 recovery might be delayed (not derailed) so the recent rapid rise in cases is one to watch in case China sees additional lockdown restrictions. Politically, the recent AUKUS defence pact could see possible retaliation from China against Australian goods. Commodities – Iron Ore, (24% of exports) and Coal prices (18% of exports) are important for terms of trade, and with both of them pushing higher on PBoC easing, that is a positive for the AUD as long as they remain their recent push higher. Global growth – as a risk proxy, where the global economy goes from here will be another important consideration for AUD, with more focus on China though.
3. Global Risk Outlook
As a high-beta currency, the AUD benefited from the market's improving risk outlook coming out of the pandemic as participants moved out of safe-havens. As a pro-cyclical currency, the AUD enjoyed upside alongside other cyclical assets supported by reflation and post-recession recovery best. If expectations for the global economy remains positive the overall positive outlook for risk sentiment should be supportive for the AUD in the med-term, but recent short-term jitters are a timely reminder that risk sentiment is also a very important short-term driver.
4. CFTC Analysis
Latest CFTC data showed positioning change of -7526 with a net non-commercial position of -89366. As outsized net-shorts are usually seen as a contrarian indicator we want to be mindful of potential squeezes higher for the AUD, which also means that the AUD is likely to be more sensitive to positive data than negative data. The downside in equities have seen an additional increase in net-shorts and has once again moved closer towards historical lows, so be weary of short squeezes in the event of positive news.
5. The Week Ahead
The week ahead is light in terms of economic data for the Aussie Dollar with only Retail Sales on the schedule. Even though it’s not a tier 1 data point, a substantial surprise could be market-moving for the AUD in the event of an unexpected beat which might see some of the stretched net-shorts square up and could create some upside in the AUD. Apart from that, the idea of a faster Fed as well as the steep rise in global yields have put equities under pressure, and as a favourite risk proxy has hit the AUD quite hard, so any further downside in equities will be important for the AUD this week and could see further pressure added if it also coincides with additional lockdown fears in China. On the China front we also have Chinese inflation data coming out this week so keep that on the radar for potential reactions in the AUD as well.
USD
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Monetary Policy
A lot more hawkish than expected is how the Fed’s Dec decision can be summed up. The Fed doubled the pace of tapering to $30 billion per month which will see the QE program conclude by March 2022 as was widely expected. The big change came from the updated Summary of Econ Projections where the median dot plot pencilled in 3 hikes for the Fed next year (up from just shy of 1 hike projected just 3 months ago), confirming money market and Fed Fund Future expectations. Fed Chair Powell explained they hadn’t decided whether to pause between the end of tapering and a first hike but reiterated that rates will likely only rise when the taper has concluded. Another positive shift was Powell’s comments that the balance of goals means it could possibly raise rates before full employment has been met due to high inflation, and also stated that with inflation above target, they cannot wait too long to get to maximum employment with current levels of inflation described as a threat to full employment. The hawkish tilt even went so far that the bank started to discuss the balance sheet but said they didn't make any decisions on when the balance sheet would shrink. Even though the dots projected 3 hikes for 2022, the updated rate hike trajectory only showed 1 additional hike over the forecast horizon, which combined with a lower terminal rate was less hawkish than some had feared. Nonetheless, with this recent meeting the Fed is now the second most hawkish CB after the RBNZ and should be supportive for the USD in the med-term. This past week’s meeting minutes also revealed that the bank has started discussing QT with majority of members thinking it’s appropriate to start QT soon after rate lift off which was a much more hawkish tilt than expected from the Fed.
2. Real Yields
With the hawkish tilt from the Fed, it should see breakeven inflation rates fall faster than US10Y as a more aggressive Fed should see med-term growth & inflation expectations fall. Rising real yields should be good for the USD as well and one to keep on the radar, especially after this weeks divergence.
3. Global Risk Outlook
What happens to growth and inflation this year will be key for the USD, not only growth and inflation in the US though but also on a global scale. The USD usually does bad in reflationary environments (where growth and inflation accelerates globally), while the USD usually does very well when growth and inflation decelerates globally). So, expectations that we are seeing a slowdown in both of them globally should be a positive input for the USD in the med-term. However, it also means there will be a lot of focus on the
incoming data to see how it develops.
4. CFTC Analysis
Latest CFTC data showed a positioning change of +2289 with a net non-commercial position of +39078. With large specs net-longs close to 2019 highs and leverage funds USD longs also looking stretched, and with a lot of the Fed hawkishness arguably priced in, the USD has been looking vulnerable to some unwinding, which is what we saw this past week. Even though the Fed remains on a hawkish path (for now) and the USD remains bullish from a fundamental outlook point of view, with positioning where it is right now, any recovery in risk sentiment or bad economic data in the US relative to the rest of the world could continue to add some pressure on the Greenback in the short-term. However, it will take a lot to change the overall fundamental bullish outlook given what markets are expecting from 2022.
5. The Week Ahead
In the week ahead all eyes will be on US CPI as the main event. Even though there are expectations for inflation to slow, we are not there yet as participants are expecting yet another strong increase for the YY print with the headline expected to push above 7% and the Core measure expected well above 5%. Are these numbers that will scare the markets or the Fed, arguably not, because what more is there to price in. With markets already pricing in 3 hikes (a high probability of a first one in March) and pricing in higher probabilities of more than 3 hikes alongside QT, this week’s print needs to be something truly exceptional to see even more priced in. Thus, just like with NFP last week, we are anticipating more of a downside risk for the USD given the very high bar set by the markets. With everything that has been priced in for the Fed already, an unexpected beat can open up some decent downside in the USD. Just keep in mind that will be tactical trades as the fundamental outlook remains bullish for the USD.