USD
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: BULLISH
BASELINE
With headline CPI above 8% and Core CPI seeing another acceleration in the SEP CPI data, the Fed is under pressure to continue hiking rates and ramping up QT. Markets expect another 75bsp hike in NOV and currently prices the terminal rate at 4.89%. The Fed is on a data-dependent (meeting-by-meeting) policy stance, meaning incoming growth, inflation and jobs data remains a key driver for short-term USD volatility where we expect a cyclical reaction with incoming data for both the USD and US10Y (good data expected to be supportive for the USD while bad data is expected to pressure the USD). Our expectation for a softer USD this past week played to our advantage with a punchy move lower in the Dollar. The week ahead is filled with lots of US economic data and the FOMC policy decision which will all be important drivers for the USD.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data. Thus, extremely good growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bullish reactions in the USD. If the cyclical outlook continues to weaken, the USD’s safe haven status still matters. Any incoming catalysts that increase deep recession fears and triggers strong moves lower in risk assets & bonds can trigger safe haven flows into the USD. With a lot priced for the Fed and USD, the bar is high for hawkish Fed surprises, but any aggressive Fed speak talking up a >5.0% terminal rate can trigger further USD upside.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data. Thus, extremely bad growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bearish reactions in the USD. If the cyclical outlook starts to improve, the USD’s safe haven status still matters. Any incoming catalysts that decrease deep recession fears and triggers strong moves higher in risk assets & bonds can trigger safe haven outflows out of the USD. With a lot priced in for the Fed and the USD, it won’t take much to disappoint on the dovish side. Any big concerns about growth from Fed speakers could trigger outflows.
BIGGER PICTURE
The fundamental outlook for the USD remains bullish as long as the Fed stays hawkish and cyclical concerns put pressure on risk sentiment. The data dependent stance from the Fed means that short-term data surprises can pull the USD either way and would be our preferred way of trading the Dollar right now. We have a very excited economic calendar for the US in the week ahead, with lots of important economic data and the FOMC meeting. For the econ data our expectation is for a cyclical reaction where very good data is expected to support the USD and very bad data expected to pressure the USD. As for the Fed, the main focus will be on whether the FOMC confirms a downshift in the pace and size of hikes.
CAD
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: NEUTRAL
BASELINE
Recent economic data has shown some deterioration for the growth outlook with three consecutive months of contraction in jobs, falling house prices, and a deceleration in both core and headline CPI . The previous jobs data gave the CAD a decent lift with its first jobs gain in four weeks, but at 21K jobs added, the job market is still down 92K jobs in the last four months. Despite very hawkish comments from Gov Macklem heading into the Oct meeting, the bank surprised markets with a 50bsp hike when markets were pricing in a 75bsp hike. The bank also stated there is increased risks of a recession during 1H23. This saw initial downside in the CAD as one would expect, but the press conference not closing the door on another 50bsp hike saw some reprieve. Due to the economic outlook, we think the CAD might struggle to in the weeks ahead, unless Oil prices can push higher to provide some upside from a terms of trade perspective.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
Catalysts that see upside in Oil (deteriorating supply outlook, ease in demand fears, OPEC developments) could trigger bullish CAD reactions. As a risk sensitive currency, and catalyst that causes big bouts of risk on sentiment could trigger bullish reactions in the CAD. After the BoC’s dovish shift but leaving the door open for another 50bsp, a very strong labour report could see markets price in a higher chance for a 50bsp and support the CAD.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
Catalysts that trigger downside in oil (deteriorating demand outlook, ease in supply shortage, less supply constraints, OPEC developments) could be a negative catalyst for the CAD as well. As a risk sensitive currency, and catalyst that causes big bouts of risk off sentiment could trigger bearish reactions in the CAD. After the BoC’s dovish shift markets are only pricing in a 25bsp for the next meeting, and a big enough miss could see further downside in the CAD and lower terminal rate expectations.
BIGGER PICTURE
The bigger picture outlook for the CAD remains neutral for now. Given the clear risks to the growth outlook (recent negative econ data and fall in oil prices) we remain cautious on the currency. Furthermore, with lots of good news priced, and with the BoC close to terminal rate expectations, our preferred way of trading the CAD is lower on clear short-term negative catalysts. In the week ahead the overall risk tone will be important from a risk sentiment perspective, but majority of focus will be on the jobs report on Friday which markets will use as a guide for the size of hike to expect from the bank at the upcoming meeting.
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: BULLISH
BASELINE
With headline CPI above 8% and Core CPI seeing another acceleration in the SEP CPI data, the Fed is under pressure to continue hiking rates and ramping up QT. Markets expect another 75bsp hike in NOV and currently prices the terminal rate at 4.89%. The Fed is on a data-dependent (meeting-by-meeting) policy stance, meaning incoming growth, inflation and jobs data remains a key driver for short-term USD volatility where we expect a cyclical reaction with incoming data for both the USD and US10Y (good data expected to be supportive for the USD while bad data is expected to pressure the USD). Our expectation for a softer USD this past week played to our advantage with a punchy move lower in the Dollar. The week ahead is filled with lots of US economic data and the FOMC policy decision which will all be important drivers for the USD.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data. Thus, extremely good growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bullish reactions in the USD. If the cyclical outlook continues to weaken, the USD’s safe haven status still matters. Any incoming catalysts that increase deep recession fears and triggers strong moves lower in risk assets & bonds can trigger safe haven flows into the USD. With a lot priced for the Fed and USD, the bar is high for hawkish Fed surprises, but any aggressive Fed speak talking up a >5.0% terminal rate can trigger further USD upside.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data. Thus, extremely bad growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bearish reactions in the USD. If the cyclical outlook starts to improve, the USD’s safe haven status still matters. Any incoming catalysts that decrease deep recession fears and triggers strong moves higher in risk assets & bonds can trigger safe haven outflows out of the USD. With a lot priced in for the Fed and the USD, it won’t take much to disappoint on the dovish side. Any big concerns about growth from Fed speakers could trigger outflows.
BIGGER PICTURE
The fundamental outlook for the USD remains bullish as long as the Fed stays hawkish and cyclical concerns put pressure on risk sentiment. The data dependent stance from the Fed means that short-term data surprises can pull the USD either way and would be our preferred way of trading the Dollar right now. We have a very excited economic calendar for the US in the week ahead, with lots of important economic data and the FOMC meeting. For the econ data our expectation is for a cyclical reaction where very good data is expected to support the USD and very bad data expected to pressure the USD. As for the Fed, the main focus will be on whether the FOMC confirms a downshift in the pace and size of hikes.
CAD
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: NEUTRAL
BASELINE
Recent economic data has shown some deterioration for the growth outlook with three consecutive months of contraction in jobs, falling house prices, and a deceleration in both core and headline CPI . The previous jobs data gave the CAD a decent lift with its first jobs gain in four weeks, but at 21K jobs added, the job market is still down 92K jobs in the last four months. Despite very hawkish comments from Gov Macklem heading into the Oct meeting, the bank surprised markets with a 50bsp hike when markets were pricing in a 75bsp hike. The bank also stated there is increased risks of a recession during 1H23. This saw initial downside in the CAD as one would expect, but the press conference not closing the door on another 50bsp hike saw some reprieve. Due to the economic outlook, we think the CAD might struggle to in the weeks ahead, unless Oil prices can push higher to provide some upside from a terms of trade perspective.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
Catalysts that see upside in Oil (deteriorating supply outlook, ease in demand fears, OPEC developments) could trigger bullish CAD reactions. As a risk sensitive currency, and catalyst that causes big bouts of risk on sentiment could trigger bullish reactions in the CAD. After the BoC’s dovish shift but leaving the door open for another 50bsp, a very strong labour report could see markets price in a higher chance for a 50bsp and support the CAD.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
Catalysts that trigger downside in oil (deteriorating demand outlook, ease in supply shortage, less supply constraints, OPEC developments) could be a negative catalyst for the CAD as well. As a risk sensitive currency, and catalyst that causes big bouts of risk off sentiment could trigger bearish reactions in the CAD. After the BoC’s dovish shift markets are only pricing in a 25bsp for the next meeting, and a big enough miss could see further downside in the CAD and lower terminal rate expectations.
BIGGER PICTURE
The bigger picture outlook for the CAD remains neutral for now. Given the clear risks to the growth outlook (recent negative econ data and fall in oil prices) we remain cautious on the currency. Furthermore, with lots of good news priced, and with the BoC close to terminal rate expectations, our preferred way of trading the CAD is lower on clear short-term negative catalysts. In the week ahead the overall risk tone will be important from a risk sentiment perspective, but majority of focus will be on the jobs report on Friday which markets will use as a guide for the size of hike to expect from the bank at the upcoming meeting.