After a good run, the AUD seems to be losing topside momentum. The commodity bloc is leveraged to the global reflation trade and while there is some evidence of a synchronized global recovery, the macro signals in terms of commodity prices remain weak.
The commodity complex is still very dependent on China’s debt fuelled recovery and the ability of the authorities to navigate a rebalancing of the economy away from exports toward consumption. Commodity prices are only modestly firmer. A sustained rally in the commodity bloc would gain greater traction if the demand from Chinese reflation were accelerating.
The AUD rally in my view has more to do with the unwinding of speculative shorts rather than a renewed acceleration of the global reflation trade. The AUD shorts have been working on the premise of a sharp deceleration in Chinese growth, and so far it’s just not showing up in the numbers.
The most likely catalyst though would be serious deterioration in US-Chinese relations generated by the unilateral implementation of US tariffs. If that were to happen, it may well trigger a re-establishment of fresh long term AUD shorts.
The Vortex indicator using hourly data has gone short the AUD (red line crossing above the blue) based on Friday’s closing prices. As you can see from the chart the previous indicator highly profitable, however, prior to that, the track record is choppy based on hourly data.
Using monthly data long term Vortex indicators for a number of major currency pairs have gone short the dollar. This has occurred in the following pairs: AUD, CAD, EUR, CHF, and in EURCHF (long EUR). However, these signals need to be taken with a pinch of salt and need to be interpreted in conjunction with other technical and statistical analyses.
Canadian dispersion readings are showing the first tentative hints of trend exhaustion as the ST and LT indicators are starting to roll over from recent highs. The probability of a meaningful correction in the USDCAD is high. Thre is sufficient evidence to warrant limited loss option based trades, that will profit from a correction and decline in implied volatility.
Looking at daily data in the chart above we see fewer signs of trend exhaustion but it is important to note the local cyclical high in the dispersion readings. Looking at LT vortex indicator readings using monthly data does suggest we have moved into a bear market for USD-CAD (same is true for AUD as noted above). However, even if this proves true, it does not rule out the high probability of a strong counter-trend trade back to 1.3000.
Momentum turns up at the end of the week implying at minimum that the USDCAD sell off is losing steam.
Despite the sharp & sustained CAD rally, one month CAD risk reversals have not gone bid for CAD calls. The rest of the curve contineus to lose the premium for USD$ calls.
ST spot vol correlation continues to correct from its most recent extremes. This combined with the turn in the disperison indicators implies that the trend is very close to exhaustion. The trade we highlighted last week for DEC expiration, namely, buying the 81-76-71 Put butterfly should now be implemented. The trade is long 1X the 81Put short 2X the 76 Put and long 1X the 71 puts all for DEC expiration. Look to unwind on a move back to 6% in the vols or a move back to the short strike (76 cents or 1.3157).
CADJPY is showing signs of trend exhaustion. This is consistent with the USDCAD momentum exhaustion readings above and the JPY momentum chart below.
CADJPY losing topside momentum with early signs of momentum divergence.
Three month CHF vols are rising off the floor as the spot breaks the daily trend line. We may have missed it but we would continue to sit on the bid for 3M 25Delta strangles.
Above is the hourly CHF chart showing the break in the hourly trend line. Dispersion is also rising from a recent low. While a few weeks ago it may have sounded far fetched to suggest, it now appears much more probable that the on-going Russia-Trump investigations in the US will develop into a full-scale constitutional crisis.
In this context, the safe-haven currencies of CHF, JPY and to a lesser extent the EUR will attract strong bids.
The EUR is holding on to its hourly trend line while actual vol breaks higher. The opportunities noted here two weeks ago in short dated options, particularly focused in the EUR, JPY and CHF are no longer on offer as short and long term ranges look to be broken. Short term vols are now off their lows.
The whole EUR risk reversal curve continues to steadily creep better bid for EUR calls with most of the movement last week in the 3M – 12M.
EURCAD holding within it’s downside channel.
EURCHF showing signs of momentum divergence.
Two week EURCHF actuals rising above the six week on the pricing topping price action in spot EURCHF.
EURGBP is developing into a choppy, and increasingly volatile uptrend.
EURJPY momentum divergence.
GBP was the weakest currency on the week. GBP tired and nearly succeeded in taking out the topside resistence but then failed in a very choppy fashion.
Dispersion falling as GBPCAD testing 1.6300.
GBPJPY Momentum turns negative.
If you have a look at MXP risk reversals from the start of 2017, the spike in the one year stands out for attention. However, if you have a look at a very long term MXP risk reversal chart (above) the spike higher is a test of a longer term downtrend. The move in the one year is far more significant in the context of a gradually strengthening MXP.
Domestic MXP based borrowers of US$ funding may be attempting to hedge their US$ denominated debt and using the risk reversal as a way of trying the hedge the FX risk associated with their liabilities. They are also taking a view that they can do better than MXP FX forward rate and thus as consequent reduce all in borrowing costs.
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MXP exporters who have US$ receivables should give some consideration to selling the risk reversal and do so for a net credit as a way to mitigate their FX exposures. In order to do that though you have to have the view forward rate underestimates the downside potential of the MXP at expiration. A view harder to justify based on fundamentals. This last weeks edition of the Economist Big Mac Index pegs the MXP as 50% undervalued on its Big Mac PPP measure.
JPY momentum turns negative.
The yen breaks out from the triangle formation did not follow through higher as per our call from last week. Weak US fundamental releases, the rally back in Bonds, and the growing concerns about the Trump-Russia investigation has for now taken the bid out of USDJPY.
Above is the short term DJ Commodity Price Index vs Dispersion. While the index has broken its recent channel downtrend, and dispersion is rising, actual vol of the commodity index remains low. The signals from the commodity complex remain mixed. Copper continues to slowly trend higher, consistent with the global reflation back drop, while WTI remains under pressure.
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Best Regards,
James Rider
Director,
FxVolResearch Ltd.