Thursday, January 14, 2010

Foreign Exchange Research - Daily Market Commentary



DAILY MARKET COMMENTARY
11 January 2010

Monday

 

           

 

 

Fundamental Outlook at 1500 GMT (EDT + 0500)

 

 

The euro appreciated sharply vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar today as the single currency tested offers around the US$ 1.4555 level and was supported around the $1.4405 level.  The common currency was propelled higher on stronger-than-expected Chinese exports and imports data that helped support the view the global economy is continuing to recover.  The U.S. dollar fell on these news under the premise that the global economy will become less dependent on the U.S. economy, including the U.S. dollar's net import balance.  Additionally, the common currency moved higher on dovish remarks from St. Louis Fed President Bullard who noted U.S. interest rates "may remain low for quite some time."  Atlanta Fed President Lockhart speaks later in the North American session.  Friday's weaker-than-expected and disappointing U.S. December non-farm payrolls data dented the view that the Fed may raise interest rates by the middle of the year.  European Central Bank President Trichet called on global governments to reduce excessive budget deficits to satisfy investors.  Trichet noted he sees a "progressive normalization of the economy" but called on market participants to "strengthen risk management significantly."  ECB member Nowotny said new risk-taking by some market participants is a concern for central bankers and regulators and that risk-taking needs to be limited by increases in capital requirements.  Nowotny also confirmed there will be "sluggish" economic growth in the eurozone this year.  Data released in the eurozone today saw French November industrial output climb +1.1% and October's print was upwardly revised.  In U.S. news, Bullard also noted the U.S. should maintain its purchases of mortgage-backed securities to provide liquidity to the markets, and stressed quantitative easing programs administered by the Fed have supported the market.  Data to be released in the U.S. tomorrow include November trade balance figures with estimates running around –US$ 34.5 billion.  Euro bids are cited around the US$ 1.3885 level.

 

 

¥/ CNY

The yen appreciated vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar today as the greenback tested bids around the ¥91.80 level and was capped around the ¥92.65 level.  Bank of Japan official Shinobu Nakagawa reported it is "possible" that official Japanese interest rates will remain near zero per cent until 2011 on account of the poor economic outlook.  Nakagawa also reported the appreciating yen helps to support demand for Japanese government bonds.  There is increasing speculation BoJ could increase its bond purchase activity to avert a relapse into another recession.  Currently, the central bank purchases around ¥1.8 trillion in Japanese government bonds every month and it may decide to up its purchases to counter intense deflationary pressures.  A new announcement could be made as early as H1 2010.  An anonymous Ministry of Finance official reported finance minister Kan and U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner agree on exchange rate policy.   New finance minister Kan last week said it is his responsibility to respond to moves in the currency market but added the markets should determine rates.  Last Thursday, Kan indicated the yen should be weaker whereas his predecessor, Fujii, green-lighted a stronger yen when he first took office last year.  Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirano said the government should not make any comments that could impact the markets.  Prime Minister Hatoyama last week said rapid exchange rate moves are "not good" and "unwelcome." Most traders believe the Japanese government will probably try to orchestrate a weaker yen to help counter deflationary pressures and stimulate foreign trade.  The Nikkei 225 stock index climbed 1.09% to close at ¥10,798.32.   U.S. dollar offers are cited around the ¥94.75 level.  The euro moved higher vis-à-vis the yen as the single currency tested offers around the ¥134.35 level and was supported around the ¥133.40 level.  The British pound moved higher vis-à-vis the yen as sterling tested offers around the ¥149.60 level while the Swiss franc moved higher vis-à-vis the yen and tested offers around the ¥91.05 level. In Chinese news, the U.S. dollar depreciated vis-à-vis the Chinese yuan as the greenback closed at CNY 6.8263 in the over-the-counter market, down from CNY 6.8276.   Last week, People's Bank of China guided interest rate expectations higher by selling three-month bills at higher rates for the first time in nineteen weeks.  This evidences the central bank's attempt to tighten liquidity.   PBoC-watchers believe the central bank may lift interest rates for the first time in three years by September.  There is increasing speculation that China's economy could slow dramatically this year.  Last week, People's Bank of China yesterday reported it will support "relatively fast" economic growth and manage inflation expectations.  Additionally, PBoC noted it will target "moderate" loan growth in 2010.  Data released in China overnight saw December exports climb 17.7% y/y, the latest evidence that China remains the key driver of global economic growth.  These data also mean that China has overtaken Germany as the world's largest exporter.

 

 

 

The British pound appreciated sharply vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar today as cable tested offers around the US$ 1.6190 level and was supported around the $1.6045 level.  Former Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Buiter reported the central bank may start to raise interest rates by the middle of the year, possibly taking the Bank Rate to 0.75% to 1.00%.  Buiter suggested the BoE's rate hike could come before the European Central Bank contemplates one.  The big news in the U.K. remains the general election that is scheduled to be called before June.  Prime Minister Brown is attempting to rally the Labour Party following widespread discontent from within his own ranks.  Tory opposition leader Cameron is pledging earlier and deeper deficit reductions.  CBI today reported the U.K. services sector evidenced its second consecutive increase in activity in the fourth quarter but projects business activity should slow in the coming months.  Cable bids are cited around the US$ 1.5730 level. The euro gained ground vis-à-vis the British pound as the single currency tested offers around the ₤0.9025 level and was supported around the ₤0.8970 level.

CHF

The Swiss franc appreciated vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar today as the greenback tested bids around the CHF 1.0130 level and was capped around the CHF 1.0240 level.  Data released in Switzerland today saw November real retail sales up 0.6%.  Swiss National Bank is expected to keep interest rates unchanged for at least the next couple of months.  U.S. dollar offers are cited around the CHF 1.0615 level.  The euro came off vis-à-vis the Swiss franc as the single currency tested bids around the CHF 1.4720 level while the British pound moved lower vis-à-vis the Swiss franc and tested bids around the CHF 1.6315 level. 

 

Technical Outlook at 1330 GMT (EDT + 0500)

 

             (Bid Price)       (Today's Intraday Range)                                

           

EUR/ USD        1.4509               1.4545,  1.4407
USD/ JPY           92.22                 92.65,    92.17
GBP/ USD        1.6136                 1.6192, 1.6043
USD/ CHF         1.0172                 1.0239, 1.0131
AUD/USD         0.9292                0.9324, 0.9273
USD/CAD         1.0315                 1.0332,
1.0251
NZD/USD         0.7401                0.7423, 0.7381
EUR/ JPY         133.81                 134.36, 133.40
EUR/ GBP        0.8990                 0.9025, 0.8970
GBP/ JPY         148.78                149.58, 148.23
CHF/ JPY           90.55                  91.03,   90.35

 

                                       

 

 

 

Support                        Resistance                   Support                     Resistance

 

EUR/ USD                                                              USD/ JPY

 

 

L1.        1.4470                          1.4915                             88.60               93.30 

L2.        1.4355                          1.5140                             87.10               95.50
L3.        1.4175                          1.5360                             86.10               98.85

 

   GBP/ USD                                                          USD/ CHF

 

L1.        1.6115                          1.6685                          1.0275                          1.0580

L2.        1.5720                          1.6830                          1.0040                          1.0695

L3.        1.5405                          1.7040                          0.9750                          1.0885

 

 AUD/ USD                                                           USD/ CAD

 

L1.        0.8450                          0.8830                          1.0535                          1.0945

L2.        0.8300                          0.9050                          1.0365                          1.1125

L3.        0.8070                          0.9120                          1.0155                          1.1355

 NZD/ USD                                                           EUR/ JPY

 

L1.        0.6880                          0.7125                          131.45                          135.75

L2.        0.6750                          0.7260                          129.75                          136.90

L3.        0.6535                          0.7395                          127.00                          138.75

 

 

  EUR/ GBP                                                          EUR/ CHF

 

L1.        0.8795                          0.8995                          1.5110                          1.5380

L2.        0.8675                          0.9105                          1.4905                          1.5580

L3.        0.8320                          0.9225                          1.4670                          1.5880

 

  GBP/ JPY                                                           CHF/ JPY

 

L1.        146.10                          152.50                            86.30                           88.65

L2.        142.05                          157.75                            85.40                           90.10

L3.        135.70                          161.70                            81.55                           91.60

 

 

 

SCHEDULE

 

Sunday, 3 January 2010

all times GMT

(last release in parentheses)

 

2330     Australia           December TD Securities inflation (0.3% m/m)

2330     Australia           December TD Securities inflation (2.1% y/y)

 

Monday, 4 January 2010

all times GMT

(last release in parentheses)

 

0500     China                Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Bullard speaks

0745     France              November industrial production (-0.8% m/m)

0745     France              November industrial production (-8.4% y/y)

0745     France              November manufacturing production (-0.8% m/m)

0745     France              November manufacturing production (-8.8% y/y)

0815     CH                    November retail sales (3.1% y/y)

1315     Canada             December housing starts (158,500))

1330     Canada             November building permits (18.0% m/m)

1745     US                    Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Lockhart speaks

2200     NZ                    Q4 NZIER business opinion survey (36.0)

2350     Japan               November trade balance (¥949.0 billion)

2350     Japan               November current account (¥1.376 trillion)

2350     Japan               December bank lending (0.2% y/y)

2350     Japan               December M2 + CD money supply (3.3% y/y)

 

Tuesday, 5 January 2010

all times GMT

(last release in parentheses)

 

N/A       Japan               December economy watchers' survey, current (33.9)

N/A       Japan               December economy watchers' survey, outlook (34.5)

0001     UK                    December BRC retail sales monitor (4.1%)

0001     UK                    December RICS house price balance (35.0%)

0030     Australia           November home loans (-1.4%)

0030     Australia           November investment lending (-0.6%)

0730     France              December Bank of France business sentiment (99.0)

0930     UK                    November visible trade balance (-₤7.108 billion)

0930     UK                    November total trade balance (-₤3.213 billion)

0930     UK                    November DCLG house prices (-2.2% y/y)

1230     US                    December NFIB small business optimism (88.3)

1330     US                    November trade balance (-US$ 32.9 billion)

1330     Canada             November international merchandise trade (C$ 400 million)

1330     Canada             November new housing price index (0.3% m/m)

 

Wednesday, 6 January 2010

all times GMT

(last release in parentheses)

 

N/A       UK                    December NIESR gross domestic product estimate (0.2%)

N/A       US                    MBA mortgage applications (0.5%)

N/A       US                    Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Plosser speaks

0430     UK                    December bankruptcies (-11.4% y/y)

0600     Japan               December machine tool orders (-8.4% y/y)

0745     France              December consumer price index (0.1% m/m)

0745     France              December consume price index (0.4% y/y)

0745     France              December CPI, harmonized (0.2% m/m)

0745     France              December CPI, harmonized (0.5% y/y)

0745     France              November current account (-€4.5 billion)

0815     Germany           December GDP growth (1.3%)

0900     Italy                  November industrial production

0930     UK                    November industrial production (0.0% m/m)

0930     UK                    November industrial production (-8.4% y/y)

0930     UK                    November manufacturing production (0.0% m/m)

0930     UK                    November manufacturing production (-7.8% y/y)

1000     Eurozone          November industrial production (-0.6% m/m)

1000     Eurozone          November industrial production (-11.1% y/y)

1900     US                    Federal Reserve Beige Book

2145     NZ                    November building permits (11.7% y/y)

2350     Japan               November machine orders (-4.5% m/m)

2350     Japan               November machine orders (-21.0% y/y)

2350     Japan               December domestic corporate goods price index (0.1% m/m)

2350     Japan               December domestic corporate goods price index (-4.9% y/y)

 

Thursday, 7 January 2010

all times GMT

(last release in parentheses)

 

N/A       NZ                    December REINZ housing price index (0.2% m/m)

N/Z       NZ                    December REINZ housing price index (41.5% y/y)

0030     Australia           December employment change (31,200)

0030     Australia           December unemployment rate (5.7%)

0700     Germany           December consumer price index (0.7% m/m)

0700     Germany           December consumer price index (0.8% y/y)

0700     Germany           December CPI, harmonized (0.9% m/m)

0700     Germany           December CPI, harmonized (0.8% y/y)

1245     Eurozone          European Central Bank interest rate decision

1330     US                    December advance retail sales (1.3%)

1330     US                    December retail sales, ex-autos (1.2%)

1330     US                    Weekly initial jobless claims (434,000)

1330     US                    Continuing jobless claims (4.802 million)

1330     US                    December import price index (1.7% m/m)

1330     US                    December import price index (3.7% y/y)

1500     US                    November business inventories (0.2%)

2145     NZ                    December credit card spending (0.7% m/m)

 

Friday, 8 January 2010

all times GMT

(last release in parentheses)

 

N/A       Germany           December wholesale price index (0.7% m/m)

N/A       Germany           December wholesale price index (-3.2% y/y)

0200     NZ                    December non-resident bond holdings (65.4)

0430     Japan               Bank of Japan Chief Economist speaks

0815     CH                    December producer and import prices (0.0% m/m)

0815     CH                    December producer and import prices (-3.3% y/y)

0900     Italy                  December consumer price index

1000     Eurozone          December consumer price index (0.1% m/m)

1000     Eurozone          December consumer price index (0.5% y/y)

1000     Eurozone          December CPI, core (1.0% y/y)

1000     Eurozone          November trade balance (€6.3 billion)

1330     US                    December consumer price index (0.4% m/m)

1330     US                    December consumer price index (1.8% y/y)

1330     US                    December CPI, ex-food and energy (0.0% m/m)

1330     US                    December CPI, ex-food and energy (1.7% y/y)

1330     US                    January Empire State manufacturing index (2.55)

1415     US                    December industrial production (0.8%)

1415     US                    December capacity utilization (71.3%)

1455     US                    Mid-January University of Michigan consumer sentiment (72.5)

1930     US                    Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Yellen speaks

 



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