Etikett: Martin Arnold

Draghi in no hurry to spook the market, just the Euro

Draghi in no hurry to spook the market, just the Euro ETF Securities Martin ArnoldDraghi in no hurry to spook the market, just the Euro

Draghi in no hurry to spook the market, just the Euro. European Central Bank (ECB) President Draghi wants to engineer a smooth transition away from ultra stimulative monetary policy…but not too soon, because inflationary forces remain depressed. The problem is the strength of the Euro, which further depresses inflation. The ECB wants a weaker Euro…

At the last ECB press conference, Draghi commented that there were ‘two…observations of this nature ([on] the link between the asset purchase programme and the inflation convergence), but there wasn’t any discussion…on normalisation’. This very measured language highlights the mindset of policymakers: cautious to ensure that inflation and wage gains are gaining a solid foothold. Inflation across the Eurozone was flat in June, contributing to a 1.3% annual growth over the past year. We must remember the mistake that the ECB made in raising rates in 2011, only to have to cut rates before year-end 2011.

In this way, the ECB remains conservative with their communication on the need for tapering, with President Draghi noting that ‘discussions should happen in the fall’ because ‘we are not there yet’ regarding inflation and price stability. President Draghi does not want a taper tantrum to push borrowing costs sharply higher. But a weaker Euro would be of assistance, both for lifting inflationary forces and for boosting economic demand.

The market has misjudged the reticence of the ECB

We feel that the market has misjudged the reticence of the ECB and that confidence in aggressive tapering in coming months misguided. In turn we feel the Euro bounce during the press conference will be transitory. Indeed, the long Euro trade is overcrowded, with futures market positioning at the highest level in over six years. In the face of weak inflation pressure, there are downside risks for the Euro. Meanwhile, option pricing shows that optimism, albeit trending higher, is much more subdued than within the futures market.

As a result, we continue to expect the near-term Euro strength to falter and to move lower until a more urgent need for tighter monetary policy for the Eurozone becomes a more strongly voiced position.

Martin Arnold, Global FX & Commodity Strategist at ETF Securities

Martin Arnold joined ETF Securities as a research analyst in 2009 and was promoted to Global FX & Commodity Strategist in 2014. Martin has a wealth of experience in strategy and economics with his most recent role formulating an FX strategy at an independent research consultancy. Martin has a strong background in macroeconomics and financial analysis – gained both at the Reserve Bank of Australia and in the private commercial banking sector – and experience covering a range of asset classes including equities and bonds. Martin holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New South Wales (Australia), a Master of Commerce from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and attained a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

Is the Canadian Dollar signalling an oil price bottom?

Is the Canadian Dollar signalling an oil price bottom?

Is the Canadian Dollar signalling an oil price bottom? The Bank of Canada (BOC) raised rates for the first time in seven years this week, the second major central bank to do so after the Federal Reserve. The BOC indicated that its economy ‘is approaching full capacity’. As a result, the Canadian Dollar, the so-called Loonie, jumped to the highest level against the US Dollar in 13 months. A rising CAD could be signalling a bottom for oil prices.

Business investment in the energy sector in Canada is recovering from a ‘prolonged steep decline’, according to the BOC, and oil exports are expected to improve, particularly to the US. The BOC notes that ‘the past oil shock is largely complete’. Indeed, Canadian energy companies have once again begun to implement capital expenditure plans with a sense of ‘cautious optimism’. Such an economic environment suggests that producers have largely adjusted to the current lower price environment. Rising investment and optimism reflects a better outlook for demand and is a supportive price environment for oil.

the Loonie has had a very strong correlation with oil prices

Historically, the Loonie has had a very strong correlation with oil prices, but the direction of causation is unclear. However, since the end of 2016, this relationship has become more distinct, showing that moves in the CAD are leading the moves in oil prices, reflecting that the BOC is adjusting policy partly as a result of strengthening underlying demand conditions in the energy sector. Against a backdrop of rising global oil demand, we feel that such a relationship could be signalling that the latest jump in CAD be the precursor of an oil price rebound.

With the Canadian economy improving and the central bank reacting in a proactive manner with its monetary policy stance, the CAD could move higher in coming months. In turn, with oil prices nearing a natural floor – where demand (supported by lower prices) has the potential to offset continued elevated global production levels – higher prices could be the result of a more balanced oil market in the second half of 2017.

Is the Canadian Dollar signalling an oil price bottom?

Martin Arnold, Global FX & Commodity Strategist at ETF Securities

Martin Arnold joined ETF Securities as a research analyst in 2009 and was promoted to Global FX & Commodity Strategist in 2014. Martin has a wealth of experience in strategy and economics with his most recent role formulating an FX strategy at an independent research consultancy. Martin has a strong background in macroeconomics and financial analysis – gained both at the Reserve Bank of Australia and in the private commercial banking sector – and experience covering a range of asset classes including equities and bonds. Martin holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New South Wales (Australia), a Master of Commerce from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and attained a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

No bounce for the Aussie Dollar

No bounce for the Aussie Dollar

Although the Australian economy set a record of not having a recession in 104 quarters – since 1992 – growth in Q1 2017 was the weakest in over seven years. With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) remaining firmly in an accommodative policy stance, the downside risks for the Australian Dollar (AUD) are mounting in the near term. No bounce for the Aussie Dollar.

Outside of the housing sector business investment is showing some signs of life, albeit from depressed levels. Additionally, company profits have rebounded strongly in recent quarters. The Chinese economy is stabilising and while a supportive influence, it is unlikely to be a significant catalyst for strong growth in the near-term. Such business conditions should help bolster wage growth, but household incomes are likely to grind rather than shoot higher.

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Consumer balance sheets remain stretched as debt levels are climbing as house prices are surging

Consumer balance sheets remain stretched as debt levels are climbing as house prices are surging. House prices have risen on average over 2% per quarter over the past three years. Despite an improving jobs market, wages grew just 1.8% in Q1 2017 from a year earlier, a record low rate. Such household dynamics have restricted housing affordability, particularly in the major state capital cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Lacklustre wage growth is also constraining the ability for households to save: the savings ratio is at the lowest level since the financial crisis, leaving little buffer in case of any economic shock. Of the countries that the Bank of International Settlements collects data for, only Denmark and the Netherlands have higher household debt service ratios than Australia. Nonetheless, it is important that concerns shouldn’t be overblown – the household debt service ratio is hovering below the longer term average and well below levels that existed during the financial crisis.

Meanwhile, inflation remains subdued and the RBA remains in ‘wait and see’ mode. The central bank is comfortable with a weak local currency, noting at its last monetary policy meeting that ‘The depreciation of the exchange rate since 2013 had also assisted the economy in its transition following the mining investment boom. An appreciating exchange rate would complicate this adjustment.’ We expect little upside for the AUD in the near-term and risks remain to the downside, with the US Federal Reserve becoming more aggressive in its rhetoric toward tighter policy.

 

Martin Arnold, Global FX & Commodity Strategist at ETF Securities

Martin Arnold joined ETF Securities as a research analyst in 2009 and was promoted to Global FX & Commodity Strategist in 2014. Martin has a wealth of experience in strategy and economics with his most recent role formulating an FX strategy at an independent research consultancy. Martin has a strong background in macroeconomics and financial analysis – gained both at the Reserve Bank of Australia and in the private commercial banking sector – and experience covering a range of asset classes including equities and bonds. Martin holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New South Wales (Australia), a Master of Commerce from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and attained a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

GBP to gain after the UK election

GBP to gain after the UK election

GBP to gain after the UK election. We expect that the British Pound will gain after a period of consolidation around current levels ahead of the UK election next week. The latest polling indicates that Prime Minister May’s lead has declined, prompting a modest pullback in the local currency. We expect that although GBP could soften further in the coming week, as the Conservative party’s lead see-saws, but believe it will stay above key support of 200-dma, which is currently 1.2595.

While we expect a Conservative election win, the future EU negotiations remain an important driver of GBP direction. We continue to believe that the worst case scenario has already been priced in regarding the Brexit negotiations and its impact on the economy and the financial services sector in particular. In coming years, a rising rate environment and further clarity surrounding the EU-UK negotiations should be reflected in rising banking sector valuations.

Investor positioning has begun to rebound from the lowest levels on record in the futures market, indicating that there is growing optimism for the UK’s economic prospects as ‘Brexit’ negotiations begin. Although still in negative territory, GBP net shorts have more than halved since the record pessimistic positions seen at the end of March 2017. In contrast, Euro positioning is at the highest level since November 2013, and any further dovish comments from ECB Board members, could prompt a sharp decline in EUR/GBP in coming weeks.

Investors have become more positive on the outlook for GBP because the domestic economic environment has remained resilient. Nonetheless, the Bank of England expects some softer numbers from the household sector as wage growth has been revised down at the same time that inflation is rising.

With headline inflation expected to peak near current levels, we believe that real rates are forming a bottom. Accordingly, GBP has responded in line with the modest rebound in real yields and we expect the gradual move higher in yields to continue. Not only do we expect the Bank of England to reverse the Brexit-induced rate cut of last year, but inflationary pressures are expected to moderate as the impact of the exchange rate plunge on prices begins to fade.

After the UK election next week, as FX volatility continues to moderate, GBP could again test the 1.30 level and potentially break to the upside as the domestic economy remains resilient, targeting 1.35.

Martin Arnold, Global FX & Commodity Strategist at ETF Securities

Martin Arnold joined ETF Securities as a research analyst in 2009 and was promoted to Global FX & Commodity Strategist in 2014. Martin has a wealth of experience in strategy and economics with his most recent role formulating an FX strategy at an independent research consultancy. Martin has a strong background in macroeconomics and financial analysis – gained both at the Reserve Bank of Australia and in the private commercial banking sector – and experience covering a range of asset classes including equities and bonds. Martin holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New South Wales (Australia), a Master of Commerce from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and attained a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.

Euro benefitting from the US Dollar downside risk

Euro benefitting from the US Dollar downside risk

Fading political uncertainty in Europe alongside the improving growth profile is bolstering the Euro. Meanwhile, the US Dollar has failed to benefit in any significant way, despite the market pricing in a rate hike in June by the Fed. We expect that there is a downside risk for the US Dollar if the Fed disappoint in June, especially in view of FX market positioning. Euro benefitting from the US Dollar downside risk

Macron’s victory over Le Pen set the scene for a risk-on rally for European assets and particularly the Euro. Alongside the German state election win for the CDU, the decline in political uncertainty has reduced the risk of the collapse of Europe. The Euro could also experience further upside in coming months as the improvement in the Eurozone economic landscape prompts the ECB to begin discussing tapering the size of its balance sheet later in the year. Nonetheless, there is potential for some volatility for the Euro because the Italian – German 10yr government bond yield spread suggests there is still an elevated risk of a referendum on the country’s euro membership and potential early elections. Such volatility could Speculative positioning for the Euro is at the highest level in over three years and has turned positive for the first time during that period. Sustainably breaking above 1.10, could see the Euro begin to target to 1.15 level, a level that is more in line with real rate differentials.

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In contrast, there is a downside risk for the US Dollar if the US Federal Reserve disappoints investors by keeping rates on hold in June, contrary to market expectations. Fed communications have been even handed in recent weeks and we feel that the 75% (down from 95%) chance of a rate hike that is priced in seems elevated. Political uncertainty surrounding President Trump is also exacerbating the downward pressure for the USD. Policy paralysis remains the key risk for the Trump administration and any further delays could be reason enough for the Federal Reserve to wait until September for the next rate rise.

Martin Arnold, Global FX & Commodity Strategist at ETF Securities

Martin Arnold joined ETF Securities as a research analyst in 2009 and was promoted to Global FX & Commodity Strategist in 2014. Martin has a wealth of experience in strategy and economics with his most recent role formulating an FX strategy at an independent research consultancy. Martin has a strong background in macroeconomics and financial analysis – gained both at the Reserve Bank of Australia and in the private commercial banking sector – and experience covering a range of asset classes including equities and bonds. Martin holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New South Wales (Australia), a Master of Commerce from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and attained a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.