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Dollar Volatility and Trend Risks to FOMC Decision Very Different
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Dollar Volatility and Trend Risks to FOMC Decision Very Different
Euro Stimulus Put Immediately to the Test as Greece Troubles Simmer
New Zealand Faces GDP and the Market’s Monetary Policy Forecasts
Dollar Volatility and Trend Risks to FOMC Decision Very Different
It is finally upon us. The Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) March policy meeting is underway, and the group’s conclusions will be announced at 18:00 GMT (2:00 PM local time). Both the US Dollar and the S&P 500 – as a weathervane for broad investor sentiment – are at risk of losing traction on their respective bull trends. While this meeting is highly unlikely to bring any material change to policy in rates or unorthodox policy, an excessively vigilant market has its Fedspeak dictionary out with the intention to gauge the timing of the first rate hike. There will be plenty of opportunity to speculate on timing in this event. In addition the normal statement, we will receive updated forecasts on employment, inflation and interest rates as well as Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s sentiment in her press conference. For ‘sheer impact value, however, the immediate concern revolves around the inclusion of a single word: “patient”. This particular term has been construed to mean the first hike would be more than three months out. The Fed knows the market’s interpretation, and the market knows the Fed knows.
Speculation for a ‘mid-2015’ rate hike has gained serious traction over the past six months – and particularly the previous three. The Dollar’s incredible rally is testament to the weight a hawkish forecast has garnered. Given how far the market has moved, it is reasonable to presume there is an exceptional amount of premium afforded to confirmation that the next step in the telegraphed tightening regime will be realized. As such, if ‘patient’ remains; the Greenback would likely take a tumble. In fact, merely meeting expectations may see the currency ease back on the speculative swell. That said, a slip in the short-term does not alter the longer-term trend as the contrast between the Fed and its counterparts remains exceptional. For ‘risk trends’, the risk is the opposite. The implications of removing support from the system can send the masses deleveraging over-extended speculative positions. Little of this impending risk is currently reflected in the S&P 500. Short-term volatility may be the most dramatic with a push back of the first hike, but investors know it is coming.
Euro Stimulus Put Immediately to the Test as Greece Troubles Simmer
Just when one fire seems to be squelched, another flares back up in the Eurozone. The ECB recently announced its first week of asset purchases under its new QE program netted just under €10. The bearish fuel this supplies the Euro has significantly been reduced by the market’s tremendous tumble in anticipation of this effort. In turn, it does offer significant confidence for local capital markets. Yet, the currency and capital markets have more than one concern they need to keep track off. Reports Tuesday indicated an EU-Greek leader meeting ended with both parties seething about a lack of progress. Tsipras has called for the Thursday Summit to cover Greece as coffers empty.
New Zealand Faces GDP and the Market’s Monetary Policy Forecasts
FX traders may be strung out by Wednesday evening after the FOMC’s rate decision generates volatility, but the data doesn’t stop after Yellen turns off the mic. Shortly after the policy event, New Zealand will report 4Q GDP. The consensus is that the economy grew 0.8 percent through the final months of 2014 – a modest downturn from the previous 1.0 percent reading. The greatest risk of volatility comes if the data misses expectations in a meaningful way. The RBNZ seems neutral on policy but an economic push could tip them dovish like the RBA.
British Pound Looks to Jobs Data and BoE Minutes…and Fed Spillover
There are a few important fundamental events on the UK docket today. Chancellor Osborne is set to release the final budget before the election, but we’ll likely see more Sterling impact from the data. February jobs data and minutes from the BoE’s last policy meeting can tap interest rate expectations that seem to be running continually under what the central bank seems to be indicating. Much of what Carney and crew have projected is very similar to the Fed, yet BoE are significantly lower. A general hawkish view signaled by the Fed may spill over to the BoE.
Chinese Yuan Rallying Despite Building Credit Concerns after Housing Data
China remains one of the most exceptional but underappreciated risks to the global financial system. As developments focus our attention on US monetary policy, Emerging Market stability and Eurozone unity; there is less mind paid to the repercussions of the credit boom in the world’s second largest economy. We were reminded of the credit risk and economic slowdown this morning when the country’s stats group reported 69 of 70 cities reported a drop in new resident prices. With three-quarters of Chinese assets in real estate, this is concerning.
Emerging Markets: IMF’s Lagarde Sounds Warning that Fed Tightening Could Create Instability
IMF head Christine Lagarde reiterated her concerns for the Emerging Market as the US readies its change in monetary policy. Speaking alongside the Reserve Bank of India (who has also warned of the repercussions of Fed tightening), she remarked that we could witness a similar response to tightening that we had seen to the “taper tantrum” that led to sharp declines in the segments’ markets as investors contemplated an end to US QE. The MSCI EM ETF was up and JPMorgan EM VIX down this past session, but that offers little comfort.
Gold Drops for 11thtime in 12 Days Heading into Fed Decision
Reassurance from officials that core inflation would return, fear of a sour turn for capital markets in the near future and a ramp in stimulus from the world’s second largest central bank (ECB) has afforded little support to gold. The precious metal is down six straight days through Tuesday – the worst run seven months. Momentum has remained under wraps as we have neared the five-year low set in November, but a dollar swell could amplify the move quickly. Should the Greenback surge on a June rate forecast, gold will very likely suffer.
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ECONOMIC DATA
GMT | Currency | Release | Survey | Previous | Comments |
21:45 | NZD | Current Account Balance (4Q) | -3.060B | -5012B | Current account widened more than expected |
23:30 | AUD | Westpac Lending Index (MoM) (FEB) | 0.1% | ||
23:50 | JPY | Merchandise Trade Balance Total (FEB) | -¥1000.8B | -¥1177.1 | The lowered value of the Yen might be helping with exports of the country. |
1:30 | CNY | China Property Prices (FEB) | There are fears in the market over a China economic slowdown caused by current weakness in the property sect | ||
9:30 | GBP | Employment Change (3M/3M) (JAN) | 130K | 103K | Employment has been rising by an average of 142K since 2014. Economic data has been recently outperforming the economists’ expectations. BOE is expected to hike rates by 25bps as indicated by the OIS swaps. |
9:30 | GBP | ILO Unemployment Rate (3M) (JAN) | 5.6% | 5.7% | |
9:30 | GBP | Jobless Claims Change (FEB) | -30.0K | -38.6K | |
9:30 | GBP | Weekly Earnings Bonus (3M/YoY) (JAN) | 2.2% | 2.1% | BOE will likely see how wages are rising when deciding on future rate hikes. |
9:30 | GBP | Weekly Earnings ex Bonus (3M/YoY) (JAN) | 1.8% | 1.7% | |
10:00 | CHF | ZEW Survey Expectations (MAR) | -73 | Has been trending lower since 2014. It showed a sharp decline after the SNB removed EUR/CHF peg on 01/16/2015. | |
10:00 | EUR | Eurozone Construction Output (MoM) (JAN) | -0.8% | Measure has been trending lower on a YoY basis on 2014. Not likely to be market moving | |
10:00 | EUR | Eurozone Construction Output (YoY) (Jan) | -3.5% | ||
10:00 | EUR | Eurozone Trade Balance (Jan) | €15.0B | €24.3B | Trade Surplus has been rising in 2014 as the Euro has fallen against major currencies. |
11:00 | USD | MBA Mortgage Applications | -1.3% | A volatile measure | |
18:00 | USD | FOMC Rate Decision | 0.25% | 0.25% | The market will pay attention if the Fed will use the word patient when talking about raising rates and to the updated Fed economic projections. The press conference with Janet Yellen will be watched as well. Watch the Live Webinar 17:45 GMT. |
GMT | Currency | Upcoming Events & Speeches |
5:00 | JPY | Bank Of Japan’s Monthly Economic Report for March |
9:15 | EUR | ECB’s Coeure to Speak on Panel at Frankfurt Conference |
9:30 | GBP | Bank of England Minutes |
10:00 | EUR | ECB President Draghi Speaks at Premises Inauguration |
12:30 | GBP | UK Chancellor Osborne to Announce Final Budget before Election |
14:30 | GBP | BOE Deputy Gov Jon Cunliffe Speaks in Frankfurt |
18:00 | USD | Fed Summary of Economic Projections |
18:30 | USD | Fed Chair Yellen Holds Post-FOMC Press Conference |
SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS
To see updated SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE LEVELS for the Majors, visit Technical Analysis Portal
To see updated PIVOT POINT LEVELS for the Majors and Crosses, visit our Pivot Point Table
CLASSIC SUPPORT AND RESISTANCE
EMERGING MARKETS 18:00 GMT | SCANDIES CURRENCIES 18:00 GMT | |||||||||
Currency | USD/MXN | USD/TRY | USD/ZAR | USD/HKD | USD/SGD | Currency | USD/SEK | USD/DKK | USD/NOK | |
Resist 2 | 16.5000 | 2.7500 | 13.8500 | 7.8165 | 1.4505 | Resist 2 | 9.3300 | 7.3650 | 8.5270 | |
Resist 1 | 16.0000 | 2.7000 | 12.6500 | 7.8075 | 1.4275 | Resist 1 | 8.7400 | 7.1000 | 8.4735 | |
Spot | 15.6082 | 2.6376 | 12.3559 | 7.7605 | 1.3849 | Spot | 8.5536 | 6.9589 | 8.0919 | |
Support 1 | 14.5000 | 2.3580 | 11.3500 | 7.7490 | 1.3635 | Support 1 | 8.2675 | 6.4725 | 7.8360 | |
Support 2 | 13.6800 | 2.2850 | 10.8500 | 7.7450 | 1.3425 | Support 2 | 7.8150 | 6.3325 | 7.2945 | |
INTRA-DAY PROBABILITY BANDS 18:00 GMT
CCY | EUR/USD | GBP/USD | USD/JPY | USD/CHF | USD/CAD | AUD/USD | NZD/USD | EUR/JPY | Gold |
Res 3 | 1.0834 | 1.5249 | 122.56 | 1.0095 | 1.2809 | 0.7735 | 0.7379 | 131.42 | 1187.82 |
Res 2 | 1.0802 | 1.5208 | 122.25 | 1.0065 | 1.2777 | 0.7711 | 0.7355 | 131.04 | 1182.04 |
Res 1 | 1.0771 | 1.5167 | 121.93 | 1.0035 | 1.2744 | 0.7688 | 0.7331 | 130.66 | 1176.25 |
Spot | 1.0708 | 1.5084 | 121.31 | 0.9976 | 1.2679 | 0.7641 | 0.7283 | 129.89 | 1164.69 |
Supp 1 | 1.0645 | 1.5001 | 120.69 | 0.9917 | 1.2614 | 0.7594 | 0.7235 | 129.12 | 1153.13 |
Supp 2 | 1.0614 | 1.4960 | 120.37 | 0.9887 | 1.2581 | 0.7571 | 0.7211 | 128.74 | 1147.34 |
Supp 3 | 1.0582 | 1.4919 | 120.06 | 0.9857 | 1.2549 | 0.7547 | 0.7187 | 128.36 | 1141.56 |
--- Written by: John Kicklighter, Chief Strategist for DailyFX.com
To contact John, email jkicklighter@dailyfx.com. Follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JohnKicklighter
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