JPY: Asia Wrap - USD/JPY Eyes Oil And Is Challenging A Market Long JPY
The Asia-Pac USD/JPY range has been 146.15 - 146.91, Asia is currently trading around 146.90, +0.55%. USD/JPY has broken through the 146.50 area this morning in reaction to the US bombing and the implications of potential extended US involvement in the conflict. The Market is caught long JPY and the implications of even higher oil prices as Iran contemplates blocking the Strait of Hormuz is challenging their conviction.
- “Pimco has been buying long-term JGBs to take advantage of a “dislocation” in the market, Andrew Balls told the FT, adding there’s a strong case for authorities to “issue more in the parts of the curve where the demand is.”(BBG)
- "HAYASHI: NOT TRUE US DEMANDED 3.5% GDP ON DEFENSE SPENDING" - BBG
- USD/JPY price action continues to point to a market that is positioned long JPY.
- "Asian currencies are likely to see further downside in the near-term, amid rising vulnerability to oil prices"(BBG).
- USD/JPY price action continues to point to a market that is positioned long JPY.
- Having broken above 146.50 this morning the market will be closely watching the oil price for short-term clues.
- The market is positioned for a move lower in USD/JPY and with this positioning at extremes we have seen the risk of pullbacks increase. A sustained break above 146.50/147.00 would begin to challenge the conviction of these shorts and focus will return to the 150.00/151.00 area.
- Options : Close significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: 145.50($323m).Upcoming Close Strikes : 144.50($1.34b June 25)
- CFTC data shows Asset managers maintained their already extensive JPY longs, while leveraged funds have pared back their own longs that had just begun to be rebuilt.
Fig 1 : USD/JPY Spot Daily Chart
Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
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JGB TECHS: (M5) Rallies off Lows
- RES 3: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)
- RES 2: 146.53 - High Aug 6
- RES 1: 141.48/142.95 - High May 2 / High Apr 7
- PRICE: 139.40 @ 15:42 GMT May 23
- SUP 1: 138.54 - Low May 22
- SUP 2: 136.57 - 1.382 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg
- SUP 3: 134.89 - 2.000 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg
JGBs have rallied off recent lows and for now, however a bearish theme remains intact following the reversal that started Apr 7. A continuation lower would signal scope for an extension towards 136.57, a Fibonacci projection. On the upside, a reversal higher would instead refocus attention on 142.95, the Apr 7 high. The first important resistance to watch is 141.48, the May 2 high. A break of this level would be viewed as an early bullish signal.
US FISCAL: Total Tariff Income Jumping In May As New Rates Hit
Treasury reported a record $16.5B in customs/excise taxes on May 22, reflecting the large increase in tariff rates that went into effect in April.
- Today's report is important because it represents the largest tariff collections of the month which are typically on a due date around the 22nd, when most corporate importers make their payments.
- Thursday's one-day collection is a record, and the month has already set a new record. Tariff revenues have totaled $22.3B so far in May, and are came in at $17.4B in April (after averaging $8.1B/month in 2024).
- For the fiscal year as a whole so far, customs duties have totaled just under $93B, per the Treasury Daily Statement.
US FISCAL: Extraordinary Measures Continue To Dissipate Alongside Treasury Cash
Treasury's latest estimate of the size of "extraordinary measures" available to use "in order to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations as Congress deliberate[s] on increasing the debt limit" is down to $67B on May 21 (of an available $299B), vs $82B a week earlier.
- The amount hit the 2nd lowest level since the debt limit impasse started, at $46B, on May 20 (the low was $34B on Feb 24).
- With $476B in cash in the Treasury General Account on May 21, that left the total resources available to Treasury at $543B, the least since April 14 - the day before the annual April 15 tax deadline.
- Treasury Sec Bessent warned Congress earlier this month that "there is a reasonable probability that the federal government's cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted in August while Congress is scheduled to be in recess. Therefore, I respectfully urge Congress to increase or suspend the debt limit by mid-July".
