CROSS ASSET: Credit Suisse Map Out Month-End Flows

Feb-28 02:40

Ahead of month-end Credit Suisse note that “all asset classes in our rebalancing model are negative MtD. U.S. equities outperformed on a relative basis largely on the backs of NVDA, AAPL, and MSFT, which collectively accounted for +20 index points.”

  • “The general weakness in the U.S. ex-tech (all sectors negative MtD except tech) increases our caveats around predictions, but our pension model estimates a sell in U.S. equities of $3.7bn”
  • “International developed and emerging equities underperformed MtD, and both are within +/- 2% or so vs SPX on a QtD basis. Our model projects $200mn to buy in developed equities and $4.5bn to buy in emerging equities.”
  • “On the rates side, AGG is -2.8% MtD, roughly in line with other assets in our model. As a result, our estimate calls for ~$1.5bn to sell as funds adjust exposure.”
  • “Our usual caveats: the actual timing of trades can vary dramatically based on several different factors including market sentiment (short-term and long-term), flexibility around asset target mix, implementation costs, liquidity events, regularly scheduled cash flows, etc.”
  • “Adding to the noise, MSCI’s Feb 2023 review is effective as of Tuesday’s close. Our index team estimates ~$27bn to trade as passive managers rebalance.”

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Remains Vulnerable

Jan-27 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.3751 High Nov 4
  • RES 3: 1.3705 Dec 16 and the bull trigger
  • RES 2: 1.3665 High Jan 6
  • RES 1: 1.3434/3521 20-day EMA / High Jan 19
  • PRICE: 1.3334 @ 16:48 GMT Jan 27
  • SUP 1: 1.3301 Low Jan 27
  • SUP 2: 1.3226 Low Nov 15 and bear trigger
  • SUP 3: 1.3205 61.8% retracement of the Aug 11 - Oct 13 rally
  • SUP 4: 1.3131 0.764 proj of the Oct 13 - Nov 15 - Dec 16 price swing

USDCAD bearish trend conditions have been reinforced. The move lower Thursday extended through to the Friday close having resulted in a print below initial support at 1.3322. A clear break of this level signals scope for 1.3226, the Nov 13 low and the bear trigger. Moving average studies are in a bear mode position, highlighting a downtrend. On the upside, the pair needs to clear 1.3521 to signal a reversal.

AUDUSD TECHS: Northbound

Jan-27 20:30
  • RES 4: 0.7245 2.00 proj of the Nov 21 - Dec 13 - Dec 20 price swing
  • RES 3: 0.7202 High Jun 9
  • RES 2: 0.7172 1.764 proj of the Nov 21 - Dec 13 - Dec 20 price swing
  • RES 1: 0.7142 High Jan 26
  • PRICE: 0.7108 @ 16:45 GMT Jan 27
  • SUP 1: 0.6994/6943 Low Nov 24 / 20-day EMA
  • SUP 2: 0.6872 Low Jan 19 and a key support
  • SUP 3: 0.6826 50-day EMA
  • SUP 4: 0.6688 Low Jan 3 and key support

AUDUSD remains firm and traded higher Thursday. Resistance at 0.7063, the Jan 18 high, has been cleared this week. This has confirmed a resumption of the uptrend and maintains the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. The focus is on a move to 0.7172 next, a Fibonacci projection. On the downside, short-term support is seen at the 20-day EMA - it intersects at 0.6943.

US TSYS: Late Tsy Roundup: Implied Hike Steady at 25.9Bp Ahead Wed FOMC

Jan-27 20:23
  • Tsys mildly weaker after the bell, well off late morning lows to near middle of range through early overnight trade. Tsy 30YY currently 3.6306 -.0091, vs. 3.6845% high)
    • Higher than expected Japanese CPI data overnight (+4.4% Y/Y; MEDIAN 4.0%; Dec 3.9%) got the ball rolling overnight, Tsys extending lows ahead the NY open.
    • Tsys see-sawed off lows drawing modest buying in intermediates to long end after largely in-line data: personal income +0.2%; NOM PCE -0.2%, modest lower revision to prior. Little react to midmorning Pending Home Sales (+2.5% MOM; -33.8% YOY) and UofM sentiment 64.9; est. 64.6.
    • Fed funds implied hike for Feb'23 at 25.9bp (-0.7), Mar'23 cumulative at 46.4bp (-0.5) to 4.793%, May'23 56.9bp (+.1) to 4.898%, terminal at 4.905% in Jun'23.
    • Focus on next week Wed's FOMC policy annc, dovish risks to this meeting appear at least partly priced in, including some expectations of Statement language acknowledging decelerating inflation, or a clear signal that the end of the hiking cycle is near.
    • Next employment report covering January out next Friday as well, current median est at +175k vs. +223k prior..