KRW: USD/KRW Dips To Multi-Week Lows

Jul-28 04:23

1 month USD/KRW got back to mid-June lows near 1301 early. We are slightly higher now at 1302. A break below 1300 would have the market targeting a move back to the 1295 region. Note the pairs remains comfortably above its 50-day MA, which currently sits at 1286.35.

  • The wedge between USD/KRW and the Kospi has diminished somewhat, see the chart below. The Kospi has pushed up again today, +0.90% so far.

Fig 1: The Won Plays Some Catch Up With Firmer Onshore Equities

Source: MNI/Market News/Bloomberg

  • Offshore investors haven't been participating much in the rebound, although the rate of outflows has certainly slowed, see the second chart below.
  • Arguably net inflow momentum should be higher given the extent of the Kospi rebound, +4% over the past month.
  • We may need to see increased participation from this investor base to drive further lows in USD/KRW.
  • The other interesting development is that Bloomberg has reported the Korean National Pension Service has engaged in some tactical hedging of overseas investments.
  • This isn't a game changer for the won, but is does highlight the sensitivity around FX levels at the moment.

Fig 2: Kospi and Net Equity Flows From Offshore Investors

Source: MNI/Market News/Bloomberg



Historical bullets

BUND TECHS: (U2) Positive Short-Term Tone

Jun-28 04:22
  • RES 4: 152.28 76.4% retracement of the May 12 - Jun 16 bear leg
  • RES 3: 151.05 50-day EMA
  • RES 2: 150.06 61.8% retracement of the May 12 - Jun 16 bear leg
  • RES 1: 149.00 High Jun 24
  • PRICE: 146.54 @ 05:05 BST Jun 28
  • SUP 1: 144.81 Low Jun 23
  • SUP 2: 142.56/140.67 Low Jun 17 / Low Jun 16 and bear trigger
  • SUP 3: 140.00 Psychological round number
  • SUP 4: 138.68 Low Jan 2 2014 (cont)

Bund futures maintain a positive short-term tone. Gains last week resulted in a breach of the 20-day EMA. The break of this average strengthens short-term bullish conditions and signals scope for a stronger corrective recovery. A resumption of gains would open 150.06, a Fibonacci retracement. On the downside, initial firm support to watch is 142.56, Jun 17 low. Note that short-term gains are still considered corrective, the bear trigger is 140.67.

AUSSIE BONDS: Digging Into AOFM CEO Nicholl’s Latest Address

Jun-28 04:00

This verse of AOFM chief Nicholl’s latest address is probably porividng some support to ACGBs: “Last year I specifically made mention of how we viewed development of the ultra-long end of the yield curve. Apart from reference to maturity gaps between successive 30-year benchmark bond lines, I highlighted consideration of maturity gaps between the 2041 and 2047 lines. I did that because the 20‑year part of the yield curve hasn’t, at least in our view, developed as a clear point of strategic interest. Even with the US recommencing new 20-year bond lines there doesn’t appear to be any traction for the idea that this part of the yield curve is of any more market interest than say 7 or 15 years. This looks to be the case for most comparable sovereign markets. Another year of observation has only entrenched this view and as such we have decided that no more new maturities are needed around the 20-year point of the AGS curve. In view of that we have abandoned a previous plan to establish a new 2043 or 2044 maturity because we don’t require new 20-year maturities from a portfolio management perspective.” We would suggest the lack of new issuance around this zone of the curve is the major reason for the rally in the ACGB space.

  • Nicholl also noted that “At present the most recent Budget announcement is well behind us and a new Budget is to be handed down again in a few months. But until new forecasts are released, we are using current guidance of around $125 billion in Treasury Bonds on which to base the 2022-23 issuance strategy.”
  • “In summary the year ahead looks to be far more business as usual in terms of issuance and improving Budget forecasts, but the backdrop of market conditions will present some challenging periods. “
  • Full text available here.

JGBS: Lacklustre 2-Year Auction; Cover Ratio Slides

Jun-28 03:49

Today’s sale of 2-Year JGBs saw the cover ratio decline to 3.81x from 5.43x at the previous auction, moving below the six-auction average of 4.65x. The price tail widened a little, although the low price matched dealer expectations (100.100 as per the BBG dealer poll). As we suggested in our preview, this auction was likely supported by domestic investors with capital to deploy, while the wider international investment community would likely stay away on the back of worry re: some form of BoJ recalibration.