THB: Outperforming In SEA FX, Higher Gold Likely Helping
USD/THB sits off earlier highs, the pair finding resistance near 32.90 in the first part of trade. We were last near 32.70/75, little changed so far in Thursday trade, leaving the baht outperforming some other currencies in South East Asia (SEA). The firmer gold price backdrop, up over 1.3% is likely aiding baht sentiment.
- For USD/THB technicals, recent lows close to 32.60 aren't too far away. We are some distance from meaningful upside resistance as well. The low 33.00 region, which acted as a support zone in April, may now act as a resistance point. The 20-day EMA is up around 33.35.
- The stronger gold backdrop is likely providing some offset to higher USD index levels post the Fed, which is seeing some USD/Asia gains in other parts of SEA (although the majors in the G10 space are mostly firmer against the USD so far today). The inverse directional correlation with USD/THB and gold still looks reasonable.
- In terms of local news flow, it was reported late yesterday the Tourism authority had revised down its estimate for 2025 arrivals to 35.5mln from 39mln (see this BBG link, ICYMI). This follows a slower trend in arrivals from parts of Asia, particularly China.
- Local equities are up firmly from recent lows, with May to date offshore equity inflows positive (+$123.4mln), although bond inflows have been stronger (+$1.183.5mln so far in May).
- The local data calendar is quiet with just FX reserves on tap tomorrow.
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AUSSIE BONDS: Cheaper But At Bests, Tracking US Tsys, CC Down, BC Unch
ACGBs (YM -12.0 & XM -16.5) are significantly cheaper but at session highs after today’s domestic confidence data.
- Westpac’s measure of consumer confidence sank 6% m/m in April to 90.1 down from 95.9 in March, which had been boosted by February’s rate cut. Both current conditions and expectations were lower.
- NAB’s March business survey was little changed from February with confidence down 1 point to -3 and conditions up 1 point to +4. The result is in line with moderate growth. The survey results don’t suggest any worry about a global trade war before US reciprocal tariffs were announced, which were higher than expected.
- However, the key driver of today’s intra-session move is likely to be US tsys. Cash US tsys are showing a bull-steepener, with benchmark yields flat to 3bps lower, in today's Asia-Pac session after yesterday’s extremely heavy session.
- Cash ACGBs are 11-16bps cheaper with the AU-US 10-year yield differential at +10bps.
- Swap rates are 8-13bps higher, with the 3s10s curve steeper.
- The bills strip has cheapened dramatically, with pricing -5 to -12.
- RBA-dated OIS pricing is 4-14bps firmer across meetings today. A 50bp rate cut in May is given a 44% probability, with a cumulative 110bps of easing priced by year-end.
AUSTRALIA DATA: NAB Business Survey Little Changed Ahead Of US Tariffs
NAB’s March business survey was little changed from February with confidence down 1 point to -3 and conditions up 1 point to +4. The result is in line with moderate growth but doesn’t signal any pickup in the pace of the recovery, likely given heightened uncertainty. The survey results don’t suggest any worry about a global trade war before US reciprocal tariffs were announced, which were higher than expected.
- On the inflation side, labour costs remained elevated at 1.5% 3m/3m after 1.6% and purchase costs were steady at 1.4%. However, the rise in final product prices held at a subdued 0.4%
- The pickup in conditions was driven by a 2 point increase in profitability to +1, while employment was steady at +4 and trading fell 1 point to +6. Capex rose 1 point to +7.
- Forward looking orders rose 1 point to -2, while stocks increased 2 points to +5, which may be indicating preparation for stronger demand as capacity utilisation rose almost 1pp to 82.9%.
- On the external front, exports were flat at 0 and sales rose 1 point to +1.
AUSSIE BONDS: ACGB Jun-34 (Green) Auction Result
The AOFM sells A$400mn of the 4.25% 21 June 2034 Green Bond:
- Average Yield (%): 4.1725 (prev. 4.4693)
- High Yield (%): 4.1750 (prev. 4.4725)
- Bid/Cover: 4.8875x (prev. 5.1833x)
- Allotted at Highest Accepted Yld as % of Bid at that Yld (%): 51 (prev. 39.5)
- Bidders: 41 (prev. 38), 13 (prev. 12) successful, 6 (prev. 6) allocated in full
