ILS: Shekel Extends Gains To Best Levels Since 2022

Nov-12 10:40

USD/ILS extends its sell-off, losing altitude for the fourth consecutive day. The pair last deals at 3.1999, down 217 pips on the session, printing its worst levels since Aug 12, 2022. A dip through that day's low (3.1873) would open up Mar 31, 2022 low of 3.1666. Conversely, bulls look for gains toward the 50-DMA, which kicks in at 3.2969.

  • Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron said that the country faces a 'fiscal trilemma', seeking the right balance between defence spending, civilian expenditures, and fiscal responsibility. He added that the central bank estimates the cost of war at around ILS350bn. He advised that the governor should 'preserve fiscal space for potential future shocks' and reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio, targeting a deficit of just above 3% from 2026.
  • The Globes cited First International Bank's Idit Moskovich as saying that shekel strength has been 'a result of a decrease in the pricing of the inherent risks (of Israel) that have clouded the financial markets'.
  • The TA-35 Index has crept higher and last operates 0.6% above neutral levels.
  • Market participants look ahead to the release of October CPI on Friday.

Historical bullets

LOOK AHEAD: Monday-Tuesday Data Calendar: Fed Speakers

Oct-13 10:38

No scheduled data Monday, cash Tsys closed due to Columbus Day holiday, Globex full session. Focus on Fed Chair Powell's economic outlook at NABE meeting tomorrow.

  • US Data/Speaker Calendar (prior, estimate)
  • 10/13 1255 Philly Fed Paulson economic outlook NABE meeting (text, Q&A)
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  • 10/14 0600 NFIB Small Business Optimism
  • 10/14 0845 Fed VC Bowman moderated discussion ay IIF (no text)
  • 10/14 1130 US Tsy $86B 13W & $77B 26W bill auctions
  • 10/14 1220 Fed Chair Powell economic outlook NABE meeting (text, Q&A)
  • 10/14 1300 US Tsy $95B 6W bill auction
  • 10/14 1525 Fed Gov Waller, payments panel at IIF (no text, Q&A)
  • 10/14 1530 Boston Fed Collins moderated discussion (text, Q&A)
  • Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P. / MNI

OUTLOOK: Price Signal Summary - Bear Threat In Oil Futures Remains Present

Oct-13 10:38
  • On the commodity front, a bull cycle in Gold remains intact and today’s fresh cycle marks a bullish start to this week’s session. The move higher maintains the price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Sights are on the $4100.00 handle, and $4113.5, a 2.618 protection of the May 15 - Jun 16 - 30 price swing. Note that the trend is in overbought territory. A move down would be considered corrective and would allow the overbought set-up to unwind. Support to watch is $3836.5, the 20-day EMA.
  • A bearish theme in WTI futures remains intact. Friday’s move down confirmed a resumption of the bear leg - support at $60.40, the Oct 2 low, has been breached. This highlights an extension of the bearish price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. The move down opens $57.50 next, the May 30 low. On the upside, initial key resistance is at $66.42, the Sep 29 high. Clearance of this level would highlight a reversal. First resistance is $62.75, the 50-day EMA.

NORGES BANK: SEB Expect Certificates To Widen FRA-OIS, Lower NB Rate Path

Oct-13 10:34

SEB believe Norges Bank’s plans to introduce certificates as an additional tool to drain structural liquidity would lead to “wider NOK FRA-OIS spreads and a cheapening of T-bills. Meanwhile, normal market drivers should dominate the outlook for the NOK exchange rate”.

  • While details are still scarce, a return of FRA-OIS spreads to pre-2024 levels “seem reasonable”, according to SEB. “This would imply a widening in FRA-OIS spreads of approx. 10bps and create larger demand for FX forwards in 3- to 6m space. However, we also see a risk of increased volatility in money market spreads”.
  • Due to uncertainty around timing, and a likely gradual increase in certificate volumes over time, “the impact should be larger further out on the curve rather than in the very front end. 
  • “Creating a new tradeable asset class in NOK will cheapen short-dated T-bills and possibly the very front-end of the NGB curve as certificates offer an alternative (low duration) placement for FX.
  • Finally, “larger money market premiums will lower Norges Bank’s rate path. In its Sep25 MPR, Norges Bank assumed a stable 3m money market premium of 15bps until end-2028. An adjustment of 10bps to the long-term forecast would (normally) have an equally large impact on the rate path.