THB: USD/THB Back Above Key EMAs, FinMin Wants Weaker FX, CPI Tomorrow

Dec-03 03:18

USD/THB is tracking modestly higher in the first part of Tuesday trade, in line with broader USD trends. We were last near 34.50/55, up close to 0.15% for the session. This is a fairly modest rise given the trends seen elsewhere, particularly the 0.30% rise in USD/CNH. Baht has outperformed in recent weeks, with the firmer yen providing some positive spillover. 

  • Tech wise for USD/THB, recent lows, at end Nov, were market close to the 50-day EMA (near 34.20). We are also back above the 20 and 100-day EMAs near 34.43. Further upside may see 34.83 (the 200-day EMA) targeted.
  • The Thailand FinMin has been on the wires stating that monetary and fiscal policy need to work in tandem and that recent low inflation outcomes provide room for a BoT cut (RTRS/BBG). The FinMin also expressed desire for a weaker currency, a consistent theme from parts of the government in recent months.
  • Other policy proposals are also being looked at in terms of corporate tax changes to attract offshore investment. The debt to GDP ratio, for the government, will not exceed 70%.
  • Note tomorrow we get Nov CPI, which comes ahead of the next policy decision on Dec 18. 

Historical bullets

US: Biden Remarks In Philadelphia Underway Shortly

Nov-01 20:31

US President Joe Biden is shortly due to deliver remarks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on his administration's "historic support for unions". LIVESTREAM 

  • The speech is a rare forray for Biden into presidential election swing states, with the Harris campaign reportedly preferring to keep distance from the President. A speech in critcal Pennylvania, and another event planned for Saturday, may suggest that Harris has calculated that Biden's appearance may help shore up some blue-collar votes in a state the president retains high levels of support.
  • However, considering a recent gaff, Biden's comments will be closely scrutinsed by the press and Republican operatives for any remarks that can be used in last-minute campaign material.
  • CNN noted: "More broadly, a Biden comment that will be portrayed by pro-Trump media as contempt for the ex-president’s supporters came at exactly the moment that Harris is trying to come across as a unifying figure to win over Republicans who are disaffected with Trump’s extremism but are not yet ready to take the leap to vote for a Democrat."
  • The Washington Examiner notes, in an article summarising the various problems Biden has caused Harris: "The president, now entering his final few months in the White House, may have more trouble with the errant comments. The Associated Press reported Thursday that the White House press office altered the stenographed transcript in a bid to clean up what Biden had said."

US TSY OPTIONS: BLOCK: Large Dec'24 5Y Call Spread

Nov-01 19:59
  • 28,591 FVZ4 107.5/109.5 call spreads, 22 vs. 106-30.5/0.30% at 1551:32ET

US TSYS: Late Treasury Roundup: Ignoring Jobs Data, Yields Climb Ahead Election

Nov-01 19:34
  • Curves maintained steeper profiles late Friday, despite Treasury futures gradually reversing this morning's post NFP-tied bid. Fast two-way trade reported as Treasury futures briefly extended lows than rebound gap higher after the latest employment report shows much lower than expected jobs gain and down revision to prior, unemployment rate in-line with expectations.
  • Support evaporated after higher than expected S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI, Construction Spending and ISM prices paid data. After the bell, the Dec'24 10Y contract trades through round number support to 109-31.5 (-15.5) while curves hold steeper levels -- reflecting improved rate cut expectations on the day: 2s10s +4.592 at 15.594 (vs. 7.660 low), 5s30s +3.035 at 34.538 (vs. 28.331 low). After
  • Projected rate cuts into early 2025 held firmer vs. late Thursday levels (*): Nov'24 cumulative at -24.6bp ( -23.5bp), Dec'24 -45.9bp (-42.8bp), Jan'25 -59.2bp (-58.1bp), Mar'25 -74.8bp (-75.0bp).
  • Greenback initially weakened across the board after the lower-than-expected headline, but the murky details around industrial action and hurricanes likely containing the market fallout here. The USD reversed course throughout the session, terminal rates in the US stronger climbs on the week which contributed to the strong dollar reversal on Friday, with the USD index looking to close the week broadly unchanged around 104.25.
  • Looking ahead, the US Presidential Election on Tuesday and the FOMC decision unusually on a Thursday are two major risk events in an otherwise light US calendar.