GBP: The Case For Underperformance Is Building Again

Jul-11 05:14

Goldman Sachs note that they recently pulled back on their “bearish GBP view after it looked like the BoE might be wavering on its inflation narrative, especially because GBP shorts seemed heavily positioned. But, we think the case for GBP underperformance is strengthening again, mostly because of the anticipated policy response to recent events. Political uncertainty increased in the UK after PM Johnson’s resignation. FX markets initially traded this as a positive development for GBP, presumably on the prospect for more expansionary fiscal policy in the near term and possibly a more moderate trade policy in the medium term. But, the recent sharp deterioration in the European growth outlook complicates matters, in our view. The government changeover could actually hinder a quick legislative response to fresh cost pressures, for example. In addition, the key divide on the BoE is over the outlook for consumers, and the distribution of risks have decidedly deteriorated since the last meeting. Arguably, the shifting outlook for Euro area growth could have bigger consequences for BoE policy over the next few meetings than the ECB, and the 130bp priced over the next 3 MPC meetings seems excessive.”

Historical bullets

US: Def Sec Austin Delivering Remarks On Indo-Pacific Strategy

Jun-11 00:30

20:30 ET 01:30 BST: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is continuing his ten-day tour of Asia with a speech at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore outlining "Next Steps for the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy."

  • The Secretary's speech will be livestreamed on the Pentagon website: https://www.defense.gov/News/Live-Events/
  • Today, Austin met with Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe to discuss "the need to responsibly manage competition and maintain open lines of communication."

USDCAD TECHS: Cements Short-Term Reversal

Jun-10 20:00
  • RES 4: 1.3077 High May 16 and the bull trigger
  • RES 3: 1.2982 High May 16
  • RES 2: 1.2896 High May 18 and a key resistance
  • RES 1: 1.2813 High Jun 10
  • PRICE: 1.2792 @ 16:01 BST Jun 10
  • SUP 1: 1.2518 Low Jun 8
  • SUP 2: 1.2459 Low Apr 21
  • SUP 3: 1.2403/02 Low Apr 5 and key support / 2.0% 10-dma env
  • SUP 4: 1.2387 Low Nov 10. 2021

A sharp rally in USDCAD continued Friday, cementing the short-term reversal. Key near-term support has been defined at 1.2518, the Jun 8 low. An extension higher would signal potential for a climb towards resistance at 1.2896, the May 19 high. For bears, a resumption of weakness and a breach of 1.2518 would again expose 1.2459, Apr 21 low and 1.2403 further out, the Apr 5 low and a key support.

US TSYS: Hot CPI, 2Y Yld Over 3% First Time Since 2008

Jun-10 19:51

Rates extend lows after May CPI came out higher than est at 1.0% vs. 0.7% est, unrounded 0.974%, core 0.631%. Heavy short end selling on inflation surge has market expecting Fed to hike US into a recession.

  • Notably, 2Y yield surged to 3.0611% - the highest level since 2008, while curves bull flattened after some initial volatility in the long end: 2s10s at 9.858 (-12.786) vs. 9.421 low, 5s10s inverted, flattening -7.273 at -9.761 vs. -10.722 low, while 5s30s slipped to inverted low of -6.661.
  • Reaction spurred several dealers to up their rate hikes estimates with Barclays now sees a 75bp Fed hike next week. They have also raised their forecast for the terminal rate by 25bp to 3.00-3.25% in early 2023, implying 150bp of hikes after June's meeting. That's the most aggressive June FOMC hiking call that we are aware of, but markets are pricing in a modest chance of such a surprise (15-20% probability per futures).
  • GS upped they're hike forecast to 50bp in June, July and September (from 50bp in Jun/Jul and 25bp in Sep).