RIKSBANK: Thedeen Speech Sets The Stage For Rate Tweaks Later This Year (1/2)

Sep-16 12:14

An interesting and important speech from Riksbank Governor Thedeen last week set the stage for a number of secondary rate tweaks later this year. While the policy rate is unsurprisingly the primary point of interest for most Riksbank watchers (particularly with next week’s decision a very close call between a hold and a 25bp cut), these proposed tweaks concern the lending rate, deposit rate and supplementary liquidity facility (SLF) rate.  The speech is here

  • The deposit rate is currently set 10bps below the policy rate, with the lending rate set 10bps above (creating a 20bp wide corridor within which the monetary stance is managed). The SLF rate, which allows banks to borrow funds using lower grade collateral than required by the lending rate, is set at 75bps above the policy rate.
  • With excess liquidity continuing to decrease, the Riksbank wants to promote more active liquidity management in the interbank market without stigmatizing the use of its liquidity facilities when banks require.
  • To facilitate such a shift, Thedéen suggested the Riksbank is considering (i) widening the deposit/lending rate corridor (to support more interbank activity) and (ii) lowering the interest rate premium for use of the SLF (to make sure banks are not afraid to access CB liquidity if needed).
  • SEB believe the proposed policy changes could “could lead to more short-end volatility, higher demand for short-dated SGBs/T-bills and [a] wider Stibor/OIS spread”.
  • These changes certainly won’t be made at the September decision. Thedéen notes that “if we decide to proceed with one or more of these points, we will first send the proposal out for consultation to the relevant market participants”. However, we wouldn’t rule out such tweaks at the November or December meetings. 

Historical bullets

AUSSIE 10-YEAR TECHS: (U5) Follows Fade in Treasuries

Aug-15 22:15
  • RES 3: 96.501 - 76.4% of the Mar 14 - Nov 1 ‘23 bear leg
  • RES 2: 96.207 - 61.8% of the Mar 14 - Nov 1 ‘23 bear leg
  • RES 1: 95.960 - High Apr 7
  • PRICE: 95.710 @ 15:17 BST Aug 15
  • SUP 1: 95.415/95.300 - Low May 15 / Low Jan 14  
  • SUP 2: 95.275 - Low Nov 14  (cont) and a key support
  • SUP 3: 94.707 - 1.0% 10-dma envelope

Aussie 10-yr futures received a boost from the US Treasury rally that followed both the recent poor NFP print as well as Tuesday’s inflation number. While this impact faded into the close of the week, 10-year futures remain toward the top end of the recent range. To the upside, next resistance is at 96.207, a Fibonacci retracement point. Next support undercuts at 95.420 (pierced), the Feb 13 low, ahead of 95.275, the Nov 14 low and a key support. Clearance of this level would strengthen a bearish condition. 

FOREX: USD Index Pinned to 50-dma as Putin Shakes Hands with Trump

Aug-15 20:49
  • USD slipped against all others Friday, with a poor set of retail sales and Uni of Michigan sentiment numbers meeting a higher-than-expected import price index to further stimulate concerns over a stagflarionary phase in the US economy. The USD Index trades either side of the 50-dma which, notably, has begun to flatten out  after maintaining a solid downtrend throughout 2025.
  • JPY is the strongest currency in G10, extending the breakout and bearish  conclusion of the consolidation phase in USD/JPY. Recent weakness puts the  price through support drawn off the early August lows as well as 146.71, a  key retracement. Price action this week marks a full reversal of the  previously overbought condition, keeping the downside argument in focus.
  • Anticipation ahead of the Putin-Trump meeting has reached fever pitch. Footage showing the Presidents shaking hands in Alaska has helped ease concerns over a hostile meeting, but it's the outcomes that will matter to markets - particularly as equities hold at alltime highs. Any signs of progress toward a ceasefire would be warmly received by risk sentiment - although both Trump and Putin cautioned against a optimistic outcome in comments to press.  
  • We noted earlier in the week the pressure building on USD/HKD, with price action not matching the pattern of HKMA intervention. That move extended overnight, and  is still building at typing, putting spot down to new pullback lows of 7.8119 shortly after the European open. Overnight swap rates have surged further  still Friday (hitting 1.7% at typing), well ahead of the 0.3% prevailing rate  mid-week and should continue to support a recovery in HIBOR fixes ahead.  Today's 1m HIBOR fixed higher by 41bps, hitting 1.45% for the highest fix  since mid-May. It's these factors that should work against the HKD carry  trade (selling HKD, buying USD), evident in the further tightening of the HKD  forward discount today: down 975 points from as high as 1270 this month.
  • Focus in the coming week shifts to Jackson Hole and Powell's comments on Friday. With the September meeting still in flux - any conviction toward tipping the board toward a rate cut at the next FOMC will be carefully watched, but it's a hawkish outturn that could be more consequential for markets, as OIS prices a near 90% chance of easing on September 17th. 

MNI: US TSY TICS NET FLOWS IN JUN +$77.8B

Aug-15 20:00
  • MNI: US TSY TICS NET FLOWS IN JUN +$77.8B
  • US TSY TICS NET L-T FLOWS IN JUN +$150.8B