FOREX: USD/JPY Remains Weaker After Conclusion of Consolidation Phase
Aug-15 09:00
- The USD Index trades rangebound and inside the Thursday range after the PPI print yesterday helped prompt a minor recovery in the greenback. This keeps prices 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 will likely continue to dominate sentiment, particularly after Putin's positivity in comments earlier this week helped support the e-mini S&P to a new record high.
- We noted yesterday 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.
- Just ahead of today's close, Presidents Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska. The meeting is set to continue for an indeterminate period of time before, reportedly, the Presidents will hold a joint press conference (however Trump stated that a joint appearance would be contingent on results of the meeting itself). Any appearance is likely to be well after the market close, leaving any reaction to Monday trade.
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FOREX: Greenback Consolidating Tuesday Advance, GBP Contained Post CPI
Jul-16 08:57
- G10 currency ranges have been very contained early Wednesday, allowing the US dollar to consolidate the prior day’s broad-based advance following the release of US inflation figures. The recent USD index recovery has now extended to around 2.3% from cycle lows printed on July 01. The rally marks the cleanest evidence yet of a material break of the downtrend posted off the February high, bolstered by a clean break above the 20-day EMA.
- USDJPY moderately extended its significant upswing overnight, printing at the highest level since April 03 at 149.18. Bullish momentum was underpinned by the rising US yields and breaks above the June and May highs likely exacerbated the move. The May high around 148.65 has provided support this morning, keeping a short-term bullish theme prominent.
- the next focus will be on 149.38, the 50.0% retracement of the Jan 10 - Apr 22 bear leg, and 150.49, the Apr 2 high.
- Despite headline and core CPI in the UK surprising to the upside, we think the BOE will largely describe inflation in the August MPR as broadly in line with their forecast. This explains the very limited reaction for GBP this morning, as markets assess the upcoming labour market data on Thursday and bearish technical developments for the pound.
- GBPUSD breached important trendline support below 1.3430 yesterday, drawn from the Jan 13 low. A clear break of the trendline strengthens a bearish threat and exposes 1.3335, the May 20 low.
- The data focus later today will be on US PPI, industrial production and the Fed’s beige book. There are also various FOMC speakers expected.
BONDS: Bonds Off Lows As Technical Supports Hold & Oil Softens
Jul-16 08:52
A downtick in crude oil helps stabilise wider core global FI.
- Technicals also play a part, with gilt futures respecting their early June low (91.16), while TY futures fail to break through Tuesday/overnight lows.
- Benchmark futures trade away from lows on the follow.
EGB OPTIONS: Bund Put Structure Trades
Jul-16 08:46
RXQ5 129 puts at 32 vs. RXV5 127 puts at 74.5-76.5 10K trades, selling the Q to buy the V, potentially rolling an existing position down and out.
