FOREX: USDJPY Takes Out Key Resistance; Broadens Upside Range

Nov-17 17:14
  • PM Sanae Takaichi is due to hold a meeting with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda Tuesday. This will be the first in-person meeting since Takaichi came to office, and comes as tensions have surfaced between Takaichi’s government and the BoJ. Any perceived pressure being put on the BoJ will be closely scrutinised by markets. This applies especially as further JPY weakness would increase the likelihood for a December BoJ hike which may act counter to Takaichi's dovish fiscal stance.
  • The minutes of the RBA's November policy meeting are due - at which comments concerning the labour market will be very closely watched. October employment change data more than doubled median expectations, with a shift to fulltime employment particularly notable - any acknowledgement that a stronger jobs markets could limit RBA easing ahead could have trigger AUD strength. Into the minutes release, AUDUSD is holding above the 0.65 handle, underpinned by the 200-dma support longer-term, last crossing at 0.6457.
  • Resultantly, the JPY is the poorest performing currency Monday, while GBP and NOK trade more favourably. EURGBP trades either side of the 0.88 handle, erasing a small part of the recent rally up to 0.8865.
  • Tuesday data schedule is light, with markets gearing for the now much-delayed September NFP print due this Thursday. The central bank slate is busier: ECB's Pereira & Dolenc are set to make appearances as well as BoE's Pill & Dhingra. Lastly, Fed's Barkin is due to comment on the economic outlook having not commented directly on policy since the last Fed decision. Barkin had previously seen less caution around the jobs market given the unlikely circumstance of broad layoffs given such a slow pace of hiring in recent years. 

Historical bullets

LOOK AHEAD: US Week Ahead Headlined By Delayed CPI Report On Friday

Oct-17 20:51
  • The September US CPI report will be released on Friday, delayed amidst the government shutdown but with the BLS making a special exception on social security payment considerations.
  • Bloomberg consensus looks for headline CPI inflation at a rounded 0.4% M/M after 0.38% back in August and for Y/Y inflation to firm two tenths to 3.1% for what would be its highest since May 2024.
  • Core inflation is seen at a rounded 0.3% M/M after 0.35% in August (exceeding the median unrounded estimate of 0.31%) and 0.32% in July. It’s expected to see core CPI inflation hold at 3.1% Y/Y having in August increased to its highest since February.
  • Core details should see focus on both goods and services angles: underlying goods inflation has clearly firmed in recent months on tariff pressures although the median increase has currently seen a peak back in June, whilst services will be watched for any spillover after some strong recent non-housing readings.
  • The report will come within the FOMC blackout period ahead of the Oct 28-29 decision, with a 25bp cut fully priced and likely needing a large surprise to alter this.
  • As for broader inflation details, Fed Chair Powell this week confusingly suggested that we will have the September PPI report but the BLS had previously said “No other releases will be rescheduled or produced until the resumption of regular government services”.

US DATA: Latest Jobless Claims Estimates During The Shutdown

Oct-17 20:30

As noted earlier, MNI estimates initial jobless claims at a seasonally adjusted 218k in the week to Oct 11 and continuing claims at a seasonally adjusted 1929k in the week to Oct 4. 

  • To give a better idea of sensitivity around these estimates, which rely on estimates for some missing states, we note the below analyst estimates:
  • Goldman Sachs have a central estimate of 217k for initial claims in a range of 211-225k, whilst they see continuing claims at 1917k in a range of 1885-1930k.  
  • JPMorgan meanwhile also see 217k for initial claims whilst they see continuing claims as having held constant at 1927k. 

NATGAS: Venture Global in Talks with Ukraine for more LNG Deliveries, Reuters

Oct-17 20:28

Ukraine is seeking more cargoes from Venture’s Plaquemines facility as the embattled nation approaches the winter heating season, according to Reuters sources

  • Venture is in talks with Ukraine’s DTEK to procure more LNG cargoes after a year of gas infrastructure attacks by the Russians.
  • Venture Global CEO Michael Sabel met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday October 16.
  • DTEK signed an agreement in 2024 for an undisclosed amount of LNG from the facility, as well as 2 mtpa from Calcasieu Pass Phase 2 currently under construction.
  • Plaquemines currently has spare capacity to deliver more cargoes to Ukraine on the spot market, per Reuters.
  • Plaquemines now sends out the second highest LNG volume in the US, with feedgas demand averaging 3.45 bcf/d according to MNI figures.