PLN: Zloty Outperforms In CE3 Basket, Focus On Inflation & Munich Conference

Feb-14 10:52

EUR/PLN stays within yesterday's range despite shedding 57 pips so far to last trade at 4.1636. The psychologically significant 4.15 level remains in focus and a clean break here would represent another important bearish development. Bulls look for a rebound towards the 50-EMA, which intersects at 4.2348.

  • Poland's inflation topped expectations in January, echoing recent above-forecast prints in Czechia and Hungary. Headline CPI came in at +5.3% Y/Y, which was above the forecast range in Bloomberg's survey. Firmer-than-expected increase in price pressures will support the arguments of hawkish-leaning MPC members, which has been reflected in a downtick in EUR/PLN around the release.
    • As a reminder, January CPI data will be revised alongside the revision of the composition and weightings of items included in the CPI basket next month. These revisions historically tended to adjust preliminary figures to the downside.
  • POLGB yields have now unwound their earlier gains. The 3-month WIBOR/9x12 FRA spread now sits around 87bp, with market participants still sceptical about Governor Glapinski's hawkish guidance from December/January.
  • Regional geopolitics are coming to the fore ahead of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and amid an intensification of diplomatic activity around future Ukraine ceasefire talks.
    • The market appears to have been betting on a faster ceasefire in Ukraine in recent weeks, which has helped propel gains in CE3 FX and equities. Polymarkets currently puts the odds of a ceasefire by end-2025 at 69%.
    • There are numerous question marks around the nascent talks, including the nature and sustainability of potential security guarantees and enforcement mechanisms.
  • The WIG Index has added 0.1% today while leaving yesterday's all-time high intact. The WIG20 Index operates marginally below neutral levels.

Historical bullets

EGBS: Bunds Rise Alongside Gilts Following UK CPI

Jan-15 10:38

Major EGB futures have risen alongside Gilts following the lower-than-expected UK CPI reading this morning, with Bund futures +14 ticks at 130.61 at typing, just off session highs of 130.74.

  • German cash yields are 0.5-3bps lower, with the belly outperforming. The 10-year Gilt/Bund spread has tightened almost 6bps on the session following the UK data.
  • 10-year EGB spreads to Bunds have tightened, with BTPs outperforming. After reaching a high of 124bps on Monday, the BTP/Bund spread is now back at ~116.5bps.
  • Today's 30-year Bund auction saw average results, while the EFSF has sent an RFP for an upcoming transaction, in line with MNI’s expectations. We expect the transaction to take place on Monday or Tuesday next week.
  • Eurozone industrial production was in line with consensus expectations and MNI’s tracking at 0.2% M/M (vs an upwardly revised 0.2% prior).
  • ECB speakers (Lane overnight, de Guindos and Villeroy this morning) have re-iterated the base case of further policy easing, but were not market movers.
  • Global focus remains squarely on this afternoon’s US CPI report (1330GMT).

PORTUGAL T-BILL AUCTION RESULT: 12-Month BT

Jan-15 10:37
Type12-month BT
MaturityJan 16, 2026
AmountE1bln
TargetE1.0-1.25bln
PreviousE500mln
Avg yield2.416%
Previous2.344%
Bid-to-cover2.67x
Previous3.11x
Previous dateDec 04, 2024

GILTS: Outperforming Following CPI, Curve Steepens On Dovish BoE Repricing

Jan-15 10:35

Gilts off morning highs after softer-than-expected CPI data drove a rally at the open.

  • Markets ignore the fact that the downside surprise was mostly driven by volatile components.
  • The recent increase in short positioning in futures (flagged in recent days) will be contributing to the rally.
  • Limited weakness following the 4.25% Jul-34 gilt auction, which generated the lowest cover ratio for an offering of the line since ’23, countered by an average tail (there was risk of a wider tail given recent gilt weakness/vol.).
  • Futures +80 at 90.05, range 89.68-90.19.
  • Bearish trend in futures intact, although today’s data puts that at risk. Initial support and resistance located at 88.96 and 90.31, respectively.
  • Yields 6.5-11bp lower.
  • 10s ~25bp off end ’24 highs, ~11bp off early ’25 highs.
  • 5s30s on track for a fresh cycle closing high, last 86.4bp.
  • 10s spread vs. Bunds ~5.5bp tighter at 218bp, driven by CPI.
  • BoE-dated OIS showing 51bp of cuts vs. 36.5bp late yesterday (latter represented a fresh cycle hawkish extreme).
  • SONIA futures +2.5 to +11.0.
  • Dovish flow seen in SONIA options this morning (covered earlier).
  • Comments from BoE dovish dissenter Taylor due this afternoon (16:30 London), with particular focus on his comments in light of the recent market adjustments.

BoE Meeting

SONIA BoE-Dated OIS (%)

Difference vs. Current Effective SONIA Rate (bp)

Feb-25

4.492

-20.9

Mar-25

4.471

-22.9

May-25

4.378

-32.2

Jun-25

4.338

-36.2

Aug-25

4.262

-43.8

Sep-25

4.247

-45.3

Nov-25

4.206

-49.4

Dec-25

4.191

-50.9