Recent moves in EUR/USD x-ccy basis saw many tenors trade in positive territory, as the USD lost its premium vs. the EUR.
- The general train of thought suggests that tighter U.S. regulation and the related lack of meaningful financial intermediation in the post-GFC world promoted the USD premium “norm” established in x-ccy basis in recent years. So the natural question is what drove the recent move?
- Long end EUR/USD x-ccy basis is particularly correlated to swap spread differentials, which traded further above 0 relative to the 6-month tenor.
- EUR swap spread tightening has made EUR issuance less attractive for USD-based issuers, removing latent demand to swap EUR into USD.
- Meanwhile, USD issuance from EUR-based issuers has continued to tick over, maintaining latent demand to swap USD into EUR.
- On net, this presents pay-side demand for x-ccy basis
- Note that the recent stabilisation/widening from lows in EUR swap spreads has coincided with a pullback from highs in x-ccy basis spreads, adding further weight to the correlation outlined above.
- Also note that some sell-side names have suggested that dealers’ gamma positioning may have fed into the sharp move higher in long end EUR/USD x-ccy.
Fig. 1: EUR/USD 3m, 6m, 1y, 5y, 10y & 30y Cross-Currency (X-ccy) Basis
Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
