Founder & Chief Market Strategist - SAV Markets, SAV Markets

Shyam Devani

Founder & Chief Market Strategist - SAV Markets

FX & Rates

Sometimes it is not what the market does but rather what the market does not do that can be more telling.The USD is down almost across the board following concerning sentiment data from the US which also took yields lower. BUT…Why is USDCNH unchanged?It brings us back to the conversation of ‘currency wars’The Renminbi basket has been trading near its multi year highs for several weeks. It is perhaps why the Chinese changed their RRR policy a few weeks ago. Recent data reflects a more relaxed recovery in China as it is worse than expected – see retail sales and industrial production as latest examples. The Covid situation in China is far from over as news, including partial closure of ports, clearly shows. In basic terms China is uncomfortable with its current situation and needs support. Given the rise of the Renminbi in broad terms over the past year, it appears now might be the time for that support to come in the form of a weaker currency.It is with this in mind that we must pay further attention to EURCNH which is turning from the covid panic lows of 2020. What business does it have trading around 7.60? The price action developments suggest we move higher. The technicals on the chart suggest the same. The logical path following the height of the Renminbi basket also points to the same, especially if this is the start of a decent enough short term move down on the USD.This possible tactical ‘rotation’ or ‘USD diversification’ on part of China (if indeed that is what we are seeing) could add further support to EURUSD, which once again has held on to good levels at 1.17.

Sometimes it is not what the market does but rather what the market does not do that can be more telling.The USD is down almost across the board following concerning sentiment data from the US which also took yields lower. BUT…Why is USDCNH unchanged?It brings us back to the conversation of ‘currency wars’The Renminbi basket has been trading near its multi year highs for several weeks. It is perhaps why the Chinese changed their RRR policy a few weeks ago. Recent data reflects a more relaxed recovery in China as it is worse than expected – see retail sales and industrial production as latest examples. The Covid situation in China is far from over as news, including partial closure of ports, clearly shows. In basic terms China is uncomfortable with its current situation and needs support. Given the rise of the Renminbi in broad terms over the past year, it appears now might be the time for that support to come in the form of a weaker currency.It is with this in mind that we must pay further attention to EURCNH which is turning from the covid panic lows of 2020. What business does it have trading around 7.60? The price action developments suggest we move higher. The technicals on the chart suggest the same. The logical path following the height of the Renminbi basket also points to the same, especially if this is the start of a decent enough short term move down on the USD.This possible tactical ‘rotation’ or ‘USD diversification’ on part of China (if indeed that is what we are seeing) could add further support to EURUSD, which once again has held on to good levels at 1.17.

Technical Analysis

To many, it has been a classic year of ‘follow the pain’ when it comes to major foreign exchange. Here we are once again at the top of the range for the USD and can spot reversals across different indices.Given the levels from where these developments are unfolding, the latest price action suggests a lower USD from here at least in the near term. Beyond that we may even see a move to the other end of the ranges which could be anything up to 3% away.Note, USDJPY does not look particularly concerning. The recent breaks higher in long end US yields is likely to support it. Should it remain stable, it is still expected that JPY crosses may do well – see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/fx-jpy-crosses-ready-to-move" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:55906" rel="noopener">FX: JPY Crosses Ready to Move?</a> .

To many, it has been a classic year of ‘follow the pain’ when it comes to major foreign exchange. Here we are once again at the top of the range for the USD and can spot reversals across different indices.Given the levels from where these developments are unfolding, the latest price action suggests a lower USD from here at least in the near term. Beyond that we may even see a move to the other end of the ranges which could be anything up to 3% away.Note, USDJPY does not look particularly concerning. The recent breaks higher in long end US yields is likely to support it. Should it remain stable, it is still expected that JPY crosses may do well – see FX: JPY Crosses Ready to Move? .

Fixed Income and Currency Strategist

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

We suggest taking profits on our long-standing recommendation to buy the Mexican peso against the Canadian dollar. The peso has been among the best-performing currencies in EM this year helped by the central bank’s surprise rate hike at the last meeting. The Canadian dollar, meanwhile, has underperformed following last month’s dovish taper by the central bank. We remain constructive on the peso but opt to close the trade as we see the risk that the central bank conveys a dovish message at the next meeting even as it raises the policy rate.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

We suggest taking profits on our long-standing recommendation to buy the Mexican peso against the Canadian dollar. The peso has been among the best-performing currencies in EM this year helped by the central bank’s surprise rate hike at the last meeting. The Canadian dollar, meanwhile, has underperformed following last month’s dovish taper by the central bank. We remain constructive on the peso but opt to close the trade as we see the risk that the central bank conveys a dovish message at the next meeting even as it raises the policy rate.Separately, the attached file is a snapshot of the EM currency market in which we seek to identify the leaders and laggards among currencies by comparing the performance of each to its history as well as to other currencies based on their respective betas to an EM currency index.

FX Dashboard: Take Profits on Long Mexican Peso Vs Short Canadian Dollar

In our monthly trade ideas recap note, we provide a performance update of the trade recommendations in FX and rates that we make weekly and discuss the new recommendations as well as those we closed over the past month. We have made a total of 21 trade recommendations so far, of which 15 are in the money.

In our monthly trade ideas recap note, we provide a performance update of the trade recommendations in FX and rates that we make weekly and discuss the new recommendations as well as those we closed over the past month. We have made a total of 21 trade recommendations so far, of which 15 are in the money.

Alpha Bites: Performance Summary of Trade Recommendations – August 2021

Cross Asset Strategy

Cross market developments over the past week point to real yields moving deeper into negative territory in the US. The combination of higher commodity prices, a break higher on breakevens and and anchored nominal yields will likely result in support for hard assets like Gold and Real Estate, both of which are looking more interesting

Cross market developments over the past week point to real yields moving deeper into negative territory in the US. The combination of higher commodity prices, a break higher on breakevens and and anchored nominal yields will likely result in support for hard assets like Gold and Real Estate, both of which are looking more interesting

Real Yields - Focus Again on Hard Assets?

United States

The U.S. Dollar Index(USDX) indicates the general int'l value of the USD. The USDX does this by averaging the exchange rates between the USD and major world currencies. The ICE US computes this by using the rates supplied by some 500 banks. FOR REAL TIME SEE EIS ICEA<GO>.

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Dollar Index (DXY CURNCY)

What About the Renminbi?

Latest developments across FX markets lead us to ask questions about recent Renminbi strength and if that is about to change. Watch EURCNH

Shyam Devani

Another Turning Point for the USD

The USD once again looks to be turning from near the extremes of the ranges of this year. A weaker USD is likely to be seen in at least the short...

Shyam Devani

FX Dashboard: Take Profits on Long Mexican Peso Vs Short Canadian Dollar

We suggest taking profits on our long-standing recommendation to buy the Mexican peso against the Canadian dollar. The peso has been the best...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Alpha Bites: Performance Summary of Trade Recommendations – August 2021

We provide a performance update of all our trade recommendations along with discussing the new trades from last month. We have made a total of 21...

Gautam Jain, PhD, CFA

Real Yields - Focus Again on Hard Assets?

US real yields continue to look likely to move deeper into negative territory allowing Gold and real estate to perform well

Shyam Devani

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