EUR Fails To Kick On After Knockout

This shortened holiday week should be capable of living up to the hype of being action packed to a few trading sessions of real opportunity. Capital markets have not missed much of a beat, starting the second half of the year where they left off — following most global bourses higher. The theme for this half will be the investor trying to predict what central bank can afford to initiate a normal monetary policy this year. From the Group of 10’s perspective, the Bank of England (BoE) and sterling are clearly ahead of the pack. Rate divergence brings forth currency trading opportunities — far more than what investors have been exposed to for the first six months of this year. Notwithstanding a relatively quiet European session this morning, the market’s focus is eyeing data and events from the U.S., particularly the ADP employment report. Tomorrow, the nonfarm payrolls (NFP) report is delivered one day ahead of schedule due to the Fourth of July holiday on Friday. Expect a few early fireworks!

European equities continue to underperform their U.S. counterparts, mostly on the back of European economic data that points to a fragile and uneven recovery. The U.S. fraternity has kicked on ever since last month saw the European Central Bank (ECB) introduce a package of easing measures including interest rate cuts and cheap credit to the financial sector. Most of the euphoria from the last ECB meet has evaporated — the EUR is trading at or near its highs since (€1.3660), while European stocks continue to underperform. Is there a need for the ECB to step up its efforts again rather than wait in a holding pattern? The ECB makes its July policy announcement tomorrow, but many expect President Mario Draghi and company to keep policy on hold for now, especially after last month’s bold action.

British Economy Keeps on Booming

The U.K. economy is on another trajectory compared to its European counterparts. Today’s June U.K. construction purchasing managers index (PMI) surprised to the upside, coming in at 62.6 versus 60 in May and 59.8 expectations. The favored sterling trade this quarter has managed to jump to a fresh five-and-a-half-year high (£1.7176), while the EUR/GBP falls to €0.7953, the lowest level since September 2012. This is the 14th consecutive increase, and one that was driven by a rise in residential house building. With this morning’s June PMI print hitting a four-month high and yesterday’s manufacturing PMI a seven-month high, it’s looking increasingly likely that second-quarter gross domestic product growth will be stronger than the +0.8% seen in the first quarter. With Governor Mark Carney having stressed that data strength will drive bank rates higher, this week’s printouts favor a BoE tightening in 2014 rather than next year. The market will be looking very carefully at tomorrow’s services PMI for confirmation. Another beat would be good for sterling “bulls.” Currently, mooted offers stand tall near £1.7190 and £1.7200.

Euro data this morning is not EUR friendly. The eurozone producer prices fell for a fifth straight month in May (-0.1%, month-over-month, and -1%, year-over-year). The slide has not been dramatic but consistent, and it suggests that consumer prices are unlikely to pick up significantly anytime soon. Economic prints like this will see countries like France call for more action from the ECB (engage in quantitative easing, etc.). The single currency’s action is a tad strange this morning. It would seem that EUR/USD traders might be sitting a little “long” after the successful ‘knock-out’ of €1.3700. They are certainly disappointed by the lack of follow through. This has resulted in a general unwinding of “long” positions (from €1.3700 to €1.3658). EUR/GBP selling has helped to put more pressure on the 18-member single currency. Following the EUR crosses certainly paints a clearer picture. Investors will want to wait for the ADP private sector survey data of the U.S. labor market and Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s speech at the International Monetary Fund conference in Washington for further inspiration. Maybe the impending end of the Fed’s stimulus program means it’s time for investors to contemplate pulling back from risky assets?

Aussie Dollar Soars to New High

The Aussie dollar has managed to keep most of Australasia occupied of late, mostly by the crowded carry trade funded by the EUR. Last night, and after five consecutive months of surplus, Australia’s terms of trade fell into deficit for the second straight month in May, and the latest A$1.9B shortfall is the biggest in the past 18 months. Australian exports fell -5%, month-over-month, as shipments to its largest trading partner — China — fell a whopping -12% (similar story from Japan). Being a commodity rich country, gold and crude oil saw some of the biggest relative declines on sequential basis, and this despite shipments of iron ore held up on demand from Japan (rising to A$6.74B from A$6.42B prior). The Aussie, not surprisingly has been one of the most volatile currencies among the majors (A$0.9460). However, there remains a market appetite on Aussie pullback to own higher yielding currencies mostly funded by a cheaper EUR.

Expect the market to take more of an interest in emerging market currencies, especially after Argentina’s credit rating was placed on negative watch by S&P Ratings. The company is projecting a 50% chance of being lowered to selective default, after the sovereign missed its scheduled payment on Monday. S&P noted, “The CreditWatch placement reflects our view of at least a one-in-two probability that Argentina will not pay the outstanding +US$539M interest payment on the discount bonds within the 30-day grace period allowed thereunder.” However, the ratings agency did note that “affirmation of the ‘CCC+/C’ local currency ratings reflects our view that the potential disruptions to payments on Argentina’s external debt are not likely to further erode its ability to service debt issued in local currency under local law.”

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Dean Popplewell

Dean Popplewell

Vice-President of Market Analysis at MarketPulse
Dean Popplewell has nearly two decades of experience trading currencies and fixed income instruments. He has a deep understanding of market fundamentals and the impact of global events on capital markets. He is respected among professional traders for his skilled analysis and career history as global head of trading for firms such as Scotia Capital and BMO Nesbitt Burns. Since joining OANDA in 2006, Dean has played an instrumental role in driving awareness of the forex market as an emerging asset class for retail investors, as well as providing expert counsel to a number of internal teams on how to best serve clients and industry stakeholders.
Dean Popplewell