The foreign exchange markets noticed many themes at play, together with geopolitical developments, central financial institution commentary, and prime tier financial releases.
Protected-havens just like the Swiss franc and Japanese yen outperformed, whereas the “risk-on” currencies rode a rollercoaster of broad danger sentiment headlines and particular person nation tales.
USD Pairs
Overlay of USD vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The U.S. greenback had a risky week, beginning robust and holding floor as merchants digested financial information, central financial institution commentary, and geopolitical developments.
Monday-Tuesday: Sturdy Begin on Fee Lower Recalibration
The greenback kicked off the week on an arguably constructive notice, constructing on momentum from Friday’s robust jobs report. This information lowered expectations for an aggressive 0.50% Fed price reduce in November, pushing 10-year Treasury yields above 4% for the primary time since August.
The greenback index climbed for the seventh straight day on Tuesday, doubtless additionally benefiting from broad risk-off sentiment as Chinese language equities fell on skepticism round imprecise stimulus plans. The U.S. Commerce Stability report, exhibiting a narrower deficit than anticipated, probably offered extra help for the Buck.
Midweek: FOMC Minutes and Shifting Sentiment
Wednesday noticed continued greenback energy because the FOMC minutes revealed a “substantial majority” supported September’s 50bps price reduce, although some members favored a smaller discount. This uncertainty, coupled with feedback from Fed officers supporting a extra gradual method to easing, helped keep the greenback’s place. Nevertheless, the rejection of a set price reduce path within the minutes started to mood among the greenback’s beneficial properties.
Thursday-Friday: Information-Pushed Volatility
Volatility picked up on Thursday with the discharge of key financial information:
- U.S. CPI Report: September’s headline inflation held regular at 0.3% m/m (0.2% anticipated), whereas core CPI remained at 0.2% m/m (0.1% anticipated). The warmer-than-anticipated figures additional diminished the chance of a 0.50% Fed price reduce in November.
- Weekly Preliminary Jobless Claims: Weekly preliminary claims got here in greater than anticipated at 258K (231K forecast), introducing some uncertainty about labor market energy.
These combined alerts created uneven buying and selling circumstances for the greenback. The foreign money confronted extra strain on Friday following a weaker-than-expected U.S. PPI report, resulting in a notable decline towards a number of main currencies. The preliminary College of Michigan client sentiment index for October launch later within the day prompted extra bearish vibes, however not sufficient for the U.S. greenback to lock the week in a broad web winner.
Bullish Headline Arguments
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FOMC members help extra gradual tempo of price cuts:
- FOMC Sept assembly minutes shrugged off financial downturn considerations in near- or medium-term
- Raphael Bostic mentioned the labor market has slowed down however will not be sluggish, and he stays “laser-focused” towards the inflation that’s nonetheless “too excessive”
- Raphael Bostic added just a few days later that he’s “open” to retaining insurance policies unchanged in November
- Philip Jefferson favors a meeting-by-meeting method to price cuts, and mentioned the Fed’s stability of dangers has modified as inflation has diminished and employment dangers have risen
- John Williams favors decrease charges however the timing and tempo of future changes might be primarily based on evolving information, outlook, and dangers
- Austan Goolsbee famous the “overwhelming majority” of Fed policymakers count on charges will “progressively come down a good quantity to one thing properly under the place they’re at present”
- Non-voting member Lorie Logan known as for gradual price cuts, mentioned mustn’t rush easing given actual upside dangers to inflation
- Non-voting member Lorie Logan added {that a} extra gradual path to coverage normalization following September’s 50bps price reduce
- NFIB U.S. Small Enterprise Optimism Index for September 2024: 91.5 (92.0 forecast; 91.2 earlier)
- U.S. commerce deficit shrank from $78.9B to $70.4B ($70.1 anticipated) in August as exports (+2.0%) outpaced imports (-0.9%)
- RealClearMarkets/TIPP Financial Optimism Index jumped from 46.1 to 46.9 (47.2 anticipated) in October
- Headline U.S. CPI for September maintains 0.3% m/m tempo (0.2% anticipated); Core CPI regular at 0.2% (0.1% anticipated); Annual CPI decelerated from 2.5% to 2.4% (2.3% anticipated)
Bearish Headline Arguments
- FOMC members help additional rate of interest cuts
- Adriana Kugler helps additional price cuts and favors shifting the Fed’s focus from reducing inflation to supporting the labor market
- John Williams says two extra 25bps price cuts in 2024 is a “superb base case”
- Susan Collins mentioned “additional changes of coverage will doubtless be wanted” however not on a pre-set path
- Susan Collins added 0.50% reduce was prudent given the dangers, provides additional changes doubtless wanted
- Mary Daly says one or two extra cuts doubtless this yr, shares considerations about labor market
- Thomas Barkin mentioned inflation is headed in the suitable route
- Non-voting member Neel Kashkari sees impartial Fed funds price at 3%, stability of dangers shifted in direction of unemployment
- Non-voting member Alberto Musalem thinks the 50bps price reduce and additional gradual reductions are “applicable” as inflation falls extra rapidly than initially anticipated
- U.S. Client credit score slowed from $26.6B to $8.9B in August vs. $11.8B forecast as a result of greater borrowing prices
- U.S. weekly preliminary jobless claims within the week ending October 5: 258K (231K anticipated, 225K earlier)
- U.S. Producer Costs Index for September 2024: 0.0% m/m (0.1% m/m forecast; 0.2% m/m earlier); Core PPI was 0.1% m/m vs 0.2% m/m forecast/earlier
- College of Michigan Preliminary Client Sentiment learn for October: 68.9 (70.4 forecast; 70.1 earlier)
EUR Pairs
Overlay of EUR vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The euro demonstrated web energy this week, gaining towards most main currencies aside from the USD and CHF, regardless of combined eurozone financial information and dovish ECB alerts.
Key international influences doubtless affecting EUR:
- Geopolitical tensions: Early week considerations over Center East battle (Hezbollah rocket assault on Israel) doubtless supported risk-off flows, doubtless prompting the euro to outperform the risk-on/commodity currencies.
- Central financial institution dynamics: ECB members more and more hinted at an October price reduce
- China stimulus: Current bulletins of financial and monetary help measures from China boosted broad danger sentiment final week, however this week it appears like there’s a little bit of skepticism of whether or not it is going to be sufficient. This arguably influenced broad danger sentiment negatively, once more probably supporting the euro as a “low-yielding” foreign money vs. the higher-yielders/danger currencies.
Given the widely dovish ECB stance and combined eurozone financial information, and its energy towards commodity and risk-sensitive currencies means that international elements (notably geopolitical considerations and shifting expectations round main central banks’ insurance policies) might have performed a bigger position than home eurozone elements this week.
Bullish Headline Arguments
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GBP Pairs
Overlay of GBP vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The British pound demonstrated energy this week, outperforming the commodity-linked currencies, whereas underperforming towards the “lower-yielders” and secure havens. This signaled that broad market drivers had extra weight on GBP sentiment.
Key international influences doubtless affecting GBP:
- Center East tensions: Escalating battle between Israel and Hezbollah initially boosted safe-haven demand early within the week, doubtless the driving force for GBP’s Monday sell-off (Sterling is usually thought of a “risk-on” foreign money). Nevertheless, as tensions eased, GBP recovered and strengthened towards most currencies, together with JPY.
- Central financial institution expectations: The FOMC minutes and dovish feedback from ECB officers suggesting an October price reduce doubtless supported GBP towards EUR and USD. This highlighted the Financial institution of England’s comparatively much less dovish stance, regardless of earlier feedback from Governor Andrew Bailey final week on potential “aggressive” easing.
- China stimulus: Current bulletins of financial and monetary help measures from China boosted broad danger sentiment final week, however this week it appears like there’s a little bit of skepticism of whether or not it is going to be sufficient. This arguably influenced broad danger sentiment negatively, once more probably supporting the pound vs. the comdolls.
- U.S. financial information: Combined however arguably web unfavourable U.S. inflation and jobs information led to fluctuations in Fed price reduce expectations, inflicting volatility in GBP/USD, and shifts in FX danger sentiment.
Domestically, constructive UK housing information (Halifax HPI, RICS survey) and better-than-expected GDP and manufacturing manufacturing figures on Friday doubtless introduced in some basic shopping for for sterling this week. We additionally obtained the newest credit score circumstances survey from the Financial institution of England for Q3 2024, which signaled a rise in secured credit score availability to households, with expectations of stability in This fall. Sadly, these web constructive updates weren’t sufficient to beat the principle broad market themes as these had been largely mid-to-lower tier U.Ok. financial updates.
Bullish Headline Arguments
- Halifax U.Ok. Home Value Index for September: 0.3% m/m (0.2% m/m forecast; 0.3% m/m earlier)
- BRC U.Ok. retail gross sales monitor rose from 0.8% y/y to 1.7% in Sept
- RICS: U.Ok. home costs rose for the primary time in almost two years in September; Respondents count on costs to rise over the subsequent three months
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U.Ok. GDP for August 2024: 0.2% m/m (0.0% m/m forecast/earlier)
U.Ok. Manufacturing Manufacturing for August 2024: 1.1% m/m (0.9% m/m forecast; -1.2% m/m earlier) -
Financial institution of England Credit score Situations Survey for Q3 2024:
- The survey confirmed a rise in secured credit score availability to households, with expectations of stability in This fall.
- Unsecured credit score availability noticed slight will increase, each in Q3 and anticipated in This fall.
- Demand for secured lending was unchanged, whereas remortgaging demand decreased however is predicted to rise.
- Company credit score availability remained secure, although bigger corporations noticed slight enhancements.
Bearish Headline Arguments
- Newspaper Guardian reported U.Ok.’s finance minister Rachel Reeves is contemplating elevating capital beneficial properties tax to as excessive as 39%
CHF Pairs
Overlay of CHF vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The Swiss franc demonstrated outstanding energy this week, outperforming all main currencies, as proven within the chart above. With out main catalysts from Switzerland, this sturdy efficiency was doubtless because of the broad risk-off vibes from the key broad market themes.
Key international influences:
- Center East tensions: Hezbollah’s rocket assault on Israel early within the week doubtless boosted safe-haven demand, supporting the franc. The CHF maintained its energy whilst tensions eased mid-week, suggesting different elements had been at play.
- China stimulus: Regardless of bulletins of additional financial and monetary stimulus measures from China all through the week, which usually increase danger sentiment, the franc continued to strengthen. This implies that the markets are probably skeptical if Chinese language authorities are doing sufficient to help weak financial circumstances.
Domestically, the advance in Swiss client sentiment from -51 to -37 might have offered some extra help, although international elements doubtless performed a extra vital position.
Apparently, SNB Vice Chairman Antoine Martin’s feedback favoring decrease rates of interest as a result of low inflation didn’t appear to weaken the franc, probably as a result of traders prioritized the foreign money’s safe-haven standing over yield concerns.
General, the Swiss franc’s robust efficiency throughout the board, even towards different conventional safe-havens like JPY, suggesting that international financial uncertainties and geopolitical tensions drove vital demand for the foreign money, overriding different market elements that may usually weaken it.
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CAD Pairs
Overlay of CAD vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The Canadian Greenback had a difficult week, ending decrease towards most main currencies regardless of some constructive home information. This weak spot was doubtless pushed by a mix of worldwide elements outweighing native influences.
Three key international influences affected the Loonie:
- Center East tensions: The battle between Israel and Hezbollah sparked danger aversion early within the week, initially boosting oil costs. Nevertheless, as fears of wider battle eased mid-week, oil costs declined, doubtless pressuring the commodity-linked CAD decrease.
- Central financial institution dovishness: The RBNZ’s 50bps price reduce and rising expectations for ECB easing in October might have highlighted the Financial institution of Canada’s comparatively dovish stance. This probably weighed on CAD as merchants positioned for potential price cuts.
- China stimulus: Bulletins of financial and monetary help for the Chinese language economic system boosted danger urge for food lately, however the lack of concrete particulars initially upset markets and oil bulls. This uncertainty and oil’s drop doubtless contributed to CAD’s combined efficiency towards different commodity currencies.
Canada did have a prime tier catalyst in play this week, and it was a web bullish one for CAD as we noticed a better-than-expected employment replace (46.7K jobs added vs. 35.0K forecast). The information got here on Friday, so it was a bit too late to assist out the lagging Loonie, plus it’s just one month of constructive information, which after all will not be sufficient for the bulls to get excited on CAD.
Additionally, the Financial institution of Canada’s Enterprise Outlook Survey was launched a bit later within the session, exhibiting weak demand and slowing value progress expectations, which doubtless contributed to and capped off a really tough weak for the Canadian greenback.
Bullish Headline Arguments
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Canada Employment Change for September 2024: 46.7K (35.0K forecast; 22.1K earlier); Unemployment price ticks decrease to six.5% vs. 6.6% forecast/earlier
- Canada Common Hourly Wages for September 2024: 4.5% y/y (4.8% y/y forecast; 4.9% y/y earlier)
Bearish Headline Arguments
AUD Pairs
Overlay of AUD vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The Australian Greenback underperformed towards most main currencies this week, aside from beneficial properties towards the Canadian Greenback and New Zealand Greenback. This was regardless of Australian financial and sentiment survey updates coming in higher than earlier reads. This was most notable on Tuesday when the Aussie took a dive, correlating with China’s newest stimulus announcement that noticeably lacked particulars of an precise plan.
However we did see AUD stabilize and recuperate via the remainder of the week, probably some pricing in of constructive earlier financial updates from Australia, together with sticky inflation expectations information.
However extra doubtless, it was most likely broad risk-on vibes that introduced in some AUD bulls via the remainder of the week. This time, it was on one other dovish shift in Fed price reduce expectations after weak weekly U.S. jobless claims information and slowing U.S. inflation progress information on Thursday and Friday, in addition to an announcement from the Folks’s Financial institution of China on stimulus efforts to help the Chinese language inventory market.
Bullish Headline Arguments
- Melbourne Institute month-to-month inflation gauge rose by 0.1% m/m in September after a 0.1% dip in August
- NAB: enterprise confidence improved from -5 to -2 in September; Wage progress has handed its peak; Enter prices stay elevated
- ANZ job adverts gained 1.6% m/m in September, August lower revised from 2.1% to 1.8%
- Westpac client sentiment index improved from -0.5% to +6.2% in Oct
- China’s NDRC introduced extra stimulus plans however fell in need of concrete motion on main spending bundle
- China’s Finance Ministry introduced a Saturday briefing to element fiscal coverage modifications
- PBOC mentioned it might arrange the 500B-yuan Securities, Funds and Insurance coverage firms Swap Facility (SFISF) to assist corporations pledge belongings in return for liquidity
- RBA’s assembly minutes confirmed members favor “sufficiently restrictive” insurance policies till they’re extra assured on inflation, however are usually not ruling out money price modifications
- RBA Deputy Gov. Andrew Hauser thinks the combat towards inflation isn’t carried out but, rejects the concept RBA’s minutes was dovish
Bearish Headline Arguments
NZD Pairs
Overlay of NZD vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The New Zealand Greenback’s (NZD) efficiency this week was primarily pushed by the Reserve Financial institution of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) financial coverage resolution and its interaction with international market sentiment, which began the week off in danger aversion mode.
First, the week’s key occasion for the Kiwi was the RBNZ’s resolution to chop rates of interest by 50 foundation factors to 4.75%. This transfer, whereas anticipated, signaled the central financial institution’s dedication to decreasing financial coverage restraint as inflation strikes nearer to focus on. The speed reduce doubtless dampened demand for the NZD, as decrease rates of interest usually make a foreign money much less enticing to yield-seeking traders.
International danger sentiment performed a posh position in NZD habits. China’s announcement of latest fiscal stimulus measures lately initially boosted danger urge for food, which might usually profit the NZD as a commodity foreign money. Nevertheless, it appears like skepticism on whether or not it might be sufficient got here in to play early this week after China’s NDRC introduced extra stimulus plans however fell in need of precise particulars on Tuesday.
FOMC members’ feedback supporting additional U.S. price cuts added one other layer of complexity. Whereas this often enhances danger urge for food and helps commodity currencies just like the NZD, it could have additionally highlighted the relative dovishness of the RBNZ in comparison with different central banks, doubtlessly limiting NZD beneficial properties.
Home information, such because the improved New Zealand manufacturing PMI (rising from 46.1 to 46.9) and elevated meals value inflation, probably supplied some basic help to the NZD rally early within the Friday Asia session, doubtless complimenting a bullish shift in broad danger sentiment n announcement from the Folks’s Financial institution of China on stimulus efforts to help the Chinese language inventory market and U.S. information supporting an aggressive Fed price reduce narrative.
Bullish Headline Arguments
Bearish Headline Arguments
JPY Pairs
Overlay of JPY vs. Main Currencies Chart by TradingView
The Japanese yen was a powerful outperformer for the week of October 7-11, gaining floor towards all main currencies early on and holding on towards most by the Friday shut.
Given this value motion and the string of combined however arguably web unfavourable financial updates from Japan, it’s extremely doubtless broad market narratives was the larger driver over Japanese particular sentiment.
On Monday, it was all about geopolitical tensions, primarily the escalation of battle within the Center East, together with Hezbollah’s rocket assault on Israel, doubtless boosted safe-haven demand for belongings just like the yen.
These beneficial properties stalled and got again a bit on Tuesday, as merchants priced in a imprecise stimulus announcement from China towards ebbing fears of navy escalation within the Center East. The yen continued to pattern decrease on Wednesday, finally discovering a backside proper across the U.S. session, the place Fed members and the FOMC minutes elevated the uncertainty across the Fed’s price path.
On Thursday, Japanese officers introduced out the bulls as some warned towards extreme yen weak spot, together with feedback from Finance Minister Kato and foreign money diplomat Mimura. We additionally noticed Financial institution of Japan’s Deputy Governor Himino hinting at potential price hikes as one other potential draw for yen bulls.
On Friday, risk-on sentiment was in play after web weak U.S. jobs and inflation updates supported the aggressive Fed price reduce narrative, and extra particulars of stimulus for the Chinese language fairness markets doubtless pushed up risk-on sentiment to attract capital away from the yen heading into the weekend.
Bullish Headline Arguments
- Japanese officers warn towards JPY weak spot and trace at additional price hikes
- Finance Minister Kato says there are execs and cons to weak JPY, should take motion if crucial
- Forex diplomat Atsushi Mimura mentioned they’ll monitor FX strikes together with speculative buying and selling “with a way of urgency”
- BOJ Deputy Gov. Ryozo Himino favors elevating rates of interest if the board has “larger confidence” that its forecasts might be realized however mentioned the BOJ will not be on a pre-set course
- Former BOJ member Momma believes USD/JPY within the 150 ranges would carry ahead the subsequent price hike
- Forex diplomat Masato Kanda famous that markets stay “extraordinarily delicate” to financial developments and the financial coverage outlook in main economies
- Present account surplus expanded from 2.8T JPY to three.02T in Aug vs. 2.43T forecast
- Producer costs accelerated from 2.6% y/y to 2.8% in Sept (2.3% forecast)
- Reuters Tankan manufacturing sentiment index improved from 4 to 7 in October
Bearish Headline Arguments
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