Heavy Dollar news day tomorrowWhat an insane session for USDJPY! We know the ExMo is low due to the compression we've seen, but even compared to more normalised figure, what we've seen today has broken all expectations.
There are two questions going forward. The most immediate is the Dollar news we have scheduled for Nov 1st. Those being ADP at 12:15pm London (due to daylight savings) followed by the Fed rate decision at 6pm. The second is whether or not the BoJ have any other tools to alleviate the Yen weakness other than simply intervening like we've seen before.
Let's tackle the new first. I wouldn't expect ADP to cause much of a stir given the Fed decision always overshadows anything else, and if the Fed holds at 5.50%, then I wouldn't expect anything other than a small bump. Given the move we've seen today I think some form of relax to happen, possibly with a slight downward trajectory for profit taking....possibly we just slide a little lower into the end of the week?
As for the BoJ, I'm nervous above 150.
I'll take it a day at a time above here and be mindful of any macro factors that change the longer term outlook for either the Dollar or Yen. But it seems like the only mechanism Japan has to stop the devaluation is to inject a whole bunch of money into buying the Yen.
Be careful out there and I'll see you tomorrow.
Fed
EURUSD: Daily Price Action Suggests A Move UpLooking at this pair it's been trading in a descending dynamic channel since mid-July, it makes up nearly 58% of the DXY index and so is in close negative correlation to this index.
We can see the on the daily a pinbar followed by a long-wick doji, which could mean reversal, the opposite can be seen in DXY:
We can now see a breakout of the channel, and the pinbar was formed on the restest, and now the long wick doji.
We have a lot of news this week affecting the Euro (Mon / Tues), and then the USD (Wed).
Overall I think that the price action is determining a weaker dollar which means stronger crosses for the next short period of time, dollar needs a rest and has failed to form a new HH yet despite economic news that would normally entice the bulls.
There will be volatility this week so being conservative with initial target, however depending on the news we could well see us back over 1.08 this month.
EURUSD Faces Headwinds as Dollar Strengthens?EURUSD struggled to build on yesterday's gains and experienced a decline since the start of Tuesday's Asian session. The surge in the US Dollar index exerted additional pressure on this currency pair, causing it to slip below the critical 1.0600 level.
The anticipation of a more stringent stance by the Federal Reserve (Fed), supporting the upward trajectory of US bond yields and fortifying the US dollar, impeded EURUSD from extending its upward momentum seen in yesterday's trading. This aligns with the prevailing sentiment from the European Central Bank (ECB) that suggests no imminent interest rate hikes.
This sentiment gained further credence from data indicating a deceleration in Germany's annual consumer inflation, dropping from 4.3% to 3.0% in October. This marks the lowest inflation rate since August 2021, a concerning development amid looming recessionary threats.
Market participants remain confident in the Fed's commitment to its hawkish stance, given the resilience of the US economy in the face of persistently high inflation. However, all eyes are now fixed on the outcomes of the FOMC meeting and subsequent statements on interest rate policies.
Today's Market Focus:
Market participants are eagerly awaiting signals for today's potential market movements, with a particular focus on the release of Eurozone CPI data for short-term trading opportunities. Subsequently, attention will shift to the release of key macroeconomic data from the US, including the Chicago PMI and Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board.
Trading Opportunities:
As market projections suggest that the European Central Bank will maintain interest rates, and the Fed is expected to adhere to its hawkish stance, the weakening of EURUSD below the 1.0600 level remains a prevailing theme. This weakness is exacerbated by the strengthening US dollar and rising bond yields ahead of the FOMC meeting.
Technical Analysis:
In terms of technical analysis, the Fibonacci retracement at 23.6% (1.0643) acts as an immediate resistance level, followed closely by the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 1.0654. A potential reversal at these levels could instigate a decline in the EUR/USD pair.
The technical dynamics of the EUR/USD pair indicate a notable weakening in momentum, notably signaled by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropping below the pivotal 50 level. This RSI movement suggests a bearish momentum, underscoring a broader sentiment of market weakness.
Trading Strategy:
Observing the current market conditions, it appears there is potential for executing a SELL action at the 1.0585 level should the EURUSD persist in its downward trend. In such a scenario, astute traders may contemplate a strategic approach by establishing a profit target at the 1.03500 level. Additionally, incorporating flexibility to adjust stop-loss levels proves to be a prudent measure, aligning with the individual considerations of each trader.
However, it is imperative to underscore that trading decisions must consistently derive from meticulous analysis and a profound understanding of the associated risks. Deliberations regarding a SELL action or any trading maneuver should be approached judiciously. Traders are well-advised to take supplementary steps, such as staying abreast of current economic news or other market factors, before arriving at a definitive decision.
USD/JPY holds below 150 ahead of BoJ meetingThe Japanese yen is drifting on Monday after pushing the US dollar back below 150 on Friday. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 149.71, up 0.05%.
The Bank of Japan holds its two-day meeting beginning on Monday and there's plenty of anticipation around the meeting. BoJ meetings were once dreary affairs that barely made the news, but that has changed in the era of high inflation.
The central bank has been an outlier with its ultra-loose monetary policy, insisting that inflation has been transient. The BoJ recently tweaked its yield curve control (YCC) program, widening the trading band for 10-year Japanese government bond yields to 1%, which sent the yen sharply higher.
There is pressure on the BoJ to again raise the trading band as yields have risen close to 0.90%. The surge in US Treasury yields has widened the US/Japan rate differential, which has weakened the yen. If the BoJ does not take any action at this meeting, the yen could weaken further, raising the risk of Tokyo intervening in the currency markets.
One move the BoJ is expected to take is to revise upwards its quarterly inflation forecasts. The latest Tokyo Core CPI reading rose from 2.5% to 2.7% y/y, an indication that underlying inflation remains sticky. If the BoJ does raise the inflation forecasts, it would signal a move toward monetary policy normalization, which could shore up the struggling yen.
The Federal Reserve has sounded hawkish about inflation and received support for its stance from Friday's core PCE price index, which rose 0.3% in September, up from 0.1% in August and the highest level in four months. There are some inflation risks heading into next year, but the markets have priced in pauses in the November and December meetings.
149.05 and 148.45 are providing support
There is resistance at 149.91 and 150.51
TradePlus-Fx|USDCAD: BoC meeting💬 Description: Today, the Central Bank of Canada will announce its decision on interest rates. The rate is expected to remain at the same level. Against this background, we continue to adhere to our previous trading idea for USDCAD , namely to look up (look at the chart) . But most likely, there will be volatility during or after the meeting of the Central Bank of Canada, then the pair is most likely to roll back down. The expected movement is thus depicted on the chart . As a result, the more global target remains the same, and we expect growth to 1.38271 level.
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How the Fed affects long Bond YieldsInverse chart of US10Y Yield to show changes in Bond prices.
Overlayed with the following:
Fed Funds Rate
US Treasury Deposits to Federal Reserve Banks
Increase/Decrease Rate of change to Fed Balance Sheet
Balance Sheet Total in separate pane below
The USCBBS Percentage Change shows the money raining down :-D
It's clear to see the relationship between the Fed buying Treasuries, i.e. Quantitative Easing (QE) and the increase in US10Y prices.
Quantitative Tightening (QT) is the name of the game now. There is A LOT of QT left to do, we're at most 25% into QT since the Fed has only rolled off roughly 1Trillion. They likely have 3+ Trillion to go. Expect US10Y to be under continued pressure as long as QT is in effect. Even when Fed Funds rates are lowered it will have little effect on US10Y while the biggest buyer of Treasuries is on hiatus.
Analyzing GOLD: Market Dynamics and Trading strategyThe XAU/USD currency pair, a dynamic interplay between gold and the US dollar, is currently navigating through pronounced market fluctuations. In this comprehensive analysis, we will delve into the intricate interplay of fundamental factors steering the value of XAU/USD. Our focus extends to the looming potential of The Federal Reserve's interest rate adjustments, the consequential shifts in the 10-year US Treasury Yield, and the intricate repercussions woven into the fabric of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts.
Moreover, we will embark on a journey through the undulating terrain of gold price fluctuations, deciphering their nuanced implications for the volatility inherent in this currency pair. As we scrutinize both the fundamental and technical dimensions, our aim is to provide traders with a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted forces currently at play, guiding them toward informed and strategic trading decisions. Join us as we unravel the layers of complexity inherent in the XAU/USD market, offering insights that transcend the surface, into the heart of this captivating financial landscape.
Fundamental Analysis
Potential Rise in The Fed's Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, stands at the forefront of XAU/USD trader considerations. Despite maintaining interest rates in the latest meeting, speculation about future rate hikes has introduced uncertainty. A hike in interest rates could diminish gold's allure as a risk-free investment alternative. Gold investors tend to favor assets offering higher yields when interest rates rise.
Increasing 10-Year US Treasury Yield
The recent upswing in the 10-year US Treasury Yield over the past few months has adversely impacted XAU/USD. Gold, often considered a safe-haven asset, typically experiences decreased demand as bond yields rise. Investors seeking protection tend to shift towards bonds offering higher returns than gold, resulting in a decrease in the value of XAU/USD.
Impact of Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine Conflicts
Geopolitical uncertainty stemming from the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts plays a pivotal role in the dynamics of XAU/USD. As a traditional safe-haven asset, gold tends to attract attention during periods of uncertainty. Elevated geopolitical tensions increase the demand for gold, contributing to an upsurge in the value of XAU/USD.
Gold Price Fluctuations: Implications for XAU/USD
The notable fluctuation in gold prices, reaching $1,750 per ounce on September 21, 2023, and subsequently declining to approximately $1,700 per ounce on October 20, 2023, reflects significant market volatility. The dip in gold prices could be attributed to a combination of factors, including expectations of interest rate hikes and a shift in investor preferences towards higher-yielding assets.
Technical Analysis
Indicator Analysis
XAU/USD exhibits overbought signals on the STOCHRSI(14) and MACD(12,26) indicators. However, the elevated volatility serves as a warning for potential market direction changes. The 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) confirms a bullish trend, instilling confidence in traders.
Support and Resistance Levels
According to Barchart, current support and resistance levels are as follows: 1st Resistance Point at 1,986.06, Last Price at 1,994.86, 1st Support Level at 1,954.30, 2nd Support Level at 1,934.11, and 3rd Support Level at 1,914.30. These levels serve as crucial guides in planning trading strategies.
Trading Strategy
The employed trading strategy involves entering positions after the price breaks and retests the breached support and resistance (S&R) levels. The target price is set before the next resistance level or prior to the Fed speech on October 25, 2023, considering potential unforeseen events.
Trade Parameters
Based on the above analysis, several trade parameters are identified:
Entry Point: When the gold price rises and re-test the previous resistance level.
Stop Loss: Placed below the nearest support level to safeguard against sharp declines.
Target Profit: Before the next resistance level or prior to the Fed speech on October 25, 2023, considering potential unforeseen events
Conclusion:
This analysis illuminates the intricacies of XAU/USD, emphasizing the intertwined nature of complex fundamental and technical factors. As investors grapple with potential Fed rate hikes, changes in the 10-year US Treasury Yield, and geopolitical conflicts, a comprehensive understanding of risks is essential. The fluctuation in gold prices serves as a vital indicator, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring of news and Federal Reserve policies. In navigating these volatile market conditions, prudent trading strategies and effective risk management become indispensable for success in trading XAU/USD.
GBPUSD: Retracement, maybe reversal?Been watching this pair closely and made some good pips in the past week, however I got spooked last night and closed my sells (albeit 50 pips too early), but my calculation seemed to be broadly right.
To me it's looking like a fake out below my support line and back through this resistance which is being retested but I think we're going back up.
USD not flying as I think it should (and has previously) with conflict, I think we'll see some retracement in DXY which will benefit this pair, it's been too bullish for too long imho and I believe we'll see profit taking.
GBP nailed on I think to raise rates again this month following the hanging of inflation data yesterday.
This will benefit XXXUSD crosses in forex, commodities and indices.
I'm only expecting this to retrace to the descending trendline for now which will be my TP.
EURUSD: Expecting a drop with continued hawkish FEDThe data coming out of the US continues to support an additional hike this year, with all FED speakers continuing their hawkish stance to return inflation to the 2% target, so getting more likely there'll be a hike in November IMO.
Seeing stagflation in the EUROZONE, also real bond yields are positive in the US which makes the USD mo5re attractive, this all makes me bearish on this pair.
We saw a drop from highs in the DXY last week which suggests profit taking to me as we entered into the weekend with a US national holiday tomorrow.
I expect this pair to drop to channel bottom, will be watching the open price tomorrow and waiting for an entry in LTF's.
GBPUSD: Bearish continuation, setting up for a nice drop?Expecting another hike from the FED in November, supported by hawkish comments across the board to focus on reducing inflation to 2%, this is supported by positive data.
Real yields (bond yield - inflation) are positive for the dollar, they're negative for GBP and EUR.
We may still see another hike from BoE but the economy is in a mess. Need to watch for US Inflation data and UK GDP data this week.
Saw a nice bounce on this pair Friday but I think the fall will continue down to around 1.20, so waiting for a rejection from resistance on the LTF's and will then get in.
NZD/USD sinks after US CPI report, NZ Mfg. Index nextThe New Zealand dollar is sharply lower on Thursday. In the North American session, NZD/USD is trading at 0.5943, down 1.27% on the day. The US dollar has strengthened against the major currencies after today's inflation report and the New Zealand dollar has been hit particularly hard. On Friday, New Zealand releases the manufacturing index, which is expected to rise to 46.9 in September, compared to 46.1 in August. A reading below 50.0 indicates contraction.
The September US inflation report was half-good-half bad, as headline CPI was unchanged while Core CPI declined. Headline CPI remained unchanged at 3.7% y/y, higher than the market estimate of 3.6% y/y. The core rate, which is a better gauge of long-term inflation trends, fell from 4.3% to 4.1% y/y, matching the market estimate. This marked the lowest level since September 2021.
The stronger-than-expected headline CPI has raised expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep rates elevated for longer and could raise rates before the end of the year. The battle to bring inflation back down to the Fed's 2% target won't be easy, but a new wrinkle in the equation is the sharp rise in US Treasury yields. That has meant higher borrowing costs, and some Fed members have sounded more dovish, saying that the rise in yields could slow growth and push inflation down without the Fed having to raise rates.
There is some dissension among Fed policymakers with regard to policy, as yesterday's FOMC minutes indicated. At the September meeting, the Fed held rates for the first time in the current tightening cycle. A majority said that a rate hike would be needed "at a future meeting", while a minority felt no more hikes were necessary. All agreed that policy should remain restrictive until the Fed was confident that inflation "is moving down sustainably" to its target.
The US dollar has posted broad gains following the inflation release, and the Fed rate odds of a hike before the end of the year have jumped to 38%, up from 26% prior to the inflation report, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
NZD/USD is testing support at 0.5956. The next support level is 0.5905
There is resistance at 0.6042 and 0.6093
A very long-term (Macro) Approach To US/Global MarketsAfter completing my weekend research/videos, I wanted to create something that provided an anchor for traders/investors.
This video is not focused on the short-term market trends - although it does discuss what I expect to see play out over the next 12 to 24 months.
This video is more about preparing traders/investors for the global events related to Central Banks, market trends/opportunities, and how I believe the markets will react over the next 5+ years.
After watching this video, your job will be to watch for key events to unfold. These events, described in the video, will be key to understanding where opportunities and risks are in market trends.
This is NOT the same market we've been used to from 2010 through 2021. This is an entirely different beast of a global market.
Credit/debt issues will persist, and conflicts/war may drive major repricing events.
Pay attention and follow my research.
I'm delivering this long-term research to help you better prepare for market trends and protect your capital from downside risks.
Yield Curve Flattening. Can the Fed afford to pull the trigger??The U.S. Yield Curve (US10Y-US02Y) flattening is a textbook sign of recession. However the S&P500 (blue trend-line) keeps recovering and rising from the 2022 Inflation Crisis. At the same time, the Inflation Rate (black trend-line) may have taken a pause but is on a strong decline, while the Interest Rate (orange trend-line) is turning sideways.
The question on everyone's mind is this: "Can the Fed afford to pull the trigger and start lowering rates again?". There is no easy answer to this. Recent history on this chart shows that a rising curve along with lowering interest rates and inflation decline is correlated with Bear Cycles. Notable examples are 2007 - 2008 and 2000 - 2001. At the same time notable exception is 2020. In 1995 both Interest and Inflation rates turned sideways so the stock market extended the aggressive rally into the DotCom bubble.
In 1989 - 1990 however, the Curve flattening coincided with a non-stop drop on the Interest rate while in late 1990 Inflation also started to drop. The stock market didn't enter any Bear Cycle but insted kept rising slowly but steadily. Approximately what is taking place now. Do you think we are in a same pattern and stocks will be unfazed if the Fed starts lowering the rates?
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EURUSD before NFPYesterday EURUSD continued the correction and reached exactly 61,8 of the last drop.
Today is the first Friday of the month and as usual NFP will be released.
It's an important news and we expect a reaction.
Upon another rise and pullback we will consider selling to break the previous low.
We do not consider buying EURUSD until there is a break of the previous high.
GOLD - Positive real rates is negative for GoldThe attractiveness of Gold is tarnished
When cash instruments yield a positive rate of return
More and more people are getting on board of higher interest rates
(Dimon, Santelli)
But u can see the Gold price has been inversely correlating with the rate of return for decades.
It's bull run in the 2000's along with the commodity bull , coincided with real rates trending to less than zero. Gold Topped a few months prior to that negative reading in 2012!
The current triple top that has been in place for he past 3 years , seems to be in danger of breaking down if rates continue up the next few years.
The key level to watch is last year's lows in October around $1611
Which I believe is a distinct reality if rates head up to 7%
Euro falls sharply on soft Manufacturing PMIsThe euro is sharply lower on Monday. In the North American session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.0495, down 0.75%. The euro continues to struggle and has reeled off 10 straight losing weeks, with EUR/USD sliding some 700 basis points during that time.
Germany's manufacturing sector continues to struggle. In September, the Manufacturing PMI was revised lower to 39.6 from a preliminary of 39.8, marking a fifteenth straight month of contraction. Demand was weaker across the sector, output declined and manufacturers' expectations fell.
Eurozone manufacturing is also stuck in a deep decline. Manufacturing PMI confirmed at 43.4 in September, which also was the fifteenth consecutive month of contraction. A reading below the 50 line marks a decline in activity. This all paints a grim picture and I don't see any relief in the near future for German or eurozone manufacturing.
The weak manufacturing numbers are further evidence that the eurozone economy is cooling down and inflation has been easing as well. Friday's eurozone CPI data was encouraging, with a reading of 4.3% y/y in September, compared to 5.2% in August and below market expectations. Lower energy costs helped fuel the downtrend, but core inflation, which excludes food and energy, also declined, from 5.3% y/y to 4.5% y/y, its lowest level since October 2022.
In the US, manufacturing is also experiencing deep contraction but showed some improvement. The ISM Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.0 in September from 47.6 in August, above the consensus estimate of 47.8. Manufacturing has posted declines for eleven consecutive months. Demand remains weak and the Fed's tightening has further squeezed manufacturers.
In the US, a host of Fed members will be making public statements and investors will be listening closely for any hints regarding future rate decisions. The Fed rate odds of a quarter-point increase for the November meeting have increased to 31%, up from 18% on Friday, according to the Fed Watch Tool, which means the markets consider a rate hike to be on the table.
EUR/USD tested support at 1.0489 earlier. Below, there is support at 1.0404.
There is resistance at 1.0572 and 1.0648
Unlocking SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust's PotentialAt the start of 2023, our key assumption was that bullish trends would dominate the market this year despite the challenging global macroeconomic conditions following the post-COVID-19 era. Our prediction proved accurate, as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust has already surged by over 10%, despite the ongoing high hydrocarbon prices.
Bears have been trying to regain control and putting downward pressure on SPY in recent weeks. Adding fuel to the fire was the news that the Federal Reserve is ready to raise interest rates again if necessary, Jerome Powell said following the meeting at the end of September.
"Given how far we have come, we are in a position to proceed carefully as we assess the incoming data and the evolving outlook and risks. Real interest rates now are well above mainstream estimates of the neutral policy rate, but we are mindful of the inherent uncertainties in precisely gauging the stance of policy. We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate, and we intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving down sustainably toward our objective. In determining the extent of additional policy firming that may be appropriate to return inflation to 2 percent over time, the Committee will take into account the cumulative tightening of monetary policy, the lags with which monetary policy affects economic activity and inflation, and economic and financial developments."
However, despite the negativity spreading in the media, in our opinion, all movements are taking place within the framework of corrective wave 4, which will be completed this week.
Overall, we believe that the Fed will not tighten its monetary policy as American savings continue to decline, which, given the rise in household debt, poses a significant threat to the stability of the US financial system.
In conclusion, we would like to note that we are optimistic about the American economy, which is showing its stability while China cannot recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we expect that the price of SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust will continue its movement within the impulse wave 5 up to $461-462.
Analyst’s Disclosure:
This article may not take into account all the risks and catalysts for the assets described in it. Any part of this analytical article is provided for informational purposes only, does not constitute an individual investment recommendation, investment idea, advice, offer to buy or sell securities, or other financial instruments. The completeness and accuracy of the information in the analytical article are not guaranteed. If any fundamental criteria or events change in the future, I do not assume any obligation to update this article.
Fed Pause is the New Restricted PolicyCME: Micro Russell 2000 ( CME_MINI:M2K1! )
Global financial market orbits around Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions. By concept, hiking interest rates means monetary tightening while cutting them signals easing. In reality, market perception to the Fed actions evolves over time, sometimes blurring the difference between “good news” and “bad news”.
• On May 5, 2022, the Fed surprised the market with a larger-than-expected 50-bps rate hike. The S&P 500 fell 3.6%. This is a normal market reaction to bad news.
• On July 27, 2022, the Fed hiked 75 bps and the S&P soared 2.6%! Previous meetings saw the Fed raising the stake from 25 to 50 and then 75 bps. By not getting a bigger 100-bp hike, investors were relieved and cheered as if it were good news.
• On February 1st, the Fed raised for the 8th time, but the S&P went up 1%. With lower-than expected inflation, investors concluded that this would be “the last” rate hike.
• On September 20th, the Fed paused after raising for 11 consecutive times. The S&P were down 1% as investors were spooked by the hawkish Fed statement.
Last Friday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that personal consumption expenditures price index (PIC) excluding food and energy increased 0.1% for August, lower than expectation. On a 12-month basis, the index was up 3.9%.
As the Fed’s favorite inflation gauge shows that the fight against higher prices is making progress, “Fed Pause” might be the new baseline case for the US central bank’s interest rate decision.
The futures market agrees. CME FedWatch Tool shows that the probability of the Fed keeping rate at 5.25-5.50% is high through Mid-2024. Specifically:
(Link: www.cmegroup.com)
• Fed pause on November 1st, 2023 FOMC meeting: an 82% probability
• Fed pause on December 13th, 2023: at 65%
• Fed pause on January 31st, 2024: at 65%
• Fed pause on March 20th, 2024: at 60%
• Fed pause on May 1st, 2024: at 49%
Last year, a Fed Pause meant slowing the rate hikes. It has a very different meaning now: to keep the interest rate higher for longer. Therefore, what was once a signal of easing should now be viewed as restricted monetary policy.
Even if the Fed stops raising rates, the cumulative effect of past rate hikes would continue to ripple through the US economy. Government policy has a lagging period, but it has passed. Households and businesses now feel the full force of higher borrowing costs. Below are two-year changes of selected interest rates from the FRED:
• 30-Year-Fixed Mortgage Rate: from 3.01% to 6.29% to 7.29%
• 72-Month New Car Loan: 4.17% - 5.19% - 7.80%
• Credit Card Interest Rate: 14.61% - 15.13% - 20.68%
• Baa Corporate Bond Yields: 3.26% - 5.97% - 6.39%
Restricted monetary policy would have negative impacts on stocks. Good news: Market prices show that investors have not yet adapted to changes in the Fed trajectory.
Russell 2000: The Weakest Link
The discounted cash flow (DCF) pricing theory states that stock price is the present value (PV) of expected future cash flows discounted by the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). A higher cost of capital shall cause stock price to fall, other things equal.
Small- and medium-sized companies would be hit harder comparing to larger corporations. As rates go up, credit standard will be tightened, and credit spread will expand. Below are current bond rates charged to companies with different credit scores:
• 10-Year Treasury Bond Yield: 4.58%
• Moody’s Aaa Corporate Bond Yield: 4.95%
• Moody’s Baa Corporate Bond Yield: 6.39%
• Bank of America BBB Corporate Bond Yield: 6.31%
• Bank of America BB High Yield: 7.55%
• Bank of America CCC or Lower High Yield: 14.05%
Russell 2000 is the benchmark stock market index for the US small companies. CME Micro Russell 2000 futures ( FWB:M2K ) has a drawdown of 200 points in the past two months, from yearly high of 2013 to 1807. The index is still up 2.6% YTD.
As the Fed keeps rates high for the next 6-9 months, corporate bond yields could likely go higher. And the credit spreads, including Baa-Bbb, Baa-Bb, and Baa-Ccc, would likely get wider. This could put further downward pressure on the Russell index.
Could we quantify the impact? Let’s illustrate this with a $1 million payment, to be received in five years.
• Applying the BBB corporate bond yield 6.31% as the WACC, present value of $1 million will be $736,427.
• If the WACC goes up by 200 bps, the PV will be reduced to $670,899.
• This shows that a 2% increase in WACC could cause an 8.9% loss in market value.
The same concept would work on the Russell index. WACC could go up, either due to a rise of general interest rate level, or because of the widening of credit spread. The result would be the decrease in the market value of Russell component companies.
For someone with a bearish view of the Russell 2000, he could establish a short position in Micro Russell futures. The contract has a notional value at $5 times the index. At Friday closing price of 1807, each December contract (M2KZ3) is worth $9,035. CME Group requires an initial margin of $620 for each M2K contract, long or short.
A short trader would gain $5 for each point the M2K moving down. Hypothetically, if the Russell is 5% lower, the 90-point slide would translate into $452 gain per contract. The risk of short futures is the index going up. If investors continue to perceive Fed Pause as “good news”, Russell could rise after the November and December FOMC meetings.
Happy Trading.
Disclaimers
*Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
S&P500: Balance sheet extends drop.Will interest rate peak soon?The S&P500 has been declining for more than two months straight reaching the HL trendline from the market bottom. It is useful to look into the Fed's role on this whole long term price action and what better timeframe to use than the 1W.
As you can see, the Fed's Balance Sheet (orange) is extending a long term decline that started more than one year ago, while the Interest Rate (teal) continues to rise. You don't need to go back any further than the 2018-2019 period, which was marked by the extensive trade wars between the U.S. and China. The key to recovery was when the Interes Rate peaked and flatlined. That was when the stock market bottomed and growth stability returned to the markets.
The recent (almost) two year inflation crisis has the market in an even more advantageous position as it's been one year since it recovered and priced the bottom, despite the fact that the Interest Rate is still rising. Theoretically when the Interest Rate peaks and turns flat, we should see a more stable stock market growth.
With the S&P500 on a HL support and the Balance sheet still dropping, do you think the Fed will pull the trigger and soon announce in one of their next meetings an end to rate hikes?
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EUR/USD higher as eurozone inflation slidesThe euro has moved upwards on Friday. In the European session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.0597, up 0.30%. After falling sharply earlier this week, the euro has rebounded and gained close to 1% since Wednesday.
The eurozone's inflation level dropped to 4.3% y/y in September, a sharp decline from the August reading of 5.2% y/y and below market expectations of 4.5% y/y. Lower energy costs helped push inflation lower. The September release is the lowest inflation level since October 2021. The core inflation rate, which excludes food and energy, fell from 5.3% y/y to 4.5%, beating expectations and declining to its lowest level in 11 months.
The sharp drop in eurozone inflation comes on the heels of a similar decline in Germany, the bloc's largest economy. The decline in core inflation is particularly important and supports the view that the ECB will not have to continue raising rates. Inflation still remains much higher than the ECB's target of 2%, but the downtrend is encouraging and the ECB would prefer to avoid further hikes which could tip the weak eurozone economy into a recession.
In the US, the Core PCE Price Index, which is considered the Fed’s preferred inflation indicator, dipped to 0.1% m/m in August, after back-to-back gains of 0.2% m/m. The annual rate eased to 3.9% y/y as expected, down from 4.2% in August. This was the lowest level since September 2021 and supports another pause from the Fed at the next meeting on November 1st, with the markets pricing in just a 17% chance of a quarter-point hike, according to the FedWatch tool.
EUR/USD is testing resistance at 1.0594. Above, there is resistance at 1.0666
There is support at 1.0544 and 1.0472