Gbp-jpy
GBP JPY - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSGBP
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
In March the BoE hiked rates by 25bsp as expected but delivered a bearish hike with BoE’s Cunliffe dissenting by voting to leave rates unchanged. This was a stark change from February where 4 members voted for a 50bsp hike. Cunliffe noted the negative impacts of higher commodity prices on real household incomes and economic activity as the main reason for his dissention, while remaining members thought a 25bsp hike was appropriate given the tight labour market and risks of second round effects. Even though inflation forecasts were upgraded to 8% in Q2 (previous 7.25%), the negative view that GDP was expected to slow to subdued rates showed growing concern of stagflation. The most bearish element of the statement was a change in language regarding incoming rates where the bank said they judge that some further modest tightening MIGHT be appropriate where previous guidance said more tightening was ‘LIKELY TO BE’ appropriate (a clear push against overly aggressive rate expectations). They further pushed back by noting the current implied rate path would see inflation would be below target in 3 years’ time, in other words saying they won’t hike as much, and confirms our estimates that policy reached peak hawkishness in February. The 100% odds of a 25bsp in May drifted to just above 80% on Friday, and markets will pay close attention to incoming BoE speak, where further push back against rates could be enough to see markets pricing out some of the >5 hikes still priced for 2022. As a result of the clear dovish tilt, we have adjusted our assessment of the bank’s policy stance to NEUTRAL.
2. Economic & Health Developments
With inflation the main reason for the BoE’s recent rate hikes, there is a concern that the UK economy faces stagflation risk, as price pressures stay sticky while growth decelerates. That also means that current market expectations for rates continues to look too aggressive even after the BoE’s recent push back. This means downside risks for GBP if growth data push lower and/or the BoE continue to push their recent dovish tone.
3. Political Developments
Political uncertainty is usually GBP negative, so the PM’s future remains a risk. If distrust grows question remains on whether a no-confidence vote can happen (if so, short-term downside is likely), and whether he can survive the vote (a win should be GBP positive and a loss GBP negative). The Northern Ireland protocol remains a focus, with previous UK threats to trigger Article 16 and EU threats to terminate the Brexit deal if they do. Markets have rightly ignored this as posturing, but any actual escalation can see sharp GBP downside.
4. CFTC Analysis
Very bearish signal from all three participant categories with the aggregate positioning (non-commercials, leveraged funds and asset managers) pushing below 1 standard dev from the 15-year mean. It’s important to note that this sentiment was clearly reflected given the big drop in Sterling this week.
5. The Week Ahead
For Sterling in the week ahead it’ll be all eyes on the upcoming Bank of England meeting. Recall at the last meeting that we saw quite a dramatic change in sentiment among the MPC with only 8 voting for a hike and 1 dissenter voting to leave rates unchanged. This was a big change from the meeting before that where all 9 voted for a hike and 4 voted for a 50bsp hike. A 25bsp hike is fully priced in for the May meeting (as well as an additional 5 by year end after that), so markets will be keenly watching the vote split to get a clue whether the overall sentiment for hikes among MPC members are changing (will anyone join Cunliffe to dissent this time). There are reasons to believe that more MPC members could be leaning to the dovish side as recent growth data has deteriorated much more and faster than expected. Especially with recent commentary from Gov Bailey cautioning that they are walking on a tightrope between trying to fight high inflation whilst trying to avoid a recession. That means with a 25bsp hike 100% priced, the focus will be on any signals the bank provides with regard to the rate path going forward (whether they push back against the overly aggressive hike expectations or not). The balance sheet will also be in focus as the bank’s has previously suggested that they will look to actively start selling Gilts once the cash rate reaches 1.0%. By following through with a 25bsp hike next week will put them at 1.0% so any announcement of sales or of a path forward will be important.
JPY
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BEARISH
1. Monetary Policy
The BoJ kept all policy settings unchanged at their April meeting, which was in line with broad consensus expectations, but given the price action after the event did imply that a sizeable chunk of the market was expecting something more (us included). Due to the JPY weakness in recent weeks, markets wanted to see whether the bank would potentially increase their Yield Curve Control target band from 0.25%--0.25% to 0.50%--0.50%. But the bank decided to stick to their guns and maintain their ultra-easy policy despite the rapid depreciation of the JPY. The bank doubled down by saying they will conduct special open market operations on every working day as needed to keep the 10-year GBP capped at 0.25%. As expected, the bank reiterated their view that rates will stay low for the foreseeable future and won’t hesitate to add stimulus if the economy needs it. On the JPY, Gov Kuroda made familiar comments by saying they desire stable currency moves which reflect economic fundamentals. As a result of the bank’s inaction, all eyes will now be on the MoF to intervene if the rapid depreciation of the JPY continues.
2. Safe-haven status and overall risk outlook
As a safe-haven currency, the market's risk outlook is usually the primary driver. Economic data rarely proves market moving, and although monetary policy expectations can affect the JPY in the short-term, safe-haven flows are typically more dominant. Even though the market’s overall risk tone saw a huge recovery and risk-on frenzy from the middle of 2020 to the end of 2021, recent developments have increased risks. With central banks tightening policy into an economic slowdown, risk appetite is jittery. Even though that doesn’t change our med-term bias for the JPY, it does means we should expect more risk sentiment ebbs and flows this year, and the heightened volatility can create strong directional moves in the JPY, as long as yields play their part.
3. Low-yielding currency with inverse correlation to US10Y
As a low yielding currency, the JPY usually shares a strong inverse correlation to moves in US yield differentials. Like most correlations, the strength of the inverse correlation between the JPY and US10Y isn’t perfect and will ebb and flow depending on the market environment from both a risk and cycle point of view. With the Fed tilting more aggressive, we think that opens up more room for curve flattening to take place. In this environment there could be mild upside risks for the JPY if US10Y corrects, but we shouldn’t look at the yield correlation in isolation and also weigh it alongside risk sentiment and price action in other safe havens.
4. CFTC Analysis
Very chunky unwind in net-short in the recent CFTC update, but positioning is still very stretched with aggregate JPY positioning still close to 2 standard dev away from a 15-year mean. Even though the med-term outlook remains bearish, the risk to reward to chase the currency lower from here is not very attractive.
5. The Week Ahead
For the week ahead, the focus will remain on the key drivers which is US10Y and more recently risk sentiment. Given the move in yield differentials and commodity prices, the JPY had very little safe haven appeal over recent weeks, but that was not the case in the past two weeks where we saw some classic risk sentiment correlations. This means, apart from the regular focus on US10Y, we’ll also be paying close attention on any sharp moves in risk sentiment, especially going out of the FOMC meeting as that can play a big part in overall JPY volatility. Apart from that, eyes will also be on any jawboning from Japanese officials where the BoJ has placed the ball firmly in the MoF’s court to try and curb JPY depreciation.
Gbpjpy $ell$ A peak performance trader is totally committed to being the best and doing whatever it takes to be the best. He feels totally responsible for whatever happens and thus can learn from mistakes. These people typically have a working business plan for trading because they treat trading as a business.
GBPJPY a move to the 0.618 🦐GBPJPY on the 4h chart reached the 0.5 Fibonacci level over a daily support providing us another great profit opportunity since our last call on this pair.
The price is now testing the support area and some retracement can to the 0.382 can happen in the next trading hours but, we can expect anyway some more retracement to the downside in the midterm.
How can i approach this scenario?
I will wait for the potential break of the 0.5 Fibonacci level and in that case i will wait for the Plancton's strategy rules to be applied and set a nice short order.
----
Follow the Shrimp 🦐
Keep in mind.
🟣 Purple structure -> Monthly structure.
🔴 Red structure -> Weekly structure.
🔵 Blue structure -> Daily structure.
🟡 Yellow structure -> 4h structure.
⚫️ Black structure -> <4h structure.
Here is the Plancton0618 technical analysis , please comment below if you have any question.
The ENTRY in the market will be taken only if the condition of the Plancton0618 strategy will trigger.
GBP JPY - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSGBP
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: NEUTRAL
1. Monetary Policy
In March the BoE hiked rates by 25bsp as expected but delivered a bearish hike with BoE’s Cunliffe dissenting by voting to leave rates unchanged. This was a stark change from February where 4 members voted for a 50bsp hike. Cunliffe noted the negative impacts of higher commodity prices on real household incomes and economic activity as the main reason for his dissention, while remaining members thought a 25bsp hike was appropriate given the tight labour market and risks of second round effects. Even though inflation forecasts were upgraded to 8% in Q2 (previous 7.25%), the negative view that GDP was expected to slow to subdued rates showed growing concern of stagflation. The most bearish element of the statement was a change in language regarding incoming rates where the bank said they judge that some further modest tightening MIGHT be appropriate where previous guidance said more tightening was ‘LIKELY TO BE’ appropriate (a clear push against overly aggressive rate expectations). They further pushed back by noting the current implied rate path would see inflation would be below target in 3 years’ time, in other words saying they won’t hike as much, and confirms our estimates that policy reached peak hawkishness in February. The 100% odds of a 25bsp in May drifted to just above 80% on Friday, and markets will pay close attention to incoming BoE speak, where further push back against rates could be enough to see markets pricing out some of the >5 hikes still priced for 2022. As a result of the clear dovish tilt, we have adjusted our assessment of the bank’s policy stance to NEUTRAL.
2. Economic & Health Developments
With inflation the main reason for the BoE’s recent rate hikes, there is a concern that the UK economy faces stagflation risk, as price pressures stay sticky while growth decelerates. That also means that current market expectations for rates continues to look too aggressive even after the BoE’s recent push back. This means downside risks for GBP if growth data push lower and/or the BoE continue to push their recent dovish tone.
3. Political Developments
Political uncertainty is usually GBP negative, so the PM’s future remains a risk. If distrust grows question remains on whether a no-confidence vote can happen (if so, short-term downside is likely), and whether he can survive the vote (a win should be GBP positive and a loss GBP negative). The Northern Ireland protocol remains a focus, with previous UK threats to trigger Article 16 and EU threats to terminate the Brexit deal if they do. Markets have rightly ignored this as posturing, but any actual escalation can see sharp GBP downside.
4. CFTC Analysis
CFTC data a mostly bearish signal last week as Large Specs increased shorts and Leveraged Funds decreased longs (both by a big amount). Our preference remains to look for GBP shorts against the EUR in the med-term , and after the push lower in EURGBP post the previous ECB meeting the coast looks clearer than a week ago.
5. The Week Ahead
Despite hawkish comments from BoE’s Mann last week (which tried to place more emphasis on the inflation side of the economy), the dismal Consumer Confidence, Retail Sales and S&P Global Flash PMI’s brought the slowing growth concerns right back into focus (and rightly so). The timing of these prints was fairly bad for the GBP as this week has a very light calendar schedule, which means there won’t be any major growth data points that could ease some of Friday’s concerns.
JPY
FUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BEARISH
1. Monetary Policy
No surprises from the BoJ at their March meeting. As usual, the BoJ continued their three decade long easy policy with Governor Kuroda dismissing any chances of starting to debate an exit from the current policy stance. The language and tone were very similar to their prior meeting where the bank remained committed to provide any additional easing if necessary and noted that the current geopolitical situation increases the risks and uncertainty for Japan’s economy. The bank did note that they expect inflation to rise to close to 2% in Q2 as a result of the recent upside in oil prices, but the governor did explain that recent fears of stagflation in places like Japan, EU and US are overdone. Furthermore, Governor Kuroda explained that rates in Japan will remain low and the rate differential between Japan and other major economies are expected to lead to a weaker currency and higher domestic price pressures in the months ahead.
2. Safe-haven status and overall risk outlook
As a safe-haven currency, the market's risk outlook is usually the primary driver. Economic data rarely proves market moving, and although monetary policy expectations can affect the JPY in the short-term, safe-haven flows are typically more dominant. Even though the market’s overall risk tone saw a huge recovery and risk-on frenzy from the middle of 2020 to the end of 2021, recent developments have increased risks. With central banks tightening policy into an economic slowdown, risk appetite is jittery. Even though that doesn’t change our med-term bias for the JPY, it does means we should expect more risk sentiment ebbs and flows this year, and the heightened volatility can create strong directional moves in the JPY, as long as yields play their part.
3. Low-yielding currency with inverse correlation to US10Y
As a low yielding currency, the JPY usually shares a strong inverse correlation to moves in US yield differentials. Like most correlations, the strength of the inverse correlation between the JPY and US10Y isn’t perfect and will ebb and flow depending on the market environment from both a risk and cycle point of view. With the Fed tilting more aggressive, we think that opens up more room for curve flattening to take place. In this environment there could be mild upside risks for the JPY if US10Y corrects, but we shouldn’t look at the yield correlation in isolation and also weigh it alongside risk sentiment and price action in other safe havens.
4. CFTC Analysis
Bearish bets continued to ease up a bit with recent positioning data. However, positioning is still very stretched with aggregate JPY positioning close to 2 standard deviations away from a 15-year mean. Even though the medterm outlook remain bearish, the risk to reward to chase the currency lower from here is not very attractive.
5. The Week Ahead
This week will be all about the BoJ and possible intervention comments from Japanese officials. For the BoJ, the question markets have is whether the recent weakness of the JPY has been enough to spark some potential reaction from the BoJ, either in the form of verbal intervention (talking down the weakness and/or threatening FX intervention – this past seems unlikely given that the finance minister looks to be heading that part of the equation). So, the only other thing the bank can realistically do to ease off some of the pressure by increasing the target band of the JP10Y from -0.25%-0.25% to -0.50%-0.50%. This would not only ease some of the continued pressure from the markets around the YCC, and it should also provide some short-term relief for the JPY weakness. Then there is also possible jawboning, where Finance Minister Suzuki and US Treasury Sec Yellen talked about the possibility of joint FX intervention where the US showed willingness in the proposal (something they are usually less keen on entertaining).
GBPJPY can look for the 0.5 Fib 🦐GBPJPY after our previous calls reached the 168 level providing us an almost 4% run since our first call.
The price after such a string impulse reached the supply zone and might look for some retracement.
How can i approach this scenario?
Currently, the market is trading above a support area and if the price will break below i will check for a nice short order according to the Plancton's strategy rules.
----
Follow the Shrimp 🦐
Keep in mind.
🟣 Purple structure -> Monthly structure.
🔴 Red structure -> Weekly structure.
🔵 Blue structure -> Daily structure.
🟡 Yellow structure -> 4h structure.
⚫️ Black structure -> <4h structure.
Here is the Plancton0618 technical analysis , please comment below if you have any question.
The ENTRY in the market will be taken only if the condition of the Plancton0618 strategy will trigger.
GBPJPY NEW HIGHS INCOMING! BUY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! GBPJPY poised to go up next week. If the pair plays inside the box, it will bounce backand a possible new highs can be beaten in the next few weeks.
If you are a short term trader or seller, be careful. If you are buying this and itgoes low, just keep on buying on the lower prices.
NFA