Where my 40k NKD target came from & why it could go higher laterI've been giving warnings ever since the c0v1d black swan, and especially since the 25k re-test, that Nikkei will grow wings but here's a seeing-is-believing look at where my 40k target comes from
For sure it could go higher later and break this key resistance but I would expect at least one more re-test of the navy blue channel beforehand
In theory there's no reason why a solid year can't be spent consolidating under that resistance a la 2006
Some very notable calls in recent years:
SPREADEX:NIKKEI and TVC:DJI both to 40k (over 1y in advance)
CRYPTOCAP:BTC pico bottom at 15k and recent local top at 70k
FX:EURUSD pico bottom & TVC:DXY pico top at 115
TVC:USOIL pico bottom at 68
NASDAQ:SMCI mega breakout at 100
NASDAQ:NVDA mega support at 120
NASDAQ:TSLA pico bottom at 105
NASDAQ:NFLX pico bottom at 165
Japan
$JPIRYY -CPI (YoY)ECONOMICS:JPIRYY Japan Inflation Rate Lowest in A Year
The annual inflation rate in Japan fell to 3.0% in September 2023 from 3.2% in August, pointing to the lowest reading since September 2022.
Meantime, core inflation rate dropped to a 13-month low of 2.8%,
slightly above market consensus of 2.7% while staying outside the Bank of Japan's 2% target for the 18th month.
Core inflation rate dropped to a 13-month low of 2.8%, slightly above consensus of 2.7% while staying outside the Bank of Japan's 2% target for the 18th month. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.3% in September, after a 0.2% gain in August. source: Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications
source:
Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications
USD/JPY at Critical Juncture: Evaluating Peaks and Intervention The USD/JPY has surged to multi-year highs in the 151.000s amid a broader strengthening of the US Dollar and shifting trade dynamics, exerting downward pressure on the Japanese Yen. Currently positioned at 151.590, the pair finds itself within a robust resistance zone, hinting at a potential retracement following the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy meeting.
As the USD/JPY approaches a critical intervention zone, historically monitored by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) for FX market stabilization, there arises a likelihood of resistance to further appreciation. This intervention zone, noted by analysts at MUFG, underscores the BoJ's proactive stance in curbing excessive Yen weakness beyond the 150.000 threshold.
The proximity to this intervention zone implies a possible inflection point for the USD/JPY, suggesting a pending reversal or consolidation in the near term. Such dynamics highlight the intricate interplay between central bank interventions and market sentiment, shaping the trajectory of currency pairs like the USD/JPY.
USDJPY H4 18 March 2024 USD/JPY, H4 18 March 2024
The Japanese yen experienced significant selling pressure as investors offloaded positions ahead of high volatility events. Despite the sell-off, bullish prospects remain for the Japanese yen, driven by speculation of potential monetary shifts from the Bank of Japan. Tuesday's BOJ meeting is poised to be consequential, with officials deliberating on ending eight years of negative interest rates in a landmark shift away from its stimulus program.
USD/JPY is trading higher while currently testing the resistance level. Suggesting the pair might enter overbought territory.
Resistance level: 148.35, 150.80📉
Support level: 149.15, 150.80📈
BOJ to deliver 1st hike in 17 years tomorrow? There is possibly no bigger trading event this week than the Bank of Japan’s decision on Monday.
The groundwork for abandoning negative interest rates has been subtly laid since last year, and now, this could very well be the month they choose to make their move.
The prospect of ending a policy entrenched for nearly two decades could significantly move the USDJPY.
The catalyzing force for the BoJ to end negative interest rates are the substantial wage hikes big corporations and their labor unions agreed on this year.
On Friday, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, the country's largest labor organization, disclosed that this year's annual wage negotiations produced remarkable outcomes. Major corporations witnessed an average hike of 5.28%, the largest wage increase in 33 years.
Because of this, The Bank of Japan could be thinking that the current economic climate is OK for sustaining a stable 2% inflation rate in an environment without negative interest rates.
Even in the eventuality of the negative rate policy ceasing, Governor Ueda has emphasized the continuity of accommodative monetary conditions. The BOJ will likely keep interest rates at zero percent. So, watch out for overreactions to this news too, and corrective moves in Yen pairs.
Currency most likely to rebound against USD next week? Next week's Federal Reserve interest rate decision possibly just got a lot more interesting.
Last night we got PPI data. In February, the producer price index, a key gauge of wholesale inflation, surged by 0.6%, surpassing expectations by more than double.
The big question now is whether traders will reassess their expectations for the timing of a Fed rate cut. Currently, the market is pricing in less than a 15% chance of a rate cut in May and a 60% likelihood in June.
This PPI report marks the final significant economic data released before the Federal Reserve's forthcoming policy meeting scheduled for March 19-20.
The USD dollar knocked back all its pairs after the PPI announcement. But which pairs are likely to stage a comeback?
The Japanese yen is possibly one of the best prospects in this regard. Traders will be looking for serious talk on Monday about the Bank of Japan ending it decades of extremely low-interest rates (or God-forbid an actual rate hike). The BoJ's Interest Rate Decision is slated for 11 pm on Monday.
Next week, we will also see the release of inflation data from Canada and the UK, adding potential volatility to USDCAD and GBPUSD pairs.
JASMYCOIN (POSSIBLE IDEA)Could this be the direction Jasmy is going? An idea I've come up with--. I can't explain much on the direction of jasmy. The break into the red circle and falling out only to repeat makes sense but once the graph passes the red circle there is no break, which makes sense. I used a previous incline wedge to measure a possible view for the future with a reverse coloring to account for what it would be like. The more Jasmy loses the closer red is of course so using that logic it's a guess on if Jasmy were to move forward and up then there is a small window based on this indicator guess.
Japanese Equities Remain Compelling Despite Record Crushing RiseAnimal spirits are palpable in the Land of Rising Sun. Nikkei-225 smashed through it previous all-time-high set more than 40 years ago. Japanese equity markets have turned steaming hot over the past year after stagnation through lost decades.
Strong foreign investment inflows, positive impact from the corporate governance reforms, portfolio rebalancing away from China, and low valuations, are collectively serving as robust tailwinds for the Japan equity market.
Yet risks remain from an early BoJ policy pivot, high inflation eroding spending power, and limited domestic capital investment.
This paper delves into factors driving record rally of Nikkei-225 index, its outlook, and posits a hypothetical trade to benefit from its continued ascent.
WIDE RANGING REFORMS IN PLAY TO BOOST MARKETS. IS IT WORKING?
In 2022, the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”) embarked on market restructuring plan with the creation of new market segments.
Source: Tokyo Stock Exchange
TSE rolled out a raft of corporate governance reforms in March 2023. It summarized key initiatives that investors aspire to see into fruition, namely (a) Weigh the cost of capital from investors perspective, (b), Report profitability and valuation metrics from multiple perspectives, and (c) Allocate resources to improve corporate value.
Reforms aim to boost capital efficiency by utilizing excess cash reserves held by Japanese firms. Price-to-book ratio (“PBR”) is a key metric in TSE’s cross hairs. As of 31/Dec , more than half the firms that have submitted disclosures have a PBR of less than one. PBR less than one suggests that a firm’s dissolution value is greater than its market cap.
Data Source: TSE
Even among some of the largest firms in the country, PBR is less than 1.
Data Source: TV Stock Screener
A TSE Review shows that firms are allocating additional resources towards growth initiatives. It suggested share buybacks and dividends were effective means for improving profitability.
Impact of the reforms are visible in many ways. Higher shareholder returns (through dividends and buybacks) are already manifest across many firms.
Still, there is a long way to go. Disclosures and reforms are not widespread yet. As smaller firms join, capital investment could spread wider.
Data Source: TV Stock Screener
Also, while dividend growth is high, capex growth remains low. A focus on investor returns improves stock valuations in the near term. However, a larger push towards long-term capital investments will be required for long-term sustained growth.
Capital spending by firms surged 16.4% YoY in Q4.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is pushing for its citizens to invest in domestic firms rather than save. He has re-launched the NISA tax-free investment programme. It provides extended tax-exemption periods and higher annual investment limits. The scheme, if successful, could channel large chunks of new capital into Japanese equities.
Domestic participation remains low for now. Japanese investors prefer foreign stocks over domestic ones as per a Morningstar study .
VIBRANT FOREIGN INFLOWS IN JAPANESE EQUITIES
While domestic investors are yet to embrace its domestic markets, foreigners are leading the charge. US investors have poured USD 8.3B into Japan focused ETFs ( AMEX:EWJ , AMEX:BBJP , and AMEX:DXJ ) since 2023.
JAPANESE EQUITIES REMAIN UNDERVALUED
Japanese equities remain under-valued. Warren Buffet famously invested USD 6 billion during the pandemic in Japanese trading giants citing that he was offered a “ridiculous price”.
Despite the recent market surge, P/E for stocks in the Nikkei-225 stands at mere 20.8x. Comparatively, stocks in the S&P 500 have an average P/E of 34.9x.
Data Source: TV Stock Screener
Nikkei-225 valuations are even more attractive when adjusted for growth. Average (excl. outliers) TTM PEG ratio for Nikkei-225 firms is 1.3x while for the S&P 500 its 2.5x.
Data Source: TV Stock Screener
Low profit growth remains a concern for Japanese firms. According to the Japan Ministry of Finance figures , ordinary profits rose by 13% YoY in Q4 2023, while high, that’s slower than 21% during Q3 2023.
JAPAN IS ALSO AN AI BENEFICIARY
Tokyo Electron, Renesas, and Advantest, constituents within the Nikkei-225 index have emerged as AI rush beneficiaries. Specifically, Tokyo Electron has surged more than 58% YTD. Softbank is another top performer thanks to its investment in $ARM.
Heatmap of Nikkei-225 with key firms that comprise a large weightage in the index highlighted in blue.
Nikkei-225 is a price-weighted index. Tokyo Electron commands the second largest weight in the index at 9.4% due to its high price. Advantest is third with 4.7%. Softbank ranks fourth with 4.45%. Therefore, a sustained AI fuelled market rally is likely to positively impacting the index.
Not just the chip stocks, the Nikkei rally has been top-heavy due to outperformance of other large stocks too. Fast Retailing (the top weight in the index) is also supported by strong tailwinds and solid financial performance which has clocked a 26% rise YTD (versus 19% jump in the index).
If outperformance among the large Japanese firms continue, the Nikkei will continue to race at a fast pace.
NIKKEI IS STARTING TO FACE HEADWINDS
Despite impressive performance and bright outlook, cause for concerns exist in the near term. Rising concerns that the BoJ may exit its loose monetary policy sooner than previously expected could snap the rally.
Inflation has started to rebound. Wage growth estimates are solid. Revised figures for capital spending are expected to show that the economy avoided a technical recession in Q4.
The benchmark index is starting to face resistance. An earlier than expected BoJ pivot could put brakes on this rally.
Some market participants expect the BoJ policy pivot as soon as the 19/March policy meeting. Most expect the pivot to occur at the 26/April meeting. A consensus on the exact meeting has not been reached among BoJ officials according to Bloomberg .
HYPOTHETICAL TRADE SETUP
Nikkei is benefiting from strong tailwinds. It also faces the risk of a near-term correction, particularly from anticipated strengthening of the Yen.
A hypothetical long position in the Yen denominated CME Nikkei-225 index futures with an entry upon near term correction is posited for a superior reward-to-risk ratio.
The following hypothetical trade setup comprising of a long position in the Nikkei-225 Yen Denominated futures expiring in June (NIYM2024) benefits in case the Nikkei-225 rises.
As the payout from the position is denominated in Yen, a strengthening of the Yen will serve as an additional boost to the dollar P&L.
• Entry: 37,900
• Target: 41,690
• Stop Loss: 35,000
• Profit at Target: ¥1,895,000 ( (41690 – 37900) x 500 Yen/index point)
• Loss at Stop: -¥1,450,000 ( (35000 – 37900) x 500 Yen/index point)
• Reward-to-Risk Ratio: 1.3x
MARKET DATA
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USDJPY H4 6 March 2024USD/JPY, H4 6 March 2024
The USD/JPY pair continues to trade within a consolidation range, fluctuating between the 150.80 and 149.75 levels. Notably, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Japan's largest bank, is reportedly adjusting its positions in anticipation of a potential move by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) in March. Senior management at the bank has suggested that there is a 50% chance the BoJ may shift its monetary policy, a move that could have significant implications for Japanese government bonds and the strength of the Japanese Yen.
USD/JPY eases slightly but remains trading sideways within its consolidation range. Suggesting bearish momentum may be forming.
Resistance level: 150.80, 151.70
Support level: 149.40, 147.60
USDJPY Watch: Inflation Release to Shape yen’s Path? Japan's economy recently slid to the fourth-largest position, trailing Germany. This shift is primarily attributed to a weakened Japanese yen. In 2023, Japan's GDP stood at approximately $4.2 trillion, while Germany's was around $4.45 trillion.
The weakness in the Japanese yen is pressuring BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda to address this by tightening Japan's ultra-easy policy. However, this move is complicated by concerns about inflation, which BOJ policymakers still consider unsustainable, even as inflation negatively impacts domestic demand, contributing to a technical recession in the Japanese economy.
The upcoming release of Japan's inflation rate, scheduled for the coming Monday, is anticipated to significantly influence the BOJ's decision regarding potential rate hikes in the coming months. Analysts predict a possible rate increase as early as April, especially if the country's annual spring wage negotiations confirm a trend of substantial wage increases.
On the 4-hour chart, we are watching for the possibility of the USDJPY breaking above the weekly high of 150.430 and reversing the string of lower highs going back to the beginning of last week (which just so happens to be the yearly high for the pair).
Firepower abounds for Japanese equitiesJapanese equities ended 2023 on a high note. Japan’s post pandemic re-opening, accommodative monetary stance, high equity risk premiums and improving corporate governance reforms were important tailwinds for Japanese equities in 2023.
Over the last 12 months Japan has benefited from global investor inflows who are diversifying their investments in Asia, with geopolitical tensions and sluggish growth causing a rotation from China to Japan. There are several catalysts in place to fuel Japan’s equity market rally:
Increasing capex & higher wage growth
Revamping the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA)
Corporate Japan’s ongoing reform initiatives
Capex outlook bolstered by manufacturers
The end of deflation is a catalyst unique to Japan. The Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) December Tankan survey indicates manufacturers will continue to boost capex in fiscal 2024 to prepare for the next growth cycle. Manufacturers plan to increase capex in fiscal 2024 by 14.6%2. Higher cash holdings for Japanese corporates and labour shortages are important incentives to invest in automation over the long run. Japan is at a demographic crossroads. The employment conditions diffusion index (DI) highlights Japan’s labour shortage to be the worst in 30 years3. To compensate, companies will need to invest in improving productivity.
Demographics driving wage inflation
At the same time, waning labour supply owing to an aging population is likely to bring back wage growth. The spring wage growth negotiations in 2023 drove wages up by 3.6%4 (the highest level in 30 years) and 2024 could see a further rise. Demand continues to increase in healthcare and social welfare owing to increasing domestic demand. Strong wage growth remains the key to the sustainability of inflation and inflation is likely to influence investors choice of asset allocations. As long as Japanese equities continue to benefit from inflation, we believe it would be natural for funds to increasingly flow into Japanese equities.
Japan’s savings to investment drive
Japan is transforming into an asset management led nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Kishida. In an effort to unlock nearly US$14Trn of household financial assets tied up in cash deposits, Japanese leaders are embarking upon reforms, like the introduction of 401(k)s in the US back in the 1970s. This is being done with the introduction of a revised Nippon Individual Savings Account “NISA” program offering tax benefits and portability. Starting in 2024 maximum investment amounts allowed under NISA have been increased and investors can enjoy the system’s tax benefits permanently.
Japan’s wave of reform
Corporate Japan’s ongoing reform initiatives, which include the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s (TSE) March 2023 announcement dubbed the “Price to Book (PBR) Guideline”, discussed here had a strong impact on companies. This was evident from the immediate rise in payout ratios following the announcements. By the end of January, the TSE plans to provide a list of companies that have either disclosed capital efficiency measures or have such measures under consideration. There is a strong likelihood that companies ‘under consideration’ could surprise on the upside with capital return announcements in the upcoming results season.
Japan’s wave of reform
Corporate Japan’s ongoing reform initiatives, which include the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s (TSE) March 2023 announcement dubbed the “Price to Book (PBR) Guideline”, discussed here had a strong impact on companies. This was evident from the immediate rise in payout ratios following the announcements. By the end of January, the TSE plans to provide a list of companies that have either disclosed capital efficiency measures or have such measures under consideration. There is a strong likelihood that companies ‘under consideration’ could surprise on the upside with capital return announcements in the upcoming results season.
Japan continues to deliver strong earnings results
Japan’s economy has continued to recover, and we expect the economy to withstand the modest slowdown in global growth. Japanese equities are testing 34-year highs in 2024, bolstered by 2Q FY3/24 earnings results. Net income for Japanese equities came in 6.2% ahead of consensus, with beats concentrated in domestic-oriented sectors including utilities & food/household products5. Corporate reforms had a significant impact on chemicals and auto parts sectors. Japan’s earnings revision breadth remains in positive territory in contrast to earnings trends in China and Europe. Positive earnings revisions alongside a structural trend to rising return on equity (ROE) is supporting Japan’s equity outperformance versus the rest of the world.
Monetary policy likely to stay on hold until Q2
An important concern in 2024 remains the path of monetary policy by the BOJ, its impact on the yen and the repercussions for Japanese equities. Governor Ueda told Prime Minister Kishida that the Bank will monitor the strength of domestic demand, taking into consideration whether higher wages push services prices higher and the 2024 wage outlook. Recent inflation data continues to slow, as the prior high import costs work through the system amidst soft domestic demand. We expect the BOJ to exit negative interest rates in Q2, taking into consideration the spring wage negotiations. The yen may appreciate in H2 2024, on narrowing US-Japan interest rate spreads. A stronger yen could renew concerns over a possible negative effect on Japanese corporate earnings. However, a strong yen may not be too much of a hindrance to Japanese equities, with the market set on the theme of further vitality in the economy with rising wages and improving capex.
Sources
1 Factset, WisdomTree as of 31 December 2023
2 Bank of Japan, 13 December 2023
3 Bloomberg as of 31 December 2023
4 Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo)
5 IBES, Factset, MSCI Japan
This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
USD/JPY: JPY Struggles Amid Global TensionsUSD/JPY: JPY Struggles Amid Global Tensions
The Japanese Yen (JPY) faces challenges in gaining momentum against the US Dollar (USD) as it retreats in the European session. European equity market optimism hampers the JPY's safe-haven appeal, while the USD sees positive traction ahead of the awaited FOMC meeting.
Technical Analysis:
The JPY faces resistance at 148.500 within the Fibonacci range of 61.8% to 78.6%, coupled with a potential bearish channel's dynamic trendline. Stochastic RSI divergence signals caution, and the price is poised for a potential bearish move.
Market Dynamics:
Global uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, could limit JPY losses, supported by the Bank of Japan's recent hawkish stance. The looming uncertainty about the Fed's interest rate cuts may restrain aggressive USD bets, keeping the USD/JPY pair in check.
Looking Ahead:
Traders await key US economic data, including the Consumer Confidence Index and JOLTS Job Openings, for potential market direction amid the central bank event risk. The interplay of technical signals and geopolitical factors shapes the outlook for the JPY in the near term.
Our Idea:
Below 150.75 look for further downside with 145.00 & 142.00 as targets.
Ride the Japanese Wave, Don't Grab That China Falling KnifeIt was nearly three years ago when the China stock market notched a short-term peak. Recall how the world's second-largest economy was initially seen as a growth engine coming out of the worst of the pandemic. An authoritative regime in China, led by President Xi Jinping, crippled the economy's expansion trajectory through harsh ongoing lockdowns and by clamping down on many industries, one after another. Then in early 2023, hope sprang eternal that China would re-open amid a burst of consumer spending, a la what was seen during the 'revenge travel' period in the United States back in 2021 and 2022. That did not come to fruition, and the Hang Seng Index is now down by more than 50% in the last three years.
With all that turmoil going on in China, Japan's Nikkei 225 Index has continued to soar. Up more than 20% since February of 2021, the once sleepy Tokyo stock market features among the best momentum readings of all countries. Based on these trends, sticking with the 'long Nikkei, short China' trade should keep working, in my view. Another way to play it is by being long developed market stocks and avoiding emerging market funds (which still have a roughly 20% allocation to China).
Finally, while China trades at a single-digit P/E ratio today, Japan is by no means expensive. Goldman Sachs notes that the country's current 12-month forward earnings multiple is just 14.9, about average compared to its 20-year history (Asia-Pac ex-Japan is 12.3x, for perspective). Interestingly, Japan is back up to 6% of the global stock market allocation while China has sunk to just 3%. Perhaps it is indeed the land of the rising sun while China is a classic "sub"-merging market.
A solid ETF to play Japan continues to be the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity ETF (DXJ) which hedges exposure to the Japanese Yen. The ETF has a solid track record of outperforming other Japanese country funds.
XAUUSD GOLDPair : XAUUSD ( Gold / U.S Dollar )
Description :
Completed " 12345 " Impulsive Waves at Demand Zone or Fibonacci Level - 61.80%. Bearish Channel as an Corrective Pattern in Short Time Frame and Rejection from Lower Trend Line. It has completed the Break of Structure and making its Retracement
USD/JPY Under Pressure: Dovish Fed Outlook and BoJ's Caution..USD/JPY Under Pressure: Dovish Fed Outlook and BoJ's Caution Fuel Bearish Momentum
The USD/JPY pair continues to experience losses as the US Dollar (USD) weakens, influenced by the dovish outlook presented by the Federal Reserve (Fed) in the first quarter of 2024. The recent decline gained momentum on Friday, triggered by softer domestic consumer inflation data, amplifying uncertainty regarding the potential timing of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) tightening its ultra-loose policy. Minutes from the BoJ's October monetary policy meeting further indicated a commitment to maintaining the current accommodative stance, putting additional downward pressure on the Japanese Yen (JPY).
Market Developments:
As the USD/JPY pair trades lower around 140.70 during the early European session on Thursday, attention is drawn to the psychological areas of 141.00 and 141.600, which now pose as immediate resistance levels. The next significant barrier is identified at the 142.00 level, suggesting that the pair faces an uphill struggle in its attempt to reverse the prevailing bearish sentiment.
Technical Analysis and Correlation:
Building on our technical analysis and considering the correlation with the EUR/USD pairs, the outlook for USD/JPY points towards a continuation of the bearish momentum. The dovish Fed stance and cautious BoJ approach contribute to the prevailing downward pressure on the USD/JPY pair, emphasizing the potential for further losses in the near term.
Looking Ahead:
The uncertainty surrounding the timing of the BoJ's policy tightening and the dovish tone from the Fed are likely to remain key drivers for the USD/JPY pair. Traders and investors will closely monitor any developments in monetary policy discussions and economic indicators that could offer insights into the future direction of the currency pair.
As the USD/JPY pair faces resistance levels and grapples with the repercussions of dovish central bank outlooks, the bearish momentum seems poised to persist. The interplay between the Federal Reserve's stance and the Bank of Japan's cautious approach sets the stage for continued volatility in the pair. As market participants navigate these dynamics, the focus remains on potential opportunities arising from the evolving conditions in the currency markets.
Our preference
Short positions below 143.00 with targets at 139.90 & 138.50 in extension.
Is the Santa Claus Rally on Its Way Again?The lights, carols and the last FOMC of the year, you know the drill by now, Christmas is here soon!
As we head into the year's end, it's the perfect time to revisit an old idea we had last Christmas. In our piece last December titled “ Is the Santa Claus rally real? ” we explored the concept of the Santa Claus rally, discussing why and how a modified version might work.
To recap, last year we proposed examining the Santa Claus rally through a spread between the S&P500 and the Nikkei, rather than focusing solely on either the S&P or Nikkei alone. This approach was based on several reasons:
1) Holiday Impact: The Christmas holiday holds greater cultural importance in the US, likely resulting in more holiday observance in the US compared to Japan.
2) Diverging Monetary Policies: The Bank of Japan is set to meet next week, and while no change in the policy rate is expected, we're looking for any hints on the timing of an exit from negative interest rates. Conversely, the Federal Reserve has just signalled expectations of up to 75bps rate cuts in 2024, marking a policy shift. These differing policies could influence equities in their respective markets differently.
3) Difference in Accounting/Financial Years: Different accounting practices and book closure dates mean that institutional traders in each market will have varying flows as they prepare to close positions for the financial year.
4) January Effect Front-Running: Investors re-establishing positions after December's tax loss harvesting.
With policy directions now swapping, optimism for this strategy's success is higher this year. The Federal Reserve signalling an end to hikes, has resulted in the S&P500 surging closer to previous all-time highs.
Meanwhile, the USDJPY has collapsed from its high of 152, as views grow that the BOJ might end its negative interest rate policy sooner than expected, as alluded to by BOJ Governor Ueda.
This Christmas, we'll compare what happened last Christmas to see if a similar pattern emerges this year.
A review of last year's Christmas effect shows that the spread rose roughly 12% from mid-December to mid-February.
This result adds to the current streak of a 60%-win rate since 2013, now improving to 63% with a simple average return of about 33%.
Examining each index individually, we find that periods where the S&P 500’s RSI is above 75 and the Nikkei 225’s RSI is around 50 have generally preceded critical junctures where the S&P 500 continues to rise while the Nikkei remains rangebound or falls.
Additionally, observing the S&P500 and Nikkei 225 spread, we notice an ascending triangle pattern, with current price action breaking above. An ascending triangle is typically associated with bullish continuation.
Considering the broad macro factors, such as changing monetary policy stances aligning with the historical behavior of the Santa Claus rally, along with a bullish technical setup, we lean bullish on this spread. To express this bullish view, one could go long on the E-mini S&P 500 Futures and short on the Nikkei/USD Futures. At the current price levels, the notional value of one S&P 500 Futures contract is 4771*50 = 238550 and the notional for the Nikkei futures is 33010*5 = 165050, hence to match the notional we can trade 2 S&P 500 Futures contracts against 3 Nikkei Futures contract with the intent of holding the position from now till the middle of February.
The charts above were generated using CME’s Real-Time data available on TradingView. Inspirante Trading Solutions is subscribed to both TradingView Premium and CME Real-time Market Data which allows us to identify trading set-ups in real-time and express our market opinions. 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
Disclaimer:
The contents in this Idea are intended for information purpose only and do not constitute investment recommendation or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products or services. They serve as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate fundamental concepts in risk management under given market scenarios. A full version of the disclaimer is available in our profile description.
Reference:
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
www.fool.com
www.jstor.org
Navigating Waves: USDJPY Analysis - Seizing the Double BottomRapid Downslide Following FED News : Downslide suggests that there may have been a negative reaction in the USDJPY pair due to news related to the Federal Reserve (FED). Events and statements from central banks, especially the FED, can significantly impact currency pairs.
Formation of Double Bottom Pattern around 141.500 Range : A double bottom pattern is a bullish reversal pattern that forms after a downtrend. If there is a slowdown and a potential double bottom pattern around the 141.500 range, it could indicate a potential reversal in the downward trend.
Expectation of Short Impulse Towards 143.787 : The analysis suggests an anticipated short-term upward movement toward the 143.787 level. Traders may view this as a potential scalp opportunity, indicating a short-term trading strategy.
Continuation of Bearish Momentum: Despite the short-term upward movement, there is an expectation of the continuation of bearish momentum. This indicates that the overall trend remains bearish, and the upward movement may be considered a temporary retracement rather than a trend reversal.
It's important to note that trading in the foreign exchange market involves inherent risks, and market conditions can change rapidly. Additionally, the success of any forecast depends on various factors, including economic indicators, geopolitical events, and market sentiment.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, traders should refer to live market data, technical analysis tools, and financial news sources. Additionally, considering the dynamic nature of the forex market, it's recommended to use risk management strategies and consult with financial experts before making trading decisions.