Get started

Shortaudusd

SHORT AUDUSD: RBA INTEREST RATE DECISION - CUT 25BPS TO 1.50%RBA Cut the Cash rate to 1.50% by 25bps, the market has had a very subdued reaction though, barely falling 30pips from market. I still think there should be more downside here and into the mid/low 74xx before the full fade comes in - so luckily room for retails to get in, looks like the algos were having a day off today. This is positive for any kiwi$ short holders - this now puts almost certain pressure on RBNZ to do the same (if not 50bps) next week. Previously Aussie$ fell 180pips back in May 3rd on a 25bps cut like this, and the next day lost 40pips so a total of 210pips in 2days, 0.766 to 0.745 - assuming this model holds true this time we should then expect AUD$ to trade to 0.737 in 2-days given we started at 0.758. Thus the 0.744/5 target I have should be modest but inline with the subdued market reaction (TPs further to the LHS run the risk of being faded out unreached). We could/ should see some more selling through LDN/ NY as real money gets on board - unlikely to stay in the 0.75's for today (or close here imo). RBA Interest Rate Decision Highlights: -AUSTRALIA AUG RBA CASH RATE* DECREASE TO 1.50 % (FCAST 1.50 %) VS PREV 1.75 % -RBA SAYS RISING A$ COULD COMPLICATE ECONOMIC TRANSITION -RBA SAYS JUDGED ECONOMIC GROWTH WOULD BE IMPROVED BY EASING -RBA SAYS GLOBAL ECONOMY GROWING AT A PACE BELOW AVERAGE -RBA SAYS RECENT AUSTRALIAN DATA SUGGESTS OVERALL GROWTH CONTINUING AT A MODERATE PACE -RBA SAYS UNDERLYING PACE OF GROWTH IN CHINA ECONOMY APPEARS TO BE MODERATING -RBA SAYS RECENT DATA CONFIRMS INFLATION REMAINS QUITE LOW, EXPECTED TO REMAIN CASE FOR SOME TIME -RBA SAYS LESS RISK OF LOW RATES OVERHEATING HOUSING MARKET -RBA SAYS LABOUR MARKET DATA CONTINUE TO BE SOMEWHAT MIXED
Short
by QuantumLogicTrading
12
AUDUSD: RBA BANK HIGHLIGHTS - CUT & SELL OR STAND PAT & LONG?Inline with the mixed information below, i too am undecided with what the RBA will do. There are several arguments for a cut e.g. CPI falling at an alarming rate/ strong trend; strong aussie; 1.75% high yield and likely to maintain AUD strength. But several against e.g. some of the trimmed prints show stability at 1.7%; need for more data - aussie employment report etc, given the AUD only holds data reports quarterly. That said, whilst im not certain on a RBA rate cut, i am certain on an RBNZ cut (more of a 25 or 50bps cut question), so going into RBA the lower conviction and risk trade is to play it through kiwi transmission e.g. short kiwi$ - an RBA cut will put downside pressure on kiwi$ too as it increases the chance of an RBNZ cut even more as the RBNZ will seek to drive their relative yield down and NZD currency appreciation down. The release is expected at AM5:30GMT - I expect aussiedollar will lose 100-200pips from market on a 25bps cut and if they stand unchanged i expect a topside rally into the 767 resistance graveyard but terminally, with a no rate cut i think we will likely see an end of week close at the 0.782 12m high resistance level assuming the USD employment report is average. Central bank confidence trades relatively low these days in the "disappointment era! however we have seen some strong conviction with bullish bets on RBA cut positioning so far with AUD$ down 100pips+ from yesterday - the lower we move pre-RBA the nastier a disappointment rally with be but also the short downside returns diminish - we could end up only seeing 100pip dropp if we move to 745 pre-decision. BAML ON THE RBA: - We expect the RBA to cut rates this week in response to a weak inflation pulse and spare capacity in the labour markeT. - A cut should lend support to the rates curve above 40bp. We await better levels to reset AU US spread compression trades. - The AUD is benefiting from the global search for positive yield and a rate cut is unlikely to deter this supportive inflow. RBA to hold due to spot on CPI? - TDS - Analysts at TD Securities explained that the recent AUD Q2 underlying CPI was spot-on the RBA’s expectations so they don’t think this will be a trigger for the Bank to cut. RBA to cut tomorrow - MUFG -Derek Halpenny, European Head of GMR at MUFG, suggests that the Australian dollar is one of those currencies that is currently much stronger than what is implied by the 2-year swap yield spread with the US. RBA to cut 25bps at its August meeting – RBC CM -Research Team at RBC Capital Markets, expects the RBA to cut 25bps at its August meeting. RBA: Not enough grounds to cut rates in August - Commerzbank - Antje Praefcke, analyst at Commerzbank notes that even though the market widely expects the RBA to cut the interest rate by 25 basis points from 1.75% to 1.50% next Asian session, they do not see enough grounds to lower the key interest rate in August. RBS - RBA to be on hold
by QuantumLogicTrading
3
SHORT AUDUSD: EYEING CPI PRINT - SELL 1.0%YOY, 0.3%Q; RBA EASINGAM 2:30GMT Ausssie Inflation prints are released these are key for determining their August Policy Decision 1. IMO a 1.0%yoy CPI print shows a further 0.3% contraction in their yearly CPI, this should be sufficient to push the RBA to cutting their OCR by 25bps, similarly a 0.3%qoq CPI will be needed in conjunction to show that inflation is growing at a slow pace. 2. RBA Minutes that support this view of low CPI leading to a cut from July said - - On the margin RBA remained in line with previous meetings, adding little but still keeping it on the dovish side imo. Once again, as in previous minutes (and from several other central banks) RBA continued to communicate the necessity of "watching key data" to drive future policy decisions. Interestingly though, they also mentioned the negative impact of a strong AUD which in turn supports RBA doves out there as a cut is the remedy to stop a deflationairy currency in its tracks. Further, RBA notably were under no illusions regarding their inflation situation stating " inflation set to stay low for some time" - another encouraging stimulus for doves given inflation's important position/ weight for setting future policy. - As per the attached post, i remain dovish/ bearsh on aussie$, and i continue to expect a cut to 1.50% (25bps) this year given i expect their inflation to remain stagnant. Clear targets are 0.73 when probability of a cut is higher - though i would enter shorts regardless if AUD$ could find its way to its 12m highs at 0.78, though unlikely. - I like USD strength in the medium term too hence supporting the short Aussie dollar view RBA Minutes Highlights: RBA MINUTES: BOARD TO WATCH KEY DATA, WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENT TO RATES IF NEEDED; REVIEW OF FORECASTS IN AUG WILL HELP STEER POLICY - Inflation set to stay low for some time, employment mixed, retail sales look set to pick up - Stronger AUD would complicate economic rebalancing - Economic transition is now well advanced
Short
by QuantumLogicTrading
LONG DXY/ USD VS GBP: HAWKISH FOMC LOCKHART SPEECH HIGHLIGHTSFOMC Lockhart was the 4th Fed this week to imo be relatively Hawkish with his words, most notably reinforcing with the others brexits near-term stability saying "Doesn't Expect 'Brexit' to Have Near Term Impact on Economy" and " So Far 'Brexit' Reaction Largely Orderly". Most interestingly though was Lockharts view on the FOMC's positioning for future rate increases, saying "Won't Rule Out Two Rate Rises This Year" - which is extremely hawkish given most expect 1 at the most.. Back up this sentiment by insisting that the Fed is "Fed Not Behind Curve, Has Time to Decide on Next Rate Move". Nonethless Lockhart did somewhat contradict his "rate expectations" by saying "Time for 'Cautious and Patient Approach' to Rate Policy" which surely shouldn't be the case if 2 hikes are coming - that would be on the aggressive side. All in all, Lockharts comments go hand in hand with my Bullish medium term USD/ DXY view (see previous articles) - I like the USD vs EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, NZD in the medium term so long DXY/ USD is favoured, even more so if 2 rate hikes were to be realised this year. At current levels short GBPUSD is my favourite expression FOMC RATE HIKE IMPLIED PROBABILITIES - On the likelihood of rate increases, in the past 24 hours, from the Federal Funds Rate implied probability curve we have seen rates/ probabilities firm after yesterdays "risk-break" recovery, with a 25bps September/ Nov hike steepening to 17.2% from 11.7%(Wed), and Dec setting new highs at 35.9% from 29.5% (Wed) - Dec also went on to double the probability of a 50bps hike to 5.1% vs 2.8%(Wed), giving Lockharts comments some weight. FOMC Lockhart Speech Highlights: -Fed's Lockhart: Fed Not Behind Curve, Has Time to Decide on Next Rate Move -Lockhart: Time for 'Cautious and Patient Approach' to Rate Policy -Lockhart: So Far 'Brexit' Reaction Largely Orderly -Lockhart: 'Brexit' Will Increase Long Term Uncertainty -Lockhart: Doesn't Expect 'Brexit' to Have Near Term Impact on Economy -Lockhart: Bond Market Yields Largely Reflect Flight-To-Quality Buying -Lockhart: Too Soon to Say 'All Clear' for Financial Markets -Lockhart: 'Brexit' Not a 'Leman Moment' -Lockhart: Still Expects U.S. to Grow by 2%, Expects More Job Gains -Lockhart: Economy is 'Performing Adequately' -Lockhart Says Fed Has Time to Decide on Next Rate Move -Fed's Lockhart: Presidential Election May Be Boosting Economic Uncertainty -Fed's Lockhart: Won't Rule Out Two Rate Rises This Year
TVC:DXYLong
by QuantumLogicTrading
SHORT AUDUSD TP 800PIPS: BREXIT, RBA, FED & USDJPY HEDGEShort AUDUSD is in my top 3 FX Trades for several reasons: 1. AUD is considered a riskier G10 currency cross, so AUD trades weaker in risk-off markets, or when equities/ SPX trade lower (you can see the high correlation with SPX at the bottom of the graph). - With Brexit concurring last week, global risk has increased, this is especially the case for AUD due to commonwealth connections. Therefore AUD is likely to come under pressure in the future as risk-off sentiment continues to dominate, as the US Election nears, Global growth worries continue (Japan, Europe, China) and Brexit/ uncertainty about further Euro Area exits continues to intensify - we can see Gold and US Treasuries continue to gain supporting the risk-off view and thus supporting selling AUD. Also, risk-off encourages $ buying as a safe haven deposit on the Brexit backdrop. - Further, going into earnings season next week, historically risk currencies (AUD) perform poorly as investors seek safer assets to hedge against earning surprises, thus this helps AUD selling and USD buying. Plus, most investors will want to hold some $ cash in order to fulfil their earnings based equity trading, so this also helps the short AU trade by increasing $ demand relative to AUD. 2. The RBA Meeting on Tuesday the 5th is likely to be dovish, as 1) Brexit risks are weighed in on again, after supportive/ dovish statements from RBA members following the Brexit decision and 2) AUD Macro Environment has performed poorly since the last meeting and the May Rate cut e.g. Retail sales 0.2% vs 0.3%, Unemployment flat at 5.7%. - However, I dont expect an RBA rate cut, as they cut last just 2 months ago in May by 25bps to 1.75% and their GDP print was firm at 3.1% v 2.8% yoy and 1.1% v 0.8% with Unemployment also stable (yet to see inflation), so I expect them to provide reassurance to markets with a strong dovish tone, with possible hints to a August rate cut - citing Brexit and looking forward to their end of July Inflation print as a gauge for further rate cuts. Nonetheless the dovish rhetoric should be strong enough to put pressure on AUD and tip the scales south supporting the AU short. 3. From a USD demand point of view, last week we saw USD lose 160pips against the AUD as Brexit Uncertainty negatively hit the Feds Rate hike cycle expectancy, flattening the curve in the front end which ruled out any hikes until Dec or 2017, fewer hikes = less USD strength. - However, since the beginning of the week where brexit risks ruled out hikes in the near term, the end of the week managed to turn rate hike expectations around as Brexit likelihood decreased/ shifted into 2017. This helped the Fed fund futures curve recover/ steepen somewhat in the front end, with the implied probability of a hike increasing from 0% to 5.9% for both September and November, whilst the probability of a hike in December also steepened significantly from 13.3% to 22.3% with the probability of a 50bps hike being priced for the first time at 1.1%. This trend of Fed Hike recovery is likely to continue as long as Brexit risks remain subdued, so we can expect USD to begin to price stronger in the coming days/ weeks. 4. Technically, AUDUSD trades 100pips away from a key handle at 0.76xx which is a double top and may provide the ideal short area. Further, higher than that at 0.78xx is the 12 month high which is also potentially a great level to get short from as a double top 5. Volatility - 1wk, 2wk and 1m (-1.52, -1.57, -1.60) AUDUSD Risk Reversals all trade with a downside bias indicating put/ downside demand is higher than upside, so the option market net expects AUDUSD to come down over the above tenors. - Out through the 5th, 6th, and 7th (post RBA) we see large notional OTM put options and open interest at 0.7365, 0.7440 & 0.7445 which supports the view that the RBA will be dovish and that AUDUSD is likely to hairpin around the 0.76xx double top level.
Short
by QuantumLogicTrading
4