The US dollar's upside momentum reversed in North America yesterday and has been sold in Asia and Europe. This seems like mostly position adjustments ahead of next week's FOMC, BOE and RBA meetings, in an otherwise subdued news period.
The euro is at a three-day high. It has scope toward $1.0950-$10.970 in this corrective phase. Support may be found around $1.09.
The dollar's losses against the yen have been extended. After approaching JPY105 yesterday, the greenback is near JPY104 now. There is near-term scope to see JPY103.60-JPY103.80.
Sterling is firmer but has thus far been unable to build onto yesterday's recovery. Sterling had fallen to almost $1.2080 following Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond indicating no encroachment on BOE's independence, and that a request for more QE would not be rejected. Carney did not add much new in his testimony before the House of Lords yesterday. Acknowledging that the central bank does not have a target for sterling, but it is not indifferent to it, is boilerplate central bank mantra. His aversion to negative interest rates is also well appreciated.
By not extending yesterday's gains, sterling is extending its streak to five sessions that it has not risen above the previous day’s high. Yesterday's high was near $1.2245, and Monday's was $1.2250. A break of this area may prompt a move toward $1.2300. A push through $1.2330 would be more meaningful from a technical point of view.
The Australian dollar leads the majors higher, helped by a slightly firmer than expected Q3 CPI, which dashes any lingering ideas that the central bank could cut rates again. The Australian dollar is bumping up against its nemesis around $0.7700 that has been an effective level for several months even though it has been frayed on occasion. We expect it to largely remain intact.
The headline CPI rose 0.7% on the quarter up from 0.4% and more than 0.5% expected. The year-over-year rates are 1.3%, up from 1.0%. There was not the same improvement in the trimmed mean and weighted median measures. And for a good reason. There were a couple significant outliers. Fruit prices were up 19.5%. Electricity was up 5.4%. The central bank has indicated that inflation is not the key presently. Provided that growth remains firm and labor market holds up, there is no reason to mechanically cut interest rates.
Australia's CPI is suggestive of something else as well. Tradable goods prices were up 0.7%, while non-tradable goods prices were up 1.7%. If we can generalize from this, countries in which exports plus imports are a smaller percentage of GDP may experience more inflation pressures.
There are two talking points in the capital markets today. First, is the disappointing earnings and guidance from the world's largest company. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) reported a decline in annual profits for the first time in 15 years. This is a factor that appears to be spurring profit-taking in stocks. Nearly all of Asia's markets were lower; then Japan eked out a small gain. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index finished fractionally lower for the first time this week. The selling pressure was stronger in Europe, and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is off nearly 0.9%, led by energy.
That is a good segue to the other talking point. Oil prices are extending this week's losses. Brent and WTI are off about 1.4% to their lowest level in three weeks. There are two drivers. API showed a 4.8 mln barrel build in US crude inventories. Today's DoD estimate is looked upon for confirmation. In addition, Russia seems to be balking at participating with OPEC's effort to cut output.
The decline in oil may also have more impact in the foreign exchange market, outside of being an additional weight on the Canadian dollar, Norwegian krone, Mexican peso, Malaysian ringgit, and Russian ruble. If the decline in oil prices drags yields lower, especially in US Treasuries, it could extend the US dollar's correction. Although the FOMC meets next week, few if any expect the Fed to move. Those who do expect a hike see it in December. That is a long time in the foreign exchange market.
Today's US data will do two things. First, it will allow last minute tweaks to Q3 GDP, where the government provides its first estimate before the weekend. The September trade balance and (wholesale and retail) inventories will be useful for this. Second, the data will also provide some insight into the start of Q4. Markit's preliminary services and composite readings for October will be published. We advise paying close attention to US yields, which remain firm in European turnover. Indeed, the two-year yield is at its best level since the five-month high was made a couple of weeks ago. The 10-year yield is steady near 1.76%. It has not been below 1.72% since October 11.