GBP
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: WEAK BEARISH
BASELINE
The outlook for the UK economy remains bleak, with CPI above 10% and recession expecting to hit in 4Q22 and last for 5 quarters, it has kept pressure on Sterling despite ongoing BoE rate hikes. Even though the bank followed through with a 50bsp hike in July, it wasn’t enough to offset the recession forecasts. With inflation expected to reach close to 20% by some IB estimates (due to the rapid rise in energy prices and expected rise in the energy price caps) the bank is stuck between a rock and a hard place as they are forced to keep hiking rates to try and fight inflation expectations going unanchored, but by doing so they also risk further damaging economic growth as a result. Right now, it seems like fiscal policy is the only way to avoid a much deeper recession. ING research suggests an additional £65 billion of support for households and more support for small businesses are required to offset the expected rise in energy costs. Even though the bias for the GBP remains bearish , a lot of bad news has been priced in for Sterling in a relatively short space of time. With CFTC positioning still giving bullish signals, chasing it lower seems too big of a risk right now.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
Stagflation fears remain high for the UK, and the BoE is now projecting 5 quarters of recession starting 4Q22. With a recession now the base assumption, any incoming data that surprises meaningfully higher could trigger some relief. With focus on stagflation, any downside surprises in CPI or factors that decrease inflation pressures are expected to support the GBP and not pressure it. The economy needs help, which means any help from the fiscal side will be a positive. Any major fiscal support measures from the incoming PM to help consumers (subsidies or tax cuts) could trigger bullish reactions for the Pound. With UK threats of triggering Article 16 and EU threats to terminate the Brexit deal if they do Brexit is in focus. For now, markets have rightly ignored this as posturing, but any major de-escalation can see some upside for Sterling.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
Stagflation fears remain high for the UK, and the BoE is now projecting 5 quarters of recession starting 4Q22. Even with recession now the base assumption, any material downside surprises in growth data can still trigger further pressure. With focus on stagflation, any upside surprises in CPI or factors that increase more inflation pressures are expected to weigh on the GBP and not support it. The economy needs help, which means any help from the fiscal side should be a positive, but any fiscal measures from the incoming PM that fails to address the expected impact on consumers and businesses could keep the GBP under pressure. With UK threats of triggering Article 16 and EU threats to terminate the Brexit deal if they do Brexit is in focus. For now, markets have rightly ignored this as posturing, but any actual escalation can see sharp GBP downside.
BIGGER PICTURE
The fundamentals for Sterling remain bearish , especially after the BoE’s recent forecasts of a 5-quarter recession in the UK. Furthermore, given the risks to growth, there is growing speculation that the BoE might not be too far away from pausing their current hiking cycle. Anything that exacerbates stagflation fears is expected to weigh on the Pound and anything that alleviates some pressure could see some reprieve. Since Sterling is trading at fresh new cycle lows, the risk to reward for chasing it lower looks unattractive, and we could see asymmetric reactions skewed to the upside on positive data & news.
USD
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: BULLISH
BASELINE
With headline CPI above 8%, the Fed is under pressure to continue hiking rates and ramping up QT in September to try and tame price pressures. They hiked rates by 75bsp in July, and odds between a 50bsp or 75bsp in September are too close to call. At the Jackson Hole Symposium they took a further hawkish shift by pushing back against the idea of rate cuts in 2023 by stressing that they not only envision hiking rates to close to 4% by early 2023 but also expect to keep rates high throughout 2023. However, the Fed did announce a data-dependent (meeting-by-meeting) stance at the July meeting, explaining that the pace of hikes is likely to slow as rates get more restrictive and as more data becomes available. This means the incoming growth, inflation and jobs data will be a key driver for short-term USD price action where we expect a cyclical reaction to incoming data (good data being good for the USD and US10Y and bad data being bad for the USD and US10Y). The USD’s safe haven status is important to keep in mind. Uncomfortably high inflation and a Fed that is resolute at pushing rates higher and keeping them high does put possible further downside pressure on long bonds, and if we see further cyclicalinspired downside in bonds and equities the USD is expected to gain in that environment on safe haven demand.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data.
Thus, extremely good growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bullish reactions in the USD. As the cyclical outlook continues to weaken, the USD’s safe haven status still matters. Any incoming data that exacerbates fears of recession and triggers strong moves lower in risk assets & bonds can trigger safe haven flows into the USD. Any further outflows in US bonds means more USD safe haven
appeal. So, watching key triggers for further upside in bond yields (commodity prices, inflation and inflation expectations, more aggressive hike rhetoric from Fed, very good growth data) could also trigger further USD bullish reactions.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data. Thus, extremely bad growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bearish reactions in the USD. The USD is trading close to cycle highs while aggregate CFTC positioning is close to levels that previously acted as local tops. Positioning does make the USD vulnerable to short-term corrections, especially with bad US data points. With a lot priced in for the Fed and the USD, it won’t take much to disappoint on the dovish side. Any FOMC comments that suggests more concern about growth than inflation could trigger bearish reactions in the USD, but with inflation so high any major dovish pivots seem still far away.
BIGGER PICTURE
The fundamental outlook for the USD remains bullish as long as the Fed stays hawkish and cyclical concerns put pressure on risk assets. The data dependence stance from the Fed means we do want to be mindful that lots has been priced for the USD, and as growth deteriorates (as is currently our expectation), it’s expected to impact the USD negatively in the short-term, even though current inflation suggests any dovish pivot is still far away. As the safe haven of choice, any further recession focused downside in risk assets and bonds (due to sticky inflation and an aggressive Fed) could continue to prove supportive for the USD. In the short-term, with positioning in mind, and a dual-growth narrative (one being good for the USD and the other being bad for the USD) we prefer short-term catalysts that offer short-term sentiment-based trades as opposed to med-term positions.
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: WEAK BEARISH
BASELINE
The outlook for the UK economy remains bleak, with CPI above 10% and recession expecting to hit in 4Q22 and last for 5 quarters, it has kept pressure on Sterling despite ongoing BoE rate hikes. Even though the bank followed through with a 50bsp hike in July, it wasn’t enough to offset the recession forecasts. With inflation expected to reach close to 20% by some IB estimates (due to the rapid rise in energy prices and expected rise in the energy price caps) the bank is stuck between a rock and a hard place as they are forced to keep hiking rates to try and fight inflation expectations going unanchored, but by doing so they also risk further damaging economic growth as a result. Right now, it seems like fiscal policy is the only way to avoid a much deeper recession. ING research suggests an additional £65 billion of support for households and more support for small businesses are required to offset the expected rise in energy costs. Even though the bias for the GBP remains bearish , a lot of bad news has been priced in for Sterling in a relatively short space of time. With CFTC positioning still giving bullish signals, chasing it lower seems too big of a risk right now.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
Stagflation fears remain high for the UK, and the BoE is now projecting 5 quarters of recession starting 4Q22. With a recession now the base assumption, any incoming data that surprises meaningfully higher could trigger some relief. With focus on stagflation, any downside surprises in CPI or factors that decrease inflation pressures are expected to support the GBP and not pressure it. The economy needs help, which means any help from the fiscal side will be a positive. Any major fiscal support measures from the incoming PM to help consumers (subsidies or tax cuts) could trigger bullish reactions for the Pound. With UK threats of triggering Article 16 and EU threats to terminate the Brexit deal if they do Brexit is in focus. For now, markets have rightly ignored this as posturing, but any major de-escalation can see some upside for Sterling.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
Stagflation fears remain high for the UK, and the BoE is now projecting 5 quarters of recession starting 4Q22. Even with recession now the base assumption, any material downside surprises in growth data can still trigger further pressure. With focus on stagflation, any upside surprises in CPI or factors that increase more inflation pressures are expected to weigh on the GBP and not support it. The economy needs help, which means any help from the fiscal side should be a positive, but any fiscal measures from the incoming PM that fails to address the expected impact on consumers and businesses could keep the GBP under pressure. With UK threats of triggering Article 16 and EU threats to terminate the Brexit deal if they do Brexit is in focus. For now, markets have rightly ignored this as posturing, but any actual escalation can see sharp GBP downside.
BIGGER PICTURE
The fundamentals for Sterling remain bearish , especially after the BoE’s recent forecasts of a 5-quarter recession in the UK. Furthermore, given the risks to growth, there is growing speculation that the BoE might not be too far away from pausing their current hiking cycle. Anything that exacerbates stagflation fears is expected to weigh on the Pound and anything that alleviates some pressure could see some reprieve. Since Sterling is trading at fresh new cycle lows, the risk to reward for chasing it lower looks unattractive, and we could see asymmetric reactions skewed to the upside on positive data & news.
USD
FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK: BULLISH
BASELINE
With headline CPI above 8%, the Fed is under pressure to continue hiking rates and ramping up QT in September to try and tame price pressures. They hiked rates by 75bsp in July, and odds between a 50bsp or 75bsp in September are too close to call. At the Jackson Hole Symposium they took a further hawkish shift by pushing back against the idea of rate cuts in 2023 by stressing that they not only envision hiking rates to close to 4% by early 2023 but also expect to keep rates high throughout 2023. However, the Fed did announce a data-dependent (meeting-by-meeting) stance at the July meeting, explaining that the pace of hikes is likely to slow as rates get more restrictive and as more data becomes available. This means the incoming growth, inflation and jobs data will be a key driver for short-term USD price action where we expect a cyclical reaction to incoming data (good data being good for the USD and US10Y and bad data being bad for the USD and US10Y). The USD’s safe haven status is important to keep in mind. Uncomfortably high inflation and a Fed that is resolute at pushing rates higher and keeping them high does put possible further downside pressure on long bonds, and if we see further cyclicalinspired downside in bonds and equities the USD is expected to gain in that environment on safe haven demand.
POSSIBLE BULLISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data.
Thus, extremely good growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bullish reactions in the USD. As the cyclical outlook continues to weaken, the USD’s safe haven status still matters. Any incoming data that exacerbates fears of recession and triggers strong moves lower in risk assets & bonds can trigger safe haven flows into the USD. Any further outflows in US bonds means more USD safe haven
appeal. So, watching key triggers for further upside in bond yields (commodity prices, inflation and inflation expectations, more aggressive hike rhetoric from Fed, very good growth data) could also trigger further USD bullish reactions.
POSSIBLE BEARISH SURPRISES
With the Fed signalling a data dependent policy stance, we expect a cyclical reaction from the USD with incoming US data. Thus, extremely bad growth, inflation or jobs data is expected to trigger short-term bearish reactions in the USD. The USD is trading close to cycle highs while aggregate CFTC positioning is close to levels that previously acted as local tops. Positioning does make the USD vulnerable to short-term corrections, especially with bad US data points. With a lot priced in for the Fed and the USD, it won’t take much to disappoint on the dovish side. Any FOMC comments that suggests more concern about growth than inflation could trigger bearish reactions in the USD, but with inflation so high any major dovish pivots seem still far away.
BIGGER PICTURE
The fundamental outlook for the USD remains bullish as long as the Fed stays hawkish and cyclical concerns put pressure on risk assets. The data dependence stance from the Fed means we do want to be mindful that lots has been priced for the USD, and as growth deteriorates (as is currently our expectation), it’s expected to impact the USD negatively in the short-term, even though current inflation suggests any dovish pivot is still far away. As the safe haven of choice, any further recession focused downside in risk assets and bonds (due to sticky inflation and an aggressive Fed) could continue to prove supportive for the USD. In the short-term, with positioning in mind, and a dual-growth narrative (one being good for the USD and the other being bad for the USD) we prefer short-term catalysts that offer short-term sentiment-based trades as opposed to med-term positions.
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.