USD: US data back in focus
An exceptionally grim Empire Manufacturing reading for January has been the only noteworthy data release out of the US so far this week, and the dollar has continued to be a bystander as developments in Japan, Europe and China drive most market moves. Today, retail sales, PPI, industrial production and TIC flows data will be in focus. The market's scrutiny over the US economic outlook has grown exponentially since the ISM service report pointed to an imminent recession: expect more pain for the dollar should fresh signs of a slowdown emerge now that the US data calendar is picking up again. The Fed’s Raphael Bostic, Patrick Harker and Lorie Logan are set to speak today.
The fall in the yen after the BoJ announcement (more details in the JPY section below) is offering some relief to the dollar this morning. However, we suspect this may only prove temporary and downside risks into the 101-102 area still prevail in the very near term.
After all, the global environment continues to be rather benign for the ongoing rerouting of flows into emerging markets and high-beta currencies. The growing feeling that China may face a reality check on the sustainability of looser Covid rules may be contributing to halting CNY gains, but recent data gave reasons for optimism on Chinese growth, as noted by our colleague Iris Pang here. We are also approaching the lengthy Chinese New Year holiday season, which may be keeping some investors on hold before moving significantly into Chinese assets.
Our commodities strategists have revised their forecasts for iron ore and copper prices higher on the back of China’s reopening. A demand-driven improvement in the metal price outlook is an ideal scenario for commodity currencies: the Australian dollar is a good example here, also considering the tentative conciliatory steps in Sino-Australian diplomatic relations. Indeed, the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy remains an open question: the resilience of inflation poses risks to our conservative call for only two more 25bp hikes before the end of the hiking cycle, and could add some more steam to the AUD rally. A 0.70-0.72 range could easily become the norm for AUD/USD in the next few weeks.
Francesco Pesole
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