Fed Chair Powell's reticence to cut in December remains a driver of sentiment. Nevertheless, Treasuries are interpreting the various crosswinds as supportive of a rise in yields. We don't think the Bank of England will cut, but markets are not fully convinced. Gilt yields have little room to move lower as the Budget risk premium has already fallen
FX markets are struggling to find direction this week. The Fed’s doubts on whether to cut in December naturally increase scrutiny of data: this means both depressed volatility during data silence and some potential exacerbation of USD reaction to any labour indicator (like tomorrow’s ADP). Our call remains that the dollar is close to its peak
US core inflation accelerated to 0.3% MoM in July, but markets don’t think that is enough to prevent a September Fed cut. That paves the way to more USD weakness, although some caution may prevail ahead of Friday’s Trump-Putin meeting. The market is adjusting expectations, but the risk still seems asymmetrical for CEE currencies
FX Daily: Data holds the key to FOMC balance. We expect the dollar to become more sensitive to data in the near term, as markets seek a catalyst to double down on recent dovish Fed speculation. Employment figures may be subject to closer examination, with the rationale that a softer jobs market can convert a few hawks after mild inflation failed to do so. EUR/USD continues to face upside risks
The other main event overnight has been the RBA’s latest policy meeting. The RBA decided to leave their policy rate unchanged at 4.10% as expected after delivering the first rate cut in the easing cycle at the previous meeting in February.
The sharp move higher in yields outside of US has been an important driver of US dollar weakness at the start of this year. The 10-year JGB yield hit a fresh year to date high overnight of 1.58% and has now risen by around 40 basis points year to date.
While simmering trade tensions have been a key driver of FX markets this year, optimism about a potential ceasefire deal in Ukraine and stronger fiscal support, especially from defense spending, have also raised the prospects of a better outcome for European growth.
