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Technical Analysis: how high can US rates go?

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Chris Weston, Head of Research for Pepperstone offers his weekly analysis of what’s brewing in the Forex markets.

We argued in last week’s ‘Traders’ week ahead playbook’ that with an unwavering focus on inflation, Federal Reserve officials may look to push back on easier financial conditions.

So, while the technicals pointed to further upside, from a tactical perceptive, we could see headwinds to risky assets. What transpired was that various Fed members, even well-known doves like Mary Daly, did indeed push back and held their foot firmly down on the inflation-fighting peddle, reducing the growing belief that we’re close to a major pivot in Fed policy.

The Fed may have given us reasons to think twice about buying risk, but ultimately the S&P500 and Nasdaq closed up 0.2% and 1.9% respectively, with the VIX eyeing a test of 20% and US high yield credit spreads coming in 41bp (on the week) to 4.28%. The rally in risk is showing huge resilience despite a super strong non-farm payrolls report on Friday and consumer credit ($40.1b) that lifted the odds of a 75bp hike in the September FOMC meeting to a 68% chance. 

The March 2023 fed funds future (the current peak in the fed funds future curve) rose a massive 21bp on Friday to 3.64%. We also saw US 2-year Treasuries rise 40bp on the week (to 3.22%) refocusing the bond bears’ target to the 14 June highs of 3.45%. US real yields have pushed up sharply as various parts of the US yield curve head deeper into inversion.

This dynamic in rates/bonds is statistically a USD positive and if it continues, it should become a dominant headwind for equity and gold appreciation this coming week. With US CPI the marquee event risk for the week, a figure of 8.8% YoY (0.2% MoM), would call for a 75bp hike. I suspect the market will also look into the breakdown of price pressures within the inflation basket, but the initial core focus falls on the terminal rate – the highest estimation of where the fed funds could head – and the prospect it can push above 4% and perhaps even higher. This is the backdrop where I see risk rolling over, with volatility rising, defensives outperforming, and better shorting opportunities kicking in.

USD looking attractive again

Technically, the USD is looking attractive again, certainly vs the JPY, which is really just a proxy of the US bond market. With USDJPY now testing the 50% fibonacci retracement levels of the 138.39 to 130.39 drawdown. A break here and I’d favour moves for ¥137, which is the implied range top price by options implied volatility (with a 68% level of confidence). The USD also remains the hedge against equity drawdown, holding the highest inverse correlation with the Nasdaq, while offering decent levels of carry too. With that in mind, downtrend resistance (drawn from the January highs) on the Nasdaq was respected on Friday, so the bulls will need a closing break here to take the index to 13,630. Given we’ve seen a steady increase to short the Nasdaq from clients, many in the retail trading community are seeing this trend resistance as defining.

If US bond yields push higher this week and the market senses the Fed pivot isn’t on, we may see equity roll over after a 20% rally. As always, keep an open mind and let price guide your trading. Clearly, the equity bulls will need clearer signs of peak inflation to justify the move.

We heard from Fed Governor Michelle Bowman (voter, centrist) on the weekend, who said in a WSJ article that she “backs more rate hikes until inflation is on a significant decline.” These comments seem important.

Fed speakers to give important intel to the NFP and CPI

This coming week we get colour from Fed members Mary Daly, Charles Evans, and Neel Kashkari. It is almost a repeat of last week. and allows us to really see how the NFP and CPI affect their judgement. It will likely take a figure below 8.4% to get the odds of a 50bp hike in September as the default setting. This seems unlikely and while growth is a clear issue (as portrayed by the deeply inverted yield curve), for now, the idea of the Fed wanting to see a “significant” decline in inflation, amid “some softening in the labour market,” keeps the market guessing about the Fed pivoting at all, let alone in September. I wouldn’t want to be short USDs if the CPI print comes in above 9%.

The ASX200 gets greater focus this week with price consolidating for the past 6 bars. Full year earnings come into greater effect with a few big names like CBA and QBE reporting, although the bulk of earnings get going from the 16 August.

This article is brought to you in association with Pepperstone. All opinions expressed in this article are from the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Armchair Trader.

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This article does not constitute investment advice. Do your own research or consult a professional advisor.

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