Action Insight

Despite the comfortable lead of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Socialist Union (CSU), in polls, Germany, as well as the EU, would never be the same again after upcoming German election on September 24. Merkel is on the course to pursue her fourth, and the last term, as the Chancellor. Her party is unlikely to form a government without forming coalition other party(ies). While the Grand Coalition (CDU/CSU+SPD as the junior partner), just like the one we have had since 2013 and between 2005-2009, is the most favorable to the economy and the financial markets, it cannot be seen as a done deal.

Dollar is maintaining most of the post-FOMC gains against other major currencies. But it's turning softer against Euro and Sterling today. Better than expected job data provides no inspiration to the greenback. While developments in USD/CHF and USD/JPY are bullish, GBP/USD shows the Pound is still having an upper hand against Dollar. EUR/USD is staying well above 1.1822 support zone and maintaining near term bullishness too. Nonetheless, it's the selloff in Aussie and Kiwi that catches most eyes. RBA Governor Philip Lowe's comments suggest that he's in no hurry to follow other central banks in tightening. But the main driver is S&P's downgrade of China's sovereign credit rating.

The financial markets responded to Fed's hawkish announcement overnight rather positively. DOW gained 41.79 pts or 0.19% to close at 22412.59. S&P 500 rose 1.59 pts or 0.06% to end at 2508.25. Both indices made new record high. In short, Fed's new economic projections showed that policymakers are still projecting another rate hike in December, and three more next year. Fed fund futures are pricing in 73.4% chance of a December hike, comparing to 57.7% chance a day ago, and 48.6% a week ago. 10 year yield rose 0.034 to close at 2.277, extend recent rebound from 2.034. Dollar is now trading as one of strongest for the week among Aussie and Kiwi. Yen and Swiss Franc are trading as the softest ones. Gold dipped lower and breached 1300 handle following Dollar's strength.

The Fed finally made formal announcement that it would begin normalizing the balance sheet in October. As indicated in June, the process does not involve active selling of securities, but a passive run-off of its holdings. The policy rate also stayed unchanged at 1-1.25%. The overall tone of the statement and the press conference came in more hawkish than expected. Depsite downward revision in the core CPI for this year, the staff upgraded the economic growth outlook and downgraded the unemployment rate forecast. The median dot plot continued to project one more rate hike this year, followed by three more increases in 2018. As CME's 30-day Fed funds futures suggested, bets for a December hike markedly jumped to 73.4% from 57.7% in the prior day.

Dollar jumps after FOMC kept the target range of federal funds rate at 1.00-1.25% as widely expected. Fed also confirmed that the balance sheet normalization program will be initiated in October. The Dollar positive parts of the announcement are firstly, GDP growth projection for 2017 and 2019 are revised up. Secondly, unemployment rate forecast for 2018 and 2019 are revised down. Federal fund rates projection for 2017 and 2018 are kept unchanged. That indicates Fed is still on course for another rate hike this year and three hikes next year. Nonetheless, core PCE projection for 2017 and 2018 are both revised down.

Dollar is trading broadly lower today as markets await FOMC policy decision and press conference. It's widely expected that Fed would formally announce the schedule of the long-awaited normalization of its USD 4.5T balance sheet. At the June meeting, the Fed revealed the plan to "gradually reduce" its securities holdings by "decreasing its reinvestment of the principal payments" received. More details are awaited as the plan is formalized. Inflation has remained persistently soft despite the upside surprise in the August data. We believe some members would raise concerns that weak price levels might last longer than previously anticipated. There might be downward revisions in the inflation forecast in 2018. Meanwhile, there are some speculations that the Fed might reduce its average Fed funds rates projections. Thus, the so called dot-plot will also be closely watched.

US equities surged to new records highs overnight as markets await FOMC's announcement on balance sheet normalization. DOW closed up 39.45 pts or 0.18% at 22370.80. S&P 500 gained 2.78 pts, or 0.11%, to 2506.65. 10 year yield also extended recent rebound and rose 0.014 to 2.243. But Dollar is trading generally lower in Asian session today. For the week, Euro, Aussie and Kiwi remain the strongest ones. Meanwhile, Canadian Dollar is under pressure as rate hike speculations cooled. Strong risk appetite in the market is pressuring Yen as the second weakest. Markets have little to response to US President Donald Trump's provocative talk to totally destroy North Korea.

The upcoming New Zealand election would be a tight race between the incumbent National Party and Labor Party. Polls of polls compiled by both RNZ and Stuff indicate that supports for both parties are at around 40%. Moreover, opinion polls have been suggesting that neither of the parties would be able to a government without forming coalition with smaller parties. This is such uncertainty that has increased the volatility of New Zealand dollar of late. This report compares the impacts of various scenarios on the economic growth outlook and the monetary policy, hence the exchange rate. We believe that maintain the status quo - a minority government led by Nationals- would be the most NZD-favorable, while a Labor + Green+ NZ First trio would lead to an immediate, but short-term selloff in the currency.

Euro surges to highest level since 2015 against Swiss Franc today as boosted by solid improvement in economic sentiments. But the common currency is overwhelmed by Aussie and Kiwi on strong risk appetite. Meanwhile, Sterling also regained ground after the pull back following BoE Governor Mark Carney's cautious speech yesterday. Dollar is generally softer as markets await FOMC policy decision and press conference tomorrow. In other markets, Gold is gyrating in tight range around 1310 but is vulnerable to another dip to 1300 handle. WTI crude oil is also struggling around 50.

Risk appetite continued to drive US indices to new records higher overnight. DOW gained 63.01 points, or 0.28% to close at 22331.35. S&P 500 rose 3.64 points or 0.15% to 2503.87. Both were at new records. 10 year yield also gained 0.027 to 2.229. Traders continue to raise their bet on a December Fed hike, with over 57% chance as indicated by fed fund futures. But the Dollar is not getting much support yet. Markets will have their eyes on tomorrow's FOMC decision on balance sheet normalization, and the post meeting press conference first. Meanwhile, Sterling and Canadian Dollar are both talked down mildly by respective central bank officials. Yen and also stays weak in risk seeking environment. In other markets, Gold is extending recent pull back and is pressing 1310. WTI crude oil continues to struggle around 50.

The RBA minutes for the September meeting contained little news. Four main areas of discussions include employment situation, Australian dollar, iron ore prices and the balance of household debt and low inflation. Policymakers acknowledged the improvement in the employment market, noting higher participation rate and steady unemployment rate. RBA appeared less worrisome about Aussie’s strength. By attributing the appreciation of the Australian dollar to USD’s weakness, it appears less likely that RBA would take actions to curb its strength. RBA expected iron ore prices to fall amidst new supply. As the biggest exporter of iron ores, Australian dollar has been affected by the movement in iron ore prices.

Yen trades generally lower today in otherwise quiet markets. Euro is trading firmer while Sterling is paring some of last week's sharp gains. Global markets are generally in risk seeking mode. The MSCI Asia Pacific ex Japan index surged to decade high earlier today. European indices follow with some gains, including FTSE. US futures also suggest that stocks are going to extend the record run. If other markets, gold continues with it's pull back from recent high at 1362.4 and hits as low as 1314.5 so far. It's possibly heading back to 1300 handle, which is close to 55 day EMA at 1293.4. WTI crude oil weakens mildly as it struggles to find sustainable buying to stay firm above 50 handle.

Politics and central bank events will be the main drivers in the markets this week, with economic data taking a back seat. FOMC policy decisions and press conference is one of the main highlights. Fed is expected to finally announce unwinding of its USD 4.5T balance sheet. But spotlight will first be on BoE Governor Mark Carney's speech at IMF in Washington. Markets will look to Carney for his view on the chance of a November hike. Meanwhile, Germany and New Zealand will have their general elections the coming weekend. Talking about elections, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might announce to dissolve the Lower House and call for a snap election. UK Prime Minister Theresa May will deliver a Brexit speech in Italy on Friday. And there could be more verbal exchanges out of UK and EU ahead of the fourth round of Brexit negotiation starting next week. And, let's not forget also US President Donald Trump will address the United Nations in New York on Tuesday when North Korea tensions are still present. Trump is given a chance to confront North Korean representative face-to-face.

British Pound ended as the strongest major currency last week as boosted by hawkish BoE announcement. A November rate hike by BoE is now a real possibility. Kiwi ended as the second strongest in spite of some volatility ahead of generally election. Dollar followed on revived speculations of a December Fed hike. Meanwhile, Yen ended as the weakest as markets on return of risk appetite. US equity indices made records highs while strong rebounds were seen in DAX and CAC. FTSE was the exception due to BoE rate expectation. Yen is also additionally pressured as markets are back looking at diverging global interest rates.

Sterling continues to shine today as firmly boosted by BoE rate hike in near term, possibly in November. The Pound also takes other European majors higher with it, including the Swiss Franc. On the other hand, Yen is sold off deeply against others and it seems market's theme is back on global monetary stimulus exit. Dollar initially yawned at news of North Korea firing another missiles over Japan. But the greenback gives way to European majors and pares back much of its gain. Mixed economic data released in US session also provide little support to the greenback.

North Korean launched another missile test before the weekend. Even though it proves its capability of reaching Guam, market reactions are very muted this time. Japanese yen Yen and Swiss Franc remain the weakest major currencies for the week. And Nikkei maintains earlier gains and is trading up 0.5% at the time of writing. Sterling is set to end the week as the strongest one, riding on the hawkish BoE message that tightening would come within months. Dollar follows as the second strongest as supported by expectation of a tax reform plan later this month, and pick up in inflation. Indeed fed fund futures are now pricing in 52.9% chance of a Fed hike in December, up from 31% a week ago

BOE sent a hawkish message at the September meeting, noting that the majority of the members agreed that some withdrawal of stimulus should be appropriate in coming months. The key reason for the upcoming tightening is strong inflation which the central bank expects to rise above +3% in October. The market interpreted this as a signal that the historically low interest rate would be raised soon. Sterling rallied to a one-year high against the US dollar and a two-month high against the euro after the announcement. The market has now priced in over 54% chance of a rate hike in December. On the monetary policy this month, the BOE voted 7-2 to leave the Bank rate unchanged at 0.25% and unanimously to keep the asset purchase at 435B pound.

The British Pound surges sharply as markets perceive BoE announcement today as a hawkish ones. There is no surprise from the policy decision, nor the vote split. The key is that BoE now indicated that stimulus exit could start in the coming "months". Swiss Franc stays soft after SNB left interest rates unchanged and sounds less concerned with the exchange rate in the statement. Meanwhile, Dollar is struggling to extend yesterday's tax reform new triggered gain after US President Donald Trump denied a DACA deal with Democrats. That raises the doubt again on whether Trump is working on bipartisan solutions with Democrats which leads to speedy approval of tax reforms.

Swiss franc's depreciation against Euro over the past few months has offered some reliefs to policymakers. At the quarterly SNB meeting in September, the members acknowledged the franc is not as overvalued as before. Yet, weak economic and inflation have led the members to remain cautious and maintain the monetary policy unchanged. SNB this month decided to keep the sight deposit rate unchanged at -0.75%, while the target range for the three-month Libor stayed at - –1.25% and –0.25%. The central bank also reiterated the pledge that it would intervene in the foreign exchange market if needed. But, SNB's sight deposit and FX reserve data indicate that less intervention has been adopted recently.

August data further evidenced that China's economic growth has peaked in the first quarter. Following the sharper-than-expected slowdown in growth in July, the latest set of macroeconomic data also surprised to the downside. The moderation was a result of the government's tighter monetary policy in an attempt to curb excessive investment in certain areas, such as real estate. Renminbi's appreciation against US dollar since the beginning of the year probably has weighed on exports. This leads the PBOC to loosen capital control which has been adopted over the past years to prevent renminbi from severe depreciation.