FX Trading - A liquidity rethink as the new year unfolds?
A surprising dynamic may be unfolding in the new year - some liquidity might be draining off the global economy. So bets on full-steam-ahead on stocks, commodities and the dollar, just as last year, are in the process of a minor rethink - and it could turn into a major one.
I use the term "draining off" lightly, however, for there are still some very large buckets of money out there. My comment is based on some anecdotal evidence we are seeing in the market - notably the move in the yen, and supported by the fall in commodities, energy, and pull-back in the key commodity dollars (Australia and New Zealand to be specific).
The main catalyst is US economic growth. The view the Fed will cut sooner, rather than later, is becoming increasingly clouded because of some surprising strength in the US economy.
Playing in supporting roles in this "liquidity drain" episode are: the European Central Bank, it's on the hiking train; the Bank of England, will likely hop on board; China, announcing it may try, yet again, to slow its runaway locomotive with higher reserve requirements; and the Bank of Japan, suggesting it will fire up the interest rate engine.
The market result: gold is tanking, oil is getting whacked, stocks looking ozone-ish (made that one up) and getting hit hard, bonds are lower, the dollar is rocking higher, and the yen is in rally mode. Yes, let me write that again in case you thought it was a typo - the Japanese yen is in rally mode - while the high-yielders, Aussie and New Zealand, are getting spanked.
The infamous yen carry-trade, borrowing yen and buying high-yielding stuff, has been about two things - low interest rates in Japan and plenty of liquidity elsewhere - both play a role. And let us not forget, extremely low currency market volatility has played a big role. At least two of the three, liquidity and volatility, may be changing and it seems the hedge funds are recognizing that fact.
The chart below is the Australian dollar-Japanese yen cross-rate. I refer to this as the "poster child" of liquidity rethink. I think it's fair to say that the Aussie has benefited from both the commodities run and yen carry-trade. Both are a liquidity game at the core.
And Kiwi is racing lower …
Maybe it's all just a little correction to shake up and shake out the consensus (which includes us). Or maybe things are a changing … so far it's shaping up to be a very interesting year.