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A sharp rally in risk assets as Biden’s inauguration fuels hopes for US fiscal stimulus and vaccine rollout but note the warnings

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A sharp rally in risk assets as Biden’s inauguration fuels hopes for US fiscal stimulus and vaccine rollout but note the warnings     

  • USD: Risk – on sentiment fuels a sharp rally in risk assets overnight but leaves the broad based USD Index flat around 90.50 Biden’s inauguration as US President fuels optimism in his  USD1.9tn stimulus plan. However, Citi analysts warn of risks in getting Congressional approval, given significant Republican opposition and expect a much less $500bln-$1trln in new COVID-19 relief while also emphasizing the considerable uncertainty around any bipartisan agreement.  
  • USD: Investor optimism also grows with regards to vaccine rollout in the US and its implications for a speedier recovery. But  mutations and potential pitfalls around vaccine rollout suggest risks remain to 2021 recovery. The key test of vaccine rollouts is whether countries can avoid lockdown measures in Q4. Citi analysts are also caution on the speed of any US recovery. The team warns that strong manufacturing PMIs relative to services is not evidence by itself of robust growth and is likely insufficient to boost growth through trade. Because the bulk of the COVID shock hit in Q2-2020, YoY comparison will yield a commensurate positive shock in GDP and inflation for Q2-2021. However, this appears to be a false signal for a sustained recovery or reflation.        

 

EUR & GBP: Extending lockdown measures in Europe while UK inflation surprises on the upside - EURGBP falls sharply as a result 

  • EUR: Germany - soft lockdown means long lockdown? – Chancellor Merkel extend the lockdown to 14 February, Citi analysts expect further extensions. France a third lockdown looks possible by the end of January, according to government sources, especially when faced with more virulent virus strains. Netherlands - tougher measures likely to include curfew and stay-at-home order – the main worry seems to be about a rise in the percentage of people (around 10%) with a more transmissible variant, which health experts expect to represent 50% of the cases by mid-February.
  • GBP: UK inflation jumps in December, resilience to continue in Q1 - a notable jump in headline CPI targeted by the BoE, rising to 0.6% YY in December, up from 0.3% in November (consensus 0.5% YY). The increase is driven by a strong rebound in core inflation – rises to 1.4% YY (consensus 1.3%YY) while BoE had expected CPI inflation of 0.6% YY over the quarter as a whole. Citi analysts expect a stronger pick-up in 2021 – UK headline CPI is likely to edge up further in Q1 before rebounding more strongly in April. Citi analysts also point to imported inflation and upside risks to household inflation expectations as risks for stronger price growth even as growth remains subdued.

CAD: No change in BoC policy to start 2021; Canada CPI weakens

  • CAD: BoC board meeting - BoC leaves the policy rate unchanged at 0.25% and maintains the current pace of government bond purchases of at least C$4 billion/week. Both growth and inflation forecasts are upgraded in the Monetary Policy Report, partly reflecting an earlier than previously expected vaccine rollout. BoC expands guidance in the policy statement to state that “as the Governing Council gains confidence in the strength of the recovery, the pace of net bond purchases will be adjusted as required” though noting that “the resurgence of cases and the reintroduction of lockdown measures are a serious setback.” Citi analysts maintain their base case for further slowing of asset purchases by the BoC in April but also note that date-based guidance for a sustainable return to target inflation is not brought forward and is left unchanged at 2023. Markets await Governor Macklem’s press conference later today for any comments on the strength of the currency.
  • CAD: Canada’s December CPI declines -0.2%MoM, weaker than consensus for a +0.1% increase which brings the year-on-year reading to 0.7% from 1.0%. Core inflation measures also slow to 1.6% on average. Weakening core measures highlights still-notable downward pressures on inflation, but remains within the recent range and does not change Citi analysts’ outlook for a firming in Canada’s core inflation later in the year.

 

Key data/ events tonight and Friday   

  • EUR: ECB Monetary Policy meeting – Refi Rate Forecast: 0.00% Prior: 0.00%; Deposit Facility Forecast: -0.50% Prior: -0.50%; Marginal Lending Facility Forecast: 0.25% Prior: 0.25% - Citi analysts do not expect any changes on policy or communication but it is of interest to see what message President Lagarde sends with respect to the near-term outlook and risks surrounding the baseline and current strength in EUR and impact on euro area’s longer term inflation outlook.  

  • EUR: Euro area Manufacturing PMI, January Flash Forecast: 57.0 Prior: 55.2; Services PMI, January Flash Forecast: 43.0 Prior: 46.4;  Composite PMI, January Flash Forecast: 47.5 Prior: 49.1 – Citi analysts estimate the flash composite PMI will fall in January, by around 1.5, signaling economic activity is contracting due to lockdowns but the impact is smaller than in November, let alone spring.      

  • GBP: Manufacturing PMI, January Flash Forecast: 52.5 Prior (Nov Final): 57.5 – Citi analysts expect the UK headline manufacturing PMI to fall back sharply this month as recent data has been flattered by both Brexit stockpiling effects and growing pressure on supply chains. 

  • GBP: Services PMI, January Flash Forecast: 40.3 Prior (Nov Final): 49.4 – Citi analysts expect UK services sector to be hit hard by the move on 4 January back into a national lockdown.  

  • NZD: Q4 CPI: Citi forecast QoQ; 0%, Previous; +0.7, Citi forecast YoY; 0.9%, Previous; +1.4% -  Citi analysts expect a flat reading for NZ Q4 CPI, driven by reduction in food prices but stronger Black Friday sales. Moreover, relative strength of NZD means that tradeable inflation is muted; Citi analysts expect a 0.8% drop in tradeable items which offsets a 0.5% rise in non-tradeable items.

 

This is an extract from the Daily Currency Update, dated January 21, 2021. Please approach a Citigold Relationship Manager if you would like more information.

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