FX Talking: Burden of proof
The central bank jury is most certainly still out on whether policymakers have done enough to tame inflation. The implications for FX markets are that the Fed may need to stay hawkish a little longer and our forecast cyclical dollar decline may get delayed. For now, however, we maintain the view that the dollar will be much lower by year-end
Executive Summary: Burden of proof
Despite all the talk of economic slowdown and the turn in the inflation cycle, it seems that policymakers still lack sufficient evidence that inflation is under control. Swiss National Bank President Thomas Jordan recently warned of 'second and third round effects' in this inflation cycle. Central bankers as far apart as Australia and Canada have recently had to restart tightening cycles after brief pauses. Investors are now increasingly questioning their own convictions that rates have peaked.
Nowhere is this challenge greater than in the US where tight labour markets and core inflation stubbornly above 4% are keeping the Fed vigilant. And there is a chance that the Fed has to hike one last time this summer. Yet our house view remains that US disinflation becomes much more obvious in the third quarter and that hard will follow soft activity data lower. We still look for substantial Fed cuts in the fourth quarter.
This means we are still looking for the start of a cyclical multi-year dollar bear trend – probably starting in the third quarter. This should carry EUR/USD above 1.15 and USD/JPY well below 130. The tide of a softening dollar should lift most currencies around the world – especially higher-yielding currencies enjoying the benefits of the carry trade.
Within Europe, we forecast most currencies to hold recent gains against the euro – although sterling looks most at risk to Bank of England re-pricing. Modest CEE FX appreciation can continue – despite looming easing cycles. Latin FX looks constructive on the back of high yields and pockets of Asia can appreciate – especially the Korean won.
