Fed To Eventually Remove The Punch Bowl: Global FX Weekly
Fed To Eventually Remove The Punch Bowl: Global FX Weekly
Fed To Eventually Remove The Punch Bowl: Global FX Weekly
Global FX weekly
Fed to eventually remove the punch bowl
The View: The Fed’s hawkish pivot has confirmed our thesis that US decoupling will 18 June 2021
lead to monetary policy divergence, in turn supporting the USD. We remain USD bulls, FX Research
but warn that the path is not going to be smooth. In EM, Fed policy normalization is Global
making the PBoC’s CNY job harder, PHP and IDR vulnerable, while BRL is idiosyncratic.
Claudio Piron
USD: We see rising risks of sustained US inflation. As FX is mostly driven by central Emerging Asia FI/FX Strategist
Merrill Lynch (Singapore)
banks this year, the Fed reaction matters. Fed dovishness has been keeping the USD +65 6678 0401
down, but normalization to address inflation risks will support the USD. [email protected]
Athanasios Vamvakidis
GBP: June has not been kind to GBP as next phase of easing is delayed. But data FX Strategist
MLI (UK)
continues to print strongly. Longer-term GBP anchors have not deteriorated, suggesting +44 20 7995 0790
athanasios.vamvakidis @bofa.co m
current decline is merely position/hedging related. EUR/GBP has been a favored GBP
long, but the cross has found a base as EZ vaccine accelerates. See Team Page for List of Analysts
CHF: We expect no policy change from the SNB any time soon. FX considerations remain
the crucial policy driver. The 4Q20 current account deficit raised questions if past safe-
haven flows can reverse and CHF depreciate. We are sceptical. SNB policy may be stuck
given large asset holdings. We see more CHF underperformance.
G10 monetary policies: Debate on whether CB's are ahead/behind curve has been
conditioned by traditional policy rule analysis like the Taylor Rule. Inflation targeting
remains primary goal but some banks are moving to dual mandates. This poses a
challenge to policy rules. G10 FX tracking policy rules which focus on inflation. Outlier is
USD: pricing more consistent with focus on NAIRU gap.
Reserve Currencies: We conduct a deep dive into historical and ongoing developments
in central bank FX & Gold reserve management. The next transition may be towards a
more bifurcated world. We discuss uncertainties around continued reserve demand for
UST. The outlook for Asia reserves, hurdles & hopes for diversification into EUR, and
how / why Gold and AUD have benefited.
Bullish IDR and INR: We outline the case for IDR and INR fundamental resiliency
Long THB NEER: Post the Fed, we rotate into THB NEER from short USD/THB
Quant. The net USD/G10 trend breadth increased from -5 to +1 post-FOMC as the USD
trends improved. The Up/Down vol is also picking up rising bullish USD momentum post-
FOMC.
Technicals: The YTD range in the BBDXY held and the USD is now in an upswing. The
top end of the range is in the 1150s. A breakout through this can confirm a double
bottom.
Trading ideas and investment strategies discussed herein may give rise to significant risk and are
not suitable for all investors. Investors should have experience in FX markets and the financial
resources to absorb any losses arising from applying these ideas or strategies.
BofA Securities does and seeks to do business with issuers covered in its research
reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of
interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this
report as only a single factor in making their investment decision.
Refer to important disclosures on page 25 to 27. Analyst Certification on page 24. 12294957
Timestamp: 17 June 2021 11:00PM EDT
Our medium-term views
Michalis Rousakis Claudio Piron
MLI (UK) Merrill Lynch (Singapore)
[email protected] [email protected]
For complete list of open and closed trades, please see here
Thematic calls
• A gradual global recovery: The gradual global (albeit uneven) economic recovery
as economies reopen has gradually shifted the focus towards the timing of policy
normalization, with the Fed stance being a key risk factor.
• US fiscal: The US fiscal stimulus is by far the largest in G10, while the proposed
spending in the (partly tax-financed) “American Jobs Plan” and “American Families
Plan” is ca. $4tn. We expect this to support USD this year and possibly next.
• Fed: The Fed is on track to announce tapering at an upcoming meeting – we
continue to think the September meeting is most likely with tapering beginning at
the turn of the year.
• ECB: We believe the ECB is a key theme for EUR this year. The ECB is facing big
challenges, with limited tools. The Strategy Review is supposed to propose a plan,
but we don’t see easy solutions. It is also not clear which way it will affect the EUR,
as ECB policy easing often ends up supporting EUR by supporting the periphery.
• EU fiscal policy: The successful and efficient spending of the EU Recovery Fund,
starting later this year and extending for the next 6 years, will be important for the
periphery growth. We also focus on the reform of the EU fiscal rules next year.
• Flows & positioning: Both real money and hedge funds selling USD and EUR to
buy EM in recent weeks (see flows report).
Consistent with our view, the USD rallied in response. We have been short EURUSD,
against the bearish UDS consensus, on the back of US decoupling from the massive
fiscal stimulus. Before the FOMC this week, we argued that the Fed dovishness was the
only reason that was keeping the USD weak (see USD at an inflation crossroads 15 June
2021). Not anymore.
Although we remain constructive on the USD post-FOMC, we would also urge for
caution as we still see too many moving parts. We would not expect the USD path to be
smooth. Data can be volatile given strong base effects. Inflation in particular will start
coming down after the base effects are behind and could take few more months to have
a better picture of the extent to which some inflation may be more persistent. The Fed
policy normalization will be very slow and the overall policy stance will remain very loose
during the process. European data is also now improving during the reopening. Summer
seasonality is good for the EUR, although this depends on the summer season which
remains subject to risks as long as the pandemic is not over. The ECB Strategy Review
this September is another important known unknown, and as we have been arguing, it
could go either way for the EUR (see Global FX Weekly: Hot in here 11 June 2021).
We also don’t necessarily expect the USD to rally across the board. This would depend
on risk sentiment. Assuming a slow Fed policy normalization, and during a strong global
recovery from the pandemic, we would expect risk assets to remain supported, which in
turn means high beta currencies should continue doing well. Our main call remains for
USD strength during Fed policy normalization, but against currencies of central banks
that will not be normalizing monetary policies any time soon, including EUR, CHF and
JPY.
In this context, we reiterate that US inflation is the most important call for the rest of
the year. We have been concerned that some of the recent increase may be more
persistent. If the market starts pricing such risks more, inflation expectations will
respond accordingly, which could then lead to a faster Fed tightening cycle, in turn
suggesting a more challenging outlook for risk. Our US economists have just introduced
a US transitory inflation meter that they will be updating monthly (see Introducing the
BofA US transitory inflation meter 17 June 2021). We will be following it closely.
The first is that the FX market is discriminating emerging markets on a case by case,
with some currencies such as BRL doing better than others ZAR.
This will further complicate the PBoC’s effort to contain CNY appreciation as
neighboring EM Asia currencies are on an even weaker footing, thereby aggravating CNY
strength further on a trade-weighted basis.
This tensions will continue to play well to our May 7 recommendation to be (see report)
short SGD vs. CNH on a 3M basis, with the SGD effectively being pegged to its MAS
NEER neutral policy stance. Also note that we have rotated our bullish THB position
against USD into a (see report) long THB NEER position to be more defensive against
USD strength.
Returning to BRL, this appears to have little correlation with US 5yr real yields and
driven more by the Brazilian central bank idiosyncratic monetary policy rate hikes. At the
furthest extreme we have TWD and MYR strength correlating with higher US real rates.
This would likely reflect their heavy dependency on global export demand and ultimately
US demand, which is consistent with higher US real yields.
Exhibit 5: Year-to-date correlation of weekly changes in US5yr real yields and EM FX weekly
changes
PHP, INR and IDR weakness appears most correlated with higher 5yr real rates, while KRW, TWD and
MYR not
80%
YTD correlation with US real rates
60%
40%
20%
0%
-20%
-40%
-60%
PHP INR IDR THB CLP ZAR CNY MXN PLN RUB BRL TRY COP SGD KRW TWD MYR
Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
What we like in EM FX
In Asia, we like long CNH/SGD and short USD/CNH. We also like long commodity based
MYR (proxied with short-term bonds) and enter long THB on a NEER basis. In EEMEA, we
remain long RUB, EGP, KES and KZT. We have closed our long positions in HUF and PLN
vs EUR and short USD/UAH. In LatAm, we like long MXN/CLP.
Link to the full report: Liquid Insight: USD at an inflation crossroads 15 June 2021
• Fed dovishness keeps the USD down, but normalization to address inflation risks
could support the USD later this year.
Inflation scare
Following another strong inflation surprise in the US last week, we are increasingly
concerned. To a large extent, high US inflation has to do with the massive US fiscal
stimulus. Inflation has been increasing in most of G10, but the US clearly stands out.
The implications of higher US inflation for the USD depend on the Fed. The Chart of the
Day shows that FX performance and central bank hawkishness are strongly correlated
this year. Assuming that some of the recent increase in inflation is indeed sustained, we
would argue that the Fed will react to it, supporting the USD later this year.
6
CAD
4 GBP NOK
2
Performance in 2021
AUD
0 USD NZD
SEK EUR
CHF
-2
-4
-6 JPY
-8
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Hawkishness ranking
Source: BofA Global Research.
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
Link to the full report: Liquid Insight: Sterling stumbles 17 June 2021
• As we had flagged, June has not been kind to GBP as next phase of easing is
delayed. But data continues to print strongly
• EUR/GBP has been a favored GBP long but we reiterate our view that the cross has
now found a base as EZ vaccine accelerates
Dose of reality
June has not been kind to GBP which is currently the second worst performing currency
in the G10 FX space. We had flagged in a report last month (Liquid Insight: GBP:
Smelling of Roses 18 May 2021) that the spread of the Delta variant was a near-term
risk to the pound which at least warranted some hedging of underlying bullish GBP
views. In the meantime, UK macro data continues to strengthen and the positive
tailwinds from previously announced re-opening measures should underpin the recovery.
However, we reiterate that the outlook for GBP is likely to be more symmetric than it
was in 1Q. In particular, this latest mini-setback further reduces the divergence between
the Eurozone and the UK and provides further support to our argument that EUR/GBP
has now based. We continue to focus our bullish GBP views versus low yielders such as
CHF and JPY.
Exhibit 7: GBP TWI versus RICS House Price Balance
House price inflation should support further GBP gains
120 100
80
60
110 40
20
0
-20
100 -40
-60
GBP TWI (LHS) RICS Balance (RHS) -80
90 -100
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Link to the full report: European Macro Viewpoint: Switzerland: Short term answers,
longer term questions 15 June 2021
Link to the full report: FX Viewpoint: What Policy Rule is G10 FX Pricing? 14 June 2021
The outlier has been USD - traditional TR rules would suggest USD should have traded
strongly over the past year. Our key conclusion is that the shift in the Fed's reaction
function to one which more formally incorporates unemployment along with flexible
average inflation targeting has diluted the inflation coefficient in the TR. Results for
USD improve as a larger weight is place on unemployment rate deviation versus inflation
Indeed, assigning a zero weight to inflation deviation from target and +1.5 on
unemployment deviation from NAIRU would be more consistent with USD price action
over the past year. The Fed may have just got its message across as far as FX is
concerned.
Link to the full report: Global Rates and FX Primer: A Primer on Reserve Currencies 17
June 2021
Full Report - Emerging Insight: Asia FX – Bullish on IDR, INR and THB
We maintain our constructive view on Asia FX with strong fundamentals in INR and IDR
with positive flow picture. Conversion of onshore USD deposits could eventually set the
backdrop for IDR to rally towards our target of 14,000 by year end. INR fundamentals
remain strong due to broadly balanced basic balance and supportive equity portfolio
inflows on surging IPO activity. We also see potential for turnaround in THB as faster
vaccination with focus on tourism and export oriented provinces could bring forward
reopening of tourism hotspots.
Exhibit 8: Asian FX total return since 2020 beginning (as of 11 Jun’21)
THB to bridge the underperformance while IDR and INR still good candidates for carry returns
CNY
PHP
TWD
KRW
Spot Return % Carry %
INR
IDR
MYR
SGD
HKD
THB
-4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
Risks to IDR outlook arise from its sensitivity to external conditions, including tightening
in USD conditions and higher US rates from tapering expectations. Another point of note
has been the slow accretion of FX reserves in Indonesia compared to rest of the region.
In 2020, gross FX reserves only went up by USD 7bn and YTD around USD 3bn, which
matches the increase in liabilities from external debt issuance.
Partially driven by lower conversion ratio of export proceeds expecting stronger USD,
this could be a driver behind lower demand for DNDF auctions for forward hedging
recently. Conversion of these deposits create conditions for sustained appreciation of
IDR beyond 14000 this year and beyond.
After the sharp increase in offshore hedging costs in 1Q, implied yields have stabilized
closer to onshore yields around 3-4% range, improving hedged yield on IndoGB curve for
offshore investors.
Exhibit 10 shows that RBI’s purchases in spot and forward markets are keeping a tab on
excessive appreciation of INR. RBI leaned against INR depreciation in apr by selling over
USD10bn net in forwards. On REER metrics (Exhibit 9), INR has been range bound as
policy makers closely watch excessive appreciation and absorb any inflows to build
buffer against future volatility. Overall, these steps should keep volatility low in INR and
improve its appeal for carry.
While hedging costs for foreign investors come down to around 4.5% implied yield on
3m NDF (as of 15th June 2021), it is still elevated compared to onshore 3m rate around
3.5%. As RBI’s forward position had increased to over USD65bn (as of Apr 2021), which
was keeping FX implied yields elevated. RBI may have temporarily switched to spot
intervention to reduce forward premium and improve banking system liquidity, which led
to sharp move lower in forward points earlier this month.
Exhibit 9: BIS REER Index for INR Exhibit 10: RBI FX Purchases in spot and FWD
INR REER has been range bound with room to appreciate RBI has intervened both ways on excessive moves
108 30 80
BIS REER USD Bn RBI Spot Purchases (est)
RBI FWD Purchases
USDINR (rhs)
20
75
102
10
70
0
96
65
-10
90 -20 60
Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21 Dec-16 Dec-17 Dec-18 Dec-19 Dec-20
Source: BofA Global Research, BIS, Bloomberg Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
Full Report - LatAm Fund Manager Survey: More re-opening, more optimism
Exhibit 14: What currency do you think will outperform over the next 6 Exhibit 15: In Brazil, what do you expect for GDP growth in 2021?
months? Expectations on Brazil GDP improved. 55% now expect GDP to grow above
55% expect the BRL to outperform. 4%, vs only 15% last month.
Exhibit 16: What do you consider the biggest tail risk for Brazil? Exhibit 17: Where do you see the BRL at the end of 2021?
Fiscal remains the biggest tail risk for Brazil. Participants are more optimistic on the BRL. 85% expect it below 5.10, up
from 30% last month.
Uncontrolled fiscal…
Between 5.31 - 5.60
Political noise
Between 5.11 - 5.30
Delayed/slow vaccination
Between 4.81 - 5.10
Coronavirus
Full Report: EM Alpha: Closing MYR vs. KRW and short PHP trades
However, changes in the US policy outlook with a more hawkish tone from Fed could
create more volatility in USD leg of this trade. (See our report US Watch: Fed: Retire the
term 16 June 2021). Given the idiosyncratic nature of the trade linked to recovery in
Thailand’s domestic economy, we believe this trade is best expressed as Long THB
NEER.
We close our original trade at THB/USD level 31.355, and enter Long THB NEER (entry
spot 112.27, 3m fwd 112.21, target 115, stop 111) to reduce the risk from broad USD
appreciation. Risks to the trade: Slow implementation of mass vaccination program.
Exhibit 18: Total doses administered and daily doses
Vaccination rate has picked up sharply over last 10 days
8 800
Daily doses (thousands, rhs) Total Doses (thousands)
Millions
6 600
4 400
2 200
0 0
4/1/2021 4/15/2021 4/29/2021 5/13/2021 5/27/2021 6/10/2021
Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
We maintain our view that faster pace of vaccination with focus on tourism and export
oriented provinces will allow export earnings from tourism to recover towards end of
this year and set the stage for a full recovery in 2022.
However, changes in the US policy outlook with a more hawkish tone from Fed could
create more volatility in USD leg of this trade. (See our report US Watch: Fed: Retire the
term 16 June 2021). Given the idiosyncratic nature of the trade linked to recovery in
We close our original trade at THB/USD level 31.355, and enter Long THB NEER (entry
spot 112.27, 3m fwd 112.21, target 115, stop 111) to reduce the risk from broad USD
appreciation. Risks to the trade: Slow implementation of mass vaccination program.
Exhibit 19:Weights used for NEER basket vs exports weight Exhibit 20: BofA THB NEER performance vs BoT THB NEER
Using SGD as proxy for MYR and USD for rest of less liquid Deviation from BoT due to proxies used in BofA NEER basket
currencies
125
FX Exports Weight Final NEER weights
JPY 9.7% 9.7% BoT THB NEER BOFA THB NEER
USD 12.2% 47.8%
EUR 8.7% 8.7%
IDR 3.7% 3.7%
MYR 4.8% 0.0%
PHP 2.8% 2.8%
115
SGD 3.8% 8.8%
AUD 4.4% 4.4%
INR 2.3% 2.3%
CNY 12.0% 12.0%
Others 35.6% 0.0%
Total 64% 100% 105
Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
95
Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21
Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
• The Up/Down vol has started to pickup rising upside USD momentum post-FOMC
Bullish USD
Before FOMC, our positioning model saw USD/CHF shorts most at risk (FX Quant Trader,
14 June 2021). Positioning was stretched with MAA below 20 and up/down vol and
residual skew below 20th percentile, showing a bullish reversal signal for USD/CHF
(Exhibit 5). Indeed, we saw USD/CHF rising with MAA going from +18 to +43, changing a
downtrend into a sideways trend. Post-FOMC, the model is bullish USD/JPY, expecting
the uptrend to continue. The Up/Down vol has started to pick up rising upside USD
momentum post-FOMC, which used to lean bearish USD pre-FOMC.
10
-5
-10
Jan-18 Jul-18 Jan-19 Jul-19 Jan-20 Jul-20 Jan-21
Exhibit 22: Before FOMC, USD/CHF shorts were most at risk Exhibit 23: After FOMC, bullish USD/JPY
USD/G10 positioning analysis before FOMC USD/G10 positioning analysis after FOMC
EURUSD
Trend
↑
Risk of Reversal
LOW
MAA
71
UD
81
RS
80 EURUSD ↔
Trend
↑
Risk of Reversal
NO TREND
MAA
54
UD
96
RS
79
USDJPY
GBPUSD
↑
↑
LOW
LOW
96
79
63
73
25
78
USDJPY
GBPUSD ↑
↓
LOW
LOW
100
64
21
57
21
76
↔
AUDUSD ↔ NO TREND 50 63 16 AUDUSD LOW 36 60 24
↓
USDCHF ↓ HIGH 18 13 12 USDCHF NO TREND 43 1 13
↓
↓
USDCAD LOW 29 12 73 USDCAD LOW 39 17 70
NZDUSD ↔ NO TREND 50 60 17
USDSEK
USDNOK
↓
↓
LOW
MEDIUM
18
14
30
16
22
24
NZDUSD
USDSEK
USDNOK
↔
↔
LOW
NO TREND
NO TREND
39
46
50
48
19
11
22
25
23
Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
Source: BofA Global Research, Bloomberg
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
• The USD rallied broadly this week and the Bloomberg US dollar index reflects it well.
The index held the YTD lows and impulsively rallied up through the moving averages.
• By definition the BBDXY is still in a range with resistance at 1156 and support at
1112. However this rally raises the prospects of a big double bottom in 3Q21.
Trade Description Open Date Entry Price Time Horizon Current Price Rationale Risks
Sell GBP/JPY calendar 04-Jun-21 Initial gain of 9-mth 154.366 Current cross-JPY uptrends face A rise in volatility as the structure
spread via long 1m ATMF 1.9982% (spot tactical near-term resistance, but has negative vega
GBP/JPY put and short ref: 155.636) FDI and portfolio investment
9m GBP/JPY put remain unsupportive for JPY over
medium-term
Buy 3m 1x2 EUR/CHF 19-May-21 0.38% EUR 3-mth 1.09234 EUR/CHF lagging broader moves An adverse turn in global risk
call spread with strikes (spot ref: 1.10) in its traditional anchors and most sentiment and renewed fall in Bund
1.10/1.12 importantly German bund yields yields
Buy 3m 1.28 USD/CAD 19-Apr-21 0.555% USD 3-mth 1.2326 Bullish USD/CAD seasonals, low An unexpectedly hawkish BoC, a
call option (spot ref: 1.2545) implied vol, hedge against risk off further surge higher in commodity
prices, an unexpectedly weak
broader USD, and additional
increase in global risk appetite
Buy 6mth 1x2 USD/SEK 09-Mar-2021 Initial gain of 6-mth 8.5267 US outperformance; higher A strong Fed pushback against the
call spread with strikes 0.0915% USD relative yields; hedge against risk- rise in US yields
8.65/8.90 (spot ref: 8.5215) off
Trade Description Entry date Entry Level Target Stop Close date Level closed
0.6001% EUR (spot ref:
Buy 6m 1.17 EUR/USD put 27/04/21 0.5082% EUR (spot ref: 1.2083) 17/06/21
1.1931)
Sell CHF/JPY 13/04/21 118.514 114 122 28/05/21 122
2.6276% EUR 2.7308% EUR
Buy 3m EUR/USD straddle 05/03/21 25/05/21
(spot ref:1.1933) (spot ref: 1.2262)
Buy NOK/SEK 25/03/21 1.0020 1.04 0.98 20/05/21 1.0050
Sell NZD/USD 28/04/21 0.72 0.70 0.7350 13/05/21 0.7138
Sell CHF/NOK 11/03/21 9.05 8.00 9.45 29/04/21 8.98
Buy 1m 1x2 GBP/USD call spread with
30/03/21 0.64% GBP (spot ref: 1.3715) 19/04/21 1.17% GBP
strikes 1.3730/1.4100
Sell USD/JPY 25/03/21 109.13 106.70-106 110.80 15/04/21 108.66
Sell EUR/JPY via 124 put option 15/01/21 0.685% EUR (spot ref: 126) 15/04/21 Spot ref: 130
103 (Spot ref: USD/JPY
Sell USD vs. basket of JPY and SGD 100
22/11/20 95 103 30/03/21 109.85, USD/SGD
(equally weighted) (Spot ref: USD/JPY 103.86, USD/SGD 1.3442)
1.3485)
Initial gain of 1.2223% EUR (spot ref:
Buy 3m EUR/CHF butterfly 11/03/21 26/03/21 1.1544% EUR
1.10653)
Buy 3m ATM GBPNZD straddle at 7.859% vol
Buy 3m ATM GBPNZD straddle, Sell 3m
18/02/21 and sell 3m ATM NZDUSD straddle at 9.412% 26/03/21 0.5761% NZD
ATM NZDUSD straddle
vol
Buy USD/CHF via 0.97 6m call 22/11/20 0.16% USD (spot ref 0.9110 ) 26/03/21 0.1924% USD
Sell AUD/NOK 22/11/20 6.58030 6.10 6.80 24/03/21 6.53845
EUR/USD 1yr vol swap:
Buy 1yr EUR/USD vol swap vs. sell 1yr EUR/USD 1yr vol swap: 6.50% offer, 6.50% bid, USD/CNH
22/11/20 09/03/21
USD/CNH vol swap USD/CNH 1yr vol swap: 6.60% bid 1yr vol swap: 5.75%
offer
2.46% GBP (spot ref:
Buy 3m GBP/SEK ATMF call 23/02/21 1.54% GBP (spot ref: 11.6850) 08/03/21
11.8745)
Buy USD/CHF 6m forward outright 22/11/20 0.90606 04/03/21 0.92315
Sell EUR/USD via put with 1.15 strike 29/10/20 1.1708 29/12/20 1.2249
Sell CHF/NOK 22/11/20 9.89 9.00 10.50 18/12/20 9.6935
Buy a 1.34/1.37 USD/CAD call spread 15/10/20 1.3185 15/12/20 1.2701
Buy 3mth USD/NOK ATM straddle 22/11/20 4.4468%/4.8934% USD 07/12/20 5.3776% USD
Buy 1.1830/1.14 GBP/CHF put spread in
29/07/20 0.21% GBP (spot ref: 1.1870) 07/12/20 1.1830
1x2
Buy 3mth ATM USD put/JPY call 16/07/20 1.240% USD (spot ref: 106.93) 15/10/20 105.28
Buy 3mth 1.34/1.38 USD/CAD call spread 09/09/20 0.54% USD (spot ref: 1.3160) 29/09/20 1.3405
Sell NZD/JPY 21/09/20 70.50 66.00 72.60 25/09/20 70.25
Buy USD/SEK 08/09/20 8.8252 9.3000 8.6000 24/09/20 9.0000
Buy a 3mth AUD/JPY 68.5/66 ratio put
13/5/20 0.295% AUD (spot ref: 69.30) 13/08/20 76.607
spread
Buy NOK/SEK 21/05/20 0.9655 1.0300 0.9300 05/06/20 0.9700
Sell EUR/USD 21/05/20 1.0977 1.05 1.13 05/06/20 1.1300
Buy USD/CAD 25/03/20 1.4210 1.5250 1.40 27/05/20 1.3817
Buy 3mth 117/113 EUR/JPY put spread 16/03/20 1.18% EUR (spot ref: 118.5) 06/05/20 114.85
Buy NOK/SEK 20/03/20 0.9388 1.02 0.8400 31/03/20 0.9675
Buy GBP/USD 20/03/20 1.1770 1.25 1.1900 27/03/20 1.2480
Buy GBP/USD 20/03/20 1.1770 1.25 1.1400 27/03/20 1.2260
Buy 3mth 1.24/1.27 GBP/USD call spread 15/03/20 0.11%GBP (spot ref: 1.2380) 20/03/20 1.16
Buy EUR/SEK 09/03/20 10.59 10.90 10.65 12/03/20 10.90
Buy EUR/SEK 06/03/20 10.59 10.90 10.41 09/03/20 10.65
Buy a EURUSD 6M 1.13/1.17 call spread 20/01/20 0.8054% EUR (spot: 1.1098) 06/03/20 1.1336
Buy 1y EURUSD vol funded by selling
19/11/19 0.1% EUR 24/02/20 1.0882/10.5645
EURSEK vol
Buy AUD/JPY 04/11/19 74.75 80.00 02/03/20 71.50
Sell USD/NOK 06/02/20 9.22 9.00 9.32 18/02/90 9.32
Buy AUD/USD 13/01/20 0.6900 0.7600 0.6750 30/01/20 0.6750
Buy 3mth 1.32 USD/CAD call 08/01/20 0.42% USD (spot ref: 1.3026) 22/01/20 1.3147
BofA GLOBAL RESEARCH
Source: BofA Global Research
Claudio Piron
Merrill Lynch (Singapore)
Analyst Certification
I, Claudio Piron, hereby certify that the views expressed in this research report
accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities and issuers. I also
certify that no part of my compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related
to the specific recommendations or view expressed in this research report.
Due to the nature of the market for derivative securities, the issuers or securities recommended or discussed in this report are not continuously followed. Accordingly, investors must regard
this report as providing stand-alone analysis and should not expect continuing analysis or additional reports relating to such issuers and/or securities.
Due to the nature of strategic analysis, the issuers or securities recommended or discussed in this report are not continuously followed. Accordingly, investors must regard this report as
providing stand-alone analysis and should not expect continuing analysis or additional reports relating to such issuers and/or securities.
Due to the nature of quantitative analysis, the issuers or securities recommended or discussed in this report are not continuously followed. Accordingly, investors must regard this report as
providing stand-alone analysis and should not expect continuing analysis or additional reports relating to such issuers and/or securities.
Due to the nature of technical analysis, the issuers or securities recommended or discussed in this report are not continuously followed. Accordingly, investors must regard this report as
providing stand-alone analysis and should not expect continuing analysis or additional reports relating to such issuers and/or securities.
BofA Global Research personnel (including the analyst(s) responsible for this report) receive compensation based upon, among other factors, the overall profitability of Bank of America
Corporation, including profits derived from investment banking. The analyst(s) responsible for this report may also receive compensation based upon, among other factors, the overall
profitability of the Bank’s sales and trading businesses relating to the class of securities or financial instruments for which such analyst is responsible.
BofA Securities fixed income analysts regularly interact with sales and trading desk personnel in connection with their research, including to ascertain pricing and liquidity in the fixed income
markets.
This report may refer to fixed income securities or other financial instruments that may not be offered or sold in one or more states or jurisdictions, or to certain categories of investors,
including retail investors. Readers of this report are advised that any discussion, recommendation or other mention of such instruments is not a solicitation or offer to transact in such
instruments. Investors should contact their BofA Merrill Lynch representative or Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management financial advisor for information relating to such instruments.
Rule 144A securities may be offered or sold only to persons in the U.S. who are Qualified Institutional Buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
SECURITIES OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DISCUSSED HEREIN MAY BE RATED BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE AND SHOULD THEREFORE ONLY BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN
ACCOUNTS QUALIFIED FOR SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT.
Recipients who are not institutional investors or market professionals should seek the advice of their independent financial advisor before considering information in this report in connection
with any investment decision, or for a necessary explanation of its contents.
The securities or other financial instruments discussed in this report may be traded over-the-counter. Retail sales and/or distribution of this report may be made only in states where these
instruments are exempt from registration or have been qualified for sale.
Officers of BofAS or one or more of its affiliates (other than research analysts) may have a financial interest in securities of the issuer(s) or in related investments.
This report, and the securities or other financial instruments discussed herein, may not be eligible for distribution or sale in all countries or to certain categories of investors, including retail
investors.
Refer to BofA Global Research policies relating to conflicts of interest.
"BofA Securities" includes BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS") and its affiliates. Investors should contact their BofA Securities representative or Merrill Global Wealth Management
financial advisor if they have questions concerning this report or concerning the appropriateness of any investment idea described herein for such investor. "BofA Securities" is a
global brand for BofA Global Research.
Information relating to Non-US affiliates of BofA Securities and Distribution of Affiliate Research Reports:
BofAS and/or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S") may in the future distribute, information of the following non-US affiliates in the US (short name: legal name,
regulator): Merrill Lynch (South Africa): Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Ltd., regulated by The Financial Service Board; MLI (UK): Merrill Lynch International, regulated by the Financial Conduct
Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA); BofASE (France): BofA Securities Europe SA is authorized by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) and
regulated by the ACPR and the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF); BofA Europe (Milan): Bank of America Europe Designated Activity Company, Milan Branch, regulated by the Bank of Italy,
the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI); BofA Europe (Frankfurt): Bank of America Europe Designated Activity Company, Frankfurt Branch regulated by BaFin, the
ECB and the CBI; Merrill Lynch (Australia): Merrill Lynch Equities (Australia) Limited, regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission; Merrill Lynch (Hong Kong): Merrill Lynch
(Asia Pacific) Limited, regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (HKSFC); Merrill Lynch (Singapore): Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte Ltd, regulated by the Monetary Authority
of Singapore (MAS); Merrill Lynch (Canada): Merrill Lynch Canada Inc, regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada; Merrill Lynch (Mexico): Merrill Lynch Mexico, SA de
CV, Casa de Bolsa, regulated by the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores; Merrill Lynch (Argentina): Merrill Lynch Argentina SA, regulated by Comisión Nacional de Valores; BofAS Japan: BofA
Securities Japan Co., Ltd., regulated by the Financial Services Agency; Merrill Lynch (Seoul): Merrill Lynch International, LLC Seoul Branch, regulated by the Financial Supervisory Service; Merrill
Lynch (Taiwan): Merrill Lynch Securities (Taiwan) Ltd., regulated by the Securities and Futures Bureau; BofAS India: BofA Securities India Limited, regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board
of India (SEBI); Merrill Lynch (Indonesia): PT Merrill Lynch Sekuritas Indonesia, regulated by Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK); Merrill Lynch (Israel): Merrill Lynch Israel Limited, regulated by Israel
Securities Authority; Merrill Lynch (Russia): OOO Merrill Lynch Securities, Moscow, regulated by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation; Merrill Lynch (DIFC): Merrill Lynch International (DIFC
Branch), regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA); Merrill Lynch (Spain): Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Espana, S.A.S.V., regulated by Comisión Nacional del Mercado De Valores;
Merrill Lynch (Brazil): Merrill Lynch S.A. Corretora de Títulos e Valores Mobiliários, regulated by Comissão de Valores Mobiliários; Merrill Lynch KSA Company: Merrill Lynch Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia Company, regulated by the Capital Market Authority.
This information: has been approved for publication and is distributed in the United Kingdom (UK) to professional clients and eligible counterparties (as each is defined in the rules of the FCA
and the PRA) by MLI (UK), which is authorized by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA - details about the extent of our regulation by the FCA and PRA are available from us on request;
has been approved for publication and is distributed in the European Economic Area (EEA) by BofASE (France), which is authorized by the ACPR and regulated by the ACPR and the AMF; has
been considered and distributed in Japan by BofAS Japan, a registered securities dealer under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act in Japan, or its permitted affiliates; is issued and
distributed in Hong Kong by Merrill Lynch (Hong Kong) which is regulated by HKSFC; is issued and distributed in Taiwan by Merrill Lynch (Taiwan); is issued and distributed in India by BofAS
India; and is issued and distributed in Singapore to institutional investors and/or accredited investors (each as defined under the Financial Advisers Regulations) by Merrill Lynch (Singapore)
(Company Registration No 198602883D). Merrill Lynch (Singapore) is regulated by MAS. Merrill Lynch Equities (Australia) Limited (ABN 65 006 276 795), AFS License 235132 (MLEA) distributes
this information in Australia only to 'Wholesale' clients as defined by s.761G of the Corporations Act 2001. With the exception of Bank of America N.A., Australia Branch, neither MLEA nor any of
its affiliates involved in preparing this information is an Authorised Deposit-Taking Institution under the Banking Act 1959 nor regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. No
approval is required for publication or distribution of this information in Brazil and its local distribution is by Merrill Lynch (Brazil) in accordance with applicable regulations. Merrill Lynch (DIFC) is
authorized and regulated by the DFSA. Information prepared and issued by Merrill Lynch (DIFC) is done so in accordance with the requirements of the DFSA conduct of business rules. BofA
Europe (Frankfurt) distributes this information in Germany and is regulated by BaFin, the ECB and the CBI. BofA Securities entities, including BofA Europe and BofASE (France), may
US
John Shin
FX Strategist
BofAS
+1 646 855 9342
[email protected]
Paul Ciana, CMT
Technical Strategist
BofAS
+1 646 855 6007
[email protected]
Vadim Iaralov
FX Strategist
BofAS
+1 646 855 8732
[email protected] m
Ben Randol
G10 FX & Rates Strategist
BofAS
+1 646 855 8662
[email protected]
Pac Rim
Adarsh Sinha
FX Strategist
Merrill Lynch (Hong Kong)
+852 3508 7155
[email protected]
Shusuke Yamada, CFA
FX/Rates Strategist
BofAS Japan
+81 3 6225 8515
Trading ideas and investment strategies discussed herein may give rise to significant risk and are not suitable for all
investors. Investors should have experience in FX markets and the financial resources to absorb any losses arising from
applying these ideas or strategies.