FOREX MAJORS (USD) 2016 2017
SPOT Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
Canadian Dollar USD/CAD 1.30 1.30 1.29 1.33 1.35 1.33 1.31 1.30 1.29
Euro EUR/USD 1.12 1.14 1.11 1.09 1.08 1.10 1.13 1.15 1.17
Japanese Yen USD/JPY 103 113 103 103 104 102 101 100 99
British Pound GBP/USD 1.33 1.44 1.33 1.31 1.25 1.26 1.31 1.35 1.39 Swiss Franc USD/CHF 0.98 0.96 0.98 0.98 1.01 0.99 0.97 0.96 0.96 Australian Dollar AUD/USD 0.75 0.77 0.75 0.75 0.72 0.74 0.75 0.76 0.78 New Zealand Dollar NZD/USD 0.73 0.69 0.71 0.72 0.69 0.70 0.71 0.72 0.73
OTHER PAIRS (USD) 2016 2017
Mexican Peso MXN/USD 18.91 17.28 18.28 18.85 18.33 18.61 18.55 18.49 18.44 Chinese Renminbi CNH/USD 6.67 6.45 6.65 6.67 6.80 6.85 6.80 6.70 6.65 Indian Rupee INR/USD 66.9 66.2 67.5 67.0 68.0 68.0 67.5 67.0 66.5 South African Rand ZAR/USD 14.41 14.77 14.73 14.50 14.75 15.00 15.25 15.35 15.25 Polish Zloty PLN/USD 3.86 4.24 4.38 3.95 4.05 4.08 4.10 4.08 4.07
CANADIAN CROSSES 2016 2017
Euro EUR/CAD 1.46 1.47 1.44 1.45 1.46 1.46 1.48 1.51 1.53
Japanese Yen CAD/JPY 79 87 79 79 77 77 78 76 76
British Pound GBP/CAD 1.72 1.86 1.74 1.71 1.69 1.68 1.72 1.77 1.82 Swiss Franc CAD/CHF 0.74 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.75 Austalian Dollar AUD/CAD 0.98 1.00 0.96 0.98 0.97 0.98 0.98 1.00 1.01 New Zealand Dollar NZD/CAD 0.95 0.90 0.92 0.96 0.93 0.93 0.94 0.94 0.95 Chinese Renminbi CNY/CAD 5.12 4.97 5.12 5.12 5.14 5.15 5.19 5.15 5.16 Indian Rupee INR/CAD 51.30 50.97 52.05 50.38 49.63 50.75 51.53 51.55 51.58 South African Rand ZAR/CAD 11.05 11.40 9.93 10.90 10.93 11.28 11.64 11.81 11.83 Polish Zloty PLN/CAD 2.96 2.89 3.06 2.97 3.00 3.07 3.13 3.14 3.16 Mexican Peso MXN/CAD 14.48 13.30 14.30 14.17 13.58 13.99 14.16 14.22 14.29
FOREX CURRENCY FORECAST (2016 - 2017)
SPOT Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
1.800.832.5104 mtfxanalytics@mtfx.ca
USD
CAD
EUR
JPY
The Fed’s tightening bias is now being promoted more forcefully by FOMC members including Chair Yellen. In light of hawkish signals by the Fed, we have brought forward the timing for the first rate hike to December of this year. That should maintain the US dollar on an upward trajectory over the balance of the year as markets eventually get to price a full hike. Thereafter, the currency will struggle and likely suffer a broad-based depreciation in 2017. Bias – bullish (stronger USD)
While the Canadian dollar has shown resilience in recent months, the currency nonethe-less remains highly vulnerable. The large current account deficit remains the loonie’s Achilles heel and are are reiterating our call for USDCAD to be in the 1.35 range by the end of the year before the rebounding and trading in a slightly stronger range next year.
Bias bearish – (weaker CAD)
The European Central bank seems adamant to remain on the sidelines to assist a weak Eurozone economy saddled with weak growth and below-target inflation. With interest rates already deep in negative territory, the ECB may instead opt for an enhanced asset purchase program and targeted loans to rekindle credit growth. Such stimulus should keep bond yields low and the euro under pressure. We call for an end-of year target of 1.08 for EURUSD. Bias – bearish (weaker EUR)
Though the yen continues to remain at elevated levels, most analysts maintain a bearish view on the back of central bank policy divergence. The Bank of Japan is under pressure to act to kick-start a weak economy and stem resurgent threats of deflation. Further monetary stimulus could push USDJPY to higher in the coming months and could target 105 by the year-end. Bias – bearish (weaker JPY)
SEPTEMBER 2016 - CURRENCY HIGHLIGHTS
GBP
MXN
GBP weakness appears set to continue and we continue to maintain a bearish view on the back of deteriorating growth prospects in the UK, which may trigger further aggres-sive action by the Bank of England. The pound will also continue to remain vulnerable as a result of an increasingly wider policy divergence between the BoE and the Fed. The GBP is likely to fall further in the coming months possibly reaching the mid 1.20’s before stabilizing. Bias – bearish (weaker GBP)
The political scandals in Mexico are mounting but have not yet hurt the currency. Work-ing against this backdrop political concern, there seems to be declinWork-ing risks of a major shock to the NAFTA. Whereas early US campaign talk included an “end of NAFTA”, both of the leading candidates now seem to discuss an update of the treaty, which may even be positive. Despite the political risks, most analysts remain bullish on the MXN especial-ly with the steady growth experienced in the U.S. Bias – bullish (stronger MXN)
September 2016 2016f 2017f Spot USD/CAD MTFX 1.30 1.29 1.33 1.35 1.33 1.31 1.30 1.29 Consensus Forecast 1.30 1.33 1.29 1.29 1.28 1.26 EUR/USD MTFX 1.14 1.11 1.09 1.08 1.10 1.13 1.15 1.17 Consensus Forecast 1.05 1.04 1.07 1.08 1.09 JPY/USD MTFX 113 103 103 104 102 101 100 99 Consensus Forecast 103 103 104 106 105 105
SEPTEMBER 2016 - US DOLLAR HIGHLIGHTS
U.S. DOLLAR HIGHLIGHTS:
A disappointing first half of the year left US yields weak and took the greenback moderately lower in the process against other G10 currencies. Soft growth temporarily took the FOMC off the tightening path, pulling long rates down in the process. Without the attraction of rising yields, the US dollar struggled given the net outflows associated with the United States’ trade and current account deficits.
Central banks in other developed economies have tried to ease policy with a view to weakening their respective currencies against the dollar, but have found little success thus far in 2016. Indeed, Fed policy has dictated the majority of currency developments, with the exception of Brexit’s hit to the pound.
Looking ahead, improving US economic performance should bolster both Fed hike expectations and the US dollar as we move toward the end of the year. A rate hike before the year-end is not yet fully priced in which suggests that the greenback is likely to gain against just about every G10 currency in the coming four months.
Looking past 2016, the US dollar is likely to face a different type of headwind, which should see other developed economies gain speed as a result of past stimulus. The US will no longer stand out as a lone bright spot and as a result the U.S. dollar is likely to lose ground against its global
AUGUST 2016 CURRENCY RETURNS
Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
1.12
ECONOMIC EVENT DATE
USD Retail Sales SEPT 15
USD (PPI) Producer Price Index SEPT 15
EVENTS TO WATCH SEPTEMBER 2016
1.31 1.04 102 GBP/USD MTFX 1.44 1.33 1.31 1.25 1.26 1.31 1.35 1.39 Consensus Forecast 1.33 1.25 1.27 1.29 1.30 1.32 MXN/USD MTFX 17.28 18.28 18.85 18.33 18.61 18.55 18.49 18.44 Consensus Forecast 18.90 17.75 18.15 18.45 18.52 18.32 1.25 18.15 -1.0% -0.8% -0.6% -0.4% -0.2% 0.0% 0.2% 0.4% 0.6% 0.8% 1.0%
September 2016 2016f 2017f
USD/CAD Spot Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
MTFX Forecast 1.30 1.29 1.33 1.35 1.33 1.31 1.30 1.29
Consensus Forecast 1.30
USD/CAD CURRENCY TREND - AUGUST 2016
HIGHLIGHTS:
ECONOMIC EVENT DATE
CAD Manufacturing Sales SEPT 16
CAD Wholesale Sales SEPT 21
CAD Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) SEPT 23
CAD Retail Sales SEPT 23
CAD (GDP) Gross Domestic Product SEPT 30
Bearish Bullish
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The first half of the year wasn’t a pretty story for Canada. Wildfires in Alberta put large swaths of the country’s oil output offline. The desired pickup in exports looks even further away, leaving Canada with a sizeable trade and current account deficit. And consumption growth has decelerated heading into mid-year.
Looking ahead, however, the loonie is likely to stumble heading into the end of the year. With growth set to pick up from its disappointing pace south of the border, the FOMC is nearing its next rate increase, which we expect in December. September’s meeting, if not an outright hike, should at least add a bit to the recently more hawkish tone. It’s not hard to see the loonie depreci-ating from here in the short term. While the Federal Reserve will continue its hiking cycle, albeit very gradually in 2017, better economic readings north of the border combined with higher oil prices should support the loonie. Overall, while the loonie will see a rebound from its fourth quarter weakness as we look for it to remain within its recent range over 2017.
EVENTS TO WATCH SEPTEMBER 2016
USD/CAD SEPTEMBER 2016 HIGHLIGHTS
MARKET SENTIMENT:
1.33 1.29 1.29 1.28 1.26 1.31 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.3 1.31 1.32September 2016 2016f 2017f
EUR/USD Spot Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
MTFX Forecast 1.14 1.11 1.09 1.08 1.10 1.13 1.15 1.17
Consensus Forecast 1.12
EUR/USD CURRENCY TREND - AUGUST 2016
HIGHLIGHTS:
ECONOMIC EVENT DATE
EUR German ZEW Economic Sentiment SEPT 13 EUR Consumer Price Inflation (Eurozone) (August) SEPT 15
EUR German Manufacturing PMI SEPT 23
EUR German IFO Business Climate Index SEPT 26 EUR German Unemployment Change (Sept) SEPT 29
Bearish Bullish
EUR/USD SEPTEMBER 2016 HIGHLIGHTS
EVENTS TO WATCH SEPTEMBER 2016
MARKET SENTIMENT:
1.05 1.04 1.07 1.08 1.09
1.04
The EUR has performed reasonably well over the past month. Indeed, the common currency has capitalized on the recent bout of USD malaise while also continuing to benefit from its current account surplus. Additionally, the flash estimate of Q2 growth saw the Eurozone economy expand by 1.6% year/year, good enough to eclipse the underwhelming 1.2% for the US. The common currency area remains uncomfortably close to deflation territory with the annual inflation rate in August at a measly 0.2%. With governments showing little urgency to act and long-term inflation expecta-tions falling to record lows, monetary easing can be expected from the ECB going forward.
The risk of additional ECB action is highly likely which will cause the ECB’s balance sheet to balloon and begin to approach the size of the U.S., ultimately weighing on the euro in the near term. In addition to the economic woes faced by the region, political risks will also weigh on the currency, which are likely to result in serious implications for the Eurozone. Look for the euro to weaken from its current levels in the coming months. 1.1 1.105 1.11 1.115 1.12 1.125 1.13 1.135 1.14
September 2016 2016f 2017f
JPY/USD Spot Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
MTFX Forecast 113 103 103 104 102 101 100 99
Consensus Forecast 103
JPY/USD CURRENCY TREND - AUGUST 2016
HIGHLIGHTS:
ECONOMIC EVENT DATE
JPY Industrial Production SEPT 14
JPY Exports SEPT 20
JPY Trade Balance SEPT 20
JPY Household Spending SEPT 29
JPY Consumer Price Index SEPT 29
Bearish Bullish
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A vote of confidence in the upper house elections last month did little to propel Abe’s platform. Markets came away disappointed with both the fiscal measures and the lack of a policy re-think at the latest BoJ meeting. This disappointment has led to incremental yen appreciation, implying unwelcome pressures on Japanese exporters and the equity market.
On the real economy side, the under-whelming Q2 GDP result highlighted the still-fragile nature of the economy, while inflation continues to be
subdued. That the JPY has been the top performing currency among the G10 bloc over the past month which has accentuated already depressed inflation expectations, asset prices and economic growth forecasts.
Looking ahead, a knocked down outlook for the Japanese economy, a gradual improvement in risk sentiment in the markets and a diverging mone-tary policy stance between the BoJ and the Fed will all contribute to a yen depreciation against the US dollar in the months ahead. Moreover, another rate hike from the Fed around the end of the year will keep pressure on the currency as 2016 comes to an end.
JPY/USD SEPTEMBER 2016 HIGHLIGHTS
EVENTS TO WATCH SEPTEMBER 2016
MARKET SENTIMENT:
103 104 106 105 105 102 99 99.5 100 100.5 101 101.5 102 102.5 103 103.5 104September 2016 2016f 2017f
GBP/USD Spot Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
MTFX Forecast 1.44 1.33 1.31 1.25 1.26 1.31 1.35 1.39
Consensus Forecast 1.33
GBP/USD CURRENCY TREND - AUGUST 2016
HIGHLIGHTS:
ECONOMIC EVENT DATE
GBP (CPI) Consumer Price Inflation SEPT 13
GBP Employment Data SEPT 14
GBP Retail Sales SEPT 15
GBP Interest Rate Decision SEPT 15
GBP (GDP) Gross Domestic Product SEPT 30
Bearish Bullish
Following a significant decline in the Brexit aftermath, the GBP has stabilized over the past month at just above the 1.30 mark. Given that we’re still early into the Brexit shock and sentiment remains incredibly negative. There continues to remain extreme economic and political uncertainty, which will continue to reprice and downgrade U.K. assets and the value of the pound. There remains a tricky road ahead with plenty of opportunity to weaken the pound from current levels. The Brexit process has hardly started with most expecting the newly formed govern-ment to trigger article 50 sometime in 2017. Given such uncertainties, and the fact that any shocks to capital spending will take longer to show up, a recession in the British economy cannot be ruled out.
Expect ongoing scrutiny of post-Brexit data over the coming months. Add to the mix that the UK is still exposed to large external liabilities, and it under-lines the need for GBP to remain substantially below long-term, fair-val-ue estimates. As a conseqfair-val-uence, analysts expect a further weakening of the pound before recovering in 2017.
GBP/USD SEPTEMBER 2016 HIGHLIGHTS
EVENTS TO WATCH SEPTEMBER 2016
MARKET SENTIMENT:
1.25 1.27 1.29 1.30 1.32 1.25 1.2875 1.2975 1.3075 1.3175 1.3275 1.3375September 2016 2016f 2017f
MXNUSD Spot Q1a Q2a Q3f Q4f Q1f Q2f Q3f Q4f
MTFX Forecast 17.28 18.28 18.85 18.33 18.61 18.55 18.49 18.44
Consensus Forecast 18.9
MXN/USD CURRENCY TREND - AUGUST 2016
HIGHLIGHTS:
ECONOMIC EVENT DATE
MXN Consumer Price Index SEPT 22
MXN Retail Sales SEPT 23
MXN Trade Balance SEPT 27
MXN Unemployment Data SEPT 28
MXN Interest Rate Decision SEPT 29
Bearish Bullish
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USDMXN volatility has remained elevated, but the trend seems down-ward for USDMXN. Minutes released by the central bank remained on the hawkish side. Analysts expect another pre-emptive fondeo rate rise on November 20th to 4.5%, following the US elections but before the December US Fed meeting.
Though external developments have dictated the currency’s direction, domestic fundamentals are expected to take hold over the coming months that should allow the MXN to outperform as growth accelerates over the next several months, especially with continu-ing steady growth in the United States. Despite the slow start to the year and the risks of the looming U.S. elections, the Mexican peso is likely to outper-form most of the emerging market currencies. Most analysts expect domestic fundamentals to remain strong and growth to expand at 3% in 2016 suggesting a strong MXN rebound as markets settle.
MXN/USD SEPTEMBER 2016 HIGHLIGHTS
EVENTS TO WATCH SEPTEMBER 2016
MARKET SENTIMENT:
17.75 18.15 18.45 18.52 18.32 18.15 18 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 19
-This publication has been prepared by MTFX Inc. for informational and marketing purposes only. Opinions, estimates and projections contained herein are our own as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. The information and opinions contained herein have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy or completeness and neither the information nor the forecast shall be taken as a representation for which MTFX Inc., its affiliates or any of their employees incur any responsibility. Neither MTFX Inc. nor its affiliates accept any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from any use of this information.
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This report has been prepared by MTFX Inc. as a resource for its clients. The opinions, projections and estimates contained herein are our own and subject to change without notice.