As I watch the Forex markets each and every day and contemplate the generally pedestrian
nature of the price action over the past year, I am continuously questioning whether the
turnover these days is really as much as so many of the pundits would still have us believe.
I do this because so many of the people that I speak to are doing the same, as from their
perspective they have witnessed a marked drop off in activity and action. Granted the
market still has its days, but generally speaking the average daily range in the majors has
continued to contract for several months now. At the same time this would surely indicate
a significant drop in volume.
Just imagine how that might have been made even worse were it not for the volatility seen
the GBPUSD over the past couple of years, which has not just kept all the GBP cross pairings
moving too, but the whole majors’ market as well. Naturally, the almost 100% electronic
pricing of nearly all the G10 pairings these days has had an impact in this regard too. It has
made pricing much more efficient and certainly also helped to reduce volatility as a result of
ever more sophisticated ‘price discovery.’
At the same time the shift in price dynamics has surely played into the hands of the ‘price
makers’, very much to the chagrin of all those speculative ‘price takers’ whose main reason
for entering the market in the first place is on the assumption that they will gain by seeing
the price move in their favour. Generally speaking, the more the prices move around, the
more active those speculative players will be and the less chance there is for the ‘price
makers’ to profit from such provision.
Consequently, when volatility drops to extremely low levels, as we have right now then a lot
of those speculative players will reduce the size and frequency of their activity. However,
the impact on the wholesale options market is somewhat different, where lower volatility
conversely makes the cost of entry much cheaper.
However, the conflict there between ‘price maker’ and ‘price taker’ remains largely the
same, but the dynamics are often much more complex and not simply as one dimensional as
they are with straight vanilla spot trades. In rough terms though, and disregarding DNT and
volatility trades, it's still the same battle between the two opposing sides.
To sum this up as succinctly as possible: its more often than not in the price makers’ interest
to see prices remain as stable as possible whilst they shop around for ways to exit or hedge,
at least some of their risk, and then warehouse the rest of it. Certainly in a tight range, low
volatility climate that residue can wait perhaps until the other side subsequently folds?
Naturally, just as with a casino for example; the bigger the warehouse, the greater the
chances of success!
More on this theme another time perhaps. Meanwhile back to the immediate markets. The
US Q1 GDP print was way better on Friday at +3.2% and the initial market reaction saw the
dollar post a fresh 52week high versus the EUR at 1.1112. However, and almost instantly the
fact that there was no inflation in that report, sent the dollar immediately lower again.
Consequently, the close for the USD on Friday was mildly negative. I say ‘Mildly’ because it
wasn’t technically a negative ‘outside’ day reversal, but close to it all the same.
Where the impact of that US GDP data was perhaps more pertinent was in the equity space
which certainly latched onto the low inflation numbers. The S+P 500 traded to as high as
2939.83, where it actually closed for the week too. Hence, within a whisker of its 2940.90 all
time high.
Following a positive Asian session today (without Japan of course) the futures are this
morning pricing in a move (as at 7am) above 2941 now, so it will be more than interesting to
see where and how that opens up later on. Certainly, the potential is there for a gap open
higher on this one which I am sure, if seen will insight some fresh, reluctant buyers into the
fray.
It’s certainly a busy week ahead on the economic release front with the FOMC and BOE
policy decisions topping the agenda. No changes are expected from either central bank this
time around, so as usual the markets will be on the look out for any clues regarding future
policy action, especially from the other side of the pond. The other eagerly awaited release
this week will be the latest US jobs report which is due out on Friday.
Like everyone else out there at the moment, I am just wondering how long this US growth
and jobs rebound will continue without any upward price pressure? Looking back, I can all
too easily remember a couple of decades ago, when this was just the scenario all the central
bankers actually wanted as they strove to beat off the spectre of inflation. Whilst that
appears to be well and truly licked now, rather perversely it seems, some want a dose of it
back again. Perhaps a case of; a little of what you don’t like being better than none at all!
Important Economic Releases Due This Week
29/04- 1.30pm US March Personal Income and Spending
30/04- 10.00am Eurozone March Unemployment Report
30/04-10.00am Eurozone Q1 GDP Revision Estimate
30/04- 1.30pm Canadian February GDP Estimate
30/04- 11.45pm New Zealand Q1 GDP Estimate
01/05- 1.15pm April ADP Employment Report
01/05- 3.00pm US April ISM Manufacturing Index
01/05- 7.00pm US- FOMC Policy Decision
(No Changes Expected)
02/05- 12.00pm UK- Bank of England Policy Decision
(No changes expected)
03/05- 9.30am UK April Services PMI index
03/05- 10.00am Eurozone April CPI Inflation report
03/05- 1.30pm US April Unemployment Report
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