Post date: 30/03/2020 08:53
The enormous volatility in financial markets continues, but at least now it comes in the form of two-way moves, rather than the relentless falls of the previous week. Stocks and credit rebounded worldwide as gargantuan programs of monetary and fiscal stimulus were announced on both sides of the Atlantic. As a safe haven, the dollar moved in the opposite direction, falling sharply against every other G10 currency and most emerging market ones.
Next week, markets will be driven by three main factors. First, the evolution of Coronavirus infection in the different countries, particularly the US, where the infection is gathering speed. Second, the extent of the economic damage apparent in the leading economic indicators. Third, the announcement of economic support measures for individuals and businesses from the various affected states. All in all, we see scope for a continuation of the euro rally, as US news are turning for the worse while early signs emerge that the epidemic in Europe is no longer growing exponentially.
GBP
Sterling was the best-performing major currency last week. Somewhat surprisingly, it is now up against the US dollar over the past two weeks. Partly this is the result of the general volatility and near-dislocated markets, but also a warm market reception to the economic support programs for SMEs (from Johnson’s government) and large companies (Bank of England). Next week we’ll get little news that will reflect the impact of the crisis, but clearly the drop to record lows of two weeks ago has cleared out most speculative longs and we expect Sterling to be relatively resilient in the next couple of weeks.
EUR
The sharp rebound of the common currency last week owed little to any news from the Eurozone and was mostly a reflection of the general rebound in risk aversion. This week we will see an important data point that is receiving little attention. The inflation numbers for March will already reflect the impact of the crisis. It will be interesting to see whether the collapse in demand or the contraction of supply brought about by the lockdowns have the largest impact in prices. We will also remain focused on the details of support programs for individuals and SMEs, as these will be key to the shape of any future rebound from the coming recession.
USD
The coronavirus crisis has now hit the US with full force. The US is now presenting the largest amount of new cases every day, in spite of still limited testing. The chaotic response by authorities by federal and some state authorities has certainly not helped. In addition, the crisis has now spread to the economy, as the lockdowns sent weekly claims for unemployment benefit to the largest labor ever by far, well over three million, up from just a couple of hundred thousand two weeks ago. This week we are likely to receive another eye-popping number when the number of jobs lost by the economy in March are published in the monthly payroll report. There is a good chance that the relative worsening of the crisis in the US, compared to the tentative stabilization we are seeing on the new contagion numbers in Europe, will prove a headwind for the US dollar next week.
