高市早苗胜选推升宽松预期 日元套利交易或卷土重来

Core Viewpoint - The election of Fumio Kishida as the new president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is expected to lead to a slowdown in interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan, reviving interest in yen carry trades [1][3]. Group 1: Market Reactions - The yen depreciated significantly against major currencies, with a drop of up to 2% against the US dollar following Kishida's victory [3]. - Market participants are reducing bets on the Bank of Japan tightening its monetary policy, with the likelihood of a rate hike on October 30 now estimated at only 19%, down from approximately 57% before the election [3]. Group 2: Economic Implications - Kishida's stance on economic policy, which includes potential increased government spending and a reluctance to raise interest rates, is causing concerns about inflation and the value of the yen [3][4]. - Analysts suggest that if Kishida continues to advocate for a weak yen, it could lead to a resurgence of carry trades, further weakening the yen [4]. Group 3: Carry Trade Opportunities - Recent weeks have seen profitable carry trades, particularly those involving borrowing in yen to invest in higher-yielding currencies, with returns exceeding 5% for certain trades [4]. - The current market environment is reminiscent of the mid-2000s, a period characterized by favorable conditions for currency carry trades [4]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Traders will closely monitor statements from Bank of Japan officials for any signs of a shift in policy direction, although some analysts believe the central bank is unlikely to change its stance quickly [5]. - The yen's weakness is expected to maintain the attractiveness of carry trades, with projections suggesting the USD/JPY exchange rate could reach 155 by year-end [8].