Key focus and themes Global Markets Research Foreign Exchange - Asia ex-Japan/Euro Area/Europe Potential emergence of USD directionality – long CNH and AUD If the impending September NFP release is substantially weak (e.g., way below August's 22K print), how do you expect AUD/USD (i.e., risk proxy) to react in the first session after? Fig. 1: Top five top-conviction strategy trades in order (scale 1-5) Note: Conviction scale: 1 – Watch; 2 – Watch Closely; 3 - Positioned @ 1/3 desired; 4 – Positioned @ 2/3 d ...

Core Viewpoint - The likelihood of a US-China trade agreement by October 30 appears low, despite recent developments indicating a shift in trade relations that could benefit global trade terms and export-dependent economies [1][3]. Economic Backdrop: China's Domestic Challenges - Recent trade data shows a rebound in external demand for China, with exports increasing by 8.3% year-on-year in September, up from 4.4% in August, and industrial profits rising by 21.6% year-on-year, compared to 20.4% in August [4]. - However, overcapacity and excess supply in sectors like electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar panels are causing deflationary pressures, leading to price cuts and market flooding [5]. Trade Deal Implications - A potential US-China trade deal that includes lower or zero tariffs on Chinese goods could help rebalance trade dynamics, with strong US demand being crucial for improving profit margins and domestic consumption in China [6]. - The ambition of the Chinese government to maintain export dominance while transitioning to a consumption-led economy is referred to as "dual circulation" [6]. Policy Signals: Stimulus Push - Calls for a significant infrastructure investment push have been made to revive domestic demand, with suggestions that infrastructure projects could raise household incomes and shift growth focus from exports to internal demand [9]. Market Reactions - Mainland equity markets experienced selling pressure ahead of the anticipated Trump-Xi meeting, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indices declining slightly, although optimism regarding a potential trade deal remains [10]. - A successful trade deal could propel the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indices towards their previous all-time highs, set in 2021 and 2015 respectively [11].

Long-term Trend Analysis Framework - Structural driving factors include interest rate differentials, economic growth differences, and purchasing power parity (PPP) [1] - The Australian dollar to US dollar (AUD/USD) fell by 40% from 2011 to 2015 due to the Reserve Bank of Australia's continuous interest rate cuts [1] - OECD leading indicators show that when the US PMI exceeds the Eurozone by 3 percentage points, EUR/USD depreciates by an average of 5% annually [1] - The Taylor rule model can predict policy interest rate paths [1] - The US dollar has long-term deviations from PPP of about 15%, but it tends to revert to the mean over a 10-year cycle [1] Cyclical Analysis Models - The Kitchin cycle (3-4 years) reflects inventory adjustments affecting short-term fluctuations in commodity currencies [2] - The Juglar cycle (8-10 years) is driven by capital expenditure cycles impacting currency pairs like AUD/JPY [2] - The Kuznets cycle (15-25 years) shows a linkage between real estate cycles and currencies like CAD/CHF [2] - During the Federal Reserve's tightening cycle, the US dollar appreciated by an average of 12% from 1994 to 2000 [2] Quantitative Analysis Tools - Trend identification can be achieved through the crossover of 150-day and 300-day EMAs [3] - The ADX indicator confirms trend strength, with values above 25 indicating strong trends [3] - The Hurst exponent is used to assess trend persistence, with values greater than 0.5 indicating trend continuation [3] Practical Strategy Development - In an expansion phase, strategies include going long on commodity currencies and managing positions using the Kelly formula [5] - In a recession phase, strategies involve going long on USD/JPY and employing volatility strategies [5] Cutting-edge Research Areas - The impact of carbon border taxes on euro pricing and the correlation between the El Niño index and AUD/BRL are being studied [6] - The interaction between stablecoin liquidity and the offshore dollar market is a focus area [6] - Development of a Geopolitical Risk Index (GPR) to analyze dynamic relationships with Middle Eastern currencies [6] Classic Case Reviews - The 1992 British pound crisis was influenced by rising German interest rates while the UK maintained its exchange rate mechanism [7] - The 2015 Swiss franc decoupling was a result of contradictions between the Swiss National Bank's balance sheet expansion and its exchange rate policy [7] - The 2020 pandemic caused a liquidity crisis in the dollar market, leading to a sudden collapse of carry trades [7] Summary - Effective long-term cycle analysis requires a multi-layered framework that includes macro factors, market structure, and behavioral finance [8] - A mixed strategy of 70% trend following and 30% cycle adjustment is recommended, with a focus on monitoring the US 10-year Treasury volatility index (MOVE) and global forex liquidity indicators (FXLI) as leading indicators [8] - Attention should be given to the global debt cycle, which has reached a historical peak of 327% of global GDP, impacting currency valuation systems [8]

Group 1 - The article provides a step-by-step guide for selecting currency pairs based on different trading styles, emphasizing the need for alignment between trading style and currency characteristics [1][2][5]. - Day trading is characterized by short holding periods, relying on technical analysis for small profit margins, with recommended pairs including EUR/USD and USD/JPY due to their high liquidity and low spreads [2][4]. - Swing trading focuses on capturing medium-term trends over days to weeks, with suitable pairs like AUD/USD and GBP/USD driven by fundamental factors such as commodity prices and policy expectations [5][7][8]. Group 2 - Carry trade involves long-term positions to earn interest rate differentials, favoring high-yield currencies while managing exchange rate risks [12][15]. - Event-driven trading capitalizes on market reactions to economic data releases, with pairs like USD/JPY and USD/TRY being highlighted for their volatility during such events [4][22]. - Algorithmic trading strategies include statistical arbitrage, monitoring price discrepancies between currency pairs, and utilizing low-latency execution for optimal performance [14][15][26]. Group 3 - The article outlines a five-step self-assessment method for traders to evaluate their risk tolerance, time commitment, and tool compatibility when selecting currency pairs [17][19][21]. - Recommended currency pairs for different trading styles include EUR/USD and XAU/USD for day trading, AUD/USD and GBP/USD for swing trading, and AUD/JPY and USD/ZAR for carry trading, each with specific risk management parameters [21][22][23]. - Common pitfalls for novice traders include mismatching trading styles with currency pairs, overlooking overnight costs, and overtrading less liquid pairs [24][25][26].

Group 1: Major Currency Pairs - EUR/USD is influenced by the policy divergence between the Fed and ECB, with the Fed's aggressive rate hikes in 2022 boosting the dollar [1]. - Economic data comparisons such as GDP, CPI, and various economic indices are critical for EUR/USD analysis [1]. - Geopolitical risks, particularly the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on European energy supply, affect the euro's performance [2]. - The USD/JPY pair is driven by the interest rate differential and the Bank of Japan's yield curve control policy, with adjustments in policy leading to significant currency movements [4][5]. - The USD/JPY is also affected by global risk sentiment, with a negative correlation to the VIX index [6]. - GBP/USD is shaped by the Bank of England's policy challenges, particularly balancing persistent inflation above 10% with recession risks [9]. - Post-Brexit trade issues and high energy prices further complicate the GBP/USD outlook [10][11]. Group 2: Commodity Currency Pairs - AUD/USD is primarily driven by commodity prices, especially iron ore, which constitutes 40% of Australia's exports [13]. - Changes in Chinese demand, particularly in real estate, significantly impact AUD/USD [14]. - The USD/CAD pair is influenced by oil prices, with Canada being the fourth-largest oil exporter globally [18]. - The Canadian economy's reliance on U.S. trade, with over 75% of exports going to the U.S., also plays a crucial role in USD/CAD dynamics [20]. Group 3: Safe-Haven Currency Pairs - USD/CHF is affected by European political risks, with the Swiss franc acting as a safe haven during crises [22]. - The Swiss economy's low inflation and high current account surplus support the long-term appreciation of the franc [23]. - Gold (XAU/USD) is influenced by geopolitical tensions and central bank gold purchases, with significant demand seen in 2022 [27]. Group 4: Emerging Market Currency Pairs - The USD/TRY pair is impacted by extreme inflation in Turkey, which exceeded 80% in 2023, alongside irrational monetary policy decisions [32]. - The Turkish lira's depreciation is exacerbated by insufficient foreign reserves covering less than three months of imports [33]. - Geopolitical risks related to Turkey's relations with the U.S. and Europe also affect investor confidence [34]. Group 5: Fundamental Analysis Tools - Economic indicators are prioritized differently for various currency pairs, with CPI differences and central bank decisions being top indicators for EUR/USD [36]. - Data release timings, such as U.S. non-farm payrolls and CPI, are critical for market volatility [37]. - A comprehensive analysis framework is essential for understanding the dynamics of currency pairs, focusing on both long-term structural factors and short-term events [46].