August 12, 2025 09:55 AM GMT G10 FX Strategy How Much Risk Premium Is in USD? Risk premium has been the chief driver of the post-Liberation Day USD moves. We estimate that risk premium has roughly halved from its post-Liberation Day peak to about 6-8%, but there is ample scope for it to return to, and exceed, those levels, generating a weaker USD. Key Takeaways Please add me to your distribution list. | M August 12, 2025 09:55 AM GMT | | Global Idea | | --- | --- | --- | | G10 FX Strategy | Morgan Stanley & ...

Investment Ratings - USD View: Bearish with a bearish skew [2][21] - EUR View: Bullish with a bullish skew [3][22] - GBP View: Neutral with a bullish skew [4][23] - JPY View: Bullish with a bullish skew [5][24] - CHF View: Neutral with a bullish skew [6][25] - NOK View: Neutral with a bearish skew [7][26] - SEK View: Neutral with a bearish skew [8][27] - AUD View: Neutral with a bullish skew [9][28] - NZD View: Neutral with a bullish skew [10][29] - CAD View: Bearish with a bearish skew [11][30] Core Insights - Dollar weakness is a prevailing theme in G10 FX views, driven by US growth and rate convergence with the rest of the world, alongside increased FX hedging [21][22] - The EUR/USD is expected to rise to 1.20 and beyond, supported by European investors hedging US assets [3][22] - GBP is seen as constructive due to its carry-to-vol ratio and low perceived trade tension risks [4][23] - JPY may benefit from US-Japan trade uncertainties and lower US terminal rate expectations [5][24] - The CHF is expected to face downside risks due to yield compression despite low inflation [6][25] - The NOK is viewed with a bearish skew due to lower oil price risks and rate headwinds [7][26] - SEK is anticipated to react to incoming economic data with a bearish bias [8][27] - AUD fundamentals remain strong, indicating potential for performance catch-up against the USD [9][28] - NZD's downside against AUD is limited due to minimal yield advantage [10][29] - CAD is recommended for short positions against CHF due to broad USD weakness and negative terms of trade [11][30] Summary by Sections USD - The USD is expected to weaken as growth and rates converge with the rest of the world, with a risk premium of approximately 6% due to increased FX hedging [63][65][68] - The current account deficit stands at 4.6% of GDP, indicating a widening trend [68][70] EUR - The EUR/USD is projected to rise significantly, with options markets underpricing the potential for it to reach 1.25 [99][101] - Europe's current account surplus is increasing, primarily from goods and services [104][106] GBP - GBP's strength is supported by a favorable carry-to-vol ratio and limited trade surplus with the US [135][137] - The UK's current account deficit is stable but financed by more volatile forms of investment [140][142] JPY - JPY may gain from continued weakness in US economic data affecting terminal rate pricing [171][173] - Japan's current account remains positive, with a narrowing trade deficit [176][178] CHF - The CHF is expected to strengthen due to low inflation and yield compression potential [206][209] - Switzerland's current account surplus is high, driven by a strong goods surplus [212][217] NOK - The NOK faces downside risks despite a higher neutral rate estimate from the Norges Bank [238][240] - Norway's current account surplus benefits from oil and gas exports [244][246] SEK - SEK is sensitive to yield differentials, with potential upside risks against EUR [269][271] - Sweden's current account surplus is improving, driven by trade [274][276] AUD - AUD's strong fundamentals suggest a potential catch-up against peer currencies [299][300] - Australia's current account has shifted to a deficit due to increased imports [305][307] NZD - NZD's downside potential against AUD is limited due to a lack of yield advantage [336][338] - New Zealand's current account deficit is narrowing after a peak in 2022 [341][343] CAD - CAD is expected to decline against CHF due to unfavorable terms of trade [371][373] - Canada's current account deficit has narrowed, primarily due to a lower income deficit [378][380]

Investment Rating - The report suggests a bearish outlook on the USD and recommends selling USD while buying curve steepeners [9][13][53]. Core Insights - The report indicates that the consensus view aligns with a weaker USD and a steeper yield curve, but the expected magnitude of these moves is significantly larger than what the consensus anticipates [9][13]. - It is projected that the USD will weaken by approximately 9% on a DXY basis and that the US Treasury curve will steepen by around 100 basis points over the next 12-18 months [13][20]. - Investor positioning is currently cautious, but supportive fundamentals and strengthening sentiment suggest a favorable environment for the recommended trades [9][13]. Summary by Sections G10 FX Strategy - The report highlights that while a weaker USD is a consensus view, the extent of the weakening is underpriced, with only a 15-25% chance assigned by the market to reach the forecasted levels against major safe-haven currencies [3][31]. UK Rates Strategy - The report notes the closure of a long position in SFIZ6 due to a recent rally in front-end rates, but identifies an attractive entry point for upside option structures given low implied volatility [4][26]. Japan Rates Strategy - The focus is shifting from the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) regarding long-end issuance and quantitative tightening (QT) pace, which may influence market dynamics [5][30]. US Rates Strategy - The report discusses entering 2s10s CPI swap steepeners, as the TIPS breakevens curve has steepened, indicating potential for further widening based on financial conditions and inflation expectations [6][36]. General Market Dynamics - The report emphasizes that recent USD declines are primarily driven by reduced investor appetite for USD exposure due to policy uncertainty rather than concerns about US growth [17][20]. - It also notes that the USD discount reflects a negative policy premium associated with uncertainty around US trade and fiscal policy [18][19].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a bearish outlook on the US dollar due to moderating US exceptionalism and a more growth-supportive monetary and fiscal mix overseas [6][11][14]. Core Insights - The report highlights that while tariffs remain a headwind for global growth, several currencies such as Antipodeans, NOK, EUR, and JPY are expected to turn the corner on growth [6][11]. - In developed markets (DM), the bearish USD recommendations are barbelled for either a US slowdown (long JPY) or a soft landing scenario (long Scandis, Antipodean, EUR) [6][11]. - In emerging markets (EM), there is a broadening overweight across regions with a preference for Asian creditor currencies (like KRW) and CEE euro-proxies (like CZK) [6][11]. - The report emphasizes that 2025 is different from previous years as no single factor is dominating global FX returns, necessitating a separate analysis of G10 and EM [6][11][24]. - G10 FX forecasts remain unchanged for EUR/USD at 1.22 and USD/JPY at 139, with upgrades for GBP, NZD, and CAD based on improved domestic prospects [6][11][48]. - EM forecasts include a reduction for USD/CNY to 7.15 and USD/ZAR to 17.50, reflecting a more favorable outlook for these currencies [6][11][48]. Summary by Sections Key Currency Drivers - The report identifies several macroeconomic factors influencing FX returns, including US-China trade talks and tariff adjustments [7][8]. - It notes that the reduction of tariffs from 145% to approximately 41% for a 90-day period is a significant development [7][8]. FX Models - The report discusses the performance of various currencies and highlights that the best-performing currencies are often those with current account surpluses [24][25]. - It also notes that the carry-to-value rotation is finally playing out in G10, with surplus countries outperforming [24][25]. G10 FX Short-term Fair Value - The report maintains forecasts for major currency pairs, with a bullish bias on EUR and JPY due to US moderation [56]. - It also highlights that GBP and NZD forecasts have been upgraded based on growth resilience and improved domestic conditions [56]. Technicals - The report indicates that external balances, particularly current account surpluses, have been among the best signals for global FX returns this year [24][25]. - It emphasizes that equity momentum has been a strong strategy for G10 currencies, benefiting from lower policy activity among central banks [24][25]. Trade Recommendations - The report suggests rotating AUD/USD into a long AUD and NZD basket against USD, citing improved domestic prospects for New Zealand [41][56]. - It also recommends an overweight position in EM currencies, particularly in Asia and EMEA, while remaining selective in commodity and frontier markets [23][56].