Accessible version Liquid Cross Border Flows Q3 halfway mark Key takeaways FX flows so far in Q3: consolidation Consolidation perhaps best characterises FX flows so far in Q3, after – sharp in the case of USD – positioning adjustments in 1H: investors have bought USD, CHF, and EM FX vs. JPY, GBP, and CAD (Exhibit 1). Among BofA investors, USD shorts are light (Exhibit 2). Exhibit 1: So far in Q3 investors have bought USD, CHF, and EM FX vs. JPY, GBP, and CAD Changes in aggregate FX positioning -40 -20 0 20 ...

Summary of Morgan Stanley's G10 FX Strategy Update Industry Overview - The report focuses on the G10 foreign exchange (FX) market, analyzing various currencies against the US dollar (USD) and providing strategic insights for investors. Key Currency Views USD (US Dollar) - **View**: Bearish - **Skew**: Bearish - The DXY is expected to weaken, particularly against EUR, JPY, and GBP. The risk premium has largely driven the post-Liberation Day move, with potential for further increases in risk premium [2][12][17]. EUR (Euro) - **View**: Bullish - **Skew**: Bullish - EUR/USD is under upward pressure due to increased USD-negative and EUR-positive risk premiums, alongside a compression in Fed-ECB rate expectations [3][18]. JPY (Japanese Yen) - **View**: Bullish - **Skew**: Bullish - Optimism regarding a potential Bank of Japan (BoJ) rate hike and concerns about the US labor market may lead to speculation about policy convergence, reducing appetite for JPY carry trades [4][19]. GBP (British Pound) - **View**: Bullish - **Skew**: Bullish - GBP/USD is seen as an attractive option for investors, reflecting a carry-neutral expression of a USD-negative, Europe-positive view. The carry remains crucial for GBP's outperformance [5][21]. CHF (Swiss Franc) - **View**: Neutral - **Skew**: Bearish - Short CHF positions are attractive from a carry perspective, but much of the CHF-negative tariff news is already priced in, potentially leading to underwhelming growth expectations [6][22]. CAD (Canadian Dollar) - **View**: Bullish - **Skew**: Bullish - Anticipation of a decline in USD/CAD, even if upcoming CPI shows signs of deceleration. The convergence of US-Canada rates is expected to weigh on USD/CAD [7][25]. AUD (Australian Dollar) - **View**: Bullish - **Skew**: Bullish - Strong domestic fundamentals and elevated yields could lead AUD/USD to re-test 0.6600, with potential upside towards 0.6900 if CPI surprises positively [8][26]. NZD (New Zealand Dollar) - **View**: Neutral - **Skew**: Neutral - A 25bp cut by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is fully priced in, but stronger-than-expected growth raises the risk of an NZD-positive surprise if the OCR forecast does not decline [9][27]. SEK (Swedish Krona) - **View**: Neutral - **Skew**: Neutral - The upcoming Riksbank meeting is not expected to be a major catalyst, but a rate cut in September is seen as underpriced [14][29]. NOK (Norwegian Krone) - **View**: Neutral - **Skew**: Bearish - A bearish tilt on NOK is noted, with expectations of a lower trough rate from Norges Bank, which may not be fully priced in by the market [16][30]. Additional Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring upcoming economic indicators such as CPI, jobless claims, and PMIs, which could influence currency movements [17][21][25]. - The analysis suggests that the USD's decline since April is primarily driven by risk premium dynamics, with potential for further declines if US rates converge lower towards global peers [12][17]. Trade Ideas - **Long GBP/CHF**: Entry at 1.0927, target 1.12, stop at 1.055 - **Short USD/JPY**: Entry at 147.04, target 135, stop at 151 - **Long EUR/USD**: Entry at 1.1686, target 1.20, stop at 1.11 [16].

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 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].