As much as I hate reminding you, the Fed meeting runs through today – with announcements expected tomorrow so…….you know what means.
Risk event ahead – as the statement will be released Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Obviously these Fed announcements are what the market’s hinges on these days, as the possibility always exists ( as the Fed has proven in the past ) that they “might” say or do something shocking. Tomorrow’s announcements may provide clearer language on “tapering” – but I doubt it. I’m going to assume they move forward with the continued stance that “tapering will remain data driven”.
The debate is pointless, but what is important is how you choose to position yourself prior too, and then of course “after” the news is out.
From a technical perspective “risk” could easily make one more “little jump higher”, as equities still look “alive” all be it exhausted, the U.S Dollar still appears to be trapped in its downward spiral.
I would look to “sell” any possible “uptick” USD takes tomorrow ( if any at all ) PENDING they don’t announce a tapering, as this should just keep USD steadily on its way to the basement.
“If” by some wild stroke of insanity – they “do announce tapering”, it will require more than just a couple of hours tomorrow, to get an idea of what markets will do with that, and I would suggest to anyone looking to trade it……..let things settle out / calm down BIG TIME before even thinking about entering.
I’m back from a short ( but wonderful ) holiday and ready to go here again. I’ve got a few tiny irons still in the fire, but am for the most part – sitting in cash. As much as one would love to “get in there” and take advantage of “whatever pans out tomorrow” the responsible thing to do is to wait.
Wait I shall.
Strategic Positioning Around Fed Uncertainty: The Smart Trader’s Playbook
Currency Correlations in a Low-Volatility Environment
While we’re all sitting here waiting for Powell and company to deliver their carefully scripted performance, let’s talk about what really matters – the currency relationships that are setting up regardless of tomorrow’s theatrical display. The USD’s weakness isn’t happening in a vacuum, and the smart money is already positioning accordingly. EUR/USD continues to grind higher against a fundamentally weak dollar, but don’t mistake this for European strength – it’s purely dollar weakness driving this move. The Euro still has its own structural issues, but when the Fed keeps the printing presses humming, relative currency strength becomes the name of the game.
More interesting is what’s happening with the commodity currencies. AUD/USD and NZD/USD are both benefiting from this risk-on environment, but they’re also getting juice from China’s continued infrastructure spending and global supply chain disruptions keeping commodity prices elevated. CAD is the real winner here though – oil prices staying elevated while the Fed remains dovish is a perfect storm for USD/CAD downside. These correlations matter because they give you multiple ways to play the same theme without putting all your eggs in one currency basket.
The Yen Carry Trade Revival
Here’s something that deserves more attention: the Japanese Yen is getting absolutely demolished, and it’s not just about Fed policy. The Bank of Japan is committed to keeping rates at zero indefinitely, creating a widening rate differential that’s making USD/JPY and EUR/JPY increasingly attractive for carry trade strategies. But here’s the kicker – if the Fed does surprise everyone with hawkish language tomorrow, JPY could get hit even harder as that rate differential expands further.
The risk with Yen shorts isn’t the Fed meeting – it’s the potential for intervention from the BOJ if USD/JPY gets too far above 115. They won’t say it outright, but you can bet they’re watching those levels closely. For now though, any pullback in USD/JPY should be viewed as a buying opportunity, especially if tomorrow’s Fed statement maintains their dovish bias. The carry trade is alive and well, and JPY weakness is one of the most consistent trends we’ve seen this year.
Volatility Expectations vs. Reality
Let’s be honest about something – the market is pricing in way more volatility for tomorrow than we’re likely to see. Unless the Fed completely abandons their “data-dependent” script and announces immediate tapering or rate hikes, we’re probably looking at a few hours of choppy price action followed by a return to the existing trends. The real moves happen in the days and weeks following these meetings, not in the immediate aftermath.
This is where patience becomes your biggest edge. Everyone wants to be the hero who calls the exact turn in USD at 2:01 PM tomorrow, but the reality is that Fed-driven moves take time to develop. The initial reaction is usually wrong, the second wave correction brings us closer to reality, and the real trend emerges over the following week. If you absolutely must trade tomorrow’s news, wait for the dust to settle and trade the third wave, not the headline reaction.
Risk Management in an Uncertain Environment
Cash isn’t just a position – it’s the most underrated trading tool in your arsenal. When the Fed is playing games with market expectations and you’ve got major currencies sitting at technical inflection points, preserving capital becomes more important than chasing profits. The traders who survive these Fed circus acts are the ones who resist the urge to force trades when the setup isn’t clear.
That said, having a plan for both scenarios is crucial. If the Fed maintains dovish language, USD weakness should continue and you want to be ready to sell any bounce. If they surprise with hawkish commentary, the initial USD rally will likely be overdone and present excellent shorting opportunities once the market realizes nothing has fundamentally changed. Either way, the key is letting the market show its hand before you show yours. Tomorrow’s Fed meeting is just another data point in a longer-term currency cycle – don’t let the noise distract you from the bigger picture.
Kong – could I please trouble you for your views on GBP/USD and USD/CAD in the medium-term i.e. through to the end of next year?
GBP/USD has been forming an ascending triangle since 2009 and, after a breakdown earlier this year, has managed to close back inside. Would you expect this to resolve higher out of the triangle on further USD weakness, and what kind of target might one expect?
As for USD/CAD, i’m not sure really what I see in the chart from the last few years, just a lot of chop. It seems to be testing resistance around the current level, but what would you expect from here? Weakness in the USD, along with (dare I say) possible strength in metals would force this pairing lower, but it seems to have marked out a fairly substantial base at 0.95….?
USD/CAD ranges yes…and frankly is a pain in the ass pair to trade. You’ll often see USD show overall weakness across the board, then have it rising vs CAD, then the next week the complete opposite. The pair likes to “sprint” up to resistance – and just sit there for days on end etc….
I see it poking around at the top end of said range, and I’ll expect to see the pair move lower moving forward. I’m not looking for any coorelation to the metals in USD/CAD no.
GBP looks good to me – moving forward I’m bullish. I actually see it as GBP “breaking out” at 162.40 area up to 164.40 ish now backtesting support.
Good to see you back and rearing to go for 2014 Kong. You’re dead right as usual the taper debate is pointless and even though we see the outcome differently we definitely see the trading positions the same way – I ain’t going anywhere near the market until the news release and the associated volatility has settled. I think because this is one of the most anticipated releases in some time the market will go nuts for a time no matter what happens. I won’t jump into the pit with the crazies and will differ to the medium / long term trends that have worked well so far this year. Cheers.
Bang on as always Deano. Trade’em as we see’em!
Tomorrow should go down in the books for sure, and we don’t make a living “guessing” so…….
I’ve seen a million of these come and go ( or so it feels ) as……….we’ll just get “past” it – and make decisions from there.
Go Deano Go!
Hi Kong,
Heard that your short trip was cool! Waiting for the news to come today!!! Exciting about it haha… I have gbp/usd and eur/usd positions open 🙂
I like both here Carey D…but will wait until after the “shakeout” to put on a couple trades myself!
Looking at yen contract mar14 its looking pretty likely that a bottom is in place and the rest is chop until drop. All I have in the game before this meeting is a very small CADJPY short that I just entered this week..
I’ve in short CAD/JPY as well – otherwise really eyeing those GBP pairs again…..
I need to find those currencies that are “on the move” these days as even with USD weakness, many pairs sitting doing nothin.
Let’s get this bullshit outta the way – and get rolling!
I entered this afternoon (I mean my time here, so it shld be mid night in mexico hehe)
Getting excited~~~ Long both pairs… Will eur up to 1.4? Before ny or after ny? Err… let’s see it
We’ll get our answer soon!
Yeah another 40 minutes to go. Are you looking for long or short?
I’m looking for short usd so……..no taper announced – but as I trade for a living…I rarely take chances. Things can “always” surprise you.
I will let the news come out…..and then get busy.
Is it another an hour to go from now… Tiring… 2am here ha…
I’m not “expecting fireworks” but I guess you never know.
What I do know for sure is….there WILL BE VOLATILITY around this release – no question so……
I’m going to plan and “pick off some good entries” after the dust settles.
Actually i was thinking about to close my gbp position as it’s positive 150 bucks. Thinking… thinking… haha
GBP looking great here as……even with this announcement – USD “still” can’t catch a bid.
Kong,
I didn’t close it eventually. Closed when the price was 1.6420. Didn’t manage to wait a bit longer as i am exhausted! Must get some sleep… Good luck to you!!!
TAPER!!!!
Taper and boom everything goes up except poor old USD??? unbelievable
You’re really coming along Robert as……
Exactly!!
TLT and bonds still heading lower……USD can’t even catch a penny etc………….
It doesn’t even matter what this pea brain says anymore as markets “do what they do” – and this market thinks the USD is toast.
Its the yen again… when is it going to strengthen
It will be the last to go here at this junction – but do keep in mind where we are at longer term.
Japan is very likely where this may all come apart, as the monetary policy experiment reaches it’s limits.
We are currently looking to trade a counter trend rally in “getting long JPY” so…..in perspective – its always a tougher trade.
What I’ve learned is to “not get too attached” to a single trade idea, considering how complicated a single “plan” may be.
If a year ago you’d have told me I’d be “actively trading GBP” against any number of other currencies as a trade plan “today”? No idea.
I try to “follow the money” around, and maximize opportunity.
Long JPY here has been flat out tough.
Long GBP here has been flat out easy.
i had to open my mouth…. and here goes USD flying up…. -.-
USD strengthen a lot now huh? Well my positions all closed therefore i can go for a nice dinner tonight without look at the screen.
I see all kinds of excellent trades developing as that was “quite the action” there today!
Sit tight over night and we’ll see……..I’m still of the mind set the US Dollar “pop” will be short lived.
Kong,
You are still looking at short usd? Taper 10B, tapered isn’t strengthen for USD? If you’re pretty much look at short on usd, gbp/usd would be good. Move like a skyrocket. Can be violent-scary. Haha…