– Weaker demand for JGBs is bearish for the yen.
– The dollar remains strong against major currencies.
– Australian dollar and Sterling are under pressure.
– Investors are seeking higher yields outside Japan.
▸ Full transcript
30-year debt yesterday. The average in the last 12 months is around 3.4. It's come under 3. Now, yields have actually dropped in recent sessions. So you kind of go, okay, those dip buyers, those people looking to lock in those juicy, higher yields, well, they've sort of flooded to the edges. As a result, we did get a weaker auction. And again, remember, inflows do matter. Bids on bonds do matter when it comes to supporting the currency, in this case the yen. So definitely on that front as well it's bearish for the yen because people just aren't buying as much JGBs. Yeah, who else is losing when it comes to currencies around the world given the rise of the US exceptionalism narrative again? Yes, they should be. We're looking at a conversation that we're having at the start of the year. The dollar is king for a reason. Undisputedly, the world's reserve currency. Virtually every single currency in the world right now is under pressure. The major currencies against the dollar, especially on the back of the latest tensions. Look at the Aussie, a risk-on currency below 70 US cents at the moment. And if you look at Sterling, for example, in the European session, it's under the 135 handle. Basically, people are going, what do I do in this environment? Look, US rates are really high. You know, one of the biggest exporters when it comes to oil in the world as well. So just block the king dollar where everything else looks uns...
Analysis
The recent drop in yields for 30-year debt, now under 3%, indicates a weaker auction and reduced demand for Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs), which is bearish for the yen. The dollar's strength continues to pressure virtually every other currency, with the Australian dollar and Sterling notably struggling against the backdrop of rising US rates and geopolitical tensions.
Smart money should note that the current environment favors the dollar as the world's reserve currency, leading to a flight from riskier currencies. The lack of demand for JGBs suggests a broader trend of investors seeking higher yields elsewhere, which could exacerbate yen weakness and impact global currency dynamics.