What's the BOJ going to bring to markets?

In a surprise move, the BoJ cut to -0.1% the rate applied to a portion of the Japanese banks' current accounts. In theory, the policy should boost the effectiveness of its QE program by encouraging the banks to spend rather than save the cash they receive in exchange for their JGB holdings. In reality, the measure is aimed at cheapening JPY. Indeed, as in the case of EUR, the negative rates could encourage portfolio and FX reserve diversification out of JPY and boost its attractiveness as a funding currency.

The BoJ actions should lead to further intensification of global currency wars with central banks around the world trying to engineer sustained competitive devaluation against the background of slowing global trade and growth as well as persistent commodity price disinflation. With its latest measures the BoJ will allow Japan to borrow more growth from its trading partners and limit the severity of the imported disinflation. At the same time, the negative deposit rates could weigh on domestic demand and hurt the economy's growth prospects. This is because almost 60% of the households' financial assets are held in deposits. If indeed, the Japanese banks pass on some of the costs from the BoJ's penalty rate to their depositors, this will result in a negative wealth effect, reducing the purchasing power of the Japanese consumers. Domestic demand should suffer and Japan's contribution to global growth could decrease further. The BoJ's measures thus should result in more currency wars and continuing slowdown in global trade and growth.

JPY depreciated sharply in the wake of the BoJ decision and the downside pressure could persist for now. That said, given that the rate cut could fuel more global currency wars and global growth uncertainty, it need not necessarily support investors' risk appetite. The risk aversion we had since the start of the year could therefore persist and limit the JPY-losses to a degree.

We think that other Asian currencies should remain vulnerable and we like to fade the latest bounce in both NZD and AUD especially given the slew of Chinese data next week. We also think that currencies that are vulnerable to more central bank easing and/ or FX intervention like EUR and CHF should remain attractive selling opportunities.

Against the background of raging currency wars, we remain constructive on USD and believe that GBP could be in for a short squeeze ahead of the BoE IR next week.

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