Global Markets React to Strong U.S. Jobs Data and Rising Yields 
Gold Prices Slide as Rate Cut Prospects Diminish; Copper Gains on China Stimulus Hopes 
Bank of America Posts Strong Q4 2024 Results, Shares Rise 
Wall Street Analysts Weigh in on Latest NFP Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Bitcoin Smashes $93K as Institutions Pile In – $100K Next? 
U.S. Black Friday Online Spending Surges to $8.6 Billion, Boosted by Mobile Shoppers 
Trump’s "Shock and Awe" Agenda: Executive Orders from Day One 
Stock Futures Dip as Investors Await Key Payrolls Data 
There are some technical positives for ZAR, which under normal circumstances may be sufficient to stabilize the currency, but amid end-of cycle concerns are probably not a good guide. For completeness, we review valuation and positioning below. Despite the small correction in March, the FX hedge ratio remains near record highs (refer 1st chart).
This suggests many real money investors are already pre-hedged for the upcoming downgrade risks. In addition, ZAR now screens 8.1% cheap in our BEER FV model, the lowest since September 2018 (refer 2nd chart). These technical positives somewhat reduce ZAR’s vulnerabilities.
The medium term outlook for ZAR remains very negative based on weak growth, prospects of much lower carry and a negative BoP dynamics. Yet, our risk appetite index has reached extreme low levels and ZAR is starting to screen cheap in our BEER FV model. As such we took profits on our bearish trades. Lacking directionality though momentum to keep USD/ZAR above 18.00 levels.
Consider a RUB – ZAR RV trade, supported by the earlier screener on skews: Sell 3M delta-hedged USDRUB 25D call @10.9/11.3 and hedge it with 3M delta-hedged USDZAR 25D call @16.325/16.725, equal vega. Courtesy: JPM
