In this FX Edge we look into the impact on USD spot and FX forwards of changes in the US Treasury cash balance policy.
The Treasury expects to draw down USD290bn from its deposits in Q1, which will add a corresponding amount of USD to the market - it equates to a 9% increase in the monetary base.
If the US debt ceiling is not re-suspended or increased above the present debt level before 15 March the cash buffer may be drawn down further to around USD23bn, adding about USD80bn to the market.
Since the US Treasury has committed to keeping a cash buffer of around USD500bn, a near-term fall in deposits will be rebuilt over the medium term.
The cash deluge is near-term negative for the USD, but not enough to offset support vis-à-vis EUR and Scandi currencies from relative rates and growth. We forecast EUR/USD at 1.05 in 3M. Medium and long-term we are bearish USD and forecast EUR/USD at 1.12 in 12M.
We recommend real money funds use a move higher in USD to hedge USD assets and corporations to hedge USD receivables in FX forwards.
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