File 010609
Trump's Effect on Mexican Peso - Financial Analysis (File 010609)
BofA Merrill Lynch financial research report analyzing the impact of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign polling on the Mexican peso exchange rate, estimating potential currency undervaluation of up to 15%.
Summary
This September 2016 financial analysis from Bank of America Merrill Lynch examines how Donald Trump's rising poll numbers in the 2016 US presidential election affected the Mexican peso (MXN) exchange rate. Using regression modeling that incorporates Trump's RealClearPolitics polling average alongside traditional financial fundamentals, the analysts found that including the Trump variable significantly improved their model's explanatory power (R-squared from 0.50 to 0.63). The report estimates the Mexican peso may have been undervalued by as much as 15% based on a model excluding Trump's political impact, though including Trump's polling the undervaluation is approximately 7%. The authors recommend a neutral trading stance given the uncertainty surrounding the US election, while noting that the currency would likely strengthen significantly if Hillary Clinton won.
Liquid InsightTrump’s effect on MXN22 September 2016Unauthorized redistribution of this report is prohibited. This report is intended for amanda.ens@baml.comKey takeaways• We provide an empirical analysis of Donald Trump's potential effects on the Mexicanpeso• Our analysis suggests the exchange rate is perhaps as much as 15% undervalued• We remain neutral for now given US election risks are likely to remain high in the neartermBy Claudio Irigoyen and Ezequiel AguirreChart of the day: MXN may be as much as 15% undervaluedSource: BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, BloombergTrump’s effect on MXNWe provide an empirical analysis of Donald Trump’s effects on the Mexican peso. Ouranalysis suggests the exchange rate is perhaps as much as 15% undervalued. In ourview, buying the Mexican peso likely would prove a profitable strategy if Hillary Clintonwins. However, we remain neutral for now given US election risks are likely to remainhigh in the near term.A model of MXN weekly returns including TrumpWe estimate a model of MXN returns with standard financial fundamentals that alsoincludes Donald Trump’s RealClearPolitics polling average in the US presidentialelection. It is generally accepted now that Trump’s chances in the US election have beena major driver of the Mexican peso (Chart 1).Trading ideas and investment strategies discussed herein may give rise to significant risk and are notsuitable for all investors. Investors should have experience in FX markets and the financial resources toabsorb any losses arising from applying these ideas or strategies.BofA Merrill Lynch does and seeks to do business with issuers covered in its research reports. As aresult, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect theobjectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in makingtheir investment decision.Refer to important disclosures on page 6 to 7. Analyst Certification on page 5. 11668923Timestamp: 22 September 2016 12:30AM EDTRates and Currencies ResearchGlobalGlobal Rates & Currencies ResearchMLI (UK)Claudio IrigoyenLatAm FI/FX Strategy/EconomistMLPF&S+1 646 855 1734claudio.irigoyen@baml.comEzequiel AguirreLatAm FI/FX StrategistMLPF&S+1 646 855 9689ezequiel.aguirre@baml.comAdarsh SinhaFX StrategistMerrill Lynch (Hong Kong)+852 3508 7155adarsh.sinha@baml.comYang ChenRates StrategistMerrill Lynch (Hong Kong)+852 3508 8695ychen8@baml.comSee Team Page for Full List of ContributorsRecent Liquid Insight Publications21 Sep 2016 Eur FRA-OIS and 3s6s basis:tighter, despite wider credit spreads20 Sep 2016 BoJ preview: BoJ to try, try again19 Sep 2016 A cautiously hawkish Fed16 Sep 2016 UK inflation-linked – when the“pass-through” has passed through15 Sep 2016 Getting unreal14 Sep 2016 The real rate guide to FX13 Sep 2016 Consumption Gumption12 Sep 2016 UK: Better but not good9 Sep 2016 The Fed's cacophony of sound8 Sep 2016 EEMEA: The ECB buys EM tooWe estimate a regression of weekly returns on the MXN spot exchange rate on fivevariables: a basket of commodity currencies, US equities, the 10-year US bond yield, thetwo-year interest rate differential between MXN and USD swaps, and RealClearPoliticspolling average for Donald Trump in the 2016 US presidential election. The estimatedequation isR MXN = b0 + b1*R basket + b2*R SP500 + b3*dy 10 + b4*(r MXN – r USD ) + b5*RCP + ewhere R MXN is the MXN spot return, R basket is the commodity currency basket spot return,R SP500 is the SP500 index return, dy 10 is the 10-year US bond yield change, r MXN – r USD isthe two-year swap rate differential (lagged one period), RCP is RealClearPolitics pollingaverage for Donald Trump, and e is an error term. The commodity currency basketconsists of BRL, CLP, COP, CAD, NOK and AUD with equal weights. The full data samplehas weekly frequency and runs from 6/20/2012 to 9/21/2016.The model without Trump yields an R-squared coefficient of 0.50. Including Trump’svariable increases the coefficient to 0.63, a significant improvement (Chart 2). We usedata only up to 1/27/2016 for parameter estimation of the financial variables. We usethe full sample to estimate the parameter on Trump’s variable due to its shorter history.Chart 1: The Trump factor on the Mexican pesoChart 2: Forecasting MXN returns with and without Trump2019.51918.51817.51716.51615.515Aug15 Nov15 Feb16 May16 Aug16484644424038363432302019181716151413122014 2015 2016201918171615141312MXNTrump's polling averageModel (without Trump) Model (with Trump) MXNSource: BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, BloombergSource: BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, BloombergA possible 15% negative shock on MXNAccording to the model that does not include Trump’s polling average, we estimate thatMXN should be trading at around 16.50, more than 15% stronger than current levels(spot 19.72). Chart 2 shows the possible magnitude of the Trump effect on the Mexicanpeso.The model including Trump’s polling average appears to do a much better job atexplaining the recent behavior of the Mexican peso. However, it still suggests that thecurrency has depreciated more than justified by Trump’s increase in recent polls. Basedon Trump’s increase to 43.9% (RealClearPolitics polling average on 21 September) from39% (RealClearPolitics polling average on 29 June), our model suggests the Mexicanpeso should be trading at around 18.50, still almost 7% stronger than current levels.This, however, does not necessarily mean that MXN has oversold. The almost 5% gain inTrump’s polling average since June could have had an outsized effect on MXN if thosegains took place in swing states, potentially leading to crucial Electoral College votes.Strategy: neutral MXN for nowFrom a strategy standpoint, we recommend staying neutral the Mexican peso for now.We believe the Mexican peso would likely strengthen significantly if Hillary Clinton winsthe US election. But there is still significant uncertainty. Net speculative long USD/MXNpositions are somewhat stretched, but could increase much more (Chart 3).2 Liquid Insight | 22 September 2016The Bank of Mexico will meet on 29 September, and a 50bp rate hike is already priced in(Chart 4). A stronger hike, perhaps of 75bp, or a 50bp rate hike accompanied by ahawkish statement could lead to MXN strengthening in the very short run.Chart 3: Net speculative USD/MXN position in CFTCChart 4: Bank of Mexico expected to hike86420-2-4-6-82013 2014 2015 20162019181716151413123002502001501005002012 2013 2014 2015 20166543210Net Dollar positionSource: BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, BloombergMXNSource: BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, Bloombergspread 1y TIIE ONRNotable Rates and FX Research* Global Rates & Currencies 2016 Year Ahead, 23 November 2015* USD/MXN builds momentum, FX Quant Trader, 19 Sep 2016* Central banks still the only game in town, Global Rates and FX Weekly, 15 Sep 2016* Land of the rising bond yield, US Rates Weekly, 16 Sep 2016* Policy uncertainty, Liquid Cross Border Flows, 19 Sep 2016Key trade ideasTop Rates and FX trades for 2016For rationale and details, refer to Global Rates & Currencies 2016 Year Ahead: The“Great Divorce”, 23 November, 2015Rates:Buy US 30y TIPS, entry: 1.2%, target: 70bp, stop loss: 1.55%Closed at 101bp (3 Mar 2016): Short USD 5y5y vs EUR 5y5y, entry: 115 bp, target: 160bp, stop-loss: 90 bp (3 Sep 2015)Long $100mn 6m5y ATMF UK vs $100.75mn US rates straddles, net take-in: $126K,target: +450K, stop: -$225KSell 3y Fannie Mae debt vs Treasuries, entry: 6bp, stop: 2bp, target: 20bpClosed at 11bp - Long 12m Treasury bills vs OIS, entry: 1bp, target: -10bp, stop: 7bpFX:Closed at 6.5630 (26 May 2016): Buy USD/CNH 6m forward outright, entry: 6.5260,stop: 6.40Long a 12m USD/CNH forward outright, entry: 6.7485, target 7.00, stop: 6.67, current:6.7420 (26 May 2016)Closed at 0% - Buy EUR/USD 3m 1.10 call with a 16 Dec 1.1050 window KO, cost:0.55% EUR (spot: 1.0690)Buy 1y EUR/USD<1.00, USD/JPY<120 dual digital, cost: 7.0% USD (spot: 1.0690, 122.80)Liquid Insight | 22 September 2016 3Closed at 902 (10 Mar 2016): Buy AUD/KRW, entry: 832, target: 920, stop: 859 (revisedfrom 790)Closed at 38.25 (18 Apr 2016): Sell TRY/JPY, entry: 43.40, target: 36.15, stop: 45.25Closed at 8.27: Sell USD/NOK spot 8.685, target: 8.27, stop-loss: 8.60 (revised from 9.00)New tradesRates:Mar17 FRA-OIS widener, entry: 6.25bp, target: 10bp, stop loss: 4bp (21 Sep 2016)* Despite recent tightening, richness of bonds vs OIS, upcoming TLTRO & corporateissuance point to renewed wideningExisting open tradesFor a complete list of our open trade recommendations, as well as our traderecommendations closed over the last 12 months, please see: Global Rates and FXWeekly: Central banks still the only game in town 15 September 2016Rates:Pay 5y5y forward 3s6s basis, entry: 11.3bp, target: 13.3bp, stop: 10.3bp (10 Aug 2016)* Bank hedging flows on the back of sharp pickup in corp issuance suggests thewidening of 3s6s basis is structural. It also hedges any aggressive ECB easing in SepBuy 6m30y ATMF+25bp/+50bp/+75 bp payer ladders for a net premium of €950k on€100m notional (or 3.3 bp) (20 Jul 2016)*30y rates are at risk from the ECB tomorrow, especially if tweaks to the capital key areflagged alreadyBuy 3-year 3.5% ZC RPI inflation caps, entry: 26.0c; current 37.5c (21 Oct 2015)*Sterling vulnerability due to the UK's large current account deficit makes being longinflation volatility attractive. Pairing this trade with a long-standing recommendation tobe short 30-year UK breakevens is an attractive way to finance it.Closed at 0 (22 Jul 2016): Buy 167 Aug RXU6 call and buy 162 put, cost 118 cents (16Jun 2016)Closed at 55bp (12 Jul 2016): OATei 2018/2027 flattener; entry: 78.5bp, target: 40bp;stop-loss: 100bp (11 Mar 2016)FX:Short EURUSD 6m 1.0740/1.1500 risk reversal, cost: 0 (off 1.1077 spot)(6 Jul 2016)*EUR downside risks are underpriced. We think the post-referendum risk rally isoverdone and could be at risk. Potential shocks include Brexit uncertainty, turbulence inItaly's banking sector, and political paralysis in Spain.Closed 1.0840 (1 Jul 2016): Buy 3m EURCHF 1.08/1.03 put spread for 0.76% Eur(7.75/8.05 ag 10.45 vols off 1.0930 spot)(1 Apr 2016)4 Liquid Insight | 22 September 2016* EUR is underpricing Brexit and that shorting Euro was a cheaper way to express such aview via options. CHF tends to perform strongly when risks become more localized.Closed on 28 Aug 2016: Buy EUR/USD 6m 1.00/1.20 strangle for 155 usd pips (off1.1020 spot, DF two-way vols 12.1/12.3) (29 Feb 2016)*Owning low delta EURUSD strangles may be an effective and cheap double hedge in thescenario that either the US enters a recession or the European debt crisis resurfaces.Options Risk StatementPotential Risk at Expiry & Options Limited Duration RiskUnlike owning or shorting a stock, employing any listed options strategy is by definitiongoverned by a finite duration. The most severe risks associated with general optionstrading are total loss of capital invested and delivery/assignment risk, all of which canoccur in a short period.Investor suitabilityThe use of standardized options and other related derivatives instruments areconsidered unsuitable for many investors. Investors considering such strategies areencouraged to become familiar with the "Characteristics and Risks of StandardizedOptions" (an OCC authored white paper on options risks). U.S. investors should consultwith a FINRA Registered Options Principal.For detailed information regarding the risks involved with investing in listed options:http://www.theocc.com/about/publications/character-risks.jsp.Analyst CertificationI, Adarsh Sinha, hereby certify that the views expressed in this research report aboutsecurities and issuers accurately reflect the research model applied in such analysis. 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Sales persons and financial advisors affiliated with MLPF&S or any of its affiliates may notsolicit purchases of securities or financial instruments that are Restricted or Under Review and may only solicit securities under Extended Review in accordance with firm policies.Neither BofA Merrill Lynch nor any officer or employee of BofA Merrill Lynch accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential damages or losses arising from any use ofthis report or its contents.Liquid Insight | 22 September 2016 7Research AnalystsUSRalph AxelRates StrategistMLPF&S+1 646 855 6226ralph.axel@baml.comShyam S.RajanRates StrategistMLPF&S+1 646 855 9808shyam.rajan@baml.comJohn ShinFX StrategistMLPF&S+1 646 855 9342joong.s.shin@baml.comIan GordonFX StrategistMLPF&S+1 646 855 8749ian.gordon@baml.comVadim IaralovFX StrategistMLPF&S+1 646 855 8732vadim.iaralov@baml.comEuropeRalf Preusser, CFARates StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7995 7331ralf.preusser@baml.comRuben Segura-CayuelaEurope EconomistMLI (UK)+44 20 7995 2102ruben.segura-cayuela@baml.comMark CapletonRates StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7995 6118mark.capleton@baml.comAthanasios VamvakidisFX StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7995 0790athanasios.vamvakidis@baml.comKamal SharmaFX StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7996 4855ksharma32@baml.comMyria KyriacouFX StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7996 1728myria.kyriacou@baml.comRuairi HourihaneRates StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7995 9531ruairi.hourihane@baml.comSebastien CrossRates StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7996 7561sebastien.cross@baml.comPac RimTony MorrissRates StrategistMerrill Lynch (Australia)+61 2 9226 5023tony.morriss@baml.comAdarsh SinhaFX StrategistMerrill Lynch (Hong Kong)+852 3508 7155adarsh.sinha@baml.comShuichi OhsakiRates StrategistMerrill Lynch (Japan)+81 3 6225 7747shuichi.ohsaki@baml.comYang ChenRates StrategistMerrill Lynch (Hong Kong)+852 3508 8695ychen8@baml.comShusuke Yamada, CFAFX StrategistMerrill Lynch (Japan)+81 3 6225 8515shusuke.yamada@baml.comGlobal Emerging MarketsClaudio IrigoyenLatAm FI/FX Strategy/EconomistMLPF&S+1 646 855 1734claudio.irigoyen@baml.comDavid Hauner, CFAEEMEA Cross Asset StrategistMLI (UK)+44 20 7996 1241david.hauner@baml.comClaudio PironEmerging Asia FI/FX StrategistMerrill Lynch (Singapore)+65 6591 0401claudio.piron@baml.comTrading ideas and investment strategies discussedherein may give rise to significant risk and are notsuitable for all investors. Investors should haveexperience in FX markets and the financial resourcesto absorb any losses arising from applying these ideasor strategies.8 Liquid Insight | 22 September 2016