Synopsis:
Société Générale refrains from recommending explicit short USD positions for now, citing policy-driven disruption in FX markets. Instead, they favor tactical long AUD and short CHF exposure, anticipating benefits from trade thaw and reduced geopolitical tension.
Key Points:
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USD view neutral for now: Despite President Trump’s desire for a weaker dollar and rising US yields, SocGen expects EUR/USD and USD/JPY to stay range-bound until late summer.
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Market uncertainty: Disconnected relationships between FX and rate differentials—similar to 2022—suggest traders are reacting more to political signals than fundamentals.
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AUD bullish bias: SocGen favors being long AUD amid signs of improving US-China trade dynamics.
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CHF bearish bias: Recommends short CHF positioning, expecting a decline in safe-haven demand as geopolitical risk potentially eases.
Conclusion:
SocGen avoids a direct USD short stance but sees selective opportunities: long AUD as trade tensions ease and short CHF as geopolitical risk subsides. Broader USD weakness is more likely after the summer once clearer policy and data signals emerge.