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Global Liquid Markets Weekly
Bitcoin: a new liquid market?
Bank of America e-a
Merrill Lynch
24 July 2017
1
je
aa
5
The View: Bitcoin: a new liquid market?
Is bitcoin a currency? A commodity? Neither? A proper store of value like the EUR. T-
bills, or gold is measured by 3 factors: safety, liquidity, and return. Diversification is a
plus. Bitcoin remains very volatile. But it has experienced a surge in liquidity in the last
six months, surpassing $2bn a day. Moreover, bitcoin is uncorrelated to any financial
asset, commodity, or currency we study in this note. The flipside of extreme
diversification is that there is no way to explain let alone predict returns. Could bitcoin
see a virtuous cycle of increased liquidity, lower volatility, attractive returns. and wider
acceptance? Possibly, if regulated financial institutions move to allow bitcoin as
pledgeable collateral. However, large inherent risks to digital tokens such as fraud,
hacking, theft, new protocol adoption, limited acceptance, and that it is not legal tender
many places in the world make it an unlikely development.
— F Blanch
610 FX: Despacito until the fall
More short-term EUR upside, balanced JPY risks, downside for GBP, prepare for higher
FX vol this fall, hedge long EM.
— A. VarnvakIdls; R. Gal
Rates: Trading the central bank aftermath
We review yesterday's ECB meeting and its impact on EUR rates. With the tapering
discussion implicitly pushed back, the ECB have given the green light to carry trades.
With our econ team pushing the first hike to Spring 2019, we stay long Mar19 Euribors.
— S. Salim R. Hounhane; E Satko; 6 Moec
EM: The girl with the dovish tattoo
With the Fed moving to a more dovish stance, solid growth in China and lower
geopolitical tensions, inflows into EM continue and despite tight valuations. We like
receiving rates in the belly in Brazil, long Indonesia and Turkey local debt and TRY/2AR.
We like long EUR/PLN call spread and JPY/KRW as efficient risk off hedges.
— C. lrigoyen
Commodities: Get ready for a nat gas rally
The recent drop in US nat gas prices hard to justify and the underlying fundamentals are
painting a far more positive picture. We expect the inventory surplus to be gone early
August and end of October stocks at just 3.5 tcf, the tightest since 2008. We re-iterate
our bullish call for 2018 US natural gas prices to average 53.50/MMBtu, significantly
above the current forward.
— S. Schels; F. Blanch
Trading ideas and investment strategies discussed herein may give rise to significant risk and are not
suitable for all investors. Investors should have experience in FX markets and the financial resources to
absorb any losses arising from applying these ideas or strategies.
BofA Merrill Lyndt does and seeks to do business with issuers covered In its research reports. As a
result, Investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the
objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making
their investment decision.
Refer to important disclosures on page 26 to 28.
11766548
Timestamp: 24July 2017 0131AM EDT
Liquid Markets Weekly
Global
Francisco Bland.
Commodity & Dertv Strategist
MLPF&S
See Team Page foe Ust of Analysts
EFTA00788475
Our medium-term views
Rationale
GIOFX
USD is likely to continue to face near-term headwinds as central banks move in tandem towards poky normalisation. eroding the US Wad advantage. Our
expectations fora stronger USD by yearend are being challenged as the GOP has not repealed Obamacare. The path of least resistance remains for a weaker
JPY as the Bei continues to anchor YCC towards 0%. The ECB has taken the director) of going further towards poky nonalsafion and the risks are building that
EURIJSD ends the year closer to $1.20. GBP is stuck in a range and remains a trade on the Brexit deal. Data continues to play a secondary role but we ream a
structurally higher vol bias. Scandnavian FX should beneft from a more constructive ECB and we remain directionally long NOK and long SEK volatility.
G10 Rates
With game' risks fading, we expect EUR duration to move more in line with the (improving) economic data and the effective reduction in the amount of duration the
ECB absorbs in Buts through OE (compared to late last year). We see toy term premium as having the potential to rise by another 10-15bp. Very few Technical
hkes" are priced in the very fronlend so we Ike paying Jan18 Eonia. However, we view the 30bp of hkes priced by 1019 to be excessive. With tapering inevitable.
hvd guidance on rates• beyond any potential technical move early in 2018. would have to be strengthened. We are bearish Gifts on stretched crossmarket
valuations and challenging demand 8, sup* dynamics ahead. We like being shod 3y Gilts vs. OIS on Brexit risks and paying 1y2y forward yield in Gifts on
midi:upload rate hke risks and RV anomalies.
EM
While we expect valuations to get more expert sigus long as the DXY is weak or stable. we are watchful of crowded positioning that could be vulnerable. Triggers for
a correction could be weakness in the crowded
and HY trades in the US. possbly from weaker corporate earnings or conceded ECPSFed tightening in the
autumn. We prefer RV trades or idiosyncratic longs in pockets of remaining vake and take out inmate in options formal However. we remain structwally buyers of
EM dips. as we believe that growth is likely to continue to outperform relative to DM for a while.
Comedies
With OPEC cuts working at a slower pace than we expected. we are adjusting our nventery projections. With output set to rise and oft demand disappointing. global
balances point to deficits of 210 kbd in 2017 and 90 kbd in 2018. We lower our WTI forecasts to average $47 this year and $50.bbl next year. We cut Brent to $50
this year and $52bbl in 2018. We now beleve oil stays in contango by yearend. but see a WTI forward anchor al $45.50 and S5 backwardation by next summer.
Our key forecasts
3017
4Q17
1Q18
2018
3m Libor
1.35
1.60
185
2.10
10y Thole
2.60
2.85
285
245
toy Efund
0.50
0.55
OR
0.60
EUR4JSD
1.10
1.08
1.10
1.10
USD4PY
119
117
117
115
LtSCi•CNY
6.95
7.05
7.10
7.15
USEIRRL
3.35
3.40
145
3.50
USDINR
66.50
66.80
66.30
66.00
USD•RUB
60.00
60.00
63.00
63.00
WTI Crude Oil
44.00
47.00
47.00
47.00
Gild
1.275
1.350
1.400
1350
Safe, gnfAhleff 11t)n,h(iibYRef"..-sol
rvermoilities Research
What we like right now
IX
Buy 6M ATM EURSEK straddles: We see a number of key events for the rest of the year wtich should see EURSEK vol rise including ECB and Riksbank meetings
as well as the announcement of a new Riksbark Governor. EUR?SEK vol looks cheap on our metrics.
Buy EURAJSO out spreads: near.temi headwits for EUFL1JSD are moulting: the Fed remains hawkish & p3sitioring is a constraint. Risks to the trade are further
deieriorat& in US data and Fed officials turning more dovish.
Buy teionth 102/107 USCUPY out spreads: the upside for USD is likely fmited until there is greater clarity on tax reform. positioning is relatively clean and there are
signs that Japanese investors have lately been soling USCL'JPY.
Rates
In EUR. we like gong long Mar19 Eunbors on ECB Sequencing. We also like peripheral hedges and shod breakevens. In the UK. we pay ty2y Gilt retds.
EM
Long JPYARW: long USDHKD forward: long INR and IDR against SGD: long OTIA USD callIDR put. long USDKRW 3m NDF points: long EURPLN 3m call.
spreads. stay cautious RUB. long TRWZAR: long ARS: shod CLP: neutral BRL. MXN. PEN: long I rontend MXN volatility: construcfive on India: receive China rates:
long 15y IndoGB: receive 1.2.5y MYR NDIRS. receive 1.2-5y INR NDIRS: pay Czech 5y. Nand 2yty IRS: long forward steepeners in Turkey swaps: receive Jans19
and Jan21 in Brazil: pay ly IBR and 2y inflation breakevens in Colontia: 2w5y TIIE sleepeners in Mexico: long end of Soberanos Curve.
Convnothes
We like buying the crude oil dips. We also see a continued run.te in copper. zinc and nickel paces. Still. gold prices could potentially drop further as the USD
strengthens and US rates move higher.
For a complete list of our open trade ideas and our trade ideas closed, please refer to
pace 19.
2
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
Bankof America 40'
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788476
The View
Francisco Blanch
MLPF&S
From metal-backed to fiat to aypto, money keeps evolving
The world economy has used different types of currencies as a means of exchange for
millennia. From commodity-backed to precious metal-backed to fiat to crypto. the
meaning of currency has changed with varying economic needs, political trends, and
technological change. For example, salt was once mined and treasured in the ancient
world and used a means of exchange. However, commodity-backed currencies were
often neither a practical nor a durable means of exchange. So the global economy
moved on. Governments coined currency to create standard economic units of account
using either precious metals like gold or industrial metals like copper, a practice that
continues to this date.
Huge deposit discoveries preceded the advent of silver currency
The discovery of large silver deposits in Bolivia by the Spanish in the 16th century set
the basis for the world's monetary system until late in the 19h century (Chart 1). These
silver dollars were the international trading currency of choice for nearly 400 years and
kept a stable value relative to gold. The Spanish milled dollar was even used as a
standard to set up the US dollar by the Federal Government. However, carrying large
amounts of silver or gold was not practical. So the world started to move steadily to
paper money, particularly in the last 200 years. At first, most governments maintained
an asset or precious metal-backed currency system where paper currency could be
exchanged for hard metal at a fixed rate. However, the supply of this money was fixed,
creating huge inflationary and deflationary waves in the economy as the business cycle
fluctuated every few years (see US example in Chart 2).
Chart 1: Silver dollars were the international tracing arrency of choke
for nearly 400 years and kept a stable value relative to gold
History of gold and silver price
$1.800
$1.600
$1.400
$1.200
$1.000
$800
$600
$400
$200
$0
N
COON cl'0030N
0'000N
mr<DOZI
0) 0—
0
<0 N. CO
— NO
•O' CD l•-• CO 0) 0
N
CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO Or 0
0 01 01 01 01 01 0
—Gold (LHS)
Silver (RHS)
$35
$30
$25
$20
$15
$10
$6
Chart 2: However, the supply of this money was fixed, creating huge
inflationary and deflationary waves every few years
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
-15%
-20%
US inflation rate history
annual M.
change
2.7agS3Z2S6- MSSZT;MSSCRialIRMET:
Source Mco.Elloonterg
Source. Minneapolis Fed
Macro financial stability considerations propelled flat currencies
Following the Great Depression in 1933. the US government moved away from the gold
standard domestically and left the economy running solely on silver, in effect a
quantitative easing of sorts. Still, international payments were settled in gold. The
domestic silver standard was eventually constrained by Kennedy in 1963. as inflation
caught up with dollar silver certificates issued by the Treasury. Then Nixon announced in
1971 that the US government would no longer redeem US dollar currency for gold in
international markets. A major spike in precious metals prices followed (Chart 3). As of
today. most countries have moved to locally minted fiat currencies that have no intrinsic
BankofAmenca',"
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
3
EFTA00788477
international value other than the full faith of the issuing government In effect, central
banks safeguard the value of the fiat currency mainly by complying with their inflation
mandate. However, central banks have the ability to create fiat currency at will as long
as the pre-established inflation target has not been met (Chart 4).
Chart 3: The end of dollar/gold convertibility In 1971 led to a major
spike in precious metals prices
Pit o history of precious metals
2000
800 -USD
1600 -
1400 -
1200 -
1000 -
800 -
600
400 -
200
CO
co
.0
1 P.-
,
0
03 0 0:1 0)
00
g0)03010101010101
40
- 35
- 30
- 25
- 20
- 15
- 10
-5
0
—Gold —
Platinum —
Palladium —
Silver (RHS)
Source INoombergioth Memll Lynch Global Research
Chart 4: Central banks safeguard the value of a fiat currency by mainly
complying with their inflation mandate, but can create currency at will _
20000
Total assets of major mutat banks
18000
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 It 12
• FED
= BOJ
• PBoC
Some FRED- St. Louis Fed Bbomberg
bn USD
Technological advancements have enabled cryptocurrencles
Decentralized digital cryptocurrencies first came about at the depth of the Global
Financial Crisis in 2009 when a group of developers created Bitcoin. The idea of a virtual
means of exchange that is controlled by an algorithm and escapes government control
certainly has appeal to many. Ever since, cryptocurrencies have expanded in a dramatic
fashion by making transactions cheaper and faster. Indeed. cryptocurrencies have a few
advantages over fiat currencies, such as the ability to transfer money instantaneously
anywhere in the world at a low cost or to code in specific contractual obligations. Also,
while paper money is arguably untraceable and digital money can be hard to trace at
times, cryptocurrencies allow for full transaction traceability through a digital ledger.
also known as a blockchain. True, users in some jurisdictions may remain anonymous,
but that is unlikely to be the case for bitcoin trades happening in exchanges based in the
US. Europe, or Japan. Now, what turns a digital token into a proper store of value? We
would argue that a reserve currency has to meet three "must have" criteria: safety,
liquidity, and retum. Also, there are "nice to have" criteria such as diversification
benefits. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies score well on some, and not so well on
others.
Bitcoin does not score well on the safety parameter
On the first parameter, safety, it is hard to argue that a crypto token meets the criteria
of a reserve currency. On the one hand, the system creates enough incentives for miners
to guarantee settlement of bitcoin transactions within hours, compared to 2 or 3 days
for conventional securities such as equities or bonds. On the other. the lack of a
centralized decision-making process or authority creates risks such as a currency split. If
participating coders (also referred to as miners) cannot agree on a solution to a specific
problem. a digital currency can break into two. This risk is arguably behind the sharp
selloff observed across the cryptocurrency world in recent weeks. Also, risks such as
hacking, identity theft or outright scams are a recurring problem. But you could also
argue that fiat currency holdings are exposed to them. Most importantly. volatility is the
key parameter to understand the concept of safety in a reserve currency, in our view. In
that regard. bitcoin's score has improved in recent years as volatility has continued to
drop (Chart 5). Still, bitcoin's volatility is very high compared to the euro, the yen or even
gold. But it fell twice last year below the volatility of silver (Chart 6), the world's
currency for 400 years.
13 14 15 16 17
n ECB
4
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
Bankof Amenca 40"
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788478
Chart 5: Volatility is a key parameter for safety Ina reserve armicy and
blurt vols have been falling for a while
Annualied STDEV of daily returns
100%
90%
80%
70% -
60%
50%
40% -
30%
20% -
10% -
0%
Bitcoin
Gold
Silver
EUR
any
• Last 5yr
Last 4yr
• Last 3yr
• Last 2yr
• Last tyr
Source &tombs& Both MentliLynCh Elctd Research
Chart 6: True, bitcoin's volatility is very high compared to the euro, the
yen or even gold, but it is starting to approach silver
300%
250%
200%
150%
100%
50%
0%
3M-rolling annualized stdev of daily returns
-Silver
—Sltcoln
—Gold
Source Blomberg BoWAMm11 Lynch Gbbal Research
A wide array of risks obscure the future of cryptocurrencles
When examining the safety of any asset, volatility is not the only source of concern. In
the case of bitcoin and other virtual tokens, worries are magnified given that it is not
legal tender in many places in the world or regulated by any government bodies. In fact.
decentralization is central to bitcoin. As such, risks like fraud, hacking, and outright theft
have plagued the cryptocurrency world in recent years. In particular. the surge in initial
coin offerings seems hard to justify and creates a risk of fragmentation in the market.
Confidence could suffer if many of these offerings tum out to be outright scams to
circumvent investor protection regulations. After all, it is hard to "know your client' if a
bitcoin transaction happens through an exchange in an obscure jurisdiction. Other issues
more specific to the functioning of cryptocurrencies, such as finding an agreement
regarding the adoption of certain protocols, are also worth mentioning. For example.
should bitcoin split into two digital tokens because miners cannot find common ground.
a collapse in confidence and value could follow. Lastly, it is worth noting that
cryptocurrency transactions are taxable in many jurisdictions, presenting additional
challenges to users that are unfamiliar with the fiscal implications of using bitcoin.
Yet, EM currency pegs and capital controls encourage bitcoin use
True, bitcoin is still volatile compared to even Emerging Market currencies. But it is also
worth noting that EM FX volatility tends to be artificially suppressed by controls. When
looking at 16 countries with severe capital controls based on IMF indicators (Algeria,
Angola, China, Malaysia, Tunisia, Cote d'Ivoire. India. Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri
Lanka, Swaziland. Tanzania, Togo, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan), we find that bitcoin is more
volatile than these currencies (Chart 7). However, it is not uncommon for these EM
currencies to suffer from high inflation rates (Chart 8). When pegged or semi-pegged FX
regimes face high inflation or sharp FX reserve drawdowns, steep exchange rate
adjustments eventually follow. So the more official and black market exchange rates
diverge, the more attractive bitcoin may appear to some as a means of payment and
store of value. And the more liquidity and scale bitcoin builds to, the lower the volatility
over time, in our view.
BankofAmenca ea*
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
5
EFTA00788479
Chart 7: We find that bItcoin is more volatile than the currendes with
severe capital controls
Annualized STDEV of weekly returns
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10% ......,1,11.._•_11•1.
ri<% .8. -4, .4., 4., .4,e .40 tissp .., et my> cp oe .Oe ae
cr e 4? _-0 .21,1, .0 ..43 „0
,„ se ,be „N." .t e> ,,--
0- #ets ,z,c o, /.04.6v
orie sbte secsla-204.,
CR
x
-,
.3v
Sarre Bloomberg. Bofn Merrill Lynch00M Ftesea«h
Chart 8: However, it is not uncommon for these EM currendes to suffer
from high inflation rates
Average inflation rates over the past 5 years
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Average inf ation rate for the world
over the past 5 years = 2.93%
0.9
0>
cp
e
eg „e
,et?
„,"
e
et•
<te
Some FRED- St. Louis Fed Bbomberg BMA Memll Lynch GlobS Researth
Liquidity, however, keeps increasing at a very fast rate
Moving on to our second parameter, liquidity, it is hard to ignore that trading volumes
for major digital currencies like bitcoin and ethereum have skyrocketed in recent years.
For example, daily trading volumes for bitcoin were $400mn in 2012 and have now
moved up to about $2bn a day at present (Chart 9). Meanwhile. ethereum had daily
trading volumes of $1.5mn when it first launched in 2015 and it is now experiencing
daily trading of about $1bn. Most importantly. for a digital token to become a currency.
it must build to a certain scale, a bit like the silver mine in Bolivia found by the Spanish.
In some ways, this is exactly what has been happening in recent quarters, with the total
market value of digital tokens growing exponentially from $1.5bn to around $87bn at
present (Chart 10). Put differently, cryptocurrencies have built scale rapidly and are now
accepted as a means of payment by some corporations and individuals.
Chart 9: Daily trading volumes for bitcoin were $0.04bn In Jan. 2014 and
have now moved up to about $1bn a day at present
Daity trading volume for GLD and BItcoln
6
5
4
3
2
0
bn USD
Jan-14
Aug-14
Mar-15
Oct-15
May-16
Dec-16
Jul-17
—GLD US Equity
—Bitcoln
Source conmarketcap ccol
Chart 10: The total market value of bitcoin exploding growing
exponentially from $1.5bn to around $43bn at present
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ap -13
Apr-14
Apr-15
■ Bitcoin
• Ethereum
Source corcroketcap corn
bn USD
Apr, t 6
• Ripple
Returns of cryptocurrencies depend mostly on price appreciation...
On our third parameter, there are several ways to look at the return produced by a
reserve currency. Because a government issues both debt and currency simultaneously.
perhaps the most important measure of value for a reserve currency is the real interest
rate (Chart 11). Then there is the term premium, as fixed income markets typically make
it more expensive to borrow for longer periods of time. In fact despite quantitative
easing, most major currencies like the EUR, the USD, or the GBP maintain a positive
Market cap of cryptocurrencies
Apr- 17
. Litecoin
6
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
Bankof America 40'
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788480
spread between their 2 year and their 10 year interest rate (Chart 12). Yet, there are
some widely accepted reserve assets like gold or even the WY that do not pay a yield.
Chart 11: The most Important measure of value for a reserve arrency is
the real Interest rate
7
Real 10 year yield based on headline CPI
6
5
4
3
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
97
99
01
03
05
07
09
11
13
15
17
—US
—Japan
—Euro Area
Source Bloomberg
Chart 12: The term premium means that currencies maintain a positive
spread between their 2 year and their 10 year interest
2Y10Y goverment bond yield spread
02
04
06
08
10
12
14
16
94
96
98
00
—
Euro
Smoce Bloomberg
...although some exchanges offer a return for borrowing tokens
Bitcoin and other digital currencies do not have an interest rate set by a central bank
And it is hard to calculate a real interest rate, as there is no specific national inflation
metric to match it against However, just like in gold, there is still an interest rate set by
the market After all. bitcoin exchanges need digital currency for short lending purposes.
Some of the most popular services offer 1% for 14 days and scales to 5% for 1 year.
Even then, retums paid by exchanges are arguably more of a credit spread than a real
interest rate. Moreover, with volatility in excess of 50% or higher, a 5% return on a
cryptocurrency over the course of 1 year as compensation for lending a bitcoin to an
online exchange does not seem like a particularly attractive proposition.
A key step for bitcoin would be to become pledgeable collateral
Still. bitcoin and ethereum have delivered impressive returns so far (Chart 13) as fiat
currency flowed into these digital tokens. Is it realistic to assume cryptocurrencies will
continue to appreciate over time? The dollar price of gold has appreciated over
centuries in line with inflation (Chart 14), but some periods have experienced much
faster gold price appreciation than others. Moreover, periods of high real interest rates
have been particularly damaging for gold returns in the past. In our view. cryptocurrency
returns will mostly depend on the faith placed by individuals, corporations, and financial
institutions on this emerging technology. As discussed earlier, there are large inherent
risks to digital tokens such as fraud, hacking, outright theft, new protocol adoption.
limited acceptance, and that it is not legal tender in many places in the world. Moreover,
a crucial hurdle remains. Most regulated financial institutions allow their clients to
borrow against financial or physical assets. but we are not aware of any major
institution that takes cryptocurrency as collateral at the moment. Thus, in our view, a
key step for bitcoin would be for it to become pledgeable collateral.
US
-
UK
BankofAmencae
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
7
EFTA00788481
Chart 13: So far, bitcoin has delivered exceptional returns as flat
currency flowed into these digital tokens
Yearly once returns (Bitcoin)
600%
500% -
400% -
300% -
200% -
100% -
0%
-100%
1
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
(YTD)
Source Bloomberg
Note Data avarbbie fromjuly 1010 u> current There were almost non puce fluctuations before
1011
Chart 14: The dollar price of gold has appreciated over centuries in line
with inflation, but returns have fluctuated over the cycle
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
-20%
-40%
-60%
•-• <0 •-• <0 •-• <0 •-• CD •-• <0 •-• <0 •-• <0 •-• <0 •-• <D
0
0
el. O
N
<0 <0
03 03 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
CY CY CY CY
Saute Bloomberg
11
Annual gold returns
ILI 1)
ir
1
1
Bitcoin correlations to EM and 610 flat currencies are near zero-.
Lastly, a financial instrument tends to be more attractive if it offers diversification benefits.
In that regard. bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies score well. For starters, we find near zero
correlation in weekly returns between bitcoin and fiat currencies (Table 1). Remarkably, while
some currency like DXY arid CHF exhibit a correlation of 0.67, bitcoin returns are
uncorrelated to any other major EM or G10 currency in our analysis.
Table 1: EM and GIO currencies - weekly returns correlation
BItcoln
DXY
EUR
JPY
GBP
MXN
CNY
KRW
CAD
CHF
Bitcoln
-0.04
0.04
4.01
0.05
-0.06
4.04
0.02
0.01
4.01
DXY
-0.96
0.45
-0.69
0.33
0.25
025
0.53
0.67
EUR
.0.30
0.59
-028
-0.20
-0.25
0.42
-0.62
JPY
4.19
0.02
0.17
0.11
0.14
0.32
GBP
-026
822
-0.34
0.44
-0.43
MXN
0.19
0.43
0.55
0.19
CNY
025
0.26
0.14
KRW
0.49
026
CAD
026
CHF
Source Bloomberg Bofil blemll Lynch Gobi Research
Note Dauasailiok fromiltiy 2010 tocurrenc There ~wimps, nopnce flucruauons bete« lot I
...and bitcoin is also uncorrelated to volatile, inflation prone EM FX
Arguably. bitcoin is not particularly attractive as a means of exchange in a very large and
stable economy like the US that boasts the world's pre-eminent trading currency. But
what about emerging markets? After all, bitcoin does not face the same capital controls
and banking rules as do some currencies in highly constrained economies. It could
potentially deliver low cost fast cross border transactions. We look again at the
correlations between EM FX and bitcoin and we find that bitcoin lacks correlation to a
whole range of EM currencies (Table 2).
8
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
Bankof America e
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788482
Table 2: Inflation prone EM FX - weekly returns correlation
Bitcoln
DZD
AOA
CNY
MYR
TND
XOF
INR
MAD
PKR
PHP
LKR
SZL
TZS
UAH
UZS
Bitcoin
4.07
4.03
403
4.06
0.02
4.02
4.01
4.02
0.03
401
4.06
0.02
4.01
406
.0.07
DZD
0.03
0.32
0.31
0.40
0.49
0.17
0.54
0.06
0.13
0.05
0.27
0.01
0.05
-0.15
AOA
0.25
0.12
0.00
0.01
0.02
1.01
1.03
-0.01
0.00
0.13
0.16
0.01
-0.07
CNY
0.30
0.16
0.16
0.15
0.17
1.01
0.20
0.09
0.26
0.03
0.07
0.01
MYR
0.15
0.23
0.43
0.26
0.02
0.56
0.14
0.45
0.03
1.10
-0.07
TNO
0.77
0.17
0.79
0.06
0.10
0.05
0.31
0.03
1.03
-0.08
XOF
0.22
0.95
0.10
0.16
0.04
0.34
0.03
1.03
-0.09
INR
0.24
0.07
0.45
0.20
0.39
0.00
1.01
-0.14
MAD
0.08
0.17
0.05
0.37
0.04
-0.04
-0.07
PKR
0.07
0.09
0.01
1.05
.0.09
-0.06
PHP
0.15
0.31
0.03
0.01
0.03
LKR
0.05
0.01
0.04
0.03
SZL
0.01
-0.04
-0.05
TZS
0.19
-0.06
UAH
-0.01
UZS
s.urct, tiii.:niters, Befit Memll Lynch Glohal Research
Note Data aattabk fromMy2010 CO current_ There were almost no puce flt.ctuations before 2011
Bitcoin correlations to gold, oil, or copper are also about zero
The same applies to commodities. While gold and silver maintained a correlation on
weekly returns of around 80% since 2011, we do not observe any meaningful correlation
between bitcoin and precious, industrial or energy commodities (Table 3).
Table 3: Commodities - weekly returns correlation
Blicoin
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Palladium
BCOM
Brent
Copper
Bitcoin
0.05
0.04
_
0.07
0.06
0.06
0.05
0.02
Gold
0.80
0.70
0.35
0.40
0.14
0.26
Silver
0.68
0.46
0.56
0.27
0.44
Platinum
0.60
0.50
0.28
0.43
Palladium
0.44
0.27
0.48
BCOli1
0.74
0.57
Brent
0.34
Copper
Sout<e 0gvntr8 Befit Memil LynchGlobal Research
Note. Data asailtok fromMy2010 CO current_ There were almost noprice flLctuations before 2011
When looking at equities, we also observe minimal correlations
Equity markets, partly because of their interconnectedness. tend to move together with
average correlations nearing or exceeding 50%. Once more. bitcoin exhibits near zero
correlation with all major equity markets around the world (Table 4).
Table 4: Equities • weekly returns correlation
Bitcoln
.500
MSCI World
HSCEI
HSI
NIFTY
EURO STOXX
50
Nikkei
Bitcoin
IL 0.04
0.05
0.02
IMIliale
rliarliC
•
500
0.96
0.50
0.54
0.51
0.78
0.53
MSCI World
0.58
0.65
0.57
0.85
0.61
HSCEI
0.93
0.60
0.49
0.50
HSI
0.64
0.55
0.56
NIFTY
0.53
0.49
EURO STOXX 50
0.58
Nikkei
Source Bbomberg Bak Memil LynchGobi Research
Note. Data asailtok fromMy2010 CO current_ There were almost no pnce flLcuations before 2011
Sitcom's Is also uncorrelated to Treasury securities or the VIX
Lastly, we test the correlation of bitcoin to other liquid markets such as Treasuries and
the VIX and our own BofA Merrill Lynch GFSIIU. Once more, the correlation between
bitcoin and both near-term and long-term Treasury bonds and breakevens is near zero
BankorAmenca.:3"
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
9
EFTA00788483
(Table 5). Interestingly, the correlation of bitcoin to the VIX and to other risk indicators
such as the BofAML GFSI is also very low, near zero, but negative (Table 6).
Table 5: Correlation between weekly returns of Bitcoln and weekly changes In rates
Bitcoln
2YR UST
10YR UST
2YR BE
10YR BE
Bitcoln
2YR UST
0.74
•0.08
4.04
10YR UST
0.17
4.01
2YR BE
0.62
10YR BE
Source Bbomberg BOK Memll Lynch Global Researdi
Note Dacaavaibble from July 2010 co current There were almost no puce flicuations before 2011
Table 6: Correlation between weekly returns of Bitcoln and weekly changes in BofAML VIX and MI
Bitcoln
VIX
BofAML GFSI - Risk
BofAML GFSI - Flow
B01MAL GFSI — Skew
Bitcoln
VIX
0.55
0.44
0.66
Bol4ML GFSI - Risk
0.46
0.59
BoIAUL GFSI - Flow
0.45
BofAML GFSI - Skew
Clobal Research
notr [ca Jo JIL
jLI,
It, to currenc Therewerealmost no price flscuanons before 2011
However, bitcoin returns are correlated to other cryptocurrencles
To complete ou correlation analysis, we have also looked at the correlation patterns of
the 10 major cryptocurrencies by market value. Our work suggests that bitcoin and
other digital currencies are correlated for the most part (Table 7), although nowhere
nearly as correlated as equity markets are to each other. Moreover, bitcoin and
ethereum, the two biggest coins, seem uncorrelated to each other.
Table 7: Ctyptocurrencies - weekly returns correlation
Sitcoin
Ethereum
Ripple
Litecoin
Ethereum
Classic
Dash
NEM
Monero
Bitshares
Shells
Bitcoln
0.01
0.21
0.56
0.t4
0.19
0.27
0.23
0.31
0.34
Ethereum
0.04
0.06
0.44
0.34
029
0.18
0.35
029
Ripple
0.60
OAS
4.12
022
0.02
0.35
0.19
Lltecoin
0.07
0.09
022
0.15
0.40
021
Ethereum Classic
0.19
024
.0.07
0.17
0.18
Dash
027
0.20
022
0.13
NEM
0.19
0.33
025
Monero
0.19
0.02
Bitshares
024
Stratis
Source Bbomtere, Both memll Lynth Globi Research
Note. Daca asailtok from My 2010 CO current There were almost no puce fltcuations before 2011
Rising production costs have supported bitcoin prices for now
One final consideration in bitcoin and other digital currencies is their cost of production.
Unlike gold. which is mined at a high cost (Chart 15). the marginal cost of creating a
new digital token is near zero. This is the reason why the number of cryptocurrencies
has risen to more than 900 in recent years. However, the marginal cost of "mining"
established cryptocurrencies like bitcoin has increased exponentially (Chart 16) while the
rewards for mining are designed to experience a logarithmic decline. The operational
and electricity costs required to maintain ledgers have increased as tasks have become
more complex. This could change with the advent of quantum computers or through
agreements among developers to adopt simpler protocols. Thus, while rising marginal
costs of production for bitcoin have been arguably a source of support for prices, falling
mining costs for incremental units could also force prices to fall.
10
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
Bankof Amenca 40"
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788484
Chart 15: Gold is mined at a high cost. with most companies facing
breakevens around 5600/oz on average and 51200+/oz on the margin
Gold production cost curve (CI, C2, and C3 costs)
2500
800
US$/oz
2000
600
500
700 -
1500
400 -
1000
300
200
500
100 -
0
0
0
20
40
60
Source Bloomberg8°1A Memll Lynch Global Research
of total production
80
100
Chart 16: The marginal cost of "mining- established ayptocutzendes
like bitcoin has increased exponentially
Bitcoin mining diifieully and block chain blocks size
Giga
Difficulty
block size
1200
i
1000
800
600
12
13
14
—
Difficulty
Saute data bitcornicyorg
Note. The difficulry is a unit of measurement &signed to indicate how ddficult it is to find a hash
bebw the given target
400
200
0
Bitcoin faces many hurdles and risks, but liquidity keeps growing
So is bitcoin a new liquid market? Certainly. cryptocurrencies score well in terms of
liquidity when compared to other assets. But liquidity in equity, fixed income, or
currency markets remains a large multiple of bitcoin (Chart 17). Also, while
cryptocurrencies are still very volatile and thus not particularly safe, that could change
as both their value rises and liquidity increases. Importantly. cryptocurrencies score well
when it comes to diversification, as their correlation to equities, bonds, commodities, FX
or selected measures of risk is near zero. A big uncertainty facing bitcoin and other
digital tokens we see is their expected real rate of return. So far, early adopters have
enjoyed a sharp appreciation in prices. While bitcoin seems to have followed a pattern
similar to gold over a much more compressed time period (Chart 17), there is no
certainty that that will continue and, most certainly, no way to predict it. Also, there are
large inherent risks to digital tokens such as fraud, hacking, outright theft, new protocol
adoption, limited acceptance, and it is not legal tender in many places in the world.
Chart 17: Liquidity in equity, fixed income, or currency markets Is still a
huge multiple of bitcoin
Daily trailing volume (yearly average)
as
30
bn USD
2
25
I
20
1.5
15
1
0.5
10
5
0
0
2014
2015
2016
2017 YTD
TLT + HYG
GLD
Bitcoin —SPY (RHS)
Source B/oomberg
15
16
Block size (RHS)
Chart 18: It is still early days. but bitcoin seems to have followed a
pattern similar to gold over a much more compressed time period
Overlap of bitcoin and gold prices
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
NN
01 01 01 01 et et et et LO LO LO LO CO CO CO CO 0. 0-
88888888RRRR8R8RRRRR
CM 0) WOO CO 0)
CP,
W)
Qin
IV CV ill
01 01 01 01 01 6-, ass ssss s §
RR
— Bitcoin
—Gold
Some Bloomberg
Note. Years in parentheses correspond to Bacon
Bankof Amenca ea*
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
11
EFTA00788485
G10 FX
Athanasios Vamvakidis
Rohit Garg
MLI (UK)
Merrill Lynch (Singapore)
For a detailed view on global FX markets see: Global FX Weekly
Draghi and the EUR
EURUSD has been the best performing G10 FX cross so far this year. Although the
market is long EUR, positioning is not stretched. EURUSD has appreciated despite the
market already knowing that the ECB will have to announce QE tapering and the Fed
already hiking more than markets have been expecting this year. The EURUSD move has
been consistent with the data and could continue if relative EZ data keeps improving.
At first glance, the ECB meeting this week should have not affected the Euro much.
First, the EUR weakened as the ECB statement kept the option to do more QE if
necessary. Then, the EUR strengthened when Draghi avoided talking the EUR down
when he was asked about its recent strength. However, the EUR continued
strengthening during and after the press conference, as the market was digesting all
information.
We believe that on balance the ECB meeting suggests more positive risks for the EUR.
The pre-ECB EURUSD level was a key threshold for the market as this was the level at
which the ECB used to intervene verbally in the past to express concerns about the
strong currency and its negative implications for inflation. By avoiding such statements.
Draghi has effectively removed the acceptable EUR ceiling for the ECB. Further EUR
appreciation could become easier, as the ECB seems to have given up trying to "control"
the currency. In practice, we do not see what policies the ECB could use to weaken the
EUR, as they have removed the option to reduce depo rates further and they have to
taper QE soon because of the issue limit and the capital key. These policy constraints
may explain why Draghi gave up on the currency this week. But something has been lost
in the process and the Euro could now appreciate freely if Eurozone data keeps
improving.
BoJ only dovish major central bank
The BoJ left its policy unchanged this week and Governor Kuroda justified the current
policy framework amid sluggish price developments. With little expected from the BoJ
prior to the meeting, it was a non-event for the FX markets. We expect the BoJ to keep
the current policy framework well into 2018. and just wait for policy normalization by
the Fed and other central banks. After a round of sluggish data, failure to pass the
healthcare bill, and not-so-hawkish Yellen comments, it may take some time before the
USD reclaims its upward trend. At the same time, low volatility, high equity price, and
policy divergence keep JPY from appreciating, though politics pose some risk We think
USD/JPY will eventually rise beyond 115 into the autumn, and we would buy the pair's
dip, but also remain concerned about downside short-term risks from a risk-off
correction in global markets.
Time to sell GBP
We see bearish GBP risks mounting. The second round of Brexit negotiations this week
show no progress. Press reports suggest that the ELI is not including the UK rebates in
its calculation of UK budget contributions post-Brexit, which we believe would be a non-
started for the UK In the meantime, the polyphony in the UK government on the Brexit
strategy and goals, and high uncertainty about the government's sustainability in its
current form continue.
12
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
Bankof Amenca 40"
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788486
Time to buy vol
We reiterate our view that market volatility will increase this fall. In this report, we argue
that brinksmanship over US tax reform and North Korea could be possible triggers. We
add to our long vol trades by recommending buying a 6m EUR/SEK ATM straddle (see
below for details).
The difficulty in justifying EM longs
There is no doubt that the last few weeks have been difficult for investors in deciding
which way to lean in EM. On one hand, volatility continues to be depressed, equity
markets keep making new highs (or at least are not showing any signs of slowing down)
and emerging markets keep receiving inflows. In Best in 5 years we highlight that EM
Asia has received the highest YTD inflows in the last 5 years on an aggregate level.
On the other hand, positioning, stretched valuations, record low levels of volatility,
increased geo-political concerns, uncertainty around US —China trade talks, uncertainty
around Fed/ECB actions and, last but not the least, adverse August seasonality is making
investors think twice or thrice before putting cash to work. This is despite cash levels
being quite high within the investor community.
How to hedge ?
Our two latest risk off trade recommendations are long 4M USD puts. WY calls with
strikes 107/102 (current 37bps) or entering long IPY. short KRW (current 10.017, target
10.4). The obvious risk to these trades is that N Korea backs down from further
aggression and engages in talks. A more likely risk is that immediate confrontation is
postponed and that EM asset inflows continue to accelerate. We are also long EUR/PLN
through options as a hedge.
Apart from hedges, we also recommend RV trades or idiosyncratic trades to navigate
the current uncertain times. Specifically, we like long INR vs USD via options (current
30bps), long TRY vs ZAR and short CLP vs ARS.
Otherwise, China data still kicking and we have a long bias In EM Asia
Beyond the above risk factors, China data continues to show strength. 2Q GDP numbers
surprised to the upside and the overall economic surprises for China/Asia have so far
held up well (Chart 2). This is probably one big reason why, weaker US data has not been
able to shake investor sentiment just yet. Consequently, we continue to be long EM Asia
through long 6y bonds in India (current 6.66%) and Indonesia (FR73, current 7.40%). We
are also constructive on China bonds and believe they are cheap by at least 20 bps.
In EEMEA FX, we are short EUR/RON. We are also long EGP as a carry trade. In LatAm
FX, we have a bearish bias on COP and MXN on valuations.
Chart 19: Aggregate cumulative Inflows into EM Asia debt and equity
markets
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
-20
2013
—2014
—2015
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Noses Each line shows fix
Indonesia. Thailand Korea the aggregate cumulate& Ott ad equity
00.4 only equty 00.6 for Taiwan ard Phiippines and only debt fkrns for Malaysia
Swrce BofA
LrxhGlohal Researdt Bloomberg
Chart 20: Economic Surprises for China have held up well so far
100
50
0
-so
-100
-150 •••
-
US Economic Surprise Index
—
China Economic Surprise Index
llh
1/444
\
o,
fti
sl•
0
sr
It)
It)
It)
It)
CI,
CCI
<0.
CO
I, -
A
o-
*t
t
Soiree 8ofA Mend Lynch Global Research Bloomberg
Bankof Amenca
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
13
EFTA00788487
Rates
Sphla Salim
MLI (UK)
Erjon Satko
MLI (UK)
Rualrl Hourthane
MLI (UK)
Gilles Moec
MLI (UK)
•
The ECB opted for a dovish tone, unanimously maintaining the easing bias in QE and
pushing back the timing of a taper decision, with full details unlikely before October.
•
Draghi's message argues for a slower pace of tightening than what the market is
pricing in terms of rate hikes and what investors are expecting in terms of tapering.
• If the light was amber for summer carry trades, the ECB has now set it to Green. We
are long ERH9. Given the tightening in peripherals, we reiterate our positive carry
hedges. The ECB's focus on QE flexibility reinforces our long EU Supras view.
ECB economics: Rendez-vous in the fall, whenever that Is
The ECB took stock of market movements since the "Sintra speech" and opted for a
dovish tone today. We were expecting a more balanced press conference, with in
particular the removal of the easing bias on QE. Still, even the dovish tone did not
suffice to convince the FX market This could reflects the fact that the market considers
the ECB as inevitably on its way to reduce policy accommodation and does not see the
possibility of an upgrade in QE as credible, in spite of Draghi's insistence on the
flexibility embedded in the programme. Reasons aside, the stronger Euro will be a major
issue for the ECB. In fact, its appreciation relative to the June forecasts could force the
central bank to revise its inflation projections down by at least 25/30 bps.
This, in our view, combined with the very cautious message from Draghi. strengthens
our call for a very slow pace of tapering from Jan18 onward, in contrast with investors'
expectations (discussed last week and in the FX and Rates Sentiment survey). We
continue to think the ECB will opt for a two-step strategy, starting with a fixed quantum
of 640bn/month for the first 6 months of 2018, followed by a gradual decline to zero by
year end. However, we now change the call on policy rates.
So far, we had a one-off deposit rate hike in Dec18. We push it to the spring of 2019
(+20 bps). We thought that shortening the delay between the end of QE and the first
hike could be a compromise between hawks and doves in exchange for the ECB being in
the market late into next year. We now believe that pressure from financial conditions,
and the growing awareness at the ECB of the difficulty to bring inflation back to target,
will force them to stick to a "fundamentalist" version of forward guidance.
Finally, the ECB today made it clear that they would not pre-commit to a given date for
the announcements on the future of QE. simply mentioning "the fall", which, according
to Draghi, explicitly includes September. Further, Draghi affirmed that technical
committees had not yet been tasked to review the possible options. While we know that
the ECB likes to make announcements at the same time as new forecasts become
available, we think the central bank will want more visibility and would prefer getting a
sense of where market conditions are going throughout September. We think a key
input there will be the Fed's decision. A more hesitant Fed, triggering more upward
pressure on the euro, would help convince hawks that the slowest possible pace of
tapering — scarcity permitting — is the right way to go.
In rates, clearest takeaways are for front-end & spreads
While the QE easing bias was maintained (unanimously) and the date to discuss tapering
was implicitly pushed back, Bunds failed to meaningfully sustain their gains post the
policy announcement. Interestingly, Draghi's insistence on the fact that his message in
14
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
Bankof Amenca 40"
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788488
Sintra was no different from that at the June meeting, and that the ECB's focus is still
on the weak inflation outlook, had little impact on yields. We believe this confirms our
interpretation that the selloff since then was most likely the result of a wake —up call.
with term premia readjusting to the new reality of (1) already reduced QE purchases in
Germany, and (2) diminished flight to quality bid, past Italian election fears.
In that context, we believe that the clearest signals to take away from today's ECB
meeting in rates are for peripheral spreads, front-end rates and EU Supras.
If the light was Amber for summer carry trades, ECB Just turned It Green
The easing bias kept for QE and the delay in the tapering decision, with full details
unlikely to be announced before October. buys more time for peripheral carry trades.
This, coupled with QE purchases in a low liquidity month. may set the stage for a similar
spread tightening as in Aug16, with 150bp seen as next key level for 10y BTP-Bunds.
Further, Draghi's reference to spreads having tightened as a reason not to be concerned
about recent market price action, and his insistence on the flexibility embedded in QE
(currently engineered through deviations from capital keys via Supras purchases) are
both opening the possibility for ECB tapering discussions to be less negative than
feared for peripheral spreads in the short term.
That said, with the 1" principal component of peripheral spreads already back to its
tightest levels since QI 2016, and with risks set to pick-up in autumn, we reiterate our
recommendation to consider positive carry hedges. such as long 10y swap spreads,
short the belly of the 5y10y30y BTP fly and 30y50y BTP flattener. Note that all three
positions should be supported by heavy July index extensions in Germany and Italy at the
end of next week. The trades are currently priced at 45bp. -30bp and 25bp respectively.
The main risk to all is the market turning fundamentally bullish on the periphery.
Dovish language supports our long (positive carry) position in Marl 9 Euribor
The ECB meeting reinforces our high conviction recommendation to be long Marl 9
Euribor entered on 18-Jul at 100.035 — see Front end — EU (current: 100.065, target:
100.135). Ultimately, with Draghi insisting on "patience and "persistence", and our
econ team pushing the first rate hike to Spring 2019, we believe the -30bp of hikes
priced by 1Q19 appear excessive. Any delay in the QE decision should allow front-end
vol to remain low and Euribors to grind higher over coming months. In this low vol
context, the 6.5bp of roll on the trade also appears even more attractive.
Interestingly, the Euro rally seen yesterday may actually support the trade even further.
With the ECB running out of tools to combat Euro strength, and technical constraints
potentially forcing a premature end to QE. forward guidance on rates may have to be
explicitly reinforced to avoid an aggressive tightening of financial conditions.
The risk to the trade is that the ECB, by choice or otherwise, ends QE in HI and hikes
aggressively through 2H18 in order to engineer a rapid exit from negative rates.
However, such a scenario appears overly hawkish to us given the 2018 inflation outlook
'When we needed flexibility, we were successful in finding IC: long EU supras
When asked about the limited availability of Bunds in the context of a QE extension, and
the potential need to up other parts of the programme to compensate for that, Draghi
went beyond his usual response that QE changes had not been discussed, and instead
affirmed that the ECB could find flexibility in its current programme, as it did before. To
us, this reinforces the view that technical changes will be implemented, in particular
with an increase in the target for EU Supras. Indeed, it is the inclusion of EU Supras as
part of the PSPP that allows a first level of flexibility vs capital keys. National central
banks using them as substitute purchases when not enough domestic bonds are
available. As a result, we remain bullish EU supras vs Bunds ahead of QE extension, and
especially so in the long-end, where valuations vs govies are most attractive.
BankorAmenca".*
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
15
EFTA00788489
Emerging Markets
Claudio lrigoyen
+1 646-855-1734
The girl with the dovish tattoo
•
With the Fed moving to a more dovish stance, solid growth in China and lower
geopolitical tensions, inflows into EM continue and despite tight valuations.
•
We like receiving rates in the belly in Brazil, long Indonesia and Turkey local debt
and TRY/ZAR. We like long EUR/PLN and JPY/KRW as efficient risk off hedges.
Enjoy the silence
Global interest rates continue driving asset prices in EM, with stronger impact on A( as
local rates dynamics have been highly influenced by domestic developments. The
change in rhetoric from the Fed, with more focus on the lack of inflationary pressures
and less on the dynamics of financial stability (asset pricing bubbles) triggered a bull
flattening of the US curve and a weaker USD across the board. Lack of progress in
Washington is also helping feed lower rates and the USD. In addition, stronger data in
China has help stabilize commodities, favoring commodities exporters within EM.
Despite the fact that European rates can still contaminate the dynamics of US rates and
through that channel EM asset prices, the global backdrop has become more favorable for
EM. In this environment, EM inflows continue but at a lower rate and we have already seen
some ETF outflows (Chart 21). Positioning is crowded in some high carry currencies.
Valuations are not attractive, which limits the extent of the rally, but cash on the sidelines
remains high, suggesting that EM dedicated investors have room to buy the dips.
Beware of global rates beyond the Fed
Even though the Fed has moved to a more dovish stance last week triggering the bull
flattening/weak USD price action, it is fair to say that the change in stance represents
more a convergence from the Fed to the market view than a true market repricing of
the Fed's policy stance. One more time the Fed capitulated to the market view. The
difference is particularly important this time because it implies that the room for a rally
in US rates from current levels is certainly more limited.
Two additional factors add to that view. First, the repricing to higher global rates was
driven to a large extent by European rates (Chart 22). In that particular regard, the ECB
tapering next year and how this can impact on the long end of the US curve in addition
to the FX channel is a key development to watch.
Chart 21: LID cumulative flows since Dec 2010
440
380
320
260
200
140
80
20
-40
Jan-11 Jan-12
Jan-13
Jan-14
Jan-15
Jan-16
Jan-17
—Small retail .
.,ETF —High net worth ex-ETF
SOME. BoaMerrill Lynch Ciotti Iteseanch
Chart 22: Change in 2018 rate expectations over the last low weeks
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
C
Eurodollars
Euribors
Short Stering
Canada
Euro Swiss
■ Change in 2018 expedations since 6/20
Source 8ofA Aleml Lynch Global Researck INoomberg
16
Global Liquid Markets Weekly l 24 July 2017
Bankof America
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788490
Second, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the impact the Fed's balance
sheet runoff will have on the long end of the US curve. We think the market remains too
complacent on how disruptive this can be for financial conditions.
An additional consideration could be a new shift from the Fed toward financial stability
concerns. Can the Fed be concemed about a strong equity market and by signaling
tighter policy induce a correction? As we have elaborated in the past, we think it
unlikely, as that is not a credible strategy. If the Fed succeeds, history shows the Fed
will backtrack with the idea of delivering the hikes once the stock market retraces.
Therefore, the market is right in not believing in that threat.
We have discussed that EM FX is more sensitive to global real rather than nominal rates,
with long term rates being the most relevant ones for risk premium. A continuation of
the recent bull flattening in US rates is positive for EM despite tight valuations. Our fair
value model for EM rates Scope 90 recommends flatteners across the board (Chart 23).
However, we remain cautious and focus on relative value trades driven by domestic
developments. Our US team expects the US curve to steepen from current levels and
volatility will likely pick up from excessively depressed levels. Therefore also take the
opportunity to initiate some efficient hedges for risk off scenarios. As our Sentiment
Survey shows, geopolitical risks are still one of the main risks for investors (Chart 24).
What we like in EM
In LatAm, we still like receiving rates in the belly of the Brazilian curve (Jan 21) and we
closed Jan 19 receivers. We think there is room for some short term bull flattening in
Mexico, and we keep paying ly IBR in Colombia and receive 2y Camara in Chile. We stay
neutral on most LatAm FX as valuations are not attractive. We like to short MXN at
current levels. Positioning is crowded and we expect the economy to decelerate in 2H17.
NAFTA and presidential elections risks have been completely priced out
In EEMEA. we stay long beta but take out some cheap 3-month protection against a
pickup in vol hurting the crowded carry trade. In EEMEA FX, the best hedge is via long
EUR/PLN call spread due to positioning and low vol. We see scope for recovery in Turkey
local debt and TRY, and like the short-end of local bonds, TRY/ZAR and 2v5 steepeners.
CEE reflation remains a medium-term theme, supporting our bullish Zloty bias. We like
paying rates, especially in Czech. We rolled over our long EGP into 3m T-bills.
In Asia, the weak USD and diminished tensions with North Korea helped KRW price
action, so we closed our long 3M USD/KRW. We like long JPY/KRW as an efficient risk
off hedge. We like long Indonesian bonds (1Sy IndoGB). We are also overlaying an FX
hedge by paying 1x6 NDF points. We like 2m 1x2 USD put/INR call spread. We stay long
OTM USD call/IDR put, long IDR+INR vs short SGD. We are biased to pay 12M USD/HKD
outright. We are receiving 1-2-Sy MYR NDIRS and 1-2-Sy INR NDIRS.
Chart 23: Scope 90 - 2yl0y
2
F
E m
o
cc
KR
uI -1
(LP
•
Rua
e
j I
• •
C NY co.,
-2 STEEPENER
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0a
Standard deviation (%)
BR_
•
2
FLATTENE
1
NEUTRAL o
SOME.. Rohl Merrill LynchGlobal Research
-.wilt _1
Chart 24: What are your biggest concerns?
Geopolilical risk
Assel bubbles
Notices
US fiscal policy
Risnia interest tales
china .)
mmm
Slow recovery
Releveraging event risk (such as.
Recession / deflation
Trade war
Inflation
Sovereign crisis
Currency war
•Jul17
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Source 8efAtternl Lynch Global Research
Bank of Amenca "ra"
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
17
EFTA00788491
Commodities
Sabine Schels
Francisco Blanch
MLI (UK)
MLPF86
Get ready for a gas rally
•
The recent drop in US nat gas prices hard to justify and the underlying
fundamentals are painting a far more positive picture
•
We expect the inventory surplus to be gone early August and end of October stocks
at just 3.5 tcf, the tightest since 2008
•
We re-iterate our bullish call for 2018 US natural gas prices to average
$3.50/MMBtu, significantly above the current forward
Downward pressure on US nat gas prices hard to justify
Front-month US Henry Hub prices have been sagging this summer, desperately clinging
onto the $3/MMBtu level (Chart 1). CAL18 at $3/MMBtu show no gain on year-ago
levels at all, while prices on longer-dated contracts remain under constant selling
pressure. Stronger-than-expected injections, a production rebound and a large
retrenchment in net spec positions put forward prices under pressure (Chart 2). To us,
underlying fundamentals are painting a far more positive picture. We expect the
seasonal surplus to be eradicated by early August and end of October stocks at just 3.5
tcf, the tightest since 2008. We believe supply rationing will set in later this year and
drive prices substantially higher. We reduce our average 2H17 forecasts by 20 cents to
$3.45/MMBtu and keep our average forecast for 2018 at $3.50/MMBtu, significantly
above the current forward.
Chart 25: US Henry Hub prices have been sagging this summer, on
better- than-expected injections, weak cooling demand and output gains
US natural gas pikes
6.5
6.0
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2013 —2014 —2015 —2016 -2017
Source Bloomberg
SIMMS
Chart 26: Non-fundamentals factors are also important as the sharp sell-
off coincided with a retrenchment in net spec positions
I teny Hub nat gas speculative positions
(net long speculative positions)
100.000
-100,000
-200.000
-300.000
positions
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
—
2012
-2015
Some. Bloomberg
Forward prices are below the marginal cost of production
Producers took advantage of the rebound in prices in late 2016, hedged and doubled the
gas rig count. which is now fuelling a steady increase in production (Chart 27). This is an
important development as after declining in 2015 and 2016, US domestic nat gas
output will likely increase again this year and next. However, gas supply in America is
highly elastic to 12 month forward prices. The marginal break-even sits in the $3-
325/MMBtu range, above the 3-year rolling forward strip of $2.90 (Chart 28). The
Barnett, large parts of the Fayetteville and the Rockies are off limits to producers. IRR's
in the Haynesville are just below 10%. the lowest since November. If prices remain this
low, rig count gains could stall or reverse. Even if nat gas prices were to increase sharply
—
2013
-2016
-2014
-.-2017
18
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
Bankof America '
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788492
from here, additional supplies would not come in time for the winter given an estimated
six month lag from production to prices. With forward oil prices so low, associated gas
production growth will likely also slow.
Chart 27: High yield issuers hedged 7596 of their production this year in
the case of high yield issuers
North America producers - %of gas production hedged
80%
$7.00
1 ill _
70%
$6.00
I
$5.00
50%
60%
20%
-
. III
$4.00
$3.00
$2.00
10°/
$1.00
40°4
30%
0%
$0.00
2014
'
2015
2016
2017
2018
0%
25%
50%
ayselw 0 75%
100%
125%
• Investment Grade
• High yield
—2013 -2014
-2015 -2016 -2017
Source BorA Metall LrxhGlota Research estimates
Spiro 8ofA Mel, Lynch Global Research estimates
Chart 28: We see a marginal break-even in the range of $3.3.25/MMBtu,
compared to the 3-year rolling forward of $2.90
US natural gas cost curve
wellhead
nat gas
Associated Gas:
Permian
Bakken
Eagle Ford
STACK/ SCOOP
Supply will have to be rationed in the power sector
in sum low oil and gas prices, insufficient hedging for 2018 and delays to pipeline
capacity in the Northeast mean domestic output growth will likely be lower than
expected. Contrasting that, the demand growth from three major sources—industry.
LNG exports and pipeline exports—is phenomenal and completely price-inelastic. Prices
have to be substantially higher than last year in order to curb demand when demand and
exports increase structurally. The market has taken the opposite view and bid down
prices to generate a coal-to-gas switch. Instead we believe that supply will have to be
rationed in the power sector in order to balance the market although the recent
shutdown of coal capacity should make this challenging (Chart 29). All told, we continue
to see upside to near-dated US natural gas prices (Chart 30).
Chart 29: Prices have to be up on last year, and substantially so, in order
to curb demand from the power sector
US coal to gas switching to date
(relative to 2007 base year)
9
8 -
7 -
6 -
5 -
4 -
3 -
2 -
I -
bcf/d
Source BoIA
Lrxh Gad Reseatch estimates
BAML toast
I
I
2010. 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
—
realised/forward
—feast
Source. Bloomberg MA Kleroll Lpch Gbhal Research estimates
Chart 30: All told, we continue to see upside to near-dated US mural
gas prices
US Henry Hub nat gas price feast vs. forward
MBtu
(quarterly averages)
Utica
Rockies:
Jonah
Warnsuiter
Uinta
mental supply
ed demand
5.00
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
NaP
Nt.c> 4:i> 44> i >41)
e
49.
BankofAmenca4,*
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
19
EFTA00788493
FX forecasts
Table 8: G10 FX Forecasts
Spot
Sep-17
Dec-17
Mar-18
Jun-18
Sep-18
Dec-18
03
EUR•USD
1.14
1.10
1.08
1.10
1.10
1.12
115
USD-JAY
113
119
117
117
115
112
110
EUR-JPY
129
131
126
129
127
125
127
Dollar Bloc
USOCAD
1.29
1.32
1.36
1.34
1.33
1.32
130
AUDUSD
0.76
0.71
0.70
0.70
0.71
0.73
0.75
NZDUSO
0.73
0.68
0.67
0.67
0.68
0.70
0.71
Europe
EUR•GBP
0.88
0.88
0.87
0.87
0.86
0.87
027
GBP-USD
1.30
1.25
124
1.26
1.28
1.29
132
EUR•CHF
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.12
1.13
1.13
1.15
USDCHF
0.96
1.01
1.04
1.02
1.03
1.01
1.00
EURSEK
9.62
9.50
9.40
9.30
9.20
9.10
9.00
USDSEK
8.46
8.64
8.70
8.45
8.36
8.13
7.83
EURNOK
9.52
9.20
9.00
8.90
8.80
8.70
8.60
USDNOK
8.37
8.36
8.33
8.09
8.00
7.77
7.48
Fa ecast as °OW-06-2017 Spec exchange rate as of 06-Xill 7 Source. BofAhlemll LrxhOWS Research. Blocrebeig
Table 9: EM FX Forecasts
Lath America
Spot
Sep-17
Dec-17
Mar-18
Jun-18
Sep-18
Dec-18
USDBAL
3.29
135
3.40
3.45
3.50
3.55
3.60
USDAAXN
18.33
18.80
19.50
20.00
20.00
20.00
20.00
USDCLP
666
675
680
690
710
715
720
USDOOP
3.082
2.950
2.970
3.000
3.050
3,100
3,150
USD-ARS
17.12
16.80
17.50
18.50
19.00
19.50
20.00
USD-PEN
3.26
3.30
3.30
3.35
3.40
3.42
3.45
Emerging Europe
EUR-PLN
4.25
4.15
4.10
4.10
4.05
4.05
4.00
EUR-HUF
309
305
305
300
295
295
290
EURCZK
26.13
26.25
26.00
26.00
26.00
26.00
25.50
USD-RUB
60.09
60.00
60.00
63.00
63.00
63.00
63.00
USD-ZAR
13.48
13.50
13.75
14.00
14.25
14.25
14.50
USD-TRY
3.63
3.50
3.40
3.45
150
155
160
EUR-RON
4.59
4.40
4.40
4.40
4.35
4.35
4.30
USD-1LS
3.53
3.55
3.60
3.65
3.65
3.70
3.70
Asian Bloc
USD-KAY!
1.157
1.140
1.160
1150
1140
1,130
1,120
USD-TWO
30.59
30.60
31.00
31.00
30.70
30.60
30.50
USDSGO
1.38
1.40
1.42
1.43
1.41
1.39
1.38
USD-THB
34.08
34.60
35.50
35.00
34.80
34.50
34.50
USDHKD
7.81
7.79
7.80
7.80
7.80
7.80
7.80
USDCNY
6.80
6.95
7.05
7.10
7.15
7.20
7.20
USD-1DR
13.388
13.400
13.500
13,400
13,300
13.200
13.100
USD-PHP
50.67
51.50
52.50
52.00
51.50
51.00
51.00
USD-MYR
4.30
4.44
4.48
4.46
4.44
4.42
4.40
USDINR
64.78
66.50
66.80
66.30
66.00
65.80
65.50
Fotecast as of Ail-OS-2017 Spa exchroge rate as of 060-17 Source. BOA tilemll Lrxh °alai Reseatch.Bloemberg
20
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
Bankof America 0'
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788494
G10 rates forecasts
Latest
3Q17
USA
3m Labor
131
1.35
2y Title
136
1.50
5y T-Note
182
2.05
10y T•Note
227
2.60
30y 743ond
284
305
2y Swap
159
1.67
5y Swap
189
2.10
10y Swap
2.22
2.62
Gelman),
3m Euolzot
-033
434
2y BKO
-064
450
5y OBL
•013
-0.15
10y DBR
055
0.50
30y DBR
129
1.30
2y Swap
415
-0.10
5y Swap
028
0.27
10y Swap
0.92
0.94
Japan
3m Lbw
-0.01
0.00
2y)GB
-0.11
-am
5y JGB
-005
-0.10
10Y /GB
0.08
0.05
2y Swap
0.04
0.05
5y Swap
0.11
0.10
10y Swap
026
023
U.K.
3m Libor
029
0.32
2y UlCr
028
0.40
5y UlCr
059
0.85
lOy UKT
1.20
1.50
30y UKT
183
2.00
2y Swap
li r
060
Q75
5y Swap
IN
088
1.05
10y Swap
1.25
1.50
Australia
3m BBSW
1.70
140
2y ACGB
1 91
135
5y ACGB
228
220
10y ACGB
2.74
2.80
3y Swap
229
2.05
10/Swap
2.95
3.00
Canada
2y Goa
123
1.10
Sy Goa
1.53
140
10y Govt
1.90
130
2y Swap
154
1.41
5y Swap
186
1.70
10/Swap
2.19
2.02
4Q17
1.60
1.55
2.15
285
3.15
1Q18
2Q18
1.85
2.10
1.65
1.80
225
235
2.85
2.85
325
3.25
1.78
1.93
228
2.38
293
2.93
-033
-032
-050
-0.45
-010
-0.05
0.60
0.60
140
140
-004
0.051
035
0.43
1.08
1.09
0.03
0.03
4310
-0.05
4305
Q00
0.08
0.10
0.13
0.15
0.15
020
028
030
035
035
0.40
040
0.95
100
130
1.80
2.20
230
0.75
075
130
1.15
1.65
1.75
200
200
1.95
195
245
245
3.10
3.10
230
2.30
3.25
325
1 50
150
1 80
180
2.00
2.00
181
181
2.15
2 15
239
2.39
1201
2.18
290
4.33
43.55
-0.15
0.55
135
0.02
-0.15
43.08
0.05
0.08
0.12
I
025
0.33
0.40
0.90
1.60
2.10
0.75
1.05
1.55
1.90
1.85
2.35
3.05
220
320
1.30
1.60
1.85
1.61
1.95
224
Some Bo(A Menu L•inch Global Research
Sank ofAmenca
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
21
EFTA00788495
EM rates forecasts
Asla
Spot
30 2017
402017
10 2018
20 2018
China
ly lending
4.35
4.35
4.35
4.35
4.35
2y
3.48
3.10
3.00
3.00
2.9
1 Oy
4.07
3.35
3.30
3.30
3.2
India
Repo
625
6.00
6.00
6.00
2Y
6.32
6.10
6.10
6.45
6.50
1 Oy
6.45
6.30
6.30
6.85
6.90
Indonesia
Policy
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
4.75
2Y
6.58
6.95
7.05
7.05
7.05
lay
6.94
8.10
8.20
8.2
8.2
Korea
Policy
125
1.25
1.25
1.50
1.50
2Y
1.61
1.75
1.85
1.90
1.90
I Oy
1.93
2.20
2.25
2.30
2 30
Mala eia
Policy
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
4
3.57
3.55
3.60
3.6
3.6
1 Oy
4.00
4.30
4.40
4.4
4.4
Singapore
Policy
.
•
.
2y
1.31
1.50
1.60
1.6
1.6
1 Oy
226
2.50
2.60
2.00
3.00
Thailand
Policy
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
2y
1.59
1.75
1.80
1.8
1.8
1 Oy
2.37
2.70
2.80
2.8
2.8
EEMEA
Czech R.
Policy
0.05
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
2y
0.74
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.10
1 Oy
1.37
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.70
Hungary
Policy
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.90
2Y
0.42
0.40
0.50
0.70
0.90
1 Oy
2.35
2.20
2.30
2.50
2.80
Israel
Policy
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
2Y
020
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
1 Oy
1.78
2.25
2.25
2.50
2.70
Poland
Policy
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
2Y
1.94
2.00
2.10
2.30
2.50
1 Oy
2.79
2.80
2.90
3.00
3.20
Russia
Policy
9.0D
8.50
8.00
7.75
7.50
2Y
7.79
7.75
7.50
7.20
7.20
1 Oy
6.60
6.70
6.80
6.90
6.90
South Africa
Policy
6.75
6.75
6.75
6.50
6.25
2Y
6.79
7.00
6.90
6.90
6.90
1 Oy
7.79
7.95
7.75
7.50
8.00
Turkey
Policy
11.95
11.50
10.50
9.50
9.00
2y
11.07
10.50
10.50
10.50
10.00
1 Oy
10.16
10.50
10.50
10.00
10.00
Latina
Brazil
Policy
10.25
8.50
7.75
7.75
7.75
ly
8.35
8.82
8.60
8.40
8.40
5y
9.90
10.30
10.00
10.00
10.00
Mexico
Policy
7.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
7.00
2Y
7.00
6.80
6.70
6.70
6.50
1 Oy
7.13
7.10
7.30
7.50
7.50
Chile
Policy
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
2Y
2.70
2.70
2.70
2.70
2.70
1 Oy
4.18
4.10
4.20
4.20
4.30
Colombia
Policy
5.75
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
2Y
4.97
4.80
4.90
4.90
5.00
1 Oy
623
6.20
6.30
6.50
6.70
010
US
Policy
125
1.00.1.25
1.25.1.50
1.504 /5
1.75.2.00
2Y
1.35
1.50
1.55
1.65
1.80
1 Oy
2.25
2.60
2.85
2.85
2.85
Germ"
Policy
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2y
.0.64
0.50
.0.55
0.50
0.45
1 Oy
0.53
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.60
Spot as of July 20 Source BofAMeml Lynch Gbbal Reseal% 8Icomberg
22
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
Bankof America 40"
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788496
Commodities forecasts
Table 10: BofA Merrill Lynch Crude Oil Price Forecasts (end•of•period forecasts)
units
WTI Crude 01
(MO
Sep•17F
48.00
Dec-17F
47.00
Brea Crude Cil
(Mil)
51.00
50.00
US nasal gas
(SMNBlu)
Source BcfA mewl Lynch Glob& Research estimates
Table 11: BofA Merrill Lynch Commodity Price Forecasts (period averages)
units
3017F
WTI Crude 01
151:0
44.00
4017F
47.00
2017F
47.00
1018F
47.00
2018F
47.00
3018F
52.00
3.40
4018F
53.00
4.00
2018F
2019F
50.00
51.00
Brent Crude Oil
($m)
47.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
49.00
54.00
55.00
52.00
53.00
US NY Harbor ULSO (HO) Cracks to Brent Crude Oil
12.10
13.60
12.50
US RBCO Cracks to Brent Crude Oa
(Shbi)
12.20
6.60
11.50
USGC 1% Residual Cracks to Brent Crude Oil
151t4)
(10.50)
(10.50)
(10.40)
NWE Low Sulphur Gasoil Cracks to Brent Crude Oil
(MM
9.70
11.00
10.00
NWE Eurobob Cracks to Brent Crude Oil
151t0
10.70
6.70
9.00
NWE 1% Residual Cracks to Brent Crude Oil
MCI
(10.50)
(11.00)
(10.25)
1
US Natural Gas
ISMMBlul
3.20
3.70
3.30
3.80
3.30
3.30
3.60
3.50
3.50
Thermal coal, Newcastle FOB
(M)
78.00
80.00
80.00
78
70
65
67
70.00
64.00
Aluminum
SI
1.700
2.150
1,902
1.950
1.950
1.950
1.950
1,950
2.000
Copper
54
5,500
4.750
5,434
4.750
5.500
5.750
6.042
5,510
6,400 1
Lead
51
2.150
2.000
2.143
2.129
2.129
2.129
2.129
2.129
2.129
Nickel
54
9,250
9.250
9,494
10,000
10,000
11,000
11,000
10,500
12,500
Zinc
S1
2.750
Gail
Soz
1.275
2.750
1.350
2.714
1,276
2.950
1.400
2.950
1.350
2.950
1.400
2.950
1.450
2,950
2.975
1,400
1.400
Silver
Sim
17.00
20.00
17.93
20.71
20.71
20.71
20.71
20.71
20.00
Platinum
Soz
950
925
950
950
950
950
950
950
1.000
Paladum
$102
850
800
809
800
825
850
875
838
900
Sw:e KofAhlecr II Lot Clitalfte9,a.rh en m •
Bank ofAmenca ea*
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
23
EFTA00788497
Trade Recommendation
For our FX trade ideas, see the Global FX Weekly
For our Rates trade ideas, see the Global Rates Weekly
For our EM trade ideas, see the Global EM Weekly
24
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
Bankof Amenca e
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788498
Options Risk Statement
Potential Risk at Expiry & Options Limited Duration Risk
Unlike owning or shorting a stock, employing any listed options strategy is by definition
governed by a finite duration. The most severe risks associated with general options
trading are total loss of capital invested and delivery/assignment risk... all of which can
occur in a short period.
Investor suitability
The use of standardized options and other related derivatives instruments are
considered unsuitable for many investors. Investors considering such strategies are
encouraged to become familiar with the 'Characteristics and Risks of Standardized
Options' (an OCC authored white paper on options risks). U.S. investors should consult
with a FINRA Registered Options Principal.
For detailed information regarding risks involved with investing in listed options:
http:ftwitow theocc.comfabout/publirations/charactPr-ricksjsp
Special Disclosures
Some of the securities discussed herein should only be considered for inclusion in
accounts qualified for high risk investment.
Bankof Amenca "gra"
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
25
EFTA00788499
Disclosures
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26
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
Bankof America
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EFTA00788500
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Ba nk of America e
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
27
EFTA00788501
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this report or its contents.
28
Global Liquid Markets Weekly I 24 July 2017
Bankof America
Merrill Lynch
EFTA00788502
Research Analysts
US
David Woo
FX, Rates & EM Strategist
Shyam S.RaJan
Rates Strategist
Ralph Mel
Rates Strategist
MLPF&S
Sebastian Cross
Rates Strategist
Pac Rim
Tony Morriss
Rates Strategist/Economist
lial
Adrsh Sinha
FX Strategist
Kongl
Paul Ciana, CIAT
Shuichi ohsaki
Technical Strategist
Rates Strategist
1011L
Vadim laralov
Shusuke Yamada, CFA >>
EX Strategist
FX/Equity Strategist
MLPF&S
Merrill Lynch 'Japan}
Carol Mang
Rates Strategist
John Shin
FX Strategist
MLPF&S
Europe
Raif Preusser, CFA
Rates Strategist
MLI
Ruben Segura-Cayuela
Europe Economist
Mark Capleton
Rates Strategist
MLI
Athanaslos Vamvakklls
FX Strategist
Sphia Salim
Rates Strategist
MLI KIK)
Kamal Sharma
FX Strategist
MLI
MLI
Myria Kyriacou
FX Strategist
MLI
Rualtt Houdhane
Rates Strategist
Global Emerging Markets
David Hauner. CFA
EEMEA Cross Asset Strategist
MLI IUK)
Claudio Idgoyen
LatArn FIrFX Strategy/Economist
MLPF&S
Claudio Piron
Emerging Asia FUFX Strategist
h
apore)
Commodities
Francisco Blanch
Commodity & Deny Strategist
MLPF S
Max Denary
Commodity Strategist
MLPF&S
Trading ideasand investment strategies discussed
herein may give rise to significant risk and are not
suitable for all investors. Investors skull have
experience in FX markets and the financial resources
to absorb any losses arising from applying these ideas
or strategies
>> Empbyed by a non-US affiliate of MLPFIS and is
not registered/qualified as a research analyst under the
FINRA rules.
Refer to 'Other Important Discbsures* for information
on certain BofA Merrill Lynch entities that take
responsibility for this report in partscular jurisdictions
Bankof Amenca "gra"
Merrill Lynch
Global Liquid Markets Weekly 124 July 2017
29
EFTA00788503
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