On October 30, I published "Stronger Dollar Themes To Continue" for my subscribers, which gave a unique approach to why the dollar is rallying even tho traders foresee Fed policy getting dovish: credit spreads.
"Now, when comparing credit spreads to the financial crisis it doesn't seem to be "that big." Combine record U.S. corporate debt, a highly distorted high-yield market and slowing economy, and you got the makings of a credit crisis. The move this year is not only noticeable, but inflects from the previous couple years of lower-lows."
"The rate of change in spreads is remarkable, actually. Just look at the move in spreads and the monthly close of the trade-weighted dollar index (major FX)."
As credit conditions breakdown and high-yield/investment grade spreads widen, the dollar continues to march higher as a representation of the dollar shortage.
Take a look of what the HYG+LQD basket (inverted scale) does when the dollar strengthens:
Now take a broader look:
Near-term quantitative ranges are dotted, while longer-term levels are solid. By Q1-19, the DXY will likely be triple digits if not sooner.