In the context of seasonality, you may – just like most investors – primarily think of commodities and stock indexes.
However, there are seasonal patterns in many other markets and instruments as well, ranging from individual stocks to currencies.
Were you e.g. aware of the fact that an exciting seasonal pattern is currently unfolding in the US dollar? Even if you are not focusing on FOREX markets in your investing activity, the seasonal trends of the US dollar are probably important for you as an investor in stocks or bonds as well.
Let us therefore take a look at the seasonal pattern of the US Dollar Index.
The US Dollar Index directly shows the trend in the US dollar’s external value
The US Dollar Index is an index that represents the value of the US dollar in the form of a basket containing six currencies:
- EUR (euro): 57.6% weighting
- JPY (Japanese yen): 13.6% weighting
- GBP (British pound sterling): 11.9% weighting
- CAD (Canadian dollar): 9.1% weighting
- SEK (Swedish crown): 4.2% weighting
- CHF (Swiss franc): 3.6% weighting
Thus the USD Index (DXY) directly shows the trend in the external value of the US dollar. It rises when the US dollar appreciates and conversely declines when the US dollar weakens.
The US dollar exhibits seasonal weakness at the end of the year
The USD Index is therefore also suitable for conducting a seasonal analysis of the US dollar. The seasonal chart below shows the typical pattern of the US dollar in the course of a calendar year. It has been calculated as the average of the returns generated over the past 49 years. The horizontal axis shows the time of the year, the vertical axis the level of the seasonal index. Thus one can discern the US dollar’s seasonal pattern in the course of a calendar year at a glance.
US-Dollar Index, seasonal pattern over the past 49 years
There is a trend reversal in the USD Index right at the turn of the year.
Source: Seasonax (click here to examine the interactive seasonal chart
As can be seen, there is a seasonal decline in the USD Index as the end of the year approaches. It loses ground particularly quickly in the second half of December. Thereafter, it typically appreciates again in January (turning point highlighted in the chart).
If you look at the chart closely, you can see that the trend reversal occurs right at the turn of the year. That is quite conspicuous – there has to be a reason for this!
The reason for US dollar weakness at the end of the year
The fact that the trend in the US dollar reverses precisely at the turn of the year already provides a strong hint regarding the reason for this seasonal pattern: it has to be related to the end of the calendar year. What happens at that point in time? It is the balance sheet date!
The weakness in the US dollar at the end of the year is driven by US tax legislation. Many US-based companies save on their tax liabilities by reporting small amounts of cash at the balance sheet date at the end of the year. It can be worthwhile to shift money to the accounts of overseas subsidiaries.
The resultant additional demand for foreign currencies affects the exchange rate. This is why the US dollar typically declines at the end of the year.
After the turn of the year, the tide immediately turns. Companies transfer sizable amounts back to the US.
Thus there is a solid fundamental reason for the pattern in the US dollar at the end of the year. It is driven by tax-related strategies of US companies.
Take advantage of seasonal opportunities!
However, what is the situation in individual currencies specifically? And has Trump’s tax reform possibly invalidated the pattern?
If you want to find these things out, go to app.seasonax.com! There you can quickly examine the seasonality of individual currencies – or of any other instrument you are interested in – along with overviews of pattern returns in individual years.
Yours sincerely,
Dimitri Speck
Founder and Head Analyst of Seasonax
