Derek Halpenny — Head of Research, MUFG Bank (1 trade idea)

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Date Ticker Direction Thesis Source
Feb 18, 2026
JPY /FXY
LONG MUFG expects the Fed to deliver three rate cuts and views the labor market as "mixed at best." Halpenny argues Trump will not raise tariffs further because he needs to deliver on cost-of-living promises. The market has priced in a "Trump Trade" (stronger USD due to tariffs/inflation). If Trump refrains from tariffs and the Fed cuts rates to support a softening labor market, the interest rate differential supporting the USD collapses. Short USD (Long JPY). Halpenny explicitly predicts a "notable drop" in USD/JPY later in the year and a 5% drop in the Dollar Index by 2026. Inflation re-accelerates, forcing the Fed to hold or hike; Trump aggressively implements universal tariffs. Bloomberg Markets
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