Initially tame U.S. CPI FX volatility risk premium was marginally higher before Wednesday's slightly softer than expected data, which makes a 25bpts U.S. rate cut more likely than 50bps week.
The pre data premium rise in USD/JPY came after more JPY strength took the pair closer to 140.00 in Asia, with other dates higher, too. One-month expiry implied volatility gained 1.0 to the mid 13's and 1-month risk reversals were paid 2.2 JPY calls over puts, before easing back amid the spot recovery.
Overnight EUR/USD options include Thursday's ECB policy decision, which helps justify an increased FX volatility premium, albeit below that seen before Friday's U.S. NFP data. EUR/USD was lower after U.S. CPI but still within a massive 1.1000-1.1100 option expiry zone, where 13 billion euros expire between 1.1000-55 post ECB. Outright flows and risk reversal pricing show that EUR/USD's downside remains more vulnerable than its upside.
GBP/USD 1-month expiry implied volatility has edged lower to the mid 6's and converges with a slightly firmer 1-month historic volatility to highlight its value potential. There's a similar value situation in 1-month AUD/USD options, where implied volatility has settled in the middle of its recent 9.0-10.0 range.
One-week option expiries will include week's U.S. Fed and UK BoE policy decisions from Thursday and the Bank of Japan from Friday.
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(Richard Pace is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own)