Greece is again dominating FX markets this week with the early results of the referendum indicating that the country is poised to vote 'No' on the terms of the creditors' bailout deal.

"FX options indicate a sizeable EUR risk premium. 1-month relative EUR implied volatility closed Friday around the levels seen when Greek PM Papandreou called and then cancelled a referendum on planned austerity measures in October 2011 before resigning later that year," notes Barclays Capital.

Figure 1: 1-month EUR volatility

“No” outcome, and the likely associated exit from the EMU, is unambiguously negative for the EUR in the near term as FX markets reassess the stability of the currency union. Furthermore, EUR depreciation is likely to be punctuated by accommodative ECB action which may include a front-loading of government bond purchases in an effort to keep euro area borrowing costs low," Barclays projects.

"Once Greece exits, market participants are likely to speculate about implications for other peripheral economies where anti-austerity parties have significant support, such as Spain. Uncertainty due to a lack of helpful detail will likely exacerbate volatility through this period," Barcalys argues.

"In this risk-off environment, we expect the USD and the JPY to benefit, while high-beta currencies, including commodity currencies, should suffer. As such, we recommend staying short EURUSD and EURJPY spot," Barclays advises. 

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