- Rates: Wait-and-see
Friday’s profit taking move on core bond markets didn’t continue yesterday. Investors hold a wait-and-see approach ahead of key data later this week, including Chinese GDP, EMU PMI’s and US retail sales. First non-financials publish Q1 results today and might set the tone for the rest of earnings season while affecting general risk sentiment. - Currencies: EUR/USD settles cautiously above 1.13
EUR/USD managed a close just above 1.13 yesterday but the situation is fragile. The turnaround in growth sentiment last week did not find full confirmation in yesterday’s earnings and data. The earnings season will stay crucial for risk sentiment but we expect market moves to be rather muted ahead of important data later this week.
The Sunrise Headlines
- US equity markets closed yesterday’s session close to unchanged, recovering from intraday losses. Asian equities are largely trading higher this morning with Chinese indices outperforming and Japanese bourses lagging behind.
- Chicago Fed president Charles Evans sees the federal fund rate unchanged into the fall of 2020 as inflation has been below the 2% target. Would core inflation move down to 1.5%, Evans said a rate cut could be needed.
- François Villeroy, ECB member and loudest critic of the ECB’s negative interest-rate policy, said the benefit of the measure still outweighs the drawbacks. He added that if the measure has side effects, mitigation measures could be taken.
- The Reserve Bank of Australia has discussed interest-rate cuts in a review of policy scenarios, according to the April 2 board meeting minutes. The RBA concluded that there is “no strong case” for adjustments in the near term.
- Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s Minister of Economy said he had constructive talks with his US Trade Rep. Lighthizer, but stressed that talks regarding currency rates should be held off for now and be discussed between finance ministers.
- Khalifa Haftar, Eastern Libyan and ex-general of dictator Gadaffi, tried to stage a coup by issuing an arrest warrant for Libyan PM Fayez al-Serraj. Haftar’s troops advanced to Tripoli two weeks ago, but failed to take control of the capital city.
- Today’s US eco calendar contains the NAHB Housing Market Index (Apr). The UK prints labour data (Feb), while the ZEW investor sentiment for the EMU and Germany will be released. Fed’s Kaplan and ECB’s Nowotny speak.
Currencies: EUR/USD Settles Cautiously Above 1.13
EUR/USD cautioiusly settles above 1.13
Dollar volatility was very limited at the start of week. The dollar initially stayed in the defensive. EUR/USD retested Friday’s intraday high (around 1.1320) multiple times going into US dealings but the move lacked momentum. New (US) earnings and data (NY manufacturing index) were insufficient to sustain Friday’s rally of optimism. Risky assets (equities) and oil lost modest ground, the dollar recouped some of the previous losses. EUR/USD eventually closed virtually unchanged and was able to hold on to the 1.13-barrier. USD/JPY managed a close above 112.
Asian markets are trading mostly in positive territory following a lacklustre US session. The Aussie dollar took a hit after minutes of the central bank revealed a rate cut would “likely be appropriate” if inflation does not increase and unemployment rises. AUD/USD slipped from to 0.715. EUR/USD hovers around 1.13. USD/JPY again fell just below 112.
In today’s economic calendar we’ll watch for the German ZEW investor sentiment to leave the sub zero area behind. Markets expect an uptick from -3.6 to 0.5. Risks are on the upside given the strong equity performance during the survey period. In the US the NAHB housing market index and March industrial data is worth watching. Investors will look for signs of (hard and soft) data to bottom out after a weaker series. We’re also keeping an eye at the first set of high profile Q1 non-financial earnings. But market positioning might stay muted ahead of tomorrow’s Chinese Q1 GDP (and EMU PMI’s on Thursday).
In a broader perspective the euro drifts further away from the 1.1177/87 support, despite a soft ECB. EUR/USD even recaptured the 1.13 level although the situation is fragile. Global economic sentiment has turned for the better recently. Last week’s price actions shows the euro is still net benefiter of such circumstances. We watch for Q1 earnings/guidance, Chinese GDP and EMU PMI’s to confirm that turnaround. We maintain the view that a EUR/USD break lower ST isn’t evident given the Fed’s wait-and-see bias unless surprisingly weak/strong EMU/US data. In case of a sustained break above 1.13, next highprofile EUR/USD resistance comes in at 1.1448.
Sterling found itself in calm waters yesterday. Talks between May and Corbyn are ongoing but little news escapes the room. EUR/GBP edged lower to around 0.862 (down from 0.865) during a predominantly technical trading session. Brexit has been postponed but the impasse remains. We see little reasons to turn more positive on the pound and assume the EUR/GBP 0.85 support area to be solid.
EUR/USD holds on to the 1.13 level but the situation is fragile as markets look for confirmation of the sentiment turnaround.
