Global stocks strength in general as major coronavirus epicenters seem to be starting to flatten the curve. It’s reported that Germany is even planning for lockdown exit. However, it remains uncertain when this coronavirus pandemic is going to end, and the world would return to normal. Risk in second wave of infections in Asia could be increasing with Japan preparing to enter state of emergency. South America is also a area of concern, with steadily rising cases in Brazil.
In the currency markets, New Zealand Dollar is leading commodity currencies higher for now. Yen is the weakest one, followed by Euro and then Swiss Franc. Gold is following risk markets higher, with mild weakness in the greenback too. Technically, EUR/USD is still on track to retest 1.0635 low, and will remain so as long as 1.0902 minor resistance holds. GBP/USD recovers ahead of 1.2144 minor support, keeping it in range. EUR/GBP, on the other hand, reverses after brief recovery. Focus is back on 0.8747 fibonacci support. Break could bring deeper fall back to 0.8282 support.
In the US, DOW open up more than 700 pts in initial trading. In Europe, currently, FTSE is up 2.48%. DAX is up 4.94%. CAC is up 3.82%. German 10-year yield is up 0.0226 at -0.416. Earlier in Asia, Nikkei rose 4.24%. Hong Kong HSI rose 2.21%. Singapore Strait Times rose 3.40%. China was on holiday. Japan 10-year JGB yield rose 0.0135 to 0.005.
Abe to announce Japan style lockdown in seven prefectures tomorrow
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated that he could formally announce a month-long state of emergency as soon as on Tuesday. The seven prefectures include Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo and Fukuoka. Though, he insisted that “we are not changing Japan’s policy, but strengthening it and asking for full cooperation.”
“Japan won’t, and doesn’t need, to take lockdown steps like those overseas,” he added. “Trains will be running and supermarkets will be open. The state of emergency will allow us to strengthen current steps to prevent an increase in infections while ensuring that economic activity is sustained as much as possible.”
Additionally, Abe is planning to boost virus testing capacity to 20,000 a day, with increased number of hospital beds and ventilators. There will also be cash handouts of JPY 200m to small and midsize businesses.
Germany said to start exiting lockdown on April 19
Reuters reported today that the German Interior Ministry is already drafting a plan to end lockdown and return the country to normal lift, starting April 19. The document assumed that the coronavirus pandemic will last until 2021. But with proper measures, the average number of people infected by one person could be limited below one.
the plan is backed by vigorous mechanism that track more than 80% of people with whom an infected person had contacted, and quarantine them. People will be orders to wear masks in public transport and factories and public buildings. Social-distancing measures will remain in place. Events and parties will be forbidden. But shops and schools could reopen while border controls could be relaxed.
Separately, government spokesman said “even if some people are demanding it, the government can’t yet give an exit day, a firm date from which everything will be different and the measures relaxed.”
Eurozone Sentix investor confidence slumped to -42.9, recession will go deeper and longer
Eurozone Sentix Investor Confidence dropped to -42.9 in April, down from -17.1. That’s the lowest level on record. Current Situation index dropped from -14.3 to -66.0, also a record low and the largest decline on record. Expectations index, however, improved from -20.0 to -15.8. Sentix said Eurozone economy is in a “deep recession”, which will “go much deeper and longer”.
It also said, “the corona virus is keeping the global economy in a stranglehold: without exception, all regions of the world are in a deep recession. Never before has the assessment of the current situation collapsed so sharply in all regions of the world within one month”.
Germany Investor Confidence dropped from -16.9 to -36.0, lowest since 2209. Germany Current Situation dropped from -13.3 to -59.3, lowest since 2009. Germany Expectations improved from -20.5 to -9.0. US Investor Confidence dropped from 0.2 to -39.1, lowest since 2009. US Current Situation dropped from 17.8 to -59.0, lowest since 2009. US Expectations dropped from -16.0 to -16.5, lowest since October 2019.
UK PMI construction dropped to 39.3, even more severe impact in coming months
UK PMI Construction dropped to 39.3 in March, down from 52.6, indicating the steepest contraction output since April 2009. Employment dropped at the fastest pace since September 2010. Business expectations also slumped to lowest since October 2008.
Tim Moore, Economics Director at IHS Markit: “The closure of construction sites and lockdown measures will clearly have an even more severe impact on business activity in the coming months. Survey respondents widely commented on doubts about the feasibility of continuing with existing projects as well as starting new work. Construction supply chains instead are set to largely focus on the provision of essential activities such as infrastructure maintenance, safety-critical remedial work and support for public services in the weeks ahead.”
Consumer confidence in UK had record drop after coronavirus lockdown
In an interim COVID-19 flash report, Gfk said UK consumer confidence index has dropped sharply by -25pts to -34, between March 16 and 27. That’s the biggest fall since record began in January 1974.
Joe Staton, GfK’s Client Strategy Director, says: “Our COVID-19 ‘flash report’ shows a dramatic result with consumer confidence falling off the cliff in the last two weeks of March. The last time we saw such a decline was during the 2008 economic downturn. Our falling confidence in our personal financial situation and the wider economy reflects the new concern for many across the UK. Despite record grocery sales, and recent peaks for purchases of freezers, TVs and home office equipment as people prepared for a long period in the home, the Major Purchase Index is down 50 points – a stark picture for some parts of the retail industry in the short to medium term.”
EUR/USD Mid-Day Outlook
Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.0769; (P) 1.0817; (R1) 1.0860; More…
EUR/USD’s fall from 1.1147 is still in progress and intraday bias stays on the downside. Deeper decline should be seen to retest 1.0635 low first. Decisive break there will resume larger down trend. On the upside, above 1.0902 minor resistance will extend the correction from 1.0635. Intraday bias will be turned back to the upside for 61.8% retracement of 1.1496 to 1.0635 at 1.1167 again.
In the bigger picture, as long as 1.1496 resistance holds, whole down trend from 1.2555 (2018 high) should still be in progress. Next target is 1.0339 (2017 low). However, sustained break of 1.1496 will argue that such down trend has completed. Rise from 1.0635 could then be seen as the third leg of the pattern from 1.0339. In this case, outlook will be turned bullish for retesting 1.2555.
Economic Indicators Update
| GMT | Ccy | Events | Actual | Forecast | Previous | Revised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 | NZD | ANZ Commodity Price Mar | -2.10% | -2.10% | ||
| 1:00 | AUD | TD Securities Inflation M/M Mar | 0.20% | -0.10% | ||
| 6:00 | EUR | Germany Factory Orders M/M Feb | -1.40% | -1.90% | 5.50% | |
| 8:30 | EUR | Eurozone Sentix Investor Confidence Apr | -42.9 | -30.5 | -17.1 | |
| 8:30 | GBP | Construction PMI Mar | 39.3 | 44 | 52.6 | |
| 14:30 | CAD | BoC Business Outlook Survey |
