Market Overview

Dollar and US equities came back from holiday stronger. The markets are looking through the geopolitical uncertainties in North Korea. Instead, they listened to comments from US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Mnuchin conceded that completing tax reforms through Congress before August deadline was "highly aggressive to not realistic at this point". However, he noted that it would "probably delayed a bit" because of the healthcare. Meanwhile, he noted that the border-adjustment tax, seen as a sticking point among Republicans, could be excluded in the tax reform.

Worries on geopolitical tensions and US policies were the two main forces driving the markets in a holiday shortened week. Yen surged broadly and the relative strength to Swiss Franc argues that worries are mainly on the tensions in Korean Peninsula. The rally in Yen was also accompanied safe haven flows into US treasuries. Long term yields tumbled sharply to the lowest level this year, breaking key near term support levels. Gold surged to as high as 1290.7 and is having its sight on 1300 handle. WTI crude oil also extended recent rise before losing some momentum ahead of 55.24 resistance. In the currency markets, Dollar ended as the weakest major currency as talked down by US President Donald Trump, and dragged down by falling yields. Euro ended as the second weakest ahead of French presidential election and dragged down the Swiss Franc.

Dollar is recovering against European majors in early US session but stays weak against commodity currencies. The greenbacks is still trading as the weakest major of the week, troubled by comments from US President Donald Trump regarding it's strength. Released from US, initial jobless claims dropped 1k to 234k in the week ended April 8, below expectation of 245k. It's the 110 straight week of sub-300k reading, longest streak since 1970 and indicates a healthy job market. Continuing claims dropped 7k to 2.03m in the week ended April 1. PPI, however, dropped -0.1% mom March but accelerated to 2.3% yoy. PPI core rose 0.0% mom, and accelerated to 1.6% yoy. Both PPI and core PPI missed expectations. From Canada, new housing price index rose 0.4% mom in February. Manufacturing shipments dropped -0.2% mom. Release in European session, Swiss PPI rose 0.1% mom 1.3% yoy in March. German CPI was finalized at 0.2% mom, 1.6% yoy in March.

US Dollar tumbled broadly and is now trading as the weakest major currency after US President Donald Trump talked down the exchange rate. The Dollar index reaches as low as 100.01 so far. It's still holding on to 100 handle mainly thanks to the relative weakness of Euro, who's trading as the second weakest one. But this 100 psychological level looks vulnerable. Commodity currencies are broadly higher. Canadian Dollar maintains post BoC gains. Aussie is lifted by strong employment data. Yen pares back some gains but remains the strongest one for the weak on falling treasury yields. US 10 year yield closed at 2.296 and is now close to last week's low at 2.271. In other markets, Gold is staying firm at 1287 at the time of writing. But it's starting to feel a bit heavy ahead of 1300 handle, as risk aversion eases. WTI crude oil also retreats mildly and is back at around 53.

Canadian Dollar surges sharply on upbeat Bank of Canada statement. BoC left overnight rate target unchanged at 0.50% as widely expected. The central bank noted in the accompany statement that "recent data indicate that economic growth has been faster than was expected in the January MPR". Growth for 2017 through 2019 is expected to "remain above potential". Real GDP growth is projected to 2.5% in 2017, revised up from January projection of 2.1%. Inflation, however, is expected to dip in the months ahead but return to 2% target as the "output gap closes". And BoC concluded by noting that it "acknowledges the strength of recent data, some of which is temporary, and is mindful of the significant uncertainties weighing on the outlook."

The financial markets are clearly in risk averse mode on escalating geopolitical tensions. Gold jumps to as high as 1281.8 so far, comparing to last week's close at 1257.3, and is heading towards 1300 handle. WTI crude oil also extends recent rally to as high as 53.6, still on course to 55.24 key resistance. Safe haven flows into US treasury also pushed yield lower with 10-year yield losing -0.063 to close at 2.298. And 10-year yield is now having last week's spike low at 2.271 in sight. Reactions in stock were relatively muted as DJIA dipped to 20512.56 but closed at 20651, down just -0.03%. Though, notable weakness is seen in Nikkei as it's trading down -1.2% at the time of writing.

Euro recovers today as lifted by German investor sentiment data. Meanwhile, Dollar softens broadly after uninspiring comments from Fed chair Janet Yellen. German ZEW economic sentiment rose to 19.5 in April, up from 12.8, beat expectation of 14.8. That's also the highest level since August 2015. Current situation assessment rose to 80.1, up from 77.3, beat expectation of 80.1. ZEW President Achim Wambach said that the "German economic situation has proved fairly robust in the first quarter" And, that was highlighted by "solid figures for growth in industrial production, the construction sector and retail sales from February." Also, "consistently high labour demand has boosted private consumption." Eurozone ZEW economic sentiment rose to 26.3, up from 25.6, beat expectation of 25.0. Also from Eurozone, industrial production dropped -0.3% mom in February versus expectation of 0.1% mom rise.

Some selling pressure is seen in Euro in Asian session as the common currency is dipping through Monday's low against Yen and Sterling. French election in April and May is the main focus for the common currency for now. But it should be noted that instead of political uncertainties, Euro's current selloff is more due to adjustments on ECB expectations. That is, there is little chance for ECB to raise interest rate soon in spite of the "hawkish twist" back in March. There are talks that Euro could be given a lift after French election but that would likely be just temporary. The situation of the British Pound is indeed quite different as Sterling has survived news of Brexit and stayed firm. BoE outlook is the main support for the Pound as Kristin Forbes voted for a rate hike back in March. And that was accompanied by stronger than expected February headline inflation reading. UK CPI release today will be importantly to decide whether Sterling can hold on to its resilience.

The Japanese Yen is trading as the weakest major currency today as it's paring back this month's gain. Canadian Dollar is so far the strongest one for the day as supported by strength in oil price. Dollar attempted to extend Friday's rally earlier today but no follow through buying in seen yet. Meanwhile, Euro is weighed down mildly by news on French presidential election. Overall, trading activity is quite subdued today as traders are probably starting preparing for holiday and long weekend ahead.

Dollar edges mildly higher in early Asian session today but quickly turned mixed. The greenback is somewhat supported by comments from Fed officials. St. Louis Fed President James Bullard echoed some other officials and said Fed could start winding down its $4.5T balance sheet later this year. But in that case for Bullard, it would become less necessary to raise interest rate. On the other hand, New York Fed President William Dudley said on Friday that shrinking the balance sheet would only prompt a "little pause" in tightening.

"The market is always right". That's by no means saying that the market is efficient, that's a topic for the academics. But, the market always move with certain underlying forces. We may or may not always understand why stocks, yields, currencies commodities move that way. It doesn't matter. And indeed, the voice of the market is usually the loudest when it does something that doesn't make sense. It's up to us to hear it or ignore it. And, reading news is not about reading the news but the reactions to the news. It's our choice to see the reactions, or just to criticize the reactions.

US non-farm payroll report comes in much weaker than expected. Only 98k jobs were created in March, around half of expectations of 177k only. Prior month's figure was also revised down from 235k to 219k. Unemployment rate dropped 0.2% to 4.5%, hitting the lowest level in nearly 10 years. Average hourly earnings posted 0.2% mom rise in March, below expectation of 0.3%. Released from Canada, employment rose 19.4k in March versus expectation of 5.7k. Unemployment rate rose to 6.7%. Notable weakness is seen in USD/CAD after the releases, as Canadian dollar is additionally supported by surge in oil price. Some buying is seen in the Japanese yen, on risk aversion and possibly on expectation of fall in treasury yields too. Meanwhile, dollar is so far steady against European majors.

Risk aversion comes back to drive the market as US President Donald Trump, while he was meeting with China President Xi Jinping, ordered air strike on Syria. That was in response to Syrian government's use of chemical weapons on civilians. Nikkei reversed earlier gains and is trading in red at the time of writing while Hong Kong HSI is trading down -1%. Most Asian indices are generally in red. Gold soars through 1270 to as high as 1271.5 and takes out resistance at 1264.9 firmly. WTI crude oil surges to as high as 52.94, comparing to yesterday's close at 51.70. In the currency market, renewed buying is seen in the Japanese yen and Swiss Franc. Canadian Dollar decouples with Aussie and Kiwi thanks to oil prices.

Dollar trades in rather tight range as the markets await the summit between US President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping. They will greet each other at Trump's Mar-a Lago retreat in Florida late in the afternoon and dine together. The summit will conclude with a working lunch tomorrow. Pressure is on Trump's shoulder to deliver something concrete out of the meeting. Those would include bringing jobs "stolen" by the Chinese back to the US, ending China's "currency manipulation", push China to use its "great influence" on North Korea, etc. Some market participants might have high expectation on the outcome of the summit. But other might just prefer Trump to move his focus back to tax reform, which is, in our view, more essential in determining the financial markets' direction.

The tones in the financial markets remain unchanged for the week. US equities attempted for a rally overnight. DJIA surged initially on strong US ADP employment and reached as high as 20887.50. But the index then reversed to close down -0.20%, or -41.09 pts, at 20648.15. The hawkish FOMC minutes are seen as a factor weighing on sentiments. But more importantly, House speaker Paul Ryan's comments on tax reform further reduced market confidence on US President Donald Trump's ability to implement what he promised. 10 year yield closed mildly higher by -0.007 at 2.357 but it's kept in tight range well below 55 day EMA. In the currency markets, Japanese yen strengthens again on risk aversion is remains the strongest major currency for the week. Commodity currencies are suffering renewed selling in Asian session. Dollar and Euro are trading mixed.

Dollar strengthens mildly in early US session after stronger than expected job data. But there is no follow through buying seen yet. ADP report showed 263k growth in private sector jobs, versus consensus of 189k. Prior month's figure was revised down fro 298k to 245k, but was still solid. Markets will look into the FOMC minutes of March meeting to be released later today, as well as non-farm payroll report on Friday. The two-day meeting between US President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping will also be closely watched. But after all, directions of Dollar and treasury yields will remain dependent Fed expectations. And it's well known that Fed's base case is three hikes in total this year. Change in the base case will require solid input from Trump's implementation of his economic policies. And we're yet to see anything solid. Any movements in the greenback would likely be temporary before Trump delivers.

The forex markets are pretty steady in Asian session today. Commodity currencies remain generally soft on mild risk aversion. Traders are cautious ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping. Yet, they are calm in spite of the news that North Korea fired another ballistic missile. Euro is also staying in range after French presidential election TV debate. Yen pares back some gains after treasury yields stabilized but more upside is still favored. In other markets, both gold and WTI crude oil extended recent rally but momentum is not too strong so far.

Japanese Yen remains the strongest major currency for the week on risk aversion. On the one hand, sentiments were weighed down by terrorist attack in Russia. On the other hand, markets are getting cautious ahead of the summit between US president Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping. Dollar follows Yen as the second strongest one but it's losing some momentum against Euro. Commodity currencies are generally lower today with Aussie leading the way down on the perceived dovish RBA statement. In other markets, Gold seems to benefit from risk aversion and jumped to 1263.7 but lost momentum quickly. WTI crude oil is struggling around 55 day EMA around 50.67.

Australian dollar weakens after the Reserve bank of Australia held cash rate unchanged at 1.50% as widely expected and maintained a neutral stance. RBA reiterated in the statement that "taking account of the available information, the Board judged that holding the stance of monetary policy unchanged at this meeting would be consistent with sustainable growth in the economy and achieving the inflation target over time." The statement itself is largely unchanged from the prior one.

Movements in the forex markets are very limited today. Sterling dips mildly after PMI manufacturing missed expectation. Euro stays soft in general even though comments from policy makers should be Euro supportive. Aussie weakened earlier in the day on retail sales disappointment but no follow through selling is seen so far. Yen stays in tight range after uninspiring release of Tankan survey. Dollar on the other hand, trades mixed as markets await ISM indices and employment data later in the week, as well as FOMC minutes. In other markets, Gold continues to struggle in tight range around 1250. WTI crude oil is staying firm above 50 handle but can't extend gains so far.