Asian Markets Lower as US Gives Up Easter Coronavirus Target, Yen Firmer
Asian markets open the week generally lower as there is no sign of even a slowdown in coronavirus pandemic. The US has also given up hope for returning to normal by Easter. Yen strengthens generally, followed by Dollar. Meanwhile, Sterling and Euro are giving up some gains. Movements in...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – US Dollar Remained Firm again Major Currencies
The reporting period was ahead of Fed's announcement of QE infinity. During the week, US dollar rallied against major currencies. Although the Fed announced to resumed QE, the purchase of US$700B of assets was small as a percentage of US GDP. Meanwhile, as other central banks have announced to...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Gold Price Resumed Rally while Crude Oil Fell to Almost Decade Low as Recession Risk Heightened
Bets on higher gold price increased as worsening coronavirus pandemic intensified concerns over global recession. On the other hand, traders increased bets on both higher and lower crude oil prices, but the latter prevailed. The front-month WTI crude contract slumped to lowest level since 2011 during the week. According...
As Recovery in Stocks Lose Momentum, Could Dollar Strike Back?
While the coronavirus pandemic continued to worsen globally, investor sentiment somewhat stabilized after governments and central banks rushed to push out tighter lockdown measures, fiscal stimulus and monetary easing. Dollar suffered massive selling on easing risk aversion, improving funding conditions, as well as Fed's QE infinity. Canadian Dollar ended...
Markets in Profit Taking Retreat, Yen and Dollar Recovering Grounds
European stocks and US futures turn softer today, apparently on pre-weekend profit taking again. FTSE is additionally pressured, possibly as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was tested positive for coronavirus. In the currency markets, Yen regains some ground together with Swiss Franc and Dollar. Commodity currencies are mildly lower. However,...
Global Central Banks Rushed to Stimulus Amidst Limited Monetary Policy Tools
As the coronavirus pandemic could very likely lead the world to recession, global central banks have rushed to inject liquidity through rate cuts another other unconventional measures. However, interest rates have already stayed at very low levels before the crisis. The room for further rate cuts is limited. Some...
US Coronavirus Infections and Stocks Surge, Dollar Weakens
Dollar is set to end the week as the week as the worst performing as corrections in the financial markets extend. Asian indices are generally higher following another day of strong close in the US overnight. Yen follows Dollar as the second weakest naturally as risk aversion eased. Meanwhile,...
Dollar Stays Soft after Shocking Jobless Claims, BoE Stands Pat
Dollar softens mildly again today as consolidation extends. The shock delivered by initial jobless claims is actually rather well expected. The greenback dips slightly after Fed chair Jerome Powell's comments, but that's it. BoE keep monetary policies unchanged at the scheduled meeting today, which also triggered little reactions. Yen...
Risk Rebound Fades as Focus Turns to Jobless Claims and BoE
Asian markets turn softer today as boost from US stimulus package fades very quickly. Focus will instead turn to BoE rate decision and US jobless claims. In particular, the latter would reveal how serious the initial impact of coronavirus outbreak in the US is. In the currency markets, commodity...
Markets Turned Mixed after Stimulus Rally, Dollar Staying in Consolidations
The stimulus deal in US Congress gave markets just a very brief lift. European indices turned mixed after initial rally while US futures are essentially flat. Trading in the currency markets is subdued too with Australian Dollar leading commodity currencies higher. Yen, Swiss Franc and Dollar remain soft. Gold...
Sentiments Boosted By US Stimulus Deal, Dollar, Yen and Swiss Soften
Asian markets generally strengthen today and are given another lift after US politicians finally agreed to a USD 2T coronavirus stimulus deal. Australian Dollar leads other commodity currencies higher. On the other hand, Yen weakens broadly, followed by Yen and then Dollar. Some important economic data will be released...
Markets Shrug Disastrous PMIs, Continue to Digest Recent Moves
PMI data released together generally showed a disastrous picture in the service sectors around the world, due to coronavirus pandemic and the measures to contain it. Nevertheless, these data are generally shrugged off as they're generally expected. Reactions would likely be muted too even if the data come in...
Dollar Softens on Fed QE Infinity, Global PMIs in Focus
While Fed's QE infinity gave no apparent boost to US stocks, Asian markets are responding rather positively. Strong gains are seen in major indices. Dollar has turned broadly weak, followed by Swiss Franc, Yen and Euro. Australian Dollar is leading commodity currencies higher. Gold also ride on greenback's pull...
Flash PMI Gives More Evidence that Japan has Entered Recession, Unlikely to be Rescued by Stimulus
A week before the final data, the flash PMI report for Japan gives a glimpse of how the coronavirus outbreak has hurt the country’s manufacturing and services activities. The composite output index slumped to 35.8, compared with 47 in February. Sector-wise, the services index dived to 32.7 in March...
Sentiments Take a U-Turn as Fed Goes QE Unlimited
Market sentiments take a u-turn today after Fed surprised the markets with another emergency announce. Now, the targets for asset purchases are removed and Fed is going into QE unlimited. US futures turned from limit down to positive while major European indices pared back much of earlier losses. The...
Risk Aversion Continues, RBNZ Cut, NZ & AU Lockdown, US to See Surge in Unemployment
Markets are back in risk averse mode as another week starts, after Spain and Italy suffered the worst days of coronavirus pandemic over the weekend. US Senate failed to advance another aid package on differences between Republican and Democrats. But resolution would be seen soon based on the severity...
RBNZ Announced QE to Tame Tightening Market Conditions
RBNZ announced QE on Monday, following an aggressive emergency rate cut, by -75 bps, to 0.25% last week. The surprising move aims at soothing the credit conditions which have tightened significantly over the past weeks. Besides QE, the central bank last week introduced a Term Auction Facility, FX swap...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Bets on Major Currencies Reduced as Global Central Banks Rushed to Cut Rates
Bets on major currency futures were trimmed on last week, as major central banks announced emergency measures to contain risks of global recession. US dollar soared last week despite Fed's two rate cuts in 2 weeks, bringing the Fed funds rate -150 bps lower. Besides announcing to expand QE...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Traders Trimmed Bets on Commodities amidst Rising Global Uncertainty
Bets on oil and precious metals futures fell across the board. According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended March 17, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures jumped +52 840 contracts to 440 237 for the week. Speculative long positions fell -14 748 contracts while...
Dollar in Strong Rally as Coronavirus Pandemic Worsened, Key Resistance Levels Broken
The anticipated market stabilization didn't happen last week. Instead, despite massive monetary and fiscal stimulus, stocks around the world still ended sharply lower. Nevertheless, as stocks are showing sign of loss of downside momentum. Treasury yield has somewhat stabilized in range. We'd see that the rock bottom in investor...