Market Overview

Trading is relatively subdued in the forex markets today as the quarter is heading for close. Euro turned into sideway trading but is set to end the week as the weakest major currency. In spite of more Brexit news, Sterling is just mixed for the week, up against Dollar, Europeans and Yen. Canadian dollar continues to be supported by firmness in oil price as WTI crude oil is holding on to 50 handle after brief retreat. Aussie follows as risk appetite returned to the markets. In other markets, European indices are mixed while US futures point to a flat open. Gold lost steam as Dollar rebounds and is heading back to 1240.

Risk appetite returned overnight with financial sector leading stocks higher. The surge in WTI crude oil through 50 handle also boosted overall sentiments. DJIA closed up 0.33% at 20728.94 and would be testing 20757.89 near term resistance today. NASDAQ has indeed closed at new record high at 5914.34, up 0.28%. But the sentiments didn't carry on in Asian session as Nikkei closed down -0.81% at 18909.26, below 19000 handle again. Dollar index is back above 100 handle and broke near term resistance at 100.48, indicating the possibility of reversal. In the currency markets, Aussie and Canadian Dollar are leading the way up for the week on risk appetite, followed by Dollar. Meanwhile, European majors are generally weak with Euro setting to close as the weakest one.

Dollar trades mixed today in spite of news about US President Donald Trump's infrastructure spending. US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said the Trump would unveil a USD 1T infrastructure plan over ten years, later this year. But no detail was provided. Chao said that the plan would cover "more than transportation infrastructure, it will include energy, water and potentially broadband and veterans hospitals as well." However, the news is shrugged off by investors as they remain skeptical on Trump's ability push through his economic policies.

Dollar attempted for recovery overnight but momentum has been very weak. Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren's hawkish comments provided brief lift to the greenback. But weakness in stocks and yield limited Dollar's gain. European majors are trading broadly lower for the week. Sterling was sold off as UK finally submitted formal request for Brexit yesterday. Euro was weighed down as traders pared expectations of stimulus exit from ECB any time soon. Commodity currencies are trading higher for the week but is bounded in established range. In other markets, DJIA closed down -0.2% at 20659.32 after failing to take out 20757.89 near term resistance. 10 year yield's recovery failed below 55 day EMA and closed at 2.386, down -0.023. Gold engages in sideway consolidation around 1250. WTI crude oil rebounded strongly and is heading back towards 50 handle.

Euro drops sharply today, taking over Sterling as the weakest major currency for the week. The selloff in the common currency is triggered by reports that the markets have over-interpreted ECB's message in the March meeting. Back than, there was a slight change in the language in the guidance. Markets took that as a sign that ECB is moving closer to stimulus exit. However, Reuters quoted unnamed source saying that policy makers merely wanted to communicate reduced tail risk.

DJIA rebounded strongly overnight by closing up 150.52 pts or 0.73% at 20701.50. S&P also rebounded by gaining 16.98 pts or 0.73% to close at 2358.57. Some attributed the rebound to strong economic data. Conference Board consumer confidence jumped to 125.6 in March, hitting the highest level since December 2000. But from our point of view, the rebound in stocks were mainly technical driven. Strong support was seen in both DJIA and S&P 500 from 55 day EMA. Meanwhile, the rebound in stocks was also accompanied by yields and Dollar index. The development suggests that reversal Trump trade has at least passed the first climax even though there is no sign of it being completed yet. The focus is turned to Sterling selling as Brexit day finally arrives.

The financial markets stabilized today with major European indices trading mixed. DAX jumps 0.5% at the time of writing while FTSE and CAC stays in tight range around break even. US futures also point to flat open. In the currency markets, commodity currencies are soft but generally confined in yesterday's range. Yen is firmer against all others but there is no follow through buying to push it throw Monday's highs yet.

Dollar gains some ground against European majors and Yen as market sentiments stabilized mildly. But near term outlook remains bearish and more downside should be seen in the greenback in near term. DJIA closed down -0.22% at -20550.98 after diving to as low as 20412.80. S&P 500 also closed down -0.1% at 2341.59 after hitting as low as 2322.25. Both indices drew support from 55 day EMAs and pared much losses before close.

Dollar's decline accelerates as markets seem to have made up their mind regarding US president Donald Trump's health care act failure. The dollar index is losing -0.7% at the time of writing, diving through 99.23 near term support and hits as low as 98.90 so far. Risk aversion dominates the markets as investors seriously question Trump's ability to push through his policies. Nikkei closed down -1.44% at 18985.59. FTSE, DAX and CAC are trading down -0.8%, -0.95% and -0.45% respectively. US futures point to another three-digit fall in DJIA at open. In the currency markets, Yen and European majors are generally higher with Sterling leading the way. Commodity currencies are broadly under pressured.

Dollar tumbles broadly in Asian session while the Japanese yen surges. Nikkei also trade deeply in red and is down -1.4%, below 19000 handle, at the time of writing. These developments are seen as markets' reactions to US president Donald Trump's failure in pushing through his health care act. Some analysts noted that markets are generally getting more cautious as the failure exposed Trump's on his limits.

Risk aversion was the dominate theme last week on reverse Trump trade. DJIA suffered the biggest decline this year and lost -317.9 pts or 1.51% to close at 20596.72. S&P 500 dropped -34.27 pts or 1.44% to close at 2343.98. Treasury yield followed with 10 year yield losing -0.101 to close at 2.400. Dollar index dive through 100 handle to close at 99.62, down from prior week's close at 100.31. In the currency markets, Yen was the biggest winner last week on risk aversion and falling yields. Swiss Franc closely followed as the second strongest major currency. Dollar weakened against European majors and Yen but ended up against Aussie and Canadian Dollar. The two were the weakest major currencies last week. In other markets, Gold extended recent rise from 1194.5 and closed at 1248.5, but kept below resistance at 1264.9. WTI crude oil continued to stay in sideway consolidation between 47/50.

Euro trades broadly higher today as lifted by solid PMI data. Meanwhile, the greenback also follows even though markets are facing uncertainty on health care vote in House. US president Donald Trump has issued his ultimatum to House Republicans that if the American Health Care Act is not passed today, he will move on to other priorities and leave Obamacare alone.

The financial markets are holding their breaths as US House delayed the vote of President Donald Trump's health care plan. DJIA recovered to 20757.89 overnight but closed down -0.02% at 20656.68. S&P 500 also recovered to 2358.92 but closed down -0.11% at 234596. 10 year yield recovered by closing up 0.022 at 2.418 but stayed below 55 day EMA at 2.434.

The Japanese yen extends this week's broad based rally even though markets stabilized elsewhere. US President Donald Trump will be facing his first legislative test today. House will vote on Trump's American Health Care Act for replacing so called Obamacare. As Chair of the House Freedom Caucus, Mark Meadows, suggested, there are still insufficient votes to pass the bill but the chance appears to have improved. Meanwhile, there are also reports that there could be more than 25 Republicans opposing the bill.

New Zealand dollar is steadily in range after RBNZ stands pat as widely expected. The central bank left the Official Cash Rate unchanged at record low of 1.75% and maintained a neutral stance. Governor Graeme Wheeler reiterated in the statement that "monetary policy will remain accommodative for a considerable period." And, "numerous uncertainties remain, particularly in respect of the international outlook, and policy may need to adjust accordingly."

Risk aversion dominates the financial markets today. European indices are trading broadly lower with FTSE leading the way by losing more than -0.7%. CAC and DAX are both down -0.5% respectively. DJIA had the worst day for this year yesterday and is set to extend the sharp fall as suggested by futures. Nikkei lost -2.13% earlier today as additionally pressured by report of North Korea's failed missile test. Stocks are sold off sharply on concerns that US president Donald Trump doesn't have the ability to fulfil his election promises and push through his policies.

US equities suffered the steepest decline for the year overnight. Doubts over US president Donald Trump's ability to push through his policies are seen as the major factor driving stocks down. In particular, some economists pointed out that there is simply not enough money in the government to allow for a tax cut, nor the fiscal stimulus programs. DJIA dropped -237.85 pts, or -1.14% to close at 20668.01. S&P 500 lost -29.45 pts or -1.25% to close at 2344.02. Financials led the way, dropping more than -2.5%. Treasury yield also suffered with 10 year yield extending the near term fall from 2.615 to close at 2.436, down -0.037. Dollar index broke 100 handle to as low as 99.66. In the currency market, risk aversion boosted Yen to be the strongest major currency for the week. Commodity currencies are the weakest with Aussie leading the way down. Sterling and Euro are relatively resilient.

Sterling strengthens against all other major currencies as its boosted by strong inflation data. Headline CPI accelerated to 2.3% yoy in February, up from 1.8% yoy and beat expectation of 2.1% yoy. Core CPI also accelerated to 2.0% yoy, up from 1.6% yoy and beat expectation of 1.7% yoy. Headline CPI is now back inside BoE's target zone. iIt's also the highest reading since September 2013. While BoE has been clear that it will allow inflation to overshoot for sometime, there are continuous speculation of the timing of a rate hike.

Australian dollar's hit a four month high overnight but lost momentum after strong housing data and RBA minutes. RBA highlighted in the meeting minutes the risks from the heat-up housing markets. It noted that "data continued to suggest that there had been a build-up of risks associated with the housing market." And, "growth in household debt had been faster than that in household income."

Sterling dips broadly today but loss is limited. UK Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman James Slack said that Article 50 on Brexit will be triggered next Wednesday on March 29. And, UK representative to EU Tim Barrow has already informed European Council President Donald Tusk of the plan. Slack also noted that "after we trigger, the 27 will agree their guidelines for negotiations and the Commission's negotiating mandate." And, "President Tusk has said he expects an initial response within 48 hours. We want negotiations to start promptly." Meanwhile, it's reported that UK and Germany are planning to sign a new defence pact after the trigger. German defence ministry confirmed that they are working on joint projects. And, the ministry emphasized that "independent of the effects of Brexit, Great Britain remains a strong partner and ally in Nato and also bilaterally."