Dollar Shrugs Poor Retail Sales, Sterling Continues to Await Brexit Deal
Sterling is attempting to resume recent rally even though there is no clear break through in Brexit negotiations yet. European Council President Donald Tusk said it may take another seven to eight hours before knowing when Brexit may happen. As news and rumors come in, we may seen more...
Sterling Firm as Brexit Deal is Near, Inflation Data Watched
Pound stays generally firm in Asian session after yesterday's rally. UK and EU are getting closer to a Brexit deal and further progress could give Sterling another punch above. As for today, Yen and Swiss Franc are mildly firmer together with dollar. Meanwhile, Australian Dollar and New Zealand Dollars...
Sterling Firmer in Tight Range, Yen Mildly Higher as US-China Trade Deal Back in Question
Commodity currencies are generally softer today, as led by New Zealand Dollar. Euro also turned softer despite slightly better than expected German ZEW economic sentiment. US-China trade deal appears to be in question again, but reactions are so far mild. On the other hand, Sterling appears to be slightly...
Strong Inflation Could Affect PBOC’s Policy to Stimulate Growth; Trade Data Suggests China Continues to Suffer from Trade War
Headline CPI in China rose to +3% y/y in September, reaching PBOC’s target for first time since December 2013. However, this was driven by elevated pork price rather than improvement in household spending. Food price jumped +11.2%, accelerating from +10% in August. This was predominantly driven by pork price...
Australian Dollar Steady after RBA Minutes, Markets Staying in Tight Range
The forex markets are staying in tight range in Asian session today. More clarity is needed regarding two of the biggest global risks, before traders commit more. It's unlikely for a Brexit deal to be reached at the EU summit this week. And it's reported that EU could hold...
RBA Minutes – Sending Dovish Message by Rebuking Arguments in Favor of Keeping Rates Unchanged
In the minutes for the October meeting, RBA revealed the debate for the -25 bps rate cut. The key reasons for lowering the policy rate to 0.75% are disappointing employment and inflation data, as well as downside risk to global economic outlook. These outweighed the arguments for staying put,...
Yen, Swiss and Dollar Higher as Markets Rethink US-China Deal in Holiday Trading
Yen, Swiss Franc and Dollar continue to regain some grounds today as markets reassess US-China trade negotiations developments. New Zealand Dollar, Sterling and Australian Dollar are generally softer too. But overall trading is rather subdued with Japan, US and Canada on holiday. Today's price actions are, for now, generally...
Markets Higher But Cautiously Await Brexit and US-China Trade Developments
Asian markets opened higher but there is no clear follow through buying so far. Investors are cautiously assessing the overall developments. Nothing is done until everything is done. Even if, unlike last time, China puts all agreed into texts, it just means no more tariffs escalations at best. Much...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Bets for Higher Gold and Silver Prices Increased
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended October 8, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures slumped -34 234 contracts to 355 085 for the week. Speculative long positions added +5 454 contracts while shorts jumped +39 688 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH...
US-China Trade Deal and Brexit Optimism Lifted Sentiments
Global markets were boosted strongly last week as there seemed to be resolution to two major risks finally. UK and Ireland appeared to have found the "pathway" to avoid no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile, US and China agreed an interim trade deal that would avert further tariffs escalation. The improvement in...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Bets Trimmed on Both Sides for USD
As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended October 8, NET LENGTH in USD Index declined -3 169 contracts to 39 859. Speculative long positions fell -3 591 contracts and short positions slipped -422 contracts. Concerning European currencies, NET SHORT for EUR futures jumped...
Sterling Skyrockets on Brexit Optimism, Canadian Jumps on Job Data
Sterling is overwhelmingly the strongest one on optimism that UK will finally reach a deal with EU for an orderly Brexit. EU Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier is said to be given greenlight for tunnel discussions, paving the way for next week's crucial EU summit. Canadian Dollar is currently...
Sentiments Lifted by Optimism on Brexit and US-China Trade Talks
Sentiments had a drastic turn yesterday as both Brexit and US-China trade talks appeared to show some lights. Sterling rebounded strongly on hope there would finally be a deal to orderly Brexit on October 31. The Pound is set to end the week as the strongest one. Euro is...
Euro Jumps as ECB Accounts Showed Division on Stimulus, Dollar and Yen Weak
Dollar and Yen are generally softer today following notable rebound in German and US treasury yields. ECB meeting accounts confirmed the divided opinion among policy makers on the stimulus package, in particular QE. That gives a strong support in both Euro and German bund yields. Meanwhile, solid core CPI...
Markets Stay Cautious as US-China Trade Talks Awaited
Overall, the forex markets remain generally quiet in very tight range. Australian dollar edged higher in Asian session as lifted by stronger than expected consumer inflation expectations. Yet, there was on follow through buying. Yen and Dollar are both softer as sentiments remain cautious. Traders are very skeptical on...
US Crude Oil Inventory Gained Further, While Petroleum Products Continued to Drop
The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks dropped -0.83 mmb to 1288.4 mmb in the week ended October 9. Crude oil inventory added +2.93 mmb to 425.57 mmb (consensus: +1.41 mmb). Inventories jumped +5.64 mmb in...
Consolidation Continues as Markets Await FOMC Minutes and Trade Talks
Consolidative trading continues in the financial markets. US futures point to recovery despite uncertainties over US-China trade talks. Yet, markets are just paring some of yesterday's losses. The currency markets are also generally bounded inside yesterday's range. Dollar is slightly softer, awaiting FOMC minutes. Sterling had a rollercoaster ride...
Sterling Stays Weak on Brexit, Investors Uneased by US-China Tensions
The forex markets are rather steady in tight range in Asian session today. Over the week, Sterling is the weakest as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit proposal appeared to be unwelcome by EU. And he's facing fresh rebellions from his cabinet. Investors are a bit uneasy as political tensions...
Brexit Update – Johnson’s Deal Appears Unattractive to EU Members
British pound plunged on news that EU members would unlikely accept the new Withdrawal Agreement proposed by UK PM Boris Johnson. Market anxiety intensified as a report by The Times suggesting that German chancellor Angela Merkel demanded for Northern Ireland to stay in a customs union with the EU...
Sterling Tumbles on Brexit, Investors Cautious on Trade Talks
Investors turned generally cautious again after Bloomberg came back with another report that US is on ways to further scrutinize index providers' decision to add Chinese firms that could be material risks for investors. The administration believed that Americans are harmed by channeling funds into Chinese companies which pose...