Official PMI Shows Slowdown in China’s Manufacturing Sector
China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported that manufacturing PMI eased to 51.4 in April, from 51.5 a month ago. This, however, came in better than consensus of 51.3. The non-manufacturing improved to 54.8 in April from 54.6 in the prior month. The composite PMI output index also edged +0.1...
Forex Markets Steady as Heavy Weight Data from US, Eurozone and UK Awaited
The forex market open the week rather steadily with major indices stuck inside Friday's range. Aussie is generally lower followed by Yen. Meanwhile, Sterling, Dollar and Swiss Franc are generally higher. But the picture could quickly change as volatility comes in. The week ahead is full of important events...
Brexit Uncertainty Remains Key Determinant of BOE’s Rate Hike Path
British pound remains under pressure after Friday’s selloff. GBPUSD slumped almost -1% on Friday, resulting in a second consecutive weekly decline of the pair, as weakness in first quarter GDP growth was accompanied with BOE Governor Mark Carney’s dovish BBC interview in the prior week. The double disappointment also...
Traders Mixed over Oil’s Outlook
Speculators were mixed over the energy complex in the week ended April 24. Net LENGTH for crude oil futures plunged -15 708 contracts from a week ago to 712 423. NET LENGTH of heating oil rose +6 420 contracts to 22 656 while net LENGTH for gasoline gained +9 813 contracts...
Dollar and Yield Reached Critical Junctures after Strong Rally, Determining Events ahead
Dollar was given a powerful boost last week on a couple of factors. Firstly, 10 year yield extended recent bull run and hit 3% level for the first time since 2014. Secondly, Euro was sold off steeply after the confusing messages from ECB President Mario Draghi during the post...
Dollar Rally Exhausted after Multiple Boosts this Week, Sterling and Euro Tumbled on GDP Misses
Dollar's rally seem to be a bit exhausted in early US session. After all, the greenback was lifted firstly by yield earlier this week, then by ECB yesterday. Additional buying jumped in after French GDP miss and than UK GDP miss in European session. Hence, even though the greenback...
US and UK GDP to Take Center Stage, BoJ Stands Pat
Dollar is trading mildly lower today but remains the overwhelmingly strongest one for the week. The greenback was, on the one hand, pushed higher overnight thanks to the steep post ECB selloff in Euro. Dollar index hit as high as 91.63 and continued to build up the case of...
ECB Refrained from Hinting on Policy Outlook
In line with our expectations, ECB largely judged the recent slowdown in economic data as driven by temporary factors and moderation after periods of strong growth. The members maintained the view that risks to growth were “broadly balanced” and remained confident that inflation would converge towards the +2% target....
Euro breaks down after reassessing ECB Draghi, where next?
We've pointed out in the quick comment updates that there was no follow through buying in Euro despite the rebound attempt. That rebound was initially triggered by ECB President Mario Draghi's introductory statement that talked about the "solid and broad-based expansion" despite weaker than expected data. However, there was...
Euro Holding on to 1.2154 against Dollar on Cautiously Upbeat ECB Draghi, Dollar Weakens as Yields Retreat
Euro recovers against Dollar after ECB president Mario Draghi tried to play down concerns over recent weak Eurozone data. But his usual cautiousness is so far capping Euro buying. On the other hand, Dollar's rally also loses some steam, in particular against Yen as 10 year yield dips back...
EUR/USD Eying 1.2154 Key Support as Markets Seek ECB Draghi’s View on Q1 Slowdown
Dollar retreats mildly in Asian session today but remains the strongest one for the week. US 10 year yield finally took out 3% level overnight with some conviction. TNX hit as high as 3.035 before closing at 3.024, up 0.041. The development helped lifted Dollar Index above key near...
Crude Oil and Gasoline Inventories Surprisingly Increased
The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products stocks gained +1.39 mmb to 1182.36 mmb in the week ended April 20. Crude oil inventory added +2.17 mmb to 429.74 mmb, amidst increases in 3 out of 5 PADDs. The market...
Dollar Surges as 10 Year Yield is Having Another Take on 3%
Dollar jumps again today as 10 year yield is having another attempt at 3% handle today. The greenback is trading above yesterday's high against all major currencies except Sterling. And for now, Yen is actually not the weakest one. Instead, commodity currencies and Swiss Franc are the worst performers....
SNB Unlikely to Act Despite Recent EURCHF Strength
EURCHF remains in consolidation after briefly breaching 1.2 last Friday. We see policy divergence, US sanctions against Russia and the upcoming referendum on SNB’s power are key reasons for the recent weakness in Swiss franc. Despite the symbolic meaning – SNB set 1.2 as the floor of EURCHF in...
Intermarket Movements to Drive Forex Trading with Light Calendar Today
Dollar traded mixed overnight as while 10 year yield breached 3% handle, there was no follow through selling in bonds that kept it above that level. On the other hand, the situation was complicated by the selloff in stocks due to earnings, which propelled Japanese Yen briefly higher. The...
How is US Yield’s Breach of 3% Related to Recent Crude Oil Rally?
The two most astonishing features in the financial market over the past week were soaring US Treasury yields and crude oil prices. After making a fresh 4-year high last Friday, the 10-year yield extended gains and eventually broke above 3% this week. Meanwhile, both crude oil benchmarks rallied to...
Dollar Turned into Consolidation, German Ifo Miss Gives Euro No Support
Dollar engages in consolidative trading today as markets digest recent sharp gains. Also, as pointed out before, 10 year yield should a sign of hesitation ahead of 3%, and it might take a bit more time to overcome this level. While housing data is a focus in the US...
Dollar Pares Gain as Yield Hesitated ahead of 3%, German Ifo Watched
Dollar pares back some gains in Asian session today after yesterday's yield driven rally. 10 year yield hit as high as 2.990 during regular trading hour before closing at 2.973, up 0.022. However, that was below open at 2.975 and thus, showed a bit of hesitation ahead of 3%...
ECB Preview: Caution over Recent Slowdown Won’t Affect QE Schedule
Despite expectations that the ECB would only announce adjustments on QE and interest rate in June the earliest, the upcoming meeting is not a non-event. Since the March meeting, Eurozone’s economic data have surprised to the downside. It would be of great interest to see the policymakers’ interpretation of...
Dollar Marches on as 10 Year Yield Presses 3%
Dollar's broad based rally extends today with the support of surging US treasury yield. 10 year yield hit as high as 2.99% in premarket, and is flirting with 3% level. Meanwhile, Japanese yen are trading as the weakest one. Euro suffered some selling earlier today after mixed PMI data....