Brexit Stalemate Continues, US-China Trade Talks Resume, Euro Vulnerable
The forex markets are relatively quiet as quarter end approaches. Sterling remains stuck in range as Brexit stalemate continues. The UK Parliament continued to tell the world what they don't want regarding Brexit, but not they really want. Meanwhile, US-China trade talks are resuming in Beijing today. There are...
US Crude Oil Inventory Increased, Compared with Expectations of Another Week of Withdrawal
The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks climbed +0.06 mmb to 1221.91 mmb in the week ended March 22. Crude oil inventory increased +2.8 mmb to 442.28 mmb (consensus: -1.2 mmb). Inventories rose in 3 out...
Sterling Higher ahead of Brexit Indicative Votes, Yen Higher as Treasury Yields Extend Slump
Indicative votes on Brexit alternatives in the UK House of Commons will catch most attention ahead. Debate is due to start by 1500GMT. We'll see what alternative Brexit path could gain majority in the Parliament. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow will select which of the proposals will be...
Selloff in New Zealand and Australian Dollar Dominates on Rate Cuts Bets
Selloff in New Zealand and Australian Dollar is the main theme in Asian session today. Kiwi plummets after RBNZ stands pat and indicates that the next move is a cut. After that, a full RBZN cut in priced in November but there are speculations on as early as a...
RBNZ Review – Next Move would be Rate Cut as Risks to Growth Skewed to Downside
As we expected, RBNZ has turned more dovish in March. A more pessimistic view about the domestic and global economic outlook has led members to adjust their forward guidance on the monetary policy stance. The members now expect to cut the policy rate in the next move. The market...
Yen Lower as CAC Leads European Stocks Higher, Sterling Rises on Revived Brexit Hope
The forex markets are staying in consolidative mode today. Sterling rises notably as some Brexiteers are finally agreeing that Prime Minister Theresa May's deal is better than no Brexit. At least, there is a chance for future governments to adjust the relationship with EU further. But in any case,...
Sterling Range Bound after Parliament Took Control on Brexit, Votes on Alternatives Next
The forex markets are relatively mixed this week, in particular Sterling. Pound is staying inside familiar range even though the Parliament finally seized control over Brexit from the government. Focus will turn to Wednesday's indicative votes but it's uncertain whether the government will follow the results. Prime Minister May...
RBNZ Preview – Can RBNZ Maintain Neutral Stance amidst Deteriorating Outlook?
RBNZ is expected to leave the cash rate at 1.75% in March. However, as both domestic and global economic slowdown has intensified since the February meeting, we doubt if the central bank could maintain the guidance that next rate change could be “up or down”. Indeed, we expect the...
Sentiments Stabilized after German Confidence Data, Brexit to Take Spotlight Again
Market sentiments generally stabilized today after initial selloff in Asia. While major European indices are still in red, losses are so far very limited. German 10-year bund yield even managed to turn positive briefly. Better than expected German Ifo Business Climate gave sentiment a mild lift. Yet, the picture...
Risk Aversion Continues With Focus on German Ifo and Brexit
Risk aversion dominates in the Asian markets today as recession fears spread. But the currency markets are steady though. Major pairs and crosses are bounded inside Friday's range at the time of writing, with mild weakest in Sterling and Swiss Franc. After last week's poor Germany PMI manufacturing, investors...
Sentiments Turned Very Fragile as Recession Fears Intensified
After the much more dovish than expected Fed economic projections and shockingly poor Eurozone manufacturing data, it looks like major world economies are at the brink recessions. German 10-year bund yield turned negative for the first time since 2016, and it was as high as 0.12 during the week....
CFTC Commitments of Traders – NET SHORT for GBP Declined Significantly Despite Brexit Crossroads
As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended March 19, NET LENGTH in USD Index fell as speculative long positions dropped while shorts gained. NET LENGTH for USD index declined -9 139 contracts, to 25 935. All major currencies were in in NET SHORT...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Short Bets on Crude Oil Price Fell Sharply Last Week
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended March 19, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures jumped +52 481 contracts to 414 746 for the week. Speculative long positions rose +34 394 contracts while shorts plunged-18 087. Crude oil prices strengthened during the week on...
Euro Dives as German Data Prompts Recession Fear, 10-Year Bund Yield Turned Negative
Fears of global recession intensify after shockingly poor German manufacturing data. Major European indices are all trading in red while DOW is down more than 100 pts at initial trading. More importantly, German 10-year bund yield turns negative for the first time since 2016. The most accurate indicator of...
Sterling Paring Losses as Brexit Cliff Edge Delayed for Two Weeks
After some roller coaster rides, Sterling is trading broadly higher for today after EU approved a short Brexit extension for UK. But overall, the Pound remains the weakest one for the week. Delaying the "cliff edge" by two weeks is just giving the economy a breather. The problem is...
Dollar Recovering Post FOMC Loss, BoE and SNB Shrugged
Dollar is trying to recover some of the steep losses triggered by much more dovish than expected FOMC economic projections. The greenback is now trading mixed for the day, and it's indeed up against Sterling and Canadian for the week. Free fall in Germany yield is another factor lifting...
BOE Left Policy Unchanged. Next Move Depends on Brexit Outcome
BOE voted unanimously to leave the Bank rate unchanged at 0.75%, and the asset purchase program at 435B pound, in March. Dataflow during the inter-meeting period was mixed, while the Brexit outlook has become even less certain. The members indicated that domestic economic developments, and hence the monetary policy,...
SNB Downgraded Inflation Forecast for Switzerland, Pledged to Curb Franc’s Strength
SNB left target range for the three-month Libor unchanged at between -1.25% and -0.25%, and maintained a dovish tone. Apart from pledging to intervene the “highly valued” Swiss franc, the central bank downgraded its inflation forecasts. However, this appears to have added limited selling pressure to franc, as both...
Dovish Fed, Recession Risks, Prolonged Trade War, Brexit Fatigue
Dollar tumbled sharply overnight as FOMC economic projected turned out to be much more dovish than expected. Selling continues today, in particular against the Japanese Yen, which is lifted broadly on after the sharp decline in US treasury yields, in response to FOMC. While stock markets are just mixed,...
Fed Turns Even More Dovish in March – Downgrading Economic Outlook, Pausing Rate Hike Cycle, Ending Balance Sheet Reduction
The Fed has turned more dovish than previously expected. Besides downgrading the economic assessments at the policy statement, the members now expect no change in interest rate this year, followed by one rate hike in 2020. They also revised lower the economic projections and decided to terminate the balance...