The highlights of September include continued substantial rate hikes by the major central banks, save Japan. The Tories will pick a new leader, who will become the next prime minister of the UK. Italy looks determined to have a right-wing government. Sweden goes to the polls in mid-September. The price of defeating the Social Democrats, who have governed since 2014, maybe for the center-right to form an alliance with the nationalist Sweden Democrats. Like Brother of...
Read More »New Lockdown in China and the First Drop in South Korea’s Chip Exports in 2 years Euthanizes Animal Spirits
Overview: The precipitous fall in equities continues while the dollar remains buoyant. Nvidia’s warnings about US curbs on sales to China and the first drop in South Korea’s chip exports in two years, coupled with the largest lockdown in China since Shanghai encouraged investors to move to the sidelines. Most of the major equity markets in the Asia Pacific region were off 1-2%. The Stoxx 600 is off for the fifth consecutive session and the second session of more than...
Read More »EMU August CPI at 9.1%, while the Core Rate Jumps to 4.3%
Overview: The rise in global interest rates continues. The US 10-year yield is a few basis points near 3.15% and European benchmarks are mostly 5-6 bp higher. Of note, the sharp sell-off in UK Gilts has being extended. Yesterday’s 10 bp rise has been followed by another 14 bp surge today. Italian bonds are also getting hit. The 10-year yield is up a little more than 10 bp. The US dollar is mostly firmer against the major currencies, though the yen and Australian...
Read More »Turn Around Tuesday Began Yesterday, Likely Ends before Wednesday
Overview: Corrective pressures were evident yesterday and they extended today in Asia and Europe but seem to be running their course now. Market participants should view these developments as countertrend and be wary of waning risk appetites in North America today. Most Asia Pacific equities rallied earlier today, save China and Hong Kong. Europe’s Stoxx 600 has retraced most of yesterday’s losses and US futures are trading higher. Benchmark bond yields are softer...
Read More »Stocks and Bonds Sell Off, while the Dollar Rallies
Overview: The reverberations from last week continue to roil the capital markets today. Equities and bonds have been sold and the greenback bought. Most of the large markets in Asia Pacific fell by more 2%, including Japan’s Nikkei, Taiwan’s Taiex, and South Korea’s Kospi. Ironically, the Shanghai and Shenzhen Composites eked out minor gains, but the CSI 300 still eased. Europe’s Stoxx 600 is off 1% after falling nearly 1.7% before the weekend. US futures warn of...
Read More »The Week Ahead: Dollar Bulls Still in Charge
The poor preliminary PMI readings, the ongoing European energy crisis, and the recognized commitment of most major central banks to rein in prices through tighter financial conditions are risking a broad recession. These considerations are weighing on sentiment and shaping the investment climate. Most high-frequency data due in the days ahead will not change this, even if they pose some headline risk. What we have seen among some central bankers applies to market...
Read More »Heads up for ECB, SNB, BoK speakers over the weekend
On Saturday at the Jackson Hole symposium there will be speakers from the European Central Bank, Swiss National Bank and Bank of Korea. We may get some clues on what’s coming up from the ECB: Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole is the second-most important Saturday’s item of interest (1625 GMT) [embedded content] Tags:...
Read More »Jackson Hole and More
Overview: Ahead of the much-anticipated speech by Federal Reserve Chair Powell, the Fed funds futures are pricing in about a 70% chance of a 75 bp hike next month. The US 10-year yield is up nearly five basis points today to 3.07% and the two-year yield is firm at 3.38%. Asia Pacific equities were mostly higher, with China the main exception among the large markets, after US equities rallied yesterday. Europe’s Stoxx 600 is off about 0.3% to bring this week’s...
Read More »Dollar Longs Pared as Jackson Hole Gathering is set to Start
Overview: It seems that many market participants had the same thing in mind, cut dollar longs before the Jackson Hole gathering. The Antipodeans lead the majors move, encouraged perhaps by China’s new economic measures, with around a 1% gain. The euro and sterling are up about 0.35% and are the laggards. Emerging market currencies are higher as well, with the notable exception of India and Turkey, which are nursing small losses. Equities are having a good day. All...
Read More »New Recession Worry Stalls Dollar Express but Doesn’t Derail It
Overview: A simply dreadful flash US PMI stopped the dollar’s four-day rally in its tracks. It followed news that the eurozone, Japan, and Australia’s composite PMIs are below the 50 boom/bust level. However, the dollar recovered, even if not fully as the market seemed unconvinced that the data could change Fed Chair Powell’s message at Jackson Hole on Friday. A consolidative tone is evident today. Asia Pacific equities were mixed. China and Hong Kong fell more than...
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