Four major forces shaped the investment climate in the first quarter: the evolution of the virus and the rollout of the vaccine, the rising long-term interest rates driven by higher oil prices, America’s large fiscal stimulus, and optimism about the outlook, a sharp divergence between the US and other high-income countries, and a recovery in the US dollar after sliding in November and December 2020. These forces will continue to dominate at the start of the second...
Read More »FX Daily, March 30: US Yields Push Higher, Lifting the Greenback Especially Against the Euro and Yen
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.02% to 1.1047 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 30(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The US 10-year yield is at new highs since January 2020, pressing above 1.77% and helping pull up global yields today. European benchmarks yields are up 4-5 bp, and the Antipodean yields jump 8-9 bp. The impact on equities has been minor, and the talk is still about the unwinding of...
Read More »FX Daily, March 29: Markets Look for Direction after Large Block Trade and Before Key Data
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.07% to 1.1064 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 29(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The large block trade (~$20 bln) before the weekend, apparently from a family office, continued to have ripple effects today, but the MSCI Asia Pacific Index barely noticed. It extended its pre-weekend rally of 1.3%, and only South Korea and Australia fell among the major markets....
Read More »FX Daily, March 18: Dovish Fed but Yields Rise, Helping the Greenback Recover from Yesterday’s Slide
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.17% to 1.1068 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 18(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Asia Pacific equities mostly advanced after the US benchmarks recovered following the dovish FOMC. Australia, New Zealand, and India did not participate in today’s gains. European bourses edged higher, but US shares are struggling, and the NASDAQ futures are off nearly 1%, threatening...
Read More »FX Daily, March 16: Equities Firm, but Markets Tread Gingerly
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.33% to 1.1024 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 16(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Yesterday’s new record highs in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial helped set the tone for today’s advance in the Asia Pacific region and Europe. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index snapped a two-day decline, with other major markets rising today. The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 had edged to new...
Read More »FX Daily, March 15: Big Week Begins Quietly
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.24% to 1.1077 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 15(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The capital markets are beginning a new and busy week in a non-committal fashion. Equities are mixed. Except for Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia, most markets in the Asia Pacific region were lower, led Chinese and Indian shares. Europe’s Dow Jones Stoxx 600 ended a four-day advance...
Read More »FX Daily, March 11: Risk Extends Gains Ahead of the ECB
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.18% to 1.1065 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 11(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Even though the NASDAQ closed lower yesterday and the reception of the 10-year Treasury auction did not excite, market participants are growing more confident. Led by China, the major markets in the Asia Pacific region rallied. The Shanghai Composite’s 2.35% gain not only snaps a...
Read More »FX Daily, March 10: Markets are not Yet Convinced that Yesterday’s Move Signaled a Trend Change
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.39% to 1.1078 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 10(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Fear that yesterday’s reversals represent little more than one-day wonders is contributing to the overall consolidative tone today. Most equity markets in the Asia Pacific region and Europe edged higher. China’s stocks tumbled yesterday, despite reports of official assistance, were...
Read More »FX Daily, March 9: Turn Around Tuesday Strikes
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.22% to 1.1067 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 9(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: It is not clear the trigger, but risk-taking appetites rebounded smartly today after the NASDAQ completed a more than 10% pullback from its highs yesterday. Ironically, the Dow Jones Industrials set new record highs yesterday too. Most equity markets in the Asia Pacific region rallied....
Read More »FX Daily, March 8: Greenback Trades Higher in Asia before Momentum Stalls in Europe
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.09% to 1.1083 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 8(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The attack on Saudi Arabia’s largest crude terminal reverberated through the capital markets, where sentiment was already fragile, despite the lack of disruption. Brent rose to nearly $71.40, and April WTI to almost $68 extended their gains for the fourth consecutive session before...
Read More »