Overview: Activity in the capital markets is subdued today, ahead of tomorrow's FOMC meeting conclusion and the ECB meeting on Thursday. The MSCI Asia Pacific equity index fell for the third consecutive session. European bourses are heavy after the Stoxx 600 posted an outside down day yesterday. Today would be the fifth consecutive decline. Selling pressure on the US futures indices continues after yesterday's losses. Australia and New Zealand bonds played...
Read More »FX Daily, December 6: Semblance of Stability Returns though Geopolitical Tensions Rise
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.26% to 1.041 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, December 6(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The absence of negative developments surrounding Omicron over the weekend appears to be helping markets stabilize today after the dramatic moves at the end of last week. Asia Pacific equities traded heavily, and among the large markets, only South Korea and Australia escaped unscathed...
Read More »Covid Strikes Back
Overview: Concerns that a new mutation of the Covid virus has shaken the capital markets. Equities are off hard, and bonds have rallied. In the foreign exchange market, the Japanese yen and Swiss franc have rallied. While there may be a safe haven bid, there also appears to be an unwinding of positions that require the buying back of the funding currencies, which is also lifting the euro. The currencies levered from growth, the dollar-bloc and Scandis are...
Read More »Dollar Slumps
Overview: While equities and bonds are firmer, it is the dollar's sell-off that stands out today. The greenback has retreated broadly. The euro is trading above the previous week's high for the first time in over a month, and the dollar was pushed back below JPY114.00 in early European turnover. The Chinese yuan is at four-month highs. The Antipodean and Scandi currencies are leading the move against the dollar among the major currencies. The JP Morgan Emerging...
Read More »What to Expect When You are Expecting
Overview: The markets have stabilized since Monday's panic attack but have not made much headway. China and Taiwan returned from the extended holiday weekend. Mainland shares were mixed. Shanghai rose by about 0.4%, while Shenzhen fell by around 0.25%. Taiwan got tagged for 2%, and Japan's Topix was off 1%. Hong Kong and South Korean markets were closed. Europe's Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is firmer for the second day but is still lower for the week. US indices...
Read More »FX Daily, June 22: Turn Around Tuesday or Dollar Rally Resumes?
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.10% to 1.0944 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, June 22(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Firming long-term US yields have lent the dollar support after trading heavily yesterday. The greenback is around 0.15%-0.50% higher against the major currencies. The Japanese yen and Canadian dollar are among the more resilient, and the Australian dollar and sterling among the...
Read More »FX Daily, May 26: RBNZ Joins the Queue, while Yuan’s Advance Continues
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.13% to 1.0953 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, May 26(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Daily Overview: The decline in US rates and the doves at the ECB pushing back against the need to reduce bond purchases next month have seen European bond yields unwind most of this month’s gain. The inability of US shares to hold on to early gains yesterday did not deter the Asia Pacific and...
Read More »FX Daily, May 17: US and Europe may Announce Tariff Truce
Swiss Franc The Euro has risen by 0.09% to 1.0948 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, May 17(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: There are two general developments as the busy week gets underway. First, despite accelerated price readings in the US (CPI, PPI, import prices, and University of Michigan survey), US rates are soft. The 10-year yield is near 1.61% after rising to 1.70% after the CPI surprise last week....
Read More »FX Daily, December 9: Hope Burns Eternal
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.05% to 1.0753 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, December 9(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The market is hopeful today. The Johnson-von der Leyen dinner is seen as evidence that both sides see one more opportunity, and sterling is among the strongest currencies today. Hopes of a $900 bln+ fiscal stimulus package in the US helped stir animal spirits and lift US stocks to...
Read More »FX Daily, March 31: March Ends like a Lion, No Lamb in Sight
Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.26% to 1.056 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, March 31(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The coronavirus plague upended the world in March. Equities are finishing the month on a firm note. Strong gains in the US yesterday and an unexpectedly strong Chinese PMI (yes, to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt) helped lift most Asia Pacific and European markets today....
Read More »