Tag Archive: Currency Movement
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.
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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...
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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...
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New Recession Worry Stalls Dollar Express but Doesn’t Derail It
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.
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Surging Energy Prices Pushing Europe Closer to Recession
The poor eurozone PMI underscores likely recession and weighs on the single currency, which was sold to a new 20-year low. Rather than a "Turn Around Tuesday" a broadly consolidative session is unfolding. Asian and European equities are weaker, while US futures are positive but little changed. Benchmark 10-year bond yields are mostly firmer and the premium offered by Europe's periphery is edging higher. The US 10-year is little changed near...
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No Relief for the Euro or Sterling
Overview: The euro traded below parity for the second time this year and sterling extended last week’s 2.5% slide. While the dollar is higher against nearly all the emerging market currencies, it is more mixed against the majors.
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The Dollar is on Fire
The dollar is on fire. It is rising against all the major currencies and cutting through key technical levels like a hot knife in butter. The Canadian dollar is the strongest of the majors this week, which often outperforms on the crosses in a strong US dollar environment. It is off 1.5% this week.
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Fed Minutes were Not as Dovish as Initially Read
Overview: The sell-off in European bonds continues today. The 10-year German Bund yield is around four basis points higher to bring the three-day increase to about 22 bp. The Italian premium over Germany has risen by almost 18 bp over these three sessions.
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Markets Look for Direction
Overview: The biggest development today in the capital markets is the
jump in benchmark interest rates. The US
10-year yield is up five basis points to 2.86%, which is about 10 bp above
Monday’s low. European yields are up 9-10
bp. The 10-year German Bund yield was
near 0.88% on Monday and is now near 1.07%.
Italy’s premium over German is near 2.18%, the most in nearly three
weeks. Although Asia Pacific equities
rallied, led by Japan’s 1.2%...
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Greenback Remains Firm
Overview: After retreating most of last week, the US
dollar has extended yesterday’s gains today. The Canadian dollar is the most resilient,
while the New Zealand dollar is leading the decline with a nearly 0.75% drop ahead
of the central bank decision first thing tomorrow. The RBNZ is expected to
deliver its fourth consecutive 50 bp hike. Most emerging market currencies are
lower as well, led by central Europe. Equities in Asia Pacific and Europe...
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China Disappoints and Surprises with Rate Cut
Overview: Equities were mostly higher in the Asia
Pacific region, though Chinese and Hong Kong markets eased, and South Korea and
India were closed for national holidays. Despite new Chinese exercises off the
coast of Taiwan following another US congressional visit, Taiwan’s Taiex gained
almost 0.85%. Europe’s Stoxx 600 is advancing for the fourth consecutive session,
while US futures are paring the pre-weekend rally. Following disappointing data...
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Heading into the Weekend, Dollar’s Downside Momentum Stalls
Overview: The markets are putting the finishing
touches on this week’s activity. Japan, returning from yesterday’s holiday
bought equities, and its major indices jumped more than 2%. China, South Korea,
and Australia struggled. Europe’s Stoxx 600 is firmer for the third consecutive
session. It is up about 1.3% this week. US futures are also firmer after reversing
earlier gains yesterday to close lower on the day. The US 10-year yield is flat
near...
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US Dollar Soft while Consolidating Yesterday’s Drop
Overview: The US dollar is consolidating yesterday’s losses but is still trading with a heavier bias against the major currencies and most emerging market currencies. The US 10-year yield is soft below 2.77%, while European yields are mostly 2-4 bp higher.
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Is it All Really about Today’s US CPI Print?
Overview: The US dollar is trading with a heavier bias ahead of the July CPI report. The intraday momentum indicators are overextended, and this could set the stage for the dollar to recover in North America.
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US Dollar Offered but Stretched Intraday
The US dollar is trading heavily against all the major currencies, led by the Norwegian krone and euro. Emerging market currencies are also firmer. However, risk-appetites seem subdued. Even though most large bourses in Asia Pacific advanced but Japan and Hong Kong, European markets are nursing small losses and US futures are little changed.
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Dog Days
The dog days of August for the Northern Hemisphere are here and the capital markets are relatively subdued. Equities are firmer. The notable exceptions in Asia was China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index has advanced for the last three weeks.
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Downside Risks to the US Employment Report?
Overview: The US dollar enjoys a firmer bias against
the major currencies ahead of the July employment data. Emerging market
currencies are mixed. Asian currencies are generally firm while central Europe is a bit softer. Some detect a relaxation in tensions around Taiwan, though
China’s aerial harassment continues. Taiwanese shares jumped 2.25% to lead the
region that saw China’s CSI 300 rally over 1%. Europe’s Stoxx 600 is giving
back yesterday’s...
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Over to the BOE
Overview: Strong gains in US equities yesterday and
easing fears following Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan helped lift most Asia Pacific
equities, with Hong Kong leading the way with a 2% rally. Taiwan, Australia,
and India did not participate in the regional rally. The Stoxx 600 is edging higher
today. It was flat on the week through yesterday. US futures are a little
firmer. The greenback is offered against the major currencies led the Antipodeans.
The...
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Market Takes China’s Response in Stride, Risk Appetites Recover
Overview: The market is
judging China's response to Speaker Pelosi's visit in a mild way and risk
appetites returned. Equity markets are higher, even though Chinese shares
weakened. Europe's Stoxx 600 is edging higher after two days of small loses,
and US futures enjoy a firmer bias. The surge in US rates yesterday has calmed.
The US 10-year yield is firm near 2.76% and the 2-year yield is up a
couple of basis points near 3.07%. European yields are...
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Aussie Hit with Profit-Taking after RBA Hikes 50 bp
Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has added to the risk-off mood of the capital markets today. Most of the large Asia Pacific equities sold off, with Australia and India being notable exceptions. Europe's Stoxx 600 is off for the second consecutive session, and by the most (~0.60%)
since mid-July. US futures are also weaker. Benchmark 10-year rates are lower.
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