GBP Extend Losses, JPY Test New Lows

Market Brief

The week started with optimism on good news out of China. The majority of Asian shares advanced amid China's industrial profits y/y surprised to the upside (5.3% vs. exp.3.0%). The Shanghai's Composite index surged 2.29%, Hang Seng and Taiex added 0.43% and 0.55%, while Nikkei and Kospi retreated 0.94% and 0.36% respectively. The US stock futures traded to the upside; the S&P, Dow Jones and Nasdaq futures extended Friday's gains.

USDJPY tested new highs early in the session. The currency hit 91.26, before slipping under 91.00 on profit taking. EURJPY and GBPJPY followed the downside correction. According to Wall Street Journal, the Ex- Japanese Econmin and Abe's advisor Takenaka stated that JPY has room to fall further, pointing 95.00 level.

On Friday, UK GDP disappointed the already low expectations (GDP q/q: -0.3%, vs. -0.1% exp. and 0.9% prior & GDP y/y: 0.00%, vs. 0.2% exp. and 0.00% prior). GBPUSD extended losses in the Asian session, and collapsed to 1.5728 in European opening, while the BoE head and Financial Stability Board Chairman Mark Carney gave insight of a further monetary stimulus this week-end. Carney will give a conference in Zurich this afternoon (15.00 GMT).

In Euro-Zone, the LTRO payback announcement came in line with expectations. The yield spread between German and Spanish 10-year bonds narrowed, while EURUSD traded in a tight range of 1.3450 / 70 in the Asian session. The option players, including sovereign names, have been the most aggressive sellers according to market rumors. EURGBP rallied to 0.85544 in European opening, its-highest level since December 2011. ECB's Asmussen warned against unilateral FX moves, being the biggest risk against EU reforms. In Switzerland, the SNB keeps the monetary tools ready to control CHF, still seen as highly valued.

Today's agenda consists of UK Halifax House Price Index, Swedish December Retail Sales and Trade Balance, Swiss m/m and y/y Retail Sales, Italian Consumer Confidence index and Wage Inflation, Euro-Zone December M3 and December Private Loans, US December Durable Goods Orders, and Durables ex-Transportation, US Dallas fed Manufacturing Activity, and New Zealand December Trade Balance, Exports, and Import.