RBA Review – QE Might Increase Further to Curb Rising Yields and Exchange Rate
As widely anticipated, the RBA left all monetary policy measures unchanged. As a summary, the cash rate target, the 3-year Australian Government Bond ‘Yield Curve Control’ (YCC) target and the Term Funding Facility (TFF) interest rate all stay at 0.1%. The size of the asset purchase program (QE) is...
Aussie Steady after RBA, Yield Retreats, Stocks Mixed
Global treasury yields softened mildly this week, which helped the rebound in US and European stocks yesterday. But the positive sentiment is not much reflected in Asian session today so far. Selloff in Swiss Franc and Yen, and to a lesser extent Euro, appears to be slowing. But these...
Swiss Franc Sold Off Again as Stocks Rebound, Yields Turned Mixed
Swiss Franc is in deep selloff again today as risk sentiment further stabilized in the markets. European indices rebound broadly while US futures point to higher open. Global bond markets also turned mixed for now. Euro and Yen are following as next weakest. Meanwhile, Canadian Dollar is leading other...
Markets Stabilize in Tight Range, Employment and Prices Data in Focus
Commodity currencies and Sterling recover broadly as sentiments in Asian markets stabilized, after mixed economic data. In particular, Nikkei is trading up over 2% at the time of writing, with help from strong PMI manufacturing. On the other hand, Yen turn softer together with Swiss Franc, Dollar and Euro....
RBA Preview – Assessing Impacts of Rising Yields on Economy after Unexpected Increase in Bond Buying
At tomorrow’s meeting, the RBA should leave all monetary measures unchanged. The cash rate, 3-year yield target and the rate on the TFF program will stay unchanged at 0.1%. The QE program will likely remain intact as the central bank only doubled the size to AU$200B last month. While...
A Wild Week of Metals, Yields, Stocks and Dollar
Just after DOW hit new record high in the middle of last week, the rally was choked by skyrocketing treasury yields. Dollar surprisingly ended as the strongest one for the week, followed by Euro and then Sterling. Australian Dollar suffered most as it reversed some of the month's gains....
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Risky Currencies Pulled Back on Profit-Taking
As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended February 23, NET SHORT of USD Index futures dropped -436 contracts to 13 851. Speculative long positions added +1 750 contracts while shorts were up 1 314 contracts. Concerning European currencies, NET LENGTH in EUR futures...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Traders Trimmed Bets on Crude Oil after Strong Rally
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended February 23, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures fell -2 873 contracts to 511 840 for the week. Speculative long position sank -14 214 contracts, while shorts declined -11 341 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH...
Dollar Strong as Stocks Stay in Red Even Though Yields Retreat
Even though treasury yields are retreating mildly today, stocks are staying in red in Europe and Asia. US futures point to a recovery but it's unsure if the rebound could sustain before close. Investors are digesting comments from central bank officials regarding surging real long term rates and inflation....
Yields Up, Stocks Down, Dollar and Yen Rebound
US stocks suffered steep selling overnight on sharp rally in treasury yields, and the selloff carried forward to Asian markets. Yen and Dollar ride on the turn in risk sentiments and rebounded, together with Dollar. Australian and New Zealand are in deep pull back, together with Sterling. Euro and...
Euro Attempts a Come Back, Global Yields Surge Continues
Surging global yields remain the major focus today, with Germany 10-year bund yield hitting as high as -0.234, while UK 10-year gilt yield reaching as high as 0.818. Earlier in Asia, Japan 10-year JGB yield closed strongly at 0.152. US 10-year yield is also trading above 1.45. In the...
Team Risk-On Extends Leads as DOW Hits New Records
As DOW hit another record with strong rise overnight, team risk-on is extending the lead over team risk-off in the currency markets. New Zealand Dollar is having a mild upper hand over Australian, Canadian and Sterling for now. But the Loonie is trying to catch up with rising oil...
Crude Oil Rally Continues Despite Surprising Increase in US Inventory
After breaking above US$ 60/bbl, both crude oil benchmarks strengthened further despite surprising stockbuild in the US. The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks slumped -13.81 mmb to 1284.77 mmb in the week ended February 19....
Yen Under Pressure as Swiss Franc Decline Slows a Bit
Selling focus appears to be turning to Yen as markets enter into US session. Swiss Franc remains weak but the decline is slowing slightly. Dollar and Euro are also soft, but both are supported by buying against Yen and Franc. On the other hand, commodity currencies remain the strongest...
RBNZ Upgraded Economic Forecasts, NZD Shot Higher
The RBNZ delivered a more upbeat statement at today meeting. While leaving the monetary policy measures unchanged and warned of the uneven economic recovery, the staff upgraded the economic projections significantly. Policymakers also introduced a new forward guidance which suggests that policy adjustment will only be made until the...
Fed Powell Cautioned about Uneven Recovery, Pledged to Maintain Stimulus
At the testimony before the Senate, Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that the economic recovery is uneven. He pledged to maintain sufficient support to achieving the employment and inflation targets.
Concerning economic developments, Powell refrained from sending a too optimistic message. He affirmed that the recovery highly depends on the...
CHF Selloff Intensifies, NZD Rises after RBNZ
New Zealand Dollar rises broadly today after RBNZ stood pat and didn't sound particularly concerned with the strong exchange rate. Though, Sterling remains the strongest one, continued to be supported by lockdown exit optimism. Other commodity currencies are also firm despite steady risk market sentiments. Yen and Swiss Franc...
Sterling Stronger on Reopening Optimism, Dollar Stabilizes
Sterling rises broadly today as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he's "hopeful" and "very optimistic " to end pandemic restrictions on June 21, based on the "one-way road to freedom" roadmap unveiled yesterday. Canadian Dollar is Dollar is following as second strongest, with a little help from oil...
Longer-Term Demand/Supply Outlook Remains Supportive of Copper Strength
Breaching the US9000/tonne benchmark, LME copper price skyrocketed to the highest level since 2011. The recent rally in copper price has been driven by hopes of stronger demand as global economic recovery accelerates and concerns over supply tightness in the metal. While the demand/supply looks positive for the metal...
Dollar Soft as Markets Await Fed Chair Powell Testimony, Oil Jumps
Dollar stays generally soft in Asian session today as markets await Fed Chair Jerome Powell's testimony. The topics of inflation and surging treasury yields would be the focuses. For the former, Powell would likely talk down the significance of temporary rise in inflation, and focus on medium term outlook...