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Markets Digesting Wild Moves, Stabilizing ahead of Weekend

Asian markets are rather quiet finally as the weekend is coming. Currencies are digesting this week's sharp moves for now, with mild recovery seen in commodity currencies and Sterling. Dollar and Yen turn slightly softer. But for the week, the greenback remains strongest, followed by Yen and Swiss Franc....

ECB’s Stimulus Lifted Peripheral Bonds, But Not Stocks Nor Euro

ECB's massive coronavirus pandemic program do have notably impact on peripheral bond markets. In particulars, Italian and Spanish bond yields dropped sharply today, with Italy 10-year yield back below 1.9% currently, Spanish 10-year yield below 0.9%. The boost to other markets is not that apparent though, as European stocks...

No Support from ECB’s Pandemic Emergency Purchase, Nor RBA’s Rate Cut and Bond Buying

Once again, it seems that emergency fiscal and monetary measures by global governments and central banks couldn't be cared less by investors. US Congress' second stimulus package, ECB's massive EUR 750B pandemic emergency purchase program, RBA's rate cut and government bond buying, are all shrugged off. Optimism won't come...

RBA Announced Emergency Rate Cut, Initiated QE

RBA announced an emergency rate cut of -25 bps, sending the cash rate to 0.25%, today. The central bank also announced a QE-style yield curve control plan. It attempts to target the yield for 3-year government bond at 0.25% through bond purchases. The move is not too surprising, following...

Crude Oil Inventory Gained for Another Week as Recession Fear Trimmed Demand

The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks slumped -7.68 mmb to 1263.33 mmb in the week ended March 13. Crude oil inventory gained +1.95 mmb (consensus: +3.26 mmb) to 453.74 mmb. Stockpile rose in 3 out...

Stimulus Effects Fade, Oil Tanks, Italian Yield Spikes Up

Neither fiscal nor monetary stimulus is able to provide sustainable support to market so far. Stock markets are back under pressure today despite the massive USD 1T stimulus proposal by the US. Additionally, sentiments are pressured by the sudden spike in Italian treasury yields, and break of a key...

US Fiscal Response to Coronavirus Just Gave Brief Lift to Sentiments

Investor sentiments were given only and mild and brief boost by the massive fiscal stimulus of the US. Asian markets quickly reversed initial gains and pessimism over coronavirus pandemic wild likely continue in European markets too. As for currencies, Canadian dollar is currently the weakest one for today, as...

Dollar Surges as Focus Turns from Stock to Currency Markets

Focus somewhat turns from stock markets to currencies today. Major global indices are staying in rather tight range today, based on recent volatility. Fiscal and monetary measures from major central banks and governments are providing little support to sentiments, as coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen. Dollar jumps broadly today,...

Asia Steady after Another Worst Day Since Black Monday

Markets are generally steady so far today. The panic selloff overnight in the US wasn't carried through to Asia. DOW had another worst day since Black Monday, getting practically no support from Fed's all-in easing. In the currency markets, major pairs and crosses are staying inside yesterday's range for...

Monetary Policy is No Cure to Coronavirus Crash as Selloff in Europe Extends

Fed's all-in easing, together with RBNZ and BoJ stimulus, provide no apparent support to market sentiment. Number of coronavirus cases continued to skyrocket, breaking 170,000 level today. More importantly, deaths totals hit 6,680. Selloff intensifies in European session with FTSE, DAX and CAC breaking through Friday's spike low. US...

Stocks in Panic after Fed, RBNZ and BoJ Emergency Actions, No End to Risk Aversion Yet

It's a bit unsure whether emergency policy actions by major central banks are calming the markets, or inducing fears. Fed, RBNZ and BoJ surprise the markets by unscheduled announcements today, with measures to counter the impact of coronavirus pandemic. Fed cut interest rate by -1.00% to 0-0.25%, with restart...

China’s February Data Slumped, Showing First Sign of Coronavirus Impacts

China’s economic data for February dived, showing for the first time impacts of the coronavirus outbreak on the world’s second largest economy. Originating in China, the coronavirus has now evolved into global pandemic, affecting about 100 countries and territories. The impacts on global economy are not limited to supply chain...

Fed and RBNZ Announce Emergency Cuts, BOJ to Follow?

In a very surprising move, FOMC has implemented another emergency cut, the second time in two weeks, to combat the negative impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. Originating in China, the virus has officially evolved into a pandemic affecting almost 100 countries and territories in the world. FOMC board members voted...

CFTC Commitments of Traders – Safe Havens Shone amidst Risk Aversion

As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended March 10, NET LENGTH in USD Index declined -10 076 contracts to 12 412. Speculative long positions fell -6 280 contracts and short positions gained +3 796 contracts. Concerning European currencies, NET SHORT for EUR futures...

CFTC Commitments of Traders – NET LENGTH on Crude Oil and Gold Slumped on Price Correction

According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended March 10, NET LENGTH for crude oil futures dropped -972 contracts to 387 397 for the week. Speculative long positions jumped +23 663 contracts while shorts jumped -24 635 contracts. NET LENGTH should decline further in the...

Markets Could Stabilize after Bearish Mood Exhausted in Wild Week

Global markets experienced another wild week, with free falls in risk assets and oil prices. Coronavirus pandemic occupied all headlines, ranging from business news, politics, sports and show business. Massive disruption in economic activity is happening. Major central banks and governments came to rescue and launched coordinated measures to support...

Stocks Rebound on Profit Taking, Dollar Firm But Yen Retreats

US stock markets are staging a notable rebound at open, following Europe. There are no special developments, except that coronavirus is hitting politicians and sports, as well as all major events. Total number of global cases hit 139,016, and it's unsure if it will break 140,000 level even before...

Dollar & Yen Rule on Global Routs, Markets to Stabilize Before Weekend

Yen, Dollar, and Swiss Franc are set to close as the strongest ones for the week. Global stock market crash continues with US stocks suffering the worst decline since Black Monday overnight. Asian markets gap lower and are staying in deep red. For now, Australian Dollar is the worst...

ECB Coronavirus Response Yawned, Stock Market Crash Continues

Global stock market crash continues today as total coronavirus cases are set to break 130k level very soon. Sentiments were rocked by US unilateral ban of European travellers, which also prompted EU condemnation. US stock futures hit limit down and stocks are set to follow other markets to open...

Yen Jumps after US Bans European Travellers, ECB Stimulus Awaited

Yen surges in Asian session as sentiments are knocked down hardly by US ban of European travellers. Global coronavirus cases jumped to 126,367 with 4633 deaths. Situation in Europe continue to worse, particular dire in Italy, cases in US also rose above 1,300. Nevertheless, new numbers in China, the...