Uncontrollable Coronavirus Spread Could Force the Fed to Resume Easing
The FOMC minutes for the January meeting revealed that policymakers remained content about the domestic growth outlook. However, they acknowledged the growing uncertainty emerged from the coronavirus outbreak. This could present significant downside risks to global growth. The situation of the epidemic has deteriorated significantly since the last meeting....
Aussie Tumbles as Unemployment Rate Surged, Yen Weak on Coronavirus Contagion
Australian Dollar is in free fall in Asian session today as surge in unemployment rate adds to case of April RBA cut. Sentiments are also generally weak as markets disapprove China's tiny rate cut. Instead, investors are concerned with sign of contagion of Wuhan coronavirus to other Asian countries,...
Sentiments Stabilized on China Stimulus Hope, Yen Falls on Political Pressure
Yen is under broad based selling pressure today as sentiments somewhat improved with expectations of more stimulus from China to counter the impact of Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is under increasing political pressure on handling the spread of the coronavirus in the country. Sterling...
Markets Stabilized as Focus Turns to FOMC Minutes, Dollar Resilient
Yen, Swiss Franc and Dollar weaken mildly today as risk markets stabilized. On the other hand, commodity currencies recover generally. But the movements are so far limited. Investors remain vigilant on the development of China's Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, but there is no breakthrough in either direction yet. FOMC minutes...
Euro Tumbles Again as Economic Sentiments Deteriorates Sharply, Markets Stays Risk-Off
Markets remain in risk-off mode today after Apple's warning that China's Wuhan coronavirus outbreak would hurt sales. Deep deterioration in German economic sentiment also reflect the impact on confidence. Investors will likely remain fragile until there is sign of full operation resumption in China. But that won't happen soon....
Haunted by Domestic Weakness and Coronavirus Uncertainty, Euro’s Weakness is Set to Continue
Currently trading at 1.083 against USD, lowest since April 2017, the single currency has plunged -2.4% in the first half of February. This follows a -1% decline in January. Disappointing economic data, renewed speculations on further rate cut by ECB and intensified global uncertainty as driven by coronavirus outbreak...
RBA Minutes Reveal that Members Consider Cutting Rates Below 0.75%, Warn of Coronavirus Uncertainty
In contrast to February’s RBA meeting statement, which demonstrated a less dovish outlook, the minutes revealed that the members considered lowering the policy rate further. Yet, they decided to keep the powder dry on concerns over “risks associated with very low interest rates”. The central bank was upbeat about...
Risk-off after Apple Warning, Euro Extending Decline ahead of German ZEW
Markets are back in risk off mode in Asia after Apple's warning. While Wuhan coronavirus cases in China might appear to have slowed, investors remain vigilant. More risks lie ahead with German economic sentiment data featured today. For now, commodity currencies are the weakest ones as led by Australian...
Markets Quiet With US on Holiday, Investors Shrug PBoC Stimulus
Markets are generally quite today with US on holiday. PBoC's stimulus measure might have boosted Chinese stocks higher. Reactions from other markets are rather muted. Investors remain generally cautious as this week's February sentiment data will reveal how much China's Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak is hurting confidence. In the currency...
Yen and Nikkei Lower on GDP Contraction, Pessimistic Outlook
Asian markets are mixed as another week starts. Nikkei weakens, together with Yen, as data showed the Japan economy suffered worst contraction in six years. Singapore Strait Times is also mildly lower after the government downgrade this year's growth forecast. Yet, China and Hong Kong stocks are trading mildly...
Euro Collapsed on Coronavirus Spillover Fears, Next Two Weeks Crucial
While China's Wuhan coronavirus outbreak remained a major focus last week and triggered much volatility. But overall, stocks investors seemed not too bothered, with US indices continuing record runs. Other major markets are mixed only FTSE and Nikkei ended the week lower only. Gold closed higher but is well...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Gold Consolidates at High Level as Safe-Haven Demand Increases
According to the CFTC Commitments of Traders report for the week ended February 11. NET LENGTH for crude oil futures slipped -605 contracts to 396 769 for the week. Speculative long positions added +238 contracts while shorts gained +843 contracts. For refined oil products, NET LENGTH for gasoline added...
CFTC Commitments of Traders – Weak Economic Developments in Eurozone Drove Euro Lower
Weakness in Eurozone's economic data has led traders to trim bets on higher euro but raise short bets for further decline. As suggested in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report in the week ended February 11, NET LENGTH in USD Index gained +2 353 contracts to 19 486. Speculative...
Dollar Mixed after Shrugging Off Retail Sales, Euro Trying to Recover
Economic data released today are generally ignored by the markets. Dollar is mixed, paying little attention to US retail sales. Euro recovers mildly today on short profit taking ahead of weekend. But it remains the weakest one for the week. Swiss Franc and Yen are trading as the next...
Euro Selloff Deepens on Growth Concern, No Sign of Bottoming Yet
Euro remains the weakest one for the week as selloff deepens. It seems that markets believe the coronavirus outbreak in China would hurt Eurozone's economy more, in particular the export led German economy. Optimism of recovery this year is dented. Swiss Franc is somewhat dragged down by the common...
Risk Off Again as China Reports Confusingly Large Wuhan Coronavirus Cases, Sterling Jumps on Cabinet Shuffle
Global stock markets tumble today after China reported a strong daily increase of 15152 Wuhan coronavirus cases on February 12. That was a huge difference from 2015 new cases reported for a day ago. However, the mass difference was due to change in counting method in Hubei province, which...
Major Oil Agencies Downgrade Global Oil Demand Outlook amidst Coronavirus Outbreak
Oil agencies revised lower forecasts for global oil demand, with the outbreak of coronavirus being the key factor. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated that world oil demand will increase +1.02% to 101.74M bpd this year and then by +1.49% to 103.26M bpd in 2021. These figures were...
Euro Breaks Key Support Against Dollar, More Broad Based Weakness Likely
Dollar surges to highest level against Euro as helped by rebound in US treasury yields overnight, as well as extended record runs in stocks. Nevertheless, sentiments in Asian turn back into risk-off mode, Yen and Swiss Franc are outshining the greenback for today. Australian and New Zealand Dollars are...
US Crude Oil Inventory Gained Much More than Expected
The report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total crude oil and petroleum products (ex. SPR) stocks dropped -1.01 mmb to 1293.49 mmb in the week ended February 13. Crude oil inventory soared +7.46 mmb (consensus: +2.99 mmb) to 442.47 mmb. Stockpile rose in 4 out...
Dollar Weakens Further as Markets Remains Risk On
Risk appetite stays strong in the global markets, with European indices registering solid gains. US futures also point higher open for extending recent record runs. Yen is under some selling pressure today, together with Dollar and Euro. On the other hand, commodity currencies are generally higher, with Kiwi being...