Currency safe havens in demand
Safe haven assets saw some demand in relatively slow Asian trading this morning, retracing some of the moves seen Friday, as USD/JPY slid 0.37% to 108.11 and gold advanced 0.4% to 1,289.60. Equity markets fared a little bit better, though most indices gave up early gains to trade marginally in the red. China shares underperformed as the reserve ratio cut boost faded quickly. The China50 index slumped 1.48% to 10,463 after the 100-moving average on the four-hour chart proved to be stubborn resistance.
US-China trade talks restart as China’s economy slows
The first mid-level trade negotiations since the 90-day tariff truce came into effect start today. While no groundbreaking progress or announcements, the sit-down comes as US President Trump commented Friday that China’s weakening economic growth puts the US in a strong position. He feels China “sort of have to” come to a deal.
More PBOC liquidity easing to come?
Hot on the heels of the central bank’s reserve ratio cut on Friday, the fifth in a year, the China Daily newspaper ran an opinion piece today suggesting China has room for more cuts, while it reiterated that policymakers are studying new ways to give small companies access to cheaper financing.
Will other Fed speakers echo Powell?
Fed’s Bostic speaks later today, the first of eight scheduled speeches by Fed members this week, the bulk of which come on Thursday. We would need to hear the message of flexible, data-driven response on the rate trajectory this year for the current risk-on mood to extend.
