- Rates: Geopolitics take markets hostage
Core bonds remain supported this morning as tensions in the Middle East soured further this weekend. Other safe haven assets profit as well. Today’s empty eco calendar suggests focus remains on risk sentiment. US eco data (non-manufacturing ISM, ADP & Payrolls) might grab more attention later this week. - Currencies: Dollar profits only modestly from global risk-off
The US-Iran conflict was also visible on global FX markets on Friday, but the impact was less pronounced compared to what happened in equities or bonds. The yen outperformed. The damage for EUR/USD was modest. Global sentiment will set the tone for FX trading today. Still we assume the 1.1066/1.12 area to be solid support for EUR/USD.
The Sunrise Headlines
- Wall Street slipped on Friday amid rising geopolitical tensions and a disappointing manufacturing ISM. The Dow Jones (-0.81%) underperformed. Asian stocks open the week in red. Japan underperforms on yen strengthening.
- Iran said it will no longer comply to the limits on uranium enrichment as agreed under the nuclear pact while Iraq’s parliament voted to expel US troops in the country. President Trump warned of “disproportionate” US retaliation.
- Chinese Caixin PMI’s declined in December. Following a slightly weaker than expected manufacturing reading last week, services also slipped to 52.5 from 53.5 (vs. 53.2 expected). The composite index declined from 53.5 to 52.5.
- The US manufacturing ISM unexpectedly fell from 48.1 to 47.2 last Friday, the weakest level since 2009. Orders continue shrinking. Factories dial back on production and shed employees at a faster pace.
- NY Fed Williams said that low interest rates are here to stay “for the next five to 10 years”. The central bank should hold itself accountable to their 2% target and should make sure that inflation expectations do not slip too far.
- Spanish Socialist leader Sanchéz failed to secure an absolute majority for a new mandate as PM during a vote on Sunday. A second vote is scheduled tomorrow where he only needs a simple majority and will likely narrowly win.
- Today’s economic calendar is of little importance with only final PMI’s and producer price inflation due in the euro zone. Risk sentiment will be key for trading today
Currencies: Dollar Profits Only Modestly From Global Risk-Off
Dollar profits only modestly from global risk-off
The US airstrike killing Irian general Soleimani on Friday morning trigged a standard risk-off correction across global markets. The fall-out from this trade also filtered through into FX trading, but the impact was smaller compared to what happened in equities or in the interest rate markets. EUR/JPY, EUR/USD and USD/JPY drifted lower. After the initial decline, the yen preserved its gain with USD/JPY holding near 108. However, the euro gradually found its composure, with EUR/USD and EUR/JPY rebounding. EUR/USD finished the day at 1.1161 (1.1172 on Thursday evening). USD/JPY closed at 108.09 (from 108.57). The gain in the likes of the CHF (EUR/CHF mid-1.08 area) was modest.
During the weekend, US officials tried to justify the killing of Soleimani. However, for now, it didn’t reduce uncertainty. Sentiment remains risk-off in Asia this morning. Most regional indices show losses of 1%-1.5%. The yuan weakened (USD/CNY 6.9775). The Caixin Services PMI disappointed (52.6 from 53.2) but wasn’t the focus of trading. USD/JPY is struggling not the fall below the 108/107.80 area. EURUSD is losing a few ticks (1.1160 area). For now, the euro decline/USD gain was rather modest.
Today, the eco calendar is rather thin with mainly the final EMU services PMI’s. Investors will try to assess the next developments in the US-Iran conflict. The risk of Iranian retaliation most likely will cause investors to keep a defensive bias. We keep a close eye on EUR/JPY. Any euro gains will probably be difficult in an outright risk-off context. That said, we assume that the 1.1125/1.1066 area might be a solid support for EUR/USD. In EUR/JPY we keep an eye at the120 area and 119.25 area.
Sterling started the new year on the back foot. UK eco data indicate that Brexit uncertainty continued to weigh on the economy in December. For now, it isn’t sure to what extent this uncertainty will disappear even as the UK will leave the EU at the end of this month. The EU-UK trade negotiations will continue to cast a shadow on economic activity. Global uncertainty also doesn’t help sterling. Sterling traders are looking for the new trading theme as Brexit enters a new phase. In a ST perspective, we assume that the 0.8450 area to be a first solid support for EUR/GBP
EUR/USD: Middle East tensions block year-end rebound, but damage remains modest, for now
