Boris Schlossberg
BK Asset Management
Market Drivers December 1, 2015
Aussie explodes to 7300 kiwi follows
GE Unemployment hits record low
Nikkei 1.34% Eurostoxx -0.10%
Oil $42/bbl
Gold $1069/oz
Europe and Asia:
AUD Building Approvals 3.9% vs. 2.4%
CNY PMI Manufacturing 49.6 vs. 49.9
EUR GE Unemployment -13K vs. -4K
GBP PMI Manufacturing 52.7 vs. 53.6
North America:
CAD GDP 8:30
USD ISM Manufacturing 10:00
Commodity dollars exploded in Asian and early European trade with Aussie coming within a whisker of the .7300 figure while kiwi barrelled through the 6600 barrier.
The RBA statement showed little change as the central bank remained neutral keeping rates at 2.00%, but that was not the reason for rally. The rally had started earlier in the session after a strong jump in building approvals which rose to 3.9% from -2.4% eyed and more importantly a surprisingly robust read in exports data that hints at a better than expected GDP reading tomorrow.
As to the RBA the central bank noted that "moderate expansion in the economy continues" despite "a large decline in capital spending in the mining sector." This has been perhaps the greatest surprise out of Australia as the economy has been able to shift growth from mining to services and remain at a steady expansionary pace in face of declining demand from China.
One critical boost has been the consistent flow of Chinese investment capital into the real estate sector and the RBA is no doubt mindful of the fact that any further lowering of rates could fuel another bubble in housing. For that reason the monetary officials remain reluctant to ease further and that has brought yield hungry specs back into Aussie.
The kiwi followed suit gaining nearly 100 points on the night as it popped through the .6650 level. The market still anticipates a rate cut in December from RBNZ but the consensus may be in doubt especially if today's dairy auction shows a rebound in price. If however the auction shows a decline for the fourth month in a row much of today's gains in kiwi could be reversed in North American trade.
Elsewhere in Europe the German unemployment data saw a surprise decline of -13K versus -4K as the unemployment rate reached a record low of 6.3%. The EUR/USD popped above the 1.0600 level but quickly gave up its gains as the pair remains very heavy on assumption that the ECB will announce an aggressive QE program at this Thursday's meeting.
In North American trade all focus will be on ISM Manufacturing report due 1400 GMT. The market is looking for a rise to 50.6 form 50.1 the month prior, but yesterday's shocking decline in Chicago PMI readings has traders on edge. If the ISM data misses its mark, or worse prints below the 50 boom/bust line the dollar could come under much more serious profit taking as fear about another delay in monetary policy normalization will begin to spread. For now the narrative of a December rate hike remains on track but if US data begins to falter market sentiment could shift quickly.
r especially if US data surprises to the upside.
Aussie explodes to 7300 kiwi follows
GE Unemployment hits record low
Nikkei 1.34% Eurostoxx -0.10%
Oil $42/bbl
Gold $1069/oz
Europe and Asia:
AUD Building Approvals 3.9% vs. 2.4%
CNY PMI Manufacturing 49.6 vs. 49.9
EUR GE Unemployment -13K vs. -4K
GBP PMI Manufacturing 52.7 vs. 53.6
North America:
CAD GDP 8:30
USD ISM Manufacturing 10:00
Commodity dollars exploded in Asian and early European trade with Aussie coming within a whisker of the .7300 figure while kiwi barrelled through the 6600 barrier.
The RBA statement showed little change as the central bank remained neutral keeping rates at 2.00%, but that was not the reason for rally. The rally had started earlier in the session after a strong jump in building approvals which rose to 3.9% from -2.4% eyed and more importantly a surprisingly robust read in exports data that hints at a better than expected GDP reading tomorrow.
As to the RBA the central bank noted that "moderate expansion in the economy continues" despite "a large decline in capital spending in the mining sector." This has been perhaps the greatest surprise out of Australia as the economy has been able to shift growth from mining to services and remain at a steady expansionary pace in face of declining demand from China.
One critical boost has been the consistent flow of Chinese investment capital into the real estate sector and the RBA is no doubt mindful of the fact that any further lowering of rates could fuel another bubble in housing. For that reason the monetary officials remain reluctant to ease further and that has brought yield hungry specs back into Aussie.
The kiwi followed suit gaining nearly 100 points on the night as it popped through the .6650 level. The market still anticipates a rate cut in December from RBNZ but the consensus may be in doubt especially if today's dairy auction shows a rebound in price. If however the auction shows a decline for the fourth month in a row much of today's gains in kiwi could be reversed in North American trade.
Elsewhere in Europe the German unemployment data saw a surprise decline of -13K versus -4K as the unemployment rate reached a record low of 6.3%. The EUR/USD popped above the 1.0600 level but quickly gave up its gains as the pair remains very heavy on assumption that the ECB will announce an aggressive QE program at this Thursday's meeting.
In North American trade all focus will be on ISM Manufacturing report due 1400 GMT. The market is looking for a rise to 50.6 form 50.1 the month prior, but yesterday's shocking decline in Chicago PMI readings has traders on edge. If the ISM data misses its mark, or worse prints below the 50 boom/bust line the dollar could come under much more serious profit taking as fear about another delay in monetary policy normalization will begin to spread. For now the narrative of a December rate hike remains on track but if US data begins to falter market sentiment could shift quickly.
r especially if US data surprises to the upside.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Trading forex carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade any such leveraged products you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading on margin, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts.
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