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U.S Market Update

Wed, Oct 8 2008, 15:37 GMT
by Trade The News Staff

TradeTheNews.com

- Markets have been highly volatile in the wake of this morning's historic coordinated central bank rate cuts. Before the open the Fed, ECB and four other central banks lowered interest rates in unison in an unprecedented effort to unfreeze credit markets and arrest declines in stock markets. However, US index futures continued declining in the wake of the cuts as major retailers released September same-store sales results early (due to the Yom Kippur holiday), with the numbers showing US retail very weak last month. Shares of Bank of America plunged in the pre-market as investors seemed to panic over the emerging results of the bank's $10B equity offering. This moment of discomfort passed and markets turned around to rally through the open, although indices have returned to negative territory mid morning on heavy volume. The IMF stated that the world economy was in a "major downturn" due to financial shock and lowered their 2009 global growth rate to 3%. The IMF expects the US to enter recession, noting that major economies could encounter and may be too late for policy responses to prevent downturn. The IMF stated that the coordinated interest rate cuts were a step in the right direction. September retail sales were very negative, with a few exceptions. JC Penny sales fell more than 12% in September, Saks was down more than 10% in the month and Dilard's sales were down 12%. Department stores Kohl's and Target fell slightly less, at -5.5% and -3%, respectively. Discount big-box retailers Wal-Mart, BJ's and Costco maintained positive sales, with COST leading the pack with sales up 9%. The major retail names are down 2-5% mid morning; WMT remains around even, while KSS and BONT are up slightly. AA-15% rang in the Q4 earnings season yesterday after the close, reporting earnings well below expectations thanks to rising costs and negative currency impacts. Alcoa noted that it sees 2008 global aluminum demand up 6% (down from the prior 8% forecast). COST-2% has come off its worst levels after reporting Q4 results before the open, with earnings and revenue stronger than expected. MON+8% showed earnings losses that were much lower than expected for the quarter, although the fertilizer name also guided much lower than expected for FY09. Fellow fertilizer names POT+10% and AGU+4% are rising on the not-so-bad news from MON. Insurance giant MET-13% announces a 75M share stock offering and pre-announced Q3 results yesterday evening. The company said earnings would be well below estimates and withdrew its FY08 guidance, noting that the move reflects a decline in variable investment income driven by negative hedge fund and private equity returns.

- Global markets have been responding to the unprecedented coordinated 50 basis point cut by the Fed, ECB, Bank of England, Bank of Canada, Swiss National Bank and Sweden's Riksbank. Separately, China's central bank lowered its key one-year lending rate by 0.27 percentage points. Central bankers acted two days before gathering with G7 finance ministers in Washington. Dealers are noting that the main question posed by the Big Cut is how to measure the success of the move, with many believing the key will be how stocks end the day. Global equity markets remain subdued as liquidations continue the month/quarter end hedge fund redemptions. Dealers are also noting that selling pressure in equities are likely coming from fear among pension fund investment committees, which meet quarterly, and investors that check statements that come once a month in the mail.

- The Icelandic Central Bank stated that its support for a fixed ISK was insufficient and announced that it would cease attempts to boost the krona for the time being. S&P noted that Iceland would not be considered in default if it does not honor its deposit guarantee scheme.

- The price action in currencies, fixed income and equities match the historic central bank move. EUR/USD was trading in the mid-1.36 area as the European close approached. The focus has been all about the carry-related pairs after the extreme moves witnessed in Asia and European session. The JPY is off its best level but remained in firm territory. The EUR/JPY is around 136.70 level and AUD/JPY at 66.20, off more than 500 pips from its Asian open. Note that Singapore's finance minister said that banks and financial systems in ASEAN countries do not face a crisis of confidence, although they would likely be affected by the global crisis.

- The shape of the yield curve looked more like the streets of San Francisco as it wavered between steeping and flattening shapes throughout the European session. Dec Bunds -31 ticks at 116.74 and Dec Gilts -32 ticks at 113.55. the spread between the US two-year and the 10-year remained at the 209 bps area and various swaps remained highly elevated. After approaching multi-year and in some cases historic lows US Treasury yields are moving higher. The two-year yields dipped towards 1.3% before rallying some 15 basis points. The US benchmark curve did get as steep as 210 basis points. There has been only marginal improvement in US TED and LIBOR OIS spreads. Although various market participants have affirmed their support for this morning's coordinated rate cut, several notable names have indicated more cuts will likely be needed. To that end the Nov fed fund future is close to fully pricing in another 25 basis point cut by the next FOMC meeting.

Published on  Wed, Oct 8 2008, 15:52 GMT