|

Asia Update: It's like driving a car over potholes

This morning’s market is like driving a car over potholes, it may be bumpy, but you're rarely in danger with the thought of a FED and PBoC policy backstop. But if we hit a significant economic air pocket or a super spreader risk-off vortex, all bets are off
 
It is brutally impossible to evaluate theCovid19  impact given the scarcity of data since the outbreak. An election influenced US PMI didn't cut it, and the massive decline in China car sales was expected. And while it's tremendous and risk helpful to see PBOC Vice Gov Chen stating the bank will conduct RRR discounts soon, but for stimulus to work, to put it simplistically, people have to return to work for supply chains to return to full speed. And for this to happen, there seem to be more and more obstacles in the way than many currently appear to assume. And what should be obvious to say that especially the equity markets where the bullishly ingrained mantra of 'stimulus-is-always good' might turn out not to be the case this time around.
 
Weekend news flows aside. The biggest problem is that the market is still relatively complacent, with investors apparently magnetized to the SPX  3300. For the next week or possibly month or so, it's challenging to visualize the virus transmission outside of China to reverse again. If we get more Asian counties declaring a red travel alert and possibly causing Tokyo to rethink 2020 Olympic plans or even cancel,  these shockwaves will crush market sentiment, and the program selling would kick in where 5-10 % drop in global equities is possible as there little policy room for the ECB,  BoJ or other NIRP economies central banks to toggle monetary policy lower.

Author

Stephen Innes

Stephen Innes

SPI Asset Management

With more than 25 years of experience, Stephen has a deep-seated knowledge of G10 and Asian currency markets as well as precious metal and oil markets.

More from Stephen Innes
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD: US Dollar to remain pressured until uncertainty fog dissipates

Unimpressive European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting. The United States first-tier employment and inflation data is scheduled for the second week of February. EUR/USD battles to remain afloat above 1.1800, sellers moving to the sidelines.

GBP/USD softens to near 1.3600 as BoE hints further rate cuts

The GBP/USD pair loses ground to near 1.3610 during the early Asian session on Monday. The Pound Sterling softens against the Greenback amid growing expectations of the Bank of England’s interest-rate cut. Traders will take more cues from the Fedspeak later on Monday.

Gold eyes acceptance above $5,000, kicking off a big week

Gold is consolidating the latest uptick at around the $5,000 mark, with buyers gathering pace for a sustained uptrend as a critical week kicks off. All eyes remain on the delayed Nonfarm Payrolls and Consumer Price Index data from the United States due on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

Top Crypto Gainers: Aster, Decred, and Kaspa rise as selling pressure wanes

Altcoins such as Aster, Decred, and Kaspa are leading the broader cryptocurrency market recovery over the last 24 hours, as Bitcoin holds above $70,000 on Monday, up from the $60,000 dip on Thursday.

Weekly column: Saturn-Neptune and the end of the Dollar’s 15-year bull cycle

Tariffs are not only inflationary for a nation but also risk undermining the trust and credibility that go hand in hand with the responsibility of being the leading nation in the free world and controlling the world’s reserve currency.

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple consolidate after massive sell-off

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple prices consolidated on Monday after correcting by nearly 9%, 8%, and 10% in the previous week, respectively. BTC is hovering around $70,000, while ETH and XRP are facing rejection at key levels. Traders should be cautious: despite recent stabilization, upside recovery for these top three cryptocurrencies is capped as the broader trend remains bearish.