Macro Events & News

Dr. Nektarios Michail HFM

FX News Today

European Fixed Income Outlook: The 10-year Bund future opened at 159.43, up from a close of 159.37 on Thursday. 10-year cash yields are down -1.3 bp at 0.44%, almost matching the -1.5 bp dip in Treasury yields, which are still holding above the 3.2% mark. Risk aversion picked up again as oil prices plunged and the tech stock rout resumed during the Asian session, while concerns over the Chinese economy flared up again. US stock futures are heading south, led by the NASDAQ futures and FTSE 100 futures are also in the red. The calendar focuses on the first reading of Q3 GDP data and we expect an acceleration in the quarterly growth rate to 0.6% from 0.4% q/q in the second quarter. The UK also releases monthly GDP numbers as well as trade and production data for September. France also has production numbers released at the start of the session, Norway CPI fell back to 3.1% y/y from 3.4% y/y in the previous month. Brexit developments also remain in focus amid signs that the talks are entering the end stage, although the main question is still whether any deal struck by negotiators will be able to get backing in London, as May continues to fight hard core Brexiteers and DUP alike.

Asian Market Wrap: 10-year Treasury yields are down -1.3 bp on the day, but at 3.22%, continue to hold above the 3.2% mark. 10-year JGB yields are unchanged at 0.113%, with bond markets supported as risk aversion flared up again and the stock market sell-off in Asian markets resumed. The Fed remained on course for a December hike, crude entered a bear market on the back of swelling supply and Chinese tech stocks plunged, led by Tencent which reports quarterly results next week. Speculation that the split in Congress may reduce the pressure on the Fed to hike rates were short-lived and the Dollar is on the way higher again. Financial stocks were pressured by news that China aims to boost large banks’ loans to private companies to at least one-third of company lending. Topix and Nikkei have lost -0.51% and -0.98% respectively so far, the Hang Seng underperformed with a -2.44% loss, and Shanghai and Shenzhen Comp are down -1.20% and -0.27%. The ASX was down -0.11% at the close, after RBA reiterated forecasts for higher growth, but also warned of risks from worsening trade war and a weaker Chinese economy. US futures are also heading south and the front end Nymex future is trading at USD 60.64 per barrel.

Charts of the Day

Main Macro Events Today

UK Gross Domestic Product – Expectations – The UK’s GDP figure is expected to have improved in the third quarter of the year, reaching 1.5% on a y/y basis. Manufacturing and industrial production are both expected to have increased by 0.1% m/m in September, compared to -0.2% last month.

Consumer Sentiment Index – Expectations – The preliminary reading of the Michigan Sentiment Index is expected to ease off in November, at 98.0 compared to 98.6 in October.

Producer Price Index – Expectations – The US PPI is expected to have remained at 2.5%, the same as in September.

Support and Resistance Levels

Author

Dr. Nektarios Michail

HFM

With more than 4 years of experience at the Central Bank of Cyprus where he obtained hands-on experience with real-life economics, Dr Nektarios Michail is a supporter of a balanced approach between science and art when it comes to

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.