|

Shutdown Off, Risk On

A deal to avoid a US government shutdown continues to lift risk assets, helping the S&P 500 to close above the 200-day moving average. NZD is the top performer after the   defying expectatations that it's changing tack as did the Fed and RBA. US CPI is up next, with the headline figure seen at 1.5% from 1.9% and core at 2.1% from 2.2%. A new update on EURUSD for Premium subscribers will be issued ahead of the NY bell.

Optimism about global growth and an apparent deal to end the US government shutdown have helped boost sentiment. Trump said he's unhappy there isn't more money for his border wall but hasn't said he will veto it. He could be expected to later use his executive authority to fund additional border measures.

Treasury yields climbed and the S&P 500 surged 35 points to 2744, finishing just above the 200-DMA. SPX futures are now at 2752. That level had called a rally last week. Global stocks joined in the rally and the US dollar, yen and Swiss franc softened in a classic risk-on move.

In the oil market, Saudi Arabia's energy minister said they could cut production by an additional 500k bpd in March and that led to a rally in WTI to $54.00. There's a minor double bottom forming at $51.23 that will be a spot to watch this month. USD/CAD fell back to Friday's post-jobs report lows.

UK CPI slowed to 1.8% in Jan from 2.1%, undershooting expectations of a 1.9% reading. Core CPI held at 1.9% y/y as expected. 

Carney reiterated Tuesday that modest tightening over time is likely to be needed but falling inflation numbers and endless Brexit uncertainty argue against it. On that front, May's latest meaningful vote was delayed until late in the month and there were reports that Boris Johnson could support the current deal with a firm expiration date for the Irish backstop. There was also talk that May could quit in the summer once a deal is struck.

Author

Adam Button

Adam Button

AshrafLaidi.com

Adam Button has been a currency analyst at Intermarket Strategy since 2012. He is also the CEO and a currency analyst at ForexLive.

More from Adam Button
Share:

Editor's Picks

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.