|

Funda-FX wrap: risk elevated despite tentative N.Korea /US summit and Italian politics

Funda-FX today was scarce in any gamechanger type of headlines, but that didn't stop risk form bouncing with AUD/JPY with a look in at the 83 handle, copper running up some ground to the 200-hr SMA and USD/JPY trading better bid throughout the session - (The VIX was trading at 13.59 (-7.11%), well below the average level this year at 17.11). Solid US data and better commodity prices all helped to lift US indices 0.3-0.8% higher.

On the geopolitical front, North Korea released an angry statement saying it might pull out of the meeting that was due to take place on 12 June in Singapore if the US insisted it gave up its nuclear weapons.

"The president is ready if the meeting takes place; If it doesn't, we'll continue the maximum pressure campaign that's been ongoing,"

- White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders.

Trump has since reiterated that the US would still insist on denuclearization.

Across the pond, Italian coalition negotiations were the focus where policy discussion of government debt writedowns and larger deficits saw their 10-year yields surge 16bps and remains uncertain if Di Maio and Salvini can work out the final remaining stumbling blocks - Rabobank

Key headlines, (source: LiveSquawk):

  • Fed's Williams: Fed's era of market hand-holding is nearing an end.
  • Fed's Bostic: rate hikes this year is the correct path.
  • Fed’s Bullard: need to see upside surprises to support further hikes – BBG TV.
  • Fed’s Bullard: yield curve has a nice slope, currently no danger of invested yield curve - BBG TV.
  • BoC's Schrembri: rates are below neutral because of NAFTA uncertainty.
  • Mexico independent candidate zavala said to quit presidential race.
  • British pm may defeats labour party attempt to force the government to reveal details of Brexit customs proposals.
  • Treasury selloff pauses after 10-year yield hits a 7-year peak.
  • Dollar index hits 2018 high, havens yen and Swiss also rise.
  • US Pres. Trump defends ZTE action as us and China talk trade deal.
  • EU withdrawal bill suffers 15th defeat in lords.
  • Italian govt plan said to not list euro exit option.
  • US industrial production clocks third straight month of gains.

Key notes:

Author

Ross J Burland

Ross J Burland, born in England, UK, is a sportsman at heart. He played Rugby and Judo for his county, Kent and the South East of England Rugby team.

More from Ross J Burland
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD keeps the bid bias just over 1.1800

EUR/USD has started the week on a positive foot, hovering around the 1.1800 region in the latter part of Monday’s session. The pair’s recovery comes on the back of a decent decline in the US Dollar, as investors keep their attention on the evolving US–EU trade relationship after President Trump’s announcement of sweeping global tariff hikes.

GBP/USD looks stuck around 1.3500 amid firm gains

GBP/USD is pushing further north on Monday, revisiting the 1.3500 hurdle and beyond. Cable’s uptick is largely being fuelled by the broader softness in the Greenback, amid lingering uncertainty around tariffs.

Gold pops above $5,200, four-week highs

Gold is holding onto its bullish tone on Monday, reaching new multi-week highs just past the $5,200 mark per troy ounce. Fresh trade-war concerns, coupled with rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, are keeping demand for the yellow metal well on the rise.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP intensify sell-off as tariff uncertainty weighs

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple are trading amid increasing selling pressure at the time of writing on Monday, as investors react to fresh trade uncertainty over US President Donald Trump’s push for more tariffs.

Supreme Court nixes tariffs, Trump teases 15% global tariff

On February 20th, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s global tariffs under IEEPA authority were unconstitutional, effectively nullifying the framework. However, the relief was short-lived. Within hours, Trump floated a 15% blanket tariff under an alternative legal authority.

XRP recovers slightly as bearish sentiment dominates crypto market

Ripple is rising above $1.40 at the time of writing on Monday amid fresh tariff-triggered headwinds in the broader cryptocurrency market. The sell-off to $1.33, the token’s intraday low, can be attributed to macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and risk-averse sentiment among other factors.