Jan 25, 2018 - Market Update (Trump up, Mnuchin down but market is concerned about who will buy US debt; ECB - just up is a problem but Draghi likely not to say anything again); EURUSD set to check 1.2500; Weaker USD good for equities; Gold - make or brake the 1380, then 1484...?; BofA with most blockchain patents; Qualcomm fined USD 1.2 bln by EU; Mexican drug cartels stealing fuel

Short recap

Asia mixed to lower

Europe opening lower

Trump a year ago – USD strength means confidence in US and his presidency

Mnuchin yesterday – USD weakness good for US economy

…and market took it as a future direction of US policy

In other words the US trade war has begun and weak USD is part of it

Market is concerned about widening current account deficit (a problem for USD)

But bigger one is that there are still less and less international investors who like to buy Trys

IMF’s Lagarde – USD value determined by markets

Bitcoin buyers getting more ground

China to tighten control over offshore private equity fundraising

Mexican drug cartels stealing fuel from refineries (USD 1 bln of lost government revenues)

ECB today

Lots of speculations about policy shift – not expecting any change, may be some word playing in March

Recent move in EUR creating some headaches for ECB as inflation levels still low

Unlikely ECB will come up with something hawkish, we need to wait until summer

So growth and inflation have more time to surprise

Draghi to touch FX rates with dovish comments after recent rise in EUR

EUR not overvalued

S&P – strong EUR to delay tapering

EURUSD

USD still under pressure with psychological 1.2500 in sight

Likely to test important 1.2516 (38.2% Fibo of 1.6038/1.0340 move)

Then 1.2597 (61.8% Fibo of 1.3992/1.0340 move)

Support from descending trendline (highs 2008, 2011, 2014)

The 1.2400 may help to push some longs off, to open door towards 1.2300-90 zone

1.2166 (50.0% Fibo), then 1.2092

USDJPY

Interest in USD from importers and retail after o/n decline

Bids sitting at 108.50

Large options (USD 2.3 bln) with strike at 110.00 expiring today

Support 109.06 (76.4% Fibo) and 108.12 & 107.31 lows

Resistance 110.14 (61.8% Fibo)

Equities

Lower USD = higher global equities for time being…

As we have easier credit conditions

And profits of US companies artificially higher due to weaker USD

BofA owning more blockchain patents than peers

SEC looking into GE’s huge insurance charge

Company planning to sell USD 20 bln of assets

Goldman Sachs and Citibank shortlisted to bid for metal business of Scotiabank

EU fines Qualcomm (USD 1.2 bln)

Bombardier and Boeing to hear decision over dispute on Friday

Earnings

Reporting today: Biogen, 3M, Caterpillar, Intel (update on security issues), Western Digital, Celgene, Starbucks

Bonds

10-yr Trys yield at 2.64% vs 2.62% yesterday

10-yr Bund yield at 0.58% vs 0.56% yesterday

No boom to doom for central Europe's bonds when ECB stimulus ends  link

Gold

Facing strong resistance zone where it got rejected in 2014/16/17

Mnuchin, weak USD, inflation up, geopolitical risks supporting gold

More investors using gold as a hedge for potential spike in volatility

With HFs aggressively buying since Dec

Resistance 1375 high, 1380 (38.2% Fibo), 1484 (50.0% Fibo) both based on 2011/15 decline

Source: Saxo Bank 

Data/events

ECB rate decision

Jan 26 – Trump speaking in Davos (1300 GMT)

Will be interesting to see Macron/Merkel and the world

Against protectionism of Trump/US

Jan 30 – US State of the Union

Trump to announce an infrastructure plan but is not clear who would build the infrastructure

Because of his anti-immigration policies, may be Norwegian workers

But having no idea how many of them will come

Also to announce a new security policy moving away from fighting terrorism

And focussing on challenges from growing military strength of Russia and China (more military spending coming)

Jan 31 – FOMC

Feb 3 – Powell taking office as Fed Chair (he is lawyer and not economist)

Feb 16 – Chinese New Year

Should you have any questions feel free to contact me anytime.

Good luck Champs!

Mr Hawk

  

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