Wednesday, August 29, 2018

U.S Dollar Slides But Treasury Yields Firm.

Capital market continue to digest various narratives getting pushed in many directions but continue to position on a very short horizon given absolute uncertainties, while US equity markets continue to print fresh record highs to start the week. This despite US 10-year yields firming several pips higher overnight.

The S&P 500 breaking 2900 for the first time confirms yet again another bullish break higher. With the NAFTA breakthrough, car-makers were the big winners. But overall the US-Mexico deal has deflected attention away from Trump's legal setbacks as investors may see the light at the end of the tunnel hoping that the US-Sino trade dispute can end in an equally friendly manner.

The firming US yields are likely a result, in the absence of any significant news, of positioning and a growing sense that traders have squeezed about as much juice out of this move as possible.

Oil Markets

Oil prices had fallen after the API reported a crude build when the markets were positioned for a draw while bullish bets remain on Iran sanction sentiment swings. Again, global supply concerns continue to act as a foil against bullish positions as the data does suggest higher global supply than anticipated. However, keep in mind API total was 2.8 million barrels lower than last week's DOE total and so the expected decline may still be there in today's more definitive report. As such, prices are unlikely to fall off the edge on the API data.

Currency Markets

Euro

After a 750 pips, round trip the EURUSD is as likely overbought at 1.1700 as it was oversold at 1.1300. And despite the positivity from this week's IFO Expectations index and some conciliatory overtones from Italy regarding EU budget compliance, with the ECB firmly planted on the sidelines, traders were fading above 1.1700 thinking the 1.1750 could prove a tough nut to crack without a push from the ECB.

Malaysian Ringgit

Trade has been relatively quiet as the ringgit remains thinly traded with Asia traders focused on CNH but with a tepid inflation outlook and the miss on Q2 GDP their likelihood of a rate cut rises which of course will play out negatively for the ringgit.

Chinese Yuan

The market remains fixed on the Counter-Cyclical Mechanism but appears to be biding time just waiting to re-engage long USDCNH positions.


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