The euro is trying to snap a
ten-day losing streak. Its bounce today has stopped a
little shy of the five-day moving average that is
found near $1.0650. It has not traded above this short-term moving
average since the November 9.
ten-day losing streak. Its bounce today has stopped a
little shy of the five-day moving average that is
found near $1.0650. It has not traded above this short-term moving
average since the November 9.
The news over
the weekend is primarily political in nature. Sarkozy is going to retire (again)
after taking a drubbing in the Republican Party primary in France. Fillon, the
self-styled French Thatcher unexpected beat Juppe, but without 50% and
therefore the results set up the run-off
this coming weekend. It is as if, knowing their candidate will likely
face Le Pen in the final round next spring, the Republican Party might as well
chose the most extreme laissez-faire
candidate.
the weekend is primarily political in nature. Sarkozy is going to retire (again)
after taking a drubbing in the Republican Party primary in France. Fillon, the
self-styled French Thatcher unexpected beat Juppe, but without 50% and
therefore the results set up the run-off
this coming weekend. It is as if, knowing their candidate will likely
face Le Pen in the final round next spring, the Republican Party might as well
chose the most extreme laissez-faire
candidate.
In Germany,
Merkel officially announced her candidacy for a fourth term as German
Chancellor. This was widely expected. Merkel has moved to protect her flanks after her immigration policy caused a
fissure in her alliance with Bavaria’s CSU. The national election is planned for next fall. The
anti-immigration and anti-EU AfD party have come on strong to win
representation in all but a few German states. The most likely outcome is
for a continuation of a grand coalition
between the CDU and SPD. It is possible that another party is needed to
form a coalition government. If so, the FDP are more likely than the
Greens.
Merkel officially announced her candidacy for a fourth term as German
Chancellor. This was widely expected. Merkel has moved to protect her flanks after her immigration policy caused a
fissure in her alliance with Bavaria’s CSU. The national election is planned for next fall. The
anti-immigration and anti-EU AfD party have come on strong to win
representation in all but a few German states. The most likely outcome is
for a continuation of a grand coalition
between the CDU and SPD. It is possible that another party is needed to
form a coalition government. If so, the FDP are more likely than the
Greens.
In the UK,
Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond played down need to provide strong fiscal
stimulus in this week’s Autumn Statement. Separately, Prime Minister May’s
op-ed piece in the Financial Times marks out a pro-business stance, including a
corporate tax cut that will lower the UK rate to the lowest in the G20.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond played down need to provide strong fiscal
stimulus in this week’s Autumn Statement. Separately, Prime Minister May’s
op-ed piece in the Financial Times marks out a pro-business stance, including a
corporate tax cut that will lower the UK rate to the lowest in the G20.
Sterling is
only of the major currencies to be losing ground against the dollar today, but
it is really range-bound between $1.2300 and $1.2370. The technical tone is soft. Sterling
fell every day last week against the dollar and is extended that streak into a
sixth session today. Part of the heavy tone may be coming from the
crosses. Today is the second session in which sterling is trading heavily against the euro. The euro
reversed higher before the weekend after nearing GBP0.8525. It needs to
push through GBP0.8640 to signal further upside potential.
only of the major currencies to be losing ground against the dollar today, but
it is really range-bound between $1.2300 and $1.2370. The technical tone is soft. Sterling
fell every day last week against the dollar and is extended that streak into a
sixth session today. Part of the heavy tone may be coming from the
crosses. Today is the second session in which sterling is trading heavily against the euro. The euro
reversed higher before the weekend after nearing GBP0.8525. It needs to
push through GBP0.8640 to signal further upside potential.
In a session
light on economic news, Japan stands out. It reported its second consecutive
trade surplus in October. The JPY496.2 bln surplus was slightly smaller
than the September surplus of JPY498.3 bln. However, the surplus came
despite the continued fall in imports and
exports.
light on economic news, Japan stands out. It reported its second consecutive
trade surplus in October. The JPY496.2 bln surplus was slightly smaller
than the September surplus of JPY498.3 bln. However, the surplus came
despite the continued fall in imports and
exports.
Japanese
exports have not risen on a year-over-year basis since September 2015. Its exports fell 10.3% in October
after a 6..9% drop in September. Exports of autos, steel, and telecom
equipment haven been weak. Exports to the US are off 11.2%, 9.5% lower to
Europe and a 9.2% falling in exports to China. Imports fall 16.5% from a
year ago, after a 16.3% plunge in September. Recall that net exports
contributed about 0.5% to Japan’s Q3 GDP.
exports have not risen on a year-over-year basis since September 2015. Its exports fell 10.3% in October
after a 6..9% drop in September. Exports of autos, steel, and telecom
equipment haven been weak. Exports to the US are off 11.2%, 9.5% lower to
Europe and a 9.2% falling in exports to China. Imports fall 16.5% from a
year ago, after a 16.3% plunge in September. Recall that net exports
contributed about 0.5% to Japan’s Q3 GDP.
The dollar
extended its recent gains against the yen, marching to JPY111.20 before sellers
emerging in Asia. Early Europe saw the greenback slip
to almost JPY110.50 where new bids were found.
In late May, the dollar was turned
back from JPY111.45.
extended its recent gains against the yen, marching to JPY111.20 before sellers
emerging in Asia. Early Europe saw the greenback slip
to almost JPY110.50 where new bids were found.
In late May, the dollar was turned
back from JPY111.45.
Japan’s Topix
rose 1.0% to extend its winning streak into the eighth consecutive session. It was led by
the telecoms, energy, and financials.
Utilities and materials were laggards. It is at its best level
since February. More broadly, the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index rose 0.35%.
European bourses recouped early losses, and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600
turned positive in late morning turnover. Energy and information
technology are the strongest performers today
rose 1.0% to extend its winning streak into the eighth consecutive session. It was led by
the telecoms, energy, and financials.
Utilities and materials were laggards. It is at its best level
since February. More broadly, the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index rose 0.35%.
European bourses recouped early losses, and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600
turned positive in late morning turnover. Energy and information
technology are the strongest performers today
Oil is building
on its pre-weekend gains amid speculation that next week’s OPEC meeting will announce a reduction
of supply. Base metals are rebounding after last week’s bout of
profit-taking. Nickel, copper, and
zinc were up around 2%.
on its pre-weekend gains amid speculation that next week’s OPEC meeting will announce a reduction
of supply. Base metals are rebounding after last week’s bout of
profit-taking. Nickel, copper, and
zinc were up around 2%.
The US 10-year
Treasury yield is a couple of basis point
lower, while yields are most higher in Europe. The 2-year yield is also
fractionally lower. To the extent that the dollar’s gains have been bolstered by the rise in
yields, today has the makings for a consolidative session.
Treasury yield is a couple of basis point
lower, while yields are most higher in Europe. The 2-year yield is also
fractionally lower. To the extent that the dollar’s gains have been bolstered by the rise in
yields, today has the makings for a consolidative session.
(Light publication schedule this week, as I finish up my next book, Political Economy of Tomorrow.)