The US dollar has a slightly lower bias today, but the against
most of the major currencies, it is consolidating within the range set at the
end of last week. The
main exceptions are sterling and the Canadian dollar. They had extended
their pre-weekend losses yesterday, and are trading within yesterday’s range
today. The news stream will be light in North America, with no market
moving data on tap and no central bank speakers scheduled.
most of the major currencies, it is consolidating within the range set at the
end of last week. The
main exceptions are sterling and the Canadian dollar. They had extended
their pre-weekend losses yesterday, and are trading within yesterday’s range
today. The news stream will be light in North America, with no market
moving data on tap and no central bank speakers scheduled.
Equity markets are
firm. The MSCI
Asia Pacific Index gained about 0.15% to post its second consecutive advance
after losing a little more than 0.5% in two sessions before last weekend.
The minor gain is impressive given that Japan, Taiwan, Korean and Indian
equity prices eased. Stock markets are mostly higher in Europe, but gains
are minor. The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is slightly higher. Weakness in
consumer names, materials, and real estate offsets gains in energy, utilities, industrials, and financials.
firm. The MSCI
Asia Pacific Index gained about 0.15% to post its second consecutive advance
after losing a little more than 0.5% in two sessions before last weekend.
The minor gain is impressive given that Japan, Taiwan, Korean and Indian
equity prices eased. Stock markets are mostly higher in Europe, but gains
are minor. The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is slightly higher. Weakness in
consumer names, materials, and real estate offsets gains in energy, utilities, industrials, and financials.
Bond markets are narrowly
mixed. Australian
and Japanese 10-year benchmarks changed by less than a basis point. New
Zealand bonds remain strong. The 10-year yield fell another 6.5 bp to
2.83%. The yield has fallen by nearly 20 bp in the past week. The
Reserve Bank of New Zealand meets on Thursday,
and many appear to be positioning more dovish rhetoric. European bond
yields are little changed, though we note that Italy and Portugal are faring
better than Spain. Meanwhile, US Treasury and UK Gilt yields are slightly
firmer.
mixed. Australian
and Japanese 10-year benchmarks changed by less than a basis point. New
Zealand bonds remain strong. The 10-year yield fell another 6.5 bp to
2.83%. The yield has fallen by nearly 20 bp in the past week. The
Reserve Bank of New Zealand meets on Thursday,
and many appear to be positioning more dovish rhetoric. European bond
yields are little changed, though we note that Italy and Portugal are faring
better than Spain. Meanwhile, US Treasury and UK Gilt yields are slightly
firmer.
There are few option strikes
that may be in play today. The $1.18 strike inn is on the bubble. There is a large
A$2.5 bln option struck at $0.7950 that may influence activity today.
that may be in play today. The $1.18 strike inn is on the bubble. There is a large
A$2.5 bln option struck at $0.7950 that may influence activity today.
The data theme today is trading. Trade figures from Japan, China, and
Germany have been reported. Japan and
Germany reported June data, while China reported its balance for July.
Germany have been reported. Japan and
Germany reported June data, while China reported its balance for July.
Japan reported a JPY934.6
bln current account surplus. It was down from JPY1.653 trillion in May. There are strong
seasonal influences in Japan’s balance and that current account surplus
typically narrows in June from May. However, a key takeaway is that
12-month average is improved to JPY1.697
trillion from JPY1.544 average last June.
One of the most important characteristics of Japan’s external surplus is
that is not so much driven by trade, but by the primary income surplus
(interest and dividends generated from overseas portfolio investment).
bln current account surplus. It was down from JPY1.653 trillion in May. There are strong
seasonal influences in Japan’s balance and that current account surplus
typically narrows in June from May. However, a key takeaway is that
12-month average is improved to JPY1.697
trillion from JPY1.544 average last June.
One of the most important characteristics of Japan’s external surplus is
that is not so much driven by trade, but by the primary income surplus
(interest and dividends generated from overseas portfolio investment).
With the current account,
Japan also reports details of its capital account. The highlights include news that
Japanese investors turned cool toward Australian debt and sold the most in four
years. On there another hand, they
continue to buy US Treasuries (JPY1.1 trillion after JPY1.3 trillion in May).
Meanwhile, Chinese investors sold JPY2.77 trillion of short-term Japanese
debt, which is most in over a decade.
Japan also reports details of its capital account. The highlights include news that
Japanese investors turned cool toward Australian debt and sold the most in four
years. On there another hand, they
continue to buy US Treasuries (JPY1.1 trillion after JPY1.3 trillion in May).
Meanwhile, Chinese investors sold JPY2.77 trillion of short-term Japanese
debt, which is most in over a decade.
China reported a $46.74 bln
trade surplus for last month. This is down $1.6 bln from last July, but sequentially, it is the fifth wider surplus in a row. Both
imports and exports slowed more than expected. Its 12-month average
surplus stands at $37.76 bln vs. $48.54
bln for the same year ago period. Exports rose 7.2% year-over-year after
an 11.3% rise in June. Imports rose 11.0% after increasing 17.2% in June.
trade surplus for last month. This is down $1.6 bln from last July, but sequentially, it is the fifth wider surplus in a row. Both
imports and exports slowed more than expected. Its 12-month average
surplus stands at $37.76 bln vs. $48.54
bln for the same year ago period. Exports rose 7.2% year-over-year after
an 11.3% rise in June. Imports rose 11.0% after increasing 17.2% in June.
Some of the highlights include, oil imports falling to their lowest
level in six months, while iron ore import rose 7.5% in the first seven months
of the year. Natural
gas imports rose by more than a fifth. Exports to the US rose 8.9%
year-over-year compared with a 19.8% pace in June. Of particular
interest, China’s steel exports fell by a third from a year ago, and are off
nearly 30% in t he first seven months of the year. China appears to
shuttered some capacity, while its domestic demand remains elevated due to
efforts to upgrade its infrastructure. We note that the improved prices
helped lift Nucor profits in H1 to its highest since the recession and US Steel
earnings exceeded expectations.
level in six months, while iron ore import rose 7.5% in the first seven months
of the year. Natural
gas imports rose by more than a fifth. Exports to the US rose 8.9%
year-over-year compared with a 19.8% pace in June. Of particular
interest, China’s steel exports fell by a third from a year ago, and are off
nearly 30% in t he first seven months of the year. China appears to
shuttered some capacity, while its domestic demand remains elevated due to
efforts to upgrade its infrastructure. We note that the improved prices
helped lift Nucor profits in H1 to its highest since the recession and US Steel
earnings exceeded expectations.
The Chinese yuan continued
to strengthen today. The US dollar briefly dipped below CNY6.70
for the first time since last October. In
addition to the broad US dollar weakness and news that China’s reserves increased
in July helping the yuan, the PBOC appears to be stingy in its open market
operations. It has simply rolled over seven and 14-day reverse repos today
and has failed to inject fresh funds. This has led to a drain of around CNY100 bln
from the banking system.
German trade figures round
out today’s reports. German
imports and exports were weaker than expected in June and this coupled with the
softer PMI, and industrial output figures
warn that European engine has lost some
momentum around mid-year. Exports fell 2.8% in June. It is the
first decline of 2017 and the most in two years. Imports fell 4.5%.
It is the largest decline in eight years. However, despite the
short-term vagaries, the trade balance is stable. The June surplus stood
at 22.3 bln euro, up from 22.0 bln in May. Last June, the surplus stood
at 24.5 bln euros. The 12-month moving average is 20.4 bln euros, little
changed from the 21.0 bln euro average June 2016. The current account
surplus, driven by the trade balance, is also remarkably steady.
out today’s reports. German
imports and exports were weaker than expected in June and this coupled with the
softer PMI, and industrial output figures
warn that European engine has lost some
momentum around mid-year. Exports fell 2.8% in June. It is the
first decline of 2017 and the most in two years. Imports fell 4.5%.
It is the largest decline in eight years. However, despite the
short-term vagaries, the trade balance is stable. The June surplus stood
at 22.3 bln euro, up from 22.0 bln in May. Last June, the surplus stood
at 24.5 bln euros. The 12-month moving average is 20.4 bln euros, little
changed from the 21.0 bln euro average June 2016. The current account
surplus, driven by the trade balance, is also remarkably steady.