Risk aversion intensifies in Asian session again. In particular, Hong Kong stocks lead the decline on news of arrest of Chinese tech giant Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou. The arrest is reported to be in relation to Huawei violating US sanctions by shipping US originated products to Iran and some other countries. Canada also confirmed that Meng is facing extradition to the US. The arrest also prompted concerns over Chinese retaliation on US executives.
At the time of writing, Hong Kong HSI is down -2.62% or -702 pts. Nikkei is down -2.13% or -468 pts. China Shanghai SSE (LON:SSE) is down -1.28%. Singapore Strait Times is down -1.13%. 10 year JGB yield is down another -0.25 at 0.045. We’d like to point out again that 10 year JGB yield hit as high as 0.166 just back in early October. Considering the slump in US and German yields, the strong bond market rebound and stock market decline, it’s clear that funds are seeking safety in rather drastic manner.
In the currency markets, Australian Dollar remains the weakest one for today, followed by New Zealand Dollar. Canadian Dollar isn’t much better as the third weakest. The Loonie was sold off sharply after BoC expressed its concern on “oil price shock” in the statement overnight. For now, Yen is the strongest one for today, followed by Swiss Franc and then Dollar.
Technically, USD/CAD is likely in medium term up trend resumption. We’ll see if it can sustain above 1.3385 key resistance to confirm. CAD/JPY’s firm break of 84.61 support already confirm resumption of fall from 89.22. Outlook in Australian Dollar is starting to look bad. AUD/USD is heading back to 0.7199 support and EUR/AUD is eyeing 1.5781 resistance. Break of these levels will argue that recent rebound is Aussie is finished and turn outlook bearish again. Meanwhile, EUR/USD, USD/CHF, GBP/USD and EUR/GBP are trading in familiar range. These pairs are still awaiting breakout.
BoC stands pat but sounds concerned with oil price shock, CAD dives
Canadian Dollar dropped sharply yesterday after BoC kept overnight rate target unchanged at 1.75% as widely expected. But the central bank sounded rather concerned with recent slump in oil prices. Depending on the developments, further weakness in oil price could lead to downward revision in growth projections, slower rate hike next year, or even a pause.
The statement noted that oil prices have “fallen sharply” since the October MPR, “reflecting a combination of geopolitical developments, uncertainty about global growth prospects, and expansion of U.S. shale oil production”. And, “benchmarks for western Canadian oil – both heavy and, more recently, light – have been pulled down even further by transportation constraints and a buildup of inventories”. “In light of these developments and associated cutbacks in production, activity in Canada’s energy sector will likely be materially weaker than expected.”
The statement also concluded by maintaining tightening bias to move interest rate towards neutral. However, the pace will depend on a number of facts. Added in this statement, “the persistence of the oil price shock, the evolution of business investment, and the Bank’s assessment of the economy’s capacity will also factor importantly into our decisions about the future stance of monetary policy.”
Sterling could have 6% swing depending of Brexit vote outcome
Sterling is one of the weakest currency this week, just next to risk aversion pressured commodity currencies. But downside in the Pound is so far limited, except versus Yen. It’s believed that odds are stacking against UK Prime Minister Theresa May winning the parliamentary vote on Brexit deal on December 11. Her performance in the first two days of the five-day parliamentary debate hasn’t been satisfactory so far.
According to a Reuters poll, economists forecast that Sterling would appreciate 3.5% if the deal is approved next week. On the other hand, rejection could trigger selloff by -2.75%. But we’d like to emphasize the eventual development if rather unimaginable. May’s defeat in the Brexit vote might not lead to no-deal Brexit, but no Brexit at all. After all, the UK has a trump card of withdrawing the Brexit request unilaterally.
Anyway, for now the Pound’s movement could be relatively limited as traders would refuse to commit to any position before the vote.
BoJ Kuroda: Risks tilted toward the downside
BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda warned today that “risks to Japan’s economy are tilted toward the downside” And BoJ policymakers “need to pay particular attention to protectionist moves such as Sino-U.S. trade friction.”
Kuroda also warned that “raising interest rates now to create policy space for future economic downturns may risk delaying achievement of our inflation target.”
Also, it’s premature to reveal the exit strategy for the ultra loose monetary policy. Kuroda said “we need to debate an exit strategy and explain it to markets but only when inflation approaches our target.”
On the data front
Australia trade surplus came in smaller than expected at AUD 2.32B in October. Retail sales rose 0.3% mom in October, matched expectations. Germany factory orders will be featured in European session. Later in the day, Canada will release trade balance and Ivey PMI.
US economic calendar will also come back to life. Trade balance, jobless claims, non-farm productivity, ISM services and factory orders will be featured.