Markets Retreat on Signs of Consumer Strain
15 May, 2025
The dollar is retreating as optimism surrounding the weekend’s trade deal continues to diminish and US consumers show signs of exhaustion, leaving investors to contemplate longer-term risks to the American economy. Treasury yields are moving higher, equity indices are indicating a modest softening in today’s session, and most majors – excluding the Canadian and Australian dollars – are...
‘Mar A Lago Accord’ Fears Unnerve Dollar Bulls
14 May, 2025
The dollar is extending its losses this morning, following reports that the United States and South Korea held talks on Seoul’s foreign exchange policies in early May – a development that may signal a shift in Washington’s focus from trade imbalances to currency concerns. On a trade-weighted basis, the greenback has fallen more than a full percentage point against its peers in the euro area, United...
Economic Scepticism and Soft Inflation Weigh on Dollar
13 May, 2025
Euphoria surrounding the weekend’s US-China tariff climbdown is fading this morning, and the dollar is retreating in the face of a third consecutive monthly undershoot in inflation data. Treasury yields are pushing lower, equity futures are pointing slightly higher, and safe-haven currencies like the Swiss franc and Japanese yen are back to outperforming their risk-sensitive brethren. Consumer price...
US-China Trade Ceasefire Boosts Global Asset Prices
12 May, 2025
A palpable sense of relief is washing over global markets after the US and China agreed to temporarily cut most tariffs on each other’s goods ahead of further trade negotiations. North American equity futures are setting up for a circa-3-percent rally at the open, Treasury yields are inching higher, and both global oil benchmarks are climbing. In currency markets, the dollar is trading near a one-month...
Words vs actions
11 May, 2025
• Positive talks. Constructive talks between US/China over the weekend. But a deal may take some time. This may temper the markets excitement.• Market trends. Equity futures have opened positively. USD index a little firmer. AUD & NZD ticked up thanks to relative strength on cross-rates.• Event Radar. In AU the monthly jobs report is out (Thurs). In the US, CPI, retail sales, import prices due...
The art of the deal
08 May, 2025
• Tariff news. US/UK trade deal ‘framework’ unveiled. Baseline 10% tariff remains. Many details still to be worked out. US/China talks this weekend.• Upbeat markets. Equities rose as did bond yields. USD claws back more lost ground. NZD & AUD drift lower. AUD outperforms NZD, JPY & EUR.• Upcoming events. China trade data released today. Several US Fed members also due to speak....
Markets Rally On Hopes For Global Trade Ceasefire
08 May, 2025
Stock futures are up and the dollar is trading on a stronger footing after President Donald Trump said he would announce a “full and comprehensive” trade agreement with the United Kingdom later this morning, raising hopes that a broader ratcheting down in tensions could avert lasting damage to the American and global economies. The Canadian dollar and Japanese yen are trading lower, while the euro...
Push-pull forces
07 May, 2025
• Mixed markets. US equities end a bit higher overnight, while bond yields eased & the USD rose. AUD & NZD gave back ground over the past 24hrs.• Macro news. US/China reportedly set to hold trade talks. US Fed ‘cautious’. No change in rates. There is a lot of uncertainty about the outlook.• Market trends. After a strong run AUD & NZD may ease back further near-term. This reflects...
Markets Climb On Trade Negotiation Hopes
07 May, 2025
The US dollar looks set to snap a three-day losing streak and stock market futures are climbing ahead of the North American open after Beijing and Washington said trade talks between China and the United States are set to begin this weekend. According to statements released by both governments, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with Chinese Vice Premier...
Markets Open On A Somewhat-Downbeat Footing
06 May, 2025
The dollar is retreating and North American equity futures are setting up for a second day of losses after a series of downbeat earnings outlooks from economic bellwethers like Ford and Palantir cast doubt on the growth outlook. Treasury yields are inching lower, oil prices are up slightly, and the currency markets are generally paring yesterday’s modest moves. Activity in the US services sector –...