- Risk assets start week on positive note, driven by optimism of ‘phase one’ trade deal being signed on Wednesday
- Risk-on sentiment, along with easing Iranian tensions, weigh on safe havens; gold and yen slide
- Pound under pressure as more BoE policymakers join the rate cut bandwagon
Trade deal optimism continues to set market tone
The week got off to an upbeat start as investors set their sights on the imminent signing of the US-China trade pact on Wednesday, which is expected to defuse an 18-month trade war that has brought the global economy on the verge of a recession. While some question marks remain about the deal - mainly, whether it goes far enough in addressing key issues and how committed the two sides will be in adhering to the agreement - overall, investors are optimistic that the signing ceremony will mark the beginning of better times ahead for Sino-US relations.
Equity markets were in a buoyant mood on Monday with most major bourses in Asia ending the day sharply higher. European shares had a mixed start to the day, but S&P 500 e-mini futures edged higher and were just shy from record highs.
In currency markets, the dollar was marginally firmer, lifted by a weaker yen and pound. The greenback had slid on Friday after the latest US jobs report disappointed. The US economy added just 145k jobs in December versus consensus forecasts of 164k. A smaller-than-expected increase in average hourly earnings also contributed to the sell-off but the dollar managed to bounce back against the safe-haven yen on the back of the ongoing positive sentiment.
Safe havens retreat as tensions cool in the Middle East
Gold prices headed lower on Monday as the United States and Iran appeared to further pull back from the brink of war. The precious metal slipped to around $1551 an ounce, near the $1550 level where a strong support area has been forming over the past few sessions.
That support might be difficult to break if concerns persist about the stability of Iran, where protests are escalating following the accidental downing of a passenger plane in Tehran by the country’s military last week.
In another test for the strength of the latest bout of risk appetite, dollar/yen just cracked the tough resistance zone around 109.70, which had withstood since November.
A barrage of top-tier data due this week may determine whether the upbeat mood lasts. China will publish December trade numbers on Tuesday and fourth quarter GDP estimates on Friday. Any unexpected weakness in those numbers may put a dent in the risk-on sentiment.
For now, though, there seems no stopping to the trade deal euphoria, with the Chinese yuan surging to a five-month high of 6.8857 per US dollar. The Australian dollar was also firmer, extending its rebound from last week’s 3-week trough. The euro was slightly higher at $1.1126 with focus on full-year German GDP data due on Wednesday.
Pound hit by rate cut speculation
The pound wasn’t as lucky, however, and was on course to be the day’s worst performing major currency amid increasing speculation that the Bank of England will cut interest rates soon. Gertjan Vlieghe became the third monetary policy committee (MPC) member in as many days to voice his support for a rate cut on Sunday. It follows dovish remarks by Governor Mark Carney and MPC member Silvana Tenreyro last week, bringing the total to five out of nine MPC members either voting for or considering a cut.
The marked dovish turn by the BoE has disrupted sterling’s recovery from the late December plunge and was last trading at 2½-week lows around $1.2980. Investors will be watching the series of UK data on the agenda this week, including inflation numbers on Wednesday and retails sales figures on Friday, for clues on the likelihood of a rate cut on January 30 when the BoE next meets.
