• Asian equity markets gradually improved and shrugged off the lacklustre lead from Wall St, Mainland China underperformed  
• Coronavirus cases have risen to 440 with the death toll now at 9; US Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first case in the US  
• EU is reportedly preparing to offer the UK a trade deal on tougher terms than its deals with other leading trade partners  
• In FX, DXY traded slightly firmer,...

• European bourses are subdued this morning, in a continuation of APAC trade
• 291 cases of Coronavirus have now been confirmed by China (as of Jan 20th), according to State media
• US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says, with the Phase One China deal in place the Phase Two deal would not necessarily lead to the removal of all tariffs; could be done sequentially along the way, WSJ
• UK labour market data was firmer than expected, though expectations for a January BoE remain around 60%
• BoJ kept rates and...

• Asian equity markets weakened across the board following a non-existent handover from their peers on Wall St
• China confirmed 224 coronavirus cases so far and a 4th death from the outbreak. WHO called an emergency meeting amid the spread to more cities
• BoJ kept monetary policy settings unchanged as expected with NIRP maintained at -0.1% and 10yr JGB yield target at around 0%, while reaffirming forward guidance
• US President Trump spoke with French President Macron in which they agreed to pursue talks...

• Most major Asia-Pac indices began the week higher as the global rally just about remained intact following another record finish last Friday on Wall St
• PBoC kept the Loan Prime Rate unchanged at 4.15% vs. forecasts for a 5bps cut
• UK Chancellor Javid urged UK companies forget about being closely aligned to the EU post-Brexit and adjust to the new reality
• Crude markets supported by supply disruptions in Libya after Libya's National Oil Corp. declared a force majeure
• Looking ahead, highlights...

• European bourses are firmer this morning, continuing the positive tone from APAC hours
• Sterling lags and Gilts lead core debt peers after dismal UK retail sales
• White House officials confirmed they are planning election year stimulus which will focus on tax reductions
• Chinese GDP printed in-line with exp. with IP and retail sales topping estimates
• Looking ahead, highlights include US Building Permits, Housing Starts, Industrial Production, JOLTS, Uni. Of Michigan, Baker Hughes, Fed’s Harker,...

• Asian equity markets traded mostly positive after taking impetus from another record-setting session on Wall St.
• Chinese GDP printed in-line with expectations, whilst both Industrial Production and Retail Sales topped estimates
• China’s Global Times noted comments from an expert who suggested that China could demand that the US roll back all tariffs prior to phase two talks
• DXY was relatively flat and held near the prior day’s highs, while its major counterparts were indecisive
• Looking ahead,...

• European equities are little changed at present, as newsflow has slowed since the Phase One signing
• Chinese VP Liu He says it is unwise to rush into the Phase Two negotiations, stating Beijing has little interest in immediately doing so
• US Senate Majority Leader McConnell said the impeachment trial will begin on Tuesday and the Senate will complete USMCA trade deal today
• USD is slightly softer as antipodeans benefit on the trade deal, other G10 currencies little changed/mixed at...

• Asian equity markets traded mostly higher but with gains capped as the euphoria from the US-China Phase 1 trade deal signing dissipated
• The deal was caveated by China’s commitment to purchase agricultural goods “based on market conditions” and potential for China to exit the deal
• President Trump said he will visit China in the not too distant future to reciprocate for the Phase 1 signing. Work on Phase 2 will begin as soon as this one kicks...

• European bourses are mixed-flat in tentative trade ahead of the US-China Phase One Signing
• US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin stated that tariffs will stay in place until there is a Phase 2 agreement with China
• Soft UK CPI and comments from BoE’s Saunders have seen market pricing for a January cut increase to 60%
• Russian Energy Minister Novak states there are no plans to delay the March OPEC+ meeting
• FX complex is similarly tentative while gilts are driving upside in debt
• Looking ahead,...

• Asian equity markets followed suit to the cautious performance on Wall St amid trade-related headwinds
• Tariffs on China will remain until after the US election despite a Phase 1 deal, according to sources
• US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin stated that tariffs will stay in place until there is a Phase 2 agreement with China
• OPEC+ is mulling the delay of its March meeting to June and could extend output cuts until then if so, according to reports citing sources
• Looking ahead, highlights include...

• European bourses are relatively unchanged in choppy trade on quiet newsflow in European hours
• US Treasury removed China from the currency manipulator list, said China made enforceable commitments to refrain from competitive devaluation in the Phase 1 deal
• US-China Phase 1 deal will include pledge by China to buy USD 200bln of US goods over a 2-year period
• Chinese trade date showed a sizable increase in the trade balance, albeit this did miss (USD-denominated) expectations
• USD is firmer but...

• European equities are mixed, but overall little changed, this morning; aside from the FTSE 100 on currency effects
• US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin stated that China’s commitments in Phase 1 deal were not changed during the lengthy translation process
• BoE’s Vlieghe becomes the latest MPC member to come out in support of a potential rate cut if data does not improve; subsequently, UK GDP Estimate (Nov) printed below expectations
• As such, GBP is...

• Asian equity markets began the week somewhat mixed with the region indecisive ahead of the US-China Phase 1 deal signing
• US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin stated that China’s commitments in Phase 1 deal were not changed during the lengthy translation process
• BoE’s Vlieghe becomes the latest MPC member to come out in support of a potential rate cut if data does not improve
• Iran admitted that it accidentally shot down the Ukraine passenger jet in which it alleged that the airliner took the flying posture...

• European bourses are little changed, as newsflow slows with NFP ahead
• US President Trump said he thinks the US-China Phase One deal will be signed on January 15th or shortly after
• China Global Times tweeted that a Phase Two trade deal after November is too far away
• USD is firmer this morning, with GBP briefly dented by comments from BoE’s Tenreyro
• Looking ahead, highlights include US & Canadian Jobs Reports

GEOPOLITICS

Israeli Air Force jets...

10th January 2020

·       Rockets reportedly landed near the Balad military base north of Baghdad, which houses US troops, according to Iraqi police

·       US government officials are now confident the Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 was shot down by an Iranian missile, citing satellite data

·       US President Trump said he might want to wait till after the election to complete Phase...

• European bourses are firmer, as markets return to risk-on following the Middle-East de-escalation
• Senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander states that Iran will take 'harsher revenge soon' following on from the missile attacks on US targets in Iraq., Tasnim
• China and the US will sign the Phase One deal, which will occur on January 15th at 16:30GMT., Chinese Press
• USD is outperforming G10 counterparts today, particularly GBP post-Carney
• Looking ahead, highlights include Jobless Claims,...

·       US President Trump confirmed no Americans or Iraqi lives were lost by the Iranian strike and added that Iran appears to be standing down

·       Two rockets reportedly hit Baghdad’s Green Zone near the US Embassy in Iraq with no casualties reported, according to Iraq military

·       Asia-Pac bourses traded with firm gains across the board after a positive handover from Wall...

• European bourses are softer, but not significantly so, in tentative trade ahead of US President Trumps update
• WTI and Brent spiked overnight, with spot gold surpassing the USD 1600/oz mark
• Iran has launched over a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi air bases – Al-Asad and Erbil - which houses US and coalition troops; no US casualties at present
• US President Trump tweeted "all is well", he acknowledged the missiles launched by Iran at two military bases in Iraq, "Assessment of casualties &...

8th January 2020

·       Iran has launched over a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi air bases, no US casualties have officially been reported thus far

·       Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp claimed the attacks, Iran threatened "more crushing attacks" should the US retaliate

·       US President Trump tweeted "all is well…Assessment of casualties & damages taking place...

• European bourses are firmer as risk-sentiment strengthens on signs of a possible tempering of tensions in the Middle-East
• USD remains firm ahead of ISM, while the AUD is weighed on post-data and with the ongoing environmental crisis
• Iran is reportedly assessing 13 scenarios for retaliation against the US and is prepared to "come back to full compliance in the Nuclear deal"
• US Defense Secretary Esper said the US does not have plans to pull out of Iraq
• China-US Phase One trade deal is on track...

·       US Defense Secretary Esper said the US does not have plans to pull out of Iraq, whilst a Pentagon spokeswoman said there is no change in US policy on its troops' presence in the country

·       Trump administration has begun drafting sanctions against Iraq, according to sources - but plan to wait on the decision to impose penalties

·       China-US Phase One trade...

• Markets remain risk-off as Middle-East newsflow dominates, spot gold set 6-year highs at USD 1587/oz overnight
• USD is subdued to the aid of G10 counterparts, particularly GBP and EUR with PMIs providing assitance
• Iran has finalised a new retreat from the Nuclear Deal in which it will not comply with any restrictions on the amount of uranium enrichment, enrichment rate and number of centrifuges
• Iraqi parliament has voted for the government to work on plans to end US troop presence in...

• US President Trump stated that there will be a “major retaliation”, perhaps in a disproportionate manner, should Iran retaliate
• Iran has finalised a new retreat from the Nuclear Deal in which it will not comply with any restrictions on the amount of uranium enrichment, enrichment rate and number of centrifuges
• US President Trump threatened sanctions against Baghdad after the Iraqi parliament voted to work on plans to end US troop presence in Iraq
• Chinese trade delegation, led by Vice Premier Liu He,...

• European bourses are subdued on the overnight middle-east tensions which sparked a broad flight-to-quality
• USD is firmer this morning, and weighs on most G10 peers excluding the safe-havens
• Senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp Commander Soleimani and Iraqi Militia Commander Muhandis have been assassinated in an air strike
• Iranian Government spokesperson says the response to the assassination of Soleimani is not far away, and the response will be strong
• North Korea's official newspaper...

3rd January 2020

·       Asian equities failed to track the Wall Street rally as sentiment took a hit from geopolitical developments

·       Oil prices surged as US air strikes killed Senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp Commander Soleimani; IRGC official vowed revenge against the US

·       North Korea's official newspaper warned of "immediate and powerful" strikes against...