02 Dec 2020, 11:45 by Newsquawk Desk
- European bourses trade mixed but off worse levels, with sectors not displaying a clear risk profile
- UK has approved the Pfizer (PFE)/ BioNTech (BNTX) COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available across the UK from next week
- US President-elect Biden will not immediately remove phase one tariffs on China according to a NYT Op-Ed citing a phone call with Biden
- Sticking points in Brexit talks, a deal still hangs in the balance, according to a...
02 Dec 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asia-Pac stocks lacked firm direction as momentum faded from the record-setting performance on Wall St, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq printed fresh all-time highs
- US President-elect Biden will not immediately remove phase one tariffs on China according to a NYT Op-Ed citing a phone call with Biden
- In FX markets, the DXY remains sub 91.50, EUR/USD gained a firmer footing above 1.20 and GBP/USD plateaued above 1.34
- Initial reports suggested...
01 Dec 2020, 11:43 by Newsquawk Desk
- Major European bourses see gains across the board with US equity futures also in firm positive territory
- EMA has received application for conditional market authorisation for Pfizer/BioNTech's and Moderna's vaccine candidates
- Fed Chair Powell’s testimony at the Senate Banking Committee reiterated that the outlook for the US economy is uncertain and will depend on the virus
- ECB's Schnabel says the ECB is not obliged to do what the market...
01 Dec 2020, 06:55 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets traded positively as strong data releases helped the region shrug-off the weak handover from US where stocks were pressured by month-end flows
- Chinese Caixin Manufacturing PMI data printed at a decade high of 54.9 vs. Exp. 53.5 and spurred Chinese markets to pick up from the slow start
- The RBA kept policy settings unchanged as expected and provided a balanced view of the economy
- In FX, the DXY pulled back from 92.00,...
30 Nov 2020, 11:40 by Newsquawk Desk
- European stocks see a mixed picture following a lacklustre open, with no risk profile to be derived from sectors
- EU is reportedly seeking a new alliance with US to bury the tensions and to meet the new challenges related to China
- UK could grant approval to Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine within days; EMA is set to consider approval of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine next month and will also consider Moderna’s vaccine
- European Commission is reportedly...
30 Nov 2020, 06:55 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets began the week mixed amid tentativeness heading into month-end and upcoming key risk events
- The region also digesting a slew of data including better than expected Chinese Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing PMI data
- UK is set to become the first western country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine in which the regulator could grant approval to Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine within days
- The DXY extended its retreat below 92.00...
27 Nov 2020, 11:20 by Newsquawk Desk
- European indices have posted mixed performance with US futures modestly positive though RTY -0.2% lags slightly with overall magnitudes relatively contained
- DXY has continued to drift but remains above the YTD low of 91.740, with major peers generally firmer but with limited conviction in thin liquidity; though GBP was impacted in a delayed reaction to Barnier remarks
- EU Chief Brexit Negotiator Barnier says he is travelling to London this evening to...
27 Nov 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets were mixed as trade continued to lack firm direction following the holiday closure in the US for Thanksgiving
- The AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine is set to undergo a new global trial to appease critics questioning the claim that the vaccine can protect up to 90% of people against COVID-19
- In FX, the DXY trades sub 92.00, GBP/USD is unable to breach 1.34 thus far and EUR/USD maintains 1.19 status
- UK and EU are set...
26 Nov 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Post-Fed minutes, some kind of action seems likely in December; what exact action will be taken remains to be seen, given the minutes had something for everyone
- A non-committal tone was evident for most of Asia-Pac trade following the indecisive lead from the US where stocks were rangebound heading into the Thanksgiving holiday
- In FX markets, the DXY was lacklustre beneath 92.00, EUR/USD held 1.19 status and GBP/USD eyed 1.34 to the...
25 Nov 2020, 11:50 by Newsquawk Desk
- European indices are softer with cyclicals marginally underperforming thus far, Euro Stoxx 50 -0.3%; a similar theme is evident in US futures with the RTY -0.4% underperforming the NQ +0.2% thus far
- FX has seen the USD pick-up throughout the morning as equity sentiment continues to slip with major peers mixed/subdued against the USD itself
- China is likely to approve a COVID-19 vaccine by year-end to meet the need of epidemic-stricken countries, Global Times citing...
25 Nov 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Most major Asian equity markets traded positively as the region took impetus from the record-setting session in the US where the S&P 500 notched a record close
- In FX markets, the DXY remained subdued and moved closer towards 92.00, EUR/USD briefly reclaimed 1.1900 status, while GBP/USD hovered around 1.3350
- Gold was little changed and languished around the prior day's lows near the USD 1800/oz level
- US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said he...
24 Nov 2020, 11:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- European equity indices are firmer across the board, Euro Stoxx 50 +1.20%, with sectors exhibiting cyclical outperformance; echoed in US futures with RTY +1.6% outperforming ES +0.8% & NQ +0.4%
- Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine efficacy at 91.4% on day 28 and over 95% on day 42
- German Ifo business climate & current conditions beat November expectations but all measures fell from prior; Ifo notes that vaccine prospects are yet to be reflected in business expectations
- FX features a downbeat...
24 Nov 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets were mostly positive amid several bullish factors including ongoing vaccine hopes, strong US PMI data and reports that President-elect Biden is to pick former Fed Chair Yellen for Treasury Secretary
- Additionally, the General Services Administration informed President-elect Biden’s team that the transition can formally begin
- The DXY trades sub-92.50, EUR/USD hovers around 1.1850 and GBP/USD reclaimed 1.33 status
- Further...
23 Nov 2020, 11:50 by Newsquawk Desk
- European bourses are bolstered on COVID-19 updates but are off highs at present, Euro Stoxx 50 +0.5%, while US futures remain in proximity to highs with RTY +0.9% marginally outperforming; ES +0.6% & NQ +0.3%
- AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine candidate met its primary endpoint; two regimes one with 90% efficacy the other 62%. Can be stored, transported & handled at normal fridge temperatures for at least 6-months
- Regeneron announced that its antibody cocktail REGN-COV2 received...
23 Nov 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets began the week on the front boot amid virus treatment hopes after reports the FDA granted EUA for Regeneron’s REGN-COV2 antibody cocktail
- However, some of the optimism in the region was offset by concerns regarding rising infection
- In FX markets, the DXY trades softer, EUR/USD eyes 1.19 to the upside, GBP outperforms on Brexit optimism
- UK PM Johnson is preparing a significant Brexit intervention as negotiators start their final push for a deal
- UK PM Johnson is to tell...
20 Nov 2020, 11:47 by Newsquawk Desk
- European bourses are firmer this morning (Stoxx 50 +0.70%) seemingly unphased by the Fed/Treasury updates while US futures have been recouping losses and are now mixed/flat
- US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin made a request for the Fed to return unused CARES Act funds and shelved several programs that utilize those funds
- This prompted a response from the Fed which would prefer to continue with the full suite of emergency facilities to support the economy
- US HHS's Azar expects Pfizer (PFE) to file an...
20 Nov 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets traded with a non-committal tone as participants reflected on the choppy price action stateside
- US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin made a request for the Fed to return unused CARES Act funds and shelved several programs that utilize those funds
- This prompted a response from the Fed which would prefer to continue with the full suite of emergency facilities to support the economy
- Staff for US House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Schumer and...
19 Nov 2020, 11:56 by Newsquawk Desk
- Equities have continued to move lower since the European cash open as markets balance positive and negative updates on the COVID-19 front; ES & NQ -0.4%, RTY -0.7%
- AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine has produced a strong immune response among elderly adults; Phase III efficacy data possible in the coming weeks
- EU Chief Brexit Negotiator Barnier has cancelled briefings to the EU on Tuesday night and Wednesday mid day; interpreted as a cautious positive by BBC’s Kuenssberg
- CBRT hiked by 475bps as...
19 Nov 2020, 06:51 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian bourses were mixed as the region partially shrugged-off the risk-averse mood that rolled over from US where early vaccine optimism faded amid COVID-19 concerns
- Selling in the US exacerbated heading into the close after New York City Mayor De Blasio announced the closure of all public schools from today
- In FX, the DXY has slipped back below 92.50, EUR/USD hovers around 1.1850 and GBP/USD has trimmed gains
- European leaders will reportedly demand today that the European Commission publishes...
18 Nov 2020, 11:41 by Newsquawk Desk
- European bourses are currently modestly firmer after a slightly subdued start to the session; NQ (+0.3%) initially outperformed but RTY (+0.3%) has closed the gap as the session progressed
- House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Schumer sent Senate Majority Leader McConnell a letter calling to start negotiations on COVID-19 relief this week
- UK Gov’t reportedly to push back on the idea of an imminent Brexit deal and senior sources in Brussels also don't think the politics are right yet; EU briefing...
18 Nov 2020, 06:51 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets traded mostly higher as the region attempted to pick up from the weak handover from Wall Street
- In FX, the DXY remained below the 92.50 level, EUR/USD modestly extended gains, GBP/USD sits above 1.3250
- France is understood to have accepted there will be reduced fishing access to UK waters post-Brexit, according to The Telegraph
- Downing Street was said to push back on the idea of an imminent Brexit deal, according to Times Radio’s Newton Dunn
- Fed Chair Powell noted it was...
17 Nov 2020, 11:59 by Newsquawk Desk
- European bourses have begun the session with modest losses, which have picked up as US participants enter the fray, amid a lack of fundamental updates
- Tesla (TSLA) is to join S&P 500 prior to the open on December 21st, +12% in pre-market; Co. they are replacing will be announced prior to this
- Brexit Negotiators are reportedly zeroing in on a trade deal as early as next week, sparking upside in Cable; note, such commentary is in-fitting with prior updates
- FX features a rangebound, but subdued USD...
17 Nov 2020, 06:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian equity markets were somewhat indecisive and only mildly benefitted from the performance on Wall St where both the S&P 500 and DJIA posted record levels
- UK Chief Brexit Negotiator Frost told UK PM Johnson to expect a Brussels trade agreement early next week, according to The Sun
- An EU diplomat also suggested the EU is ready to find a creative solution to avoid an accidental no-deal Brexit, according to the Telegraph
- In FX markets, the DXY trades modestly firmer above 92.50, EUR/USD hovers...
16 Nov 2020, 11:38 by Newsquawk Desk
- Value outperforming growth once again (RTY +1.0%/NQ +0.5%) while European bourses are off highs as this price action emerges in Europe as well
- US President-elect Biden is poised to speak today on plans for a post-COVID economic recovery and longer-term growth, tentatively scheduled for 13:45EST/18:45GMT
- US President Trump reportedly plans a last-minute crackdown on China and will enact a series of hard-line policies in his final weeks, according to senior administration officials
- EU Officials...
16 Nov 2020, 06:55 by Newsquawk Desk
- Asian bourses kickstarted the week on the front foot and US equity futures extended on last Friday’s gains; ASX encountered technical problems
- US President-elect Biden is poised to speak today on plans for a post-COVID economic recovery and longer-term growth, tentatively scheduled for 13:45EST/18:45GMT
- US Operation Warp Speed Chief reiterated that they are hopeful for another positive vaccine update from Moderna (MRNA) this week
- US...