• US President Trump instructs USTR to consider 25% tariffs, instead of 10%, on USD 200bln of Chinese goods
• USD strengthening and equities sliding on tariff concerns
• Looking ahead, highlights include, BoE rate decision, minutes and QIR, US weekly jobs, factory orders and a slew of large cap earnings

ASIA

Asian equity markets were weaker across the board with sentiment weighed by increased global trade tensions after officials confirmed US President Trump...

• The Fed stood pat on rates as expected with little in the way of fireworks from the release. Markets continue to back a September hike at the FOMC
• Asian equity markets were weaker across the board with sentiment weighed on by increased global trade tensions after US officials confirmed recent reports about potential hikes to Chinese tariffs
• Looking ahead, highlights include UK construction PMI, BoE rate decision, minutes and QIR, US weekly jobs, factory orders and a slew of large cap...

• Bank of England expected to lift its base rate by 25bps from 0.50% to 0.75%; vote split expected to be 7-2
• Recent UK data points and MPC rhetoric has lead to markets pricing in a circa 80-90% chance of a hike
• Little in the way of material changes are expected for inflation and growth forecasts with the economy having developed largely in-fitting with the MPC’s expectations

BACKGROUND

After what has been a complex year thus far for the Old Lady,...

• Bank of England expected to lift its base rate by 25bps from 0.50% to 0.75%; vote split expected to be 7-2
• Recent UK data points and MPC rhetoric has lead to markets pricing in a circa 80-90% chance of a hike
• Little in the way of material changes are expected for inflation and growth forecasts with the economy having developed largely in-fitting with the MPC’s expectations

BACKGROUND

After what has been a complex year thus far for the Old Lady,...

• Trump administration plans to propose a higher tariff of 25% (Prev. 10%) on USD 200bln of imports from China with an announcement possible as soon as today, according to sources
• European equities are marginally lower as focus once again remains on earnings. Apple higher by 3.5% in pre-market trade post-earnings
• In FX, Greenback overall has rebounded further from Tuesday’s lows ahead of the latest FOMC decision
• Looking ahead, highlights include US Mfg PMI, US ADP, Constructions...

• Asian equity market were initially mostly higher as region got a tailwind from US. However, sentiment was soured after reports that the Trump administration is planning to propose an increase to 25% tariffs from 10% on USD 200bln of Chinese goods
• In FX markets, the greenback remained firm with the DXY near the prior day’s highs around 94.50 as its major counterparts languished
• Looking ahead, highlights include EZ, UK & US Mfg PMIs, US ADP, Constructions Spending, ISM Mfg, DoEs, Quarterly...

• Bank of Japan stand pat on rates, announce more flexibility in yields and forward guidance
• Eurozone GDP below expectations and inflation above expectations, EUR unmoved
• Looking ahead, highlights include, US PCE, Personal Spending, Canadian GDP, Chicago PMI and a slew of large cap earnings

ASIA

Asian equity markets traded mostly subdued after the continued tech sell-off in US where all majors declined and the Nasdaq posted its worst 3-day performance in 4...

• BoJ kept rates at -0.1% and long-term yield target held at around 0.0%. Announced more flexibility in yields and adopted forward guidance on rates which it will maintain at very low levels for an extended period
• Asian equity markets traded mostly subdued after the continued tech sell-off in the US where all majors declined and the Nasdaq posted its worst 3-day performance in 4 months
• USD/JPY was choppy around the 111.00 handle but then saw late support after the BoJ decision proved to be less...

• European bourses mostly lower ahead of this week’s key risk events
• Fixed Income losses have accelerated pretty sharply with big figure breaks triggering some stops
• Looking ahead, highlights include national German CPI (following mixed state CPIs)

ASIA

Asian equity markets began the week lacklustre after the tech-led declines last Friday on Wall Street and amid cautiousness ahead of this week's slew of risk events, while further CNH weakness also...

• Asian equity markets began the week lacklustre after the tech-led declines last Friday on Wall Street and ahead of this week's slew of risk events
• The UK government has reportedly agreed to give ECJ final say in arbitration regarding Brexit, divorce bill and potential Irish backstop in an effort to break the negotiation stalemate
• Looking ahead, highlights include regional and national German CPIs

ASIA

Asian equity markets began the week lacklustre...

Key Events

Monday: Swedish GDP, German CPI (Prelim), US Pending Home Sales

Tuesday: Japan Labour Market, China PMI, BoJ Decision, German Labour Market, EZ CPI, EZ GDP, US PCE, Canadian GDP, US SOMA Redemptions, Apple Earnings

Wednesday: NZ Labour Market, EZ Manufacturing PMI, UK Manufacturing PMI, US ADP Employment Change, US Quarterly Refunding Announcement, US ISM Manufacturing, FOMC Decision, Brazil Rate...

• European equities are mostly higher (Eurostoxx 50 +0.4%) amid a slew of pre-market earnings. Amazon currently higher by 4.1% in pre-market trade
• USD is trying to build on recovery gains back above 94.500 amid Trumped-up expectations for today’s GDP print
• Looking ahead, highlights include US GDP, Uni. of Michigan Sentiment, the Baker Hughes rig count

ASIA

Asian equity markets traded slightly mixed after a similar varied performance on Wall St where...

• Asian equity markets traded slightly mixed after a similar varied performance on Wall St where focus remained on earnings season
• EU’s Barnier stated that the EU cannot delegate customs policy to Britain and any customs arrangement must respect this principle; effectively shooting down the Chequers deal
• Looking ahead, highlights include the Russian rate decision, Uni. of Michigan Sentiment, Baker Hughes and BoE’s Haldane

ASIA

Asian equity...

• European bourses trade mostly higher across the board amid optimistic EU-US trade talks
• The DXY is trying to stabilise and pare some losses after hitting a new low for the week
• Looking ahead, highlights include ECB rate decision and press conference, US durable goods and trade balance, supply from the US and a slew of large cap earnings

ASIA

The major Asia-Pac equity markets traded subdued as a plethora of corporate updates dominated news flow and...

• Major Asia-Pac equity markets traded subdued as a plethora of corporate updates dominated news flow and somewhat drowned out the US-EU trade talks
• In FX markets, the USD remained softer overnight after having lost ground against the EUR. GBP/USD reclaimed 1.3200 and USD/JPY slipped below 111.00
• Looking ahead, highlights include ECB rate decision and press conference, US durable goods and trade balance, supply from the US and a slew of large cap...

• Unanimous expectations look for the ECB to leave its three key rates unchanged
• Not much in the way of fireworks expected given last month’s policy adjustments
• Draghi likely to be mindful of trade tensions and grilled on timing of rate lift-off  

BACKGROUND

PREVIOUS MEETING: Last time around, the ECB announced a reduction in monthly sovereign bond purchases to EUR 15bln/month, through the end of 2018 when it will end (current EUR 30bln/month...

• Unanimous expectations look for the ECB to leave its three key rates unchanged
• Not much in the way of fireworks expected given last month’s policy adjustments
• Draghi likely to be mindful of trade tensions and grilled on timing of rate lift-off  

BACKGROUND

PREVIOUS MEETING: Last time around, the ECB announced a reduction in monthly sovereign bond purchases to EUR 15bln/month, through the end of 2018 when it will end (current EUR 30bln/month...

• European equities are relatively mixed (Eurostoxx 50 -0.3%) as focus remains on earnings seasone
• Limited movement in FX markets at DXY continues to pivot around the 94.500. AUD lags peers following domestic CPI data overnight
• Looking ahead, highlights include US New Home Sales, DoEs, supply from the US, Juncker to meet with Trump and a slew of large cap earnings

ASIA

Asian stocks were mixed with macro drivers on the light side and after the region failed...

• Asian stocks were mixed with macro drivers on the light side and after the region failed to sustain the momentum from the positive US close
• In FX, the greenback was rangebound, AUD/USD pressured following softer than expected headline CPI, CNH stabilized despite another weak reference rate setting by the PBoC
• Looking ahead, highlights include German IFO, US New Home Sales, DoEs, supply from Germany and the US, Juncker to meet with Trump and a slew of large cap...

• European equities extend gains as Stoxx600 hits 5-week highs
• DXY is off best levels as the index consolidates within a 94.535-865 range
• Looking ahead, highlights include US PMIs, Hungarian rate decision, US APIs, supply from the US and a slew of large cap earnings

ASIA

Asian equity markets gained across the board following the mostly positive performance of their Wall Street counterparts whereby financials outperformed amid rising yields and Nasdaq 100...

• Asian equity markets gained across the board following the mostly positive performance of their Wall Street counterparts
• In FX markets, the Greenback held onto yesterday’s gains. PBOC set the weakest CNY fix since 11th July 2017
• Looking ahead, highlights include Eurozone & US PMIs, Turkish and Hungarian rate decisions, US APIs, supply from the US & UK and a slew of large cap earnings

ASIA

Asian equity markets gained across the board...

• DXY is relatively rangebound between 94.200-450 after the G20 meeting and Trump’s verbal intervention
• US Treasuries are treading a very tight line with the curve fractionally steeper ahead
• Looking ahead, highlights include US Existing Home Sales and comments from BoE’s Broadbent

ASIA

Asian stocks traded mixed with the regional bourses initially dampened across the board amid speculation the BoJ could discuss tweaking policy and after last...

• Asian markets reacted to speculation the BoJ could discuss tweaking policy and renewed tariff threats from US President Trump
• UK Brexit Secretary Raab has accused the EU of acting irresponsibly and stated the UK could refuse to pay its GBP 39bln “divorce bill” unless the EU agrees to a binding framework for a future trade deal
• Looking ahead, highlights include comments from BoE’s Broadbent

ASIA

Asian stocks traded mixed with the regional...

Monday: US Existing Home Sales

Tuesday: EZ & US Manufacturing & Services PMIs (Flash)

Wednesday: AU CPI, GE IFO Survey, US New Home Sales, EU’s Juncker visits the US

Thursday: ECB Decision, US Durable Goods

Friday:  Tokyo CPI, US GDP (Prelim reading)

• US equity futures were hit overnight after the PBoC set their reference rate for the CNY at its weakest level in over a year
• European equities have been dealt a blow in recent trade by comments from Trump that the US is ready to impose tariffs on all USD 505bln of Chinese import goods
• DAX dealt a further blow by comments from Germany's Chancellor Merkel that if need be, the EU is working on counter-measures but this is by far the worst solution
• Looking ahead, highlights include...