Stock markets moved higher across Asia, with the Hang Seng outperforming again as tech stocks strengthen. China stimulus hopes are also helping, and the CSI300 lifted 0.9%. The JPN225 bounced 1.8% after a stronger close on Wall Street yesterday. Last night, FOMC minutes were largely in line with expectations and what came out of the September policy meeting and dot plot. Expectations the FOMC and likely the ECB and BoE were at peak rates continued to keep a bid in bonds. Most Treasury yields richened for a fourth day out of the last five as haven demand and dovish Fed expectations underpinned. The long end outperformed in a curve flattener after a hotter than expected PPI report weighed on the front end. Bunds are outperforming in early trade and Eurozone spreads are narrowing. The short end continues to underperform, but 2-year rates are also down in Germany and the US.
US CPI Forecast: It is expected to show gains of 0.2% for the headline and 0.3% for the core after respective increases of 0.6% and 0.3%. CPI gasoline prices look poised to pop 1.4% in September. However, we expect dissipating upward pressure on core prices into 2024 as disruptions from global supply chain bottlenecks and the war in Ukraine subside. As-expected September CPI figures would see the y/y headline decelerate to 3.5% from 3.7% in August, and down from a 40-year high of 9.1% in June ’22. We expect the core y/y gain to slow to 4.1% from 4.3%, and versus a 40-year high of 6.6% in September. Though still well above the 2% target, the further signs of slowing could be sufficient for all but the most hawkish on the Committee, to favor no change in rates next month, especially given the tightening in financial conditions through early October.
- USDIndex eased further on the softer Fed view, but ranged narrowly between 105.80 and 105.20.
- UK: GDP rose 0.2% m/m in August, while the July reading was revised down to -0.6% m/m from -0.5% m/m reported initially. The visible trade deficit widened and apart from the rebound in services, the report still signals a weakening economy. If latest surveys are anything to go by, September will look worse, as the bounce in services doesn’t seem to have lasted long. The September Services PMI was firmly in contraction territory, with no sign of a quick recovery. The outlook then is not great.
- Stocks: Wall Street caught a bid into the close and finished in the green after a choppy session as investors gauged the potential spread of hostilities from the Israel-Hamas war. The US100 advanced 0.71%, while the US500 and US30 were up 0.43% and 0.19%, respectively. Defensive-related sectors in the US500 outperformed.
- USOil prices down for the third day in a row, with key resistance at $83.
Today: US Inflation & Jobless claims
Interesting Mover: Gold broke $1880 (20 DMA & 50% Fib.) as markets scale back US rate hike expectations and the USD corrects. Haven demand amid raised geopolitical risk in the Middle East also continues to underpin demand for the precious metal.
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Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
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