Fra Zerohedge/ DB:
DB’s Jim Reid says this morning, “Welcome to Friday 13th. As everything is so calm and stable in the world at the moment what could possibly go wrong today?” As of this moment, not much judging by the solid bid in overnight markets.
Are stocks getting trade and/or “hot” war burnout on this ominous day in the calendar? Judging by the relatively lethargic overnight volumes, this may be the case. And with volumes low, it means the levitation algos have been activated, pushing both US stock futures…
… and global markets modestly in the green.
European equities trade modestly higher (Stoxx 600 +0.3%), reaching a six-week high with builders and miners leading the gains to a third-straight weekly gain, largely due to the US (at the time of writing) having taken no decision on what (if any) military action should be taken on Syria with today’s light calendar also failing to provide any major impetus for stocks.
The bullish cash has gotten a boost from trade-sensitive sectors in Europe after Trump expressed optimism on a deal with China and after reports late Thursday he was considering rejoining the TPP pact.
Moves have largely been noted in individual stock rather than broader based macro ones with equities resilient against new Russian sanctions vs. the US. Individual movers include Sage Group (-13%) after cutting guidance, Hammerson (-12%) are also lower after Klepierre’s (+1%) withdrawal of their acquisition offer. Finally, Volkswagen shares up 1.0% after their current CEO is to be replaced by Diess, who will be responsible for group research.
Earlier in the session, Asian equities were broadly higher as the region took its cues from the US, where sentiment was underpinned after US President Trump tweets further alleviated fears of an imminent strike on Syria. This resulted to firm gains across all US major indices, while the financial sector outperformed as yields rose in the wake of the recent hawkish FOMC minutes.
As such ASX 200 (+0.3%) and Nikkei 225 (+0.6%) were positive with Australian financials mostly kept afloat following an upbeat Financial Stability Review, while Japan benefitted from the weaker currency-heightened risk dynamic. Elsewhere, Hang Seng (Unch.) and Shanghai Comp. (-0.4%) were underpinned at the open but then pared gains as the risk tone deteriorated following disappointing Chinese trade data and a CNY 100bln net weekly drain by the PBoC, while the White House was also reported to be planning to escalate trade pressure on China.
Meanwhile, S&P futures recovered from session lows seen in Asia. U.S. financials in focus as JPMorgan and Citigroup kick off bank earnings today. Bunds trim earlier losses; Treasuries hold gains across the curve, with long-end outperforming. RUB outperforms major currencies versus USD, trimming a weekly decline; JPY at bottom of the pile. WTI climbs above $67 to a three-year high; nickel leads base-metal gains in London. The dollar weakened as Treasury yields dipped after rising above 2.8 percent Thursday.
In commodities, crude oil climbed to a three-year peak after the International Energy Agency said a global glut that weighed on prices is close to being cleared. The commodity extended a rally sparked by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Aluminum headed for its biggest weekly increase since at least 1987 on concern U.S. sanctions on Russia’s United Co. Rusal will disrupt supplies. Copper, zinc and nickel also gained, along with gold.
In the latest trade war news, the White House is planning to increase trade pressure on China, according to reports in WSJ, additionally US Trade Representative will detail list of goods as early as next week that may be subject to 25% tariffs as part of possible USD 100bln of additional tariffs on China, according to reports in WSJ.
Russian lawmakers have drafted legislation for sanctions on US goods including Tobacco, agriculture, medicine and consultancy. US equity futures held strong on this news.
In geopolitical developments, UK PM May and US President Trump spoke on Thursday and agreed it was vital to deter the further use by Syrian government of chemicals weapons, say that chemical weapons use must not go unchallenged. As we also noted overnight, there have been unconfirmed reports US President Trump put off his final decision regarding strikes on Syria after meeting with security advisers, amid internal conflict with US Secretary of Defense Mattis and National Security Adviser Bolton.
Expected data include University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment, and Fed’s Eric Rosengren is scheduled to speak on economic outlook. Citigroup, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo and PNC are among companies reporting earnings
Bulletin headline summary from RanSquawk
- Syrian tensions and Russian sanctions the key focus as markets await further direction from Trump
- Cable and AUD showing strong bids, as risk currencies lose and safe havens bid out
- Looking ahead Uni. of Michigan, Fed’s Rosengren, Bullard and Kaplan, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and Citigroup earnings
Top Overnight News
- TPP nations welcome Trump’s interest but don’t want renegotiation; earlier, Trump tweeted that U.S. would only join TPP if it gets a “substantially better” deal
- The prudent, persistent and patient monetary policy approach followed by the Governing Council so far is fully justified, says ECB Governing Council member Jan Smets
- China March trade balance -29.8b yuan vs +181.0b yuan estimate; exports -9.8% vs +8.0% est; imports +5.9% vs +7.5% est; China posted a surprise trade deficit in March, the first since Feb. 2017
- The Reserve Bank of Australia said international investors are underpricing the risk of an economic shock that could alter the outlook for financial markets
- Singapore’s central bank made a measured change to policy, allowing its currency to strengthen in the face of solid economic growth, while also acknowledging mounting risks from a U.S.-China trade war
- OPEC is on the verge of “mission accomplished” in its quest to clear the global oil glut that caused the worst industry downturn in a generation, the International Energy Agency said
- S&P changed Japan’s A+ outlook to positive from stable
- Trump, May discuss joint response to Syria chemical weapons attack
- IEA says OPEC near “mission accomplished” as oil glut vanishes
Market Snapshot
