Market Overview:

The 2018 year kicked off with the US Non-farm payroll data last Friday. The figure of 148,000 jobs created for the December month was below expectations of 190,000 however the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1%, remaining at its lowest level since December 2000 when it stood at 4%. The release saw the USD drop sharply against both the JPY and EUR, while precious metals prices jumped. However, there was relatively little movement in US stock indices with global stock indices continuing to rally as we get further into 2018. Investors continue to show little concern for high valuations (particularly across US equities) or the impact of tighter monetary policy preferring to focus on continued earnings growth and Trump’s business-friendly administration. So currently, leading on from last year, it appears there are few grey clouds to upset the current market exuberance, but it should be remembered that this bull run in equities is well extended, with every additional fresh record close-out bringing the market closer to the inevitable downside correction. Read more

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Market Overview:

Starting of this week’s Economic update is news that US equity markets continued to rally to new highs, with the tone remaining positive as investors grew increasingly optimistic that Congress would reach a deal to cut corporate taxes. All three major US indices, S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq all closed at record highs ahead of a vote on the proposed tax legislation later this week. European stocks were also higher, with the STOXX 600 index making the biggest gain in 5 months led by gains across car manufacturers, real estate and technology stocks. In the UK PM May addressed Parliament on plans for Brexit, giving the UK pound cause to rally. Markets will gradually start to thin as the holiday break approaches and from tomorrow we expect volumes to be significantly lower for both currency and equities. Read more

Market Overview:

Economic update this week includes Friday’s Non-farm payroll data that was encouraging, confirming that the US economy continues to recover. The data showed that job growth continued to be solid with 228,000 jobs created over the month, unemployment levels held steady at 4.1%, but wage growth was below expectations. With conditions now set at around a 98% chance for a rate hike at the Fed meeting on Wednesday, we are now more confident that there will be another 3 hikes out over the 2018 year. Look for the accompanying revision of official forecasts and follow up press conference with Chair Yellen to provide any market moving indicators. Also announcing their final monetary policy statements for the 2017 year will be the ECB, Bank of England, Swiss National Bank and Bank of Norway. Read more

Market Overview

Australia

Commodity currencies were lower against the USD overnight, with the Australian dollar slipping to its weakest level since June. The AUD extended its losses after a disappointing trade surplus report which saw the data falling woefully short of expectations, coming in at 0.1B versus 1.4B expected. The sharp fall off in exports, down 1.8% for the month, indicates that demand from global markets such as China may be tapering, which is hardly supportive for the AUD long term. Read more

Market Overview

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Market Overview:

Although the US tax overhauls legislation remains struggling for support, continuing to impact sentiment on the USD, there was better news over the weekend on the trade front providing a more positive start to the week. The APEC Summit has seen the tentative agreement by 1 nations for a revamped TPP trade agreement to be known as the CPTPP This “refreshed” agreement minus the US and exclusion of a number of the more controversial clauses appears to be largely similar to the old TPP. Although the new agreement will now have to be passed by the individual 11 separate Governments before it can take effect, the outcome is positive for the Asian/Pacific trading bloc. Geopolitical concerns continue to simmer, with the war of words over North Korea continuing throughout President Trumps Asian visit, the US 3 Carrier fleet conducting exercises in the South China sea and a further statements on both trade and North Korea from President Trump expected on his return to the US on Wednesday. Read more

Australia

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept rates on hold at 1.5% as expected on Tuesday with RBA Governor Lowe indicating that the central bank will not change its growth or inflation forecasts. The Bank’s central forecast remains for inflation to pick up gradually as the economy strengthens, with employment as well as wage growth expected to improve over the period ahead.  Economic data out this week for the Aussie economy remains mixed with retail sales and inflation softer than expected but the labour market continuing to perform well, showing a period of consistent growth over the last 12 months. Read more

Market Overview: 

The NZD recovery may be continuing but the US Non-farm payroll data released on Friday contained mixed messages. On one hand it was softer than the 310 K+ job gain expected coming in at a 261k gain, however the previous month of September was upwardly revised to a 90K gain instead of the earlier -33K loss. Also of a positive note was a fall in the unemployment rate from 4.2% to 4.1%, a level not seen since 2000. Wage growth was lower dropping from 2.8% to 2.4% pointing to the scenario of the scenario where steady growth continues with not a lot of inflationary pressure. Enough positives for a December Fed rate hike to all but assured. ISM non-manufacturing data for October was also solid, up to 60.1 pointing to a strong start to Q4 activity. On release of the NFP report, the USD rallied against both the JPY and EUR, and US equities markets made new highs. Over the weekend there were some interesting comments from China’s Central bank Governor, warning that China’s financial system is becoming significantly more vulnerable due to high leverage and that risks were accumulating that were “hidden, complex, sudden, contagious and hazardous.” Read more