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Global Market – Key events 5 to 9 Feb 2024

Global Market – Key events for 5th to 9th February 2024

This week we will focus on China’s economy, how Powell ‘s interview to “60 Minutes” and also discuss BOJ shift in policy change from negative interest rate.  This week has been relatively quite and focus has been on corporate earnings.

China’s Consumer Prices Drop at Fastest Pace Since 2009

China’s consumer prices fell last month at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis as the world’s second-largest economy struggles to shake off persistent deflation pressures.

Germany’s Industrial Downturn Stretches into A Seventh Month

German industrial output extended its slump to a seventh month in December, underlining the struggles gripping Europe’s largest economy.

China Tightens Some Trading Restrictions for Domestic and Offshore Investors

China is tightening trading restrictions on domestic institutional investors as well as some offshore units as authorities fight to stem a deepening stock rout, according to people familiar with the matter.

Powell Tells ‘60 Minutes’ Fed Is Wary of Cutting Rates Too Soon

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Americans may have to wait beyond March for the central bank to cut interest rates as officials look for more economic data to confirm that inflation is headed down to 2%.

Trillions Of Yen Pile Up at Negative Rates in Bets on BOJ Shift

Japan’s biggest commercial banks are letting money accumulate in negative interest-rate accounts at the central bank — another sign that the world’s last sub-zero rate policy is coming close to the end.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

In last few weeks in our coverage of global market, we have been focusing mainly on three countries and their central banks.  U.S., Japan & China.

We would like to highlight that market is optimistic and currently trading near its high as interest rate going down in US could be positive for risk-on sentiment, China’s effort to boost economy is also positive but the real concern in BOJ moving away from negative interest rate policy.

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Global Market – Key events for 22 to 26 January 2024

Global Market – Key events for 22 to 26 January 2024

This week, we will focus on US Q4 2023 GDP data, ECB interest rate decision & China’s steps to boost economic recovery.  Central banks meeting starts with BOJ & ECB meeting this week.  We would like to focus on stocks whether news this week would have any impact global trend.

BOJ Keeps Negative Rate for Now as It Prepares Ground for Hike

The BOJ maintained its -0.1% short-term rate and kept yield curve control parameters intact at the end of a two-day meeting, according to its statement Tuesday. 

Red Sea Turmoil Sends Economic Shockwaves Far and Wide

Two months of missile, drone and hijacking attacks against civilian ships in the Red Sea have caused the biggest diversion of international trade in decades, pushing up costs for shippers as far away as Asia and North America.

China To Cut Bank Reserve Ratio in Bid to Boost Growth, Markets

The 0.5 percentage-point cut to the ratio, or the amount of cash that banks have to keep in reserve, on February 5 will provide 1 trillion yuan ($139 billion) in long-term liquidity to the market, Pan said during a briefing with the press Wednesday.

Fed Raises Rate on Emergency Loan Program to Stop Arbitrage

The Federal Reserve raised the rate on loans to banks issued under an emergency lending program launched last year, after borrowing surged in recent weeks as institutions took advantage of the attractive financing terms.

ECB To Hold Interest Rates as Lagarde Beats Back Cut Bets

The European Central Bank is set to keep borrowing costs on hold for a third meeting while stepping up efforts to convince investors that interest-rate cuts aren’t imminent.

US GDP Grew 3.3% Last Quarter, Capping Unexpectedly Strong Year

Gross domestic product increased at a 3.3% annualized rate, according to the government’s preliminary estimate out Thursday. For all of 2023, the economy expanded 2.5%.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

Bank of Japan is now preparing to hike interest rate, China is providing support for economic recovery, ECB guides for rate cut & while US last quarter GDP growth came above estimate ahead of US Fed meeting on 31-Jan-24.  We seen extreme mix picture of global economy which makes us cautious as year end rally seen in December 2023 could see trend reversal post US Fed meeting outcome.

Earnings season so far has remain mix and fail to provide fresh triggers for market.  We are currently focusing to reduce exposure at higher level and wait for better entry opportunity on correction.  Next big trigger could come when interest rate in US & Europe comes down and we see some economic slowdown before we see interest rate heading downward.

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Global Market – Key event for 8 to 12 Jan 2024

Global Market – Key events this week – 8th to 12th January 2024

This week we will cover various events this week and but these events does not have any major impact
on global cues.  China continues to their longest streak of deflation since 2009, threatening a deflationary spiral that may require more government support to reverse.

Brent Oil Hits $80 After Airstrikes Target Yemen’s Houthis

President Joe Biden said strikes had been conducted against a number of targets used by the Iran-backed group, with US officials saying radar sites and missile launchers were hit. A tanker industry group said military forces in the region were advising ships to avoid a key chokepoint near Yemen.

China’s Worst Deflation Streak in 14 Years Puts Pressure on PBOC

China’s consumer prices marked their longest streak of declines since 2009, threatening a deflationary spiral that may require more government support to reverse. Its export growth engine is also faltering.

Bitcoin ETF Trades Top $4.6 Billion in ‘Ground-Breaking’ Day

Over $4.6 billion worth of shares traded between the almost a dozen US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds on Thursday. The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, which converted into an ETF, saw about $2.3 billion in volume, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Meantime, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust—IBIT— saw over $1 billion change hands.

U.S. Mortgage Rates Climb for Second Straight Week, Hitting 6.66%

Borrowing costs have risen slightly as traders grapple with questions around the Federal Reserve’s future path. US inflation accelerated in December, tempering expectations about possible rate cuts from the central bank.

Iran Captures Oil Tanker Off Oman in Deepening Mideast Turmoil

A tanker previously seized by the US for carrying illicit Iranian oil was captured by Tehran off the coast of Oman, heightening tensions in the world’s most important trade lane for global crude supply.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

Market news and events this week does not have any major impact on equity while crude oil has seen spike on Friday as Brent crude oil approaches $80.  China’s is facing deflation and China’s CPI continues to mark longest streak of deflation since 2009.  Rising geo-political tension in Red-sea remain uncertainty in global market.

With recent development and geo-political event unfolding we will remain watchful and these events could trigger risk-off sentiment and provide much needed correction in global market.   Global market continues to trade near its recent high and remain venerable to any potential negative triggers.

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Global Market – In focus – U.S. Economic & Geo-political tension

Global Market – In focus – U.S. Economic data & Geo-political tension

This week will on U.S. economic data and geopolitical tension as corporate earnings will start from next week.  So next week we will review corporate earnings of global companies and its impact on global as well as Indian market.

Now let us focus on the data released this week.  Most of the jobs data indicate strong economy, JOLTS Jobs opening came in-line with estimate while average hourly earnings were up by 0.40% Vs estimate of 0.30%.  Non-farm employment change came at 216k Vs estimate of 168k.

Market trend remains unclear as rally seen in December 2023 was on narrative of interest rate could starting declining earlier then estimate.  Strong economic data would mean the rate could stay at higher level for some more time.  US FOMC meeting minutes released this week also failed to provide clear trend and incoming data would be important to watch out for.

Geo-political tension – Red Sea Crisis

Freight costs, including surcharges, have increased by over 500% amid the Red Sea crisis as shipping companies were forced to take the longer route via Cape of Good Hope, according to the Federation of Indian Export Organizations.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

US Market in December 2023 rallied from 3.81% to 4.94% on major indices will now need positive trigger from corporate earnings.

We would focus on corporate earnings where major US Banks are due to announce their earnings next week.  As we have seen economic data is U.S. continues to be strong will result in positive surprise in corporate earnings.

 
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Global Market – Rewind 2023 – Part 1

Global Market – Review of 2023

Today we will focus on few important events and article covered in 2023.  We will start with our first article for 2023, we focus on gold which was seen in a win-win situation at start of 2023.  We will cover key global events in last 12 months of 2023

January 2023

• China re-opens its economic from 8-Jan-23 after strict COVID restriction for past 3-years.  EURO zone inflation back to single digit @ 9.2%.
• Gold @ $1867 in January 2023 in a win-win situation?  After 2023, we can say Gold as asset class which has seen positive result for 2023 till date.

February 2023

• US Fed hikes rate by 25-bps to 4.50% to 4.75% on 1-Feb-23 and guided for more rate hike in 2023.
• Bank Of England raises rates by 50-bps to 4.00%, this brings interest rate by BOE to highest level since 2008.
• Russia plans to cut oil output by 500,000 bpd from March 2023.  German yield @ 2.34% highest level seen since 2008.

March 2023

• Silicon Valley Bank: first of few banks to fall his year, regulator shuts down SVB financial group and appoint FDIC.
• US regional bank (FRC) First Republic Bank – Big U.S. banks bail-out by depositing $30 billion.
• ECB hikes rate by 50-bps to 3.50%, highest interest rate since October 2008 and refrain from giving future guidance on interest rate.

April 2023

• OPEC+ nations announce surprise production cut from 1-May-23.  Production cut announced by OPEC + nations starting from 1-May-23 till end of the year is at 1.6 million barrels per day.  
• Corporate earnings for IT major in US help to improve sentiment.  META was up by 13.93% in April 2023 – reacting to its result.
• MICROSOFT & ALPHABET – manage to beat market estimate and improve market sentiment.

May 2023

• US Fed raises rates by 25-bps in meeting held on 3-May-23.  Policy statement soften the rate guidance indicating likely pause after May 2023 meeting outcome.
• US Fed on debt ceiling limit: no one should assume the fed can protect the economy from a failure to pay bills on time, economic consequences ‘highly uncertain’ if no debt deal.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

In today’s article we have covered key events and central banks policy change, where we have seen many flip-flops and now when we look back at the events and how we have seen market then and now when global market is trading at life-time high, we might feel at the missed opportunity.

In next week, last article for 2023 – we will cover from June 2023 to December 2023 and we expect global indices to close 2023 at highest level.

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Global Market – Trading at 2023 high & Economic data in focus

Global Market – Trading at 2023 high & Economic data in focus

This week we will discuss how global equity market which either have made fresh high for 2023 and trading near to highest level and market is now factoring in pause by all major central banks.  Today we will also focus on the economic data of U.S. which will be released ahead of U.S. Fed meeting outcome on 13-Dec-23.

U.S. Economic data

We would focus on jobs data which will be released in next week on 5th, 6th & 7th December 2023.  Jobs data have been robust and continue key factor for U.S. Fed to keep interest rate at elevated level.

Global Market – Rallied around 5% – 7% on major indices

Here we would like to highlight U.S. market which has rallied in range of 5% to 7% on major indices.  European stocks where DAX has rallied by around 7% & CAC by less than 4%.  Indian market in last 1 month has rallied by around 6%.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

We have mentioned last week that we are optimistic and we maintain our positive view.  Market will now focus on upcoming economic data and central banks meeting starting from next week.  Any confirmation of pause by major central banks will be taken as positive.  After current rally, we see market evenly balance to react to any outcome, but in case of any disappointment correction in global market could be painful.  

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Global Market – Fitch downgrades U.S. rating to AA+ from AAA

Global Market – Fitch downgrades U.S. rating to AA+ from AAA

This week we will discus the decision by Fitch, a rating agency which downgrade U.S. rating from AAA to AA+ as budget deficit increases.  China may continue to support economy and provide stimulus package to aid recovery and we will discuss BOE policy outcome as it raises rates by 25-bps to 5.25%.

U.S. rating downgrade by FITCH

U.S. sovereign credit rating was downgraded to AA+ from AAA, 1 notch down from AAA rating which highest rating by FITCH.  The rating downgrade expects the fiscal deterioration over next three years on concern of growing general government debt burden and erosion of governance.

BOE Raises Rates to 5.25%

The UK central bank lifted its key rate a quarter point to 5.25% on Thursday, which was in line with market expectations after a surprise half-point increase in June. Still, signs of debate between policymakers prompted traders to pare bets on the pace of further hikes, with markets priced in for rates to peak below 5.75% in February.

China expected to cut Bank’s RRR to boost economy

That’s according to several analysts who’ve pointed to the mounting value of policy loans maturing this month and through the rest of the year as reason for the People’s Bank of China to unleash more liquidity.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

Interest rate at current level is high compared to 2006 – 07 period which was followed by 2008 economic crisis.  Interest rate hike seen from March 2022 was steepest rate hike in recent history and is yet to show its impact on economic activity.

Globally equity market is trading near its recent high, commodities are trading at lower level compared to post Russia-Ukraine crisis increase in prices.  Global financial have not factored in any of the risk which can arise out of high interest rate and rating downgrade for U.S. or any other develop economies.  

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Global Market – U.S. Fed focus to shift to inflation on strong jobs data

Global Market – US Fed – focus shift to inflation on strong jobs data

This week we will discuss another part of the world where high inflation is problem will be back in focus as US Fed meeting on 26-Jul-23.  Last week, we have discussed that China’s PBOC is reducing policy rates and support growth and providing stimulus package.  

US Fed to hike to highest level seen in year 2000

US Fed current policy rates is 5.00% – 5.25%.  If US Fed increase policy rates by 25-bps on 26-Jul-23 to 5.25% – 5.50% – it will be highest policy rates in 21st Century near to rates seen in the year 2000.  Back in 2006 – 2007 policy rates in U.S. were at 5.25% before market has seen sub-prime crisis followed by recession.

US FOMC meeting minutes for June 2023 policy

Almost all members agreed for more rate hike needed and guided for at least 1 – 2 more rate hike in 2023.  Powell said at a conference in Madrid hosted by the Bank of Spain last week. “Inflation pressures continue to run high, and the process of getting inflation back down to 2% has a long way to go.”  

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

We believe, it is time keep balance approach as globally risk-on sentiment is high despite fear of further rate hike by U.S. Fed.  We do believe that such high interest rate in U.S. could have global impact and market has not fully factored in steepest rate hike by US Fed in last 15 – 16 months.

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Global Market – It’s “PAUSE” or “Indicative PIVOT”

Global Market – It’s a “Pause” or “Indicative Pivot”

This week we will discuss all three central bank’s meeting outcome and its impact on global sentiment and interest rate policy.  Our focus will be that whether it will be “Pause” or “Indicative pivot”.  US Fed & ECB meeting outcome was in-line with estimate and BOJ outlook and guidance was positive as they maintain JGB yield curve at -0.50% to 0.50%.

US Fed meeting outcome on 14-Jun-23

• US Fed kept interest rate unchanged after 15-months of rate-hike cycle.
• Current interest in US at 5.25% is same rate as seen in 2007, back in 2006 – 07 – interest rate remains at 5.25% for 14 months before interest rate heads downward.

U.S. Fed chair Jerome Powell had signaled that they would prefer to skip rate hike at June meeting, while still leaving room for a hike in coming months, if needed. 

ECB meeting outcome on 15-Jun-23

• ECB hikes rate by 25-bps to 4.00%.  Deposit rate now stands at 3.50%, highest level in more than 2-decades.
• ECB guides for continuation of rate hike to bring long term inflation at 2% and to keep interest rate higher as long as necessary.

BOJ meeting outcome on 16-Jun-23

• BOJ kept interest rate by -0.10%, maintain interest rate at ultra-low level.
• BOJ signaled JGB yield curve between -0.50% to 0.50%.
• BOJ maintain its current pace of quantitative easing, and said that it will continue to purchase exchange-traded funds and Japanese real estate investment trust.

The BOJ’s move on Friday comes largely in line with market expectations, as analysts saw little scope for immediate change in the bank’s dovish stance under new Governor Kazuo Ueda.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

While BOJ maintains its ultra-low interest rate and QE policy.  If we compare all these policies, we see significant contradiction as all these central banks are key liquidity provide for global financial market.

Our base case assumption does suggest that – we could consider this as early sign of “PIVOT” as higher interest rate will show its impact sooner rather than later.

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Global Market – Focus shift to central banks – US Fed, ECB & BOJ

Global Market – Focus shift to Central banks – US Fed, ECB & BOJ

This week, we will discuss how the focus will shift back to central banks as 3 central banks are schedule to meet this week and take decision on interest rate.  Inflation still remains major concern of all these central banks as they continue to focus on their long-term target on inflation at 2%.  We will discuss what market expectation is from this central bank outcome.

US Fed meeting on 14-Jun-23

• US Fed expected to pause on 14-Jun-23, to take breather after more than a year.
• US Fed chair Jerome Powell signaled after May 2023 US Fed meeting.
• Recent hike in interest rate cycle is the most aggressive rate hike, U.S. Fed has hike rates in every meeting since March 2022.

US fed chair Jerome Powell commentary after meeting outcome will be key event market will be watching out for.  Any comment which will mean that further rate hike could be expected after a pause would be negative.

Bank of Japan meeting on 16-Jun-23

• Bank of Japan may keep interest rate at -0.10%, maintain interest rate at ultra-low rate.
• BOJ to make no tweaks to yield control policy
• Board to maintain forecast of moderate economic recovery
• BOJ may lay groundwork for July upgrade in price forecasts
• Gov Ueda to hold briefing after policy meeting

BOJ may signal robust recovery as robust corporate and house hold spending cushion the blow from slowing oversea demand.  BOJ may also signal that inflation is overshooting its forecast.

Equichain Wealth Advisors: Market View & Opinion

This week focus will shift back to central banks, and market would focus on commentary from US Fed and BOJ.  There is major surprise expectation from ECB as market expectation another hike & temporary pause.

US Fed chair Jerome Powell post meeting press conference will be important as market as already factored in pause from U.S. Fed.  U.S. CPI & Core CPI inflation data are due on 13-Jun-23 and U.S. fed policy outcome on 14-Jun-23.  Comment from BOJ will also be important if there is any change in JGB yield curve or any change in policy would be negative.