Uncategorized

Monday 07/12

11am, AUD, Gov Lowe Speaks

Tuesday 08/12

4am, CAD, Ivey PMI
Previous 54.5
All Day, EUR, Italian Bank Holiday

Thursday 10/12

4am, CAD, BOC Rate Statement
4am, CAD, Overnight Rate
Forecast 0.25%
Previous 0.25%

Worldwide coronavirus cases surpasses 13.935M with over 591,000 deaths officially reported.

Risk sentiment was positive during midweek trading sessions off the back of prospects of a vaccine contributing to the good mood. Moderna reported that their vaccine produces neutralising antibodies in chosen patients who received two doses, these were similar to results seen in coronavirus patients who had recovered. The results are from an initial 45 sample humans with new trials to begin late this month on 30,000 healthy people. They will compare vaccine results to placebo in patients between the ages of 18-55. If results are significant the vaccine would then be mass produced. Contributing to the positive mood was Merkel who commented that Germany is prepared to compromise to reach a deal for the European Recovery Fund. EU members are scheduled to meet in person on Friday and Saturday to work out a compromise on the multimillion dollar stimulus package.

Worldwide coronavirus cases surpasses 9.7M with over 490,000 deaths officially reported.

The RBNZ left their cash rate unchanged at 0.25% Wednesday at their policy meeting confirming again they would be leaving it for some time. The central bank left their bond purchase program also unchanged at 60B but Orr said they are prepared to provide additional stimulus when necessary. The question is whether the bank has enough stimulus in place as the country prepares for further uncertain economic times. Highlighting the pressures on export earnings due to the appreciation of the NZD implied the government could be preparing to intervene by increasing the current 60B support package in combination with selling the New Zealand Dollar. All said and done the government maintains the view that the current balance of risks remain firmly placed to the downside. Post statement the NZD plunged by around 1.0% across a range of crosses before regaining some losses during overnight sessions.  

Worldwide coronavirus cases surpasses 7.1M with over 405,000 deaths officially reported.

It was a week of quiet economic headlines with the New Zealand Dollar taking out the top spot as the best performing currency. Risk on sentiment has driven the kiwi to fresh highs along with a number of other reasons, the main one perhaps of which is due to NZ having no new coronavirus cases over the past two weeks with the one person who had the virus recovering yesterday. So formally NZ has no coronavirus.  Re-opening trade and business has also gone a long way for boosting the mood along with recent Chinese Manufacturing data coming in better than expected. Yesterday’s Trade Balance – surplus of 62B as exports fell less than expected due to medical related purchases. Certainly markets seem to be focused on these factors rather than the continued US/China trade tensions and mass US protests taking place around the world. 

Financial Markets continue to take on water, lots of water. The carnage going on out there is seen as biblical with investors not knowing what to do or how to react.

The New Zealand Dollar and the Australian Dollar have come off nearly 7% against the big Dollar this week. The kiwi traded over parity versus the Aussie overnight Wednesday to 1.0005 but was quickly sold back to 0.9930- investors not quite ready yet for the parity party. The English Pound has also sold down 5.4% over the week against the USD as coronavirus cases ballooned out Tuesday, the Loonie (CAD) also down 5.0% as Trump closes down the Canadian Border. 

The high cost by Americans to get tested for Covid-19 is exposing the cracks in the health system with many reluctant to get tested. Eight weeks in there is still not enough test kits available for anyone who needs them. The number of tests per day the US can run is around 7,000 before labs are overrun. 28 Million people excluding the elderly have no health cover in the USA. Uninsured workers will have a greater risk of exposure to the disease as most cannot afford to stop working. US taxpayers will fund the majority of non-insured people who need testing for the virus. US Congress is trying to pass legislation that would require employers to provide paid sick leave during any public crisis. If you have health cover these that are being tested are still ending up with $1,400 style bills after insurance has paid the difference.    

As the virus spreads through 3rd world countries such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal these countries will face massive issues as the ability to carry out testing will be massively limited. With only the sickest to be tested the virus will not be stopped.

It’s a foregone conclusion that the recession in NZ will be deeper than the GFC of 2008 with GDP to decline -3.0% from -2.7% in 2008-2009.  Unemployment is expected to rise above 5.0% with new numbers of unemployed increasing over 40,000 people. We think that the RBNZ will start quantitative easing measures within a week to keep rates low. It is said that banks are in a good financial position and should weather the storm of what’s to come. The only problem is the sheer amount of consumer and business debt and loan defaults which will inevitably happen as unemployment rises and businesses close. 

Jacinda Ardern announced gatherings of 100 people or more have been cancelled. These restrictions do not include Schools, workplaces or supermarkets of public transport. Not sure about others but when I get off my train arriving into work every morning it has over 500 people. The Govt needs to do more, it’s time to ditch the NZ “she’ll be right” attitude and close nearly everything down or our local virus numbers will blow out. Last night’s full border closure announced by Ardern is unprecedented and will go a long way.  

The ECB have announced a 750B pandemic emergency plan. The ECB will buy up Govt Bonds to combat the virus and slow down the effect on the economy. The ECB said the programme which includes all asset categories under the “asset buying programme” will only run until the effects of the coronavirus are under control. The news drove the Euro higher across the board.

The Reserve Bank of Australia cut rates 25 basis points to 0.25% yesterday, Lowe saying he won’t increase again until progress is made towards full employment. The RBA will start buying govt Bonds from today pumping liquidity into financial markets. The new three year funding facility for banks is worth over 90B which is designed at ultimately providing cheaper loans to bank customers. Australia will close its borders to non-residents from 9pm today. 

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Currency markets this week have been slow in the absence of market moving data. Movement has been virtually non-existent especially in the Pound as GBP punters take a break prior to the 12 December Elections. US Equities continue to trade at record levels with low growth plaguing the global economy. Are we seeing a bubble develop? Many analysts are saying we are heading for a period of debt with similar characteristics as the 2008 financial credit collapse. The price cycle typically lasts around 7 years and with many wondering how and when it will end. We should soon start to see changes to economic activity globally given most central banks have cut lending rates super low. Consumer and Business confidence as well as mortgage lending activity along with employment figures should all start to improve. We will be closely watching over the next six months any pick up in growth statistics.

The greenback has outperformed all G10 currencies this week after a positive Non-Farm Payroll release and the ISM Non manufacturing data printed. We have also seen a dip to sentiment across the week with reports surfacing that the trade negotiations early euphoria of an imminent “phase One” trade deal between the US and China may be falling apart. The meeting between US President Trump and Xi could now be delayed until December with both parties looking for a fresh venue after Chile cancelled. China have also said to want the cancellation of all current tariffs in place in order for the two countries to reach a final agreement. Read more