Market Roundup
- Oil prices decline on China's soft economic data
- Gold steadies on hopes of U.S. coronavirus relief deal
Economic Data Ahead
- (0500 ET/0900 GMT) EZ Construction Output w.d.a (YoY)(Aug)
- (0500 ET/0900 GMT) EZ Construction Output s.a (MoM)(Aug)
Key Events Ahead
- (0315 ET/0715 GMT) ECB's De Guindos speech
- (0730 ET/1130 GMT) ECB's Mersch speech
- (0840 ET/1240 GMT) ECB's Lane speech
- (0845 ET/1245 GMT) ECB's President Lagarde speech
FX Beat
DXY: The dollar index steadied amid growing expectations of a new U.S. stimulus package before Election Day. On Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that differences remained with President Donald Trump’s administration on a wide-ranging coronavirus relief package but that she was optimistic legislation could be pushed through before Election Day. The greenback against a basket of currencies traded 0.1 percent up at 93.74, having touched a high of 93.90 on Thursday, its highest since October 2.
EUR/USD: The euro eased after European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde told a French newspaper, Europe must not delay the distribution of a 750 billion euro recovery fund for the pandemic-hit economy and should also debate creating a permanent fiscal tool for the bloc. The European currency traded 0.05 percent lower at 1.1713, having touched a low of 1.1688 on Thursday, its lowest since September 30. Investors’ attention will remain on series of economic data from the Eurozone economies, EZ construction output, ECB De Guindos, Lane and President Lagarde's speech, ahead of the U.S. NAHB Housing Market Index and Fed's Williams speech. Immediate resistance is located at 1.1758 (10-DMA), a break above targets 1.1781. On the downside, support is seen at 1.1684, a break below could drag it below 1.1660.
USD/JPY: The dollar steadied, helped by optimism over some progress in U.S. stimulus talks. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was optimistic legislation on a coronavirus relief package could be pushed through before Election Day. However, data showing China's economy grew at a slightly slower-than-expected pace in the third quarter limited upside. The major was trading 0.05 percent up at 105.41, having hit a low of 105.03 on Wednesday, its lowest since October 2. Investors’ will continue to track the broad-based market sentiment, ahead of the U.S. NAHB Housing Market Index and Fed's Williams speech. Immediate resistance is located at 105.56, a break above targets 105.80. On the downside, support is seen at 105.20, a break below could take it near at 104.94.
GBP/USD: Sterling rose but it was still near 2-week lows as Britain and the European Union will attempt to revive post-Brexit trade talks that appeared all but dead last week. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told businesses to get ready for a no-deal Brexit in case negotiations with the European Union fail to produce a free trade agreement. The major traded 0.2 percent higher at 1.2936, having hit a low of 1.2861 on Friday, it’s lowest since October 7. Investors’ attention will remain on the geopolitical developments, ahead of the U.S. fundamental drivers. Immediate resistance is located at 1.2978, a break above could take it near 1.3030. On the downside, support is seen at 1.2844, a break below targets 1.2805. Against the euro, the pound was trading 0.2 percent up at 90.50 pence, having hit a high of 90.07 on Wednesday, it’s highest since September 8.
AUD/USD: The Australian dollar gained, as investor awaited the release the release of Reserve Bank of Australia monetary policy minutes on Tuesday. The RBA is widely expected to cut its cash rate to 0.1 percent at it’s next policy meeting and expand its quantitative easing programme. The Aussie trades 0.2 percent up at 0.7092, having hit a low of 0.7056 on Thursday, it’s lowest since September 28. Investors will continue to track overall market sentiment, ahead of U.S. economic releases. Immediate resistance is located at 0.7139 (5-DMA), a break above could take it near 0.7151 (10-DMA). On the downside, support is seen at 0.7043, a break below targets 0.7005.
NZD/USD: The New Zealand dollar rose, extending previous session gains following a landslide election victory for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during the weekend. On Saturday, Ardern delivered the biggest election victory for her centre-left Labour Party in half a century as voters rewarded her for a decisive response to COVID-19. The Kiwi traded 0.2 percent higher at 0.6617, having touched a low of 0.6597 on Thursday, its lowest level since October 9. Investors’ will continue to track broad-based market sentiment, ahead of U.S. economic data. Immediate resistance is located at 0.6642, a break above could take it near 0.6662. On the downside, support is seen at 0.6570, a break below could drag it below 0.6552.
Equities Recap
Asian shares advanced to a record 2-1/2-year peak, boosted by hopes of a U.S fiscal package and expectations of a coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan surged 0.6 percent.
Tokyo's Nikkei gained 1.1 percent to 23,671.13 points, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.9 percent to 6,229.40 points. South Korea's KOSPI rallied 0.2 percent to 2,346.73 points.
Shanghai composite index eased 0.6 percent to 3,314.88 points, while CSI 300 index traded 0.7 percent down at 4,758.26 points.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng traded 0.6 percent higher at 24,522.11 points. Taiwan shares added 1.2 percent to 12,908.34 points.
Commodities Recap
Crude oil prices eased after reports showed China’s third-quarter economic growth did not rise as much as expected, underscoring concerns that surging coronavirus cases globally are impacting oil importer demand. International benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.05 percent down at $42.75 per barrel by 0602 GMT, having hit a low of $41.34 last week, its lowest since October 6. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was trading 0.05 percent lower at $40.70 a barrel, after falling as low as $39.07 last week, its highest since October 5.
Gold prices steadied near the key $1,900 per ounce level, supported by expectations of a new U.S. stimulus package before Election Day. Spot gold was trading 0.5 percent higher at $1,909.07 per ounce by 0605 GMT, having hit a low of $1822.43 on Wednesday, its lowest since October 8. U.S. gold futures were 0.4 percent up at $1,913.55.
Treasuries Recap
The U.S. Treasury yields rose, with the benchmark 10-year note yield trading at 0.757 percent and the 30-year yield at 1.507 percent.
