Yen remains generally firm today with help from strength in JGB yields. 10 year JGB yields hit as high as 0.113 and is now hovering at around 0.10. Nonetheless, Yen is outperformed by Canadian Dollar, which is lifted by NAFTA optimism. While the greenback is softer today, downside is relatively limited as it’s supported by the surge in long yields overnight. The greenback will look into US Q2 GDP today. Euro, on the other hand, while recovers, is the weakest one for the week after lackluster ECB press conference. Slowed than expected French GDP growth provides no lift to the common currency too.
In other markets, DOW closed up 0.44% or 112.97 pts to 25527.07. However, thanks to Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), NASDAQ dropped -1.01% or -80.06 pts to close at 7852.18. At the time of writing, Asian markets are mixed with, Nikkei up 0.33% at 22661.73. Hong Kong HSI is downside -0.25%, China Shanghai SSE (LON:SSE) is down -0.16%. Singapore Strait Times is down -0.21%. US 10 year yield closed up 0.039 to 2.975, making a near high for the week. 30 year yield also gained 0.036 to 3.10. Both are on track for near term resistance at 3.009 and 3.140.
Technically, the dip in EUR/USD and GBP/USD yesterday puts near term minor support at 1.1574/1.3070 into focus. Break there will firstly indicate Dollar is regaining near term strength. Secondly, the development could spread dollar buying to other pairs. EUR/CHF’s break of 1.1593 temporary low yesterday indicates resumption of recent fall from 1.1713. 1.1478 support is next target.
Mexico Guajardo has constructive and very positive NAFTA talk with US Lighthizer
Overnight, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo had “constructive” and “very positive” talks with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on NAFTA renegotiation. He added that both sides agreed to work towards hammering a deal in principal some time in August. And he said “We agree that in order to align the times and to eventually reach an agreement in principle, we should give ourselves the opportunity to move forward and try to bring this to fruition.”
The final format of the agreement remains to be seen as both Canada and Mexico insists on trilateral deal while the US is known for pushing bilateral deals. Another sticky point is the US push for a “sunset clause” which the other two sides firmly disagree to.
US Mnuchin: We’re very focused on the EU trade relationship
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said yesterday the US is “very focused on the EU” on strengthening the trade relationship. He said that after Meeting of Trump and Juncker, there is an agreement in principal and the officials planned to move forward to “turn it into real agreement”.
Both sides would immediately focus on steel and aluminum tariffs first “so that there can be no tariffs in either direction”. The issue is expected to be resolved “very quickly”. Mnuchin also said there is an outline already, “in agriculture, in chemicals, in medical devices, in industrial LNG” and so “we’re going to make a lot of progress.
Regarding China, Mnuchin said “if they’re willing to make serious changes just as the EU did yesterday, we’ll negotiate with China any time.” And on NAFTA, he said “hopeful that we’ll have an agreement in principal in the near future.” He also noted that “whether it’s one deal or two deals, so long as we get the right agreement, we’re indifferent.”
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that the US was close to reaching a broad agreement on NAFTA renegotiations. And he added that “we are in the finishing stages of achieving an agreement in principle that will benefit American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.” And talks were being done at an “unprecedented speed”.
Japan FM Aso wants G20 to promote infrastructure investments to boost growth next year
Japanese Finance Minister Taro ago said the G20 meeting in Osaka next year should play the role to ” nip crises in the bud before they develop further.” He also wanted G20 to focus “to promote investment in high-quality infrastructure to ensure economic growth.”
Aso also noted that the G20 finance minister and central banker meeting last week discussed the downside risks to the global economy and reaffirmed the consensus over current issues. However, it should be noted that there was no consensus of the resolutions on US tariffs actions. And the situation could only worsen next year and protectionism rises and spreads.
IMF: Shift from high-speed to high-quality growth in China key for decades to come
IMF said in a report that China’s economy continues to “perform strongly”, with growth projected at 6.6% this year. But it also warned that the country is at a “historic juncture”. The shift from “high-speed” to “high-quality” growth will determine China’s “development path for decades to come”. Risk of “near-term abrupt adjustment” was reduced by recent strong growth momentum and “significant financial de-risking progress”. While there were accelerated rebalancing in some dimensions, “progress slowed” in many other dimensions. Also, while credit growth has slowed, “it remains excessive.
In the latest projections, IMF projected China GDP growth to be at 6.6% in 2018, slow to 6.4% in 2019, 6.3% in 2020, 6.0% in 2021, 5.7% in 2022 and 5.5% in 2023. Current account surplus as to GDP is projected to be at 0.9% in 2019, to close to 0.8% in 2019, at 0.8% in 2020, then slow to 0.7% in 2021, 0.5% in 2022 and 0.4% in 2023.
IMF also summarized the report in six charts. – China’s strong GDP growth continues. – A focus on high-quality growth. – Credit growth has slowed but remains too fast. – China, a global digital leader. – Rebalancing efforts should be accelerated. -6. The benefits of faster reform.
ECB Draghi reiterated the policy path, rates to stay at current level at least through 2019 summer
Yesterday, ECB left interest rates unchanged as widely expected. Main refinancing rate is held at 0.00%, marginal lending facility rate at 0.25%, deposit facility rate at -0.40%. In the introductory statement to the press conference, ECB President Mario Draghi reiterated that the asset purchase target will be lowered to EUR 10B per month after September, subject to data confirmation to economic forecasts. The program will end after December. Interest rates are expected state at present levels through the summer of 2019.
Draghi also said latest stabilization in economic data is inline with forecasts and points to ongoing growth. Risk to growth outlook remains broadly balanced despite prominent threat of protectionism. Meanwhile, underlying inflation remains muted for now but is expected to rise gradually in medium term. And, ample degree of monetary policy stimulus is still needed at present.
In the Q&A section, Draghi acknowledged that the EU-US trade talks this week was a “good sign” but it’s too early to assess the content of the agreement. Regarding question on Trump’s attack on Eurozone’s currency manipulation, Draghi said it’s known that exchange rate isn’t a policy target of the ECB.
On the data front
Japan Tokyo CPI rose 0.8% yoy in July, up from prior month’s 0.7% yoy and beat expectation of 0.7% yoy. Australia PPI rose 0.3% qoq 1.5% yoy in Q2, slowed from prior 0.5% qoq, 1.7% yoy. French GDP rose 0.2% qoq in Q2, below expectation of 0.3% qoq. US Q2 GDP is the highlight of today. It’s expected to show stellar 4.2% annualized growth.