Financial insights for investors & traders: Economic reopening plays, iron ore, oil rally on China easing restrictions. What's ahead

Monday December 5 2022

Economic reopening plays and commodities will be in focus this week with China easing some COVID restrictions

On Monday, Shanghai and Hangzhou scrapped PCR testing to enter public venues including on public transport and to enter parks. Shanghai and Hangzhou joined other top-tier cities, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou in relaxing curbs after mass protests took place against China’s stringent policies last week.

In equites, which are forward looking – focus will be on stocks exposed to a potential turnaround in consumption, especially in cities with easing restrictions. Reflecting on Saxo's equity baskets, the best returns in markets on Friday, over the week, and month, have been in in Saxo’s China Consumer and Technology basket.  In Saxo basket you see stocks like Nio, Alibaba are up 40% on the month, Tencent is up 24%, while consumer spending giant JD.com is up 50%. Recall that Hangzhou is home of Alibaba so its rally continue with restrictions easing there from today.

Meanwhile Commodities will also be a focus will be on oil with its trading back above US$81, and posting its biggest weekly gain on hopes that demand will increase from China. OPEC+ met at the weekend they committed to their targets for the rest of 2032. We think oil volatility will likely pick up this week with Venezuela’s top refinery halting gas output after a malfunction while further cities in China may also ease some restrictions.

Australia’s share market, home of some of the commodity kings, hit a new high on China easing restrictions

The benchmark index, the ASX200 (ASXSP200.1) hit a new seven month high on Monday and momentum could continue with China’s easing some restrictions today. The iron ore (SCOA) price rose 2.3% move the steel ingredients’ price back over back above $100 for the first time since August, on hope China could increase demand. The iron ore price is up 38% from its October low. This is benefiting benefit forward earnings of BHP, Rio, Fortescue and Champion Iron with all their shares trading higher today, with those most exposed to China seeing the biggest rallies. Fortescue shares are up 8% taking the miner back to record highs. To get more inspiration on stocks exposed to China in commodities, use Saxo’s Australian Resources basket

Foreign Exchange traders will be busy this week; RBA meets, before the Fed next week

The US dollar is higher against most G-10 pairs, with the New Zealand dollar leading risk currencies lower. Why? The market is focused on the Fed’s meeting next week after hotter than expected US jobs report. Still, the US dollar, against most currencies (as measured by the (DXY) is near a five-month low after losing 8.4% from its high; with US inflation cooling and investors betting the Fed will only hike rates by 50 basis points (0.5%) at their December meeting next.

Currencies to watch include the AUDUSD, as the RBA meets on Tuesday December 6. The RBA is expected to make its 3rd consecutive quarter-point (0.25%) hike in the cash rate, which will take the cash rate from 2.85% to 3.1%. AUDUSD is up ~10% from its October low on forwarding thinking that commodity demand from China will increase as some major cities have started to ease restrictions.

For a weekly look at what to watch in markets - tune into our Spotlight.

For a global look at markets – tune into our Podcast.