Weekly Commodities Update Weekly Commodities Update Weekly Commodities Update

Global Market Quick Take: Asia – March 14, 2023

Macro 6 minutes to read
Saxo-Strats
APAC Strategy Team

Summary:  Banking sector concerns continued to roil markets as the SVB fallout still remains a big unknown despite measures from US authorities to stem contagion. Flight to safety accelerated further with 2-year Treasury yields slumping by a massive 60bps, and Fed rate expectations continued to shift lower with terminal rate expectations now down to 4.8% from 5.7% last week. Dollar was broadly sold and gold and silver were in favor on yield drop. US CPI still a key focus ahead but a softer print can prompt a further shift lower in the expectations of the Fed tightening path.


MI 14 Mar 2023

What’s happening in markets?

US equities assess the probability of Fed rate cuts, while both the recession and volatility indexes spike

After the sweeping failure of regional lenders, including Silicon Valley Bank, and ahead of the all-important US inflation read, tech stocks edged cautiously ahead, while bond yields fell - as SVB’s collapse severely complicated the Fed's rate path. Meanwhile, the NY Fed probability of a recession index, climbed to its highest level since the GFC, while the Volatility index hit its highest level since October last year. As such we remain cautious. The swaps market is now showing a less than 1-in-2 chance probability the FOMC can continue to hike rates, while also showing a probability of several rate cuts this year. So, the two-year treasury (bond) yield plunged 61 bps to below 4%, the biggest one-day slump in decades, while the 10-year yield dropped 16 bps. While the US dollar plummeted, sending the kiwi, yen and Aussie all up by 1.2% or more.

Fed launches probe into the supervision of SVB. Bank stocks continue to tumble, notching biggest decline since the COVID19 crash


The Federal Reserve will launch an internal probe to the supervision of Silicon Valley Bank after its collapse sparked criticism by the central bank oversight, with Michael Barr leading the review, which is said to be publicly released by May 1. Not only the Fed is concerned, but so too is Washington and investors alike. The KBW Bank Index shed 12% on Monday, continuing last week’s rout that saw the index slide 16%- with the index collectively notcing its biggest monthly pull back since COVID19. First Republic Bank shares tanked 62% on Monday, with other regional banks such as Western Alliance Bancorp falling 47%, and California-based PacWest Bancorp down 21% - as investors fret about the strength of liquidity in the lending market. Larger companies also are not immune to the sell off- Charles Schwab shares slid 12% with traders also de-risking and even perhaps shorting some financial institutions. As mentioned on Monday’s Podcast - we think the rout of several lenders in Silicon Valley could have a profound ripple effect on the innovation eco system – and future lending meaning access to liquidity in the VC and cryptocurrency market could be limited – and this could also impact the private equity market. All this reinforces Saxo long held belief that the physical world will continue to outperform the intangibles (the technology sector). This view was reinforced in our Quarterly Outlook.

Massive bull steepening as investors flocked to 2-year Treasuries

On the back of U.S. regional bank turmoil, investors quickly repriced the front end of the Treasury curve and removed additional future rate hikes in this tightening cycle. Investors flocked to 2-year Treasuries in safe-haven bids and traders closed out curve-flattening positions. Yields on the 2-year plunged 61bps to 3.98% while the 10-year yields fell “only” 13bps to close at 3.57%. The 2-10-year curve steepened to -46bps, after hitting as inverted as -110bps last week.

Hang Seng Index and China’s CSI 300 rallied on U.S. regulators’ decision to backstop depositors

Hong Kong and Chinese stocks rallied as U.S. regulators rolled out plans to prevent the woes in Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank to turn into systemic risks. Hang Seng Index advanced 2% and CSI300 climbed 1%. China’s Two Sessions concluded this morning. President Xi secured a third term and his ally Li Qiang took the position of Premier, both being widely expected. Premier Li Qiang’s remarks at the press conference had a pro-growth and market-friendly tone.

Energy, telco, China consumption, and China internet stocks drove the advance of the Hang Seng Index. Hang Seng TECH Index gained 2.9%. Bilibili (09626:xhkg) jumped 10.7% following the video-sharing platform being included in the Stock Connect. In A-shares, SOE telcos outperformed. Belt-and-Road-Initiative-related stocks were well bid.

Australian equities (ASXSP200.I) trade lower for the sixth week. Swaps show RBA’s hiking cycle is over

After not only the dovish commentary from the RBA but the recent demise of several large VC and cryptocurrency lending banks in the US, now we are seeing that the RBA’s interest rate hiking cycle could be over. That’s according to the swaps market, which reflects that there is just a 50% chance for an increase in the RBA’s cash rate for the rest of this year.

FX: Expectations of a less aggressive Fed weighing on the dollar

The USD continued to slide on Monday as Fed expectations were revised further lower (read below) but some floor was being found in early Asian trading. AUDUSD touched highs of 0.6717 before reversing to 0.6650, while NZDUSD surged to 0.6250+ before heading back towards the 0.62 handle. GBPUSD could not move above 1.22 and focus turns to labor market data in the UK today before the budget announcement tomorrow. EURUSD touched 1.0750 with a 50bps rate hike still on the table this week. Safe haven JPY and CHF continued to outperform as bank risks reign, with USDJPY staying below 134 and USDCHF testing support at 0.91.

Crude oil prices slump amid risk off

Oil prices closed lower by 2.5% on Monday as banking sector concerns continued to spell caution on risk assets. However, expectations of a less aggressive Fed monetary policy helped crude oil to recover from its lows, and focus now turns ahead to the US CPI data due today. WTI futures still trading below $75/barrel while Brent is at $80. OPEC is scheduled to issue its monthly market report later Tuesday, while the International Energy Agency follows with its release on Wednesday, providing on snapshot on the outlook for supply and demand, but focus is unlikely to be back on fundamentals until market concerns ease.

Gold and Silver benefitting from the drop in yields

Gold broke above the $1900 barrier as flight to safety continued despite the efforts of US regulators to reduce the risk of contagion from the SVB collapse. The massive drop in 2-year Treasury yields of the order of 60bps as well as market pricing in as many as 4 rate cuts this year have seen the dollar come off considerably from its highs and brought the precious metals back in focus. Additional demand for Gold from momentum traders looking for a fresh upside attempt, could bring Gold towards the January high around $1950. Silver was up over 6% on Monday as well breaking the $21.70 resistance which will be followed by $22 and $22.27.

What to consider?

Bank worries bring a significant shift in Fed expectations

Bonds continued to soar as markets digested the measures of the US regulators to stem contagion from the collapse of SVB. But that continued to complicate the path of monetary policy with the Fed having broken something. As markets continued to re-assess the path of monetary policy from here, 2-year Treasury yields plunged 61bps to below 4%, the biggest one-day slump in decades, while 10-years dropped 16bps. The CME FedWatch tool now shows a 35% chance of no move from the Fed next week, and 65% probability of a 25bps rate hike. Fed Funds futures are now pricing in a terminal rate of 4.8% as early as May (down from 5.7% in July earlier) and as much as 100bps of rate cuts this year (compared to one 25bps rate cut expected last week).

Upside in US CPI is also unlikely to make Fed go for 50bps in March

US inflation has been the talk of town for several months now, although the focus has lately turned to financial contagion risks that may stop the Fed from switching back to a higher rate hike path trajectory. In fact, several banks are now calling for a pause next week, with one also expecting a rate cut and an end to quantitative tightening. Still, February CPI – due to be released on Tuesday – will be a big test after last month’s print reversed the disinflation narrative in goods inflation, and continued to point at sticky services inflation.

Headline consumer prices are expected to rise +0.4% MoM in February, cooling slightly vs the +0.5% in January, with the annual rate seen easing to 6.0% YoY from 6.4% previously. Core CPI is expected to rise +0.4% MoM in February, matching the January pace, though the annual rate is likely to fall to 5.5% YoY from 5.6% in January. Overall message is likely to remain that inflation remains stubbornly high, especially after tough weather conditions in California, but the risk of a 50bps rate hike from the Fed in March remains low as the central bank becomes wary of “something breaking”.

Submarine deal moves ahead  - the market is still awaiting further detail

The US, Australia and the UK unveiled further plans for a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines when the country heads met in the US on Monday. There will be an initial budget of about A$9 billion through to June 2027, with the tri nations deepening their Aukus Defense partnership that formed 18 months ago, to counter China in the Pacific. The market awaits further detail with much of the discussion remaining confidential. To read more on what to expect, click our article here.

Chinese peak construction season ramps up. Iron ore makes green shoots. Iron ore stocks follow higher

The iron ore (SCOA) price has extended its rebound - with the steel ingredient's price is up 2.7% so far this week, after rising 2.7% last week. All in all, the iron ore is now trading 8% higher year to date, and above the $132 for the first time since April last year. We’ve been speaking a lot about how iron ore buying usually picks up around this time of year, with Chinese steel mills getting ready for peak construction season - which runs from March through to June. Fresh data released on Friday showed by both steel stockpiles and iron ore inventories fell last week, which implies there is a need to top of up stockpiles. We think buying of iron ore will likely continue in 2023, as the re-opening of China’s economy pick up, all while iron ore supply remains short. And this is underpinning price strength, despite some in Beijing accusing iron ore market participant's of price manipulation.

Australian pulse checks: business and consumer confidence and jobs numbers

Australian business and consumer confidence, numbers released today – show consumer confidence is somewhat improving, while businesses remain cautious - feeling the aftereffects of the RBA’s 10th rate hike. Despite the RBA’s comments previously alluding to a potential pause on rate hikes soon - business confidence fell by 4 points in February. The next gauge we will get on Australia’s economy is due on Thursday - with all-important unemployment rate released for February. Bloomberg’s consensus is suggesting the jobless rate will fall from 3.7% to 3.6%, with 50,000 jobs expected to be added last month. If the data shows employment is rising, contrary to what the RBA expects, then the Australian dollar would likely gain pace, as the RBA would gain power to keep rising rates by 0.25%.

UK labor data on watch today for the path of BOE

The UK labor market data will be released on Tuesday and investors will be scrambling to gauge how much room does the BOE have to tighten further. Bloomberg consensus expects the unemployment rate to rise to 3.8% in the three months to January from 3.7% previously, with headline jobs growth likely to ease to 60k from 102k in January. However, even with a slightly softer jobs report, the BOE is expected to continue its hiking cycle in March as activity data has been stronger than expected, but the trend in labor market from here will be key to see where BOE could pause its tightening cycle. Focus also turns to UK’s budget announcement tomorrow.


For what to watch in the markets this week – read or watch our Saxo Spotlight.

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

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/legal/saxoselect-disclaimer/disclaimer)

Saxo Bank A/S (Headquarters)
Philip Heymans Alle 15
2900
Hellerup
Denmark

Contact Saxo

Select region

International
International

Trade responsibly
All trading carries risk. Read more. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more

This website can be accessed worldwide however the information on the website is related to Saxo Bank A/S and is not specific to any entity of Saxo Bank Group. All clients will directly engage with Saxo Bank A/S and all client agreements will be entered into with Saxo Bank A/S and thus governed by Danish Law.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.