Morning Brew March 22 2022

Good Morning,

A hawkish Powell and worries about a further deterioration in Ukraine / Russia caused a small degree risk off sentiment yesterday. Equities fell slightly but all three indexes less than 1%.

Oil rose on an increased likelihood that there may be sanctions on Russian energy. Russia issued a warning that oil prices of 300 were likely should such sanctions be introduced…

Jerome Powell said the FED must move "expeditiously" and maybe even "more aggressively"  to combat inflation. The probability of a 50 basis point hike for both he May as well as the June meeting rose to above 50% and (60 in May, up 8% from yesterday Morning)

Powell expects inflation to decrease to "near 2%" until 2024 and  that "The economy is very strong and is well-positioned to handle tighter monetary policy. He does not expect a recession this year.

Interestingly, Interest Rate futures already expect a rate cut between December 23 and December 24.

The USD gains against most currencies and the USD Index rises to 98.87, EURUSD is trading at 1.0967, GBPUSD at 1.3122. USDJPY continues to rise, breaching the 120 for the  first time since  2016

The UK May Oil Contract rose 20% off the low last week and is trading at 118.60, Gold rises to 1934 abd Silver to 25.30.

S&P500 tested the 200 Daily SMA and resistance at 4,475 but failed initially. A break above 4,490 is needed  for further upside, 4400 is the key support.

The Dax failed to break above 14475/14500, the key resistance area, key support is 14080.

Please find more technical insights by Kim Cramer Larsson here: https://www.home.saxo/insights/news-and-research/authors/kim-cramer-larsson

Goldman lowers it`s GDP outlook significantly in the re recent weeks, the estimate is now a full percentage point lower at 3.25%.

Alibaba announces es to increase share buybacks.

After the crash of a Boeing 737-800 in China that killed 132 people BA:xnyse lost 3.6%.

As yesterday, there is little on the economic agenda for today, focus will remain on Ukraine and energy  prices in my view, I continue to expect fast markets and would suggest considering optionality when taking speculative positions.

Trade safely.