Global Market Quick Take: Europe – 12 January 2024

Global Market Quick Take: Europe – 12 January 2024

Macro 3 minutes to read
Saxo Strategy Team

Summary:  European equity futures trade higher as the region responds to an end of session rally on Wall Street where stocks recovered from the post-CPI losses. The US December CPI showed a bumpy path in disinflation, with higher headline inflation and a core that didn't cool as expected. Despite this, Treasury yields declined, with the 2-year yield falling 11bps to 4.25%, as investors didn't see the data affecting the Fed's rate-cut likelihood. ECB's Lagarde expressed confidence in managing inflation and stated that interest rates have peaked. Oil prices and gold rose due to increased Mideast tensions. The Nikkei managed another strong session despite a stronger yen amid escalating geopolitical risks. The US earnings season commenced with major banks reporting today.


The Saxo Quick Take is a short, distilled opinion on financial markets with references to key news and events.

Saxo’s Q1 2024 Outlook titled “What happened to the future” is now out. You can read the executive summary here

Equities: The year has started with a ketchup effect in Japanese equities with Nikkei 225 futures extending the gains with another 1% gain in today’s trading session taking the year-to-date return to 6.5%. The geopolitical risk picture also worsened overnight with US and UK attacks on military positions in Yemen as a response to Houthis attacks on trade ships. Yesterday also marked the first day of trading for US listed ETFs holding spot Bitcoin and the volatility was wild with iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF rallying as high as $30 before closing at $26.63 corresponding to a premium of 0.45% over the underlying NAV. The much-anticipated US inflation report yesterday also failed to move the picture across all markets, but under the surface the inflation report showed US core services inflation rising for the fifth consecutive month to 5.2% annualized which underscoring that inflation is entrenched in the service sector.

FX: Dollar gains following Thursday’s US CPI uptick was quickly reversed with most of the overnight action being focused on the JPY which strengthened amid a risk off reaction to airstrikes on Houthis for fears it may increase Mideast tensions. GBPUSD is another pair to watch as it is back to test the 1.2780-level that has held up multiple times since end-December, and UK monthly GDP is on the radar today. EURUSD also still close to a test of 1.10, while AUDUSD moved back above 0.67 with China yuan support continuing and rate cut in focus for next week.

Commodities: Oil prices surged back to upper end of the current range, in Brent around $80, after the US and UK launched airstrikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, and Iran also raised stakes as its Navy captured an oil tanker off the coast of Oman. Gold was down post-CPI but reversed higher after finding support at $2015 on Mideast tensions and expectations the higher CPI print may not derail current rate cut expectations. A break above 2045 is needed to offer fresh momentum. Grain traders look towards today’s WASDE and Quarterly Stocks reports for guidance after the sector slumped to a four-year low amid ample supply.

Fixed income: The bond market has decided to look beyond CPI andd extend duration. The 30-year US Treasury bond auction received solid demand, stopping through by 0.1bps at 4.229%. Indirect bidders awarded 67.8% and directs 17.7, leaving dealers with 14.5% of the auction, the lowest since August last year. Because there is no 30-year bonds maturing this month, demand for this issue came from real money looking to extend their portfolios' duration. The US yield curve bull-steepened with 2-year yields closing at 4.24%, the lowest in 2024, and 10-year yields closing just below 4% as bond futures confirmed wagers for six rate cuts this year. The move goes against what several Fed members have been saying in the past few days, calling for caution for bond bulls.

Macro: US December CPI reaffirmed that the last leg of disinflation is proving bumpy as headline inflation rose and core did not cool as expected. Both headline and core rose 0.3% MoM (vs. 0.1% and 0.3% respectively earlier) while the headline YoY rose 3.4% from 3.1% in November and 3.2% expected. Core was at 3.9% YoY from 4.0% previously, but higher than the 3.8% expected. Jobless claims for the week ended 6 Jan ticked lower to 202k from 203k previously and below the 210k expected. Continued claims (w/e 30th Dec) declined to 1.834mln from 1.868mln and shy of the consensus 1.871mln. ECB’s Lagarde was also talking, and she expressed confidence in the European Central Bank's handling of inflation and confirmed that interest rates have reached a peak although she cannot predict when they might decrease. Taiwan is holding elections this Saturday to elect a new president and vice-president, as well as the 113 members of a new parliament – the Legislative Yuan. China’s headline CPI deflation slowed to -0.3% Y/Y in December from -0.5% in November, slightly above the -0.4% median forecast. On a month-on-month basis, CPI increased by 0.1% in December vs -0.5% in November. A smaller decline in food prices was a major driver. Core-CPI remained at +0.6% Y/Y, same as the previous month. PPI deflation decelerated to -2.7% Y/Y in December from -3.0% in November. China’s December trade surplus beat expectations rising to +$74.34n with the good news being a rise in both imports (+0.2% vs –0.5% exp) and exports (+2.3% vs +1.5% exp.)

Volatility: Volatility remained a player in yesterday's market as the VIX modestly decreased to $12.44 yet experienced a mid-session surge peaking at $13.31. The VIX1D initially spiked as CPI figures disappointed, but eased off, allowing stock markets to recover, with the Nasdaq 100 even notching a slight gain. The VIX1D's proximity to the VIX indicates ongoing anticipation of short-term swings, especially leading into the long (US) weekend. As earnings season launches with financial heavyweights like JPMorgan and Bank of America reporting, their results could significantly sway market volatility. The question looms: As the market edges towards record highs, could these earnings reports fuel the momentum or temper the ascent? Futures on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 are slightly lower after their nightly session: 4809.25 (-6.25 | -0.12%) and 16953.25 (-12.25 | -0.07% respectively.

Technical analysis highlights: S&P 500 testing previous peak, eyeing 4,835 possibly higher, support at 4,682. Nasdaq 100 resuming uptrend likely to reach 17K and new highs, support 16,166. DAX losing momentum, support at 16,470. EURUSD range bound 1.0882 – 1.10. USDJPY above key resistance at 144.95 likely to test resist at 146.60 and 147.50.  EURJPY uptrend, reached 0.618 retracement at 160.04, possible move to 161.90. Gold likely range bound 2,017- 2,065, could test 2K. Crude oil breaking falling trendline, possible bullish move. 10-year Treasury yields could slide down to 3.90

In the news: US, UK Launch Airstrikes on Houthi Rebel Targets in Yemen (Bloomberg), Airbus lands record orders in 2023, beats Boeing on deliveries (Reuters), Bitcoin ETF Trades Top $4.6 Billion in ‘Ground-Breaking’ Day (Bloomberg), Tesla Berlin to stop most output for two weeks due to Red Sea disruption (Reuters)

Macro events (all times are GMT): US PPI (Dec) exp 0.1% & 1.3% vs flat & 0.9% prior (1230), USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand (1600)

Earnings events: The Q4 earnings season starts today with earnings from UnitedHealth, BlackRock, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and Citigroup. Analysts expect JPMorgan to report net revenue growth of 16% y/y and EPS of $3.62 up 1% y/y.

For all macro, earnings, and dividend events check Saxo’s calendar

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...
Disclaimer

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited prepares and distributes information/research produced within the Saxo Bank Group for informational purposes only. In addition to the disclaimer below, if any general advice is provided, such advice does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of trading any financial instrument as trading can result in losses that exceed your initial investment. Please refer to our Analysis Disclaimer, and our Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement. All legal documentation and disclaimers can be found at https://www.home.saxo/en-au/legal/.

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service. Access and use of Saxo News & Research and any Saxo Bank Group website are subject to (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; and (iii) the Risk Warning in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group.

Saxo News & Research is provided for informational purposes, 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. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. No Saxo Bank Group entity shall be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information on Saxo News & Research.

To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, such 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.

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments.Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Capital Markets or its affiliates.

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

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited
Suite 1, Level 14, 9 Castlereagh St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Contact Saxo

Select region

Australia
Australia

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-au/about-us/awards

Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited ABN 32 110 128 286 AFSL 280372 (‘Saxo’ or ‘Saxo Capital Markets’) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms, Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Saxo Capital Markets does not provide ‘personal’ financial product advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Capital Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. The Target Market Determination should assist you in determining whether any of the products or services we offer are likely to be consistent with your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website is not intended for residents of the United States and Japan.

Please click here to view our full disclaimer.