Only bull market is in intervention

Only bull market is in intervention

Summary:  Asia equities trade subdued into the weekend after a broadly flat lead from Wall Street and with US and European futures remaining under pressure and in the red most of the session. Nikkei -0.70%, KOSPI -0.89%, Hang Seng -0.60%, ASX200 +0.63% at the time of writing.


Risk looks set to continue to roll over in tandem with the real economy outlook, as collapsing economic data, failed drug trials and tech concerns fuel a more cautious mood. For the AUD that as a global risk proxy has bounced hard in recent weeks looking through the collapsing data towards the recovery, as risk rolls over the currency is primed for disappointment. Although FX moves in today’s Asia trading session are muted. 

Gilead’s coronavirus drug Remdesivir has failed its first trial in China according to the Financial Times, contrary to documents released last week that sent US stocks surging higher on Friday. Overnight US equities pushed higher, with little regard for the addition 4.4mn jobless claims, and cratering PMIs in the US, EZ, Germany, France and the UK, something we touched on yesterday. But when news hit that the previously heralded antiviral was less cure more failure, those gains promptly reversed. The S&P 500 staged another reversal on the 50-day moving average and failed to close above, playing into to the theory that recent moves remain a bear market bounce driven by technicals as opposed to anything more meaningful. Without a vaccine or viable antiviral treatment imminent, the optimistic hopes for a V shaped snapback in activity and profits is fading fast. The re-opening process therefore being a phased transition and bounce back in activity being a slow return to normal levels. With the scale of job losses globally mounting, second order implications take centre stage and alongside a longer lasting drag on activity, the V-shaped recovery in employment can be ruled out. Job insecurity, lost savings and personal safety concerns dampen consumption as consumers choose to save more and spend less, preventing a one-quarter and done impact. Alongside plunging economic indicators it is likely that the consensus for earnings and equity fundamentals remains too optimistic at these levels, despite “QE Infinity” and fed intervention. Longer-term mounting debt levels, de-globalisation and receding international cooperation dull potential growth further.

Google to Slash Marketing Budgets by Up to Half in a bid to reduce expenses, according to internal memos seen by CNBC. The stock is down in after hours, but the read through to other tech stocks is equally as important. As we have previously noted, for investors hiding in tech stocks, some revenues may be far more cyclical than consensus expects. Digital advertising budgets are being slashed across the board and Facebook, Alphabet, Twitter, Snapchat will not be immune. Decelerating advertising growth and digital ad spending is bad news given that Google and Facebook’s revenues are heavily tied to ad spending. Google in particular has more than a third of advertising revenues tied to sectors which have been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19 - Travel, Automotive and Financials. For an indicator of how much spending is actually being cut Barry Diller, chairman Expedia, speaking with CNBC earlier this month said that they typically spend $5bn on ads, but probably “won’t spend $1bn this year”.

Is the oil bailout pending? Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he’s considering creating a government lending program for U.S. oil companies. Sounds like it! The problem here, over supply has been a key component of the fallout in the oil market alongside demand destruction.If the market cannot be allowed to force production cuts due to bailout intervention then the problem of over supply remains, against a fundamental backdrop of demand that remains incredibly subdued. The only bull market is in intervention! 

EUCO meeting leaves many questioning what is Europe if not for solidarity in times of crisis like the present. The positive - the failure to reach a conclusion on the long-term stimulus plan, is favourable to a bad plan. All or nothing? For more, Christopher Dembik has the analysis.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • Upending the global order at blinding speed

    Quarterly Outlook

    Upending the global order at blinding speed

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    We are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime shredding of the global order. As the new order takes shape, ...
  • Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Quarterly Outlook

    Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Jacob Falkencrone

    Global Head of Investment Strategy

  • Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Quarterly Outlook

    China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • 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

None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd. (Saxo) and the Saxo Bank Group provides execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation. Access and use of this website is subject to: (i) the Terms of Use; (ii) the full Disclaimer; (iii) the Risk Warning; and (iv) any other notice or terms applying to Saxo’s news and research.

Saxo’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

Please refer to our full disclaimer for more details.

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. 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
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992