Clare MacCarthy
Senior Editor, Saxo Bank
US markets are closed to mark Independence Day but in the background, the drumbeat of global trade wars continues to rumble, undermining the yuan and Chinese equities, sparking fears of contagion across fixed income and dragging a major tech company onto the battlefield.
The Peoples Bank of China's intervention yesterday in support of its currency did slow down the yuan's decline but the market remains unnerved by the currency's prospects. "The signal is rather clear that the PBoC doesn't want to see a devaluation just yet," notes John J Hardy, Saxo's Head of FX Strategy.
On the trade war front we have fresh news out of the EU that the bloc is trying to put together a coalition countries to counter president's Trump's threat of tariffs on motorcar imports to the US, and this, Hardy says, illustrates the vulnerability of the EU to Trump's trade crusade.
In equities, "we're still in a risk-off scenario even though Chinese equities are 1% lower" says Peter Garnry, Saxo's Head of Equity Strategy.
To hear more about what's moving in global markets today, please click on the above link and listen in to our Saxo experts' morning call.
2024: The wasted year
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.
With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.
Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.
With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.
Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.