Good morning,
Optimism was lifted overnight as strong debt and headlines now support Obama's plans to reduce the US deficit. As expected, equity markets finally start reacting to the currency markets, where the US$ continues to weaken vs majors. Now with the Euro and Sterling at major technical levels, do they have the momentum to push through resistance levels, or are they setting up to move sideways in the near term?
European markets opened at the lows and trended firmer throughout the session, closing on the highs, however, volumes remained below average.
Spanish bad loans are over the headlines today, mostly on loans and mortgages, equating to 10.7% of total loans or 182.2 billion euros in September.
Overnight we also had a French bond downgrade, loosing the almighty AAA rating, now AA1 by Moody's. Fears will be others are to follow. The downgrade cited 1. worse longer term outlook; 2. uncertainty on economic growth prospects; 3. falling resilience to future euro shocks.
This is mud on the face of Hollande, who was looking for increased spending to boost GDP, and tax revenues to pay for the spending.
FTSE +2.4% avg volume; O/P: tech, financials U/P: health, utilities
CAC +2.9% low volume; O/P: financials, tech U/P: health, telco
DAX +2.5% avg volume; O/P: cons.good, tech U/P: health, utilites
IBEX +2.3% avg volume; O/P: tech, financials U/P: health, industrial
A complete reversal from last weeks defensive move into healthcare. With improving housing markets in the UK, investors brush off the Spanish bad loans data, and European bonds remain relatively unchanged. The Euro is also supporting which rallied nearly 1 big figure overnight, now trading at 1.2780.
European indices are looking rich here with German's DAX trading on 14x earnings, vs the S&P also trading on 14x, however, on book value the DAX is only 1.35, and the S&P is on 2.09.
With such negativity since the US election, equity markets were long overdue a bounce, and with volume remaining around average plus the Euro at major resistance levels, this move has little behind it. The longer term outlook is positive for European equities but with growth set to increase slowly, overnight moves on little data will soon correct.
Data overnight saw Italian industrial production fall -4.0% vs expected -1.0% but this is also impacted by floods in Europe.
Greece current a/c came in at 775m, as exports of services fell from 3965m to 2920m month on month, mostly in travel.
The EU construction output fell -1.4% MoM, due mostly to a large fall in the Czech republic, German and Poland. Spain was actually up 1.4%, whilst Slovenia went from a -19.6% to -0.2% quarter on quarter.
US markets traded similar to that of Europe, opening at the lows and trending firmer throughout the session, closing at day highs. UST's saw yields fall slightly but with the 10year still at 1.61, and AAA rated, there will continue to be demand, especially if we see investors increase cash positions into year end.
S&P +2.0% avg volume; O/P: tech, basic materials U/P; utilities, health
Tech seeing a strong rebound, helped mostly by Apple (AAPL), which rebounded +7.2% last night. Expect this stock to squeeze further given the recent stream of negativity on its growth. I have to agree, the outlook for AAPL is limited due to falling innovation, however, short levels would be nearer $600 again.
With equities finally mirroring currencies, oil and basic materials were both strong last night. The US sectors map highlights Paper +3.7%, industrial materials +.3.1% and mining +1.9%, this sector has more to go as funds move to a more equally weighted position, also expect a short squeeze.
With optimism on the US finding a solution to reduce its deficit whilst spending to encourage growth, investors turn to the financial sector. Credit markets are such, that banks remain nervous on lending, ie tight credit markets, which mean real interest rates remain high and loan growth weak. However, as growth estimates improve and housing markets get support, we should see an increased level of lending. Bad credit ratings will improve but a full blown property market rally is some way off.
Markets.Asian markets already priced in some of this move yesterday, but should have more to go. Expect markets to rally on the open to day highs, and then trade easier as the Euro struggles at resistance levels.
Sectors, still not too late to buy Alu, coal, steel and oil. Top picks, Angang(347), Chalco(2600), Yanzhou(1171) and Petrochina(857), but CNOOC(883) will also benefit from improving crude.
As China property prices increase, banks should also see inflows as will property developers, however, due to government intervention the credit markets will remain tight.
IPP has been a strong sector this year and going into China winter, but is now looking rich. SELL
US building permits/housing starts today... lets see if we get some follow-through on US housing.
Data.10:00 China FDI
12:30 Japan industrial activity
15:00 German PPI
16:30 Netherlands consumer confidence (important due to noise on the Euro)
21:30 US housing starts, building permits
BoJ target rate
Events.02:00 EU Van Rompuy meets ministers on budget talks
07:00 Monti in UAE
08:30 Australia reserve minutes
17:00 EU general affairs minister prep budget summit
22:00 US Fed's Lacker speaks on monetary policy
Bonds.09:30 China 1,3,5,7,10 year auction
11:30 Thailand 1,3/12 month auction
12:30 Taiwan 30 year auction
17:30 Spain 1,2 year auction
18:30 UK 5 year auction
19:00 EFSF 6 month auction
00:30 US 1 month auction
Earnings.Campbell soup(US), HJ Heinz(US), HP(US), Medtronic(US), Best Buy(US), British Land(UK), OPAP(GR), easyjet(UK), Digital China(HK), Lee & Man(HK), Guinness Anchor(MK), SK Chem(SK)
Stoddart
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