BONDS: EGBs-GILTS CASH CLOSE: Bunds Underperform Amid Light Bear Steepening

Nov-03 19:50

European curve bear steepened modestly Monday, with Bunds underperforming.

  • Global core FI was under pressure through much of the session due to large US corporate issuance.
  • A softer-than-expected US ISM Manufacturing report triggered a relief rally in Treasuries that spilled over the Atlantic.
  • However most of the session's damage was done toward the cash close though as EGB futures were sold in size, despite no obvious headline trigger for the move.
  • In data, Spanish and Italian manufacturing PMIs improved more than expected in October.
  • The UK and German curves each bear steepened very slightly, with Bunds slightly underperforming on the day. Periphery/semi-core EGB spreads tightened modestly.
  • Tuesday's data schedule is light, with French budget data and Spanish labour market data, alongside several ECB speakers (including Lagarde and Rehn) and BOE's Breeden. In the UK, focus remains on pre-Budget fiscal speculation and setup ahead of this week's BoE decision.

Closing Yields / 10-Yr EGB Spreads To Germany

  • Germany: The 2-Yr yield is up 3bps at 1.998%, 5-Yr is up 3.5bps at 2.268%, 10-Yr is up 3.4bps at 2.667%, and 30-Yr is up 4bps at 3.251%.
  • UK: The 2-Yr yield is up 2.4bps at 3.795%, 5-Yr is up 2.5bps at 3.907%, 10-Yr is up 2.6bps at 4.435%, and 30-Yr is up 3bps at 5.208%.
  • Italian BTP spread down 0.8bps at 74.3bps / French OAT down 0.4bps at 77.8bps  

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Fresh Cycle High

Oct-03 20:00
  • RES 4: 1.4111 High Apr 10 
  • RES 3: 1.4045 3.0% Upper Bollinger Band
  • RES 2: 1.4019 38.2% retracement of the Feb 3 - Jun 16 bear leg
  • RES 1: 1.3989 200-dma
  • PRICE: 1.3953 @ 16:02 BST Oct 3
  • SUP 1: 1.3897/3825 Low Sep 30 / 50-day EMA  
  • SUP 2: 1.3727 Low Aug 29 and a bear trigger
  • SUP 3: 1.3689 Low Jul 28  
  • SUP 4: 1.3637 Low Jul 25  

A bull cycle in USDCAD remains intact and yesterday’s break above the late September’s high, firms the bullish theme. This move higher also maintains the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4019, a Fibonacci retracement point. On the downside, first key support lies at 1.3825, the 50-day EMA.    

AUDUSD TECHS: Support Remains Intact For Now

Oct-03 19:30
  • RES 4: 0.6763 1.382 proj of the Jun 23 - Jul 24 - Aug 21 price swing
  • RES 3: 0.6726 1.236 proj of the Jun 23 - Jul 24 - Aug 21 price swing
  • RES 2: 0.6660/6707 High Sep 18 / 17 and key resistance
  • RES 1: 0.6629 High Sep 30 & Oct 01
  • PRICE: 0.6603 @ 16:01 BST Oct 3
  • SUP 1: 0.6527/21 61.8% of the Aug 21 - Sep 17 bull leg / Low Sep 26 
  • SUP 2: 0.6484 76.4% retracement of the Aug 21 - Sep 17 bull leg
  • SUP 3: 0.6463/6415 Low Aug 27 / Low Aug 21 / 22 and a bear trigger 
  • SUP 4: 0.6373 Low Jun 23

The AUDUSD uptrend remains intact and recent weakness appears to have been a correction. Support to watch lies at the 50-day EMA, at 0.6558. A clear break of this average would signal scope for a deeper retracement and expose 0.6527 once again, a Fibonacci retracement. For bulls, a stronger reversal higher would refocus attention on 0.6707, the Sep 17 high. Initial resistance to watch is 0.6629, the Sep 30 and Oct 1 high.    

US TSYS/SUPPLY: September's Coupon Auctions Were Generally Solid (2/2)

Oct-03 19:29

September’s coupon auctions were generally solid, with three lines trading through, two coming out on the screws and two tailing slightly. 

  • Looking through the lens of MNI’s Relative Strength Indicator (RSI), five lines saw positive readings while two saw negative readings.
  • The 3-year sale was the strongest auction of the month according to MNI’s RSI. The 3-year line traded through 0.7bps, the largest stop through in seven months. Meanwhile, the primary dealer take-up was just 8.4%, the lowest on record (data going back to 2003).
  • The weakest sale of the month was the last – the 7-year line. This line saw the second consecutive 0.5bp tail, with the 12.0% primary dealer take-up above August’s 9.8% and July’s record low 4.1%. 

September Auction Review:

  • 2Y Note on-the-screws: 3.571% vs. 3.571% WI.
  • 2Y FRN: 0.200% high margin vs. 0.195% prior
  • 3Y Note trade-through: 3.485% vs. 3.492% WI.
  • 5Y Note tail: 3.710% vs 3.709% WI.
  • 7Y Note tail: 3.953% vs. 3.948% WI.
  • 10Y Note trade-through: 4.033% vs. 4.047% WI.
  • 10Y TIPS: 1.734% high yield vs. 1.985% prior
  • 20Y Bond trade-through: 4.613% vs 4.615% WI.
  • 30Y Bond on-the-screws: 4.651% vs. 4.651% WI.
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