* No clear direction in €IG today, Bayer continued to move wider (index lines 7-13bps wider) & outside that we don't see any strong curve movers in the index. iTraxx closed -0.2/-1.1, €IG equity eqv's +0.4%, strong performance from financials led by Citi & BofA - gains seem to be linked to MS upgrades (to overweight) on the names (incl. GS); “Reading the tea leaves, it looks like Basel Endgame will be lightened up...this opens the door for a significant increase in buybacks, as large cap banks have the highest excess capital levels ever" (MS; bbg). All other sectors ended with sub 1% moves. Primary priced ~€4.5b taking WTD to over €10b (c€18b).
* Rates saw bit more colour rising on strong Spain CPI (France & Germany inflation prints tomorrow morning) that was followed by firm GDP print. Belly rates finished ~+3 higher, swap spreads tightened -0.8bps. Outside of the two Euro inflation partials, focus tomorrow on US ADP Employment (Jan) & the FOMC decision (statement & presser noting QT remarks also in focus). We also get MNI's Chicago PMI (for Jan).
* Tech heavyweights Microsoft, Alphabet & AMD will report after the US Close - Microsoft & Insurer Chubb the only €IG issuers with earnings tonight - Chubb was affirmed by S&P at A & stable yesterday after S&P revised its insurer risk-based capital criteria late last yr.
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Aussie 10yr futures remain in an uptrend and the contract traded to new highs of 96.110 this week. This takes out key resistance at the 96.050 level, opening levels seen higher at the 2.0% upper Bollinger Band of 96.126. The recent recovery has tipped prices north of the 100-dma - reinforcing the current bullish theme. Key support lies below at 95.390 as well as 95.275. Weakness through here could mark the conclusion of the bounce off the bear trigger at 94.965.
The USDCAD trend outlook remains bearish and price traded lower on Wednesday. The pair has recently cleared a bear trigger at 1.3480, the Dec 4 low. Furthermore, all key short-term retracement points have been breached. These developments reinforce a bearish theme and maintain the price sequence of lower lows. Sights are on 1.3093, the Jul 14 low and a key support. Resistance to watch is 1.3391, the 20-day EMA.
Bullish trend conditions in AUDUSD remain intact and this week’s continuation higher reinforces current conditions. The climb maintains the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Sights are on 0.6900, the Jun 16 high and the next key key resistance. On the downside, key short-term support is unchanged at 0.6526, the Dec 7 low. Initial firm support is at 0.6714, the 20-day EMA. Short-term weakness is considered corrective.