LNG: European Prices Down On Ukraine Peace Prospects, US Keeps Rising
European gas fell 2.8% to EUR 30.30 on Friday off the low of EUR 30.307, to be its lowest in over a year and half despite storage falling to 79.1% from around 83% at the start of November. Prices fell 3% over last week with the US announcing it had a Ukraine peace plan and talks have taken place between the US, Ukraine and Europe, which may lead to an eventual easing of sanctions on Russian fuel. While Europe is looking to phase out its remaining Russian gas consumption, fewer restrictions would increase available global supply.
- The market move is optimistic though given that there is a long way to go before a peace deal is implemented and Russia has pulled out before resulting in no change in the situation.
- Tight enforcement of current restrictions is unlikely while talks are ongoing, which are due to continue on Monday and if they go well President Zelenskyy could visit the US this week.
- Concerns that the US deal, which favours Russia, was inflexible have been calmed with President Trump saying that it was not final, Zelenskyy posting there are “signals that President Trump’s team hears us” and the White House saying Ukraine’s concerns had been addressed.
- Projections are signalling mild weather at the start of December in Europe, according to Vaisala.
- Unlike Europe, US gas prices rose 2.3% to $4.4577 to be up 11% in November driven by forecasts for colder weather into December. They are now approaching overbought levels, according to Bloomberg.
- Lower-48 US gas production rose 7.6% y/y on Friday while demand fell 9.2% y/y and estimated flows to LNG export facilities were down 1.8% w/w, according to BNEF data.
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FED: MNI Fed Preview - October 2025: QT, Or Not QT
MNI's preview of the October FOMC has been published - Download Full Report Here
- The Federal Reserve is overwhelmingly expected to cut the funds rate by 25bp for a 2nd consecutive meeting on October 29, bringing the target range to 3.75-4.00%.
- This will again be framed as a risk management cut, with the limited data available since the September meeting not disconfirming that the shift in the balance of risks had tilted toward labor market downside.
- Dissent to this decision should once again be limited to Gov Miran in favor of a 50bp cut.
- With limited new developments and official data to opine on, Chair Powell’s press conference will be eyed for affirmation that a December cut remains on track, as signalled by the most recent Dot Plot.
- He’s unlikely to give much away, but it would be surprise given the lack of data and relevant developments if he suggested that a further 2025 cut was in any greater doubt than it was 6 weeks earlier.
- Instead, we think focus in terms of action at this meeting will be on the balance sheet, with the Fed likely to announce an end to quantitative tightening amid diminishing reserve levels and nascent evidence of funding market pressures.
- We will also be watching for any news on the Fed’s communications framework, with an updated “Dot Plot” potentially unveiled at some point by year-end.
MNI’s separate preview of sell-side analyst summaries to follow on Monday Oct 27
RATINGS: Moody's Lowers France's Outlook To Negative, Maintains Aa3 Rating
Moody's has lowered its outlook on France to negative from stable.
- Moody's was expected to at least lower the outlook, so this is not a surprise - there had been some risks perceived of a downgrade to A1 (from Aa3) in the domestic and foreign currency long-term issuer and domestic-currency senior unsecured ratings.
- Per the Moody's release: "The decision to change the outlook to negative reflects the increased risk that the fragmentation of the country's political landscape will continue to impair the functioning of France's legislative institutions. This political instability risks hampering the government's ability to address key policy challenges such as an elevated fiscal deficit, rising debt burden, and durable increase in borrowing costs, thus leading to a more rapid weakening in France's key fiscal metrics than we currently expect."
- Both S&P and Fitch have already downgraded France’s sovereign rating to the single-A bucket this year.
USDCAD TECHS: Corrective Pullback
- RES 4: 1.4200 Round number resistance
- RES 3: 1.4167 50.0% retracement of the Feb 3 - Jun 16 bear leg
- RES 2: 1.4111 High Apr 10
- RES 1: 1.4080 High Oct 16 and the bull trigger
- PRICE: 1.4016 @ 16:33 BST Oct 24
- SUP 1: 1.3979/3907 20- and 50-day EMA values
- SUP 2: 1.3829 Bull channel base drawn from the Jul 23 low
- SUP 3: 1.3769 Low Sep 19
- SUP 4: 1.3727 Low Aug 29 and a bear trigger
USDCAD has pulled back from its recent highs. The trend condition is bullish and a move lower is considered corrective. Moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4111, the Apr 10 high, and further out, scope is seen for an extension towards 1.4167, a Fibonacci retracement. First key support lies at 1.3907, the 50-day EMA. Support at the 20-day EMA lies at 1.3979.
