US TSYS: Firmly Bear Steeper On Sanctions-Driven Crude Oil Surge

Oct-23 10:56
  • Treasuries have seen a sizeable bear steepening through European trade in response to crude oil futures surging on US Treasury sanctions on large Russian oil producers (WTI +5.5%).
  • Today’s data is headlined by existing home sales and state-level jobless claims later on. Tomorrow’s delayed US CPI report looms large though (MNI Preview here).
  • Unusually, there’s no official schedule set for President Trump. One area of headline watch could be developments after yesterday’s risk-off from Reuters reporting the US is considering curbs on software-powered exports to China.
  • Cash yields are 2.1-4.7bp higher on the day, led by the long end.
  • TYZ5 trades at 113-17 (-08+) on still relatively modest cumulative volumes of 275k.
  • It doesn’t trouble support at 113-06 (20-day EMA) whilst a bullish trend structure remains with resistance at 114-02 (Oct 17 high).
  • Data: Existing home sales Sep (1000ET), KC Fed mfg survey Oct (1100ET), State-level jobless claims from the afternoon
  • Coupon issuance: US Tsy $26B 5Y TIPS - 91282CPH8 (1300ET)
  • Bill issuance: US Tsy $110B 4W & $95B 8W bill auctions (1130ET)
  • Politics: No Trump schedule posted, leaving scope for ad-hoc comments instead. 

Historical bullets

EQUITY OPTIONS: EU Bank Put Spread

Sep-23 10:56

SX7E (17th Oct) 225/210ps, bought for 2.7 in 6k vs 1.38k at 227.70.

US TSYS: Modest Rebound Ahead Data Pick-Up, Chair Powell Outlook, 2Y Sale

Sep-23 10:44
  • Treasuries drifting near the top end of a narrow overnight range - near the middle of Monday's range on light volume.
  • TYZ5 trades at 112-24.5 (+2) on cumulative volumes of 193k. 10Y yield -.0135 at 4.1331%.
  • The pullback in Treasury futures from their recent highs appear corrective. Price has moved through the 20-day EMA, at 112-28+. The break signals scope for a deeper retracement and attention turns to the 50-day EMA, at 112-08+ and the next key support. Resistance well above at 113-29, Sep 11 high and the bull trigger.
  • Data picks up after slow start to the week: regional Fed data - Philly Fed Non-Mfg Activity (0830ET) and Richmond Fed Mfg Index (1000ET), Current Acct Balance (0830ET), S&P Global US flash PMIs (0945ET).
  • Fedspeak: Main focus on Fed Chair Powell economic outlook/moderated Q&A (1235ET), Chicago Fed Goolsbee on CNBC (0830ET) and later on ABC (1530ET), Fed VC Bowman economic outlook/moderated Q&A (0900ET), Atlanta Fed Bostic economic outlook/moderated Q&A (1000ET).
  • Treasury supply: $85B 6W bill auction (1130ET), $69B 2Y Note auction (91282CPB1) at 1300ET.
  • Politics: At 0950ET, President Trump delivers remarks to the United Nations General Assembly; bi- and multilateral meetings follow with the President giving remarks at the United Nations Leaders' Reception (closed press) at 1920ET.

SECURITY: NATO Warns Russia On Aerial Incursions

Sep-23 10:44

NATO has released a statement following a meeting called earlier on 23 Sep at the behest of Estonia. This comes after a series of alleged Russian incursions into NATO airspace using drones, fighter jets, and reconnaissance aircraft. NATO says the 19 Sep incursion in Estonia's airspace "is part of a wider pattern of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour." NATO: "Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation and endanger lives. They must stop."

  • NATO: "Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions."
  • Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to hold a presser at 06:45ET/11:45BST/12:45CET on the escalating number of alleged Russian incursions.
  • At a meeting of the UN Security Council on 22 Sep, senior officials from NATO states lambasted Russia for their alleged incursions. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper referred to Russia's "reckless actions", EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the multiple incidents meant they could not be considered an accident, while Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Russian aircraft in NATO airspace risk being shot down.
  • The greatest risk of escalation comes not from a planned attack from either side, but from miscalculation or accident. The more incursions experienced along NATO's eastern and northern borders, the more opportunities there are for such unplanned but potentially devastating incidents to occur.