US TSYS: Little Changed, Focus On Upcoming Data & Nvidia Results

Nov-17 04:28

TYZ5 is trading at 112-17+, +0-00+ from closing levels in today's Asia-Pac session.

  • Cash US tsys are 1bp richer to 1bp cheaper, with a steepening bias, in today's Asia-Pac session. On Friday, US tsys finished showing a modest bear-steeper, with benchmark yields 1-4bps higher.
  • US equity futures are slightly firmer in today's Asia session. The S&P looked to be rolling over again on Friday night, down almost 1.5% before it found solid demand during the N/Y session and pared back all the day's losses.
  • The market will be looking toward the release of some US data this week (September's delayed nonfarm payrolls report for next Thursday) to get a gauge on things and also heavily focused on the upcoming Nvidia results, which will heavily impact the direction of markets this week.
  • Friday's Fed commentary (with the usual exception of Gov Miran calling for further easing in December) was roundly hawkish, with Dallas's Logan and KC's Schmid reiterating their opposition to a December rate cut, largely out of concern over entrenched inflation. A December cut remained around 50/50 priced.
  • Along with the newly-rescheduled data, this week's calendar includes the October FOMC minutes (we're watching for colour on the debate over whether to ease any further) and flash November PMI data.

Historical bullets

LOOK AHEAD: US Week Ahead Headlined By Delayed CPI Report On Friday

Oct-17 20:51
  • The September US CPI report will be released on Friday, delayed amidst the government shutdown but with the BLS making a special exception on social security payment considerations.
  • Bloomberg consensus looks for headline CPI inflation at a rounded 0.4% M/M after 0.38% back in August and for Y/Y inflation to firm two tenths to 3.1% for what would be its highest since May 2024.
  • Core inflation is seen at a rounded 0.3% M/M after 0.35% in August (exceeding the median unrounded estimate of 0.31%) and 0.32% in July. It’s expected to see core CPI inflation hold at 3.1% Y/Y having in August increased to its highest since February.
  • Core details should see focus on both goods and services angles: underlying goods inflation has clearly firmed in recent months on tariff pressures although the median increase has currently seen a peak back in June, whilst services will be watched for any spillover after some strong recent non-housing readings.
  • The report will come within the FOMC blackout period ahead of the Oct 28-29 decision, with a 25bp cut fully priced and likely needing a large surprise to alter this.
  • As for broader inflation details, Fed Chair Powell this week confusingly suggested that we will have the September PPI report but the BLS had previously said “No other releases will be rescheduled or produced until the resumption of regular government services”.

US DATA: Latest Jobless Claims Estimates During The Shutdown

Oct-17 20:30

As noted earlier, MNI estimates initial jobless claims at a seasonally adjusted 218k in the week to Oct 11 and continuing claims at a seasonally adjusted 1929k in the week to Oct 4. 

  • To give a better idea of sensitivity around these estimates, which rely on estimates for some missing states, we note the below analyst estimates:
  • Goldman Sachs have a central estimate of 217k for initial claims in a range of 211-225k, whilst they see continuing claims at 1917k in a range of 1885-1930k.  
  • JPMorgan meanwhile also see 217k for initial claims whilst they see continuing claims as having held constant at 1927k. 

NATGAS: Venture Global in Talks with Ukraine for more LNG Deliveries, Reuters

Oct-17 20:28

Ukraine is seeking more cargoes from Venture’s Plaquemines facility as the embattled nation approaches the winter heating season, according to Reuters sources

  • Venture is in talks with Ukraine’s DTEK to procure more LNG cargoes after a year of gas infrastructure attacks by the Russians.
  • Venture Global CEO Michael Sabel met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday October 16.
  • DTEK signed an agreement in 2024 for an undisclosed amount of LNG from the facility, as well as 2 mtpa from Calcasieu Pass Phase 2 currently under construction.
  • Plaquemines currently has spare capacity to deliver more cargoes to Ukraine on the spot market, per Reuters.
  • Plaquemines now sends out the second highest LNG volume in the US, with feedgas demand averaging 3.45 bcf/d according to MNI figures.