INDIA: Modi Holds Call w/Putin, Talks Up 'Special & Privileged' Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed a call earlier today with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the former's 75th birthday. Posting on X, Modi said "Thank you, my friend, President Putin, for your phone call and warm wishes on my 75th birthday. We are committed to further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India is ready to make all possible contributions towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict." Speaking in a televised gov't meeting after the call, Putin said “Relations between India and Russia have been exceptionally trustful and friendly.”
- As noted in MNI's US Daily Brief, US President Donald Trump called Modi on the evening of 16 Sep. Despite increased tensions between the US and India following the imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, Trump said the call was "wonderful", said Modi was doing a "tremendous job", and in a break from normal protocol referred to the PM by his given name.
- There appears little sign to date that India is willing to change tack regarding its continued purchases of Russian oil, or its rapprochement with China signalled at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Tianjin. While the US has imposed high tariffs, the EU looks unlikely to follow in Trump's footsteps. Indeed, earlier today, Brussels unveiled its strategic agenda for developing closer ties with New Delhi.
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GILTS: Selloff Persists, Futures Narrow Gap To Support
Today’s selloff in Gilt futures is persisting, now -46 ticks at 90.64 and narrowing the gap to support at 90.59 (May 29 low). The latest Guardian story on stamp duty (see above) appears to have added some fresh pressure. Although details are vague and no final decisions have been made, it is another example of the difficult fiscal backdrop facing the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn budget.
- Gilt yields have registered fresh sessions highs across the curve, currently 3.5-4.5bps higher.
- 30-year nominal yields are testing the 5.60% handle for the first time since May. Meanwhile, linker yields are currently +4bps at 2.541%, the highest since 1998 according to Bloomberg Finance L.P data.
- 5s30s is just shy of Friday’s 148bp high (currently at 147.5bps), but is still at its steepest since 2017.
- UK CPI headlines this week’s regional calendar on Wednesday. MNI’s preview will be released tomorrow morning.
US TSY FUTURES: September'25-December'25 Roll Update
The latest Tsy quarterly futures roll volumes from September'25 to December'25 below. Percentage complete is running 5% or lower across the curve ahead the "First Notice" date on August 29. Current roll details:
- TUU5/TUZ5 appr 41,800 from -8.75 to -7.75, -8.0 last; 2%
- FVU5/FVZ5 appr 64,500 from -4.75 to -4.25, -4.5 last; 4%
- TYU5/TYZ5 appr 129,000 from -0.25 to +0.25, +0.0 last; 5%
- UXYU5/UXYZ5 appr 13,300 from 0.25 to 1.25, 1 last; 1%
- USU5/USZ5 appr 3,600 from 12.75 to 13.5, 13 last; 2%
- WNU5/WNZ5 appr 1,000 from 8.0 to 8.5, 8.25 last; 1%
- Reminder, Sep futures won't expire until next month: 10s, 30s and Ultras on September 22, 2s and 5s on September 30. Meanwhile, Sep'25 Tsy options will expire this Friday, August 22.
US DATA: Homebuilder Sentiment Still Historically Weak, Boding Ill For Activity
August's NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market report showed little improvement in the homebuilding sector, with present sales weakening modestly and selling prospects steady/moderately better.
- The headline index fell 1 point to 32 - reverting back to June's level which is around post-2022 lows, and dashing consensus expectations for a slight improvement to 34. Likewise, present sales reverted 1 point to June levels (35).
- Future sales remained at 43 for a second month, though in a bright spot, there was the biggest improvement in prospective buyer traffic since November 2024, up 2 points to 22 (but still below May's level).
- The standout move under the surface is a sharp drop in activity in the Northeast (the other 3 US regions were steady/slightly higher), dropping 9 points to a 31-month low 39.
- Per the report, weak demand conditions continue to have an impact on prices and incentives: "37% of builders reported cutting prices in August down from 38% in July. This share has remained at 37% or 38% for the past three months. Meanwhile, the average price reduction was 5% in August, the same as it’s been every month since last November. The use of sales incentives was 66% in August, up from 62% in July and the highest percentage in the post-Covid period."
- Overall, conditions for homebuilders remain historically weak amid extreme unaffordability for buyers (albeit potentially relieved somewhat by a moderation in mortgage rates in recent weeks). Weak NAHB sentiment signals continued weakness in residential sector activity, with single home starts likely to remain under downside pressure.
