KRW: Range Bound, Large Equity Outflows Continue, But Some Hawkish Data Today
Spot USD/KRW sits back in the 1451/52 region in latest dealings, around 0.20% stronger in won terms versus end Tuesday levels. The 1 month NDF was last near 1449, little changed from end NY levels on Tuesday, amid mixed cross asset trends so far today. The USD is firmer against the majors, btu USD/CNH has ticked down to fresh lows.
- Some stability in broader risk trends is helping USD/KRW pull back from recent highs. Broadly the pair has been in a 1440 to low 1460 range in the first part of March. We are close to the 20-day EMA (near 1448) but this has been a strong inflection point for FX of late.
- Local equities are up +1.6% for the Kospi, but the index still sub 2600, which we haven't been able to trade above so far this month. Offshore investors sold a chunky -$1.02bn of local stocks yesterday. YTD outflows are now close to -$5.4bn. We saw slightly larger outflows from Taiwan yesterday, with investors still wary of the tech side/tariff/trade war risks.
- On the data front we have arguably had some modestly hawkish developments today from a BoK standpoint. The unemployment rate dipped to 2.7%, against a 3% forecast, as jobs growth stabilized. Feb bank lending to households also rose and looks to be at fresh record highs.
- This is a watch point for the authorities, with some concern that recent BoK cuts will fuel debt/house price increases.
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STIR: OIS Pricing Firmer Today But RBA Cut In Feb Seen As A Done Deal
RBA-dated OIS pricing is flat to 3bps firmer across meetings today.
- A 25bp rate cut is more than fully priced for April (128%), with the probability of a February cut at 88% (based on an effective cash rate of 4.34%).
- The last time the market was this confident about a rate cut was in March 2020, when expectations proved correct—the RBA cut rates twice that month, once at the scheduled meeting and again on the 20th.
- Notably, the last time the RBA disappointed market expectations by not cutting when a more than 75% probability was priced was in November 2012. However, even then, the RBA cut by 25bps in the meetings on either side—October and December 2012.
- Based on historical patterns, it would be highly unusual for the RBA not to follow through on market expectations, especially since it has made no attempt—officially or unofficially—to steer expectations away from a cut, as it has done in the past.
Figure 1: RBA Cash Rate Vs. 1st OIS Contract
Source: MNI – Market News / Bloomberg
AUSSIE BONDS: Slightly Cheaper On A Data-Light Session, Focus On Trump Tariffs
ACGBs (YM -2.0 & XM -2.0) are slightly cheaper but around Sydney session highs on a data-light day.
- Cash US tsys are ~1bp richer in today’s Asia-Pac session after Friday’s heavy post-payrolls session. Headlines have crossed from Bloomberg, with US President Trump stating that the US will announce tariffs of 25% on all steel and aluminium imports from Monday. Trump didn't announce a time when these tariffs will take effect.
- The Australian government is still trying to secure exemptions to new 25% tariffs that Donald Trump says will be imposed on all steel and aluminium imported into the United States, making the case for “free and fair trade” with America. (per Guardian)
- Cash ACGBs are 1-2bps cheaper with the AU-US 10-year yield differential at -10bps.
- Swap rates are 1-2bps higher.
- The bills strip -1 to -3.
- This week, the AOFM plans to sell A$400mn of the 2.75% 21 May 2041 bond on Wednesday and A$700mn of the 1.50% 21 June 2031 bond on Friday.
ASIA STOCKS: Asian Equities Edge Lower On Trumps 25% Steel Tariffs
Asian equities are mostly lower today as investors reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Topix Index both fell 0.3% earlier as concerns over inflationary pressures and reduced expectations for U.S. rate cuts weighed on sentiment, though traders held back on aggressive selling following a trade meeting between Japan and the U.S, the Nikkei is now trading 0.10% higher. South Korea’s Kospi is trading -0.15%, Taiwan's TAEIX is 0.85% lower while both Australia's ASx 200 and New Zealand's NZX 50 trading 0.35% lower.
- Steel and aluminum stocks across Asia declined sharply, with South Korea’s Posco Holdings (-3.6%), Japan’s Nippon Steel (-2.6%), and Australia’s South32 (-1.4%) among the notable losers. The broader commodity market saw gains, as aluminum (+0.6%) and copper (+1.6%) rose on the London Metal Exchange, while zinc fell 0.4%.
- Chinese e-commerce stocks, including Alibaba and JD.com, outperformed as Trump delayed the suspension of de minimis exemptions, temporarily maintaining duty-free status for low-value imports from China. Meanwhile, analysts believe the overall economic impact of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs on emerging Asia will be limited, as past experiences in 2018 showed little disruption to exports.
