TARIFFS: ROK Officials To Meet w/USTR Greer As They Push For Trade Deal
Jul-25 09:30
South Korea’s top trade negotiators will meet with USTR Jamieson Greer today, as they push to secure a trade deal to avert a 25% tariff rate on August 1, per Reuters. Comes after the cancellation of yesterday's high-profile '2+2' finance and trade meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- South Korea’s presidential office said that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick “showed interest” in a “mutually beneficial plan” proposed by Seoul yesterday, per Yonhap.
- The emerging deal appears to echo the US-Japan deal, with agricultural products and autos the primary focus of negotiations. Reuters notes that senior Korean officials have analysed the US-Japan agreement. There is an understanding that Seoul will propose a similarly structured, albeit smaller, investment pledge. Yonhap reported Thursday that Seoul will propose at least USD$100 billion in investment pledges, which would be secured through consultations with the nation’s major conglomerates.
- NYT notes the Japan deal, “has intensified pressure on South Korea to cut a deal that doesn’t leave it at a disadvantage relative to its biggest rival in East Asia.”
- The Times adds that, “One item likely on the negotiating agenda is a $44 billion natural gas pipeline in Alaska… Seoul [already commits] to purchase LNG in Louisiana [but has hesitated on] the Alaska project," due to high costs and decreased domestic demand.
- According to Yonhap, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold their first meeting on Thursday, July 31 - a day before the tariff deadline.
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EGBS: Early Rally In Bunds Fades; Pullback From Jun 13 High Still Corrective
Jun-25 09:29
Early downward pressure in 10-year Bund yields stalled just above the 2.50% level, with yields across the curve now back to ~1bp lower on the day. There wasn’t a clear headline driver for the early rally in EGBs, with markets still digesting the de-escalation in the Middle East alongside yesterday’s German and Italian fiscal/issuance announcements.
- Bund futures are -4 ticks at 130.80, peaking at 131.12 earlier this morning. Bunds remain in consolidation mode, trading below the Jun 13 high. For now, the recent move down appears to be a correction. Key short-term support to watch lies at 130.12, the Jun 5 low.
- The 10-year BTP/Bund spread found support at the 90bp handle, with a pullback in European equities from session highs helping to spread back to 91.5bps. Italy sold E3.0bln of the new 2.10% Aug-27 BTP Short Term and E3.0bln of the new 1.10% Aug-31 BTPei this morning.
- In France, the Socialist party has submitted a censure motion against the Bayrou government. Although RN leader Bardella said his party would not support the current motion, he still signalled that a vote of no confidence could still be called in response to the 2026 budget, proposals for which will be detailed next month. The 10-year OAT/Bund spread is 1.5bps narrower today at 69bps despite the evident political risks.
- Today’s regional data calendar has been light (French consumer confidence was a little weaker-than-expected), with focus turning to the Spanish and French flash June inflation prints on Friday.
- There will be some interest in the outcome of today's NATO summit, with leaders expected to sign off on a much briefer communique than is usually the case at these events, due to its truncated nature. Commitments on the '3.5%+1.5%' of GDP on defence spending is likely to be agreed, although potentially with wording that allows Spain, still holding out on the 5% total, to accept.
FOREX: USD/JPY Bounces, But S/T Tech Drivers Still Point Lower
Jun-25 09:26
- Australian monthly CPI came in lower-than-expected, which could call into question the RBA's next inflation outlook round, however the currency is again firmer off lows and holding the bulk of the recovery off Monday's 0.6373. This price actions favours this week's weakness as a false break below the bottom-end of the multi-month trend channel, and a reversion higher here would make 0.6552, the June 16 high and bull trigger, the primary upside target.
- USD/CHF remains within range of cycle lows after the solid outperformance posted from the beginning of the week. Having initially benefited from haven flows on the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran, the CHF has held the rally, keeping 0.8035 in sight as the next downside level in USD/CHF.
- Meanwhile, USD/JPY is recouping a small part of the sharp losses posted off the 148.03 high, putting prices back above Y145.50 in what's likely a corrective rally off the pullback lows. This week's price action has formed a shooting star candle pattern - which argues in favour of further S/T losses in the pair. The 50-dma marks the next downside level at 144.25, but we see the 20-day EMA at 144.81 as more materially important in the short-term. The level has been pierced, but a clear break of it would strengthen a bearish threat.
- May new home sales data is the sole US release Wednesday. This should keep focus on the second appearance from Fed's Powell this week, this time in front of the Senate Finance Committee. He struck a balanced tone on policy yesterday, however a mention from the Fed chair that rate cuts could come faster on "lower inflation, weaker labor" still elicited interest from markets, despite the Fed chair again implying September is the next 'Live' meeting.
- The ongoing NATO meeting in the Netherlands will be carefully watched for cohesion around Trump's latest narrative that the US has secured firmer military commitments from Europe, despite remaining signs of dissention among countries including Spain. The US President remains in NATO sessions until 1040ET, at which time he is scheduled to return to the White House.
EQUITIES: Estoxx Rolling Call Option
Jun-25 09:16
SX5E (18th July vs 15th Aug) 5250c, bought the Aug for 32 in 5k (suggest rolling Call).
