KRW: USDKRW Set For Best Week Since June on Trade Optimism
Oct-31 02:24
- If the uncertainty around a trade deal with the US was most obvious anywhere in Korea, it has been the Won. This week's announcement that the outstanding matters had been agreed between Korea and the US and the trade deal finalized, sees the Won having it's best week since June.
- Whilst the gains are only 0.75%, it is an important step in the stabilization of the currency, so battered by the uncertainty.
- USDKRW had sold off late into the close yesterday, finishing weaker by +0.65% only to rally -0.15% in morning trade.
- Strong gains Wednesday saw the Won bounce off the 20-day EMA of 1,422.54 before retreating. It has failed to hold below the 20-day EMA for more than a month.
- The KOSPI is continuing its rally, with gains of 0.70% today whilst bonds are tracking US yields higher from 5-Yr maturities out.
- Looking ahead over the weekend will see the release of October trade data before PMIs and CPI next week. With the strength of industrial production released this morning, observers will be looking for further signs of strength in data as potentially extending a BOK hold.
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AUSSIE BONDS: Holding Cheaper, Market Continues To Price Out RBA Cut
Oct-01 01:48
ACGBs (YM -4.0 & XM -5.5) remain weaker.
- S&P Global PMI Manufacturing Index falls to 51.4 from 53 in Aug.
- Cash US tsys are slightly cheaper in today's Asia-Pac session after yesterday's modest twist-steepener.
- Cash ACGBs are 4-7bps cheaper with the AU-US 10-year yield differential at +22bps.
- The latest ACGB Dec-34 supply achieved a weighted average yield that printed 0.40bp through prevailing mids (per Yieldbroker). However, the cover ratio decreased to 2.1033x, thelowest since its debut in 2023, from 3.1708x.
- The bills strip is -4 to -6 beyond the first contract.
- RBA-dated OIS pricing has firmed modestly across meetings following yesterday’s RBA Policy Decision. Pricing across meetings is 1-4bps firmer than yesterday’s pre-RBA levels. Notably, this post-RBA move leaves pricing some 10-19bps firmer than last Wednesday’s pre-CPI levels.
- A 25bp rate cut in October is given a 35% probability, with a cumulative 11bps of easing priced by year-end.
STIR: RBA Dated OIS’ Firming Since August CPI Extends After RBA Decision
Oct-01 01:34
RBA-dated OIS pricing has firmed modestly across meetings following yesterday’s RBA Policy Decision.
- At the time of writing, pricing across meetings was 1-4bps firmer than yesterday’s pre-RBA levels.
- Notably, this post-RBA move leaves pricing some 10-19bps firmer than last Wednesday’s pre-CPI levels.
- A 25bp rate cut in October is given a 35% probability, with a cumulative 11bps of easing priced by year-end.
Figure 1: RBA-Dated OIS – Current Vs. Pre-CPI
Source: Bloomberg Finance LP / MNI
CRYPTO: Ethereum - Bounces, Technically $4300-$4500 To Be Faded First Up
Oct-01 01:24
Ethereum had a range overnight of $4093.19 - $4208.98, Asia is trading around $4152, -1.05%. Ethereum had a decent bounce after triggering stop losses sub $4000 last week. Having broken big support around $4100, technically rallies should now be faded initially. The first sell zone is now back towards the $4300/$4500 area.
- Menthor Q on X: "Crypto asset flows. "Digital asset investment products saw US$812m in outflows last week, though YTD inflows remain robust at US$39.6bn, close to last year’s record ... Bitcoin (-US$719m) and Ethereum (-US$409m) faced pressure, while Solana (+US$291m) attracted strong inflows.”
- Milk Road on X: “For a decade, crypto has moved in 2yr up / 2yr down cycles, pointing to a 2025 peak. But the data just shifted. PMI, liquidity, and analysts all say the cycle hasn’t ended, it’s been extended. The top now looks more like 2026… or later”
- “FTX will release $1.6B in stablecoins to creditors today. That’s $1.6B in fresh liquidity about to hit the crypto markets. Fresh powder is on the way.”
Fig 1: Ethereum spot Daily Chart
Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
