UK FISCAL: Weekend media updates on the Budget
A "settling-up charge", housing taxes, energy VAT reduction, CGT death exemption removed are amongst the stories covered in the weekend press
- The Times ran a report that the Budget could see people leaving for low tax countries see a "20 per cent charge on their business assets when they leave the UK" in a settling-up charge (through reducing exemptions to CGT on leaving the country). The report notes that only the UK and Italy don't have a similar charge in the G7.
- The FT covers a "Budget tax raid on expensive homes" but doesn't really provide that much new relative to previous reports. As we noted last week (see UK FISCAL: "Mansion tax" plans - and alternative council tax bandings, 27 October) raising council tax on high value homes is seen as an alternative option to a 1% levy on the value above GBP2mln. The FT notes that a council tax version is generally seen as "least worst option".
- The Guardian runs a report that notes that a 5% VAT cut on energy bills will "backfire" as it will benefit richer homeowners more and increase carbon emissions.
- The Telegraph notes that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hired two former think tank researchers as advisers and noted that one, Emily Fry of Resolution Foundation, had argued that there should be increases in inheritance tax, capital gains tax (CGT) and taxes on pensions as well as carbon taxes. The article pours over previous speeches that she has made but doesn't really go into the detail of any new policies under consideration. Reducing the maximum lump sum that can be withdrawn from a pension pot from GBP286k to GBP100k is one such policy. Increasing CGT on equity holdings and ending the exemption on CGT at death are both said to be policies she favoured. This follows a separate Telegraph report after the close on Friday that noted the consideration of a GBP2bln CGT increase on investment gains at death.
- The Telegraph notes of a joint letter from Shadow Chancellor and Shadow Business Secretary (Mel Stride / Andrew Griffith) to the OBR noting that the “the credibility of the fiscal forecast” is at risk if the "significant costs " of the Employment Rights Bill are not fully examined in the upcoming forecast.
Want to read more?
Find more articles and bullets on these widgets:
Historical bullets
USDCAD TECHS: Fresh Cycle High
- RES 4: 1.4111 High Apr 10
- RES 3: 1.4045 3.0% Upper Bollinger Band
- RES 2: 1.4019 38.2% retracement of the Feb 3 - Jun 16 bear leg
- RES 1: 1.3989 200-dma
- PRICE: 1.3953 @ 16:02 BST Oct 3
- SUP 1: 1.3897/3825 Low Sep 30 / 50-day EMA
- SUP 2: 1.3727 Low Aug 29 and a bear trigger
- SUP 3: 1.3689 Low Jul 28
- SUP 4: 1.3637 Low Jul 25
A bull cycle in USDCAD remains intact and yesterday’s break above the late September’s high, firms the bullish theme. This move higher also maintains the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4019, a Fibonacci retracement point. On the downside, first key support lies at 1.3825, the 50-day EMA.
AUDUSD TECHS: Support Remains Intact For Now
- RES 4: 0.6763 1.382 proj of the Jun 23 - Jul 24 - Aug 21 price swing
- RES 3: 0.6726 1.236 proj of the Jun 23 - Jul 24 - Aug 21 price swing
- RES 2: 0.6660/6707 High Sep 18 / 17 and key resistance
- RES 1: 0.6629 High Sep 30 & Oct 01
- PRICE: 0.6603 @ 16:01 BST Oct 3
- SUP 1: 0.6527/21 61.8% of the Aug 21 - Sep 17 bull leg / Low Sep 26
- SUP 2: 0.6484 76.4% retracement of the Aug 21 - Sep 17 bull leg
- SUP 3: 0.6463/6415 Low Aug 27 / Low Aug 21 / 22 and a bear trigger
- SUP 4: 0.6373 Low Jun 23
The AUDUSD uptrend remains intact and recent weakness appears to have been a correction. Support to watch lies at the 50-day EMA, at 0.6558. A clear break of this average would signal scope for a deeper retracement and expose 0.6527 once again, a Fibonacci retracement. For bulls, a stronger reversal higher would refocus attention on 0.6707, the Sep 17 high. Initial resistance to watch is 0.6629, the Sep 30 and Oct 1 high.
US TSYS/SUPPLY: September's Coupon Auctions Were Generally Solid (2/2)
September’s coupon auctions were generally solid, with three lines trading through, two coming out on the screws and two tailing slightly.
- Looking through the lens of MNI’s Relative Strength Indicator (RSI), five lines saw positive readings while two saw negative readings.
- The 3-year sale was the strongest auction of the month according to MNI’s RSI. The 3-year line traded through 0.7bps, the largest stop through in seven months. Meanwhile, the primary dealer take-up was just 8.4%, the lowest on record (data going back to 2003).
- The weakest sale of the month was the last – the 7-year line. This line saw the second consecutive 0.5bp tail, with the 12.0% primary dealer take-up above August’s 9.8% and July’s record low 4.1%.
September Auction Review:
- 2Y Note on-the-screws: 3.571% vs. 3.571% WI.
- 2Y FRN: 0.200% high margin vs. 0.195% prior
- 3Y Note trade-through: 3.485% vs. 3.492% WI.
- 5Y Note tail: 3.710% vs 3.709% WI.
- 7Y Note tail: 3.953% vs. 3.948% WI.
- 10Y Note trade-through: 4.033% vs. 4.047% WI.
- 10Y TIPS: 1.734% high yield vs. 1.985% prior
- 20Y Bond trade-through: 4.613% vs 4.615% WI.
- 30Y Bond on-the-screws: 4.651% vs. 4.651% WI.
