FX market outlook

Major movers: Yen roars back, stocks slump as risk aversion engulfs markets again

Global risk appetite turned sour again on Tuesday, with the safe-haven Japanese yen coming under renewed buying interest and Asian equity indices being a sea of red, in the absence of any major news. In fact, the selloff occurred even though Beijing hinted at a fresh dose of monetary stimulus, on top of the income tax cuts floated earlier. US markets didn’t escape unscathed, with futures tracking major indices like the S&P 500 pointing to a lower open today. Accordingly, risk-sensitive commodity currencies like the aussie and kiwi are both on the back foot, while the dollar has evidently caught a small safe-haven bid, attempting to extend its gains from yesterday.

In terms of potential catalysts, it seems to be another case of the “usual suspects”, ranging from the continuing US-China trade standoff, renewed focus on the Italian budget, bond yields remaining high, and ever-increasing tensions in the Saudi Arabian saga. With regards to trade, it is most interesting that Chinese markets remain in dire straits even after a barrage of promises for fiscal and monetary easing by the authorities. With Beijing looking to shield its economy from the trade fallout through stimulus that takes months to filter into the economy, it is likely signaling it expects this conflict to be a prolonged one and is “digging in” for the long haul, thereby spooking foreign investors instead of soothing them.

Elsewhere, sterling surrendered ground across the board on Monday, after media reports suggested that Northern Ireland’s DUP party – that props up PM May’s administration – will back an amendment proposed by Brexiteers to make the EU’s Irish backstop proposal illegal. The news highlighted the fact that even in case PM May manages to broker a deal with the EU on the Irish border soon, the Brexit saga will be far from over, as May would still need to push any deal through Parliament, where even some members of her own party may vote against it.

In euro land, the common currency declined in sympathy to sterling, weighed down by another rout in Italian markets. Italian bond yields edged back up amid a plethora of comments from Italian officials. While the remarks were not aggressive per se, mostly suggesting a compromise can be struck on the deficit, that was evidently not enough to calm investors. The EU Commission is now expected to respond negatively to the budget proposal, and the tone of the reply may be vital in determining the short-term mood in Italian assets and by extent, in the euro.

Day Ahead: EU to decide on Italian budget; Flash Eurozone consumer confidence eyed

In the Eurozone, the European Commission will give an answer on the 2019 Italian budget which analysts widely expect to be rejected after the aforementioned legislative institute called Italy’s fiscal demands unprecedented as the indebted government aims to lift public deficit from 1.8% to 2.4% of GDP. On Monday, the Italian Finance Minister backed the draft spending outline but showed willingness to adjust plans in coming years if economic growth stalls, while remaining open for dialogue with the EU. Yet he mentioned that Rome is ready to intervene so that targets are respected, a stance hinting that Italy wont easily step back from budget goals in coming weeks. Should the EU ask the Italian government to revise its draft budget plan, Rome will have a three-week timeframe to re-submit new ideas. It is worth mentioning that refusal to comply with the EU rules could cause Italy million of euros of fines.

In the FX markets, the euro might not react much as investors have already priced in a no answer from the EU. Yet the common currency could see some fluctuation in the wake of the flash consumer confidence index out of the eurozone. Forecasts are for the index to have declined further in October, retreating from -2.9 to a fresh 1 ½-year low of -3.2. A worse-than-expected outcome could shift funds out of the euro and vice versa.

Political concerns continue to drive sentiment in the UK as well, as uncertainties around Brexit remain high. Speaking at the Parliament on Tuesday, the British Prime Minister reiterated that a Brexit deal is almost done, while saying that details remaining to be solved are crucial. Still a few months before the UK departures from the EU, May continues to face leadership risks and probably a no-confidence vote today at the 1922 conservative committee meeting as some members within her conservative team as well as rivals from the Labour party turned more frustrated after May showed willingness to extend the transition period. Besides that, reports that May’s administration could accept an open-ended timeframe for the Irish backstop instead of a fixed-end date previously supported brought further disappointment to pro-Brexiteers.

In oil markets, the American Petroleum Institute will deliver its weekly statement on US crude inventories at 2030 GMT.

In equity markets, Boeing,  Caterpillar, Harley Davidson and Mc Donald will be among companies to report on earnings before the US open bell.

In terms of public appearances, the economy ministers of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein will be hold their annual meeting in Zurich at 0900 GMT, where questions about the global economy could be of interest. At 1730 GMT Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic will be commenting on the economic outlook and monetary policy before the Committee of 100, in Baton Rouge, while 1815 GMT Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan will be participating in a Q&A session before the Galveston Economic Development Partnership 7th Annual Economic Development Summit, in Galveston, Texas.

Any potential updates regarding the US-Sino trade war could move the markets during the day.