Tuesday, June 23, 2015

RHB FIC Rates & FX Market Update - 23/6/15



23 June 2015


Rates & FX Market Update


Risk Appetite Boosted by Signs of Positive Progress in Greek Debt Talks

Highlights
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¨    Positive developments within Greek debt negotiations alongside upbeat housing data in the US improved risk appetite and pressured demand for safe haven yields; 10y UST and Bund yields were up 10-11bps overnight while the Gilt curve bear steepened. SPGBs and PGBs were among the top performers in the region as Tsipras handed in a reform package, which focused on pension reforms alongside higher business and wealth taxes, suggesting signs of progress after five months of a stalemate. Nevertheless, we reserve our optimism at this juncture given the negative implications to the Greek economy should the reforms push through as it continues to harbor unemployment levels north of 25%. As such, this is likely to translate into further volatility among P.EGBs.
¨    In Asia, KTB curve bear steepened as investors anticipate additional spending by the government in a bid to shield the economy from the MERS outbreak which has taken a toll on what is already weak consumer confidence; maintain neutral to mild overweight KTBs on prospects of further cuts by BoK. Aside, China’s Beige Book reveals the economy is on the mend, supported by retail consumption and a rebound in the property sector. Nevertheless, we maintain expectations of further rate cuts by PBoC to support the recovery which should remain constructive of short-to-belly CGBs. Elsewhere, BI (2016: 5.4-5.8%) and MoF (2016: 5.8-6.2%) have proposed conflicting growth prospects for the economy in 2016 which highlights concerns for the slowing economic growth and reform prospects.
¨    USDKRW broke below the key 1100 level where we expect the    respite to be short-lived given the deterioration in economic fundamentals on top of BoK’s prolonged policy easing, highlighting increasing downside risks to the KRW. Investors remain watchful of the JPYKRW pair where we see the stabilizing JPY as favorable to our long call. 
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