Dollar Slides

The euro and yen are extending their gains, casting a pall over the US dollar.  The euro is extending its advance into a sixth consecutive session, which is the longest streak since May.  It is approaching last month's highs in the $1.1860-$1.1880 area.  As was the case yesterday, a consolidative tone in Asia was followed by strong buying in the European morning.  There does not appear to be a fresh fundamental driver.  

The dollar has slumped against the yen and is trading at its lowest level since October 20.  It was sold to JPY113.00 in Asia and took another leg down toward JPY112.65 in Europe before steadying.  The further drop in US yields, with the 10-year now off seven basis points this week, and the continued pullback in equities, are taking a toll.  

The slump in equities accelerated today.  The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.85%, which is not only the largest decline in this four-day swoon, but it is the biggest drop in five months.  Japanese markets led the decline with the Nikkei off 1.6% and the Topix off nearly 2%.  One of the few markets that were higher was Korea's KOSDAQ.  It rallied 1.5% and is up 6.3% this week.  It was the sixth consecutive advance.  MSCI Emerging Markets Index is off for the fifth session, which is its longest swoon in two months.  

The retreat in European equities is continuing for the seventh straight session.  The sell-off in commodities is taking a toll on the energy and materials sector, but information technology and financials are also down more than the market as a whole.    Of note, the DAX gapped lower and is testing the 38.2% retracement objective of the nearly 14% rally since late August (found near 12892).  France's CAC is through a similar retracement level and has approached the 50% retracement (~5266).  

The US S&P 500 has fared considerably better.  It did fall nearly 0.25% yesterday, its third decline in four sessions.  However, it closed near session highs, and once again, despite intraday violation, managed to close back above its 20-day moving average.  It has not closed below that moving average for 2.5 months.  It is found today near 2576.65.  

There have been three economic reports to note:  Australian wages, Japanese GDP, and UK employment.  Australian wage pressure was more moderate than expected, rising 0.5% in Q3, the same as in Q2.  However, economists were looking for a larger increase.  The Australian dropped half around half a cent on the disappointment.  It was sold through $0.7600 to trade at four-month lows.  The next target is near $0.7530.  Mining, gas, and water employees saw weak wage increases, while the hospitality, food and public workers saw better wage growth.   

Japan's first estimate of Q3 GDP was slightly slower than expected.  The 0.3% quarter-over-quarter growth was half the pace of Q2.  Still, it is the seventh consecutive quarterly expansion, which Japan's longest growth streak since 2001.  Growth was driven primarily by net exports and capex.  Private consumption was a drag, falling 0.5% after Q2consumption was revised to 0.7% from 0.8%.  Japan's initial estimate for quarterly GDP, like the US estimate, is often subject to statistically significant revisions.  The first revision is due on December 8.  

The UK's employment report showed signs of slowing in the labor market.  The number of people working fell (14k) for the first time in a year.  Those neither working nor looking for work rose by the most in seven years.  The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3%.  Average weekly earnings rose 2.2% in the three-month year-over-year period, after the upward revision to 2.3% in the period ending in August.  Excluding bonus payments, weekly earnings rose at 2.2%, the same as previously.  Sterling initially rallied on the news and reached the session high (~$1.3215) before sliding back to session lows (a little below $1.3140).  It then recovered to little-changed levels (~$1.3165).  

Oil is still getting the proverbial tar kicked out of it.  Brent is off another 1.25% after dropping 1.5% yesterday.  It is the fourth consecutive decline, and it is off six of the past seven sessions.  WTI is also off a little more than 1% after yesterday nearly 1.9% drop.  Supply concerns appear to be the main culprit again.  

The IEA offered an optimistic assessment of US energy output growth in the coming years.  It sees the output more than demand by 600k barrels a day through Q1 18.  At the same time, reports suggest Russia may be balking at cutting output further or extending the production restraint. Adding insult to injury, the API estimated that US oil stocks rose 6.5 mln barrels last week, which if confirmed by the DOE today, it would be the largest increase since March.    Support in the light sweet contract for December delivery is seen in the $54.00-$54.60 band. 

The US economic calendar features CPI, retail sales, Empire Survey and business inventories.   Lower gasoline prices may weigh on headline CPI.  The core rate is expected to be flat at 1.7% for the sixth month.  If there is a surprise, we suspect that it could be that the core rate ticks up.  It has little implication for policy and the market appear to have fully discounted a hike next month.  

We note that yesterday the December 2018 Fed funds futures contract slumped to imply an effective Fed funds rate of 1.735%.  The current effective rate is 1.16%.  It suggests that the market has come around to price in a little more than one  hikes next year.  The market is gradually converging with the Fed's dot plot, as it has, albeit reluctantly, with this year's signal that three hikes would be appropriate.  

October retail sales will not be able to come close to matching the 1.6% rise in October, that was flattered by the recovery from the storms.  Still, the GDP components are expected to be firm, rising 0.3% after a 0.4% rise in September.  We are concerned that the recovery may have boosted these core retail sales as well, warning that there may be scope for disappointment today. The Fed's Evans and Rosengren speak today, and the DOE energy report will be closely watched.    Progress on US tax reform continues.  The House is still expected to have a floor vote tomorrow.  Late yesterday, the Senate version was changed to include a repeal of the individual mandate requirement of the Affordable Care Act, and a sunset provision on tax breaks for the middle class and small businesses, while keeping permanent the corporate tax cut, which is starts in 2019. 

Canada reports existing home sales.  They have been up for the past two months (August and September) after falling for four months.  The Canadian dollar may be vulnerable to a weak report.  Note that there is a $265 mln option struck at CAD1.2730 that expires today. 

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