Archive - Apr 20, 2011 - Story

RANsquawk European Morning Briefing - Stocks, Bonds, FX etc. – 20/04/11

• Obama Fights Back Against S&P Move (FT)
• China Speeds Yuan Push (WSJ)
• BOE Voted 6-3 to Hold Rate as Majority Noted ‘Downside.’ (Bloomberg)
• Apple to ship new iPhone in September (Reuters)
• Singapore Aims To Be Renminbi Hub (FT)
• GM Defying China Slowdown May Reclaim Sales Lead from Toyota (Bloomberg)... or not
• Cameron Dismisses Idea of Brown at IMF (FT)
• Banks Lag S&P as Slower Loan Growth Outweighs Higher Dividends (Bloomberg)
• Syria Government Approves Lifting State of Emergency (Reuters)
• USA: That ratings agency downgrade meeting (BBC)

Gold has breached the $1500 level and reached new record nominal highs at $1,505.65/oz. Since yesterday it has gradually risen in all currencies and is approaching record nominal highs in all major currencies. $2,400/oz is the inflation adjusted (CPI) high of 1980 and given the very uncertain macroeconomic climate of today and concerns about the dollar and all major currencies, arguably even more uncertain than the 1970’s, the real high remains a very viable target. It is important to remember that while gold has risen some 6 times in 11 years ($250 to $1500) it rose by 24 times in 9 years in the 1970’s – from 1971 to January 1980 ($35 to $850). This puts the recent reasonably gradual increase in gold prices in perspective and should give gold bears and top callers pause for thought.

Faced with a large capital funding need in advance of a substantial bond redemption next week, Spain had no choice but to hike rates on today's auction of €3.37 billion in 10 and 13 Year bonds.  Spain auctioned off €2.49 billion in April 2021 bonds at a yield 5.472% vs. Prev. 5.162% (5.5% interest) at a 2.1 bid/cover Prev. 1.81. it also sold €0.885 billion in 2024 bonds yielding a whopping 5.667% vs. 4.26% previously. The jump in yield caused the bid/cover to rise to 2.3 vs. 1.84 before. From Reuters: "Ten-year Spanish yields eased to 5.46 percent after the sale, having risen to around 5.55 percent since late last week -- just 20 basis points shy of the euro lifetime high. The surge in yields had sparked concern that Spain was being dragged back into the crosshairs of investors looking for the next candidate for an international bailout. The auction was seen as a test of whether Madrid was still seen as insulated from Portugal, Greece and Ireland, which have sought help. ""Spain's debt servicing costs have ratcheted higher and, while not yet providing any cause for alarm in terms of their outright levels, arguably have little in the way of headroom before such concerns might begin to take effect," said Rabobank strategist Richard McGuire. Traders said the 5.6 percent level in 10-year Spanish bonds was key, although yields have failed to break above that level on a sustained basis to date. "If that goes it could turn very nasty," one trader said." Elsewhere both Portuguese and Greek 10 Years hits fresh lifetime highs (low prices), printing 9.5% and 14.68%, even as an oblivious euro surged to a fresh 18 month high.

A series of earnings misses was yawned upon by the market. But a couple of earnings beats and the market goes insane. Or, more specifically, the dollar plummets. While anyone can plug whatever narrative they wish to what is happening in the market, here is Reuters' take: "The euro rose to a 15-month high versus the dollar in thin trade on Wednesday, buoyed by an improvement in risk appetite and expectations of further euro zone interest rate increases. A decent response to a Spanish bond auction also helped boost the euro which rose to $1.4548 on EBS, up 1.3 percent on the day and at its highest since January 2010. Traders said stop-losses were triggered through last week's high of $1.4521 and on the break of $1.4530." Whatever it is, the DXY just took out a multiyear low below 74.50 - the lowest since December 2010, the EURUSD is trading above 1.45 and after gold futures touched upon $1,500 yesterday, now it was spot's turn which cut through $1,500 like a hot knife through butter and never looked back. If the DXY drops below 74.25, watch out below (or above if you are gold). Looks like Jim Rogers' "confetti" scenario is playing out: after crossing $44 yesterday, silver is preparing to take out $45.