As Bridgewater talks back its now widely discussed bearish position on fallout from China's equity market collapse, Chinese stocks rose at the open (before fading after ugly manufacturing data). However, liquidations continue across the commodity complex in copper, gold, and silver. Though not on the scale to Sunday night's collapse, the China open brought another 'flash-crash' in precious metals. All signs point to CCFD unwinds, and forced liquidations as under the surface something smells rotten in China, which has just been confirmed by the lowest Manufacturing PMI print in 15 months.
Gold flash crashed...
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As we noted previously, while the actual selling reason was irrelevant, [11]the target was clear: to breach the $1080 gold price which also happens to be the multi-decade channel support level.
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As liquidations across the metals complex continue..
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Scotiabank's Guy Haselmann noted earlier...the plunging of the commodity complex is telling us that the China economy could be imploding.
Problems stemming from China are spreading further into more sectors and markets (various high yield sectors, emerging markets, EM and commodity currencies).
As I wrote in my note Tuesday (Too Much of Everything), [14]Zero interest rates have contributed to over-production, pressuring consumer prices lower. Certainly, borrowing in the energy sector contributed to the over-supply of oil and look what has happened in that sector. Now, weakening demand from China is accelerating the decent in most commodities. Budgets of EM supplier-countries and commodity exporters are being materially impacted.
As commodities fall, the FOMC says that inflation targets are harder to obtain, leading to a self-perpetuating belief that continued cheap money is needed.
Yet, claims fell to the lowest level since 1973, housing is strong, and auto sales are back to almost 17mm units (etc). Clearly, the Fed has gotten itself into a difficult position. By not lifting-off and taking their medicine in 2014 – market imbalances today are now bigger and the consequences greater.
China is unfolding as the most important story of 2015 for markets. Stay alert. Long-dated US Treasuries remain attractive and good place to hid.
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It seems Guy may be on to something as Manufacturing just collapsed in China...
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All that stimulus, all those "measures" and Chinese manufacturing collapses at the fastest rate in 15 months; and it appears bad news is bad news still in China...
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Charts: Bloomberg
