ON DECK FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 29

ON DECK FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 29

KEY POINTS:

  • Mild risk-on sentiment supported by China’s moves
  • China jawbones fiscal stimulus, mortgage and deposit rate cuts
  • New RBA Governor’s hike warning ignored by markets
  • US consumer confidence may face downside risk this time
  • US repeat home sale prices probably increased again, downside ahead
  • US job vacancies making slow progress toward lessening pressures
  • Canada’s so-far mixed bank earnings season

Mixed risk appetite is characterized by flat N.A. equity futures versus mild gains across Europe that are led by the FTSE100 as the UK returns from holiday. Curves are little changed in the US and UK as bunds slightly bull flatten. The USD is flat on balance.

China jawboned fiscal stimulus. Anonymous sources guided that regulators may direct banks to cut mortgage rates on first homes as soon as today and for the first time since the GFC. Anonymous sources also indicated to the press that Chinese state banks may reduce deposit rates later this week in a plan reportedly approved by regulators.

New RBA Governor Bullock delivered her first speech overnight in her new capacity as Governor. The A$ and overall rates complex ignored her guidance that “we may have to raise interest rates again, but we’re watching the data very carefully.” Australia updates CPI for July tonight and the RBA delivers its next decision next Tuesday that kicks off the month’s global calendar of central bank decisions.

US data will focus upon the household sector:

  • Watch consumer confidence as it probably faces downside risk as mortgage rates and gasoline prices rise alongside moderating wage gains (10amET). Also watch the ‘jobs plentiful’ measure as a labour market signal, and 1-year ahead inflation expectations.
  • Another decent gain in repeat-sale home prices is expected, but it’s lagging June data before the 30-year mortgage rate move higher during July and August (9amET).
  • Job vacancies will help to inform the degree to which the labour market may be bringing supply and demand conditions back into balance which the Fed desires (10amET). So far that has been a very slow process as indicated by the updated Beveridge Curve (chart 1).
United States Beveridge Curve

Overnight developments included Japan’s jobless rate that unexpectedly moved up two-tenths to 2.7% in July. Sweden’s GDP fell by less than expected in Q2 (-0.8% q/q SA, -1.3% consensus) partly due to a downward revision to Q1 (0.4% from 0.6% previously)

BMO’s Q3 earnings sharply disappointed at C$2.78 versus consensus at $3.13 EPS. BNS slightly disappointed expectations with Q3 EPS at C$1.73 ($1.74 consensus). The bank’s investor presentation is here. Chart 2 shows the bank earnings season to date that has been characterized by one large miss, two small ones, and one modest beat with two more of the ‘big six’ still ahead.

Chart 2: Canadian Banks' Earnings
Rates Table