Market news

Overnight Headlines

*US stocks rose as gains continued for a third day

*USD closed lower on the week, but DXY is stabilising around 94

*Bitcoin is eyeing up record highs at $64899

*China Q3 GDP hits a one-year low, growing 4.9% y/y

US equities closed higher last week with the S&P500 enjoying its best five-day performance since late July (+2.2%). Cyclicals were the clear outperformers with financials and industrials leading the gains. Upbeat earnings from Wall Street banks and iPhone chipmaker TSMC have tempered fears of inflation. The negative GDP surprise in China is holding Asian markets back this morning. US futures are modestly in the red to kick off the week.

USD is mildly bid this morning after closing lower last week. The DXY had seen five straight weeks of gains. EUR/USD traded through resistance last week at 1.1604 but has rolled over and is now trading back below. USD/JPY is holding recent gains after making a new high on Friday at 114.46. NZD traded above 0.71 this morning and the 200-day SMA before pulling back. New Zealand released a decade-high quarterly inflation reading earlier today.

Market Thoughts – China confirms post-pandemic slowdown

China’s third quarter GDP disappointed today printing +0.2% q/q versus 0.5% expected and 4.9% y/y versus 5.2%. Growth weakened due to the property slowdown and energy shortages, posing a challenge to President Xi’s “common prosperity” agenda. The crackdown on leverage in the property sector could mark the beginning of the end of the country’s debt-fuelled model. Some economists forecast Q4 growth will likely drop to 3%-4% with the investment side of demand remaining weak.

An energy crisis is also adding to policymakers’ concerns and has led to power rationing across China. This has pushed factory gate inflation to its highest level since 1995. It has also forced the government to raise coal production despite pledges to cut carbon emissions made last year. The impact of this power crunch on the supply side is increasingly severe.

Chart of the Day – Bitcoin back near all-time highs

Bitcoin is back in the headlines and rising for a fourth consecutive week. A new exchange-traded fund (ETF) is set to be launched which will hold bitcoin futures and use mutual fund rules. It is hoped this regulatory sign-off will give investors “significant protections” that previous funds lacked.

The speed of the recent rebound is prompting some commentators to suggest something is changing. “This time is different” is always a phrase of interest! BTC is vaunted as an inflation hedge. It is also regarded as protection against currency debasement. But there is less reason to worry about this if the Fed raises rates more aggressively. The cryptocurrency has also behaved like a “risk on asset” rising in price when stocks are doing well and the market is optimistic. That said, there should then be less need for a hedge against disaster and debasement.

Jamie DuttaAnalyst / Trader

"With extensive experience as a full time trader and financial market commentator, I have worked as a trader in top tier investment banks and trading houses, including Morgan Stanley and GAIN Capital trading Forex, Index derivatives. and Bonds. I combine technical analysis with a deep fundamental knowledge to identify trade set-ups. My real life experience allows me to break down the complexities of financial jargon and trading. This means everyone can better understand the compelling forces of greed and fear which are realised every day in countless ways across markets."

Vantage does not represent or warrant that the material provided here is accurate, current, or complete, and therefore should not be relied upon as such. The information provided here, whether from a third party or not, is not to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments; or to participate in any specific trading strategy. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Vantage, reproduction or redistribution of this information is not permitted.