Risk aversion rising; European stocks sharply lower; oil off three quarters of a buck, gold lower, US treasury yields lower etc etc. Euro zone periphery worries continue to multiply and North Korea continues to sabre rattle with some gusto.

EUR/USD down at 1.3230 from early 1.3310 having been as low as 1.3199/1.3200. Much focus on the FT Deutschland article and European traders started selling as soon as they arrived at their desks.

Stops were tripped through 1.3285, 1.3245 and 1.3230 accelerating the sell off. We saw bouts of Middle Eastern/Asian sovereign buying on the way lower but this only smoothed, didn’t stop, the descent. What did spook the markets though were waves of sellling from Spanish banks. It was very noticeable. What do they know that we don’t?

Couple of Irish rumours were thrown in along the way to grease the slide; one had rejected deals in bond section of Irish bank/s (all bit nebulus), while the other had Ireland lining up to default on bank debt Monday. The market decided to shoot first and ask questions later. The second rumour could have had it’s roots in Irish Times article entitled “Strongest arguement against state default has disappeared.”

USD/JPY has tacked on a few pips, presently up at 83.90 from early 83.75 and this despite lower US treasury yields. US investment bank, the one who does God’s work, has been notable buyer. Said to be buying on behalf of real money.

Cable down at 1.5680 from early 1.5735 against the backdrop of heightened risk aversion.

EUR/CHF down at 1.3255 from early 1.3310, swissy beneficiary given it’s safe haven status.

AUD/USD down at .9630 from early .9710. The pairing slid early, but got a very welcome boost from decent buying by Korea. The repreive proved temporary though, as stops were eventually tripped though .9670 accelerating the sell off. Talk of real money selling the pairing.