Weekend Iran attacK

The big weekend news was of Iranian attacks on Israel. Bitcoin lost ground over the weekend but the impact on other financial markets was more subdued once they opened on Monday/Sunday evening (US time).

Oil had a volatile opening but has calmed to be little changed now from its level of late on Friday. Its a similar story across much of major FX bar USD/JPY. USD/JPY has climbed to another fresh 30+ year high.

Industrial metals aluminium and nickel surged higher. New US and UK sanctions have banned deliveries of any Russian supplies produced after midnight on Friday. Aluminium jumped more than 9%, its single biggest move in over 30 years.

From China today we had an unchanged rate, of 2.5%, on this month’s Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF). The People’s Bank of China added in 100bn yuan, not fully offsetting the 170bn yuan maturing on Wednesday this week. The Chinese economy is in need of further stimulus, and while the People’s Bank of China is reluctant to cut interest rates, fearing a wider rate disparity would see further weakness for the yuan, it’s a little peculiar that they are draining funds via MLF.

Mainland China stock markets have traded higher on the day. Chinese authorities restated key policies for the capital market late on Friday. Also, state wealth fund Central Huijin increased its stakes in China's big four banks on Friday.As I update Bloomberg is reporting that Chinese private developers face a $553 billion funding gap to complete pre-sold homes according to Goldman Sachs analysts.

ysdyen Monday, 15 April 2024 wrap 2