Has the Euro Broken Out?

Given market positioning and the anticipated long-term repo operation at the end of the month, it is tempting to see this move above $1.3250 as a breakout. Is it a breakout

An Update on Italian Sovereign Outperformance

Ahead of the next LTRO at the end of the month, Spanish and Italian bonds may begin consolidating after the large moves seen over the past month. The scope for Italian out performance in the month ahead appears somewhat more limited than over the past month. Indeed, the 5.5% yield level on the Italy’s 10-year generic bond may prove a bit sticky. It also corresponds to trend line on the weekly charts, drawn off the yield low of 3.7% in mid-Oct 2010. Spain’s 10-year yield decline is slowing as it slips through the 5% threshold

The Problem with Success

Cash accounts for almost 6% of all corporate assets and the highest in sixty years. This increase is a result of a number of factors. Record profits give businesses the wherewithal. But corporations are not rewarded for the cash holdings. Moreover, the cash is held in such instruments as money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits

Friday’s Thoughts and Seven Investment Themes

First, the trajectory of monetary policy in the US, Europe, China and Japan is in a more accommodative direction. Second, the underlying economies are showing preliminary signs of stabilizing. Third, the combination of easing monetary conditions and economic stabilization has boost demand for higher risk assets. In addition to major equity markets, emerging markets off to a strong start. Funds that exited the emerging markets in Q4 11 return. This has helped fueled currency and asset (bonds and stocks) appreciation

Is the Greek PSI Sweetener Enough?

Even if the private sector participation sufficiently high, will it be enough to put Greece’s debt on a sustainable path? This seems unlikely and there is increasing risk that the ECB forgoes getting anything but its initial investment back

Short Note on ISM Manufacturing Survey

The Institute for Supply Management reports its January manufacturing survey on February 1. The Bloomberg consensus expects a small increase to 54.5 from

European Sovereign Supply and LTRO

The headline story in the Financial Times today is that “Banks set to double crisis loans from the ECB”. The report says that “several” large banks from the euro zone told the FT that they “could double or triple” their takes at the

On Canadian and Australian bank risk

Banking sectors in both countries are highly concentrated. The top four banks in Australia account for about three quarters of the banking assets. The top six Canadian banks account for upwards of 90% of the Canadian banking assets. According to Fitch, the concentration and high profits of the banking sector is favorable to each as it provides a cushion against losses and need to pursue higher risk activity/lending.

Both Canada and Australia are experiencing over-valued housing markets. The IMF estimates Canadian house prices are about 10% risk while Australia is 10-15% over-valued

Greek private sector involvement: So what?

The market has been focused on the negotiations over the private sector involvement in reducing Greece’s debt burden. Yet, the PSI is so yesterday. There are many moving parts and the PSI, which has dominated the market’s attention, is being superseded by other developments, even if an agreement is still not in hand

On how Portugal is the next Greece

Portugal appears to be headed down that same road. While we have warned in the past of risks that Portugal would need a second aid package, it is only since S&P joined the other major rating agencies on January 13 that more market participants have come over to this view

Will the ECB Take a Haircut?

The ECB’s hand though could be forced if there is a credit event, a non-voluntary debt restructuring. Under such conditions, it would be more difficult to show some bond holders (ECB) preferential treatment over other holders of the same bond. This warns of potential knock-on effects of a hard restructuring

Dollar Bid

The dollar’s downside momentum has faded since the start of the week and short-term momentum traders have to adjust. There does not seem to be a precipitating factor. The German IFO was mostly better than expected and while the UK Q4 GDP was off 0.2% rather -0.1% may could have been a factor, but sterling is holding in better. Key support is seen for sterling near $1.5520. Initial euro support is seen near $1.2950 now. The Fed meeting will be of interest of course, but it is unlikely to a major factor for the dollar