A Familiar Game!

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By Mike Conlon | April 18, 2011

The markets are starting the week lower as risk aversion is dominating the action in this holiday-shortened week. In what has become a familiar scene, oil is trading lower as it gets bid up on Friday’s as market participants do not want to go short over the weekend as the risk in the Arab countries is still present.

Adding to risk sentiment are the usual Euro debt crisis rumors, which propose that rate hikes are going to cause Greece and Ireland to default. While this has to be a concern for the ECB, I’m surprised that more clarity isn’t being proffered. Perhaps some Euro weakness in the face of rising rates would be just what the ECB is hoping will happen.

In an attempt to slow down inflation, China raised the reserve requirements for banks again which is intended to curb lending.

Overnight, New Zealand reported CPI data that showed that inflation increased slightly less than expected. In the UK, asking prices for homes came in higher as lack of supply and overall inflation contribute to seller confidence. I guess it doesn’t hurt that London has become the “preferred destination” of former Arab dictators so the market could remain strong for some time.

It will be interesting to see if the US market can shake off the lower start and turn it around by the end of the day. Recently, the US market has seemed immune to negative news and keeps going higher, as Bernanke’s dollar destruction leaves traders few other alternatives.

In the forex market:

Aussie (AUD): The Aussie is mostly lower on risk aversion, but is faring better than the other commodity currencies due largely to its interest rate differential. The minutes from the RBA rate policy meeting are due out tomorrow, which I expect to have a dovish tone as a result of the recent run-up.

Kiwi (NZD): The Kiwi is lower across the board as CPI data came in lower than expected, perhaps dampening hopes of a rate hike any time soon. CPI showed a quarterly increase of .8%, pushing the YoY number to 4.5%, vs. expectations of 1% and 4.6% respectively. (Click chart to enlarge)

Loonie (CAD): The Loonie is also lower as oil has pulled back a day ahead of the release of CPI data. While Canada has not been seeing the inflation that some other regions have, building permits and housing starts figures will show whether or not the economy is moving forward.

Euro (EUR): The Euro is lower against all but the Kiwi as the rumors of a Greek debt restructuring and a possible block of aid to Portugal are making the rounds. PMI data is expected to contract slightly, and PPI data is expected to increase. (Click chart to enlarge)

Pound (GBP): The Pound is mixed under what would be considered a “normal” risk aversion day despite the fact that home asking prices came in higher than expected. The BOE rate policy meeting minutes will be released on Wednesday which could show increased worry over inflation. Retail sales figures come out on Thursday.

Dollar (USD): The Dollar is mostly higher on risk aversion, and Friday markets are closed here in the US. It’s a light week for news in the US, without today bringing some Fedspeak at various locations, and the Philly Fed is due out on Thursday, which could see higher volatility as we have a long market weekend.

Yen (JPY): The Yen is higher across the board on risk aversion as Asian markets were down over night. Trade balance figures are due out on Tuesday night, and I am a little surprised to see Yen continue to strengthen considering the major economic challenges they are facing.

We’ve seen this one before, folks. The markets push both oil prices higher on Friday’s because of the risk in the marketplace and when nothing significant happens, it sells off going into Monday. This helps take markets down (which isn’t a bad thing), and then US stocks tend to rebound to start the week. Rinse and repeat.

Except there is going to be the time when this game does not work, and the selling that starts the day could bring about a “big one”. The markets have been so pumped up on Fed easy-money steroids that sooner or later the bubble is going to burst. What the exact catalyst will be is anyone’s guess but at this point these markets are climbing the “wall of worry.”

In times like these it makes sense to proceed cautiously as no one knows where or when the next risk event may come from.

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