US Gas Market Poised for Supercycle: Bernstein Analysts 
European Stocks Rally on Chinese Growth and Mining Merger Speculation 
U.S. Stocks vs. Bonds: Are Diverging Valuations Signaling a Shift? 
Goldman Predicts 50% Odds of 10% U.S. Tariff on Copper by Q1 Close 
Wall Street Analysts Weigh in on Latest NFP Data 
Lithium Market Poised for Recovery Amid Supply Cuts and Rising Demand 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Urban studies: Doing research when every city is different 
BOJ Raises Interest Rates to 31-Year High, Signals Strong Focus on Inflation Risks 
China’s Growth Faces Structural Challenges Amid Doubts Over Data 
Indonesia Passes New Central Bank Law, Raising Investor Concerns Over Policy Independence 
Bank of America Posts Strong Q4 2024 Results, Shares Rise 
US Futures Rise as Investors Eye Earnings, Inflation Data, and Wildfire Impacts 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
This week’s major events are RBA and BoC’s monetary policies. RBA policy decision is universally expected to be on hold as the Board continues to monitor the impact of the previous three rate cuts on the economy. Q3 balance of payments are expected to show net exports adding 0.1ppts to GDP while the current account posts a back-to-back surplus of $6.1bn. Q3 public demand is expected to rise 0.9% and is the last GDP partial ahead of tomorrow’s final release.
The Aussie has bounced around 2 cents since early October, aided by a more positive tone on US-China trade talks and the unexpected Brexit breakthrough which has bolstered global risk appetite. AUD should remain supported near term but any trade in the 0.6950/0.7000 area is likely to attract substantial sellers. While supply interruptions could limit the recent fall in iron ore prices, coal prices remain near 3-year lows and we expect the US and China to reach only a very limited trade agreement in coming weeks.
Moreover, the RBA does not want to encourage an A$ revival and pricing for another rate cut has been unwound too far, as we still expect a rate cut in February 2020.
Trade tips:
Buy a 3m AUD/JPY put spread (72.0/69.5) (spot ref: 74.800); sell a 3m 1.0975 AUD/NZD call (spot ref: 1.0500).
In yet another trading perspective, at spot reference of AUDUSD: 0.6860 levels, bidding momentary bullish rationale, it is advisable to execute one-touch call options strategy with upper strikes at 0.6890 levels, thereby, one can fetch certain yields as long as the underlying spot FX keeps spiking on the expiration.
Alternatively, on hedging grounds ahead of RBA’s monetary policy that is scheduled for the next week, we advocate shorting futures contracts of mid-month tenors as the underlying spot FX likely to target southwards below 0.66 levels in the medium run. Writers in a futures contract are expected to maintain margins in order to open and maintain a short futures position. Courtesy: Westpac
