China Kick-Starts The Week, SNB Deposits Rise 1.5%

 | Nov 24, 2014 05:24AM ET

Market Brief

The Chinese equities kick-started the week; HSI rallied to 23,936 , Shanghai Composite extended gains to three year highs following PBoC’s 25 bps cut (to 2.75%) in 1-year deposit rate and 40 bps cut (to 5.6%) in 1-year lending rate after the Asian close on Friday. USD/CNY broke the Sep-Nov downtrend channel top, rallied to 6.1378 for the first time since October 8th. The measures aim to lower corporate funding costs and to boost the economic recovery. PBoC cuts should also cure the liquidity squeezes experienced last week. We expect consolidation above 6.1280/6.1348 (50-dma / the daily Ichimoku cloud base) and see deeper upside correction.

AUD, NZD and EM currencies were better bid on Chinese news. AUD/USD surged to 0.8723 on Friday, the momentum indicators gained some positive traction, yet not enough to clear resistance at 21-dma (0.8705). More offers are eyed pre-0.8796 (Nov high).

EUR/USD opened downbeat as Asian traders adjusted positions to Friday’s dovish Draghi, the pair tested November lows (1.2358) at the opening. ECB said the ABS purchases started last Friday. At his speech in European Banking Congress on Nov 21st, ECB President Draghi said to consider broader asset purchases if the current program remains inefficient. It looks like ECB is openly preparing field for a proper QE. The Spanish 10y yields fell below 2% for the first time, Italian and French 10-year yields also advanced to record lows. The sentiment in EUR turns negative, EUR/USD should soon step out of bullish correction zone, 1.2350/60 support is to be cleared. EUR/GBP tumbled down to 100-dma (0.79193), the bull momentum took a serious hit. EUR/GBP tests the 30-day mid-Bollinger band (0.79041) on the downside. We see further room on the downside. Next resistance is eyed at 50-dma (0.78848).