Equity Sell-Off Accelerates On Chinese Concerns

 | Oct 14, 2015 10:28

Market Brief

The ZEW survey was a massive disappointment for Germany yesterday. The current situation index fell to 55.2 from 67.5, well below market expectations of 64. The ZEW expectation dropped to 1.9 from 12.1, also well below market expectations of 6.5 as the Volkswagen (DE:VOWG_p) scandal and global growth concerns worsen the economic outlook. As a result, German shares spent most of the trading session under pressure - the DAX fell 0.86%. EUR/USD had a choppy session but was unable to choose a direction as news from the other side of the Atlantic failed to provide support to the greenback. US Fed Governor Tarullo said yesterday that he does not expect a rate hike before the end of the year and added that the Fed should wait for “tangible evidence” of a pick-up in inflation before considering raising rates.

The pound sterling suffered another sell-off yesterday and moved back below zero. Headline inflation printed at -0.1%y/y, below the median forecast and previous reading of 0.00%. Core inflation also surprised to the downside as it remained stable at 1%y/y in the month of September. GBP/USD dropped more than 1% to 1.5230 after the release. The cable remained in its declining channel and is getting closer to the support standing at 1.5108. We remain bearish on the pound sterling and expect further weakness, especially against the euro as the monetary union shows slightly more encouraging data. EUR/GBP is gaining positive momentum and is currently testing the 0.7483 resistance level implied by the high from May 7th).