So Is 'Trump Trade' Back On Again?

 | Sep 28, 2017 08:53

Market Overview

The announcement of Donald Trump’s long awaited tax reform has been welcomed by the markets with Treasury yields and the dollar higher.

So is the “Trump trade” back on again? The Republicans are proposing a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20% along with changes to the personal tax bands, simplifying them from 7 bands to just 3 which includes reducing the top rate of tax from 39.6% to 35%. The plan also includes a one off repatriation tax to encourage US firms to bring back profits held overseas. The announcement does though have its critics, saying that it favours higher earners and big corporations.

As ever with this President, the key will e getting the legislation through Congress, and with healthcare floundering this is by no means a guarantee. Despite this, the market is positive and Treasury yields are pushing higher due to the impact it could have on growth and inflation. It is interesting to note that the 2s/10s spread has now widened to a one month high on the announcement. This is strengthening the dollar once more as yield differentials are pulling in the dollar’s favour. This is also driving gold lower once more, whilst equity markets are more positive. Over the coming days and weeks, a steepening yield curve and strengthening dollar will determine the market’s belief in the return of the “Trump trade”, and it will all depend on the deals done in Congress, but initial signs are there.

Wall Street turned higher into the close last night with the S&P 500 +0.4% higher at 2507, whilst Asian markets were mixed to cautiously higher too (Nikkei +0.5%) and European indices are also taking the lead off Wall Street and showing mild early gains.

In forex, the dollar strength continues to outstrip the majors, although the move is slightly less pronounced today, but the Kiwi is feeling the strain again after the RBNZ held rates steady last night.

In commodities, the dollar strength is hitting gold, but the overnight losses are not quite so severe going into the European session. Oil is continuing its consolidation following a mixed set of EIA inventories yesterday.

Traders will be looking out for the Bank of England’s Carney speaking, German inflation, and the final reading of US Q2 growth.

The hawkish hints from the Bank of England has recently driven sterling higher and the market will be subsequently looking for hints over monetary policy moves from Governor Mark Carney when he speaks at a conference at 09:15 BST.

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German inflation is released throughout the morning from the various states, whilst the countrywide German CPI is at 13:00 BST and is expected to stay at +1.8% for the year.

The final reading of US Q2 GDPgrowth is at 13:30 BST and is expected to be confirmed at +3.0% (which is how the second reading came in). The comments from FOMC’s Stanley Fischer (centrist voter) will also be of interest at 15:15 BST.

Chart of the Day – EUR/GBP

Euro/Sterling has been in decline for the past few weeks, but the move accelerated lower as the hawkish hints from the Bank of England started to suggest a move towards tightening monetary policy might come sooner than expected.

A consolidation in the correction had held up the bears, but the move seems now to be gaining traction once more for another downside break. A close below £0.8770 completes a small range break and opens for 130 pips of implied downside in the coming week. This comes as a long term of support of an uptrend of almost two years is being seriously tested. Previously all the talk had been of parity but now sterling is testing support that on a breach would be a three month low, as the support at £0.8740 is being threatened.

A close below £0.8715 would open downside for the June low at £0.8650. The momentum indicators are putting pressure on the downside with the bear candles racking up, the RSI stuttering around 30, the Stochastics falling in bear territory and the MACD lines in decline well below neutral. Intraday rallies are now being sold into, with hourly momentum negatively configured and lower highs being left under the key resistance now at £0.8900. There is now a near term “sell zone” between £0.8770/£0.8815.