Special Reports

After incredible rally, oil outlook still uncertain as virus casts shadow over demand – Special Report

Posted on June 11, 2020 at 9:45 am GMT

Few would argue that 2020 has been a good year for oil after the market turmoil sparked by the coronavirus crisis sent WTI prices crashing into negative territory for the first time in the US benchmark’s history. But just as the unexplainable recovery of global equities, oil is looking bullish once again, at least in the medium-term timeframe. The encouraging signs of rebounding economic activity as businesses emerge from the virus shutdowns bode well for oil and other commodities. But [..]

Have stocks ‘gotten over’ the virus? – Special Report

Posted on May 27, 2020 at 4:03 pm GMT

There’s been a lot of talk for a powerful V-shaped recovery, but that has only happened in the stock market, which is ignoring the rising economic and geopolitical risks and is instead plowing higher, powered by a tsunami of stimulus. Alas, at current levels equities imply a ‘painless’ recession, which is probably much too rosy. Overall, so much optimism has been priced back in, that it would almost take a miracle for reality to match the stellar expectations. There is [..]

Can the EU recovery fund change the euro’s fortunes? – Special Report

Posted on May 21, 2020 at 3:23 pm GMT

The euro finally found its footing this week, bolstered by a Franco-German plan for a European recovery fund worth half a trillion euros to assist the economies most devastated by the crisis. Although the proposal is a step in the right direction for establishing some debt-sharing mechanism that ultimately sets the stage for Eurobonds, its size is quite small and it will face fierce opposition from Northern European countries. Hence, while it diminishes some risks and could keep the euro [..]

Australia’s spat with China may spell doom for its economy and the aussie – Special Report

Posted on May 21, 2020 at 7:46 am GMT

Sino-Australian relations sank to a new low this week after China unexpectedly slapped 80.5% tariffs on Australian barley imports, possibly signalling a new front in the global trade war. China buys about 30% of Australia’s exports and its decision comes days after blacklisting four Australian abattoirs that export beef. But while China’s actions must be ringing alarm bells in Canberra, the Australian government is not planning retaliatory tariffs, adding weight to speculation that there’s more than meets the eye in [..]

With interest rates at zero, what will drive FX now? – Special Report

Posted on May 13, 2020 at 3:15 pm GMT

Interest rate differentials have traditionally driven the FX market, but now that every major central bank has slashed rates to zero, what will guide currencies? In a nutshell, it might be a blend of how high the risk of future shutdowns is, relative growth performance coming out of the crisis, global risk sentiment, and politics. The defensive yen seems attractive in this brave new world as it no longer suffers from a severe yield disadvantage, while the dollar’s role as [..]

Oil drowns in a flood of supply, no lifejacket for now – Special Report

Posted on April 24, 2020 at 12:46 pm GMT

Oil prices traded negative for the first time ever this week, as physical space to store the liquid has almost run out amidst an oversupply of epic proportions. In the near term, there’s little that can save oil prices, and we might even see a repeat of the oil-crash movie in mid-May as storage space runs out entirely. That said, if and when storage room runs out, that could also be the point of ‘peak oversupply’ and perhaps the bottom [..]

Earnings season: The good, the bad, and the very ugly – Special Report

Posted on April 14, 2020 at 3:50 pm GMT

This earnings season will be pivotal. With so little post-virus economic data so far, the real-time guidance by corporate executives could be invaluable. In a nutshell, while earnings and guidance will probably be gloomy overall, there might be huge contrasts between sectors. Industries like travel and energy will likely be decimated, whereas online retailers and home entertainment companies might have made a killing. All told, while significant downside risks remain for the market overall, some ‘value plays’ are also arising. [..]

OPEC: What’s the deal? – Special Report

Posted on April 8, 2020 at 3:28 pm GMT

This will be a pivotal week for energy markets. The world’s largest oil producers will meet to discuss cutting their production in an attempt to stabilize a market that has been devastated by collapsing demand. OPEC and Russia will sit down for talks on Thursday, before the G20 energy ministers convene on Friday. The immediate reaction in oil prices will depend on whether a deal is struck at all, and if so, by how much they will cut. In the [..]

Virus containment could spell trouble for the dollar – Special Report

Posted on April 7, 2020 at 2:18 pm GMT

It didn’t take long for the US dollar to reclaim its crown as king of currencies after a brief but sharp sell-off in late February. An acute shortage of dollars across global markets, driven by a panic rush for cash as the virus turmoil deepened, has bolstered the US currency’s safe haven status. But amid some tentative signs of a possible levelling-off in the rise of new infected cases, is there a risk of the dollar falling off a cliff? [..]

Is this a light at the end of the stock tunnel or just a flashlight? – Special Report

Posted on April 3, 2020 at 1:36 pm GMT

Stock prices are making a V turn after experiencing the sharpest downfall since financial crisis and bargain hunters are looking for the right time to buy. Hopefully, there are reasons to believe that the positive trend could continue, though on the other hand it is too early to rule out a dead cat bounce, and it is even challenging to predict a full recovery after the virus drama ends. Hence, while it looks like a good opportunity to get exposure to the market, a portfolio overloaded [..]

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