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CROSS ASSET: Lack of FX Reaction Suggests Lagarde Not A Key Driver Of EQ/FI Bid

CROSS ASSET

President Lagarde’s interview with CNBC did not come across as particularly dovish compared to recent GC commentary or her prior interview with the FT on December 23. Although EUR STIRs have rallied alongside core FI over the past hour, the lack of reaction in EUR FX suggests Lagarde’s views (and ECB monetary policy more generally) have not been a key driver - as noted in earlier commentary.

  • Asked about how appropriate the prospect of four 25bp cuts by the June meeting is, Lagarde did not provide a view: “I leave it to them [other GC colleagues] to sort of anticipate and play that game of, you know, so many, at which pace etc”.
  • Global equity futures have rallied alongside core FI over the past hour, likely factoring into earlier peripheral/semi-core outperformance versus Bunds.
  • Price action here not driven by specific newsflow or headlines, but provides another example of the jumpy short-term nature of markets this week - with the eventful first few days of the Trump administration helping to underpin intraday vol here.
  • Major EGB futures have continued to move away from earlier session highs, with Bunds now +8 ticks at 132.02 (vs an intraday high of 132.22).
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President Lagarde’s interview with CNBC did not come across as particularly dovish compared to recent GC commentary or her prior interview with the FT on December 23. Although EUR STIRs have rallied alongside core FI over the past hour, the lack of reaction in EUR FX suggests Lagarde’s views (and ECB monetary policy more generally) have not been a key driver - as noted in earlier commentary.

  • Asked about how appropriate the prospect of four 25bp cuts by the June meeting is, Lagarde did not provide a view: “I leave it to them [other GC colleagues] to sort of anticipate and play that game of, you know, so many, at which pace etc”.
  • Global equity futures have rallied alongside core FI over the past hour, likely factoring into earlier peripheral/semi-core outperformance versus Bunds.
  • Price action here not driven by specific newsflow or headlines, but provides another example of the jumpy short-term nature of markets this week - with the eventful first few days of the Trump administration helping to underpin intraday vol here.
  • Major EGB futures have continued to move away from earlier session highs, with Bunds now +8 ticks at 132.02 (vs an intraday high of 132.22).