MNI US OPEN - China Stresses Preference for Ukraine Talks

NEWS

CHINA/RUSSIA (BBG): Xi Tells Russia’s Medvedev That China Wants Talks on Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping told former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that his nation would like to see talks on Ukraine, comments that come as Beijing tries to improve ties with Europe. Xi told Medvedev in Beijing that his administration has been “actively promoting peace and talks,” according to state broadcaster China Central Television.

CHINA (BBG): Chinese Cities Tell Employees with Covid to Go Back to Work

Chinese workers with mild Covid are being told to go back to work in some cities, evidence of a complete reversal in the way the virus is being viewed as officials seek to limit the economic impact of an explosion in cases as the country reopens.

CHINA (MNI): China’s Green Asset Push to Lure Global Capital

(MNI) Beijing - China’s policies aimed at accelerating a low-carbon transition could see it emerge as the world’s largest source of green assets, a lure for additional capital inflows from global investors hungry for higher yields, said Ma Jun, chair of the Green Finance Committee (GFC) of the China Society for Finance and Banking and Co-Chair of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, in an interview with MNI.

JAPAN (MNI): Japan's Govt Maintains Economic View, Global Outlook Dims

Japan's government maintained its assessment of the domestic economy for the sixth straight month but lowered its view on the global economic outlook for the first time since August, the Cabinet Office said on Wednesday.

JAPAN (MNI): Kuroda's Legacy Looms as Leadership Race Narrows

The Bank of Japan's shock move to lift the upper limit of its 10-year yield target has sharpened focus on the race to replace Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, with a key selection criteria being a commitment to maintaining low interest rates to support fragile growth and limit the government's borrowing costs, MNI understands.

DATA

UK NOV PSNCR GBP20.34 BN (MNI)
UK NOV PSNB-X GBP+22.02 BN (MNI)
UK NOV PSNB GBP+21.2 BN (MNI)
UK NOV CGNCR GBP25.52 BN (MNI)

MNI CHINA LIQUIDITY INDEX (MNI): Conditions Ease; Rates Dip

• MNI China Liquidity Conditions Index: 32.9 December Vs 69.1 November

Liquidity across China’s interbank market looks ample to deal with year end factors, with no signs of a drying up of capital pools, the latest MNI Liquidity Conditions Index shows. Unlike previous Decembers when liquidity usually tightens, the Liquidity Condition Index fell to 32.9 this time from last 69.1. Almost half of survey participants reported easier conditions, with an estimate of CNY500 billion capitals released by the Reserve Requirement Ration cut. The index marks the lowest reading since May.

FX SUMMARY: USD More Stable, But Close to Last Week's Lows

• The USD Index is very modestly higher headed through into US hours, but is holding the majority of the post-BoJ losses. USD strength is most strongly noted against the NZD, with NZD/USD off 0.85% for the day and below 0.6300. This marks slippage through uptrend channel support and the 20-day EMA (0.6311).
• NZ survey data has been quite poor this week, with ANZ's consumer sentiment index falling sharply in December. The trade position also remained comfortably in deficit. The currency is receiving little relief from firmer commodities prices, with oil and gold both seen stronger on the day. While NZD is weaker, NOK is gaining alongside the oil price rally.
• JPY trades firmer for a second session, but USD/JPY holds above yesterday's lows at 130.58, which mark the first major support for now. Any break below here opens 130.41, the Aug 2 low and a key support.
• GBP trades poorer. While EUR/GBP is off the day's highs, overnight trade has come within range of first resistance layered between 0.8771-72.
• Canadian CPI and US existing home sales make up the data highlights, with consumer confidence also on the docket. There are no central bank speakers of note.

BOND SUMMARY: Finding Stability After Post-BoJ Rout

Global core bonds are steadying after the post-BoJ rout, with Tsys slightly stronger and periphery and semi-core debt outperforming in Europe in a generally risk-on atmosphere.

• 10Y JGB cash yields closed a couple of basis points from the top of the BoJ's new target band.
• Global core FI largely recovered after some further weakness overnight.
• US and German curves have twist steepened, with the UK's bear flattening. Gilts are underperforming following data showing UK public borrowing hit a record in November.
• Data ahead is mostly US housing related, continuing this week's theme: MBA mortgage applications and Existing Home Sales. We also get Conference Board confidence. There are no central bank speakers of note.
• We await 2023 funding plans from key Eurozone countries, including Italy. $12B US 20Y Bond Reopen features on the issuance calendar.

Latest levels:

• Mar 10-Yr US TSY futures (TY) up 1.5/32 at 113-18.5 (L: 113-09.5 / H: 113-21)
• Mar Bund futures (RX) down 2 ticks at 135.89 (L: 135.6 / H: 136.17)
• Mar Gilt futures (G) up 5 ticks at 101.18 (L: 101.08 / H: 101.53)
• Italy / German 10-Yr spread 6.4bps tighter at 210.8bps

EQUITIES: Equity Futures Consolidate Close to Recent Lows

EUROSTOXX 50 futures remain in a bear mode position and yesterday’s low print reinforces this theme. The break lower has resulted in a breach of the 50-day EMA - at 3799.80. Price is back above the EMA but short-term gains are considered corrective. A continuation lower would open 3720.00 next, the Nov 10 low. On the upside, initial firm resistance is seen at the 20-day EMA - it intersects at 3887.20. S&P E-Minis remain soft and yesterday's low print reinforces bearish conditions. The move lower has also reinforced recent reversal signals - a shooting star candle on Dec 13 followed by a break on Dec 15, of support at 3945.75, the Dec 7 low. The focus is on 3778.45, a Fibonacci projection. On the upside, initial firm resistance is seen at 3948.02, the 50-day EMA. A break of this EMA is required to ease bearish pressure.

• Japan's NIKKEI closed lower by 180.31 pts or -0.68% at 26387.72 and the TOPIX ended 12.27 pts lower or -0.64% at 1893.32.
• Elsewhere, in China the SHANGHAI closed lower by 5.356 pts or -0.17% at 3068.41 and the HANG SENG ended 65.69 pts higher or +0.34% at 19160.49.
• Across Europe, Germany's DAX trades higher by 104.27 pts or +0.75% at 13992.12, FTSE 100 higher by 32.81 pts or +0.45% at 7404.29, CAC 40 up 54.04 pts or +0.84% at 6504.47 and Euro Stoxx 50 up 31.75 pts or +0.84% at 3834.24.
• Dow Jones mini up 222 pts or +0.67% at 33277, S&P 500 mini up 22.5 pts or +0.58% at 3871.75, NASDAQ mini up 71.5 pts or +0.64% at 11247.75.

COMMODITIES: Breach of $1805 Confirms Gold Uptrend

Trend conditions in WTI futures remain bearish. Recent gains however, have highlighted a bullish corrective cycle and this has resulted in a test of the 20-day EMA, at $76.80 today. A clear break of this hurdle would signal scope for an extension and open $79.79, the 50-day EMA. On the downside, a stronger reversal lower would refocus attention on the bear trigger which lies at $70.31, the Dec 9 low. Trend conditions in Gold remain bullish and the recent move lower is considered corrective. Key short-term support to watch is $1765.9, Dec 5 low. The yellow metal breached $1810.0 last week, Dec 5 high, to resume the uptrend. This maintains the positive price sequence of higher highs and higher lows and opens $1842.7, a Fibonacci retracement. On the downside, a break of $1765.9 would signal scope for a deeper pullback.

• WTI Crude up $0.53 or +0.7% at $76.59
• Natural Gas up $0.21 or +3.89% at $5.531
• Gold spot down $3.87 or -0.21% at $1814.39
• Copper up $0.5 or +0.13% at $380.3
• Silver down $0.26 or -1.07% at $23.9073
• Platinum down $13.04 or -1.29% at $999.52