Stocks rally as major currencies lose direction

Global equity markets continue to rally as major currencies have lost a clear direction.  Encouraging global data and Wall Street’s extended record rally, took Asian shares to a new two-year peak Thursday morning. Australia presented strong unemployment numbers.  While 50 100 new jobs were added in April, the South Korean central bank made a surprise 0,5 % interest cut lowering the interest rate to 2,5 %. These steps further cemented the positive mood in global markets.

Lower interest rates and central banks increased money printing have  created spare liquidity which moves into stocks. The Japanese monetary easing brought the Nikkei index within striking distance of a five-years highs outperforming its global peers.  Stocks remain the favoured asset class among investors as monetary easing depresses return on bonds. Unclear prospects regarding the world economic growth weigh negatively on commodity prices.  Commodities trade without any clear direction with precious metals temporarily falling out of favour with investors.

In contrast to the clear uptrend in global equities major currencies have lost direction. This is the case with  Japanese yen, JPY,  which depreciated  continuously since November last year and depreciated and lost 20 – 25 % against most currencies. The last weeks USD/JPY has traded in the interval between 97 – 99 yen a dollar unable to make a major breakthrough and jump above the psychological  100 level.

Investors which made huge profits betting on big cash currency positions earlier this year go into equities which regardless of economic fundamental outlooks are strongly buoyed by monetary easing. As long as central banks keep their accommodative stance the uptrend in stocks would continue. Stocks were also  helped by the upbeat US unemployment figures last Friday, Chinese trading data and more promising prospects for the German industry.

In spite of the economic outlook for the Euro zone continues to be dismal, the Euro remains resilient. Euro/USD  trades at 1.3160.  The economic problems in Europe are indeed serious, but traders have recently  burnt their fingers on going short on Euro and stay away. The Euro seems to have discounted eventual bad news, and the balance of payment and real interest rates are no lower than anywhere else. There is no clear conviction among traders as to  the timing of Euro weakness. In this financial climate oil prices are keeping up steady.  Brent is hovering around USD 104 a barrel. Gold price which fell to USD 1449 on Tuesday, has picked up and trades at 1474.

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