Market Update
US tsys continuing higher from FOMC steepening rally on above avg volume in TY fut (425k), 10Y 2.68% the lowest since Jan 4th. Equity futures back to unch (S&P +0.75) having given up earlier gains. The Fed shifted to a neutral stance saying it will be ‘patient’ – dropping the phrase ‘further gradual increases’ and implying the next move in rates could even be lower depending on the data – odds of a 25bp hike by y/e ~6% based on FF futures. Also, despite rising deficits, the US Treasury announced that issuance will remain unch this qtr. GOCs after Nov GDP fell 0.1% as exp, with Dec IPP weaker than exp (-0.7% vs 0.1%). Provis narrowing 1.5-2bps post FOMC yest and trading up this morning – Ont 28s @79, Ont longs 94bps, the Ont 48/28 box 0.3bps wider at 14.7/14.5.
News headlines
Friendly Fed fires world stocks to best January on record (Reuters) Soothing sounds from the Federal Reserve propelled world stocks to their best January on record on Thursday, although having scored stellar gains this time last year only to flop spectacularly, traders were trying not to get too carried away.
U.S. Fed adopts ‘patient’ rate stance with balance-sheet flexibility (BNN) The Federal Reserve said it will be “patient” on any future interest-rate moves and signaled flexibility on the path for reducing its balance sheet, in a substantial pivot away from its bias just last month toward higher borrowing costs.
Alberta eases crude cuts as prices surge, producers suffer (BNN) Alberta is easing mandatory oil curtailments after prices for heavy crude from the oil-rich Canadian province surged while producers were getting exasperated.
China factory slowdown eases for now as U.S. trade talks resume (BNN) The first official gauge of China’s economy in 2019 showed a slowdown in the manufacturing sector eased off a little in January, though uncertainty over the future of trade with the U.S. remains a headwind.
Stocks Pause for Breath After Fed; Dollar Slips: Markets Wrap (Bloomberg) U.S. equity futures and European stocks fluctuated on Thursday following gains in Asia as investors took a pause to digest corporate earnings and the Federal Reserve’s dovish turn. Treasury yields and the dollar extended Wednesday’s declines.
European powers launch mechanism for trade with Iran (Reuters) France, Germany and Britain have set up a European mechanism for non-dollar trade with Iran to avert U.S. sanctions, although diplomats acknowledged it is unlikely to yield big commercial transactions Tehran says it needs to keep a nuclear deal afloat.
OPEC oil output drops in January on Saudi cut, outages and sanctions (Reuters) OPEC oil supply has fallen in January by the largest amount in two years, a Reuters survey found, as top exporter Saudi Arabia over-delivered on the group’s supply pact while Iran, Libya and Venezuela registered involuntary declines.
U.S. lawmakers move to curtail president’s power to levy tariffs (Reuters) U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation to limit the president’s power to levy import tariffs for national security reasons
Overnight markets
| Cda Benchmarks | Yield | Tsy Benchmarks | Yield |
| 2 Year | 1.797% | 2 Year | 2.496% |
| 5 Year | 1.805% | 5 Year | 2.475% |
| 10 Year | 1.901% | 10 Year | 2.667% |
| 30 Year | 2.151% | 30 Year | 3.022% |
Disclosure and Disclaimer
The following sources of information have been, or may have been, used partially or in their entirety to compile the herein provided CTI Capital Securities Inc. (“CTI Capital”) ‘Morning Comments.’ CTI Capital believes these sources to be generally reliable, however, as said sources are varied and from third parties, CTI Capital cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of said information: Canadian Press (CP); Bloomberg News (BN); Wall Street Journal (WSJ); Stone & McCarthy Research Associates (SMRA); New York Times (NYT); Financial Times (FT); Market News International (MNI); Globe and Mail; Associated Press (AP); CNW Group (CNW); Reuters; Business News Network (BNN); Market Watch; and others.
Ivan Greenstein, Stephan Buu, Émile Bordeleau
Institutional Bond and Equity Desk
CTI Capital Valeurs Mobilières Inc.
Tel : (514)-861-0240
Fax: (514)-861-3230
Institutional Bond and Equity Desk
CTI Capital Valeurs Mobilieres Inc.
Tel : (514)-861-0240
Fax: (514)-861-3230