DXY eased last night as EUR firmed and CNY fell:
The Australian dollar continues to fall versus DMs:
Mixed against EMs:
Gold firmed:
Oil too:
Metals were mixed:
Miners fell:
EM stocks eased:
Junk firmed:
Treasuries rose:
Bunds too:
And Aussie bonds:
Stocks firmed:
More US housing data last night indicating that the bond rally, which pegs US fixed mortgage rates, has already lifted activity. Existing home sales were strong:
Existing-home sales inched up in August, marking two consecutive months of growth, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Three of the four major regions reported a rise in sales, while the West recorded a decline last month.
Total existing-home sales, completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 1.3% from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.49 million in August. Overall sales are up 2.6% from a year ago (5.35 million in August 2018).
…Total housing inventory at the end of August decreased to 1.86 million, down from 1.90 million existing-homes available for sale in July, and marking a 2.6% decrease from 1.91 million one year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.1-month supply at the current sales pace, down from 4.2 months in July and from the 4.3-month figure recorded in August 2018.
A few more charts from WSJ’s Daily Shot make the point. Mortgage activity has lifted:
And construction is following:
Given US housing is the key leading indicator for any recession, its rebound catches the US dollar bears on the hop and is real support for a stable Federal Reserve.
The ECB has acted with more easing but transmission into European property markets is much more patchy and unpredictable. Germany has seen prices rise:
But it’s not clear that it will translate into construction:
Economically, the US remains the developed market out-performer and the USD is still sought after. I would be surprised if this is not reflected in an even higher DXY in the short to medium term.
Weighing, of course, on the Australian dollar.