ECB strategy, record pessimism amid record greed

Yesterday, the ECB expectedly left the parameters of monetary policy in the Eurozone. This was predictable, so most were interested in the new strategy of the Central Bank. But Lagarde greatly disappointed the markets, saying that before November-December, one could not count on any clarity in this matter.

Thus, the euro will not have to rely on support from the ECB in the foreseeable future. So the decline in the single European currency was quite natural yesterday. Not even Lagarde’s remarks on the fact that moderate growth was observed in the European economy did not help.

In general, the euro continues to look attractive enough for sale. Increase pressure on the euro and sales in the EURJPY pair, which we recommended selling the pair when it was quoted above 122.

PricewaterhouseCoopers recently announced the results of a survey of heads of major world companies. We have already analyzed the results of a similar survey from Deloitte and note that PWC confirmed the previous results: the business is experiencing record pessimism since 2009. Only 27% of company heads expect improvement in the economy. Most expect a slowdown in the global economy. Characteristically, the most pessimistic leaders in the United States. Which once again convinces us of the correct course on sales in the US stock market. Meanwhile, the fall of the Chinese Shanghai Composite Index by 2.8% on the last trading day before the lunar New Year, was the largest drop in eight months.

Naturally, with such a level of pessimism, purchases of safe-haven assets look great. So today we will continue to look for points for buying gold and the Japanese yen. Again, the epidemic in China is in the process of development: the second large city, Huanggang (population about 11 million people), has been closed for entry and exit. Railroad interrupted with the city of Ezhou.

Friday promises to be a rather volatile day. Data on business activity indexes for the Eurozone and selected European countries, as well as the UK and the USA, coupled with statistics on retail sales in Canada, practically guarantee that it will not be boring.