Ending the experiment

The Swedish central bank ended half a decade of negative rates when it hiked its key borrowing cost to 0%, a move which is seen as a test case for counterparts around the world experimenting with subzero policy. There is less excitement expected at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time from the Bank of England where policy is forecast to remain on hold even as expectations mount for further easing in 2020. U.K. retail sales figures which showed the longest run of monthly declines since 1996  are only likely to add to that speculation. Elsewhere the Bank of Japan left monetary policy untouched and the People’s Bank of China injected the most liquidity since January to ensure ample cash supply over the year-end period.

Impeached

The U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on two charges, setting up a Senate trial early next year at which the Republican majority is almost certain to acquit him. While the political excitement about the developments couldn’t be higher, markets — seemingly certain that the move will die in the Senate and possibly even help Trump’s re-election chances — are completely unmoved by the events.

Repo, again

There is another test of market year-end liquidity needs today when the Federal Reserve Bank of New York offers a $35 billion 14-day term operation which spans into the new year. Analysts are hoping for a less-than-full take-up of the offering which would signal dealer balance sheets are in a healthy position. The New York Fed’s 30-day auction on Monday was oversubscribed, while the total at overnight operations remains low.

Markets mixed

Global equities are in something of a soft spot ahead of the holiday period. Overnight, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.2% while Japan’s Topix index closed 0.1% lower. In Europe, the Stoxx 600 Index was 0.1% higher at 5:50 a.m. in a session which has seen the gauge fluctuate between gains and losses. S&P 500 futures were little changed, the 10-year Treasury yield was at 1.940% and gold slipped.

Coming up…

Weekly jobless claims figures are released at 8:30 a.m., with expectations for a return to trend after last week’s surprise 252,000 total. November existing U.S. home sales and the Leading Index are published at 10:00 a.m. There is a Democratic presidential candidate debate at 8 p.m. featuring the seven leading candidates. Nike Inc., Rite Aid Corp. and Accenture Plc are among the companies reporting results.