OTP Morning Brief: All eyes on the Fed
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OTP Morning Brief: Crude oil prices plunged sharply as the Middle East conflict eased
The first trading day of the week brought modest gains to the major European stock markets, as sectors benefiting from the easing of the Middle East conflict offset declines in the technology and energy sectors. Stock markets across the CEE region also moved higher, with the BUX gaining 0.7%. Wall Street indices closed mixed with minor moves, as investors turned their attention to the Fed's upcoming interest rate decision later this week and earnings reports from major technology companies. WTI crude futures fell by more than 7%, while Brent crude declined by over 8%. Developed-market bond yields declined as easing concerns over CPI, driven by lower oil prices, boosted demand for fixed-income assets. Domestic long-term bond yields also moved markedly lower. The EURHUF exchange rate is trading around the 360 level. Today marks the start of the Fed's two-day rate-setting meeting, while the earnings season continues with reports from several major companies.
OTP Morning Brief: Airstrikes eased in the Middle East
European indices advanced on Friday, allowing them to end the week in positive territory once again. The July PMI data painted a positive picture of the eurozone outlook, although Trump imposed new tariffs, including measures affecting Europe. The BUX declined on Friday, but still ended the week in positive territory. According to the HCSO, employment declined while unemployment increased. Airstrikes between Iran and neighboring countries eased over the weekend. This pushed oil prices back below $100 per barrel. The S&P declined on Friday and posted a loss for the week as a whole. The composite PMI also increased in the US. Developed market government bond yields retreated from their local highs. Hungarian bond yields increased, while the forint strengthened slightly. Q2 GDP data will be released this week for Hungary, the eurozone, and the US. In addition, investors will be watching eurozone and US CPI data, as well as the Fed's interest rate decision.
On Tuesday, markets awaited today’s decision of the Fed, where the current 3.75-4.0% interest rates may be cut by 25 bps. Stock investors were sitting on the fence on both sides of the Atlantic, only corporate news moved markets. Crude oil prices sank deeper. Developed economies’ bond yields made tiny movements. The BUX rose by 0.6%, underperforming its peers. After four months of stagnation at 4.3%, Hungary’s CPI slowed to 3.8% in November, easing into the MNB's tolerance band. The forint has strengthened against the euro.
Europe’s stock markets ended Tuesday’s trading with small movements; the BUX rose
The direction was unclear on Europe’s stock markets on Tuesday. Investors’ attention shifted to the two-day interest rate decision meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, which ends today, and is expected to lower the fed funds rate by another 25 basis points. The STOXX600 barely moved, while other leading indices closed mixed; Germany’s DAX (+0.5%) and Italy’s FTSE MIB (+0.3%) achieved gains, while France’s CAC40 (-0.7%) and the UK’s FTSE100 ended in the red.
Meta partner EssilorLuxottica (maker of Ray-Ban) slumped 5.6% after Google’s announcement that it would launch its first AI glasses in 2026 in partnership with Warby Parker (+9.3%). This left its mark on Tuesday’s performance of luxury companies such as Kering (-1.9%) and LVMH (-1.4%), and made this sector the weakest link in Europe. Top earning sectors were insurance (+1.2%), media (+0.8%) and banking (+0.5%). The defence industry also did well following news that the German parliament may approve a record EUR 52 billion worth of procurement contracts next week. As a result, the prices of Rheinmetall (+3.6%), RENK (+5.5%) and Hensoldt (+5.9%) all surged. Thyssenkrupp slid 6.5% after the company forecast up to EUR 800 million loss for 2026. Galp’s price dived 14.7% after handing over the operation of the Mopane oil field in Namibia to TotalEnergies. Renewable energy companies such as Nordex (+2.2%) and SMA Solar (+3.1%) rebounded as a US judge rejected the Trump administration's ban on wind energy.
On the macro front, Germany’s exports upped by 0.1% in October compared to the previous month; this is significantly better than the 0.5% drop the market had expected after the 1.4% expansion in September.
The CEE region’s stock markets also rose. The BUX’s 0.6% rebound from Monday's loss marked the smallest gain. MTelekom, which was the only blue chip to rise on Monday, was the only loser yesterday.
Wall Street’s benchmark indices closed mixed on the first day of the Fed's rate-setting meeting
The key indices on Wall Street ended mixed, making minor movements on the first day of the Federal Open Market Committee's interest rate decision in December. The market expects the Fed to further reduce the base rate by 25 basis points, but to continue to strike a cautious tone, owing to inflation risks. The Dow, the weakest of the three major indexes yesterday, was dragged down by JP Morgan after the bank announced significant cost increases for 2026, dragging down the banking sector's performance yesterday. The vast majority of the S&P sector indexes closed in the red.
The most notable of the macrodata published yesterday was JOLTS: in October, a small uptick was seen compared to the previous month. The American Federation of Small Business (NFIB) business confidence survey points to the possibility of a new impetus in the labour market, but also emphasizes the upside risks to inflation.
Oil prices sank again on Tuesday, as markets watched news related to the Russia-Ukraine peace talks and the Fed's interest rate decision. Ukraine has drawn up its own peace plan and, according to media reports, President Zelensky is initiating a request for parliament to find a legal opportunity to hold elections despite the state of war.
The bond markets of advanced economies barely changed in Tuesday's trading
Yesterday was a relatively calm day for the bond and currency markets of advanced economies. Investors waited to see today’s rate decision of the Fed. In the USA, job vacancies exceeded expectations and it seems that the previous downtrend has stopped. US yields have risen: the 10Y one drew near 4.2%. The eurozone’s yields have edged lower, the 10Y German yield is still above 2.85%. The dollar strengthened slightly against the euro: the EUR/USD sank to 1.162.
Ending four months of stagnation at 4.3%, Hungary’s inflation slowed to 3.8% in November, easing into the MNB's tolerance band. The main reason for the deceleration was food prices, but core inflation also decelerated, from 4.2% to 4.1%. Having weakened from around 380 to 385, the forint picked up slightly: the EUR/HUF sank below 384 on Tuesday. Bond yields dropped by 3-5 basis points; the 10Y one is below 6.9% again. At the ÁKK's auction of 3M discount Treasury Bills, the ÁKK sold more than twice the amount on offer (HUF 20 billion forints), at an average yield of 6.21%.
Today’s highlights
In the final hours of Wednesday’s trading, major Asia-Pacific stock markets were likely to close with small, typically negative movements. In addition to the Fed's rate decision, the markets' attention focused on the sudden weakening of the Japanese yen, which appears to have been driven by an overnight yen selling wave by momentum funds. Silver broke above USD 60, to a new record. Its price has more than doubled this year as inventories have dwindled and demand has grown from sectors such as solar energy, electric cars, as well as data centres and artificial intelligence.
Index futures dis not bode well for Europe but US trading may start with cautious increase today.
All eyes are on today’s interest rate decision of the Fed: markets expect that the key interest rate will be reduced by another 25 basis points from the current 3.75-4.0%. Beyond the policy decision, the Fed's latest forecast, including the dot plot of policymakers' interest rate expectations, is also worth checking. This will be the last time for the board of governors to provide projections with the current members.
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