Here's our summary of key events overnight that affect New Zealand, with news that we are suspending posting our usual service today.
The situation in Christchurch is beyond understanding at this time.
It is a tragedy on a world scale and one that commands attention. Economic issues are not important today.
More information here, here, here and here.
We will not be posting any other items today, and until further notice, comments are suspended. Discussion about economic policy is trivial and unnecessary at this time.
Update: We will be posting new stories tomorrow (Sunday). But comments will still be unavailable.
The UST 10yr yield has fallen today and is now at 2.60%. Their 2-10 curve is wider at +20 bps while their negative 1-5 curve has narrowed to-4 bps. The Aussie Govt 10yr is down -14 bps this past week to 1.97%, the China Govt 10yr is unchanged at 3.16%, while the NZ Govt 10 yr is at 2.10%. Yesterday, local swap rates rose off their lows yesterday.
Gold has risen overnight, up to US$1,302, back to about where it was at the start of the week.
The VIX volatility index is lower this week at 13. The average over the past year has been 17. The average for 2017 was only 11 however. The Fear & Greed index we follow has moved back to a moderate 'greed' level.
US oil prices are little-changed today, now just under US$58.50/bbl while the Brent benchmark is down to just on US$66.50/bbl.
The Kiwi dollar is at 68.5 USc and little-changed from this time yesterday. On the cross rates we are marginally weaker at 96.6 AUc. Against the euro we are at 60.5 euro cents. That puts the TWI-5 at 73.
Bitcoin is also a little firmer at US$3,900. This rate is charted in the exchange rate set below.
The easiest place to stay up with event risk today is by following our Economic Calendar here ».
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