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☆ Rivals can feast on Credit Suisse client spoils
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Credit Suisse saw 110 billion Swiss francs flying out the door in the final quarter of 2022. These outflows were chiefly cash from wealthy clients and some deposits at Credit Suisse's Swiss bank unit. Those holding accounts at both Credit Suisse and UBS may dislike too much wealth concentration. And Credit Suisse is hardly incentivised to transfer securities swiftly. The minister said this was needed because Credit Suisse customers had again withdrawn money.

☆ Dollar set for longest stretch of weekly losses since 2020
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar index , which measures the performance of the U.S. currency against six others, slid to a roughly one-year low of 100.78. This would mark a fifth straight weekly loss, the longest such stretch since July 2020. Out of the G10 currencies, investors hold the largest bearish position in the dollar against the euro. The New Zealand dollar rose 0.1% to $0.63035, after jumping 1.3% on Thursday. The Japanese yen rose marginally, leaving the dollar 0.2% down on the day at 132.27, while the offshore yuan rose 0.4% to 6.8463 per dollar.

MSCI's Europe index, for example, still trades more than a point below its average historic valuation - with the index priced at less than 13 times its 12-month forward earnings. The top sectoral weighting in the STOXX Europe 50, for example, is healthcare - at almost 23%. With British-based stocks the biggest country weighting in the STOXX Europe index at 26%, the other top four sectors in the index include the food, beverages and tobacco grouping, consumer products, industrial goods and energy. The dollar peaked late last year against most European currencies as the Federal Reserve raced to ratchet up interest rates. Some think the slide in the dollar index of some 12% since last September is barely half of the whole move.

Summary Dollar index on course for fifth weekly lossesEuro touches two-month highLONDON/SINGAPORE, April 13 (Reuters) - The dollar fell to a two-month low on Thursday after data showed U.S. inflation slowed sharply in March, bolstering hopes that the Federal Reserve's rate-hiking campaign is either already finished or will be by May. The dollar dropped after the data was released and weakened further on Thursday, helping the euro rise 0.27% to a two-month high of $1.102. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against six major peer, was last down 0.2% at 101.28, its lowest since the start of February. John Hardy, head of FX strategy at Saxo Bank, said the inflation data "left the market with not much to go on". He said he expects the dollar to grind lower from here as inflation cools and the economy slows.

☆ Marketmind: Dollar skids, China revs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar's DXY index - the Swiss franc hit its strongest level in more than two years. Taking in all the information, futures markets still show a near 75% chance of another quarter point rate rise to the 5.0-5.25% range in May, but more than 60 basis points of cuts from there to yearend. Two-year Treasury yields were stuck at 4%, with producer price inflation and weekly jobless up next on Thursday's data calendar. European markets were further pepped by reports the European Central Bank was minded to downsize its rate hikes to a quarter point in May after six successive half point moves. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ European assets rally after data shows U.S. inflation slowing
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, April 12 (Reuters) - European stocks, currencies and bonds rallied on Wednesday after data showing headline U.S. inflation eased last month tempered expectations for further rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. Other European currencies such as Norway's crown and the Swiss franc strengthened, with the franc reaching its firmest since June 2021. Germany's 10 year bond yield, the benchmark for the euro zone , fell and was last down 1 basis point at 2.293%. Bond yields move inversely to prices. Reporting by European markets team, editing by Harry RobertsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Swiss parliament seeks elusive compromise over Credit Suisse rescue
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Noele Illien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

While the upper house approved the government's 109 billion Swiss franc ($120.82 billion) contribution to the rescue package, parliament's lower, and larger chamber, later rejected it. Seeking a compromise, the upper house passed changes to the measure on Wednesday morning, which the lower house will vote on later in the day. As they returned on Wednesday, the upper house passed changes, which include a proposal for Switzerland's federal government to draft an amendment to the country's Banking Act. Its aim would be to reduce the risks posed by systemically relevant banks, such as Credit Suisse and UBS for Switzerland, by, for example, raising capital requirements and restricting bonuses. A shotgun marriage which saw Credit Suisse taken over by rival UBS (UBSG.S) for 3 billion Swiss francs and propped up with more than 250 billion Swiss francs in guarantees and support has drawn widespread criticism.

The euro was up 0.52% at $1.0918 and the pound rose a similar amount to $1.2439 as most European markets returned from the long Easter weekend. "Bank earnings will also be important, they don't often reach across to FX markets directly, but they might, given the recent jitters," Foley added. Tuesday's moves were also affected by European markets' reopening after the break, said Simon Harvey, head of FX analysis at Monex Europe, given the limited liquidity on Friday and Monday with most European markets closed. He said algorithms trading currencies based on the difference between European and U.S. rates might have sold euros for dollars when U.S. Treasury yields rose after the jobs data while European bond markets were closed. European bond yields rose sharply on Tuesday, catching up after the break.

☆ Credit Suisse pays back some emergency liquidity, central bank data suggests
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ZURICH, April 11 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) has already paid back some of the emergency liquidity offered by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), data suggested on Tuesday, signaling an ebbing of the liquidity crisis which triggered the lender's fall. Sight deposits - cash held by commercial banks overnight with the SNB - fell by 31 billion Swiss francs ($34.3 billion)last week, data published by the central bank showed. In recent weeks sight deposits have soared as Credit Suisse received emergency liquidity infusions to head off a bank run as nervous customers pulled out their cash. Following a state-sponsored takeover by rival UBS (UBSG.S), another 200 billion francs in liquidity was also made available by the SNB. Credit Suisse, the SNB and UBS declined to comment on the development.

The euro was up 0.4% at $1.0903 and the pound was up 0.5% at $1.2439 as most European markets returned from the long Easter weekend. "Bank earnings will also be important, they don't often reach across to FX markets directly, but they might given the recent jitters," Foley added. Tuesday's moves were also affected by European markets' reopening after the break, said Simon Harvey, head of FX analysis at Monex Europe, given the limited liquidity on Friday and Monday with most European markets closed. He said algorithms trading currencies based on the difference between European and U.S. rates might have sold euros for dollars when U.S. Treasury yields rose after the jobs data while European bond markets were closed. European bond yields rose sharply on Tuesday catching up after the break.

☆ Switzerland cuts bonus payouts for top Credit Suisse management
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, April 5 (Reuters) - Switzerland has instructed Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) to cancel or reduce all outstanding bonus payments for the top three levels of management and examine whether those already paid can be recovered, the Federal Council said on Wednesday. Under Swiss banking law, the Federal Council can impose bonus-related measures on a systemically important bank if it received state aid from federal funds, according to a statement. Bonus payments up to the end of 2022 will be cancelled for the Executive Board, and then halved for management one level below the board and reduced by 25% for those two levels below. The 2022 bonus pool for the Swiss bank's close to 50,000 employees had already gone down to 635 million Swiss francs from 2.76 billion, because of the drop in the bank's share price. At Credit Suisse's final annual general meeting held on Tuesday, shareholders took to the stage to voice their opposition to the pay Credit Suisse executives and board of directors received in the lead up to its demise.

The underlying trend though for the dollar remained tilted to the downside and Wednesday's U.S. private sector jobs numbers affirmed that. The ADP National Employment report showed U.S. private employers hired far fewer workers than expected in March, suggesting a cooling labor market. Private employment increased by 145,000 jobs last month. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private employment increasing 200,000. Another report on Wednesday also indicated continued economic weakness, this time in the services sector.

☆ Stocks falter as economic worries nag, big rate hike lifts kiwi dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Dhara Ranasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] A stock broker looks at his screens at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File PhotoSummary Graphic: World FX ratesGraphic: Global asset performanceWorld stocks pull back from 7-week highsNZ dollar rallies after big rate hikeLONDON, April 5 (Reuters) - World stock markets stumbled on Wednesday as signs that the economic outlook is weakening spurred caution, while a bigger-than-expected interest-rate hike from New Zealand lifted the kiwi dollar. European stocks fell with the broad STOXX 600 index pulling away from Tuesday's one-month highs (.STOXX). U.S. equity futures dipped , and Japan's Nikkei (.N225) fell 1.6% in its biggest one-day percentage fall since mid-March. Weak U.S. economic data this week has exacerbated recession worries, taking the edge off recent stock market gains.

☆ Swiss sight deposits fall, suggesting Credit Suisse, UBS took less emergency help
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( John Revill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ZURICH, April 3 (Reuters) - Sight deposits held by the Swiss National Bank declined last week, data showed on Monday, suggesting that Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) and UBS (UBSG.S) may have cut back on use of emergency funds offered them to facilitate their planned merger. Total sight deposits - meaning commercial bank cash held by the central bank overnight - fell to 563.566 billion Swiss francs ($614.71 billion) from 567.003 billion francs in the previous week, the SNB data showed. Sight deposits had risen 51.8 billion francs the week before, the second biggest increase on record and probably linked to UBS and Credit Suisse tapping the liquidity lines offered by the SNB and Swiss government after the takeover was announced. Both banks have been offered 200 billion francs in emergency liquidity after Credit Suisse suffered massive outflows from worried investors. The SNB and Credit Suisse both declined to comment on the changes in sight deposits on Monday.

Europe-wide inflation data is due at 0900GMT. French inflation data on Friday also came in a whisker above expectations, and Dutch inflation also rose. "Inflation data in the eurozone will be an important driver, (for the euro)" said Francsco Pesole, FX strategist at ING, who expects the euro to reach $1.10 some time next week, after consolidating today. The dollar has also been dragged back as the focus on the U.S. banking sector in March caused U.S. interest rate markets to dramatically reprice the outlook. Both currencies found support from expanding Chinese manufacturing activity, though data on Friday showed the pace was slowing down.

“I have argued for years that the biggest banks in the world are still too big to fail. In practice, however, the economic damage would be considerable.”Keller-Sutter was at the center of a government-orchestrated rescue of Credit Suisse by its larger rival UBS (UBS) earlier this month. They were designed to make it possible to wind down a big bank without destabilizing the financial system or exposing taxpayers to the risk of losses. Although some investors in Credit Suisse bonds lost everything, Swiss taxpayers are still on the hook for up to 9 billion Swiss francs ($9.8 billion) of potential losses arising from certain Credit Suisse assets. The rest is lent out at higher interest rates or invested, because that’s how big banks make most of their profit.

“I have argued for years that the biggest banks in the world are still too big to fail. In practice, however, the economic damage would be considerable.”Keller-Sutter was at the center of a government-orchestrated rescue of Credit Suisse by its larger rival UBS (UBS) earlier this month. Global standards for dealing with teetering “too big to fail” banks were key a part of the package of rules introduced after the global financial crisis. They were designed to make it possible to wind down a big bank without destabilizing the financial system or exposing taxpayers to the risk of losses. The rest is lent out at higher interest rates or invested, because that’s how big banks make most of their profit.

☆ Swiss authorities reveal cost of Credit Suisse's liquidity lifeline
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Noele Illien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, March 30 (Reuters) - Switzerland's authorities revealed the interest rates Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) and UBS (UBSG.S) will pay for the 250 billion Swiss franc ($273.31 billion) emergency lifeline the Swiss banks have been offered. Credit Suisse will pay an interest rate equal to the current Swiss National Bank's policy rate of 1.5% plus 0.5% for access to the emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) scheme, the central bank said on Thursday. In measures announced alongside the emergency takeover of Credit Suisse by rival UBS engineered by the authorities, the two banks were also given access to 100 billion francs in additional liquidity assistance (ELA+). This central bank assistance is available to the banks at an interest of 3% plus its policy rate. On top of this Credit Suisse owes Switzerland a 0.25% commitment premium for the public liquidity backstop.

☆ Swiss authorities reveal costs of Credit Suisse lifeline
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Noele Illien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, March 30 (Reuters) - Switzerland's 250 billion Swiss franc lifeline thrown to Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) and UBS (UBSG.S) could cost them more than 10 billion francs ($10.95 billion) in interest if used in full, Reuters calculations based on official data showed. Credit Suisse will pay an interest rate equal to the current Swiss National Bank's policy rate of 1.5% plus 0.5% for access to the emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) scheme, the central bank said on Thursday. This central bank assistance is available to the banks at an interest of 3% plus its policy rate. Credit Suisse was also given access to an additional 100 billion franc public liquidity backstop, for which it has to pay a 3% risk premium evenly split between the national bank and the Swiss state. On top of this Credit Suisse owes Switzerland a 0.25% commitment premium for the public liquidity backstop.

☆ The world's largest wealth manager is warning investors to avoid stocks for the rest of 2023. Here's its advice across asset classes.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Marley Jay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

UBS, the world's largest asset manager, downgraded stocks and says they have little upside now. The firm says investors shouldn't sit on the sidelines, especially in the bond market. UBS advised investors on what to buy in stocks, bonds, currencies, and alternative assets. "The bond market is pricing for a recession to start as soon as the summer," Haefele wrote, while oil prices and credit spreads also reflect substantial recession risk. Speaking of stocks, Haefele doesn't like what he sees.

☆ Swiss sight deposits jump, suggesting Credit Suisse, UBS took emergency liquidity
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A logo is pictured on the Credit Suisse bank in Geneva, Switzerland, March 15, 2023. Sight deposits - cash held by the SNB for commercial banks overnight - jumped to 567 billion Swiss francs ($619 billion) from 515 billion francs a week earlier. Last week's rise indicates that both UBS and Credit Suisse may have used some of the 200 billion francs in extra liquidity offered by the SNB as part of a state-sponsored rescue of Credit Suisse. UBS agreed to buy Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs in stock in a merger engineered to avoid more market-shaking turmoil in global banking. Credit Suisse had already said it would take 50 billion francs from the SNB under its emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) facility before the UBS takeover.

☆ Moody's downgrades Poland's mBank, confirms Bank Millennium
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WARSAW, March 25 (Reuters) - Moody's has downgraded the long-term deposit ratings of mBank and changed the outlook to negative from "under review" citing risks stemming from the legacy of Swiss franc loans at Polish lenders, the agency said. Moody's has downgraded the long-term issuer ratings of the bank's mortgage unit mBank Hipoteczny and changed the outlook to negative from "under review". The agency confirmed Bank Millennium's long- and short-term deposits ratings and changed the outlook on its long-term deposit ratings to negative from "under review". An adviser to the European Union's top court last month sided with Polish borrowers with Swiss franc-denominated mortgages. Poland's regulator has warned the matter could cost Polish banks 100 billion zlotys ($22.98 billion).

☆ Swiss franc grapples with safe-haven identity crisis after Credit Suisse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Money managers ditched the Swiss franc at the fastest rate in two years last week in the run-up to the dramatic takeover of Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) by UBS (UBSG.S). "You still have some of the safe-haven hedging properties in the Swiss franc but it can only take so much when the risk ends up being so concentrated in the Swiss economy and the Swiss financial sector," Kundby-Nielsen added. "If it hadn't been Credit Suisse, but any other European bank getting into trouble, you would have seen the Swiss franc rising sharply because it would have been the safe haven for European risk," said Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING. "The franc is not an 'all-weather' safe haven and so far we've not had the type of market pressures that would typically lead to franc appreciation," he said. SWISSIt's one thing for the franc to have lost some favour among investors during a Swiss-centric crisis, but quite another to suggest its days as a safe haven are numbered.

☆ Rally splutters as Europe ploughs on with rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The European-wide STOXX 600-share index (.STOXX) fell 0.75% with banks and insurers the main culprits again, suffering 1.6%-2% drops. Norway had also hiked, although MSCI's main world share index (.MIWD00000PUS) was still in positive territory after overnight gains in Asia. Focus now shifts to the Bank of England, with investors expecting a quarter-percentage-point increase in its main rate after a surprise jump in inflation squashed hopes of it pausing its tightening campaign. /FRXElsewhere in the bond markets, although UK yields were up those on German Bunds were down at 2.281%, happy to match the falls seen on 10-year U.S. Treasuries yields that had taken them to 3.440%. Germany's European Central Bank rate setter Joachim Nagel had even said he now thought the ECB was "approaching restrictive territory" with its rates, referring to a level that curtails growth.

The index of top European banks (.SX7P) was down 1% in early trading, with German banking giants Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) and Commerzbank (CBKG.DE) both falling 0.8%. The rescue of Credit Suisse, which followed the collapses of California-based Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) (SIVB.O) and New York-based Signature Bank (SBNY.O) ignited broader concerns about investors' exposure to a fragile banking sector. The decision to prioritise shareholders over Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bondholders rattled the $275 billion AT1 bond market and some Credit Suisse AT1 bondholders are seeking legal advice. "The AT1 instruments issued by Credit Suisse contractually provide that they will be completely written down in a 'viability event', in particular if extraordinary government support is granted," FINMA said. However, some watchers think the banking system is more vulnerable to rumour and rapid moves in an era of widespread social media use, posing a challenge for regulators trying to tamp down instability.

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