Group 1 - The US and Japan are expected to hold currency negotiations this week, with hedge funds and long-term investors betting on a stronger yen [1] - Japanese Finance Minister Kato Katsunobu indicated a desire to meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott P. Basset for currency discussions, amid speculation that the Trump administration is open to a weaker dollar [1] - The latest US Treasury semiannual foreign exchange report includes Japan and South Korea on its currency behavior monitoring list [1] Group 2 - As of May 13, leveraged funds' long positions in yen reached 24,741 contracts, the highest level since September 2019 [2] - The dollar-yen exchange rate reached a five-week high of 148.65 on May 12, providing an attractive selling opportunity for some funds [2] - The currency options market shows increased interest in trades betting on yen strength, with implied volatility dropping to pre-liberation levels [2]

韩国财政部：预计穆迪下调美国评级带来的市场冲击有限；将密切注意金融市场及汇市。 ...

Core Viewpoint - The copper market experienced fluctuations in prices and inventory levels during the week of May 16, with average prices ranging from 78,155 to 78,905 CNY per ton, and macroeconomic factors influencing market sentiment [1] Price and Inventory Summary - SMM 1 electrolytic copper average price fluctuated between 78,155 CNY/ton and 78,905 CNY/ton during the week, with a mid-week peak followed by a decline [1] - LME inventory decreased by 12,400 tons to 179,400 tons, while the Shanghai Futures Exchange inventory increased by 27,400 tons to 108,100 tons [1] - Domestic social inventory rose by 8,900 tons to 132,000 tons, and bonded zone inventory decreased by 8,000 tons to 68,800 tons [1] Macroeconomic Factors - A temporary joint statement was issued by China and the U.S., with the U.S. imposing a 30% tariff on China and China maintaining a 10% tariff on the U.S. [1] - The U.S. is negotiating trade agreements with Japan and the Eurozone, leading to increased market risk sentiment, with U.S. stocks and the dollar rebounding [1] - Moody's downgraded the U.S. credit rating on Friday [1] - In April, China's social financing increased by 1.16 trillion CNY, with new RMB loans of 280 billion CNY, and M2-M1 spread widening [1] Mining and Trade Activity - Copper concentrate transaction activity increased, with frequent bidding activities from traders and smelters [1] - The Bisha project bidding results were released, with processing fees stabilizing around -40 USD, and this week's TC price reported at -43.05 USD/ton, slightly down from last week [1] - April copper concentrate imports reached a historical high, but future spot transactions are expected to be sluggish, with TC prices remaining low [1] Smelting and Import Dynamics - Imported copper arrivals slightly increased, while domestic copper arrivals were lower [1] - As copper prices rise, the willingness to sell scrap copper increases, leading to a widening gap between refined and scrap copper prices [1] Consumption Trends - Due to May delivery, monthly differences, and high copper prices, downstream purchasing has been cautious, with demand not being stimulated and only essential purchases being made, resulting in a slight increase in domestic inventory [1] Strategy Outlook - The copper market is viewed as neutral, with prices expected to fluctuate within a range of approximately 75,000 CNY/ton to 79,500 CNY/ton in the coming week [1] - Arbitrage activities are on hold, with options positioned as short put at 74,000 CNY/ton [1]

Group 1 - Moody's downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating from Aaa to Aa1 due to increasing government debt and interest burden, marking the removal of U.S. sovereign debt from the "top-tier credit" category by all three major rating agencies [1] - Following the downgrade, an ETF tracking the S&P 500 fell by 1% in after-hours trading, while the Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ.US) dropped by 1.3%, and U.S. Treasury yields rose [1] - The downgrade exacerbates market risks amid President Trump's unpredictable tariff policies, with many Wall Street professionals remaining skeptical about the recent rebound in the S&P 500 index [1] Group 2 - Eric Beiley from Steward Partners indicated that the downgrade serves as a warning signal, suggesting that the U.S. stock market may be nearing its peak [2] - Ivan Feinseth from Tigress Financial Partners noted that the downgrade could negatively impact other sovereign debts, as U.S. debt is considered a benchmark for safety [2] - Dave Mazza from Roundhill Investments mentioned that the market may have already anticipated the downgrade, potentially mitigating its impact compared to the 2011 S&P downgrade [2] Group 3 - Thomas Thornton from Hedge Fund Telemetry expressed concerns about rising bond market rates, which could pose significant risks [2] - Max Gokhman from Franklin Templeton highlighted that the downgrade was not surprising, given the accelerating fiscal plans in Congress and the potential for rising debt servicing costs [2] - Keith Lerner from Truist Advisory Services stated that while the downgrade may not change market dynamics, it provides an excuse for profit-taking and emphasizes the rising deficit concerns [2]

Core Viewpoint - The recent downgrade of the US credit rating by Moody's is expected to have minimal impact on the bond market, similar to the situation in 2011 when S&P downgraded the US rating, which led to significant market turmoil at that time [1][3][9]. Group 1: Historical Context - In August 2011, S&P downgraded the US from AAA to AA+, causing panic in the market, particularly in the bond market, where the 10-year Treasury yield rose by 16 basis points on the downgrade day [2][4]. - The panic in 2011 was driven by concerns that US Treasuries might no longer qualify as eligible collateral due to the downgrade, forcing many institutions to sell off their holdings [2][4]. Group 2: Changes in Market Dynamics - After 2011, contracts were rewritten to classify securities as "government securities," removing specific credit rating requirements, which means that rating changes no longer trigger forced selling or other drastic measures [1][9]. - The downgrade by Fitch in August 2023 to AA+ had almost no effect on the bond market, as the US was already considered a split-rated AA+ country prior to Moody's downgrade [3][4]. Group 3: Market Reactions - Following the 2011 downgrade, despite initial sell-offs, the 10-year Treasury yield fell significantly by 56 basis points within a month, driven by safe-haven demand and expectations of further monetary easing by the Federal Reserve [7]. - The current market environment is different, as the systemic issues that caused turmoil in 2011 are no longer present, leading to a lack of significant impact from the recent downgrade [8][9].

Core Viewpoint - Moody's downgraded the U.S. credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, marking the first time all three major rating agencies have rated the U.S. below AAA, coinciding with Republican efforts to pass Trump's tax reform plan [1][2][4] Group 1: Credit Rating Downgrade - Moody's announced the downgrade on May 16, following a failed vote in the House Budget Committee on Trump's tax reform proposal, known as the "Beautiful Bill" [1][3] - The downgrade reflects concerns over increasing structural deficits, with Moody's warning that the proposed tax reform could add approximately $4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade [4][5] Group 2: Market Reactions - Following the downgrade, U.S. stock index futures fell, and Treasury yields rose, indicating a negative market reaction [2][5] - Analysts believe the downgrade could lead to a market pullback, as it adds to existing uncertainties regarding fiscal policy and economic conditions [5][7] Group 3: Political Context - The timing of the downgrade is seen as significant, occurring just hours after hardline Republicans blocked the tax reform proposal, highlighting the political tensions within the party [3][4] - The failed proposal aimed to extend tax cuts from the 2017 Trump administration, but faced opposition from within the Republican ranks, particularly regarding cuts to Medicaid and green energy tax credits [4]