RUSSIA: Kremlin Spox-Putin Didn't Raise 'External Admin' Of Ukraine w/Trump

Mar-28 11:53

Reuters reporting comments from Kremlin spox Dmitry Peskov. Today's headlines have been dominated by President Vladimir Putin's proposal for Ukraine to be placed under temporary external administration, thereby ousting the Zelenskyy administration. The reaction from Kyiv has been swift and categorical, with responses ranging from accusing Putin of simply seeking to delay a ceasefire through to questioning his mental stability. 

  • Peskov says that President Vladimir Putin did not raise the idea of Ukraine being placed under a temporary administration in his call with US President Donald Trump. Peskov claims that the Ukrainian army is 'out of control' and refusing to heed orders from Kyiv. Claimes that 'armed nationalist forces' are gaining strength, which prompted Putin's suggestion.
  • Peskov also claims that Ukraine is continuing to hit Russian energy infrastructure despite the supposed ceasefire on such targets. Peskov says Russia reserves the right to pull out of the agreement at any time. He says that Russia 'is respecting the agreement for now' and not hitting energy targets 'however, it would be illogical to stand by' and watch Ukraine hit Russian energy targets 'every night'. Each side has accused the other of breaching the agreement supposedly in place since 18 March. 

Historical bullets

OUTLOOK: Price Signal Summary - WTI Clears Support

Feb-26 11:53
  • On the commodity front, despite Tuesday’s pullback, a bull cycle in Gold remains in play. Recent fresh cycle highs once again confirm a resumption of the uptrend and maintain the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Moving average studies are in a bull mode position too, highlighting a dominant uptrend and positive market sentiment. Sights are on the $2962.2, a 2.00 projection of the Nov 14 - Dec 12 - 19 price swing. The first key support to watch is $2879.0, the 20-day EMA.
  • In the oil space, a bearish theme in WTI futures remains intact and Tuesday’s sell-off reinforces current conditions. The move lower has resulted in a clear breach of support at $70.20, the Feb 6 low. This confirms a resumption of the downtrend that started Jan 15 and paves the way for an extension towards $67.75, the Dec 20 ‘24 low. Key short-term resistance has been defined at $74.06, Feb 3 high. Initial resistance is at $71.49, the 50-day EMA.

EQUITIES: EU outperforms, Bank at a 14yrs high. US NVIDIA Earnings Tonight

Feb-26 11:49
  • European Indices remain underpinned, led by better earnings today, given some of the attention on Tech stocks this Week, tonight will see major earning from US NVIDIA, expected after Markets around 21.20GMT/16.20ET.
  • We  Flagged at the start of 2025 that the Bank Index (SX7E) was the most interesting chart at the start of the Year.
  • This is making another 14yr High, that's a 33.2% gain from the December low, or 29.6% this Year.
  • Next upside resistance comes at 197.88, the February 2011 high, and the highest printed level since August 2010.

(Chart source: MNI/Bloomberg).

SX7E Index (EURO STOXX Banks Pri 2025-02-26 11-41-44

US TSYS: Curve Approaches Flattest Since Dec FOMC Ahead Of Lighter Docket

Feb-26 11:46
  • Treasuries have pared yesterday’s further rally since House Republicans narrowly passed a budget blueprint, moving away from recent highs that had been boosted by a disappointing consumer survey from the Conference Board.
  • It’s a quieter docket today ahead of backloaded week for US data, giving greater prominence to 7Y supply (after a solid 2Y Mon and a fourth consecutive stop in the 5Y on Tue) before Nvidia results after the close.
  • Cash yields are 1-3bp higher on the day, led by 5s.
  • The bear flattening sees 2s10s at 19.4bps (-0.8bp) for some of its lowest levels since the Dec 18 hawkish FOMC.
  • TYM5 takes the front contract with the quarterly roll well advanced, and at 110-12+ (-05+) has pulled back off yesterday’s high of 110-21.
  • The bull cycle is seen remaining in play from a technical angle, with resistance at that 110-21 before 110-31 (Fibo projection of Jan 13 – Feb 7 – Feb 12 price swing).
  • Data: MBA mortgage data (0700ET), New home sales Jan (1000ET)
  • Fedspeak: Barkin (0830ET), Bostic (1200ET) – see STIR bullet.
  • Coupon issuance: $28B 2Y FRN Note auction (1130ET), US Tsy $44B 7Y Note auction - 91282CMR9 (1300ET)
  • Bill issuance: US Tsy $60B 17W bill (1130ET)
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US 2s10s. Source: Bloomberg