RUSSIA: Russia Crude Output Flat in February, Below OPEC+ Quota
Mar-06 08:29
- Russian data show the country’s crude oil production in February was little changed from the month before, holding just below its OPEC+ quota, Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the figures. Output averaged 8.964 million barrels a day last month, which is 14,000 barrels a day below Russia’s target under the OPEC+ supply agreement.
- Russia's Finance Ministry has met its quarterly target for domestic borrowing almost a month early, Kommersant report, raising more than RUB1trln since the start of the year. It raised about RUB218bln in auctions for two fixed rate OFZ bond issues Wednesday amid demand that totalled RUB377bln, the highest figure for such bonds since April 2021. The bonds are being bought primarily by banks and institutional investors, but demand from retail investors is also growing, the newspaper add.
- The Bank of Russia reports the weekly change in gold and FX reserves. No tier 1 data releases are scheduled for the remainder of the week. February CPI figures are due next week.
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RIKSBANK: January Minutes May Provide Signal On Rate Outlook
Feb-04 08:18
The Riksbank January meeting minutes are due today at 0830GMT/0930CET. This release may provide a clearer signal on the rate outlook than the decision itself, given the non-committal policy statement guidance.
- The January rate decision (25bp cut to 2.25%) was unanimous, though Governor Thedeen suggested in the press conference that the minutes would highlight “nuances” in opinions amongst Board members.
- Key focus will be on whether the three doves from the December meeting minutes (Breman, Jansson and Bunge) still see a case for more cuts in H1 2025, and whether the March decision should be considered live.
- We expect Thedeen and Seim to continue offering a more cautious outlook for policy rates. In the January press conference, Thedeen said that the Riksbank’s “best assessment” was that there would be no more rate cuts (in line with the December MPR rate path). However, this assessment was heavily caveated, with the Governor citing significant uncertainty to the outlook (e.g. from potential trade barriers and economic fragmentation) and the need to assess incoming data in the context of the December projections.
STIR: SFRZ5/Z6 Sold
Feb-04 08:11
SFRZ5/Z6 4K given at -0.5.
GILTS: Weaker On Canadian Tariff Reprieve
Feb-04 08:10
Gilts sell off at the open, adjusting to Canada’s short-term tariff reprieve that has been covered in detail elsewhere.
- Futures as low as 92.67 before a recovery to 92.80.
- The recent corrective bullish cycle in the contract extended yesterday.
- Initial support and resistance located at the 20-day EMA (92.11) and yesterday’s high (93.54), respectively.
- Yields 1.5-3.0bp higher, curve bear steepens.
- GBP STIRs still operate around pre-gilt open levels, ~80bp of BoE cuts priced through year-end.
- The DMO will come to market with GBP4.25bln of the 4.375 Mar-30 gilt this morning.
- Little else of note on the UK calendar, which will leave focus on cross-asset cues and tariff-related headlines.
- Our BoE preview will be published later today.
