The interplay of macroeconomic indicators, corporate earnings, currency fluctuations, commodity surges, and cryptocurrency volatility creates a tapestry of opportunity and risk.
My perspective on the topics at hand—US equities under inflation scrutiny, China’s corporate earnings, the Japanese yen’s precarious position, commodity price spikes, rising bond yields, and cryptocurrency corrections—leans toward cautious optimism tempered by a keen awareness of potential headwinds.
Below, I weave together a comprehensive narrative grounded in the latest data, offering insights into how these elements might shape the financial world in the near term.
As exemplified by the S&P 500’s recent performance, the US equity markets are navigating a delicate balance. According to the University of Michigan’s data, the index’s early-week rally was undercut by a dip in consumer sentiment, which hit a six-month low.
This downtick, coupled with a rise in one-year inflation expectations to 3.5 per cent—a semiannual high—signals growing unease among American households. The consumer has been the backbone of US market resilience, driving economic growth despite persistent inflationary pressures. However, the softening confidence metric raises questions about the sustainability of this consumer-led momentum.
The New York Fed’s upcoming report on household debt and credit, due this week, will be a critical piece of the puzzle. Elevated debt levels or signs of credit strain could amplify market jitters, particularly if paired with disappointing earnings from retail giant Walmart, whose results on May 16 will serve as a barometer for consumer spending trends.
Across the Pacific, China’s corporate earnings are commanding attention. The week’s lineup is a who’s-who of tech and manufacturing heavyweights: SoftBank on May 13, followed by Tencent, Alibaba, Hon Hai Precision, and Sony on May 14, with Baidu and JD.com rounding out the slate on May 16. These reports are more than just financial snapshots; they are litmus tests for China’s economic recovery and its ability to navigate global trade tensions.
Recent improvements in US-China trade relations, including a 90-day tariff cut accord, have buoyed traditional markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging nearly 1,000 points. Yet, the implications for Chinese equities are nuanced. Strong earnings from tech giants like Tencent and Alibaba could signal robust domestic demand and technological innovation, bolstering investor confidence.
Conversely, any signs of weakness—whether from supply chain disruptions or regulatory pressures—could dampen sentiment, particularly given the global scrutiny on China’s economic policies.
In the foreign exchange markets, the Japanese yen is once again under the microscope as the USDJPY pair approaches 156. This level is significant, both technically and psychologically, as it tests the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) resolve to defend the yen. The yen’s weakness is partly a function of the US dollar’s strength, driven by expectations of persistent inflation and a hawkish Federal Reserve.
The upcoming US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, slated for May 13, will be pivotal. Forecasts suggest April’s CPI will hold steady at 2.4 per cent, matching March’s figure. A higher-than-expected reading could further strengthen the dollar, pushing USDJPY toward 160 and potentially prompting BoJ intervention.
Conversely, a softer CPI might ease pressure on the yen, offering temporary relief. I believe the yen’s trajectory hinges on the Fed’s signaling. If the CPI data fuels speculation of delayed rate cuts in 2025, the yen could face sustained depreciation, exacerbating Japan’s import costs and inflation challenges.
Commodities, meanwhile, are experiencing a renaissance. Silver’s six per cent surge and natural gas’s five per cent gain last week underscore a broader trend of renewed investor interest in tangible assets. Silver’s rally is particularly noteworthy, driven by industrial demand (notably in solar energy) and its role as a hedge against inflation. Natural gas, on the other hand, is benefiting from supply constraints and heightened geopolitical risks, particularly in energy markets.
These gains align with the broader narrative of inflation expectations, as evidenced by the University of Michigan’s data and the New York Fed’s one-year inflation outlook. Commodities will remain a focal point for investors seeking diversification amid equity market volatility and rising bond yields. However, the sustainability of these rallies depends on global demand dynamics and the trajectory of inflation, both of which remain uncertain.
Speaking of yields, the fixed income market is sending clear signals of inflationary concern. The 10-year US Treasury yield’s breach of 4.5 per cent reflects heightened expectations of persistent price pressures, as captured by the University of Michigan’s inflation survey. This uptick in yields is a double-edged sword: it strengthens the dollar and tightens financial conditions, but it also raises borrowing costs, potentially crimping corporate investment and consumer spending.
For bond investors, the calculus is shifting. The prospect of a Federal Reserve maintaining elevated rates into 2025 suggests that yields could climb further, particularly if CPI data surprises to the upside. My take is that fixed-income markets are at an inflection point. Investors must weigh the allure of higher yields against the risk of capital losses if inflation accelerates beyond current projections.
The cryptocurrency market, meanwhile, is a microcosm of broader market dynamics. Bitcoin’s retreat to US$102,000, down 1.7 per cent in 24 hours, follows a failure to sustain momentum above US$105,000. This correction comes after a 24 per cent rally over the past month, highlighting the crypto’s volatility.
Data from Alphractal points to profit-taking pressure near the US$106,000 resistance zone, with a potential drop to US$100,000 threatening US$3.4 billion in leveraged long positions. The looming CPI release adds another layer of uncertainty. A higher-than-expected inflation reading could bolster the dollar, exerting downward pressure on Bitcoin, while a lower figure might spark speculation of Fed rate cuts, fuelling a crypto rebound.
Bitcoin remains a high-beta asset, amplifying macroeconomic trends. Its divergence from equities, which rallied on US-China trade optimism, underscores its unique risk profile. Investors should approach Bitcoin with caution, mindful of its sensitivity to monetary policy shifts.
Ethereum, by contrast, is riding a wave of bullish sentiment. Its 40 per cent surge last week—its largest since December 2020—is driven by spot buying rather than leverage, as evidenced by a declining estimated leverage ratio (ELR) from 0.75 to 0.69. The influx of over 180,000 ETH into staking protocols signals strong confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value proposition, particularly as a backbone for decentralised finance (DeFi).
However, ETH faces technical resistance at the 200-day simple moving average, with US$2,850 as the next hurdle. Ethereum’s rally is more sustainable than Bitcoin’s, given its lower reliance on speculative leverage and its growing utility in blockchain ecosystems. That said, macroeconomic headwinds, such as a stronger dollar or rising yields, could cap its upside in the near term.
In synthesising these threads, my overarching view is one of cautious navigation. The US equity market’s reliance on consumer strength is under scrutiny, with inflation expectations and household debt levels as key variables. China’s earnings will provide critical insights into global growth prospects, while the yen’s fate hinges on US monetary policy.
Commodities offer a hedge but are not immune to demand shocks, and rising bond yields signal tighter conditions ahead. In the crypto space, Bitcoin and Ethereum reflect broader market tensions, with CPI data as the immediate catalyst.
As a journalist, I see opportunity in this volatility but urge investors to tread carefully, armed with data and a clear-eyed view of the risks. The financial markets are a chessboard, and every move counts.
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.
