Today's Market Focus: Biden Urges Israel for a "Tactical Ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip

Market Review

Key News

China Market

1. The PBOC Continues to Increase the Marketization of Mortgage Interest Rates

The Monetary Policy Department of the People's Bank of China issued a document, stating the promotion of further marketization of deposit and loan interest rates. It insists on using reform methods to guide the continuous decrease in financing costs, enhancing the marketization level of mortgage interest rates, and better supporting the demand for essential and improved housing. The article also remarked that the work on reducing the interest rates of existing mortgages has basically been completed, with over 22 trillion yuan in existing mortgages experiencing rate cuts, with an average reduction of 0.73 percentage points. This benefits more than 50 million households or 150 million people, reducing borrowers' annual interest expenditure by 160 to 170 billion yuan.

2. Regulatory Support for Leading Securities Firms to Improve and Strengthen

The recent Central Financial Work Conference made clear demands for capital market reforms and development, including the first-time proposal of "cultivating top-tier investment banks and institutions." Following this guideline, the Securities and Exchange Commission expressed support for leading securities companies to improve and strengthen through business innovation, group operation, merger, and reorganization. They aim to create top-tier investment banks that serve as the main force in supporting the real economy and as a crucial stabilizing force in finance.

3. Regulation of Short-term Health Insurance Business Again

Regulatory bodies have issued documents to insurance companies warning about the risks associated with short-term health insurance products and further standardizing the short-term health insurance business. During sales, they require clear notification and reminders to consumers about the deductible, non-deductible obligations, compensation ratios, cancellation provisions, and premium payment methods. It specified that words like "premiums as low as (minimum) X yuan", "starting from X yuan per month", "coverage up to (maximum) X ten thousand", and similar terms should not be used for improper promotion.

4. Shenzhen's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission Assures Vanke's Safety

Shenzhen's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission stated it would support Vanke by all possible means when necessary, injecting a "strong heart" into the market. During a meeting with financial institutions, the Shenzhen Metro Group declared that to boost market confidence, it would study, develop, and orderly release various effective tools to fully support Vanke. This includes undertaking some of Vanke's urban renewal projects in Shenzhen in a market-oriented and law-abiding manner, aiding Vanke in activating its bulk assets, and investing new liquidity into Vanke, with a transaction amount expected to exceed 10 billion yuan.

Overseas Market

1. Biden Urges Tactical Ceasefire in Gaza Strip by Israel

As Israeli forces surrounded the main city of Gaza and bombarded the besieged enclave, President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to agree to a "tactical ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated that Biden told Netanyahu over the phone that Washington would "continue to advocate for a temporary halt in fighting in specific areas.” He mentioned that this issue is still actively discussed with Israel, believing the dialogue is at the beginning rather than the end.

2. Leverage Funds' Net Short Positions in US Treasury Futures Reach Highest Since 2006

Before the substantial rally in US Treasuries, driven by the dual good news from the Treasury and the Federal Reserve, hedge funds' short positions in US government bonds reached a record high. The latest data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as of October 31st, show that leveraged funds' net short positions in US Treasury futures have reached the highest level since 2006. Despite a rebound in cash bonds last week, investors' bets continue.

3. US Department of Energy Seeks to Replenish Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The US Department of Energy has announced that the US is seeking to purchase up to 3 million barrels of oil to replenish the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, with delivery in January 2024. The department stated, “This is the second bidding for delivery in January 2024, as the Department of Energy aims to purchase oil under advantageous conditions for taxpayers.” The US government had expressed last month its wish to purchase 6 million barrels of crude oil for delivery in December and January of next year.

4. Significant Drop in Iran's Oil Exports

Data provided by the oil tanker movement satellite imagery analysis company, TankerTrackers.com Inc., show that this Persian Gulf country loaded an average of 143 million barrels of crude oil and condensate per day onto tankers last month, marking a drop of 194,000 barrels from September, and the lowest level since July (see below). Insiders said as early as September that Iran's exports might have peaked for the year as Asian demand weakened after summer. Besides seasonal demand factors, discussions by the US to strengthen sanctions on Iran's oil exports may also be a reason for the decrease in Iran's oil exports.

Focus Today

Today, investors should pay attention to economic data, including China, Canada, and the United States trade accounts, China's foreign reserves, and German industrial output. In addition, investors should notably focus on the Israel-Palestine situation, the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate meeting, and other risk events.