ETFS Multi-Asset Weekly – Jobs data keeps Fed on track for rate hikes this year
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Highlights
• Oil prices continue to slide. • European bourses generally traded higher although Greek stocks were heavily hit after the reopening of its market. • Commodity currencies diverge.
Declining oil prices led the commodity sector lower, with a swelling glut in production weighing on price. We believe that the current low oil price environment will encourage high cost producers to cut back on production, paving the way for price gains in the future. An appreciating US dollar maintained pressure on the commodity complex more generally. With 215,000 jobs added to the US economy in July, the Federal Reserve is likely to remain on track for an interest rate hike later this year. Consensus expectations are for a September hike, although the futures market is looking further out in the year for the central bank to pull the trigger.
Commodities
Oil prices continue to slide. WTI and Brentcrude oil benchmarks fell 8.0% and 7.1% respectively to the lowest levels since March and January. The global supply glut shows little sign of relenting. US oil rigs in operation have increased three weeks in a row. OPEC’s monthly report due tomorrow is likely to confirm that Saudi Arabia has continued to increase production beyond 10.5mn barrels per day, adding more oil to an oversupplied market in it pursuit for market share. As the summer driving season in the US starts to wind down and refineries undergo maintenance before the winter period, demand for crude is likely to hit a lull, weighing on price in the short-term. Current conditions are likely to drive the cuts in capex to high-cost non-US, non-OPEC production, helping to tighten supply in the future. Wood Mackenzie estimates US$200bn of capex cuts across the industry, primarily in deep-sea production.
Equities
European bourses generally traded higher although Greek stocks were heavily hit after the reopening of its market. The Greek Stock Exchange re-opened after a five-week hiatus, allowing investors to sell their holdings. Greek stocks fell an initial 23% on Monday, before trimming losses to just 16% by Friday. European manufacturing purchasing managers indices surprised to the upside, lifting investor sentiment about the pace of the economic recovery. The DAX, FTSE MIB and FTSE100 gained 2.7%, 1.8% and 1.3% respectively. MSCI China A-Shares ended the week 0.4% higher as the market responded to the equity market support offered by the government. An estimated US$144bn has been spent by the government on supporting the market and we believe a considerable amount of resources are available to the China Securities Finance Corp, the state-owned margin lending agency that is the main conduit for injecting rescue funds into the market.
Currencies
Commodity currencies diverge. The Australian dollar increased 1.0% against the US dollar after the Reserve Bank of Australian left rates on hold at 2%. Despite disappointing economic data amid weak resource prices, a buoyant property market is driving the RBA’s reluctance to cut rate too far, especially as the efficacy of further cuts is likely to decline as we reach the zero bound. Falling oil prices weighed on oil exporting countries, with the Norwegian Krone and the Canadian dollar dropping 1.4% and 1.0% respectively against the US dollar. We expect the CAD and NOK to outperform AUD and NZD in months ahead as the oil price begins to recover. The US dollar rallied against most currencies, with the latest labour market data giving fuel for the Federal Reserve to hit the trigger on rate increases later this year. The Bank of Japan remained dovish at its latest policy meeting, helping the Yen depreciate.
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Please find below Hashdex monthly crypto market update and performance attribution for Hashdex Crypto-Index ETPs for October 2024.
With October often showing strong seasonality for crypto assets, this month’s results reflect a promising trend for Bitcoin, although gains were more limited across Altcoins. As outlined in our latest CIO note, “Beyond Trump and Harris: Five Congressional Races That May Impact Crypto’s Future”, several upcoming US congressional races could shape the regulatory landscape for crypto, with potential implications for institutional adoption and future price action. Bipartisan support for the asset class is expected to grow, depending on the results of key races.
We will share some updates during the week, if you need any inputs on US elections, feel free to reach out to us.
Hashdex Crypto Index ETPs: performances (USD) as of end of October 24
• Beta Index ETP– Nasdaq Crypto Index ETP (HASH or HDX1) (largest Crypto Index ETP in Europe): October +7.1%, YTD +45%, 12M +89%.
• Smart-Beta Index ETP – Crypto Momentum Index ETP(HAMO or HDXM): October -0.5%, YTD +1.2%, 12M +71%.
Market Update – October 24
October, commonly known as ”Uptober” for its seasonally strong performance for Bitcoin, continued this trend in 2024. The month began with a volatile period, as the Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) initially gave back gains from September. All NCI constituents declined in the first ten days, with the exception of Uniswap, which announced plans for its own layer-two network on Ethereum.
Mid-month, the sentiment shifted, with a sharp rally that drove Bitcoin close to its all-time high by the 29th. The NCI ultimately closed the month up 7.1%, significantly outpacing traditional markets as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 declined slightly. This rally coincided with a sharp increase in former president Donald Trump’s odds in election betting markets, generating additional optimism around Bitcoin.
While Bitcoin posted a robust 10.6% gain, Altcoins generally underperformed. The notable positive exception among altcoins was Solana, which rose 9.0%. In contrast, Ripple declined 18.6% due to ongoing SEC litigation, and Polygon’s MATIC dropped over 20% as it migrated to a new token model (POL).
Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI) relative to other asset class in October 24
Source: Hashdex, as of 30/10/24.
In comparison with traditional assets, the NCI’s 7.1% gain far outpaced the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, both of which posted slight declines. This performance underscores the potential for crypto assets to provide upside during periods of broader market uncertainty. The majority of this outperformance was driven by Bitcoin’s strength, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the crypto asset class and its growing appeal as a macroeconomic hedge.
Performance attribution:
Nasdaq Crypto Index (NCI)
The NCI recorded positive returns for most of its primary constituents, with Bitcoin (+10.6%) leading the gains. Solana (SOL) also contributed positively, rising 9.0%. However, Ripple (XRP) and Polygon’s MATIC weighed on the index, with losses of 18.6% and over 20%, respectively. Ripple’s decline was largely attributed to ongoing legal issues with the SEC, while MATIC’s transition to the POL token created additional downward pressure.
Source: Hashdex, as of 31/10/24.
Crypto Momentum Factor Index
The Crypto Momentum Factor Index showed a slight monthly decline of 0.5% in October, reflecting the underperformance of altcoins in general. Although Tron (TRX) remained relatively stable, other altcoins in the index faced headwinds, leading to a small monthly loss for the index.
Source: Hashdex, as of 31/10/24.
Correlation (3m) to traditional asset classes
Source: Hashdex, as of 31/10/24. NCI for Nasdaq Crypto Index.
Goldman Sachs Global Green Bond UCITSETF EUR (Dist) (GSGR ETF) med ISIN IE000SYQFJV2strävar efter att spåra Solactive Global Green Bond Select-index. Solactive Global Green Bond Select-index följer gröna obligationer. Alla löptider ingår. Betyg: Investment Grade.
Den börshandlade fondens TER (total cost ratio) uppgår till 0,22 % p.a. Goldman Sachs Global Green Bond UCITSETF EUR (Dist) är den enda ETF som följer Solactive Global Green Bond Select-indexet. ETFen replikerar det underliggande indexets prestanda genom fullständig replikering (köper alla indexbeståndsdelar). Ränteintäkterna (kuponger) i ETFen delas ut till investerarna (halvårsvis).
Denna ETF lanserades den 13 februari 2024 och har sin hemvist i Irland.
Mål
Goldman Sachs Global Green Bond UCITSETF är en passivt förvaltad, hållbar global obligationsfond som uteslutande investerar i gröna obligationer enligt bedömningen av Goldman Sachs Asset Managements investeringsteam för gröna obligationer.
Crypto markets faced a volatile week as key macroeconomic events approached, with the upcoming US presidential election and anticipated Fed rate decision fueling uncertainty in risk assets. Bitcoin (BTC) rose 1.7%, ether (ETH) declined 1%, Solana (SOL) fell 8.2%, and the Nasdaq Crypto IndexTM (NCITM) was down 0.5%.
Microsoft to consider bitcoin investment starting December
According to a new SEC filing, Microsoft is considering the possibility of investing in Bitcoin as a hedge strategy against inflation despite opposition from its Board of Directors. This move, by one of the world’s largest companies, would mark a significant step in institutional adoption for Bitcoin.
MicroStrategy discloses plans to buy $42B of BTC
The firm announced bold plans to raise $42 billion over the next three years to acquire more bitcoin. This new wave of capital will be split equally, with $21 billion from equity issuance and $21 billion from debt offerings, in a project called the ”21/21” plan. This move, led by founder Michael Saylor, underscores bitcoin’s potential as a valuable hedge against inflation and highlights its appeal as a strategic investment option.
UBS launches its first tokenized fund on Ethereum
UBS Asset Management has launched its first tokenized fund, the USD Money Market Investment Fund Token (uMINT), a money market fund built on the Ethereum blockchain, available through authorized partners. The launch supports the growing demand for tokenized financial assets and leverages distributed technology to enhance fund issuance and distribution, as well as UBS’s broader strategy to expand its tokenization services.