Monthly Archives: February 2026
New Zealand’s electronic card retail sales rose 0.4% year on year, recovering from -1%
Written on February 15, 2026 at 10:09 pm, by davin
New Zealand card retail sales flipped positive: up 0.4% year-on-year in January after -1%. This hints easing consumer strain, lessens near-term RBNZ cut odds, and may lift NZD and NZX. – vtmarketsmy.com
New Zealand’s monthly electronic card retail sales fell to -1.1% from -0.1% previously
Written on February 15, 2026 at 10:09 pm, by davin
New Zealand card spending fell 1.1% in January, signaling faster cooling demand. Markets may price earlier RBNZ cuts, pressuring NZD. Consider receiving swaps, buying NZD/USD puts, or long-volatility straddles. – vtmarketsmy.com
MUFG’s Michael Wan says the interim US–India deal helps India externally and may limit the rupee’s rise above 90
Written on February 14, 2026 at 6:09 am, by davin
US–India trade deal tariff cuts may briefly lift the rupee: USD/INR could dip under 90, targeting 89.50 by Q1 2026. But FDI outflows and deficits may drive 93.00 by end-2026. – vtmarketsmy.com
Commerzbank analysts say Singapore’s 2026 Budget boosts supply-side support, SME expansion, and equity market funding initiatives
Written on February 14, 2026 at 6:09 am, by davin
Singapore’s 2026 Budget aims to boost SMEs and capital markets, bolstering SGD strength. USD/SGD nears decade lows as traders price more SGD gains amid record equities and low volatility. – vtmarketsmy.com
MUFG analysts say easing and reflation steer the yuan as CPI dips after holiday effects and PPI improves
Written on February 14, 2026 at 5:09 am, by davin
China’s inflation looks artificially weak after holiday effects, but reflation remains slow. With GDP at 4.5%, PBOC may ease further, nudging USD/CNY higher—watch February 20. – vtmarketsmy.com
Standard Chartered’s Tommy Wu raises Hong Kong’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.2%, citing momentum and sentiment
Written on February 14, 2026 at 5:09 am, by davin
Hong Kong’s 2026 growth outlook just jumped to 3.2%, fueled by finance and rising confidence. With softer HIBOR early, expect stronger equities, retail, housing, and IPO-driven volatility—options and rates trades beckon. – vtmarketsmy.com
UOB economists say Malaysia’s 2025 growth hit 5.2% as fourth-quarter GDP rose 6.3% year on year
Written on February 14, 2026 at 5:09 am, by davin
Malaysia surged: 4Q25 GDP hit 6.3%, full-year 5.2%, easing to 4.5% in 2026. Domestic demand, tourism, AI help; US tariffs threaten tech; hedges and selective domestic plays. – vtmarketsmy.com
After softer US inflation data, silver rebounded from $74 and rose 2.5% to $77.20, but was down for the week
Written on February 14, 2026 at 5:09 am, by davin
Silver jumped 2.5% to $77.20 after soft US inflation, but stays down weekly. Watch $75 and $64 support, $80 resistance. Sticky inflation could weigh, while solar demand supports a range. – vtmarketsmy.com
U.S. CFTC data show non-commercial net oil positions fell to 117.8K from 124.6K
Written on February 14, 2026 at 4:09 am, by davin
Oil bulls are backing off: CFTC net longs fell to 117.8K from 124.6K as weak global PMI and rising U.S. inventories fuel bearish risk—consider hedges before WTI tests $70. – vtmarketsmy.com
Eurozone CFTC data shows non-commercial euro net positions rose from 163.4K to 180.3K
Written on February 14, 2026 at 4:09 am, by davin
Speculators just boosted euro net longs to 180.3K—highest in six months—hinting at a euro rally. Firm Eurozone inflation vs weak US sales fuels optimism, but crowded positioning risks sharp reversals. – vtmarketsmy.com
