Latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association for the week ending 9 October 2020
–  +4.6%
– Market index 798.9 vs 804.7 prior
– Purchase index 311.1 vs 316.0 prior
The long-term mortgage rate falls to a new record low on the survey as the drop in mortgage applications largely stems from a slight moderation in purchase activity. That

Comments by German health minister, Jens Spahn
Of course, this will first depend on a vaccine breakthrough but it also stirs a bit of an interesting discussion about what may happen when the time comes.

GBP/USD rips to a high of 1.2976 before falling back to 1.2930
Meanwhile, Reuters is also reporting saying that a Brexit deal is difficult but not impossible as they cite a source familiar with ongoing talks as well.

Forex news from the European trading session – 13 October 2020
Headlines:
Markets:
– NZD leads, GBP lags on the day
– European equities mixed; S&P 500 futures down 0.1%

Bloomberg reports, citing a UK official on the matter
– EU trying to run down the clock as a tactic
– Time is extraordinarily short to get a Brexit deal
The Brexit mill is in full spin now with the Daily Express‘ Brussels correspondent, Joe Barnes, also saying that the UK sees the EU thinking it could use

Further comments by EU chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier
The headline remark is perhaps what is weighing slightly on the pound now as we see cable fall from 1.3050 to 1.3025 currently. The low today was at 1.3016 with yesterday’s low at 1.3005 another level to take note of in case sellers try to make a

Comments by UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab
– Hopeful of closing gap in talks for a Brexit deal
The Brexit see-saw continues as the UK reaffirms hope and optimism for something to get done this week while the EU maintains that progress has been lackluster thus far.

Comments by ECB governing council member, Klaas Knot
– Economic damage from second virus wave probably less dramatic than first wave
– Too early to say if ECB emergency support measures need to be extended
Knot may be a perennial hawk on the ECB board but the comments above pretty much reflects the wait-and-see approach the central bank

BOJ governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, with some remarks
– Won’t hesitate to ease further if necessary
– BOJ is open-minded, flexible
– Closely monitoring the impact of the coronavirus
The usual stuff by Kuroda but as much as he wants to boast about their policy toolkit, there isn’t much else they can do to restore faith about achieving a 2%

Comments by ECB president, Christine Lagarde
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