General Market Comment
US indices closed higher on Thursday, boosted by shares in the Household & Personal Products (+1.45%), Software & Services (+1.34%) and Food, Beverage & Tobacco (+1.22%) sectors. On the economic data front, initial jobless claims reached 201k in week ended September 15th (estimated 210k) from 204k in the previous week. Continuing claims came out to 1.645M in week ended September 8th (forecasted 1.705M) compared to 1.696M a week earlier. In other news, the Philadelphia Federal Business Outlook increased to 22.9 in September (expected 18) vs. 11.9 in August. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index improved to 60.2 in week ended September 16th from 59 in the prior week. In addition, the Leading Index improved by 0.4% in August (estimated 0.5%) vs. 0.6% in July. Finally, existing home sales remained unchanged MoM at 5.34M in August (expected 5.37M). The S&P 500 (2,930.75) remains above its 20d moving average (2,893.63 – positive slope) and 50d moving average (2,854.76 – positive slope).
European markets are expected to start on a positive note.
Foreign Exchange
The US dollar was bearish against most of its major pairs on Thursday with the exception of the JPY. On the economic data front, initial jobless claims reached 201k in week ended September 15th (estimated 210k) from 204k in the previous week. Continuing claims came out to 1.645M in week ended September 8th (forecasted 1.705M) compared to 1.696M a week earlier. In other news, the Philadelphia Federal Business Outlook increased to 22.9 in September (expected 18) vs. 11.9 in August. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index improved to 60.2 in week ended September 16th from 59 in the prior week. In addition, the Leading Index improved by 0.4% in August (estimated 0.5%) vs. 0.6% in July. Finally, existing home sales remained unchanged MoM at 5.34M in August (expected 5.37M).
The Euro was bullish against most of its major pairs with the exception of the NZD. The Euro-zone consumer confidence index fell to -2.9 in September in first estimation vs -2 expected and -1.9 in August. UK retail sales increased 3.3% in August (+2.3% anticipated) after a 3.8% rise a month earlier (revised from +3.5%).
The Australian dollar was mixed against its major pairs.
Commodities
After the close of Wall Street, WTI Crude Future (NOV 18) was about flat to $71.25. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ $68.85) and above its 50D MA (@ $67.42).
Gold was up $2.4 to $1206.4. The precious metal was above its 20D MA (@ $1201) and below its 50D MA (@ $1207).
Copper Future (DEC 18) on Comex was up 3.3c to 276.25c/lb. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ 268.08c) and above its 50D MA (@ 272.79c). In Europe, the London Metal Exchange reported its copper inventories decreased 2600 tons to 215000 tons.