General Market Comment
US indices closed higher on Wednesday, led by shares in the Banks (+2.72%), Diversified Financials (+2.19%) and Insurance (+0.96%) sectors. On the economic data front, MBA mortgage applications advanced by 13.5% in week ended January 11th from a jump of 23.5% in the prior week. Import price index declined by 1% MoM in December (estimated -1.3%) from a decrease of 1.9% in November. In other news, the Fed released their Beige Book stating that the economic activity increased in most of the US reporting modest to moderate growth while wages increased along with material prices. The S&P 500 (2,616.10) stays above its 20d moving average (2,521.91 – positive slope) but remains below 50d moving average (2,628.54 – negative slope).
European markets are expected to start on a flat note.
Foreign Exchange
The US dollar was bullish against most of its major pairs on Wednesday with the exception of the CAD. On the economic data front, MBA mortgage applications advanced by 13.5% in week ended January 11th from a jump of 23.5% in the prior week. Import price index declined by 1% MoM in December (estimated -1.3%) from a decrease of 1.9% in November. In other news, the Fed released their Beige Book stating that the economic activity increased in most of the US reporting modest to moderate growth while wages increased along with material prices.
The Euro was bullish against most of its major pairs with the exception of the CAD. The new car registrations in EU27 zone fell by 8.4% in December, following a 8% drop a month earlier. The German CPI was up by 0.1% in December in final estimation in December, as expected and at the same pace than in November. The UK CPI gained 0.2% in December, as anticipated, the same pace than a month earlier. The UK PPI fell by 0.3% in December (stability anticipated) after a 0.1% rise in November.
The Australian dollar was bearish against most of its major pairs except for the NZD.
Commodities
After the close of Wall Street, WTI Crude Future (FEB 19) was about flat to $52.35. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ $48.09) and above its 50D MA (@ $52.08). The US Department of Energy reported that, for the week ended 11 January, crude oil inventories fell 2683k barrels compared to the previous week.
Gold was up $3.9 to $1293.4. The precious metal was above its 20D MA (@ $1281) and above its 50D MA (@ $1249).
Copper Future (MAR 19) on Comex was up 3.7c to 267.15c/lb. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ 265.61c) and below its 50D MA (@ 272.04c). In Europe, the London Metal Exchange reported its copper inventories increased 1425 tons to 135025 tons.