US indices closed mixed on Thursday. Shares in the Energy (-1.71%), Automobiles & Components (-1.14%) and Software & Services (-0.9%) sectors felt some pressure while shares in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (+0.72%), Household & Personal Products (+0.66%) and Health Care Equipment & Services (+0.6%) sectors were on the rise. On the economic data front, initial jobless claims remained unchanged WoW at 230k in week ended April 27th (estimated 215k) while continuing claims slightly increased to 1.671M in week ended April 20th (forecasted 1.66M) compared to 1.654M the prior week. Also, factory orders improved by 1.9% in March (expected 1.6%) from -0.3% a month earlier while durable goods orders advanced by 2.6% in March vs. a decline of 1.6% in February. Finally, the Bloomberg consumer comfort index slightly decreased to 60.4 in week ended April 28th from 60.8 a week earlier. The S&P 500 (2,917.52) stays above both its 20d moving average (2,910.66 – positive slope) and 50d moving average (2,848.78 – positive slope).
European markets are expected to start on a flat note.
Foreign Exchange
The US dollar was bullish against all of its major pairs on Thursday. On the economic data front, initial jobless claims remained unchanged WoW at 230k in week ended April 27th (estimated 215k) while continuing claims slightly increased to 1.671M in week ended April 20th (forecasted 1.66M) compared to 1.654M the prior week. Also, factory orders improved by 1.9% in March (expected 1.6%) from -0.3% a month earlier while durable goods orders advanced by 2.6% in March vs. a decline of 1.6% in February. Finally, the Bloomberg consumer comfort index slightly decreased to 60.4 in week ended April 28th from 60.8 a week earlier.
The Euro was bearish against all of its major pairs. The euro zone PMI manufacturing index was 47.9 in final estimation in April vs 47.8 in first one and 47.5 in March. The Bank of England kept its main benchmark interest rate at 0.75%, as expected and stuck to its asset purchase target at £435B. The institution warned that it could raise rates in the future at a faster pace that what the market is currently expecting.
The Australian dollar was lower against all of its major pairs.
Commodities
After the close of Wall Street, WTI Crude Future (JUN 19) was down $2 to $61.6. The contract was below its 20D MA (@ $64.03) and above its 50D MA (@ $60.91).
Gold was down $5.8 to $1271. The precious metal was below its 20D MA (@ $1284) and below its 50D MA (@ $1295).
Copper Future (JUL 19) on Comex was down 1.7c to 278.45c/lb. The contract was below its 20D MA (@ 290.67c) and below its 50D MA (@ 291.42c). In Europe, the London Metal Exchange reported its copper inventories increased 6025 tons to 231950 tons.