U.S. indices closed higher on Tuesday, led by shares in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (+2.03%), Technology Hardware & Equipment (+1.79%) and Materials (+1.51%) sectors. On the economic data front, existing home sales declined by 0.4% MoM to 5.19M units in April (estimated 5.35M). The S&P 500 (2,864.36) stays below its 20d moving average (2,892.74 – negative slope) and breaks below 50d moving average (2,872.06 – 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 Tuesday with the exception of the CAD and the GBP. On the economic data front, existing home sales declined by 0.4% MoM to 5.19M units in April (estimated 5.35M) from 5.21M in the previous month.
The Euro was bullish against most of its major pairs except for the GBP and the CAD. The euro zone consumer confidence index was -6.5 in May in first estimation from -7.3 a month earlier (revised from -7.9). Economists anticipated -7.7.
The Australian dollar was lower against all of its major pairs except for the NZD and the JPY.
Commodities
After the close of Wall Street, WTI Crude Future (JUN 19) was about flat to $62.99. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ $62.74) and above its 50D MA (@ $62.16).
Gold was down $3.2 to $1274.7. The precious metal was below its 20D MA (@ $1283) and below its 50D MA (@ $1290).
Copper Future (JUL 19) on Comex was down 1.2c to 271.45c/lb. The contract was below its 20D MA (@ 279.64c) and below its 50D MA (@ 286.89c). In Europe, the London Metal Exchange reported its copper inventories increased 525 tons to 189250 tons.