US indices closed higher on Friday lifted by shares in the Health Care Equipment & Services (+2.87%), Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences (+1.65%) and Technology Hardware & Equipment (+1.07%) sectors.
On the economic data front, Empire Manufacturing released at 2.9, missing the 6.0 estimate for November, down from 4.0 the month before. The Import Price Index month over month change declined by -0.5%, more than the -0.2% consensus for October, down from a revised increase of 0.1% in September. Retail Sales Advance month over month change rose 0.3%, just above the 0.2% estimate for October, up from a decline of -0.3% the prior month. Industrial Production fell -0.8% in October, more than the expected -0.4% decline, down from a revised -0.3% fall in September, marking the worst reading since May 2018.
On Monday, economists expect the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index to reach 71 for November, in-line with the reading from October.
European markets are expected to open on a flat note.
Foreign Exchange
The US dollar was bearish against most of its major pairs on Friday, with the exception of the CHF and JPY. On the economic data front, Empire Manufacturing released at 2.9, missing the 6.0 estimate for November, down from 4.0 the month before. The Import Price Index month over month change declined by -0.5%, more than the -0.2% consensus for October, down from a revised increase of 0.1% in September. Retail Sales Advance month over month change rose 0.3%, just above the 0.2% estimate for October, up from a decline of -0.3% the prior month. Industrial Production fell -0.8% in October, more than the expected -0.4% decline, down from a revised -0.3% fall in September, marking the worst reading since May 2018. On Monday, economists expect the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index to reach 71 for November, in-line with the reading from October.
The Euro was bullish against most of its major pairs with the exception of the AUD. In Europe, Eurozone October Consumer Price Index rose 0.7% year on year, as expected.
The Australian dollar was bullish against all of its major pairs.
Commodities
After the close of Wall Street, WTI Crude Future (DEC 19) was up $1 to $57.79. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ $56.17) and above its 50D MA (@ $55.6).
Gold was down $4.5 to $1466.9. The precious metal was below its 20D MA (@ $1485) and below its 50D MA (@ $1493).
Copper Future (MAR 20) on Comex was up 1.6c to 265.05c/lb. The contract was below its 20D MA (@ 267.46c) and above its 50D MA (@ 263.88c). In Europe, the London Metal Exchange reported its copper inventories increased 3050 tons to 227825 tons.