US indices closed up on Thursday lifted by the Consumer Durables & Apparel (+1.56%), Technology Hardware & Equipment (+0.85%) and Materials (+0.66%) sectors. On the economic data front, Initial Jobless Claims fell to 203K, below the 215K estimate for the week ending November 30th, down 10K from 213K the week before. Continuing Claims rose to 1693K, higher than the 1660K consensus for the week ending November 23rd, up from a revised 1642K the prior week. The Trade deficit narrowed to 47.2 billion dollars, below the 48.6 billion dollar deficit estimate for October. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index increased to 61.7 for the week ending December 1st, up from 60.5 the week before. Factory Orders rose 0.3%, in-line with the estimate for October, up from a revised decline of -0.8% the month before. Durable Goods Orders rose 0.5%, just shy of the 0.6% consensus for the October final reading, slightly below 0.6% in the preliminary reading.
On Friday, economists expect Nonfarm Payrolls to rise 184K month over month for November, up from 128K in October. The Unemployment Rate for November is anticipated to be in-line with the prior month at 3.6%. Wholesale Inventories month over month change is expected at 0.2% for the October final reading, in-line with the preliminary reading. Finally, the University of Michigan Sentiment Index is expected to rise to 97.0 for the December preliminary reading, up from 96.8 in the November final reading.
European markets are expected to open on a positive note.
Foreign Exchange
The US dollar was bearish against most of its major pairs on Thursday, with the exception of the AUD. On the economic data front, Initial Jobless Claims fell to 203K, below the 215K estimate for the week ending November 30th, down 10K from 213K the week before. Continuing Claims rose to 1693K, higher than the 1660K consensus for the week ending November 23rd, up from a revised 1642K the prior week. The Trade deficit narrowed to 47.2 billion dollars, below the 48.6 billion dollar deficit estimate for October. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index increased to 61.7 for the week ending December 1st, up from 60.5 the week before. Factory Orders rose 0.3%, in-line with the estimate for October, up from a revised decline of -0.8% the month before. Durable Goods Orders rose 0.5%, just shy of the 0.6% consensus for the October final reading, slightly below 0.6% in the preliminary reading. On Friday, economists expect Nonfarm Payrolls to rise 184K month over month for November, up from 128K in October. The Unemployment Rate for November is anticipated to be in-line with the prior month at 3.6%. Wholesale Inventories month over month change is expected at 0.2% for the October final reading, in-line with the preliminary reading. Finally, the University of Michigan Sentiment Index is expected to rise to 97.0 for the December preliminary reading, up from 96.8 in the November final reading.
The Euro was bullish against most of its major pairs with the exception of the NZD and GBP. In Europe, the Eurozone’s third-quarter Gross Domestic Product growth (final reading) was released at +0.2% (+0.2% on quarter, +1.2% on year expected). Also, the Eurozone’s Retail Sales in October was reported at -0.6% (-0.5% on month, +2.2% on year expected). In the U.K., the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported New Car Registrations at -1.3% in November (-6.7% on year in October).
The Australian dollar was bearish against all of its major pairs.
Commodities
After the close of Wall Street, WTI Crude Future (JAN 20) was about flat to $58.45. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ $57.23) and above its 50D MA (@ $55.56).
Gold was about flat to $1475.5. The precious metal was above its 20D MA (@ $1465) and below its 50D MA (@ $1482).
Copper Future (MAR 20) on Comex was about flat to 266.65c/lb. The contract was above its 20D MA (@ 266.35c) and above its 50D MA (@ 264.49c). In Europe, the London Metal Exchange reported its copper inventories decreased 4525 tons to 193900 tons.