Category: News

General Market Comment

US indices closed lower on Thursday, dragged by shares in the Automobiles & Components (-1.09%), Materials (-0.7%) and Consumer Services (-0.69%) sectors. On the economic data front, initial jobless claims decreased to 210K in the week ending August 18 (estimated 215k) from 212K previously while continuing claims also decreased to 1.727M in the week ending August 11 (anticipated 1.73M) from a revised 1.729M last week. In addition, the FHFA house price index increased by 0.2% in June, below the estimate of +0.3%, from a revised +0.4% in May. Moreover, the Bloomberg consumer comfort index decreased to 58.6 in the week ending August 19 vs. 58.9 in the prior week and Markit manufacturing PMI decreased at a preliminary estimate of 54.5 in August (expected 55) compared to 55.3 in the prior month. Finally, new home sales decreased to 627K in July (estimated 645K) from a revised 638K in June. The S&P 500 (2,856.98) remains above its 20d moving average (2,839.10 – positive slope) and 50d moving average (2,799.11 – positive slope). read more

Brent Crude Technical Snap

Pivot: 73.15. Short positions below 73.15 with targets at 72.15 & 71.75 in extension. Above 73.15 look for further upside with 73.75 & 74.20 as targets. As long as 73.15 is resistance, look for choppy price action with a bearish bias.

Today’s Economic Events

06:30 FR 2Q Unemployment Change (k) (QoQ) exp: NA prev: 83
06:30 FR 2Q Unemployment Rate exp: NA prev: 8.9%
07:00 GE JUL F Consumer Price Index (MoM) exp: 0.3% prev: 0.3%
07:00 GE JUL F CPI – EU Harmonised (MoM) exp: 0.4% prev: 0.4%
07:45 FR JUL F Consumer Price Index (MoM) exp: -0.1% prev: -0.1%
07:45 FR JUL F CPI – EU Harmonised (MoM) exp: -0.1% prev: -0.1%
09:30 UK JUN Unemployment Rate (ILO) exp: 4.2% prev: 4.2%
10:00 EC 2Q P Euro-Zone: GDP (QoQ) exp: 0.31% prev: 0.3%
10:00 EC JUN Euro-Zone: Industrial Production (MoM) exp: -0.3% prev: 1.3%
10:00 GE AUG Zew Survey (Current Situation) exp: 71.5 prev: 72.4
10:00 GE AUG Zew Survey (Econ. Sentiment) exp: -19.5 prev: -24.7 read more

General Market Comment: 14.08.18

US indices closed lower on Monday, dragged by shares in the Automobiles & Components (-1.98%), Consumer Durables & Apparel (-1.45%) and Banks (-1.4%) sectors. On the economic data front, no major data was released yesterday. The S&P 500 (2,821.93) breaks below its 20d moving average (2,826.82 – positive slope) and 50d moving average (2,786.59 – positive slope).

European markets are expected to start on a flat note.

Foreign Exchange

The US dollar was mixed against its major pairs on Monday. On the economic data front, no major data was released yesterday. read more

OPEC on Monday forecast lower demand for crude in 2019 as rivals blocks produce more crude. Additionally, top oil exporter Saudi Arabia in an attempt to maintain price levels, told the consortium they had cut production.

Commodity Closing – Europe/Oil-Gas Majors 13.08.18

Brent Crude Technical Snap

Pivot: 72.15. Long positions above 72.15 with targets at 73.40 & 73.75 in extension. Below 72.15 look for further downside with 71.80 & 71.40 as targets. RSI is mixed with a bullish bias.

General Market Comment

US indices closed lower on Friday after President Trump authorized the doubling of metals tariffs on Turkey. Shares in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (-2.23%), Automobiles & Components (-2.11%) and Materials (-1.43%) sectors were under pressure. On the economic data front, CPI MoM increased by 0.2% in July, meeting the estimate, from +0.1% in June. Lastly, monthly budget statement deficit increased to $76.9B (estimated $75.4B) in July vs. $42.9B in June. The S&P 500 (2,833.28) remains above both its 20d moving average (2,825.64 – positive slope) and 50d moving average (2,784.85 – positive slope). read more

US/China trade tensions escalate

According to wire reports China has proposed retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. These goods range from (LNG) to aircraft on Friday. On Friday a senior Chinese diplomat cast doubt on prospects of talks with Washington. Tensions were exacerbated as the US increased pressure for trade concessions from China by proposing a 25% tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.

In response, China retaliated though has consistently appealed for the US to act rationally to resolve the ongoing dispute. Thus far, the US and China have implemented tariffs on $34 billion worth of each others’ goods since July, with the US cited as being ready to implement tariffs on an additional $16 billion of Chinese goods, which China has already suggested it will respond to immediately. China has to date either imposed or proposed tariffs on $110 billion of U.S. goods, representing the vast majority of China’s annual imports of American products. read more

Brent oil futures were flat to lower under $73 a barrel late Friday in Europe. The contract held gains from the previous session, although upside appears limited as trade concerns weigh.