U.S. indices closed slightly higher on Thursday lifted by shares in the Transportation (+2.08%), Food, Beverage & Tobacco (+1.5%) and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (+1.23%) sectors. On the economic data front, the Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Index jumped to 21.8 in July (estimated 5.0) from 0.3 in the previous month. Initial Jobless Claims rose to 216K in week ending July 13 (estimated 216K) from 208K in the prior week. The Conference Board Leading Index was down -0.3% MoM in June (estimated +0.1%). The S&P 500 (2,995.11) stays above its 20d moving average (2,971.58 – positive slope) and its 50d moving average (2,897.74 – positive slope).
European markets are expected to start on a positive note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foreign Exchange<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The US dollar was bearish against all its major pairs on Thursday following comments from Fed\u2019s Williams supporting a rate cut saying “its better to cut preventative that wait for disaster”. On the economic data front, the Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook jumped to 21.8 in July (estimated 5) from 0.3 in the previous month. Initial Jobless Claims reached 216K in week ending July 13 (estimated 216K) compared with 208K in the prior week. The Leading Index was down to -0.3% in June (estimated 0.1%) compared with 0% in the previous month as it approaches 2016 lows.
The Euro was bearish against all of its major pairs with the exception of the USD and the CAD.
The Australian dollar was bullish against all of its major pairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n