Evolution of the international financial markets and evaluation of the main events and economic indicators of the previous day session. Available in English.
The sour mood in equity markets extended for another session amid continued worries about high valuations in the tech sector. Global stock indices fell, with losses led by euro area equities, and accumulated losses of over 3% in a week. The VIX volatility index is up 42% week-over-week and trading above 24 points. Amid risk-averse sentiment, the dollar rose.
The week began with a risk-off session as investors awaited several US tech mega-cap earnings reports amid concerns about high valuations in the sector. Stocks sold off globally, while sovereign yields edged lower and the dollar strengthened, as President Trump's decision to exempt a large list of agricultural products from reciprocal tariffs barely impacted the market.
Risk-off session to end the week, as concerns about high valuations in the technology sector and doubts on whether the Federal Reserve will lower rates in December, weighed on investor sentiment. Stocks sold off in the euro area and ended flat in the US, albeit having started the session with losses.
Yesterday's main news was the reopening of the US government after the largest shutdown in history. However, Treasury yields rose as markets priced a lower probability of a December rate cut amid lingering uncertainty over the inflation outlook and growing divisions among Fed officials.
As it has happened 4 times in the past, near the ending of a US government shutdown, equity markets rallied in Europe. In the US, however, main indices were mixed, with the Nasdaq registering losses as investors remained cautious about too-high valuations of tech companies. Last night, Trump signed into law the spending bill, allowing the US government to reopen.
In yesterday’s session, euro area sovereign yields edged lower with little news to trade on, while US treasuries did not trade as bond markets were closed due to Veterans Day holiday. The dollar weakened as investors continued to digest the generalized cautious tone of Fed officials on a rate cut on December, while the Japanese yen hit a nine month low.
Risk appetite surged on Monday, buoyed by expectations that the US government shutdown could end this week after several Democrats broke ranks to support a funding bill. Equity markets rallied on both sides of the Atlantic and tech stocks led the gains, rebounding rom Friday’s losses.
Friday’s session registered losses in nearly all major stock markets as investors reassessed elevated valuations in the technology sector. On the macro side, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to a three-and-a-half year low, as worries about the economic consequences of the longest government shutdown ever increased.
Risk appetite deteriorated on Thursday. Sovereign yields fell in the US after a private report (the Challenger index) showed the US economy shed more jobs than expected in October, reportedly due to AI-driven layoffs. Legal uncertainty around Trump tariffs added pressure, as Supreme Court justices questioned their validity during an ongoing hearing. The move came despite Fed officials speaking on the day pushed back against rate cuts, citing inflation risks and the lack of official data.
Markets traded on an upbeat tone on Wednesday. Sovereign yields rose on both sides of the Atlantic on positive macro news. US Treasuries rose as the ISM index showed services sector activity increased in October to 52.4, an eight-month high. The ADP survey showed job creation remained subdued in October, but surprised positively too (42k vs 30k expected).
The week started on a risk-off tone. Equities fell across the board, particularly in the US, as several Wall Street CEOs and major banks warned of potential drawdowns and concerns over overstretched valuations. European and Asian indices also declined, albeit more modestly, with Spain’s Ibex closing flat.
Investors started the week in a mixed mood. US Treasuries rose modestly amid growing divisions within the FOMC, as Miran reiterated the need for aggressive rate cuts, citing what he described as tight financial conditions, while Goolsbee warned against easing prematurely given persistent inflation.