U.S. equity markets reached new highs, led by technology, as sovereign yields declined after producer prices fell more than expected in August (-0.1% m/m), driven by lower services prices. The data reinforced market expectations of a Fed rate cut next week. In Europe, major indices closed mixed, with the notable gains in the IBEX-35 and the defense sector.
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Investors traded cautiously during yesterday's session ahead of the FOMC meeting today, in which the Fed is expected to lower interest rates by 25bp (see our take here). US Treasury yields edged down, euro area sovereign yields were flat, and stocks fell on both sides of the Atlantic. The euro rose against the dollar to its highest in 4 years, close to 1.187.
Markets had a choppy session on the day of the FOMC's meeting. US Treasury yields initially fell, stocks gained and the dollar fell on the announcement of the widely expected 25bp rate cut. But all later reversed course as investors digested a disperse dot plot which signaled a large group of the FOMC still remains hawkish. Treasury yields rose and stocks ended mostly flat.
The Spanish agri-food sector is approaching 2025 with renewed vigour, consolidating the growth path begun in 2023 and standing out for the dynamism of its exports. At the same time, it faces an increasingly demanding commercial environment, marked by new tariff barriers in key markets such as the US and China. Despite these challenges, agri-food maintains its role as an economic and territorial pillar, key to international competitiveness, regional cohesion and strategic autonomy.
In the US, the latest revision of Q2 GDP growth confirmed the economy is expanding at a stronger pace driven by resilient personal consumption and solid private investment. Investors pared back expectations for future Fed rate cuts to four by the end of 2026. This shift pushed Treasury yields higher.
Investors recovered some risk appetite in the last session of the week. Advanced-economy stocks rebounded after a few mixed sessions, while the USD weakened on expectations that the Fed may continue cutting rates in the coming weeks. Commodity prices rose across the board.
Tueday saw a mixed session across markets. Fed Chair Powell acknowledged the resilience of the US economy but noted the labor market remains subdued, with limited hiring and firing activity, prompting a decline in short-term Treasury yields. Separately, the NFIB survey showed business confidence softened in September and many owners planned price increases.
Thursday saw another mixed session in financial markets. US Treasury yields declined after several Fed officials commented on further rate cuts, although they disagreed on the magnitude and pace of easing. Eurozone sovereign bond yields also fell, particularly Italian ones, following the Government’s submission of its Draft Budgetary Plan to the European Commission.
Without any significant drivers, markets traded without a clear direction during yesterday’s session, pausing the previous’ days strong risk-on sentiment. Treasury yields edged lower in the US ahead of the Fed’s meeting next week (expected to lower interest rates by 25bp). European government yields fell across the region, keeping peripheral risk premia constant.
Investors ended the week on an upbeat note. Euro area PMIs suggested activity expanded during October (the composite index rose from 51.2 to 52.2), leading to higher sovereign yields and gains in the main equity indices. Cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation reinforced expectations of a Fed interest rate cut and boosted stock markets. The EURUSD held close to 1.16.
Markets had a relatively calm session ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting today, where it is widely expected to lower interest rates by 25bp. Sovereign yields were mostly flat on both sides of the Atlantic, while the EURUSD cross held steady around 1.16. Equities advanced in the US on the back of a strong earnings season and were mixed in the euro area.
The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 25 bps to 3.75%–4.00%. Yet Chair Powell struck a hawkish tone, pushing back against market expectations of further cuts. U.S. Treasury yields rose +10bp along the curve, and the dollar strengthened, with the EUR/USD cross near 1.16. The market-implied probability of a December cut fell from 92% to 65%.
Markets ended the week mixed. Sovereign yields were broadly stable on both sides of the Atlantic, with curves steepening slightly. In the US, short-term yields declined despite hawkish Fed commentary opposing further rate cuts. In the eurozone, October CPI came broadly in line with expectations (although core inflation surprised slightly to the upside). Very long-term yields rose following the French parliament’s rejection of a wealth tax proposal, which also widened the French spread.
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.
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.
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.
Markets had a mixed session. US stocks advanced ahead of Nvidia's earnings report, while most euro area indices retreated. US Treasury yields rose after the BLS announced it will not publish the October and November jobs data before the Fed's next meeting, leading markets to reduce expectations of a rate cut in December to 30%. Euro area sovereign yields were flat.
Markets opened the week on a risk-on tone, as Fed's Waller also favoured a December rate cut, much like Williams had done on Friday. Waller favoured the cut on the basis of a soft and weakening labour market, which pushed US Treasury yields lower and brought market expectations of a cut in December to 75%.
Financial markets had a subdued session on Thursday, with U.S. markets closed for Thanksgiving. In the euro area, sovereign yields edged slightly higher. Minutes from the latest ECB meeting confirmed a cautious stance on rates, though diverging views on inflation risks keep the door open for future cuts.
Friday's session was shorter in the US as markets closed at noon due to Thanksgiving's holidays. Treasury yields rose slightly and US stocks edged higher, with S&P 500 registering the largest gains in a 4-day stretch since May amid high expectations that the Fed will cut rates next week. The dollar continued to depreciate against its peers.