In a volatile session, investors’ sentiment was clouded by disappointing labour data in the US (new jobless claims unexpectedly rose to 373k during the first week of July) and uncertainty about the evolution of the pandemic. In Europe, the ECB confirmed a decision to modify its inflation target to a symmetric 2%.
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In the first session of the week, investors traded with a risk-off mood amid the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the macroeconomic front there were no relevant data releases.
Investors continued trading in a risk-on mood yesterday as the vaccination process continues, and, symbolically, the number of people vaccinated across the world reaches the number of COVID-19 cases.
The week kicked off to a mixed start. US Treasury yields rose after Trump announced on the weekend the US will raise tariffs on steel and aluminium (25% to 50%) and accused China of breaching the trade truce agreement. Separately, the ISM and PMI surveys for May showed delivery times increasing, while prices paid by suppliers remained elevated.
Stocks slid in Europe amid rising concerns over delays to the vaccine rollout in the continent and the economic impact of a new strain of COVID-19. A vaccine produced by AstraZeneca and Oxford University was approved by the EU's regulator on Friday but difficulties in delivering shipments to the bloc are leading to rising tensions.
Financial markets started the week with a mixed tone in a session with the US markets closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Investors traded cautiously as they weighed rising COVID number across the globe, Joe Biden's stimulus plan and Q4 GDP numbers in China. (+2.6 qoq, +6.5% yoy, leaving 2020’s annual growth at 2.3%).
Lower-than-expected PMIs for July in the euro area (services 51.9 vs. 52.9 expected, and manufacturing 45.6 vs. 46.1 expected) sent the region's sovereign bond yields higher. Equities were mixed, ending mostly lower, while the PSI20 advanced and the Ibex-35 ended flat, boosted by the energy and utilities sectors.
Improving prospects of a de-escalation in the Middle East supported risk sentiment, with reports suggesting both the US and Iran may be open to ending the conflict. Sovereign yields fell for a second straight session, as inflation concerns eased, while equities moved higher, led by a strong rally in the US (the S&P 500 saw its largest daily gain since May).
Markets ended the week with a risk-off sentiment, driven by hawkish commentary by some Fed officials about the potential need to readjust policy to deal with the rebound in inflation. In contrast, ECB president Christine Lagarde reiterated prices will stabilize in the euro area in line with the central bank's target.
Investors ended the week with renewed risk appetite as inflation data released during the day was broadly in line with expectations. In the US, the core PCE price index rose 0.2% month on month in June, as expected, bolstering hopes of a Fed rate cut in September. In the eurozone, 1 and 3 year inflation expectations remained at 2.8% and 2.3% respectively.
During Friday's session, sentiment moderated following the recent risk-on momentum, as investors headed into the weekend focused on developments in the Middle East and the prospect of US–Iran talks. Brent crude traded around USD 95/barrel, while TTF gas declined by around 5% to €43/MWh.
The Fed delivered a hawkish pause yesterday, leaving interest rates unchanged but acknowledging a strong US economy. The dot-plot projects a tighter policy through 2024 and 2025, consistent with rates higher for longer. US stock indices fell and US Treasury yields rose on the news, with the yield curve flattening, while the USD appreciated.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at 5.25-5.50%, as expected, and hinted that if inflation readings continue in the right direction, a September rate cut "could be on the table." Markets reaffirmed their expectation of three 25bp interest rate cuts for the remainder of 2024. Treasury yields fell by +10bp, and US equities rallied.
Markets ended the month in a mixed session, as European stocks fell and the S&P 500 recovered from the previous day's losses. Safe haven bond yields rose and the dollar appreciated against the euro.
European stocks edged down on Friday, while U.S. stocks notched gains despite posting a slight loss on the week as investors faced the reality of a second coronavirus wave in Europe and the uncertainty around further stimulus in the U.S.
Monday's stock market rally went into reverse in yesterday's session, as investors weighed the prospects for the coronavirus pandemic and the possibility of further fiscal stimulus in the U.S.
The upside surprise in the US CPI figure for May led to a sell-off session on Friday as investors reinforced their bets for additional 50bp interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve beyond the June and July meetings. Headline inflation accelerated to 8.6% y/y while core inflation ticked down to 6.0%.
Investors started the year trading with a risk-on mode, taking on board data showing receding inflationary pressures in Europe, a slowdown in economic growth in the US and a further decline in energy prices across the globe. As a result, investors revised down modestly their expectations for future policy interest rate hikes.
In yesterday's session, investors continued to trade with a risk-on mood, taking position ahead of potential surprises in the crucial CPI inflation report in the US due to be released today. The headline index is expected to decline m/m, increasing the odds for a 25bp hike in the next Federal Reserve meeting, instead of a 50bp hike.
Investor risk appetite remained fairly high as the US election results were digested. The Fed cut rates by 25bps yesterday as expected (as did the BoE) noting an easing labour market and robust economic growth. Investors regarded the rise in US jobless claims last week as due to hurricane disruptions. Treasury yields fell, reversing some of the previous day's moves.