US January PCE deflator came in line with expectations (2.4% yoy down from 2.6% the previous month), and euro area countries’ CPI did not surprise either (Germany: 2.5% yoy, France: 2.9% yoy, Spain: 2.8% yoy), boosting markets’ expectations of a first interest rate cut starting in June and July.
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In yesterday’s session, investors traded cautiously ahead of today’s US February CPI release, which is expected to show prices grew by 0.4% m/m, implying a 3.1% y/y change, down from 3.4% last month. The report will also give a clearer picture of price dynamics before the Fed's meeting next week.
In yesterday's session, stronger-than-expected macroeconomic data revived fears that the Fed might delay its first interest rate cut. In particular, the US JOLTS job report showed job openings rising by 8,000 in February and factory orders increasing by 1.4% m/m last month after falling 3.8% in January.
In yesterday’s session, investors traded cautiously in absence of key macroeconomic data releases. Despite the delivery of some hawkish comments from ECB and US Federal Reserve officials, yields on sovereign bonds edged down on both sides of the Atlantic.
Investors ended the week on a cautious note following a weaker-than-expected consumer confidence index in the US, combined with higher short-term inflation expectations at 3.5%, and hawkish remarks from certain Fed officials. Meanwhile, comments from ECB's Elderson once more pointed to a 25 bp cut in June.
Yesterday’s session was filled with macro data releases. US CPI cooled from 3.5% yoy in March to 3.4% in April (+0.3% m/m), as expected by consensus, and the core index dropped from 3.8% yoy to 3.6% (+0.3% m/m), suggesting inflation resumed its downward trend. US April retail sales were unchanged from the previous month vs +0.4% expected.
Tuesday saw a risk-on mood in financial markets. In the US, retail sales data for May barely grew and showed a weaker than expected consumer, supporting hopes for interest rate cuts this year. Fed officials commenting during the day also highlighted good progress on disinflation, pushing Treasury yields lower and equities slightly higher.
In yesterday's session, euro area sovereign bond yields advanced, with a slight widening of peripheral spreads, while equities retreated amid weak sentiment. Consumer confidence indices in both Germany and France fell from their May readings. Several remarks from ECB officials including Lane and Schnabel reiterated the ECB's data-dependent strategy.
Thursday's session saw light trading volumes as US markets were closed for the 4th of July holiday. Without any major macroeconomic data releases yesterday, investors' focus remained on political sources of instability, as the UK held a general election (which Labour won by a Landslide) and polls suggested Le Pen's RN will not win an absolute majority.
Sentiment was mixed in yesterday's session amid a raft of economic data. In the euro area, slightly higher than expected Q2 GDP (0.6% yoy vs. 0.5% expected), with France (1.1% yoy vs. 0.7% expected) and Spain (2.9% yoy vs. 2.5% expected) leading the surprises, supported equity markets. Sovereign bond yields edged lower ahead of today's inflation data.
Commodity markets took centre stage during yesterday's session after Israel's missile strike on Iran did not target oil and nuclear facilities, avoiding energy supply disruptions. Brent crude fell 6%, to close slightly above $71/barrel, and the global commodity index lost as much as 2% on the day.
With no relevant macro data releases, investors struggled to find a direction for their trades on Thursday. Eurozone government bond yields fell, with peripheral spreads widening, as the consumer confidence index came in below expectations and several ECB officials warned of a significant hit to growth from Trump's tariffs.
Investor sentiment soured slightly on Wednesday ahead of today's US Thanksgiving holiday. In the eurozone, government bond yields fell as Germany's GfK consumer confidence index for December fell on fears of job losses; and despite hawkish comments from ECB's Schnabel, who favoured gradual cuts and played down the risks of inflation undershooting 2%.
With US markets closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, European investors remained focused on the French budget impasse. Eurozone bond yields fell and peripheral spreads narrowed yesterday as Barnier's government weighed concessions on limiting electricity tax hikes, as demanded by Le Pen, to avert a no-confidence vote.
Investors traded in a risk-on mood on Friday amid thin trading in the US due to the Thanksgiving holiday. US Treasury yields fell, with market commentators pointing to mild optimism that Trump's tariff plans will be less radical following his selection of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary.
Subdued trading on financial markets on Tuesday ahead of today's US CPI report and tomorrow's ECB meeting. Eurozone government bond yields were flat, while US yields edged slightly higher. On the data front, US unit labour costs rose 0.8% in Q3 (below an expected 1.3%), while the NFIB business confidence index rose to its highest level since June 2021.
Unexpectedly strong US employment data released on Friday, posting 256,000 new jobs (165,000 expected) and a decrease in the unemployment rate (from 4.2% to 4.1%) cooled market expectations of interest rate cuts and drove treasury yields higher, especially for the policy-sensitive 2-Year bond.
With no major macro data to trade on, financial markets continued to digest President Trump's first executive orders. Overall, investors were relieved that tariffs were not imposed on the first day, and while Mexico and Canada appear to become the first targets, a more gradual approach towards China and Europe is now expected.
Financial markets were mixed on Friday's session, as inflation data releases were digested by investors. In the US, PCE edged higher to 2.6% yoy in December, from 2.4% in the previous month, but core PCE came at 2.8% as expected. In this context, US sovereign bonds were mostly unchanged as inflation continues to show some persistence in its path to 2%.
Risk-off mode in financial markets during yesterday's session as investors digested the US Administration's announcement on Saturday of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 10% on China. Tariffs on Mexico were paused later in the day, adding more uncertainty around US tariffs policy, its duration, and its magnitude.