InvestMacro

By JustMarkets 

On Friday, the Dow Jones (US30) was up 1.18% (for the week +1.03%), while the S&P 500 (US500) was up 1.26% (for the week +0.27%). The NASDAQ Technology Index (US100) closed positive 1.99% (for the week +0.93%). The US stocks rose thanks to a weaker-than-expected April employment report, which increased expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September.

The US jobs report recorded a 175,000 increase in Non-farm payroll employment for April, compared to the consensus forecast of 240,000, while March data was revised slightly upward to 315,000 from 303,000. In the household survey, the unemployment rate rose to 3.9% from 3.8%, with a slight increase in employment. Average hourly earnings rose 0/2% for the month, slightly below expectations of 0.3%, with year-over-year growth slowing to 3.9% from 4.1%. The data suggests the labor market is cooling, and wage pressures are slowing. According to economists, given the current situation, the US Fed will likely start cutting rates in September.

Canada’s services PMI for April 2024 came in at 49.3, up from March’s 46.4. This is the highest reading since June but is still indicative of contraction. The slower decline in activity is partly due to a stabilization in new orders. The latest data showed no change in new work, ending eight months of contraction.

Equity markets in Europe were mostly up on Friday. The German DAX (DE40) rose by 0.59% (for the week +0.45%), the French CAC 40 (FR40) closed Friday up 0.54% (for the week -1.42%), the Spanish IBEX 35 (ES35) declined 0.16% (for the week -1.72%), the British FTSE 100 (UK100) closed positive 0.51% (for the week +0.90%).

The S&P Global UK Services PMI for April 2024 jumped to 55 from 53.1 the previous month, indicating a sixth consecutive period of growth at the sharpest pace in over a year. Service providers saw a sharp increase in new orders amid changing economic conditions for clients. Combined with a decline in work backlogs, business activity also increased significantly. Based on signs of recovering customer demand, upcoming marketing initiatives, and long-term expansion plans, companies remained optimistic about the outlook for business activity in the coming year.

The Eurozone unemployment rate for March 2024 was a record low of 6.5%, in line with market expectations and the previous three months. The unemployed fell by 94 thousand from the previous month to 11.087 million. Among the major Eurozone countries, Spain recorded the highest unemployment rate at 11.7%, followed by France at 7.3% and Italy at 7.2%. In contrast, Germany recorded the lowest rate of 3.2%. A year earlier, the unemployment rate was slightly higher at 6.6%.

Norges Bank (NB) kept its key interest rate unchanged at 4.5% in May 2024 for the third consecutive time, in line with market expectations, and said the rate will remain at the current level “for some time.” Norway’s central bank said monetary policy is tight enough to have a tightening effect on the economy, keeping growth low and enough to bring inflation back to target within a “reasonable time horizon.” However, policymakers noted they would be willing to hold another rate hike if monetary conditions were insufficient to bring inflation back to the bank’s target level.

The US natural gas (XNG) prices rose more than 5% to above $2.1 per mmbbl on Friday, nearing a three-month high thanks to rising exports and production cuts. Major energy giants like EQT and Chesapeake Energy have cut drilling and production, leading to a 9% decline in US gas output this year. Gas production fell to 98.1 Bcf/d in April from a record 105.5 Bcf/d in December 2023 and continued to decline in May.

Asian markets were mostly up last week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose by 0.45%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) decreased by 0.25% for the week, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) jumped by 6.57% for the week, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) was positive 0.55%.

The Australian dollar holds above $0.66, which is near its strongest level in two months, as investors await the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) policy decision this week. The central bank is expected to leave interest rates unchanged, but markets are betting it will take a more hawkish stance due to recent strong domestic inflation figures. Australia’s inflation rate fell to 3.6% in the first quarter from 4.1% in the previous quarter, slowing for the fifth consecutive quarter but beating forecasts of 3.4%.

S&P 500 (US500) 5,127.79 +63.59 (+1.26%)

Dow Jones (US30) 38,675.68 +450.02 (+1.18%)

DAX (DE40) 18,001.60 +105.10 (+0.59%)

FTSE 100 (UK100) 8,213.49 +41.34 (+0.51%)

USD Index 105.08 -0.22 (-0.21%)

• – China Caixin Services PMI (m/m) at 04:45 (GMT+3);
• – Germany Services PMI (m/m) at 10:55 (GMT+3);
• – Eurozone Services PMI (m/m) at 11:00 (GMT+3);
• – Eurozone Producer Price Index (m/m) at 12:00 (GMT+3);
• – SNB Board Member Jordan Speaks at 15:25 (GMT+3);
• – US FOMC Member Barkin Speaks at 20:00 (GMT+3);
• – US FOMC Member Williams Speaks at 20:00 (GMT+3).

By JustMarkets

This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.

By JustMarkets

At the end of Thursday, the Dow Jones Index (US30) rose by 0.85%, and the S&P 500 Index (US500) rose by 0.91%. The NASDAQ Technology Index (US100) closed negative 0.33%. Optimism about the economic outlook is supporting stocks. Stocks have also received support since Wednesday when Fed Chair Powell said the Fed’s next move is unlikely to be an interest rate hike. Stock indices maintained gains even after US economic reports showed weekly jobless claims rose less than expected and unit labor costs rose more in the first quarter, a hawkish factor for Fed policy.

On Thursday, Apple (AAPL) reported second-quarter results that beat Wall Street expectations, thanks to better-than-expected performance in its key China market. It also announced the most significant share repurchase in its history. Apple Inc (AAPL) shares rose more than 7% after the report. Qualcomm (QCOM) rose more than 9% after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter adjusted earnings per share and predicting third-quarter adjusted earnings per share above consensus. On the downside, Etsy (ETSY) is down more than 16% after the company reported first-quarter gross merchandise sales below consensus.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) raised its 2024 global growth prognosis to 3.1% from a February estimate of 2.9% and said risks are becoming “more balanced.”

Equity markets in Europe traded flat yesterday. Germany’s DAX (DE40) was down 0.20%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed down 0.88%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) added 0.16%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) closed positive 0.63%.

On Thursday, the FTSE 100 Index hit a new record high of 8160 on positive corporate developments. Shell shares rose more than 2.5% after announcing a $3.5 billion share buyback and better-than-expected first-quarter earnings and cash flow.

WTI crude futures stabilized above $79 a barrel on Friday but are still down more than 5% this week as easing fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East, signs of increased US oil supplies, and growing uncertainty about the outlook for oil demand weighed on prices. Egypt led efforts this week to restart stalled peace talks between Israel and Hamas. At the same time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept Israel’s offer of a ceasefire in exchange for hostages. Meanwhile, OPEC+ said it may extend a voluntary 2.2 million BPD production cut beyond June if oil demand does not recover.

US natural gas (XNGUSD) prices climbed above the $2/MMBtu mark on Thursday, recovering from two consecutive losses. Prognoses point to higher demand next week, including increased gas deliveries to LNG export plants. In addition, the latest EIA report showed that US utilities pumped 59 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas into storage for the week ended April 26, 2024, compared to market expectations of a 55 BCF increase. Inventories are now 34.9% above the seasonal average.

Asian markets were mostly up yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) decreased by 0.10%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) was not trading, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) was up 2.5% and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) was positive 0.23%.

Global hedge funds using a strategy of long-short equity market positions are increasingly tilted in favor of China, as evidenced by their active buying of Hong Kong-listed stocks. The Hang Seng Index rose more than 7% in April, posting its best monthly gain since January 2023 and outperforming most significant markets. Swiss bank UBS said in a research note that trends in the Hong Kong market have reversed, unlike in February when the primary inflows came from covering short positions. As Hong Kong stocks rose, fundamental hedge funds with long-short positions continued accumulating shares of Chinese companies.

S&P 500 (US500) 5,064.20 +45.81 (+0.91%)

Dow Jones (US30) 38,225.66 +322.37 (+0.85%)

DAX (DE40) 17,896.50 −35.67 (−0.20%)

FTSE 100 (UK100) 8,172.15 +50.91 (+0.63%)

USD Index 105.39 −0.36 (−0.34%)

• – Norwegian NB Interest Rate Decision at 11:00 (GMT+3);
• – UK Services PMI (m/m) at 11:30 (GMT+3);
• – Eurozone Unemployment Rate (m/m) at 12:00 (GMT+3);
• – US Nonfarm Payrolls (m/m) at 15:30 (GMT+3);
• – US Unemployment Rate (m/m) at 15:30 (GMT+3);
• – US ISM Services PMI (m/m) at 17:00 (GMT+3).

By JustMarkets

This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.

By JustMarkets

At Tuesday’s close, the Dow Jones Index (US30) added 0.23%, while the S&P 500 Index (US500) was down 0.34%. The NASDAQ Technology Index (US100) closed negative 0.33%. US stock indices traded mixed on Wednesday. Stock prices rose after bond yields fell, and Fed Chairman Powell said it was unlikely that the Fed’s next move would be a rate hike. However, the broader market gave up its gains and declined to close on the prospect of higher long-term interest rates. The broader market also came under pressure after Wednesday’s ADP employment change report for April rose more than expected, indicating a strengthening US labor market and strengthening the case for the Fed not to cut interest rates.

The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged. Fed Chair Powell ruled out the possibility of another rate hike, confirming that the Central Bank is leaning toward easing despite the delay. Meanwhile, policymakers acknowledged that inflation has fallen over the past year but remains high, saying there has been no progress on the Central Bank’s inflation target in recent months. Investors now await the critical monthly US jobs report on Friday to gauge the labor market’s strength and determine the future outlook for rates.

Starbucks (SBUX) shares fell more than 15% after the company reported an unexpected decline in comparable sales in the second quarter. Additionally, Garmin Ltd (GRMN) is up more than 13% after it reported first-quarter earnings that beat consensus estimates. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) closed down more than 8% after reporting second-quarter revenue of $5.4–6.0 billion, below the average consensus estimate of $5.72 billion. Kraft Heinz (KHC) lost more than 6% after the company reported first-quarter net sales of $6.41 billion, below the consensus forecast of $6.43 billion. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, about 81% of the S&P 500 companies already reported beat first-quarter earnings forecasts.

European equity markets did not trade yesterday, except for the British FTSE 100 (UK100), which closed negative 0.04%.

WTI crude oil prices stabilized above $79 per barrel on Thursday amid speculation that the US government may move to replenish its strategic oil reserves as it seeks to buy back oil at or below $79 per barrel. However, WTI crude prices remained near 7-week lows and are down more than 5% this week as hopes of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and rising US crude inventories put pressure on the oil market.

Asian markets were predominantly down yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) decreased by 0.34%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) were not trading, while Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) was negative 1.23%.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) kept the benchmark rate unchanged at 5.75% on May 2, hours after the US Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged for the sixth consecutive time. Monetary policy in the Asian financial hub is conducted in line with US policy as the local currency is pegged to the US dollar.

Australia’s trade surplus in goods fell to A$5.02 billion in March 2024 from a downwardly revised $6.59 billion in the previous month, below market forecasts of $7.30 billion. It was the smallest trade surplus since November 2020, as exports grew slower than imports.

The S&P Global Malaysia Manufacturing PMI for April 2024 rose to 49.0 from March’s three-month low of 48.4. It was the 20th consecutive month of contraction in factory activity as demand remained weak. Declines in output and new orders were more moderate, with overseas sales rising for the first time in a year and at the fastest pace since April 2021. Employment remained flat after three consecutive monthly declines. On the other hand, purchasing activity declined, and delivery times fell marginally.

S&P 500 (US500) 5,018.39 −17.30 ((−0.34%)

Dow Jones (US30) 37,903.29 +87.37 (+0.23%)

DAX (DE40) 17,932.17 0 (0%)

FTSE 100 (UK100) 8,121.24 −22.89 (−0.28%)

USD Index 105.63 −0.59 (−0.56%)

• – Japan Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes at 02:50 (GMT+3);
• – Australia Trade Balance (m/m) at 04:30 (GMT+3);
• – Switzerland Consumer Price Index (m/m) at 09:30 (GMT+3);
• – Switzerland Retail Sales (m/m) at 09:30 (GMT+3);
• – Germany Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 10:55 (GMT+3);
• – Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 11:00 (GMT+3);
• – US Initial Jobless Claims (w/w) at 15:30 (GMT+3);
• – US Trade Balance (m/m) at 15:30 (GMT+3);
• – Canada Trade Balance (m/m) at 15:30 (GMT+3);
• – Canada BoC Gov Macklem Speaks at 15:45 (GMT+3);
• – US Natural Gas Storage (w/w) at 17:30 (GMT+3).

By JustMarkets

This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.