Headlines:
- Dollar erases most of its drop from Jackson Hole in trading this week
- EU reportedly move to propose removing tariffs on US goods to meet Trump’s demands
- US administration’s doubling of tariffs against India takes effect
- SNB vice chairman Martin: We do not engage in manipulation of the Swiss franc
- Germany September GfK consumer sentiment -23.6 vs -22.0 expected
- UK August CBI retailing reported sales -32 vs -34 prior
- Switzerland August UBS investor sentiment -53.8 vs 2.4 prior
- US MBA mortgage applications w.e. 22 August -0.5% vs -1.4% prior
- Mild dollar selling expected into month-end fix – Credit Agricole
Markets:
- USD leads, NZD lags on the day
- European equities mixed; S&P 500 futures up 0.1%
- US 10-year yields up 1.3 bps to 4.269%
- Gold down 0.5% to $3,375.19
- WTI crude down 0.1% to $63.21
- Bitcoin down 0.1% to $111,262
There wasn’t too much in terms of headlines in European trading today but the market moves were modest with the dollar clawing back losses from Fed chair Powell’s dovish tilt at Jackson Hole last week.
The greenback is rebounding back, erasing much of the declines from last Friday. EUR/USD is one that has completed the round trip with the pair down 0.5% to 1.1585 and testing three-week lows. USD/JPY is up 0.5% in a push to just above 148.00, gradually nudging higher during the session. Meanwhile, GBP/USD is down 0.4% to 1.3428 and AUD/USD down 0.4% to 0.6465 on the day.
The move on the session was straightforward, with the dollar gradually gaining strength in trying to get off the floor now that markets have fully priced in two 25 bps rate cuts for the Fed by year-end.
In other markets, equities are looking more tentative at best on the day so far. European indices are catching a bit of a breather with French stocks posting a minor bounce following two days of sharp declines. Meanwhile, US futures are rather muted after the slight advance by Wall Street yesterday.
In the commodities space, gold is down amid a firmer dollar as it slips back towards $3,375. In the bigger picture, the precious metal continues to consolidate awaiting the next big break still. Elsewhere, Bitcoin is still surviving multiple tests of the $110,000 level but the downside pressure remains amid a break under the 100-day moving average this week – the first since April.
Month-end is fast approaching, so that will be something to be cautious about as it could muddy flows and price action we’re seeing before the focus switches to the US jobs report next week.
This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.