The week starts on mixed sentiment, as European and US futures are down, and the US dollar is up this morning.
A mixture of micro and macro events will set the tone for this week and onward, as the earnings season kicks off this week, and the latest US inflation figures will be released, as well.
First, reaction to jobs data was good
The US economy added 372’000 new nonfarm jobs, more than 100’000 penciled in by analysts. The unemployment rate was steady near the 3.6% level, which is a five-decade high. Moreover, the average earnings didn’t increase much, just around 5.1% year-on-year.
As a result, the strong jobs figures washed out a part of the recession fears and the limited increase in salaries contained the inflation worries. The US indices went up and down again, the S&P500 closed the session near flat on Friday, but all three major US indices were up for the week. The S&P500 gained close to 2% last week, Nasdaq jumped more than 4.5%, while Dow Jones added a slim 0.8% over the week, as oil stocks came under pressure, as oil prices fell all the way to $95 a barrel.
Investors needed that puff of fresh air, and preferred cheering the fact that the jobs market remained resilient to the rate hikes, rather than worrying about the Federal Reserve (Fed), which could get more aggressive on its rate policy, convinced that the jobs market could take on more in the coming quarters.
But inflation will see the last word
But of course, investor sentiment could rapidly turn around. This Wednesday’s inflation data, particularly, carries the risk of killing the post-jobs data joy.
Due Wednesday, the US inflation data is expected to print a further advance to 8.8% in June, from 8.6% printed a month earlier. If that’s the case, or if we see a bigger number, the Fed hawks will be out for hunt again. We will perhaps see a further rise in US yields, and that could force investors to give back a part of last week’s gains.
Activity on US fed funds hint at 100% chance of seeing at least a 75bp hike in the next FOMC meeting, and started pricing in the possibility of a 100bp hike, which currently stands around 7%.
Oil under pressure
Oil bulls’ reluctance to extend gains above the 50-DMA, and the bears motivation to sell the tops hint that oil prices may have gone far enough to warn that, near the $120 levels and above, the recession fear and the demand side worries take the upper hand.
This being said, the bearish market remains vulnerable to supply side news. Therefore, I am cautiously neutral, to negative on oil, and believe that in the absence of an unexpected supply shock, we could see the barrel of US crude retreat toward the $85 mark.
Earnings
Earnings season kicks off to give a concrete insight on how well the US companies deal with rising inflation and stronger US dollar.
The S&P profit estimates have been pushing higher this year, despite a major dive in stock prices. Either the analysts are well behind the curve, and the earnings will come as confirmation that inflation, and the strong US dollar are having an ugly impact on profits. Or they are right, the US company profits are resilient to economic shocks, as the jobs market is.
In the FX
The US dollar extends its steep rally. The EURUSD almost hit parity last Friday, and is again under pressure this morning.
In Japan, the yen is also weakening as the ruling coalition in Japan extended a majority in last weekend’s upper house elections. The current government is up for more fiscal easing, while the Bank of Japan (BoJ) doesn’t seem in hurry to tighten its purse’s strings.
This report has been prepared by Swissquote Bank Ltd and is solely been published for informational purposes and is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any currency or any other financial instrument. Views expressed in this report may be subject to change without prior notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by Swissquote Bank Ltd personnel at any given time. Swissquote Bank Ltd is under no obligation to update or keep current the information herein, the report should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD drops below 1.0800 after German Retail Sales data
EUR/USD has come under fresh selling pressure and trades below 1.0800 after the data from Germany showed that Retail Sales declined by 1.9% MoM in February. Resurgent US Dollar demand is adding to the downside in the pair. US data are next in focus.
GBP/USD stays weak near 1.2600 amid market caution
GBP/USD remains defensive near 1.2600 in European trading on Thursday. The hawkish tone from Fed Governor Christopher Waller keeps the US Dollar afloat amid a cautious trading environment ahead of key US data releases and the Good Friday trading lull.
Gold price bulls keenly await US PCE Price Index on Friday before placing fresh bets
Gold price (XAU/USD) continues with its struggle to make it through the $2,200 mark on Thursday and oscillates in a narrow trading band through the early part of the European session.
XRP price falls to $0.60 support as Ripple ruling doesn’t help Coinbase lawsuit against SEC
XRP programmatic sales ruling by Judge Torres was completely rejected by another US Court that ruled in favor of the SEC in a lawsuit against Coinbase.
The other terminal rate: How far will policy rates be cut?
Recent communication by the Federal Reserve and the ECB has made it clear that the first cut in official interest rates is coming. Both central banks are saying the same but the ECB communication is more opaque than that of the Fed.