Fragile optimism into thin holiday trading [Video]

The new week starts on relief that the US will exempt electronics – most of which are made in China – from headline tariffs. Futures are hinting at strong gains across the US and European indices. Hon Hai – a major Apple supplier jump opened in Asia, but is giving back gains since then as Donald Trump said Sunday that the tech sector won’t be exempt from tariffs, they will be in a different tariff bucket. Prepare for another week of hectic headlines, uncertainty and high volatility – and thinning holiday volumes into the Easter break won’t help in terms of volatility.

For now, futures hint at a positive start to the week, the 10-year yield looks more stable this morning. Gold extends gains above the $3220 on rising bets that the US treasuries are losing their safe haven status thanks to the US hectic and harmful policies. The US dollar remains under a decent selling pressure. The euro, yen and franc amass flows. The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to cut rates this Thursday, the Bank of Canada (BoC) will probably hold steady, investors also watch results from US big banks, Netflix and TSM, inflation figures from Europe, the UK and Canada and US retail sales and business inventories — all unfolding under the shadow of escalating trade tensions.