Global equities rise as trade war concerns ease

Dow notched seventh straight win

US stock indexes advance continued on Thursday as President Trump said he would be open to a smaller-scale, interim trade deal. The S&P 500 gained 0.3% to 3009.57. The Dow Jones industrial average added 0.2% to 27182.45. Nasdaq composite index rose 0.3% to 8194.47. The dollar weakened despite data showing core inflation rose 0.3%, above forecasts of a 0.2% gain, while the number of Americans applying for new unemployment benefits fell by 15,000 to 204,000 last week: the live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, fell 0.3% to 98.35 and is lower currently. Stock index futures point to higher openings today.

CAC 40 paces European indexes gains

European stocks extended gains on Thursday after the European Central Bank (ECB) resumed massive bond-buying. Both EUR/USD and GBP/USD resumed climbing yesterday with both pairs moving higher currently . The Stoxx Europe 600 index ended 0.2% higher as the ECB cut its deposit rate from -0.4% to -0.5%, and announced it would restart open-ended purchasing of long-term government bonds at a pace of €20 billion a month. Germany’s DAX 30 advanced 0.41% to 12410.25. France’s CAC 40 rose 0.44% while UK’s FTSE 100 added 0.1% to 7349.67 as British government published its plans for a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday night.

Nikkei leads Asian indexes gains

Asian stock indices are in green today in thin trading with markets in mainland China, Taiwan and South Korea closed for holidays. Nikkei extended gains 1.1% to 21988.29 as yen renewed its slide against the dollar. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is 0.8% higher after reports China called on state firms to boost investment in crisis-hit Hong Kong. Australia’s All Ordinaries Index gained another 0.5% despite continuing Australian dollar climb against the greenback.

Nikkei rises above MA(200) 09/13/2019 Market Overview IFC Markets chart

Brent down

Brent futures prices are edging lower today. Prices advanced yesterday as OPEC and major producers reiterated their commitment to current output cuts, but didn’t announce bigger production cuts as some had expected in the wake of easing tensions between the US and Iran: November Brent crude lost 0.7% to $60.38 a barrel on Thursday.

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EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.