Stocks Rally Into The Weekend

Stocks across Europe continued Asia’s move higher, initiated by China’s renewed commitment to stimulus amid slowing growth momentum. Weak US manufacturing initially dampened enthusiasm for riskier assets, but investors quickly shrugged it off. Wall Street advanced with the Nasdaq jumping over 1%

Have the DUP set their price?

Both the pound and the FTSE were on the front foot, continuing to show an impressive level of strength at the end of a politically fraught week. Following a series of 3 votes on Brexit, the PM has won time to bring her Brexit deal back to the House of Commons for a third meaningful vote on Tuesday 20th.

The pound is finding support from rumours that the DUP could be about to get behind the Theresa May’s deal in exchange for another hefty sum. As Hammond is drafted in for negotiations, similarities can be drawn to when the DUP agreed to prop up the government for £1 billion, in 2017. Other Eurosceptic Conservatives ministers are also expected to draw behind the PM’s Brexit in fear of the UK never leaving the EU at all.

US manufacturing falls for 2nd straight month

Weaker US manufacturing data put a damper on an otherwise buoyant session. US industrial production rose 0.1% in February, lower than the 0.4% expected. This is just the latest piece of evidence that points to a sharp slow down of economic growth in the first quarter of this year. Retail sales, housing and manufacturing have all produced soft reports so far this year, supporting to the Fed decision to be patient with policy changes. The dollar swiftly declined following the release.

EUR/USD at 10 day high

EUR/USD surged to a 10 day high following the US manufacturing print. Eurozone inflation ticking higher to 1.5% had helped keep the euro steady across the morning before it seized on the weaker dollar, climbing to $1.1345.

Palladium at record high

The weaker dollar helped gold push back over $1300 after dipping 1% in the previous session.  Palladium stole the show jumping to a record high of $1567.50. Speculation that Russia will ban the export of the palladium scrap has pushed buyers into panic mode. With the supply outlook tightening the bulls are firmly in control. These elevated levels could comfortably be maintained, with $1600 the next big level to watch for.