Strong data vs Trump’s tech war

Fiona Cincotta CityIndex

Stocks are pointing to a softer as investors weigh up moves by President Trump taking aim at Chinese tech, impressive Chinese and German trade data and nerves ahead of the non-farm payroll report after a week is disappointing labour market data.

Trump's executive order giving US firm 45 day to stop dealings with ByDance's TikTok and Tencent's WeChat is the latest move by the White House in an increasingly broad campaign against China dragging on sentiment

Earlier on Thursday Trump also advised that Chinese firms listed on US stock exchanges delisted unless they can provide US regulators with access to their accounts.

These moves are unlikely to be taken lying down by China and could potentially see China blocking US big Tech such as Apple or Microsoft. Whilst tech was always an undercurrent in the US - Sino trade war, this latest move points to the potential start of a more explicit tech war?

Timing is everything and doesn't bode well for the next US – Chinese meeting over progress in the Phase one trade deal next week.

Chinese exports surge

The attacks by Trump and flaring up of US – Sino tensions have overshadowed the surge in Chinese exports. Trade data from China showed that exports soared 7.2% compared to a year earlier. This is significantly ahead of 0.2% increase forecast and points to the Chinese economic recovery gaining momentum.

German exports jump 14.9%

Upbeat data from Germany is going someway to off set the Trump inspired downbeat mood. German exports rose in June for a second straight month and rose by a convincing 14.9% in June, whilst imports increased 7%. The data adds to mounting evidence that the economic recovery in Germany is on a solid footing and comes following factory orders data yesterday which smashed expectations.

Still no US rescue package in sight

Developments on Capitol Hill will be in focus as the Democrats and Republicans have so far failed to agree on a new stimulus package for America to support it through the coronavirus crisis. The two sides remain far apart on what size the package should be. The summer recess is due to start today.

US NFP in focus

Attention will now turn towards US non-farm payroll data. Expectations are for 1.5 million new jobs to have been created in the US in July. This is down significantly from last month's 4.8 million. Lead indicators this week from the ADP Payroll report and the employment subcomponent of the ISM non manufacturing report have been disappointing and point to the recovery in the labour market stalling, hampered by a resurgence in coronavirus cases since mid-June.

Dax chart

Author

Fiona Cincotta

CityIndex

AUD/USD gains traction near 0.7100 as the post-Fed USD rally pauses

AUD/USD finds fresh buyers and retakes 0.7100 in the Asian session on Thursday as the US Dollar pauses its hawkish Fed-inspired rally to its highest level since late July. However, RBA rate-hike bets and hopes for US-Iran diplomatic efforts lift risk sentiment and support the risk-sensitive Australian Dollar and the major.

USD/JPY reverses a dip below 156.00 as focus shifts to BoJ

USD/JPY is reversing a brief dip below 156.00 in the Asian session on Thursday, looking to snap a three-day winning streak to a nearly two-week top set the previous day. The US Dollar pauses following the post-Fed rally to seven-week highs, while a more hawkish repricing of the BoJ's policy normalization path supports the Japanese Yen. This keeps the pair's upside limited, with the focus now shifting to the BoJ policy decision due on Friday.

Gold extends fragile recovery from multi-week low as softer bond yields weigh on USD

Gold builds on its intraday ascent through the first half of the European session, and recovers further from a near six-week low, touched the previous day. A modest pullback in US Treasury bond yields prompts some US Dollar profit-taking, which is seen offering support to the commodity. However, the Federal Reserve's hawkish outlook, along with escalating Middle East tensions, should limit deeper losses for the safe-haven Greenback and cap the non-yielding bullion.

Ripple, Cardano, Dogecoin: Downside risk looms amid market uncertainties

Top altcoins, including Ripple (XRP), Cardano (ADA), and Dogecoin (DOGE), face imminent downside risk as prevailing upside momentum recedes toward neutral.

BoE expected to hold interest rate at 3.75%

The Bank of England (BoE) is set to reveal its latest monetary policy decision on Thursday, coinciding with its sixth rate-setting meeting of 2026. Market analysts expect the central bank to keep its benchmark interest rate steady at 3.75%, which should be its sixth hold in a row following December’s 25-bps rate cut.

How Japan became the World's Banker and why that era may be ending

Japan's ultra-low interest rates helped finance trillions of dollars in global investments for more than a decade, making the Japanese Yen one of the world’s cheapest sources of funding. With the Bank of Japan expected to tighten policy again this week, that advantage may be entering a new phase. While most major economies raised interest rates, Japan remained the world's outlier.