|

Weak bounce for equities

Stocks are trying to bounce once again, but it seems like a fruitless exercise given the poor global outlook.

Stocks rebound after heavy losses

“Stomach-churning volatility continues to dominate financial markets. After the sharp falls of last Friday and yesterday, some cautious buying has come in, but it looks like the best that they buyers can muster is a holding action for now. Comments from the Fed’s Williams that 50 basis point rises makes sense at the next two meetings provided some comfort, but it certainly isn’t clear that the see-saw price action of the last 24 hours is going to resolve into even a short-term market low. Selloffs like these are never one-way affairs, so we can’t rule out a bounce, but since recession concerns appear to be rising by the day it is unlikely that equities will be able to sustain this for too long.”

Brexit fears loom again

“As if the recession worry wasn’t enough, investors might have to cope with some concerns about a fresh clash between the UK and EU, according to the Irish government. The pound has been on the back foot against the dollar and the euro, and with the UK economy facing a bleak time a Brexit kerfuffle is the last thing it needs. All in all, it is going to be much tougher for the BoE to keep hiking with the economy teetering on such a precipice. 

Author

More from Chris Beauchamp
Share:

Editor's Picks

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.