Major US equity indices witnessed a mildly weaker opening on the first trading day of the week as investors braced for an important and busy week of earnings and the FOMC decision on Wednesday.
This week's big earnings kicks-off with Google parent Alphabet, due to report after market close on Monday, followed by Amazon and Facebook later this week. With major global central banks indicating a shift to less accommodative stance, earnings will continue to grab investors' attention in order to justify the current stretched valuations and for any additional up-move for the indices, already sitting at record highs.
The market will also keep an eye on political developments amid growing doubts over the US President Donald Trump's ability to deliver on his promised tax reforms and infrastructure spending, especially after he failed to push through the healthcare bill, aimed to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Meanwhile, the latest downgrade of the US economic growth forecast for 2017 and 2018 by the IMF also did little to boost appetite for riskier assets - like equities, with investors preferring to stay on the sidelines ahead of the two-day FOMC meeting starting on Tuesday.
During the opening hour of trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost around 30-points to 21,550, while the broader S&P 500 Index was down 3-points to 2,469. Meanwhile, tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index continues to outperform the broader markets and added 3-points to 6,391.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD holds gains near 1.0650 amid risk reset
EUR/USD is holding onto its recovery mode near 1.0650 in European trading on Friday. A recovery in risk sentiment is helping the pair, as the safe-haven US Dollar pares gains. Earlier today, reports of an Israeli strike inside Iran spooked markets.
GBP/USD recovers toward 1.2450 after UK Retail Sales data
GBP/USD is rebounding toward 1.2450 in early Europe on Friday, having tested 1.2400 after the UK Retail Sales volumes stagnated again in March, The pair recovers in tandem with risk sentiment, as traders take account of the likely Israel's missile strikes on Iran.
Gold price defends gains below $2,400 as geopolitical risks linger
Gold price is trading below $2,400 in European trading on Friday, holding its retreat from a fresh five-day high of $2,418. Despite the pullback, Gold price remains on track to book the fifth weekly gain in a row, supported by lingering Middle East geopolitical risks.
Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC post-halving rally could be partially priced in Premium
Bitcoin price shows no signs of directional bias while it holds above $60,000. The fourth BTC halving is partially priced in, according to Deutsche Bank’s research.
Geopolitics once again take centre stage, as UK Retail Sales wither
Nearly a week to the day when Iran sent drones and missiles into Israel, Israel has retaliated and sent a missile into Iran. The initial reports caused a large uptick in the oil price.