Wall Street was generally lower, but off its worst levels. Bond and stock bears returned refreshed from the Memorial Day holiday and got right to work, pushing Treasury yields higher and Wall Street lower. Treasuries underperformed globally after comments from Fed Governor Waller on Monday where he supported several more 50 bp rate hikes to curb inflation. Additionally, record high Eurozone inflation and hawkish ECB speak from Villeroy and Visco added to the concerns over central bank tightening. US data were mixed with ongoing record strength in home prices but worsening in consumer sentiment. Today, European stock futures are advancing as Bunds move higher at the open, despite the plunge in German retail sales data at the start of the session, which flagged the impact of rising inflation on consumption trends.
Overnight: President Biden stressed he would not interfere with the Fed’s independence, in comments after meeting with Chair Powell and Treasury Secretary Yellen. Biden said his plan to address inflation “starts with a simple proposition, respect the Fed’s independence.” He also said Powell has noted he has a “laser focus on addressing inflation.” So as expected this was largely a photo op for the president as he tried to assure that he and Chair Powell are addressing inflation.
- USDIndex at 101.97, after 102.17 highs. The buck found renewed strength after comments from Fed Governor Waller who said on Monday, he favored several more half point rate hikes until the inflation rate is brought back toward the 2% target.
- Equities – The USA30 and USA500 closed down -0.67% and -0.63%, respectively, while the USA100 fell -0.41%. DAX and FTSE 100 futures are posting gains of 0.43% and 0.36%.
- Yields – 10-year rate spiked 13 bps to a high of 2.88%, and the 2-year climbed 10 bps to test 2.58%.
- Oil – USOil drifted to 114.05 from 120.45. Oil prices rallied on the economic hopes and news the EU would ban some Russian imports, but then collapsed into the close on reports OPEC+ was considering exempting Russia from production quotas, thus opening the door for increased output from the likes of Saudi and UAE.
- Bitcoin steady at 31,550.
- FX markets – USDJPY spiked to 129.35, with EURUSD at 1.0716, and GBPUSD has dropped below 1.2600, although Sterling is nudging higher against the EUR.
Today – Eurozone unemployment rate, ECB Lagarde speech, ISM Manufacturing Index & PMI, BOC Rate Decision and Statement and lots of Fed speeches.
Biggest FX Mover @ (08:00 GMT) XAUUSD (-0.70%) broke the 20- and 200-day SMA. Intraday MAs flattened, MACD histogram & signal line well below 0, RSI 34 but flattening, H1 ATR 3.16, Daily ATR 21.92.
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Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
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