Morning Briefing Fed fuelled bounce

Reduced likelihood of a Fed hike, upbeat US economic data, and probably short covering are steadying the ship again, with sterling and stocks rising in Asia and now in Europe. The overnight release of minutes from Federal Reserve rate setters triggered the cross-market bounce, springing US 10-year Treasury yields of record lows marked earlier on Wednesday and shoving the dollar down further. The key phrase from the FOMC minutes markets latched on to was that it was “prudent to wait” for more economic data, before deciding on rates, a clear enough signal that borrowing costs would be kept static when the Fed updates policy at its 26th-27th July meeting. Officials expressed concerns about a Brexit vote in the minutes, which were taken before the 23rd June referendum.
Fed fund futures for December now imply a rate of 38.5 basis points, pretty much where the effective rate is now. The market is not fully priced for a hike until the start of 2019. The weight on the dollar from an almost confirmed delay to tightening also helped oil futures, lifting US crude 1.3% or 61 cents at online time to $48.04 a barrel, partly pricing in an expected drop in stockpiles shown by the weekly IEA report that will be released at 4pm London time.
Ahead of that, monthly UK manufacturing output’s slippage by 0.5% wasn’t as bad the 1.1% slide feared and year-over-year, the 1.7% jump beat the 0.7% forecast. The less influential industrial production reading was also promising—it rose an annual 1.4% against half a per cent expected and slipped 0.5% vs. the month before compared to a 1% fall foreseen. But these data are from May. At best, they belie the pre-Brexit slowdown shown by other readings. The factory sector might well have deteriorated since. Either way, the pound against the dollar sailed on. It was up 0.4% at last check at $1.2974, though nowhere near any sensitive points from what I can see, having careered off highs as far away as $1.33 this week.
Balancing the stock market rebound are further worries in the property sector. Another three funds halted redemptions by investors, capping the sector’s shares. Still, the FTSE was up 1.5%, including the blue-chip housebuilders and commercial developers, suggesting a weakening of any binary link between property investors and the wider sector. Time will tell.
Retailers were offering a mixed input for UK shares, with M&S mentioning but not blaming Brexit for another sales slowdown, Sports Direct citing the minimum wage and Primark owner ABF expecting the weak sterling to propel its earnings above earlier guidance.
The Nikkei didn’t benefit from the bounce, because the yen hasn’t taken a break—last at 100.94, another 40 sen up per dollar.

StoneX Financial Ltd (trading as “City Index”) is an execution-only service provider. This material, whether or not it states any opinions, is for general information purposes only and it does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. This material has been prepared using the thoughts and opinions of the author and these may change. However, City Index does not plan to provide further updates to any material once published and it is not under any obligation to keep this material up to date. This material is short term in nature and may only relate to facts and circumstances existing at a specific time or day. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, legal, tax or other advice and no reliance should be placed on it.

No opinion given in this material constitutes a recommendation by City Index or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although City Index is not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, City Index does not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

For further details see our full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFD and Forex Trading are leveraged products and your capital is at risk. They may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved by reading our full risk warning.

City Index is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd. Head and Registered Office: 1st Floor, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET. StoneX Financial Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales, number: 05616586. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register Number: 446717.

City Index is a trademark of StoneX Financial Ltd.

The information on this website is not targeted at the general public of any particular country. It is not intended for distribution to residents in any country where such distribution or use would contravene any local law or regulatory requirement.