Forexlive Americas FX news wrap: Russell 2000 hits a three-year low, eyes on Gaza 0 (0)

Markets:

  • Gold up $21 to $2006
  • US 10-year yields down 1 bps to 4.83%
  • WTI crude oil up $1.93 to $85.15
  • S&P 500 down 0.5% or 20 points to 4117
  • Nasdaq up 0.4%
  • JPY leads, CHF lags

The cross-currents were deep and violent on Friday. Let’s break them down:

1) The fog of war

Early reports talked about a ‚breakthrough‘ in ceasefire talks but that was later disputed. It was followed by heavy strikes in Gaza and reports of tanks crossing, or getting ready to cross, into Gaza. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports the US is trying to convinced Israel to abandon a ground assault altogether. With the late rally in gold, it seems as though the market concluded that escalation is more likely than the opposite into the weekend.

2) Tech turn

Amazon earnings and oversold conditions provided a reason for stocks to rally early and two hours into trading, it looked like we could see a rally into the weekend. But it wasn’t to be as tech stocks sagged aside from Amazon, Meta and Intel.

3) Pain in stocks elsewhere

The Russell 2000 broke major support today to touch (and close) at a three year low and back at 2018 levels. It illustrates the broader pain in equities that’s masked by strength in a few megacap names.

4) Yields slightly lower

Yields edged down and weren’t a big factor on Friday with 10s wrapping up the week 16 bps from the 5% threshold. That will be tested Wednesday with the FOMC and the quarterly refunding announcement.

5) Bank of Japan in focus

Some leaks suggest the BOJ will shift its 2024 inflation outlook higher and the fear is that could also lead to the end of yield curve control and steps towards rate hikes as soon as Tuesday’s meeting. That thinking is likely why USD/JPY fell and perhaps why the US dollar was broadly soft, particularly before late-day worries about Gaza.

6) Economic data

Yesterday’s PCE report foreshadowed higher headline inflation but that never materialized. Still, inflation did rise and the expectations metrics in the UMich report were worrisome. It all makes it less likely the Fed takes rate hikes off the table.

This article was written by Adam Button at www.forexlive.com.

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US stock indices close mixed, but down for the week 0 (0)

The major US stock indices are closing the day with mixed results, but all are down for the week.

A snapshot of the closing level shows:

  • Dow industrial average -366.71 points or -1.12% at 32417.60
  • S&P index -19.86 points or -0.48% at 4117.36
  • NASDAQ index rose 47.4 points or 0.38% at 12643.00

For the trading week, the major indices or close lower led by the NASDAQ index:

  • Dow industrial average fell -2.14%. The decline comes after -1.61% for last week
  • S&P index fell -2.53%. That decline comes after a -2.39% fall last week.
  • NASDAQ index fell -2.62%. That decline comes after a -3.16% fall last week.

Technically the S&P is closing below its 100 and 50-week moving averages near 4180. It also ran away from its 200-day moving average at 4240.24. All of those levels would need to be broken to tilt the buys back to the upside.

The NASDAQ index also closed below its 200-day moving average at 12784.99 (it is already below its 50-day and 100 day moving average). The good news is the NASDAQ index tested but is closing above its 100 week moving average at 12573.81.

For the month of October, the major indices are also on track for a negative close:

  • Dow industrial average -3.25%
  • S&P index -3.98%.
  • NASDAQ index -4.36%.

Each of the major indices are on pace for the 3rd consecutive monthly down close.

For the trading year:

  • Dow industrial average is down -2.20%
  • S&P index is up 7.24%
  • NASDAQ index is up 20.80%

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.

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