Market Talk – August 18, 2023

ASIA:

The major Asian stock markets had a mixed day today:

• NIKKEI 225 decreased 175.24 points or -0.55% to 31,450.76
• Shanghai decreased 31.79 points or -1.00% to 3,131.95
• Hang Seng decreased 375.78 points or -2.05% to 17,950.85
• ASX 200 increased 2.10 points or 0.03% to 7,148.10
• Kospi decreased 15.35 points or -0.61% to 2,504.50
• SENSEX decreased 202.36 points or -0.31% to 64,948.66
• Nifty50 decreased 55.10 points or -0.28% to 19,310.15

The major Asian currency markets had a mixed day today:

• AUDUSD increased 0.00093 or 0.15% to 0.64123
• NZDUSD increased 0.00147 or 0.25% to 0.59377
• USDJPY decreased 0.623 or -0.43% to 145.207
• USDCNY decreased 0.00494 or -0.07% to 7.30015

Precious Metals:

• Gold increased 1.98 USD/t oz. or 0.10% to 1,890.87
• Silver increased 0.036 USD/t. oz or 0.16% to 22.726

Some economic news from last night:

Japan:

National Core CPI (YoY) (Jul) decreased from 3.3% to 3.1%

No economic news from today:

EUROPE/EMEA:

The major Europe stock markets had a negative day today:

• CAC 40 decreased 27.63 points or -0.38% to 7,164.11
• FTSE 100 decreased 47.78 points or -0.65% to 7,262.43
• DAX 30 decreased 102.64 points or -0.65% to 15,574.26

The major Europe currency markets had a mixed day today:

• EURUSD increased 0.0001 or 0.01% to 1.08720
• GBPUSD decreased 0.00082 or -0.06% to 1.27368
• USDCHF increased 0.00368 or 0.42% to 0.88188

Some economic news from Europe today:

UK:

Core Retail Sales (YoY) (Jul) decreased from -1.6% to -3.4%

Core Retail Sales (MoM) (Jul) decreased from 0.7% to -1.4%

Retail Sales (YoY) (Jul) decreased from -1.6% to -3.2%

Retail Sales (MoM) (Jul) decreased from 0.6% to -1.2%

Euro Zone:

Core CPI (YoY) (Jul) remain the same at 5.5%

CPI (MoM) (Jul) decreased from 0.3% to -0.1%

CPI (YoY) (Jul) decreased from 5.5% to 5.3%

US/AMERICAS:

In a recent speech, former President Donald Trump criticized President Biden’s handling of the economy and attacked the slogan “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) that defined his own presidency. Trump accused Biden of failing to make America great again and claimed that Biden is the most corrupt president in American history. The speech reflects Trump’s ongoing criticism of the current administration and his continued support for the MAGA movement. Trump’s remarks come amidst ongoing tensions between the US and China, with Biden recently criticizing China as a “ticking time bomb.”

US Market Closings:

• Dow advanced 27.05 points or 0.08% to 34,501.88
• S&P 500 declined 0.33 of a point or -0.01% to 4,370.03
• Nasdaq declined 26.16 points or -0.2% to 13,290.78
• Russell 2000 advanced 9.36 points or 0.51% to 1,859.42

Canada Market Closings:

• TSX Composite advanced 6.16 points or 0.03% to 19,818.39
• TSX 60 declined 0.09 of a point or -0.01% to 1,187.07

Brazil Market Closing:

• Bovespa advanced 426.22 points or 0.37% to 115,408.52

ENERGY:

The oil markets had a mixed day today:

• Crude Oil increased 1.028 USD/BBL or 1.28% to 81.418
• Brent increased 0.672 USD/BBL or 0.80% to 84.792
• Natural gas decreased 0.0708 USD/MMBtu or -2.70% to 2.5502
• Gasoline increased 0.0049 USD/GAL or 0.17% to 2.8266
• Heating oil increased 0.0733 USD/GAL or 2.37% to 3.1671

The above data was collected around 12:45 EST on Friday

• Top commodity gainers: Methanol (2.92%), Wheat (3.45%), Palladium (2.92%) and Lean Hogs (3.51%)
• Top commodity losers: Palm Oil (-1.33%), Natural Gas (-2.70%), Cocoa (-1.70%) and Sugar (-1.21%)

The above data was collected around 12:55 EST Friday.

BONDS:

Japan 0.635% (-1.6bp), US 2’s 4.91% (-0.046%), US 10’s 4.2369% (-7.11bps); US 30’s 4.37% (-0.045%), Bunds 2.615% (-8.4bp), France 3.164% (-8.2bp), Italy 4.324% (-9.3bp), Turkey 18.43% (+0bp), Greece 3.985% (-1.7bp), Portugal 3.380% (-5.9bp); Spain 3.674% (-8.4bp) and UK Gilts 4.671% (-7.6bp)