Market Talk – December 18, 2023

ASIA:

The major Asian stock markets had a mixed day today:

• NIKKEI 225 decreased 211.57 points or -0.64% to 32,758.98
• Shanghai decreased 11.75 points or -0.40% to 2,930.80
• Hang Seng decreased 162.96 points or -0.97% to 16,629.23
• ASX 200 decreased 16.30 points or -0.22% to 7,426.40
• Kospi increased 3.30 points or 0.13% to 2,566.86
• SENSEX decreased 168.66 points or -0.24% to 71,315.09
• Nifty50 decreased 38.00 points or -0.18% to 21,418.65

The major Asian currency markets had a mixed day today:

• AUDUSD decreased 0.00015 or -0.02% to 0.66945
• NZDUSD decreased 0.00008 or -0.01% to 0.62052
• USDJPY increased 0.816 or 0.57% to 142.966
• USDCNY increased 0.00922 or 0.13% to 7.14372

The above data was collected around 14:16 EST.

Precious Metals:

• Gold increased 8.44 USD/t oz. or 0.42% to 2,026.63
• Silver decreased 0.047 USD/t. oz or -0.20% to 23.782

The above data was collected around 14:20 EST.

EUROPE/EMEA:

The major Europe stock markets had a mixed day today:

• CAC 40 decreased 28.05 points or -0.37% to 7,568.86
• FTSE 100 increased 38.12 points or 0.50% to 7,614.48
• DAX 30 decreased 100.89 points or -0.60% to 16.650.55

The major Europe currency markets had a mixed day today:

• EURUSD increased 0.00214 or 0.20% to 1.09154
• GBPUSD decreased 0.00374 or -0.30% to 1.26376
• USDCHF decreased 0.00187 or -0.21% to 0.86833

The above data was collected around 14:25 EST.

US/AMERICAS:

Homebuilder sentiment rose more than expected as mortgage rates fall. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, which measures the pulse of the single-family housing market, rose three points to 37, slightly more than expected. This increase follows a six-point drop in November. The recent decline in mortgage rates has prompted optimism among homebuilders, with the expectation that it will spur home buyer demand in the coming months. The decline in rates has led to an uptick in traffic as some prospective buyers who previously felt priced out of the market are taking a second look. This improvement in builder confidence is attributed to the falling mortgage rates. Falling mortgage rates helped end a four-month decline in builder confidence, and recent economic data signal improving housing conditions. Homebuilder confidence improved in December as mortgage rates continued to fall, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Builders are reporting an uptick in traffic as some prospective buyers are taking a second look due to the decline in mortgage rates.

US Market Closings:

• Dow advanced 0.86 of a point and remained unchanged at 37.306.02
• S&P 500 advanced 21.37 points or 0.45% to 4,740.56
• Nasdaq advanced 90.89 points or 0.61% to 14,904.81
• Russell 2000 declined 2.71 points or 0.14% to 1,982.42

Canada Market Closings:

• TSX Composite advanced 93.56 points or 0.46% to 20,622.71
• TSX 60 advanced 6.39 points or 0.52% to 1,244.9

Brazil Market Closing:

• Bovespa advanced 886.72 points or 0.68% to 131,08.82

ENERGY:

The oil markets had a green day today:

• Crude Oil increased 1.151 USD/BBL or 1.61% to 72.581
• Brent increased 1.406 USD/BBL or 1.84% to 77.956
• Natural gas increased 0.0073 USD/MMBtu or 0.29% to 2.4983
• Gasoline increased 0.0181 USD/GAL or 0.85% to 2.1551
• Heating oil increased 0.0528 USD/GAL or 2.01% to 2.6736

The above data was collected around 14:30 EST.

• Top commodity gainers: Coffee (3.84%), Heating Oil (2.01%), Oat (1.92%) and Brent (1.84%)
• Top commodity losers: Steel (-2.10%), Cheese (-1.80%), Wheat (-1.85%) and Sugar (-2.82%)

The above data was collected around 14:36 EST.

BONDS:

Japan 0.670% (-4.1bp), US 2’s 4.45% (-0.002%), US 10’s 3.9557% (+2.77bps); US 30’s 4.07% (+0.043%), Bunds 2.075% (+6.2bp), France 2.603% (+5.4bp), Italy 3.773% (+4.6bp), Turkey 22.45% (-12bp), Greece 3.208% (+0.9bp), Portugal 2.822% (+5.6bp); Spain 3.05% (+5.1bp) and UK Gilts 3.696% (+0.8bp)

The above data was collected around 14:41 EST.