Daily Market Analysis

For the third time in a row, Apple reports a dip in sales as it releases its report for Q2 2023. The announcement led to a 7% drop in stock prices as more investors seemed to lose confidence in the stock’s performance.

To properly examine the likely outcome of the Labour data release and the NFP (Non-farm Payrolls), I will be correlating the USD with the value of gold. That said, gold is at a critical juncture as the US Dollar strengthens and Treasury yields rise

Today, the Bank of England has decided to raise interest rates to combat inflation. In its recent report dated the 3rd of August, 2023, the BOE confirmed that it had raised interest rates to 5.25%, expecting that the inflation rates would drop to 2%.

As is the custom, every new month in the financial market often presents long-term, swing trading opportunities for traders like you and me. Even better, FBS is usually there to provide insights into the expected trading opportunities through such analytical pieces as this.

Kazuo Ueda, the Bank of Japan's Governor, effectively adjusted the yield curve control policy, but caution is still needed as inflation remains a challenge. The BoJ expects inflation to hit its target next year, but external inflationary pressures may abate.

On Thursday, the European Central Bank is expected to hike interest rates by a quarter percentage point to 3.75%. After July, the certainty of further rate hikes is unclear, leading to a craving for guidance in financial markets

Recently, gold prices settled by -0.41% at 59309 as the dollar and bond yields rose. However, hopes for a pause in US rate hikes limited the decline after the July meeting of the Federal Reserve. The unexpected drop in new claims for unemployment benefits in the US also contributed to the market sentiment.

According to EY, profit warnings among UK-listed companies have reached levels last seen during the financial crisis, excluding the pandemic. More than one in six firms issued profit warnings in the past year due to rising borrowing costs and tightened consumer spending, impacting their margins. Insolvencies in June were 27% higher than the previous year and above pre-pandemic levels, with consumer industries like retail and hospitality being hit the hardest.

According to Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, there was "no discussion" about exchange rates during the recent meeting of Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers and central bank chiefs in India. This news comes as the yen weakened to around ¥145 per dollar last month, prompting concerns that the Japanese government may intervene in the currency market to support the yen.

The Bank of Canada (BoC) is expected to raise interest rates for the second time in a row on Wednesday, reflecting resilient growth, a tight labor market, and persistent underlying inflation…

Today's focus is on the US CPI data, which experts believe will be better than expected. The forecasted US CPI m/m is 0.3%, and y/y is 3.1%, a positive sign for the market as the Fed's inflation target is 2%. Even a strong inflation reading may lead to one more interest rate hike, keeping traders somewhat worried. The reaction of the 2-year Treasury yield and the dollar index will indicate the Fed's next move. With inflation slowing down, the path of least resistance for the US equity market is skewed to the upside.

Here’s the scoop: Businesses employ various strategies to soften economic conditions before resorting to mass layoffs. These measures include reducing job postings, hiring less, cutting temporary help, and reducing hours worked. Average weekly hours have decreased, potentially indicating a return to normal or a slackening labor market depending on future trends.