The Dow returned to break 13,000 last night as the market picked out the good from mixed economic data, cementing the idea that the Fed is on hold. Commodities crashed.
Evidence suggests economic de-coupling between Asia and the West is well and truly underway but GaveKal suggests it will need falling food prices for financial markets to also de-couple.
Markets were confused and disappointed last night as a 25 point cut was accompanied by a non-committal statement. A strong rally evaporated.
Weak economic data offset reasonable earnings reports ahead of tonight’s Fed decision.
Wall Street traded in a narrow range last night as all markets squared up ahead of the Fed decision on Wednesday.
The FOMC is expected to go easy from here on. This is feeding through in higher prices for US shares, and for the US dollar.
While earnings and economic data were again mixed, Thursday’s session was dominated by a strong bounce in the US dollar, sparking life into financials and pressuring commodities.
The Dow rose 43 points last night on the back of mixed earnings reports.
The Dow fell 100 points last night on US$120/bbl oil driven by a new low in the US dollar.
Poor results from Bank of America and a leading regional bank put a dampener on bullishness last night. And might Citi eliminate its dividend?