World News

Markets in Asia began the week with gains as the region reacted to the disappointing jobs data stateside where the NFP’s missed expectations massively calling for further support and continued stimulus efforts. The ASX 200 was up by around 1% after mining sectors benefitted from lifted commodity prices whilst the Nikkei 225 was up by 0.6% as participants took the recent state of emergency extension within their strides as it was widely expected beforehand.

Following on from the disappointing Labour market report, President Biden reiterated how important economic actions are and noted that the American Rescue Plan was set out to support the country over the next year as the nation recovers from the effects of the Pandemic.

Major bourses in Europe began the session mixed after the initial optimism witnessed earlier on faded as market participants look towards the US for further direction. The FTSE 100 is up over 0.8% as it attempts to catchup from the nations bank holiday yesterday.

Last week, the DXY continued lower though rebounded on month end flows as financiers began to reposition themselves for the month of May. The DXY finished the month down about 2% as appetite for the greenback waned overall. The FOMC stuck to their dovish script as FED Chair Powell reiterated that the nation isn’t ‘out of the woods’ yet despite the vaccination drive picking up speed and the most recent labour market report boding well for the nation. The week ahead will see participants eagerly await the latest Non-Farm Payroll report where an additional 975,000 jobs are expected to have been added in the past month.

World News

Asian equity markets traded cautiously as major bourses and US equity futures lacked direction heading into month-end. Going into the week ahead, participants await outcomes from key events including the BoJ, FOMC and US GDP figures.

Last week, the DXY continued lower for the third straight week breaking below 91.50 as market participants sought risk elsewhere. Conversely, EURUSD extended beyond 1.2000 and was lifted on upbeat PMI data where service sector figures crossed into expansionary territory. The ECB meeting did little to spur market action as participants digested comments from ECB President Lagarde on the economic recovery amidst the battle against the virus. On the other hand, the Canadian Dollar was lifted following its monetary policy meeting where the Bank lowered its QE by 1bln CAD per week whilst also revising the GDP and growth forecasts noting that the economy is recovering gradually, and commodity prices have supported growth. Going into the week, USD/CAD trades below 1.2500.

World News

Markets in Asia began the week cautiously and US equity futures marginally retraced lower from record highs with participants on edge ahead of further earnings updates this week, and as Covid-19 uncertainty lingered after the number of global updates this week increased by over 5.2mln, which was a record despite the ongoing vaccination drive.

Last week, the RBNZ maintained the OCR at 0.25% whilst keeping the funding for lending programme unchanged as expected. The bank continued to reiterate their commitment to lowering the cash rate if required as they continue to monitor inflation and employment objectives over the course of the year. Labour market figures in Australia beat expectations as the unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 % from 5.8%. The Australian Dollar benefited from the weaker greenback  as the major pair went on to breach the 0.7700 handle whilst GBP/AUD dropped by over 0.5%.

Markets traded mixed as the region failed to fully maintain the momentum that followed stateside where that S&P 500 and DJIA extended on fresh record highs as market participants digested a stronger than expected NFP Jobs report which was followed up with a beat on ISM Services PMI data.

European equities began the shortened week with gains as the region attempted to catchup with their counterparts. Within Europe, Autos, Banks and Travel & leisure led the way whilst more defensive sectors; Healthcare and Telecoms lag behind as risk appetite picks up

Within FX, the greenback is on the back foot against majority of the G10 space. This comes as the asset lost ground over the Easter break as market participants sought out riskier assets. Looking ahead to the week financiers will digest comments from Fed Chair Powell as well as the release of the FOMC Meeting minutes.