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A roller-coaster week for Gold and Silver

Gold was on a roller-coaster last week and has shed over $100 or 5.5% over eight trading days. Silver has lost just over $2 or 9%, and the Friday fall was precipitous. The long Chinese holiday and the implosion of the Shanghai premium were a partial trigger for the late falls last week, but the main influence was a surge in bond yields midweek. Support has developed at the start of this week, but potential professional buyers stood well back last week. Global bond markets finally turn tail and intensify pressure on gold; gold is potentially ripe for a short-covering rally, but with China closed and the bond markets firmly on the defensive now, this may take time to develop. We start the final quarter of the year with gold and silver licking their wounds after a hefty wash-out, and caution looks likely to be the watchword for now.

Research

Bond yields rise sharply, putting financial assets under pressure, aside from Nasdaq

Inexorably rising bond yields kept pressure on equity markets this morning, with the S&P 500 off 0.6% and, to the contrary, Nasdaq up 0.3%. Ten-year bond yields rose 12 basis points to 4.7%, a significant move. The dollar index rose close to one percent, a significant move. Commodities sold off, notably silver down 4.3% and gold off 1.0% Bottom line: risk-off.

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China’s equity markets up, yuan unchanged

There was some good news last week out of China last week, despite bad news from the struggling property sector, and record low US confidence in doing business in China. The decline in industrial sector profits slowed, a state-owned fund was set up to invest in emerging industries, and the country plans to double power generation from nuclear by 2035.

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Research

Nasdaq, S&P 500 turn down after early rally on better inflation news

Equity markets erased early morning gains, notably the Nasdaq being unchanged by lunchtime after a 0.6% rally. Traders cheered better than expected inflation data and less weakness than expected in a consumer sentiment survey. Bond yields fell marginally. The dollar was unchanged. Oil saw continued profit-taking. Bottom-line: risk-off.

Research

Bond yields fall back, Nasdaq rallies

Rising bond yields threaten equity market valuations, notably tech stocks, but benefit the US dollar’s attractiveness – themes which continue to play out in markets. Lower bond yields benefited the equity market today, notably the Nasdaq, but for how long? Housing sales data was very weak, unsurprisingly given record high mortgage rates. Bottom-line: risk-on.

Research

Nasdaq and S&P 500 slump continues, Oil hits year highs

Rising bond yields are the main story driving financial markets, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq continuing to fall. Bond yields saw major yield increases. Durable goods order data was stronger than expected. The dollar continues to rise against most major cross-rates. Gold fell below the key $1,900 level. Oil was up almost 4%, driven by low supply levels and the continued impact of Saudi and Russian production cuts. Bottom-line: risk-off.

Research

Nasdaq and S&P 500 tumble on higher bond yields, fears of government shutdown

Rising bond yields and declining consumer confidence both indicate that the Fed’s ‘higher for longer’ interest rate policies are impacting the real economy. One measure in today’s Consumer Confidence Index data pointed to recession. Nasdaq and the S&P 500 were off sharply. Dollar strength and a rising oil price were the standout performances. Bottom-line: risk-off.

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USDBRL should reflect Copom's minutes, Inflation report, inflation in the US, and speeches by Fed members

Bullish factors Speeches by Fed members should reinforce the perspective of higher interest rates for a longer period in the United States. PCE can reinforce concern about the new acceleration of American inflation. Bearish factors Minutes of the Copom meeting may signal limitations for more intense cuts in the Selic rate or a slowdown in the expected pace of adjustments for 2024. Revision of the output gap calculation in the Quarterly Inflation Report (RTI in the acronym in Portuguese) may raise inflation expectations and reinforce the Central Bank's cautious tone in conducting monetary policy. If the PMIs for China confirm a trend of stabilization and recovery of economic activity in September, their effect can be bearish for the real/dollar pair.

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Gold consolidation continues, potential for upside later in the year

Gold rallied ahead of last week’s FOMC meeting but then gave back the gains to end unchanged over the week. Silver, by contrast, gained almost 3% over the period and is bucking external influences. This is how we closed last week’s note: “There is currently little in the market environment, barring exogenous shocks, to stimulate fresh activity in this arena so we should continue to expect consolidation for the time being, with the potential for upside later in the year”. There is no reason to change the view, beyond some possible support from silver.

Research

Dollar continues to rise, tracking bond yields higher

he dollar continued to surge against all major cross-rates, with the dollar index hitting a year-to-date high. Bond yields continued their seemingly relentless climb to new decade highs. Fixed income markets seem more concerned than equities about the Fed’s recent "higher for longer" interest rate strategy and fears of a US government shutdown. The broadly based Russell 2000 was the equity market leader at midday. Bottom-line: risk-on.

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Chinese equity markets and yuan hold firm on no change in rates

China’s central bank kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged this week, walking a fine line between supporting the domestic property sector and consumption while not undermining the yuan. China’s main stock markets rallied on Friday on bargain hunting, to end level on the week, somewhat surprising given no signs of improvement in the key property sector.

Research

Nasdaq rallies on lower bond yields in see-saw markets

Markets rallied after sell-offs this week, led by Nasdaq. Bond markets steadied, with yields backing off highs. This reversed prior moves this week. After focusing on the Fed and interest rates this week, traders are starting to think about the impact of a Government shutdown next week and an escalating Auto workers strike. Commodities saw buying in oil, as did precious metals and the ag complex. Bottom-line: risk-on.

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Problems with the Magnificent Seven Stocks

Vincent Deluard, StoneX global macro strategist, asks: are we at an inflexion point, when higher bond yields and a steeper yield curve could hit the rating of expensive growth stocks? The Magnificent Seven (Mag7) stocks have become synonymous with this bull market: Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft and Tesla. These stocks make up a quarter of the S&P 500 market value.

Research

Nasdaq tumbles on higher bond yields

Nasdaq continued to lead markets down this morning as traders digested a pessimistic assessment of the Fed’s statement yesterday. Jobs data continues to demonstrate that the economy is not slowing. 10-year bond yields spiked to almost 4.5%, rates last seen in 2006, and putting a strain on the valuation of equity markets. Bottom-line: risk-off.

Research

Fed pauses rates, but Nasdaq fell on fears that interest rates will still rise

Nasdaq fell sharply on news that while the Fed will pause rates for now, higher rates are possible. Higher bond yields and the risk of another rate hike this year caused a sell-off in equities and bonds. Oil saw profit-taking. The dollar index rallied on hopes that US rates will rise further. Bottom-line: risk-off.

Research

Bitcoin leadership and record high bond yields ahead of Fed’s rate decision

Nasdaq, the R&P 500 and Russell 2000 equity indices were off marginally as markets braced for tomorrow’s Fed interest rate decision. Bitcoin rose 1.2% to $27,177, continuing a recent rally. Ten year bond yields rose to 4.37%, a rate last seen in June 2008. Oil and the dollar, recently strong markets, were unchanged, as were Gold and Silver. Bottom-line: risk-off.

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USDBRL should reflect interest rate decisions in Brazil, the United States, England and Japan

Bullish factors The Federal Reserve is expected to take a firm stance against inflation and release its projections of interest rates higher than the median of market estimates, reinforcing the perception that interest rates will stay higher for longer in the US and strengthening the dollar. The Monetary Policy Committee should reduce the basic interest rate (Selic) by 0.50 p.p., reducing the country's interest differential to other economies and reducing the inflow of investments into the country, weakening the BRL. Bearish factors The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates even in the face of economic stagnation in the country, increasing concerns about an economic slowdown in Europe and strengthening the dollar. The Bank of Japan is expected to maintain its ultra-loose monetary policy unchanged, contributing to the strengthening of the dollar by contrast.

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Research

S&P 500 stalled ahead of Fed meeting, Oil price hits 2-year high

Higher oil prices continue to be the headline in financial markets, hitting 2-year highs and briefly surpassing $92 per barrel. Nasdaq and the S&P 500 struggled to find direction ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee September meeting today and tomorrow. No one expects another rate hike. Treasury markets saw yields rising, with 10-year yields close to their highest levels in 16 years at 4.32%. The US dollar index paused after a recent run. Bottom-line: risk-hold.

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Gold remains range-bound

In the short-term gold remains range-bound, and after finding support in mid-July on its dip below $1,900 (some of which was believed to be institutional and some from the official sector), has traded between $1,900 and $1,950. For the time being we can probably expect it to stay in that range as there is plenty of resistance on the charts above $1,950 and the professional markets, at least, are not prepared to commit themselves until the Fed’s and European Central Bank’s interest rate policies become crystallised.

China flag

China showing signs of recovery, Yuan rallies

Global attention is focused on Chinese economic data and financial market conditions after weakness in the first half of the year, with a troubled property sector, and official action to cautiously lower interest rates and increase domestic bank liquidity. Generally, the flow of economic data was more positive than expected last week with signs of economic momentum gathering –better-than-expected retail sales, stronger loan demand and signs that inflation is rising. The Central Bank is still fine-tuning monetary policy to promote that growth and offset property-sector weakness while trying to avoid a sharp sell-off in the Yuan, and last week showed some signs that this is working.

Research

Nasdaq leads equity drop, oil and dollar remain strong

Major indexes extended losses after mid-day, dragged down by tech majors in Nasdaq. Oil and the US dollar built on recent gains, with the former rising to $90.7 per barrel and the latter holding the 105.3 dollar index level. US consumer sentiment is finally eroding, signaling the lagged impact of higher rates. On the other hand, China’s retail data was surprisingly strong, prompting a rally in the yuan. US manufacturing data was surprisingly strong. Bottom-line: risk-off.

Research

Russell 2000, Oil and the Dollar lead markets

The Fed will keep one eye on events and one on economic data. Recent inflation and demand data have been pretty benign despite the rising oil price. Risks of a budget fall-out and government shutdown coupled with a US auto workers strike might tend to make the Fed more dovish and not look to raise rates next week. The ECB hinted that today’s rate rise might be its last. The broad Russell 2000 index led markets higher and the Vix fear index fell to a year-to-date low. The Dolla was strong, and the Euro continued its swoon. Oil passed the $90 mark. Bottom-line: risk-on.

Research

Nasdaq bounces back on inflation data

Mixed results in this morning's inflation data fed hopes of a rate hike pause on Wall Street, leading to cautiously firm stocks at midday, led by Nasdaq. Bond yields fell back after sharp increases on a first read of the inflation data. Futures markets put close to zero probability on a rate rise next week. Elsewhere currency and commodity markets were pretty much unchanged. Crude oil moved up to a 10-month high. Bottom-line: risk-on.