Macro Roundup (Jun 21)

Published: Jun 21, 2022 09:30
The U.S. dollar paused for breath following a volatile week that saw it retreat sharply from a two-decade high against major peers. However, it recovered half of that by the end of last week as investors continue to assess the outlook for U.S. monetary policy and the risk of recession following the Federal Reserve’s biggest rate increase since 1995.

SHANGHAI, Jun 21 —This is a roundup of global macroeconomic news last night and what is expected today.

The U.S. dollar paused for breath following a volatile week that saw it retreat sharply from a two-decade high against major peers. However, it recovered half of that by the end of last week as investors continue to assess the outlook for U.S. monetary policy and the risk of recession following the Federal Reserve’s biggest rate increase since 1995.

The dollar index, which measures the currency against the yen, euro and four other major peers, was flat at 104.70, consolidating below the 105.79 high from Wednesday, a level not seen since late 2002.

The greenback rose 0.21% to 135.25 yen, heading back toward Wednesday’s peak of 135.60, the highest level since October 1998.

Stock futures rose in overnight trading Monday following a brutal week as investors assessed a more aggressive Federal Reserve and rising chances of a recession.

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 380 points, or around 1.3%. S&P 500 futures climbed 1.12% and Nasdaq 100 futures also rose 1.14%. U.S. stock markets were closed earlier Monday for Juneteenth.

The major averages just suffered their 10th losing week in 11 on fears that the central bank will hike rates aggressively to tame inflation at the risk of causing an economic downturn. The S&P 500 dropped 5.8% last week for its biggest weekly loss since March 2020, dipping deeper into bear market territory. The equity benchmark is now more than 23% off its record high from early January.

The blue-chip Dow slid 4.8% last week, falling below 30,000 for the first time since January 2021 last week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slipped 4.8% last week, down 33% from its record high.

Oil prices edged down on Monday, reversing earlier gains, as concerns about slowing global economic growth and fuel demand offset worries about tightening supplies.

Brent crude futures slipped 8 cents, or 0.1%, to $113.04 a barrel by 0242 GMT, after rising as much as 1% earlier. Front-month prices tumbled 7.3% last week, its first weekly fall in five.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $109.49 a barrel, down 7 cents, after rising more than $1 earlier. Front-month prices dropped 9.2% last week, the first decline in eight weeks.

Gold extended losses on Monday as an elevated dollar weighed on bullion demand, with a U.S. market holiday expected to lead to thin trading during the day.

Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,836.67 per ounce, as of 0203 GMT. U.S. gold futures were flat at $1,840.00.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closed up by 0.9%, with banks surging 3.3% to lead the gains as most sectors and major bourses ended in positive territory.

It comes after a turbulent week of trading on the back of a flurry of central bank action.

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