The US dollar is strengthening against a basket of major currencies. On Friday, the dollar index (#DX) closed in the positive zone (+0.30%). Investors continue to monitor trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. At the weekend, September 19-20, preliminary meetings between the US and China deputy ministers took place. Beijing, in turn, called the meetings “constructive.” The parties discussed the trade and economic problems of the countries, as well as organizational issues regarding negotiations between the heads of countries in October.
On Thursday, the Bank of England left the key interest rate unchanged at 0.75% per annum, as experts expected. At the same time, officials paid attention to the risks associated with the complex Brexit process and the uncertainty concerning it. However, the British pound has been growing amid investors’ optimism regarding a chance to avoid the “hard” Brexit. On Thursday, Sky News quoted the words by European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, that an agreement between the EU and the UK to avoid a “hard” Brexit could still be reached.
The “black gold” prices have been growing after fall the day before. Currently, futures for the WTI crude oil are testing the $58.40 mark per barrel.
Market Indicators
- On Friday, the bearish sentiment was observed in the US stock markets: #SPY (-0.93%), #DIA (-0.80%), #QQQ (-1.06%).
- The 10-year US government bonds yield has been declining. At the moment, the indicator is at the level of 1.69-1.70%.
The Economic News Feed for 23.09.2019:
- German manufacturing PMI at 10:30 (GMT+3:00);
- Markit composite PMI in the Eurozone at 11:00 (GMT+3:00);
- Manufacturing PMI in the US at 16:45 (GMT+3:00).
