The US dollar has continued to strengthen against a basket of major currencies. The dollar index (#DX) set new annual highs and closed in the positive zone (+0.55%). Weak statistics from Germany hit the euro. Thus, the German IFO business climate index fell to 99.2, while experts expected the figure at 99.9. The Bank of Canada left its key interest rate unchanged at 1.75%, as investors forecasted. The regulator has lowered the forecast for economic growth in the country this year.
Today, the Bank of Japan, as expected, has left the key marks of monetary policy unchanged. The Central Bank intends to keep interest rates at a low level at least until the end of spring 2020.
Meanwhile, the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, wants the country to become an independent state after Brexit. The official intends to hold a second Scottish independence referendum if the UK leaves the EU. In September 2014, an independence referendum was already held in Scotland. However, 55.3% of Scots voted against Scotland’s exit from the UK.
Prices for Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude oil have surged in price after the United States announced its intention to return sanctions on Iran’s oil importers. However, yesterday the US authorities reported that despite the difficult situation in the global market, it is well supplied enough to avoid price glitches. US President Donald Trump is confident that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will compensate for the shortage in the oil market. At the moment, futures for the WTI crude oil are testing the mark of $66.10 per barrel.
Market Indicators
- Yesterday, the bearish sentiment was observed in the US stock market: #SPY (-0.22%), #DIA (-0.21%), #QQQ (-0.32%).
- The 10-year US government bonds yield fell again. Currently, the indicator is at the level of 2.52-2.53%.
The news feed for 2019.04.25:
- Core durable goods orders in the US at 15:30 (GMT+3:00);
- Initial jobless claims in the US at 15:30 (GMT+3:00).
