With the markets risk appetite dampened after North Korea’s most powerful nuclear test to date, USD and Global equities fell whilst Gold, Yen and Sovereign Bonds all rose. President Trump is supposedly weighing economic sanctions that could target China as a result of Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test on Sunday. Asia Business Daily reported on Tuesday that there is a high chance North Korea will fire an ICBM missile before the Sept. 9 foundation day after the Pyongyang regime started moving such a weapon. The US is calling for further sanctions against the regime whilst the US Ambassador to the UN says Pyongyang is ‘begging for war’. The markets expect more rhetoric to follow.
With the US Labor Day Holiday markets were somewhat lethargic, as expectations grew for hints of economic growth following a plethora of Central Bankers speaking this week. The ECB is scheduled to meet on Thursday, but the markets are not expecting the ECB to tighten economic policy any time soon.
They are, however, expecting to hear ECB President Draghi raise concerns over EUR recent strengthening. Several FOMC members are speaking today and, again, the markets will be listening acutely to determine when the US may hike rates.
EURUSD remains little changed overnight, currently trading around 1.1905.
USDJPY has gained based on risk aversion due to Japan being the world’s largest creditor nation. Currently, USDJPY is trading around 109.30.
GBPUSD is also little changed overnight, currently trading around 1.2930.
Gold is trading close to an 11-month high, as markets move to the traditional safe-haven. Currently, Gold is trading around $1,336.50.
WTI has gained slightly overnight to currently trade around $47.75pb.
Markit Economics will be releasing several European Country’s PMI for August:
At 08:15 BST, Spain Services PMI expected 56.8 from the previous 57.6.
At 08:45 BST, Italy Services PMI expected 55.7from the previous 56.3.
At 08:50 BST, France Services PMI expected 55.5 from the previous 55.5.
At 08:55 BST, Germany Services PMI expected 53.4 from the previous 53.4.
At 09:00 BST, Eurozone Services PMI expected 54.9 from the previous 54.9.
At 09:30 BST, United Kingdom Services PMI expected 53.5 from the previous 53.8.
Central Bankers are scheduled to speak:
At 10:10 BST, Phillip Lowe, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia is scheduled to speak.
At 13:00 BST, FOMC Member Brainard is scheduled to speak.
At 15:00, the US Census Bureau will release Factory Orders (MoM) for July. The previous strong reading of 3% is not expected to be met with the consensus for this release expected around -3.2%.
At 18:10 BST, FOMC Member Kashkari is scheduled to speak.
At 23:05 BST, FOMC Member Kaplan is scheduled to speak.
