Daily Morning Report

The U.S. dollar index is a basket of six major currencies weighted against the greenback. It’s a good gauge of the overall health of the U.S. economy. See on the daily bar chart that the USDX is now trending lower, amid the pandemic that has crippled the U.S. economy and the civil unrest that has America on edge. The greenback has traditionally been a safe-haven asset, but with the country in the vise of two major crises, capital is presently flowing out of the greenback.–Stay tuned! Jim

Wednesday, June 3–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

Global stock markets were mostly higher in overnight trading. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward higher openings and three-month highs when the New York day session begins. The awkward rallies in world stock indexes continue, amid a pandemic that has severely damaged major economies, the two largest economies in the world (U.S. and China) on the verge of another trade war or worse, and civil unrest in the U.S. and Hong Kong. Many market watchers believe the stock market rallies are being fueled by “cheap money” served up by major central banks, and at some point down the road there will be a reckoning.

It was a calmer night in America Tuesday, following recent nights of violence in major cities. Still, it could be a long, hot and restless summer in the U.S., reminiscent of the infamous summer of 1968.

In the U.S. and Europe there continues to be hope the pandemic has seen its peak for infections and businesses continue to reopen. The next couple weeks will be critical to see if more public interaction recently will spike infections—but so far that’s not the case. Meanwhile, scientists are working feverishly on a vaccine and on drugs that will diminish the illness.

In other overnight news, there was better economic news coming out of China, as its Caixin purchasing managers services index (PMI) came in at 55.0 in May from 44.4 in April and reaching the highest level in 10 years. A reading above 50.0 suggests growth in the sector. In the Euro zone the PMI rose to 30.5 in May from 12.0 in April. India’s was 12.6 from 5.4 and Japan’s was 26.5 from 21.5 in the same period. The U.S. services PMI is out later today and is seen at 44.0 in May from 41.8 in April.

The data point of the day in the U.S. will be the ADP national employment report for May, expected to show job losses at just under 9 million.

The important outside markets see the U.S. dollar index lower early today and hitting an 11-week low overnight. Nymex crude oil prices are higher, at a nearly three-month high, and trading around $36.65 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is currently around 0.7%.

Other U.S. economic data due for release Wednesday includes the weekly MBA mortgage applications survey, the U.S. services PMI, the ISM non-manufacturing report on business, manufacturers’ shipments and inventories, and the weekly DOE liquid energy stocks report.

–Jim
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Tuesday, June 2–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

Global stock markets were mostly firmer in overnight trading. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward higher openings when the New York day session begins. Stock markets are at present seemingly ignoring major storm clouds churning, including the Covid-19 pandemic that has severely crippled world economies, a looming “cold war” between the two largest economies in the world—the U.S. and China, and civil unrest in the U.S. that has exploded into violence not seen in over 50 years. Many market watchers are reckoning the strength of world stock markets is mainly due to the enormous injection of monetary stimulus by central banks into economies that sees much of that money flowing into equities. The juxtaposition of a rallying Wall Street and a struggling Main Street could have significant political implications down the road.

In other news, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office said a full U.S. economic recovery from the damage caused by the pandemic could take 10 years.

The important outside markets see the U.S. dollar index lower early today and hitting another 2.5-month low overnight. The greenback is in a swoon due in part to the civil unrest in America. Currencies in countries that are more outside the present fray are benefitting, including the Australian and Canadian dollars and the British pound. Nymex crude oil prices are higher and trading around $36.50 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is currently around 0.68%.

U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Johnson Redbook and Goldman Sachs retail sales reports, the ISM New York report on business and domestic auto industry sales.

–Jim
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The silver futures market has been on fire recently and on Monday hit a more-than-three-month high. Prices are trending solidly higher on the daily bar chart, to suggest more upside in the near term.–Stay tuned! Jim

Monday, June 1–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

Global stock markets were mixed in overnight trading. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward weaker openings when the New York day session begins. Civil unrest over racial inequality that exploded in U.S. cities during the weekend has dealt another major blow to the world’s largest economy. Reports said President Trump Friday night had to take cover in a bunker at the White House due to unruly crowds gathered at the White House. With the U.S. dealing with its own civil problems, it seems even less likely mainland China will loosen its tightening grip on Hong Kong.

The protesting and rioting in major U.S. cities has called into question the timing of continued reopening of businesses that have been closed for two months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The protesting crowds in the U.S. also prompted heightened concerns about a second wave of infections hitting in in the coming weeks. All of the above have cast a pall over traders and investors, who had been driving stock market prices higher on hopes the pandemic had peaked. Yet, U.S. stock indexes are only slightly lower heading into the New York opening.

In other news, reports Monday said China has halted its purchase of U.S. soybeans and some other U.S. ag products, in a signal that nation will no longer honor its “Phase 1” trade agreement reached with the U.S. in January. This follows the move by Trump on Friday afternoon to rescind Hong Kong’s more favorable trade status with the U.S.

China’s Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) came in at 50.7 in May versus 49.4 in April, and 49.6 forecast. China’s official manufacturing PMI was 50.6 in May compared to 50.8 in April and 51.1 forecast. The Euro zone May manufacturing PMI was reported at 39.4, which was in line with market expectations.

President Trump on Saturday said he will likely postpone the Group of Seven meeting that had been scheduled for mid-June in the U.S. He said he wants to add additional countries to the confab and said the current G-7 “does not represent what is going on in the world.”

The important outside markets see the U.S. dollar index lower early today and hitting a 2.5-month low overnight. Nymex crude oil prices are weaker and trading around $35.00 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is currently around 0.66%.

U.S. economic data due for release Monday includes the U.S. manufacturing PMI, the ISM manufacturing report on business, construction spending, and the global manufacturing PMI.

–Jim
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Friday, May 29–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

Global stock markets were mostly lower in overnight trading. U.S. stock indexes are also pointed toward weaker openings when the New York day session begins. There is increased risk aversion in the marketplace late this week, as the U.S. and China appear on a collision course that could set off the next “cold war” between the two largest economies in the world. President Trump sometime Friday is expected to hold a press conference to address China’s actions to tighten its grip on Hong Kong. Trump will also likely comment on China’s involvement in suppressing early Covid-19 infection rates in China. Still, at present traders and investors have no idea what Trump will say or do.

In overnight news, the Euro zone consumer price index for May rose 0.1% compared to up 0.3% in April. The May reading was in line with market expectations.

The important outside markets see the U.S. dollar index lower early today and hitting a 2.5-month low. Nymex crude oil prices are lower and trading around $32.75 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is currently around 0.7%.

U.S. economic data due for release Friday includes personal income and outlays, the advance economic indicators report, the ISM Chicago business survey, and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment report. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell also speaks at an event today.

–Jim
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