Daily Morning Report

Tuesday, July 16–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

Asian and European stocks were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward narrowly mixed openings when the New York day session beings, and are at or near their record and contract highs. So far this week there have been no major news developments in the world to significantly move markets. Thus, typical lackluster mid-summertime trading has set in. However, a very busy day of U.S. economic data may shake loose the present summertime doldrums.

In overnight news, there was a downbeat economic report coming out of Germany, as the ZEW economic expectations index and current conditions index worsened in July. Germany is the economic workhorse for the European Union.

The key “outside markets” today see Nymex crude oil prices slightly higher and trading around $59.75 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is higher early today.

U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Johnson Redbook and Goldman Sachs retail sales reports, retail sales, import and export prices, industrial production and capacity utilization, the NAHB housing market index, manufacturing and trade inventories, and Treasury international capital data. Several Federal Reserve officials are also slated for speeches today.

–Jim

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Monday, July 15–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

Asian and European stocks were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward firmer openings when the New York day session beings, and at record and contract highs.

In overnight news, there was some downbeat economic news coming out of China, as its second-quarter gross domestic product rose by 6.3%, year-on-year, for the slowest growth pace in 27 years. This is leading to ideas China’s central bank will act to further stimulate the world’s second-largest economy. However, the weaker GDP report was somewhat offset by industrial production data for June that came out better than expected, at up 6.3%, year-on-year.

There were no significant developments over the weekend on the geopolitical fronts.

The key “outside markets” today see Nymex crude oil prices higher and trading just around $60.50 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is slightly lower early today.

U.S. economic data due for release Monday is light and includes the Empire State manufacturing survey. The economic data pace really picks up the pace starting Tuesday.

–Jim

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The corn futures market bulls on Thursday made a strong showing in the face of some bearish monthly USDA supply and demand data released. Friday, grain traders are focusing on weather in the U.S. midsection. A powerful tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico could wind up dumping some needed rainfall in the eastern Corn Belt early next week, or not. Weather forecasters are not in agreement on the storm’s path once it reaches landfall. With much of the Corn Belt now in need of a good drink of water, weather forecasts are driving the grain markets. Next Monday looks to be one of the more important grain-trading days of the summer, as updated weather forecasts coming out of the weekend will drive prices and likely make for higher volatility on Monday. Stay tuned!–Jim

Friday, July 12–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

U.S. stock indexes are firmer and at or near record and contract highs in early U.S. trading. Asian and European stock indexes were also mostly up overnight. Easy monetary policies from the major central banks of the world continue to push world stock markets higher.

In overnight news, China’s exports in June were reported down 1.3%, year-on-year, according to official data Friday. Forecasters expected a 2.0% decline. China’s imports dropped by 7.3% in June, following an 8.5% decline in May. A drop of 3.8% was expected in June. This downbeat data underscores the damage China’s trade war with the U.S. has caused to the world’s second-largest economy.

A Wall Street Journal survey of economists showed those polled see a 30% chance of a U.S. recession within the next year. Sixty-eight percent of the economists see a U.S. interest rate cut at the end of July.

The U.S. economic highlight of the day will be the release of the producer price index for June, which is expected to be steady from May and up 0.2% in the “core” index, which excludes food and energy. On Thursday a slightly higher than expected reading on the U.S. consumer price index did get the attention of the marketplace.

The key “outside markets” today see Nymex crude oil prices higher and trading just around $60.50 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is lower again early today.

U.S. economic data due for release Friday includes the PPI.

–Jim

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Thursday, July 11–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report

Asian and European stock markets were mostly higher overnight. U.S. stock indexes are at record highs and are pointed toward firmer openings when the New York day session begins.

The marketplace is still basking in the easy-money limelight cast by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday. In is his speech to House lawmakers he said since the June FOMC meeting uncertainties, including world trade tensions, global growth and very low inflation, continue to cloud the outlook for the U.S. economy and these matters are not improving. He said the U.S. economic outlook is solid, but the prospects for other major world economies are worrisome. The marketplace read his remarks as fully dovish on U.S. monetary policy, which in turn strongly suggests the Fed will cut U.S. interest rates as soon as this month. That’s a bullish scenario for U.S. Treasuries, the U.S. stock market, and commodities markets, including the precious metals. However, it was a bearish development for the U.S. dollar on the foreign exchange market. Powell speaks to a U.S. Senate panel today.

Gold prices are solidly higher today on the easy-money Fed and also on fresh safe-haven demand. Reports said a British warship had to step in and rescue a U.K. oil tanker that was being harassed by three Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

In overnight news, the Bank of England said the risk of a “no deal” on Brexit has hurt the U.K. economy.
The key “outside markets” today see Nymex crude oil prices higher and trading just below $61.00 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is lower early today.

U.S. economic data due for release Thursday includes the weekly jobless claims report, the monthly USDA supply and demand report, real earnings, the consumer price index, the monthly Treasury budget statement, and the monthly chain store sales index. Several Federal Reserve officials are also scheduled to make speeches today.

–Jim

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The Euro currency futures market is one of the most popularly traded markets in the world. See on the daily bar chart for the September Euro currency futures that prices have backed well down from the June high and the bears have regained the solid overall near-term technical advantage. That means a very likely challenge of the June low and probably even below that in the near term. Stay tuned!–Jim