By Orbex
Stubborn Jobless Claims Weigh In
The US index ended indecisively on Thursday as unemployment claims in America remained elevated.
Analysts believe that the labor market will continue cooling down through Q4 as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi put her weight behind a 25th amendment bill.
This gives Congress a role in determining whether the President will be forced out of office because he is incapable of doing his job.
However, with this coming so close to the election, the chances of the bill being passed are pretty slim.
Free Reports:
Download Our Metatrader 4 Indicators – Put Our Free MetaTrader 4 Custom Indicators on your charts when you join our Weekly Newsletter
Get our Weekly Commitment of Traders Reports - See where the biggest traders (Hedge Funds and Commercial Hedgers) are positioned in the futures markets on a weekly basis.
ECB Keeping a ‘Free Hand’ on Euro Exchange Rate
The euro finished 0.10% lower on Thursday as the pace of the currency’s appreciation was again called into question.
A further rise in the euro would be a “risk to both growth and inflation”, according to European Central Bank policymakers.
Yesterday’s meeting also highlighted that the current inflation outlook was highly dependent on the amount of fiscal and monetary stimulus.
Sterling Closes in on 1.30
The pound shrugged off potential restriction woes by closing 0.15% higher yesterday.
The hospitality sector will take another hit today, with certain parts of Scotland closing bars and restaurants for a two-week period from 6 pm.
Sterling will hope that a Brexit deal does not hit any further hurdles if it wants to break through the 1.30 handle.
Indices Maintain Their Grip
All major US indices were trading almost 1% higher on Thursday as talks of further stimulus continued.
The White House seems to have made another shift in its negotiating tactics, now reportedly wanting to reach a fiscal stimulus deal with Democrats.
Nancy Pelosi said that she would not support a tighter stimulus bill. This reminded investors that it remains all or nothing for a fiscal and coronavirus relief package, with party leaders still far apart on its size and scope.
Gold Heading for Another Push?
Gold closed in on the $1900 handles as it ended yesterday’s session up 0.32%.
Stimulus talks and the run-up to the presidency could see a continued shift in risk appetite. Bulls will be waiting for the next sell-off in the greenback for the potential for another push to record highs.
OPEC Rebuffs Claims of Oil Peak
Oil settled above $41 as it closed 0.17% higher yesterday.
The output of WTI decreased as further shutdowns of oil refineries in the Gulf of Mexico drove prices up. We can expect Hurricane Delta to make landfall later today.
OPEC recently dismissed concerns that a peak in oil demand was close. The thought of inventories increasing to pandemic levels was quickly put to bed by exporting organizations.
By Orbex
- 3 Signs of Developing U.S. Economic Slowdown Apr 19, 2024
- Israel has retaliated against Iran. Investors run to safe assets Apr 19, 2024
- Gold hits record high amid growing geopolitical tensions Apr 19, 2024
- The US natural gas prices fell to a 2-month low. A drop in the technology sector on Wednesday had a negative impact on the broad market Apr 18, 2024
- Target Thursdays: Cocoa, Bitcoin and USDCHF hit targets! Apr 18, 2024
- British Pound shows signs of recovery amid favourable inflation data Apr 18, 2024
- Indices decline amid hawkish comments from the Fed. Investors are waiting for Israel’s answer Apr 17, 2024
- EURGBP: Slams into support on hot UK inflation Apr 17, 2024
- Brent crude prices dip amid concerns over global demand Apr 17, 2024
- Stock indices sell-off amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. China’s GDP grew the most in a year Apr 16, 2024