China PMI Lends A Positive Steer For Markets With US On Public Holiday

 | Jul 03, 2020 08:17

h5 Market Overview

In isolation, the US economy adding +4.8m jobs (which is a record number) sounds incredible. However, this comes amidst the backdrop of employment levels still being around -15m jobs lower than it was back in February. This “positive” data came on a day where record numbers of COVID-19 infections were reported (around 54,000) and where weekly jobless numbers continues to come in higher than expected. With 12 states pulling back from their re-opening procedures, there is a real concern than July could now be a month were the positive data of June is undone. So, the risk positive reaction of the payrolls report yesterday may not last long. Treasury yields ended the day lower and although Wall Street closed higher, it was way below session highs. The perception could be that the good news of the recovery may now be past its peak, or at least for this phase of the recovery. The US is on public holiday for Independence Day today, we will begin to get a clearer picture of the broad outlook of this next week. Today could be a bit of a non-event, but focus will be on services PMIs. A bounce to 45.0 in Japan does not shoot the lights out, but China Caixin Services PMI at 58.4 is a positive and has allowed European equities to come in with a marginal positive bias. Final Eurozone and UK PMIs could give more of a steer to the session, but we do not anticipate too much action today.

Wall Street closed mildly higher, with the S&P 500 +0.5% higher at 3130. US markets are closed today, so no steer from futures. Asian markets were positive with the Nikkei +0.7% and Shanghai Composite +1.6%. European indices are also looking mildly positive with FTSE futures and DAX futures +0.3%. In forex, there is little real steer (without US bond markets open), but AUD and NZD higher suggests a mild risk positive bias. In commodities, gold is holding ground again, whilst silver is around half a percent higher, whilst oil is just under one percent lower.

With the US on public holiday in lieu of Independence Day today, there is a European focus to the economic calendar, with June services PMIs being key. The Eurozone final Services PMI is at 0900BST and is expected to be unrevised at 47.3 (form 47.3 flash June, up from 30.5 final May). This would leave the Eurozone final Composite PMI at 47.5 (47.5 flash June, 31.9 final May). The UK final Services PMI is at 0930BST and is expected to be unrevised at 47.0 (47.0 flash June, 29.0 final May). This would mean the UK final Composite PMI is expected to be 47.6 (47.6 flash June, 30.0 final May).

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Chart of the Day – EUR/GBP

The sterling rally of recent sessions has unwound a strong breakout on EUR/GBP back to a key level of support at £0.9000. This is a key crossroads in the outlook, however we expect this move will be seen as another opportunity to buy the currency cross once more. The breakout through £0.9000/£0.9055 resistance was a key move last week, and the bulls will be looking for the underlying demand of this old resistance to become the basis of support for the next keg higher. The support of a near two month uptrend rises at £0.8995 today, which coincides with the pivot support at £0.9000. With the magnitude of the negative candles of the corrective move now dissipating, it suggests that the market sees this as a key inflection point. It will be an interesting session to see if the euro now begins to regain positive momentum once more. Daily momentum indicators have swung lower in recent sessions, but with little real conviction on the MACD lines, the RSI is settling around the 50 mark again. This is a move that has just unwound the bullish momentum of the previous bull run. Hourly chart indicators show the momentum is beginning to build positively once more and the bulls will look to move above £0.9030 as an early indication of renewed buying taking hold. Above £0.9055 would confirm upside pressure developing. The bulls would be disappointed if £0.9000 is consistently breached now, with £0.8950/£0.8970 being the next band of support. Under £0.8910 would be a decisive breakdown of the bullish outlook.