U.S. Opening Bell: Futures, Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data; Oil Extends Advance

 | Sep 14, 2021 11:39

  • US CPI seen to increase for a fourth month, above 5%
  • Bloomberg commodity benchmark hits decade high
  • Bitcoin recovers
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    US futures contracts on the Dow, S&P, NASDAQ and Russell 2000 as well as European stocks were in a holding pattern on Tuesday, ahead of the release of potentially catalytic US inflation figures today, just ahead of the US market open.

    Oil continues to trade higher as another storm approaches the US Gulf Coast and OPEC raised its positive demand outlook for crude.

    Global Financial Affairs/h2

    Energy-related stocks rallied in Asia and Europe, tracking oil prices which gained on concerns of another hurricane as well as forecasts from OPEC which anticipate demand to move above pre-pandemic levels by next year.

    Tropical storm Nicholas is threatening the Gulf of Mexico, a key US oil hub, which was already hammered by Hurricane Ida just a few weeks ago. Producers there have yet to return to capacity after the first storm. Boosting oil yet further, the OPEC cartel is encouraged by improving vaccine rates and a returning trust in governments’ handling of the pandemic, which may increase travel.

    In Europe the STOXX 600 Index edged lower, losing some of yesterday’s rebound after last week’s slump. In mirror image of the recent outperformance of defensive sectors, stocks of luxury retailers, such as LVMH (PA:LVMH), Kering (PA:PRTP) and Richemont (SIX:CFR) dropped 2.6%, 3.9% and 3.2% respectively. Jewellry maker Pandora (CSE:PNDORA), however, bucked the trend, jumping 3.7% after the company announced its intent to grow its sales by 6% - 8% in the years ahead.

    The commodity-heavy FTSE 100 was pulled down by mining stocks despite industrial commodities, from aluminum to steel, extending rallies, with natural gas hitting new records in Europe. The Bloomberg Commodity Spot Index hit a decade high.