Sterling Dips After Worrying Manufacturing Data

 | Feb 09, 2018 11:20

h2 U.S. Futures Higher After Second Plunge This Week

Sterling Dips

It’s a slightly quieter day in terms of notable economic events. The Canadian jobs data will be of interest given that the central bank has been relatively aggressively raising interest rates over the last six months. The UK GDP estimate from NIESR will also be of interest, given that the pound has continued to rise even as the economy experiences a notable slowdown.

The manufacturing and industrial production figures from the UK this morning showed another dip in December, with the latter in particular experiencing no year on year growth. Given that these are among the areas that have benefited since the referendum, it may be a minor concern. The pound dipped after the releases having failed to hold above 1.40 against the dollar in recent days.

Indices Remain Vulnerable After Entering Correction

US futures are trading slightly in the green ahead of the open on Friday, a day after stock markets once again tumbled leaving indices in correction territory.

As we saw on Thursday, this isn’t necessarily indicative of calm returning to the markets. The Dow recorded declines of more than 1,000 points for the second time this week, having never done so before, despite futures prior to the open being relatively unchanged on the previous days close.

Clearly there remains a lot of volatility and nervousness in the markets and I don’t expect this to ease up heading into the weekend. Stock markets will likely remain vulnerable to further shocks heading into today’s close and possible even next week. That said, with a 10% correction having now completed, I wonder whether investors will now start looking to buy the dips as the fundamental backdrop remains strong.