March 1, 2024
CURRENCIES:
· Gold prices surged past the $2,040 mark on Thursday, hitting their highest since early February, though the rise was tempered by a strong U.S. dollar.
· The uptick in gold’s value was partly driven by a drop in U.S. Treasury yields, following an economic report that matched expectations. The January core PCE deflator reported a month-on-month increase of 0.4% and a year-on-year rise of 2.8%, aligning with forecasts.
· Market sentiment was influenced by recent CPI and PPI data, leading to concerns over inflation. However, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation metric meeting predictions provided a boost to gold investors, encouraging them to increase their positions.
· Future Outlook: Investors should be cautious, as the initial enthusiasm from Thursday’s gold price rally might wane. The slow pace of disinflation and more relaxed financial conditions could lead the Federal Reserve to postpone its monetary policy easing, potentially putting downward pressure on gold prices.
STOCK MARKET:
· Stocks climbed on Friday following positive US inflation data that alleviated concerns over interest rate hikes, leading to record highs on Wall Street.
· Rate-sensitive technology stocks drove gains, with Europe’s Stoxx 600 index rising 0.4% and US equity futures showing increases. The S&P 500 recorded its 14th record of the year, while the Nasdaq 100 reached a new peak, partly thanks to Nvidia Corp’s record close.
· The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation metric, personal consumption expenditures, rose at its fastest in nearly a year in January, aligning with economists’ predictions. This, along with jobless claims data indicating a softening labor market, boosted market sentiment.
· Treasuries remained stable after two days of gains, and the dollar index showed little change. The yen depreciated against the dollar following comments from the Bank of Japan Governor, hinting at delayed interest rate hikes.
· China’s factory activity contracted for the fifth consecutive month in February, reflecting ongoing demand challenges, despite a rebound in non-manufacturing activity driven by increased travel and tourism.
· The ongoing slump in China’s home sales highlighted persistent issues in the real estate sector, with a 60% decline in new home sales from major companies compared to the previous year.
· The US inflation report supported the view of a continuing disinflationary trend, reinforcing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2024.
· Federal Reserve officials expressed varying views on the timing of interest rate cuts, balancing the need to manage inflation with economic strength indicators.
· Bitcoin maintained its value around $61,000, buoyed by significant inflows into BlackRock Inc.’s iShares Bitcoin Trust.
· Oil prices were poised for a slight weekly increase, with OPEC+ considering extending supply cuts, reflecting ongoing market strength.
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