Analysts at ANZ explained that uncertainty around the outcome of trade talks between the US and China contributed to a light US trading session to end the week.
Key Quotes:
“The S&P 500 fell 0.3%, with financials, energy and technology stocks underperforming. The latter was dragged down by soft earnings. The DJIA was unchanged and the NASDAQ fell 0.4%.”
“The US 10-year bond yield fell from last week’s high of 3.11% to 3.06%, but the US dollar index lifted slightly. European markets ended the week on a cautious note owing to political developments in Italy.”
“The Italian 10-year bond yield lifted further to 2.22% as the coalition between the Five Star Movement and the League is expected to put pressure on the public purse.”
This includes a review of the EU fiscal rules and rolling back of pension reforms that had lifted the retirement age. Meanwhile, the euro dipped and equities underperformed with the FTSE 100 and CAC 40 down 0.1% and 0.3% respectively. WTI slipped 0.3% and gold lifted 0.2%.”