Here is what you need to know on Thursday, January 7:
Markets have been shrugging off the storming of the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Investors focus on Democrats’ win of the Senate after the elections in Georgia, pushing stocks higher. The dollar is torn by a move away from the safe-haven currency and higher yields. Coronavirus and vaccine statistics and jobless claims are eyed.
US politics: The world was shocked to see a mob incited by Trump storming the Capitol and vandalizing it. The president continued making his unfounded claims of fraud and supporters seemed to try to overturn the election results. Police eventually gained control of the event, allowing Congress to continue ratifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win.
The process, usually a short ceremonial one, is set to conclude later on Thursday. Stocks fell off the highs as the rioting began, but ended higher while futures are pointing to a positive open on Wall Street.
Fiscal stimulus coming: Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossof won their Senate runoff races in Georgia, allowing their party effective control of the upper chamber. That allows President-elect Joe Biden to push additional relief packages and markets are cheering.
The US dollar has been having a mixed reaction. On the one hand, the safe-haven currency was sold off – yet it recovered as bond yields climbed on prospects of higher government debt. Ten-year Treasuries hold their ground above 1%. Gold has also been whipsawed, failing to hold onto gains.
Five factors moving the US dollar in 2021 and not necessarily to the downside
The Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes from the December meeting conveyed a balanced message, with some members ready to expand the bank’s bond-buying scheme and others willing to consider tapering it down. The Fed remains on hold.
ADP’s private-sector jobs report showed a disappointing loss of 123,000 jobs in December, lowering expectations for Friday’s Nonfarm Payrolls. The data contradicts the upbeat ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for last month.
The ISM Services PMI, due out on Thursday, provides the final hint toward the official labor figures. Weekly jobless claims for the week ending January 1 are also of interest.
- ISM Services PMI Preview: Business optimism is fine but the dollar needs jobs
- US Initial Jobless Claims Preview: Rising unemployment undermines US recovery
Coronavirus continues raging in the northern hemisphere. Britain is struggling more than other countries, yet it is ramping up its vaccine distribution. GBP/USD is trading below 1.36, also amid England’s strict lockdown.
More Coronavirus: Statistics, herd immunity, vaccine calendar and impact on financial markets and currencies
EUR/USD is battling the 1,23 level, driven mostly by the dollar. Preliminary eurozone inflation figures for December are set to remain subdued. German Factory Orders surprised with an increase of 2.3% in November.
Bitcoin has been extending its gains, hitting new highs above $37,000. Ethereum is also holding its gains near $1,200.
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