China’s move to enforce new security
Summary: The European equity market today saw the dovish activity as risk sentiment was hammered by escalating China-U.S. tensions, which in turn has fuelled concerns of a slowdown in global economic growth activity. Concerns of resurfacing covid-19 outbreak as major global economies re-open following relaxed lockdown measures have also caused risk assets to lose some of its gains from early this week.
The majority of the loss in the European market was led by a decline in Banks and Luxury sector stocks. Tensions in the global financial market are once again rising as Beijing has imposed a new security law in Hong Kong, which along with President Trump’s accusations of China mishandling the covid-19 outbreak, suggests risk sentiment is going to remain under considerable stress for the foreseeable future.
Precious Metal: Rare metals are trading mixed in the global market today. Profit booking activity has caused silver to decline from weekly highs on the last trading session of the day. However, gold continued to trade positive as rising tensions between China and the US over new security law and covid-19 outbreaks underpinned safe-haven demand.
Crude Oil: Crude oil price has finally stopped its consecutive sessions of gains as escalating geopolitical tensions have finally affected the global economic outlook. While declining US weekly stockpile greatly helped improve demand outlook, declining economic recovery hopes over escalating Sino-U.S. tensions have caused major benchmarks to slide from weekly highs.
DXY: The US Dollar index, which measures the strength of Greenback against six major global currencies still remains trapped in the 99 mark but has moved above 99.500 range given increased risk aversion in the global market today.
On The Lookout: China has once again resumed its crackdown in Hong Kong, and this time around, it has imposed a new security law for the special autonomous regions. The draft of this law suggests that this move may possibly lead to the revival of pro-democracy protests in the city. A revival of protest would give the US another reason to argue with China, aside from the covid-19 outbreak given events from the recent past. This has caused investor risk sentiment for the foreseeable future to remain highly clouded. On the release front, US Calendar sees the release of U.S. Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count and Total Rig Count while the Canadian calendar sees the release of Core retail sales data.
Trading Perspective: US Wall Street is set to see a muted opening for the day as escalating tensions between China and U.S.A escalates with each passing day diminishing economic growth outlook. However, hopes for more stimulus measures to aid the US economy is likely to cap sharp declines. U.S. Futures trading in the international market ahead of Wall Street opening displayed a clear dovish tone on the last trading session of the week.
Please feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
