Markets Update: Interest rate expectations weigh on equity markets

The global index was down but oil was up and closed at over $74/barrel, marking its longest weekly winning streak this year, writes Ian Slattery.

Ian Slattery

Stocks fell last week, as a focus on rising interest rates took centre stage. Fed Chair, Powell’s positive view on the US economy, coupled with strong US economic data, drove the 10 year US treasury yield to above 3.2% – the highest in seven years.

On Friday, non-farm payroll data in the US disappointed slightly, as the economy only added 134,000 jobs (vs a last reading of 270,000). However, much of the disappointment was attributed to the impact of Hurricane Florence, and the unemployment rate did move to 3.7%.

A replacement deal for NAFTA was also agreed, with the US, Mexico, and Canada joining to create the USMCA trading group. The euro was hit by a disagreement between the EU and Italy over budget plans, which will hopefully see a resolution over the coming weeks.

The global index was down -0.7% in euro terms, with Hong Kong the worst performing of the major markets. Oil was up and closed at over $74/barrel, marking its longest weekly winning streak since January. Gold moved higher over the course of the week and closed at over $1,200 per troy ounce. The ten year US bond yield finished at 3.23%, having started the year at 2.41%.

The German equivalent also closed higher at 0.57%. The EUR/USD rate finished the week at 1.15, with the EUR/GBP rate at 0.88.