Markets update: Highs and lows in equities and a strengthening US dollar

Equities were a mixed bag, as politics dominates European markets. Ian Slattery reports.

Ian Slattery

Political tensions in Italy increased over the weekend, as the President refused to ratify the new government’s nomination for finance minister.

PMI data in the eurozone disappointed slightly, although the metrics remained above 50, indicating continuing economic expansionary.

Oil paused for breath last week, and closed under $70 per barrel as OPEC stated that it expected to increase supply towards the end of the year, a sentiment that was echoed by Russia.

US treasuries gained some ground following recent losses, as the FOMC minutes where interpreted as dovish in tone whilst economic data was slightly subdued. Negotiations between the US and North Korea are ongoing and reports over the weekend suggest the Singapore Summit may still take place.

The global index moved higher last week, with returns for Irish investors once again helped by a strengthening US dollar. Commodities had a mixed bag of returns with gold and copper both rising, whilst oil stumbled slightly and was down nearly 5% over the course of the week. However, it remains up over 12% year-to-date.

The ten year US bond yield finished the week at 2.93% from 3.06% as prices (which move inversely to yields) rose. The German equivalent was at 0.40%, from 0.58% as there was some ‘flight to safety’ given the political developments in Italy. The EUR/USD rate finished at 1.17, whilst EUR/GBP was at 0.88.