Business News

Markets Update: Trump triggers fall off

By Business & Finance
04 June 2019

All major equity markets were down this week, with the US market suffering its worst week of the year, writes Ian Slattery.

ian slattery zurich

Ian Slattery

A surprise announcement from the US administration about forthcoming tariffs on Mexican goods triggered a sharp rally in global bond markets, with the ten year Treasury yield gapping down to 2.12% on Friday. This was the biggest daily move since the Fed’s March meeting, while the ten year Bund yield fell to a new low of -0.21%.

Investors are reassessing the global growth and policy outlook amid escalating trade tensions, as the US market suffered its worst week this year, falling over 2.5%. The trigger for last week’s selloff was President Trump’s announcement that tariffs of up to 25% on all Mexican goods would be imposed if Mexico does not take decisive steps to fight illegal migration to the US.

However, Eurozone lending growth to households picked up to 3.4% YoY in April from 3.3% YoY in March, and US households remain in an upbeat mood with the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rising in May.

Equities

The MSCI World was down more than 2% in local terms with the euro return also down 1.8%. All major equity markets were down this week, with the US market suffering its worst week of the year.

Fixed Income & FX

The US 10 year yield ticked lower again during the week, moving to 2.12% from 2.32%.The German equivalent almost moved to a record low of -0.21%. The Euro US Dollar exchange rate remained unchanged on the previous week at 1.12, whilst Euro/GBP was at 0.88.

Commodities

Oil finished the week lower at just below $53 per barrel. Gold finished the week up at $1,305 per troy ounce. Copper finished the week down at $5,806 per tonne.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday 6th June

  • Eurozone unemployment and inflation data for May is released.
  • The ECB meets for their latest interest rate decision.

Friday 7th June

  • US Jobs report for May goes to print.

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