Read more
9:52 PM · 3 October 2024

Daily Summary: Markets continue their sell-off as risk factors intensify.

  • Switzerland's consumer inflation reading for September came in lower than expected. Moreover,  in m/m terms, there is a deflation. The index reading is at its lowest level since August 2021. 
  • Eurozone: services PMI index for September 51,4 points. (forecast: 50.5 points; previous: 52.9 points). Most European economies are breaking out above the contraction zone, and the data themselves were also above expectations.
  • The Challenger report from the US, showing the number of lay-offs, for September indicated 72.8 thousand, compared to 75.89 thousand in August; lay-offs fell m/m by nearly 4%. It can be seen that the levels are slightly elevated, but did not increase month-on-month this time. 
  • US jobless claims came in 225k vs 221k exp. and 218k previously, revised to 219k. Continued jobless claims came in 1.826M vs 1.83M exp. and 1.834M previously, revised to 1.827M
  • The U.S. services sector activity reached a 1.5-year high in September, with the ISM non manufacturing PMI rising to 54.9. This indicates strong economic growth, particularly in new orders. 
  • Oil prices surged after US president Joe Biden signaled that '(...) We are discussing Israel striking Iran oil facilities.' The US told Iran indirectly to not attack Middle East military bases, according to IRNA. According to Biden, the US Administration doesn't expect IDF military response to the Iran strike today. 
  • Natural gas inventories rose by 55 billion cubic feet last week, slightly below the expected 56 billion and higher than the previous 47 billion cubic feet. 
  • Lockheed Martin has decided to raise its dividend to $3.30. The company pays a dividend every quarter, which implies an annualized dividend of $13.2. Thus, the annual dividend rate for the next 12 months is now 2.19%. For the company, this is the 22nd consecutive year of increasing the dividend paid. 
  • After a nearly 30% near-continuous rally, the Hang Seng Index slid more than 4.5% today at the peak of the sell-off, indicating the biggest sell-off in 2 years, following an uninterrupted 13-day upward streak. However, index rebound after the sell-off, now losing 2%, but futures on Chinese benchmarks such as CHN.cash (-2.5%) suggest a further sell-off in Chinese assets and profit taking. Markets in mainland China are closed due to Golden Week. 
  • European stock markets are experiencing declines. The DAX is down 0.9%, FTSE 100 is flat, and CAC40 is down 1.4%. Wall Street is also red: Nasdaq is down 0.65%, Russell 2000 down 1.16%, while Dow Jones is down 0.73% and S&P500 is 0.55% lower.
  • The strongest currency today is the US Dollar, with the Dollar Index gaining 0.3%. British pound is the worst performing currency today after Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey suggested more positive inflation data could lead the central bank toward a more aggressive approach to interest rate cuts
  • The cryptocurrency market is seeing losses today. Ethereum is down 1.68%, Dogecoin falls by 1.25%, and Bitcoin declines 0.47%, to around 60,000 USD.
  • Precious metals have reversed the losses and are now mixed: gold losses 0.07%, silver is up by 1%, while platinum is 1.15% lower.
21 April 2026, 9:39 PM

Daily Summary: As a ceasefire drifts away, markets lose ground

21 April 2026, 6:17 PM

UnitedHealth Group earnings: Healthy growth

21 April 2026, 6:04 PM

US Open: Macro Up, Tensions Down!

21 April 2026, 6:00 PM

Defense sector earnings: RTX, Thales and Northrop Grumman

The material on this page does not constitute as financial advice and does not take into account your level of understanding, investment objectives, financial situation or any other particular needs.
All the information provided, including opinions, market research, mathematical results and technical analyses published on the website or transmitted to you by other means is provided for information purposes only and should in no event be interpreted as an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument, nor should the information provided be construed as advice of legal or fiscal nature.
Any investment decisions you make shall be based exclusively on your level of understanding, investment objectives, financial situation or any other particular needs. Any decision to act on information published on the website or transmitted to you by other means is entirely at your own risk. You are solely responsible for such decisions.
If you are in doubt or are not sure that you understand a particular product, instrument, service, or transaction, you should seek professional or legal advice before trading.
Investing in OTC Derivatives carries a high degree of risk, as they are leveraged based products and often small movements in the market could lead to much larger movements in the value of your investment and this could work against you or for you. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved, taking into account your investments objectives and level of experience, before trading, and if necessary, seek independent advice.