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As part of our commitment to provide the most reliable service to our clients, we have completed the MT5 maintenance and upgrade on 16th March, 2024.
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Wednesday witnessed a significant rally in the stock market, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all reaching all-time highs after the Federal Reserve decided to maintain interest rates at their highest in 23 years while signaling three rate cuts by the end of 2024. This decision was met with optimism, particularly within the financial and technology sectors, leading to notable gains across various stocks. In the currency market, the dollar experienced volatility, eventually declining as the Fed remained cautious but committed to adjusting its policy in response to inflation trends, impacting Treasury yields and currency pair values significantly.
Stock Market Updates
On Wednesday, stock markets experienced a significant uplift, with the three major averages reaching new all-time highs. This surge came in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at their highest level in 23 years while signaling three potential rate cuts by the end of 2024. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared by 401.37 points or 1.03%, closing at 39,512.13. The S&P 500 followed suit, gaining 0.89% to end the day at 5,224.62 — crossing the 5,200 threshold for the first time. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite experienced a 1.25% jump, settling at 16,369.41.
The Federal Reserve’s announcement to keep rates steady was accompanied by plans for future cuts, echoing its previous forecasts from December. Despite leaving rates unchanged, the central bank expressed the need for more substantial evidence of inflation easing before considering a reduction in rates. The statement from the Fed underscored its cautious approach, emphasizing the need for greater confidence in inflation trending sustainably towards its 2% target before adjusting the target range for rates. This stance came amid investor concerns that recent spikes in inflation could lead to fewer-than-expected rate cuts.
In the financial sector, stocks rose on hopes that the anticipated rate cuts would spur continued economic growth. American Express and the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF saw gains of 2.8% and over 3%, respectively. Technology giants, often seen as beneficiaries of lower rates, also experienced an upswing, with companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia each gaining around 1%. Meta Platforms outperformed with a 1.9% increase, while Apple and Tesla advanced by 1.5% and 2.5%. Other notable movements included Chipotle Mexican Grill, which climbed 3.5% following an announcement of a stock split, and Paramount Global, which surged 11.8% amid reports of a significant acquisition offer from Apollo Global Management.
Currency Market Updates
In the currency markets, the dollar index saw a reversal from early gains to losses on Wednesday. This shift was largely attributed to the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain its projection for three rate cuts in 2024 without reducing the number despite updating its GDP and inflation forecasts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell underscored the central bank’s commitment to achieving its inflation goals and the importance of being adaptive in its policy approach, also highlighting a cautious stance to avoid repeating past mistakes in quantitative tightening.
Although the Fed kept its rates unchanged and the median expectation for rate cuts in 2024 stayed consistent, the actual number of policymakers supporting this projection slightly decreased. This development influenced market dynamics, with two-year Treasury yields dropping and the probability of a June rate cut increasing. Furthermore, the Fed’s upward revision of its GDP growth and core PCE inflation expectations for 2024 contributed to these market movements.
Currency pairs reacted to the Fed’s announcements and broader market sentiment. The EUR/USD pair rose by 0.45%, effectively recovering from earlier losses, supported by strong demand at key technical levels. The USD/JPY pair retreated from its pre-Fed gains, touching levels close to recent peaks before a slight rebound. Meanwhile, the British pound achieved a 0.5% gain against the dollar, buoyed by significant declines in UK inflation rates for February, marking a notable intraday reversal from earlier losses.
Picks of the Day Analysis
EUR/USD (4 Hours)
EUR/USD Surges Amid Dovish Fed Outlook and Interest Rate Speculations
In a marked shift, the EUR/USD pair breached the 1.0900 mark, reaching four-day highs following a dovish stance from Federal Reserve Chair Powell, who hinted at potential interest rate cuts amidst a backdrop of a robust U.S. economy but hindered business investment due to high interest rates. Despite the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain rates, with a long-term view of reducing them to achieve a 2% inflation target, the dollar saw a pullback as Powell emphasized the need for sustained confidence in inflation reduction before enacting rate cuts. This dovish outlook, coupled with anticipations of both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank beginning their easing cycles by mid-year, has fueled speculations, impacting the EUR/USD dynamics and suggesting a possible stronger dollar in the medium term, with eyes on future rate movements and economic indicators.
On Wednesday, the EUR/USD moved strongly higher affected by the dovish statement from the Fed, able to create some push to the upper band of the Bollinger Bands. Currently, the price is moving slightly above the upper band, suggesting a potential slight upward movement to reach the resistance levels. Notably, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) maintains its position at 66, signaling a bullish outlook for this currency pair.
Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.
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The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.
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Stocks rose on Tuesday with anticipation for the Federal Reserve’s meeting and Nvidia’s announcements boosting the tech sector. The major indices saw gains, while Treasury yields fell, indicating a cautious but optimistic market stance on interest rates amidst inflation concerns. Nvidia’s showcase of its new AI chip influenced tech stocks, though not all news was positive in the sector. The dollar gained strength, particularly against the yen, after Japan’s central bank policy update, highlighting the ongoing interplay between technology developments, monetary policy, and global financial markets.
Stock Market Updates
On Tuesday, stocks saw an uptick as the Federal Reserve initiated its two-day policy discussion, with investors closely monitoring Nvidia amidst significant announcements from the tech leader. The Dow Jones Industrial Average marked a notable increase, rising by 320.33 points or 0.83% to settle at 39,110.76, making it the best-performing day since February 22. The S&P 500 followed suit, achieving a new record by closing up 0.56% at 5,178.51, while the Nasdaq Composite grew by 0.39%, ending the day at 16,166.79. This optimistic trend emerged amidst expectations that the Federal Reserve might keep interest rates steady, despite a series of concerning inflation reports that hinted at a potential prolonged period of higher rates.
Treasury yields saw a general decline, offering a boost to the stock market; the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield dropped by over 4 basis points, reaching 4.295%. Nvidia, a major player in the semiconductor industry, saw its shares climb by approximately 1.1% after recovering from earlier losses. This shift in investor sentiment was influenced by the company’s unveiling of its latest artificial intelligence chip, Blackwell, at its first GTC Conference. Meanwhile, Super Micro Computer experienced a drop of about 9% following news of a share offering, despite the stock’s significant surge this year driven by AI excitement. Additionally, MicroStrategy saw a 5.7% decrease, signaling a potential cooldown in the recent bull run, despite the stock’s substantial growth in 2024 paralleled with Bitcoin reaching record highs.
Currency Market Updates
In anticipation of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting, the dollar strengthened broadly, while the yen dropped significantly following the Bank of Japan’s meeting, which ended its negative rate policy and some ultra-loose policies but maintained key yield-suppressing operations. The USD/JPY pair surged by 1.2%, breaking through the year’s previous high and inching closer to the peaks of the last two years. This occurred despite a slight retreat in Treasury yields, reflecting a consolidation phase ahead of the Fed’s upcoming decisions. The market’s expectations for rate hikes have adjusted, with futures now indicating fewer increases than previously anticipated, amidst speculation about potential cuts in the Fed’s rate projections.
The gap between the U.S. Treasury and Japanese Government Bond yields remains a focal point, potentially influencing the USD/JPY pair to approach its recent highs, pending the outcome of the Fed meeting. The next significant data releases include the Core PCE index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, and upcoming reports on the U.S. labor market and manufacturing sector, which could further impact currency valuations. The housing market showed signs of resilience, possibly buoyed by the expectation of easing mortgage rates following the Fed’s actions later in the year.
The euro saw a slight decline against the dollar, recovering from an early drop to its monthly low. This movement was influenced by the German ZEW economic sentiment index, which, despite exceeding forecasts, was contrasted by persistently low current conditions and reduced labor and wage costs in the Eurozone. The European Central Bank has hinted at a possible rate cut, though market swaps suggest a mixed outlook. The sterling and the Australian dollar also faced challenges, with the latter affected by the Reserve Bank of Australia’s softened stance on tightening. The Canadian dollar’s gains were trimmed following disappointing inflation data, highlighting the dynamic and interconnected nature of global currency markets.
Picks of the Day Analysis
EUR/USD (4 Hours)
XAU/USD prices dip amid resurgent US dollar and central bank developments
Gold’s rally faced a setback as the US Dollar regained momentum, influencing XAU/USD to hover around $2,154 during the mid-American session. This shift was spurred by dovish stances from global central banks, notably the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ), which have recently adjusted their monetary policies. The RBA’s decision to keep rates steady, coupled with the BoJ’s rate hike—the first in 17 years—and the discontinuation of its Yield Curve Control (YCC) program, underscored a cautious approach to achieving sustainable inflation levels. Despite these developments, the US Dollar saw a slight retreat from its peak levels as Treasury yields decreased, reflecting cautious anticipation among investors for the upcoming Federal Reserve decision and economic projections. This atmosphere of vigilance suggests that gold prices may continue to be influenced by central bank policies and the broader economic outlook, especially with the Fed’s potential stance on interest rates amid current economic indicators.
On Tuesday, XAU/USD consolidated between the lower and middle bands of the Bollinger Bands. Currently, the price is moving at the middle band of the Bollinger Bands, suggesting a potential awaited moment for gold before the FOMC meeting. Notably, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) maintains its position at 48, signaling a neutral outlook for this pair.
Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.
Please refer to the table below for more details:
The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.
If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].
On Monday, Wall Street experienced a positive shift, with stocks climbing as investors’ attentions were riveted by a major artificial intelligence conference and the anticipation of new guidance from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all saw gains, buoyed by Nvidia’s promising outlook at its GTC Conference and Alphabet’s stock surge amid reports of Apple incorporating Google’s Gemini AI into iPhones. This optimism comes after a period of tech-led losses, suggesting a potential pivot towards tech investments as the market anticipates the Fed’s upcoming decisions on interest rates, amidst mixed signals from inflation readings and global economic indicators.
Stock Market Updates
On Monday, the stock market saw a positive uptick as investors’ attention turned towards a major artificial intelligence conference and anticipation built for new guidance from the Federal Reserve on monetary policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a modest rise, gaining 75.66 points to close at 38,790.43, marking a 0.2% increase. Similarly, the S&P 500 rose by 32.33 points, ending the day up 0.63% at 5,149.42, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, climbing 0.82% to finish at 16,103.45.
The spotlight was on Nvidia as its shares went up by 0.7% with the commencement of the company’s GTC Conference. Expected to unveil the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, Nvidia’s stock received a positive response from analysts, with predictions of significant upside potential. Similarly, Alphabet’s stock surged by 4.6% following reports of Apple’s negotiations to integrate Google’s Gemini AI into its iPhones. These developments contributed to a positive market sentiment, especially after a period marked by tech-led declines in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, while the Dow Jones suffered losses for three consecutive weeks.
Investor focus is also heavily on the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting set to begin on Tuesday and conclude with an announcement on Wednesday. With the market pricing in a 99% likelihood of unchanged interest rates at this week’s meeting, attention is equally divided over potential rate cuts expected in June. However, recent hotter-than-expected inflation readings have raised concerns about the Fed maintaining higher interest rates for an extended period, complicating the market’s anticipation.
Currency Market Updates
In currency markets, the dollar index saw a slight increase as attention turned to key meetings of the world’s major central banks, including the Federal Reserve, with particular interest in any changes to monetary policy. This comes amid a complex backdrop of fluctuating expectations for rate cuts, resilient U.S. economic indicators, and varying forecasts for interest rate movements among the world’s central banks. As investors navigate through these uncertainties, the outcomes of these meetings are eagerly awaited for their potential impact on global financial markets.
Picks of the Day Analysis
EUR/USD (4 Hours)
EUR/USD faces downward pressure amid strengthening US dollar and divergent central bank paths
The EUR/USD pair has been experiencing a downward trend, largely influenced by the strengthening US Dollar, as indicated by its subdued trading levels below the 1.0900 mark and reaching multi-day lows around 1.0865-1.0870. This movement correlates with the US Dollar Index (DXY) approaching a key technical level, amid a backdrop of rising US yields and expectations of divergent monetary policies from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB). Despite both central banks anticipated to start easing cycles, differences in their approaches could further impact the EUR/USD trajectory. With the euro area’s weaker fundamentals and a resilient US economy, the medium-term outlook suggests a potentially stronger Dollar, pushing EUR/USD towards its year-to-date lows and possibly lower, highlighting the significance of upcoming central bank decisions and their impact on currency dynamics.
On Monday, the EUR/USD moved lower and moving near the support level. Currently, the price is moving between the middle and lower bands of the Bollinger bands, suggesting a potential lower movement, and may reach the lower band. Notably, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) maintains its position at 33, signaling a bearish outlook for this currency pair.
Please note that the dividends of the following products will be adjusted accordingly. Index dividends will be executed separately through a balance statement directly to your trading account, and the comment will be in the following format “Div & Product Name & Net Volume ”.
Please refer to the table below for more details:
The above data is for reference only, please refer to the MT4/MT5 software for specific data.
If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].
As we approach another pivotal week in financial markets, our focus turns sharply to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decisions and their potential impact on global markets. In light of recent developments and forward-looking economic indicators, here is VT Markets’ professional and insightful weekly market outlook.
Federal Reserve’s monetary policy stance: The financial community eagerly anticipates the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) next moves, especially regarding interest rate adjustments and the pace of quantitative tightening. The Fed’s delicate balancing act continues as it aims to navigate through economic recovery, inflation concerns, and market stability.
Quantitative tightening and market liquidity: A significant area of interest lies in the Fed’s approach to quantitative tightening (QT). With bank reserves currently at a comfortable US$3.6 trillion, thanks to pandemic-induced quantitative easing, the market is awash with liquidity. However, the Fed’s QT program, designed to reduce the balance sheet by not reinvesting in bonds that mature, has been proceeding at a slower pace than the projected US$95 billion per month. This slower pace suggests that the reduction in bank reserves and the impact on market liquidity may be more gradual than initially feared.
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond: Considering the current pace, the Fed’s QT program is expected to continue well into 2024, possibly extending comfortably into 2025. Despite some market speculation about a potential exit or slowdown plan for QT, our analysis suggests that immediate concerns regarding liquidity are unwarranted for the foreseeable future. The Fed has ample room to adjust its policies as necessary, without inducing panic in the financial markets.
Market implications: Investors and traders should monitor the Fed’s guidance closely, as it will shape market sentiment and rate expectations in the coming months. While the upcoming FOMC meeting may not be a major market mover on its own, the accumulated economic data and the Fed’s interpretation of it will undoubtedly influence investment strategies and decisions.
VT Markets’ stance: At VT Markets, we advise clients to maintain a balanced and informed perspective as we navigate these uncertain times. Diversification, vigilance, and a keen eye on central bank communications will be key to successfully managing investment portfolios. As always, our team of analysts and strategists is here to provide you with the latest insights and strategies to optimize your market positioning.
Conclusion: The week ahead promises to shed further light on the Fed’s monetary policy direction and its implications for global financial markets. By staying informed and agile, investors can navigate these challenges and capitalize on opportunities as they arise.
Stay tuned to VT Markets for ongoing analysis and insights into market trends and economic forecasts.
Trending Analysis: Focus on British Pound’s market sentiment and outlook, covering GBP/USD, GBP/JPY, EUR/GBP.
Dollar’s Rally Triggered by Rising U.S. Treasury Yields: The uptick follows unexpectedly high Producer Price Index (PPI) figures for February, closely following a significant Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.
Strong Labor Market Reinforces U.S. Dollar: The consistent low levels of jobless claims underscore the economy’s strength, enhancing the dollar’s attractiveness.
Federal Reserve’s Policy and Economic Outlook: Despite prior hints at policy tightening, challenges in achieving disinflation amidst economic resilience might limit or delay rate cuts initially expected to begin in June.
Upcoming FOMC Meeting Eyed for Clues: Next week’s Federal Reserve meeting is anticipated to provide crucial insights into the monetary policy direction and interest rate projections, potentially affecting market expectations for 2024.
Inflation Risks May Alter Rate Cut Expectations: With inflation concerns re-emerging, the Fed might signal a reduced likelihood of rate cuts, potentially sustaining high bond yields and supporting the dollar’s strength.
STOCK MARKET:
Corporate Earnings in Focus: Investors are keen on corporate performance insights before further inflation data is released.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 See Uplift: Futures contracts for these indices up by about 0.3% and 0.4% respectively, indicating positive market momentum.
Tech Giants Show Pre-Market Strength: Companies like Netflix Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. gain from potential regulatory changes affecting TikTok. Adobe Inc. also rises ahead of its earnings report, while Tesla Inc. drops due to pessimistic sales forecasts.
Treasuries and Dollar Stability: The 10-year Treasury yield increases by 12 basis points this week; the dollar index remains relatively unchanged.
Upcoming U.S. Producer-Price Data: This report is highly anticipated as the last major inflation indicator before the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting, where rates are expected to stay constant.
Market Optimism Persists: Despite scaled-back rate cut expectations, stock enthusiasm continues, with the S&P 500 achieving new highs.
JPMorgan’s Bullish Market Outlook: Grace Peters from JPMorgan Private Bank updates price targets for major stock indices, forecasting robust corporate profits.
European Stocks Hit Record Highs: The Stoxx 600 index climbs, with consumer sectors leading the way, especially after Allegro.eu SA’s earnings surpass expectations.
Energy and Renewable Stocks on the Rise: Oil companies and Encavis AG see gains, while certain European companies report positive earnings, contributing to market dynamics.
ECB Rate Cut Recommendations: ECB’s Yannis Stournaras suggests multiple rate cuts within the year, aligning with market expectations for monetary easing in Europe.
Chinese Market Sentiment: Despite government support measures, investor confidence remains cautious, though some sectors like copper mining benefit from commodity price movements.
Global Commodity Trends: Crude oil continues its upward trend, iron ore faces downward pressure, and gold remains stable, reflecting diverse investment landscapes.