Markets mixed after Wall Street retreat - 23.12.2022

The Dollar strengthening has halted currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, added 0.2% Thursday as the Department of Labor data showed the number of Americans who sought unemployment benefits over the last week was in less than the forecast while their number declined.

Both GBP/USD and EUR/USD slowed their sliding Thursday while the Office for National Statistics reported UK economy shrank more than expected in third quarter. Both euro and Pound are higher against the Dollar currently. USD/JPY slowed its advancings while AUD/USD reversed its climbing yesterday with the Australian dollar higher against the Greenback currently and yen lower.

US stock indexes futures are up currently ahead of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report today at 14:30 CET as the yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes ticked up to 3.692%. The three main stock benchmarks closed lower Thursday in the range of -1.1% to -2.2% as data indicated a strong labor market and Q3 US economy growth was revised up.

European stock market futures are higher today after ending down Thursday with auto shares leading losses. Germany completed nationalization of natural gas trader Uniper after the European Commission approved the bailout Wednesday. Asian stock indexes futures are mostly rising currently with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng leading gains while Nikkei leading gains.

Brent is edging down presently. Prices ended lower on Thursday. The US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slid 1% and is lower currently. Brent crude fell 1.5% to $80.98 a barrel on Thursday.