The Dollar rose following the better industrial production figures and Retail sales, leaving EURUSD at session lows of 1.1268 from 1.1285, and USDJPY at session highs of 107.51 from 107.45.
US industrial production rebounded 1.4% in May, shy of expectations, following a downwardly revised -12.5% (was -11.2%) in April, which is a record decline (data go back to 1919. This broke a string of two monthly declines and brought capacity utilization up to 64.8% from 64.0% (was 64.9%); the historic low of 66.7% was set in June 2009. Manufacturing production rose 3.8% versus -15.5% (was -13.7%) thanks to a 120.8% pop in vehicles and parts following a record -76.5% (was -71.7%) April plunge.
US retail sales bounced 17.7% in May, with sales excluding autos jumping 12.4%, both record increases and nearly double expectations. Those follow declines of -14.7% (was -16.4%) and -15.2% (was -17.2%), respectively. Compared to last year, the contraction rate has slowed to -7.7%, with the ex-auto rate at -8.1%, versus double digit rates rates of declines previously.
However Equity futures remain in focus as they continue to indicate a sharply higher Wall Street open, while yields, particularly at the long end of the curve are higher. US equity futures are rallying since overnight session, as risk appetite soared amid firming expectations for yet more massive stimulus globally.
Currently the USA30 is 1.9% higher, the USA500 is up 1.4% and the USA100 has improved 1.3% in pre-market trading. Wall Street rallied into the close yesterday, coming back from sizable losses earlier in the session, following an announcement from the Fed that the bank would begin purchasing individual corporate bonds beginning today. Reports that the US is planning a $1 tln infrastructure program have added to optimism. Meanwhile, the BoJ kept rates steady but extended its lending program, keeping the stimulus taps wide open.
Finally, prospects for a EU and UK compromise agreement on a future trade relationship are seen as on the rise. While equities are wildly enthusiastic about stimulus, worries continue to fester over a second wave of COVID-19 as governments increasing relax restrictions to reopen economies. However, news of the first life-saving coronavirus drug, reported by the BBC, has added to the equity rally.
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Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
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