Nasdaq

US stocks pause for breath after yesterday's rally following cooler CPI data. While the data boosted rate cut optimism, NY Fed President Williams warned that more evidence of inflation cooling was needed in order to cut rates. Separately, Walmart is set to open sharply higher after beating earnings and revenue forecasts.

On Tuesday I outlined a bullish case for bitcoin futures whilst prices remained above $60k. One soft US CPI and retail sales report later, bullish range expansion has most certainly kicked in.

US stocks are rising, heading back towards record higher after US CPI data cooled for the first time in six months in April. US CPI rose 0.3% MoM in April, below the 0.4% rise forecast. US retail sales were also weaker than expected at 0%. The data sent treasury yields and the USD lower while boosting stocks. The meme-stock euphoria was also showing signs of cooling.

Jobless claims rose more than expected, providing fresh evidence of a cooling US labour market and helping to support the view that the Federal Reserve is going to cut rates by around September. Nasdaq 100 technical analysis remains positive for now.

US stocks are set to open higher as the market digests the latest Federal Reserve meeting and looks ahead to tomorrow's non-far payroll report. The Fed left rates on hold and calmed worries of a rate hike. However, Fed chair Powell also warned that rates would stay high for longer. Apple is due to report after the close amid concerns over iPhone sales and China.

The break above $2300 for gold was accompanied by strong volumes, and with the US dollar mulling a pullback it could benefit gold further over the near term.

US stocks are pointing to a lower start in cautious trade ahead of the Federal Reserve interest rate decision. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged as inflation rose across the first quarter and as the jobs market remains resilient. ADP payrolls were stronger than expected. Fed jitters are overshadowing results from Amazon, which beat forecasts.

The Nasdaq 100 is poised to snap a 5-month winning streak by Tuesday's close, which begs the question as to if the old adage 'sell in May and go away' arrived a month early.

While the Nasdaq 100 has broken its 2024 uptrend, traders continue to buy the dip, generating a bullish signal on Thursday. That points to possible upside not only for US tech but also Japan’s Nikkei 225.

US stocks are pointing to a quiet start after losses last week and as US treasury yields rise. Strong US jobs data and manufacturing reports from last week have seen the market rein in Fed rate cut expectations. The market is now pricing in just a 49% probability of rate cut in June, down from 58% a week ago. There is no major data release today. Looking ahead of CPI and the FOMC minutes will be in focus.

US stocks are set to open higher despite rising treasury yields after a stronger-than-expected NFP report. 303K jobs were added in March, smashing forecasts of 200k and raising questions over whether the Fed will be able to cut interest rates three times this year. The market is now fully pricing in the first rate cut in September rather than July. Oil is set to rise 4% across the week amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

US d=stocks point to a softer open after data highlights the resilience of the US economy. ADP payrolls rose 180k, up from 140k and ahead of forecasts. The data came after factory orders and JOLTS job openings, which were also stronger than anticipated. The persistent strength of the economy raises questions over whether the Fed can cut rares three times this year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will speak shortly.

US stocks are set to open higher, boosted by chipmakers, and as investors weigh up diverging Fed views over the scale of rate cuts this year. While Raphael Bostic sees just one rate cut this year, Austan Goolsbee sees three rate cuts in 2024, The spotlight will be on US core PCE data on Friday, which could provide more clues over the Fed's future path for rate cuts. Today, US durable goods orders rose more than expected.

Two very different indices, two similar trading setups. Will traders be willing to continue chasing record highs next week? The unconvincing price action to end the week warns of downside risks.

US stocks are pointing to a stronger open, with tech stocks outperforming. Reports that Alphabet's Google and Apple are in talks to include Google's AI Gemini feature in iPhones has boosted the mood. Nvidia's annual developers conference will also kick off today. While tech news is lifting the mood, attention is also on the Federal Reserve interest rate decision on Wednesday, where the Fed could adopt a more hawkish stance given the sticky nature of inflation.

With a BOE and FOMC meeting pending and net-long exposure for GBP/USD at or near a sentiment extreme, I cannot help but wonder if the pound it due at least a pullback. I also take a closer look at the US dollar index (DXY), gold and the Nasdaq 100.

US stocks point to a muted start after yesterday's rally. Investors have shrugged off hotter-than-forecast inflation and remain firm that the Fed will cut rates in the June meeting. US economic data is in short supply today. Attention will be on retail sales and producer prices later in the week. Oil prices pop on an upbeat demand outlook from OPEC.