ActivTrades’ Market Analysts have prepared for LeapRate their daily commentary on traditional markets for December 3, 2019. This is not a trading advice. See details below:
FOREX
Market sentiment took a turn to a more defensive stance, following a Monday packed with belligerence on the trade front as the US announced its intention to impose new tariffs on South American metal imports, as well as on French products. This represents the opening of new fronts in the ongoing global trade dispute, leading to a switch to risk-off in investors’ mood, which explains the generalised decline in equities.
In terms of impact on currencies, the US Dollar appears to be suffering the most, having lost more than 0.5% against a basket of other major currencies, since last Friday’s market close. However, heightened trade tensions aren’t the only driver behind the greenback’s weakness; figures published on Monday showed a decline in US industrial output, which according to some analysts could be consistent with a contraction.
Ricardo Evangelista – Senior Analyst, ActivTrades
EUROPEAN SHARES
European equities opened lower today, extending Monday’s losses as market sentiment remains under pressure following President Trump’s latest tariff threats against several trading partners including Brazil and Argentina. Investors were also scared to see the US ready to start another trade war, with Europe this time, as it considers EU subsidies to AIRBUS unfair to US firms.
The Trump administration has also specifically targeted France by announcing a potential 100% duty over a list of French products valued at USD 2.4 bln. Volatility spikes are to be expected on EU benchmarks after the French Finance Minister said the EU was preparing a strong reaction to the latest US tariff threats.
In the meantime, bull traders were also disappointed to see trade talks stalling between the US and China following the ‘Hong-Kong bill’ signature by President Trump. Possible retaliatory measures from Beijing are killing the ‘risk-on’ mood as the 15-Dec deadline is looming and chances to get a trade deal signed before the end of the year are now vanishing.
Pierre Veyret– Technical analyst, ActivTrades
DAX-30
Most EU benchmarks are registering little gains despite a bearish opening almost everywhere. Each sector of the DAX-30 index trade in green territory with the best performances registered by Tech shares like WIRECARD, INFINEON and SAP.
Most investors are bracing for another volatile trading session today, following the latest words pronounced by ECB’s Chairman Lagarde, who said the Euro area growth remains weak due to global factors.
The German index is currently flirting with the strong 13,000.0pts zone in a recovery attempt after the market traded below that level for a few hours yesterday. However, a solid resistance located between 13,095.0pts and 13,050.0pts may challenge a recovery for the rest of the day.
Pierre Veyret– Technical analyst, ActivTrades