Markets

Breakdown of the latest developments on the global exchanges
Aug 19, 2024, 12:00 PM GMT
#Markets

Key Events on the Market Last Week

New York Stock Exchange

Last week saw several notable developments in the financial markets, primarily driven by expectations around central bank actions, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.

U.S. Markets: U.S. stock markets had a strong week, with major indices like the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all posting significant gains. This rally was fueled by investor optimism over potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve as early as September, especially after favorable macroeconomic data, such as lower-than-expected inflation and strong retail sales. Technology stocks, notably Nvidia, led the charge, with the company’s shares surging nearly 19%​.

European Markets: European stocks also performed well, buoyed by hopes of monetary easing by the European Central Bank (ECB). The pan-European STOXX 600 and major national indices like Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 posted notable gains. However, the ECB’s future rate cuts remain uncertain due to mixed economic signals, including slightly rising inflation in the Eurozone​.

Commodities: Gold reached a historic high, closing above $2,500 per troy ounce, driven by safe-haven demand amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. On the other hand, oil prices saw volatility, ultimately declining due to concerns over China’s economic slowdown, which has led to reduced demand​.

Forex: In currency markets, the Japanese yen weakened against the U.S. dollar, partly due to political instability in Japan. The British pound, however, strengthened, reaching a four-week high thanks to better-than-expected economic data, including GDP growth and lower unemployment​.

These developments indicate a complex and dynamic financial environment, with central bank policies and economic data playing crucial roles in shaping market sentiment. The upcoming Jackson Hole symposium and subsequent economic indicators will likely provide further direction.