Wall Street Faces Volatility as Retail Strength Clashes with Global Economic Concerns. Signals
On Tuesday, Wall Street witnessed a tumultuous day of trading, with major indexes closing deep in the red. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by 361 points, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped by 1.1%. This market turbulence was fueled by a combination of factors, including robust retail sales data, concerns over higher interest rates, negative sentiment surrounding Chinese economic data, and potential bank downgrades by credit rating agency Fitch.
Additionally, the energy and commodities markets experienced their own share of volatility. With coal and oil prices reacting to shifting demand dynamics and global economic trends.
Strong Retail Sales Data and its Implications
The unexpectedly strong retail sales data for July provided a glimpse into the enduring resilience of consumer spending in the face of various challenges. This resilience, while indicative of economic strength, also raised concerns about the possibility of prolonged higher interest rates. A stronger consumer spending outlook can translate to a more robust economy, prompting central banks to consider tightening monetary policies to prevent potential overheating.
Chinese Economic Data and Global Sentiment
Negative sentiment rippled across the market due to a combination of factors originating from China. First, data revealing a significant surge in China’s coal imports by 67% year-on-year in July and an overall increase of 86% since the beginning of the year raised questions about the sustainability of this demand.
China’s coal demand had been driven by a shortage of hydropower generation, but the trend was expected to taper off as temperatures typically start to decline from mid-August. However, the potential for increased industrial sector demand loomed, supported by Beijing’s commitment to stimulating the economy through additional policies.
Bank Downgrade Concerns and Their Impact
The financial sector was not immune to the day’s turmoil. Shares of major U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo, experienced significant drops following a report that Fitch Ratings could potentially downgrade some lenders. The mere prospect of such downgrades prompted apprehension, as it would trigger a re-evaluation of ratings for more than 70 banks covered by the agency. This news contributed to the already cautious sentiment prevalent in the market.
Commodity Market Volatility
Commodity markets saw their own set of fluctuations. Newcastle coal futures surged to nearly $150 per tonne, reaching a nearly three-month high. This surge was fueled by heightened demand from China and an uptick in natural gas prices attributed to potential strikes at Australian LNG facilities. However, the dynamics of China’s coal demand remain complex, influenced by factors such as power generation needs and broader economic policies.
Oil Market Dynamics and Global Supply Concerns
WTI crude futures experienced a 2% decline, dropping below $81 per barrel. This fall was a continuation of a 0.8% loss from the previous session, driven by weak economic data from China offsetting the tightening global oil supply. The energy market had recently witnessed a surge in prices, with WTI crude reaching nine-month highs of $85 per barrel. This price increase was attributed to supply cuts from major oil producers like Saudi Arabia and Russia, in an effort to address a supply-demand imbalance and support higher oil prices.
Stock Movements Reflecting Market Trends
Amidst this market turmoil, notable stocks witnessed significant movement. While some, like Goldman Sachs and Alibaba, touched four-week lows, others like Home Depot surged to 27-week highs. These movements were not only influenced by the broader market trends but also reflected individual company performances, quarterly results, and investor sentiment.
Signals
AUDNZD buy long signal @1.0879:
GBPUSD Stop loss signal @1.2819:
TSLA Lowering the take profit order to 240.51:
DIS Stop loss @86.90:
AXP order is canceled: