Markets:
- WTI crude down 20-cents to $88.14
- US 10-year yields down 7.6 bps to 4.91%
- Gold up $5 to $1978
- S&P 500 down 56 points, or 13%
- GBP leads, NZD lags
Equities took another beating but there were signs of optimism elsewhere. Buyers arrived in fixed income after a test of 10s early in US trading that got to 4.995% but not through. Gold and oil gave back gains, in part due to a report about hostage negotiations in Gazaw.
In FX, there was some stability that might have been paralysis as 150.00 continues to hold in USD/JPY and uncertainty reigns. The antipodeans were soft but not overly so as AUD/USD fell 17 pips and NZD/USD declined by 22 — both staying in recent ranges.
Cable reflected some of the optimism as it trended to 1.2165 from 1.2100 as it marked a double bottom just below the figure. The euro also chopped higher.
In all, the deep confusion about what will happen in bonds, USD/JPY and the Middle East is making for a wait-and-see market. Stocks were hit hard though in a broad move as TSLA continues to retreat following a disappointing earnings report. Next week will be critical with a busy slate of earnings including Microsoft, Alphabet and Visa on Tuesday.
