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US Dollar Under Pressure

STOCK INDEX FUTURES

Recent gains in U.S. stock index futures are partially due to renewed hopes for an economic aid package.

Jobless claims in the week ended November 28 were 712,000 when 780,000 were expected.

The 8:45 central time November PMI composite index is anticipated to be 57.9 and the 9:00 November Institute for Supply Management services index is estimated to be 56.

Stock index futures are performing well on the news suggesting higher prices are likely.

CURRENCY FUTURES

The U.S. dollar fell to its lowest level since May 2018. There was almost no bounce when the better than predicted U.S. jobless claims report was released, which is a sign of likely additional selling pressure on the greenback.

Longer term, the U.S. dollar is likely to trend lower due to expectations for an extended period of low interest rates and concerns over rising U.S. levels of debt.

The euro currency advanced to its highest level since May 2018 after a report showed the euro zone’s retail trade increased 1.5% from a month prior in October 2020, following a revised 1.7% fall in September and beating market expectations of a 0.8% rebound.

Gains in the euro were limited by news that euro zone consumer prices remained in deflationary territory in November for a fourth consecutive month. Also, the PMI survey confirmed the private sector economy returned to contraction for the first time in five months.

The Australian dollar is higher after Australia posted the largest trade surplus in six months in October, as exports increased 5.0%.

INTEREST RATE MARKET FUTURES

The Federal Reserve released its Beige Book on the economy yesterday. The Fed said the U.S. economy’s recovery picked up to a “modest or moderate” pace this fall, while growth began to slow in November in parts of the Midwest and Northeast. The Fed’s previous Beige Book report on the economy characterized growth in the early fall as at a “slight to modest” pace.

Financial futures markets are predicting there is almost a 100% probability that the Federal Open Market Committee will keep its fed funds rate unchanged at zero to 25 basis points at the December 16 policy meeting.

In the months ahead the yield curve is likely to steepen, which should put pressure on futures at the long end of the curve, especially the 30-year Treasury bond futures, while futures at the short end of the curve are likely to hold steady.

Longer term, the U.S. dollar is likely to trend lower due to expectations for an extended period of low interest rates and concerns over rising U.S. levels of debt.

The euro currency advanced to its highest level since May 2018 after a report showed the euro zone’s retail trade increased 1.5% from a month prior in October 2020, following a revised 1.7% fall in September and beating market expectations of a 0.8% rebound.

Gains in the euro were limited by news that euro zone consumer prices remained in deflationary territory in November for a fourth consecutive month. Also, the PMI survey confirmed the private sector economy returned to contraction for the first time in five months.

The Australian dollar is higher after Australia posted the largest trade surplus in six months in October, as exports increased 5.0%.

INTEREST RATE MARKET FUTURES

The Federal Reserve released its Beige Book on the economy yesterday. The Fed said the U.S. economy’s recovery picked up to a “modest or moderate” pace this fall, while growth began to slow in November in parts of the Midwest and Northeast. The Fed’s previous Beige Book report on the economy characterized growth in the early fall as at a “slight to modest” pace.

Financial futures markets are predicting there is almost a 100% probability that the Federal Open Market Committee will keep its fed funds rate unchanged at zero to 25 basis points at the December 16 policy meeting.

In the months ahead the yield curve is likely to steepen, which should put pressure on futures at the long end of the curve, especially the 30-year Treasury bond futures, while futures at the short end of the curve are likely to hold steady.

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Futures and options trading involve significant risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone.  Therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition.  The information and comments contained herein is provided by ADMIS and in no way should be construed to be information provided by ADM.  The author of this report did not have a financial interest in any of the contracts discussed in this report at the time the report was prepared.  The information provided is designed to assist in your analysis and evaluation of the futures and options markets.  However, any decisions you may make to buy, sell or hold a futures or options position on such research are entirely your own and not in any way deemed to be endorsed by or attributed to ADMIS. Copyright ADM Investor Services, Inc.

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