Kaloti Precious Metals-Morning Market Report-Tuesday, April 04, 2017

Market Daily & Weekly

Note: Indications only, open and closing prices are bids; Data source: Bloomberg; Times as per Dubai

Fundamentals and News

U.S. Stocks Decline as Auto Sales Trail Estimates

Stocks fell Monday after auto manufacturers reported worse-than-expected U.S. sales for March.

The S&P 500 Index was down 0.42 percent 2,351.58 at 1:51 p.m. in New York, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.35 percent to 20,590.19. Auto retailers, auto manufacturers and auto parts and equipment makers were the three worst performing industry groups in the S&P 500. “Sales are under forecast and there were a lot of incentives during the month,” Michelle Krebs, an analyst with Autotrader.com, said in an interview. “Before long, we will see more production cuts.”

South Africa’s rand slumped for a sixth day after Standard & Poor’s cut the country’s currency rating to junk. Last week, finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was dismissed in a political shake-up. The currency plummeted 2.3 percent on the news.

As the second quarter gets going, political developments threaten to cloud the improving global economic outlook. This week, the Federal Reserve is scheduled to release the minutes of its previous meeting and the non-farm payrolls report is due. Earlier Monday, the Institute for Supply Management released data showing that factories continued to expans production at a robust pace in March.

“Bottom line, this is another sentiment indicator that is bullish on growth but again it just reflects the direction of change, not the degree,” Peter Boockvar, chief market analyst at the Lindsey Group, wrote in a note Monday.

Fed speakers include Dudley and Governor Daniel Tarullo. Minutes from the March meeting, which are scheduled to be released April 5, should put their recent public comments into perspective. Minutes are also due from the European Central Bank’s latest gathering.

 India’s central bank also will probably hold rates firm. Inflation numbers are due from Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines.

The Nasdaq 100 Index fell 0.31 percent and the Russell 2000 Index was down 1.17 percent.

The Stoxx Europe 600 dropped 0.49 percent, after increasing 5.5 percent for the first three months of the year, the best quarter in two years.

The MSCI All Country World Index was down roughly 0.5 percent.

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was up 0.1 percent.

Britain’s pound fell 0.59 percent to $1.2476 after the worse-than-expected manufacturing data, and the euro advanced 0.15 percent to $1.0669.

The ruble retreated 0.1 percent to 54.32 versus the dollar. About 10 people were killed and 20 injured in the subway blast, according to the Interfax news agency.

WTI crude was fell 0.61 percent to $50.29 a barrel. Crude stockpiles are starting to decline in a sign that the production cuts implemented this year are bringing the market to balance, according to OPEC’s Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo.

Data Forthcoming Releases

Courtesy: http://kalotipm.com.sg/kaloti-market-report-4th-april-2017