Finance Update – Masked – the New Norm?

Asia – US-China agree to more flights

Chinese equities are all down this morning led by the Shenzhen Composite’s 1.05% drop. The Hang Seng is down 0.3%, but the Nikkei is up 0.33% as Japan’s Trade surplusA trade balance that is positive as a result of income (exports on the national level) being greater... for July expanded to 11.6 bn Yen despite a disappointing 7.6% contraction in machinery orders.

The Yen is down 0.17% this morning, though, due to double-digit slumps in both imports (-22%) and exports (-19%), especially with auto exports to the US disastrously down.

Meanwhile, AP reports that the US and China have agreed to double the number of plights between the two countries to 8 per week.

Europe – UK data thrills

European indices were red across the board upon yesterday’s close, Denmark’s OMX leading with a 1.48% drop, the FTSE losing 0.83% and the Dax 0.3%.

The pound this morning reacted favourably (20 pips in as many minutes) after reporting a better than expected 1.6% increase in July’s retail prices and a 4-tick increase in consumer inflationThe rise in prices for goods and services, resulting in the deterioration of a currency’s purchasi... to 1% YoY. The core PPI, however, contracted by 0.1%, as expected.

The British Chambers of Commerce yesterday reported that 38% of businesses reported an increase in revenues while the same number had reported a drop and suggested an increase in incentives and a cut in employer social securityA documented and tradeable asset -mainly stocks and bonds, but also documented derivatives. contributions.

Americas – OMC minutes bode bad

US index futures are marginally up this morning after closing mixed yesterday, the Nasdaq adding another 0.73% and the Dow down 0.24% – primarily on COVID concerns.

The dollar index gained some 30 cents traction after July building permits, and housing starts added a better-than-expected 1.49 mn units a piece and the Redbook index for August improved to -2.8% YoY. Through the session, the currencyA financial medium for the exchange of value. In economics, it is the monetary system employed by a ... experienced a 27-month low due to FED easing programmes.

Ahead of tonight’s FOMC minutes, traders are expecting forward guidance despite lack of action in July on rising COVID-inflicted economic woes and inaction on relief funds efforts.

Commodities – OPEC+ meeting today

Oil yesterday gained a dollar 30 just before the API released a further 4.264-million-barrel drawdown from Cushing-held crude inventories.

Corporate – NVIDIA reports

Walmart was down 0.66%, continuing south after hours despite its 5.6% increase YoY in Q2 revenues to $137.7, translating into a $2.27 EPS – an 80% increase YoY.

And Home Depot was down 1.12% after producing a $4.02 EPS (up 26.8% YoY) on $38.1 bn revenues – a 23.4% increase.

Ahead today, KGHM, Fortum and NVIDIA report earnings.

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