✅ Daily Market Analysis - FRIDAY JULY 28, 2023

Key News:

Japan - BoJ Press Conference
USA - Core PCE Price Index (MoM) (Jun)
USA - Core PCE Price Index (YoY) (Jun)

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is on the verge of breaking its longest winning streak in 36 years, fueled by Wall Street's tech-driven rally. The index achieved an impressive 13 consecutive sessions of closing higher until a slight 0.5% decline on Thursday afternoon, following earlier gains. Despite the dip, the rally's expansion across various sectors promises exciting prospects for investors.

Dow Jones Industrial Average Index daily chart

While investment professionals may lean towards the S&P 500 due to its broader representation of the market with over 500 stocks, the Dow Jones remains a prominent fixture in news media and enjoys widespread recognition among many Americans.

The recent impressive surge in the Dow Jones is closely linked to traders' prevailing belief that the US Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday signifies the conclusion of its efforts to combat inflation. This move has instilled confidence in investors, who are now optimistic about the US economy's resilience and its potential to steer clear of a recession.

S&P 500 daily chart

According to S&P Dow Jones Indices, the Dow Jones' longest winning streak on record dates back to 1897, lasting an impressive 14 sessions.

In spite of its recent gains, the Dow Jones has not performed as strongly as other major indices on Wall Street in 2023. Year to date, it has risen by 7%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have experienced more significant gains of 18% and 35%, respectively.

During extended trading, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) witnessed a substantial increase of 8.4% following its Q2 earnings report. The company exceeded expectations with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.13, outperforming analyst predictions of losses amounting to $0.04 per share. Furthermore, Intel reported a revenue of $12.9 billion for the quarter, surpassing the anticipated revenue of $12.09 billion.

Intel Corporation stock daily chart

Last night, the European Central Bank (ECB) made a noteworthy move by raising its main policy interest rates by 25 basis points, resulting in a deposit interest rate of 3.75%. The accompanying policy statement caught attention as it kept the possibility of further rate hikes open, but without adopting a more cautious stance.

In response to the Federal Reserve's modest boost, the US markets received a slight uplift, while the European indices experienced significant gains this afternoon. The surprise came from ECB President Christine Lagarde's remarks, hinting that the rate hike campaign might conclude with a more dovish tone than initially anticipated. Consequently, the DAX, CAC, and other European indices surged, displaying robust bullish sentiment unaffected by strong US economic data.

Although the FTSE's surge has slowed down this week, the overall market sentiment remains resolutely bullish. A few afternoon declines, primarily in Shell and Barclays shares, caused some drag, but the index still shows signs of further upside potential. Looking ahead, expectations point towards the Bank of England (BoE) following the lead of the Fed and ECB on rates. A dovish tone in the upcoming week should support UK stocks in reclaiming some lost ground.

FTSE index daily chart

During the early hours of Friday's Asian trading session, the EUR/USD currency pair is fluctuating within the range of 1.0980-1.0970. The pair is on a recovery path after experiencing a significant decline, marking its largest drop in 4.5 months during the previous day's trading. The current state of the Euro pair reflects the cautious sentiment prevailing in the market, as investors eagerly await the release of top-tier data from both Germany and the United States. The overall market sentiment appears subdued, reaching its lowest level in three weeks ahead of these crucial economic indicators. Investors are closely monitoring the data releases for potential insights into the economic outlook, contributing to the prevailing cautious atmosphere in the foreign exchange market.

EUR/USD daily chart

During the highly anticipated July policy review meeting, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) board members unanimously agreed to maintain their existing monetary policy settings without making any changes. This includes leaving interest rates at -10 basis points and keeping the 10-year Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yield target at 0.00%.

The market's response to the BoJ's policy announcements was immediate, and the USD/JPY pair experienced a notable upward movement, gaining significant momentum. At present, the pair is trading at 140.06, representing a notable 0.45% increase for the day. In the aftermath of the BoJ's decision, there was a swift knee-jerk reaction, propelling the pair to test 141.08 before eventually settling at its current trading level. The BoJ's decision has had a considerable impact on the foreign exchange market, influencing the dynamics of the USD/JPY pair and prompting investors to closely monitor further developments.

USD/JPY daily chart

As Friday's trading approaches, investors are eagerly awaiting the release of crucial data on the PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) price index, a key indicator of inflation. This data will be closely monitored, as it can provide valuable insights into the current inflationary pressures in the economy.

Additionally, market participants will be keenly interested in the Michigan consumer sentiment and expectations data. This data, reflecting consumer confidence and economic expectations, holds significant importance as it sheds light on consumer behavior and sentiment, which are crucial drivers of economic growth.

On the earnings front, two major companies, Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: XOM) and Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG), are scheduled to announce their quarterly results. These reports have the potential to significantly impact the stock prices of these companies and may also influence broader market sentiment. Investors will scrutinize these earnings reports to assess the financial health of these corporations and to gauge the overall health of their respective industries.

As these critical data releases and earnings reports unfold on Friday, the financial markets are likely to experience heightened volatility and uncertainty. Investors are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant during this period, as the outcomes of these events can have substantial implications for investment decisions and market trends.