Geopolitical risk + higher yields after jobs data vs earnings reporting season and support for high valuations
Fed still seen cutting rates in Nov but by 25bps rather than the market fantasy of 50bps
NEW YORK, Oct 4 (Reuters) – A high-stakes corporate earnings season kicks into gear next week, with bullish investors hoping results will justify increasingly rich valuations in a U.S. stock market near record highs.
The case for strong U.S. economic growth got a boost on Friday, after labor market data came in far above expectations. The S&P 500 is up 20% year-to-date and stands near record highs despite recent tumult spurred by rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
XAUUSD has traded within 2622-2685, the latter being the new record high, for 7 days in aa row.
Tug-of-war: Higher US yield vs. simmering Middle East geopolitical risk.
While this consolidation will not last, if you view 2600-2700 as a range, then 2650, currently having a magnetic pulll, will eventually dictate the next move.
Put to Call Ratio on Nasdaq stocks is only roughly 2/3 from last Friday’s low so it has more room. Ratio on S&P is mid-way so has more room. Prior ratio noted is for Dow stocks.
The Put to Call Ratio in US stocks bounced off of relative lows from last Friday and so the odds are strong that there will be aggressive selling opening next week without something substantial to support it. An isolated metric but one that holds water usually. Euro likes happy stocks. It does not like mean stocks.