Weekly Market Report

Global equities ended mostly firmer last week, amid easing global trade tensions.

UK Markets ended the week in negative territory, amid strength in the British Pound and lingering uncertainty over Brexit.

UK’s Nationwide house prices unexpectedly declined on a monthly basis in February.

The Markit manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) dropped at par with market forecast in February, marking its lowest level in four months.

The BBA loans for house purchases surprised with a rise in January.

The GfK consumer confidence unexpectedly advanced in February.

Net consumer credit climbed more than market forecast in January.

Mortgage approvals recorded an unexpected advance in January.

The BRC shop price index climbed on an annual basis in February.

European Markets ended the week on a positive footing, as optimism over US-China trade deal, eased concerns about the global growth outlook.

The consumer confidence index in the Eurozone advanced in line with market expectations for a second consecutive month in February.

The consumer price index (CPI) in the Eurozone rose in line with market expectations on an annual basis in February.

The Eurozone’s Markit manufacturing PMI recorded a decline for the first time since June 2013 in February.

The economic confidence index in the Eurozone declined for an eighth consecutive month in February.

Eurozone’s unemployment rate remained steady in January, recording its lowest rate since October 2008.

The Eurozone’s business climate indicator remained unchanged in February.

Germany’s CPI rose more than market forecast on an annual basis in February.

Retail sales in Germany rebounded on a monthly basis in January.

Germany’s Markit manufacturing PMI declined in line with market expectations in February.

The GfK consumer confidence index in Germany recorded an unchanged reading in March.

Germany’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in February, at par with market expectations.

US Markets ended the week mostly higher, amid recent developments in trade negotiations between the US and China.

The US gross domestic product (GDP) climbed more than market forecast on a quarterly basis in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The Chicago PMI rose more-than-expected in February.

The Dallas Fed manufacturing index advanced more than market expectations in February.

Building permits unexpectedly jumped on a monthly basis in December.

The Richmond Fed manufacturing index rebounded in February.

The consumer confidence index rose more than market forecast in February.

Pending home sales climbed more than market forecast on a monthly basis in January.

The MBA mortgage applications advanced in the week ended 22 February 2019.

Durable goods orders recorded a rise in December.

The Chicago Fed national activity index registered a decline in January.

Housing starts declined more than anticipated in December, hitting its lowest level in two years.

The house price index advanced on a monthly basis in December.

Advanced goods trade deficit widened more than market forecast in December.

Factory orders registered a less-than-expected advance in December.

Initial jobless claims recorded a more-than-anticipated rise in the week ended 23 February 2019.

The Markit manufacturing PMI dropped to an 18-month low level in February.

The ISM manufacturing PMI eased more than market expectations to its lowest level since 2016 in February.

The Michigan consumer sentiment index advanced less than market forecast in February.

Personal spending dropped more-than-expected in December.

Personal income recorded an unexpected fall in January, recording its first drop since November 2015.

Asian Markets ended mostly firmer last week.

Australia’s building approvals advanced more than market forecast on a monthly basis in January.

The AiG performance of manufacturing index in Australia registered a rise in February.

Australia’s ANZ Roy Morgan consumer confidence index dropped in the week ended 24 February 2019.

Private sector credit in Australia rose less than market expectations on a monthly basis in January.

Australia’s CBA manufacturing PMI recorded a drop in February.

Japan’s preliminary industrial production fell more than market forecast on a monthly basis in January.

Housing starts in Japan rose less than market expectations on a yearly basis in January.

Japan’s final manufacturing PMI registered a decline in February.

Unemployment rate in Japan unexpectedly advanced in January.

Japan’s Tokyo CPI advanced more than market expectations on a yearly basis in February.

China’s NBS manufacturing PMI dropped more-than-expected in February.

The Markit manufacturing PMI in China index rose more-than-expected in February.

The EUR ended firmer against the USD, after the Eurozone’s consumer confidence rose for a second consecutive month in February.
The British Pound ended stronger against the greenback, amid rising expectations that a no-deal Brexit could be avoided.
The US Dollar ended stronger against the Japanese Yen last week, after the US economy accelerated at a faster than expected pace on a quarterly basis in 4Q18.

The Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman, Jerome Powell, in his testimony, reiterated that the Fed would remain “patient” on further interest rate hikes, citing various “crosscurrents and conflicting signals.” Meanwhile, Jerome Powell indicated that the US economic outlook was “generally favourable”, however warned of challenges from overseas. Further, he warned of growing risks in the economy, including a global slowdown, volatile financial markets and uncertainty related to the US trade policy.

Going ahead this week, investors will keep a tab on the US Fed's Beige Book release, the US Markit services PMI, new home sales, monthly budget statement, ADP employment change data, the MBA mortgage applications and construction spending along with trade balance, durable goods orders, factory orders, initial jobless claims, consumer credit, change in non-farm payrolls, unemployment rate and average hourly earnings for further direction. Additionally, the European Central Bank's interest rate decision, the Markit services PMI across the Eurozone, the Eurozone’s producer price index, the Sentix investor confidence index, retail sales and GDP along with Germany’s Markit construction PMI and factory orders will attract significant investor attention. Also, UK’s construction PMI, the Markit services PMI and Halifax house prices will be on investors' radar.