CFD Markets News and Forecasts — 24-04-2017

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei +255.13 18875.88 +1.37%

TOPIX +14.61 1503.19 +0.98%

Hang Seng +97.46 24139.48 +0.41%

CSI 300 -35.33 3431.38 -1.02%

Euro Stoxx 50 +137.11 3577.38 +3.99%

FTSE 100 +150.13 7264.68 +2.11%

DAX +406.41 12454.98 +3.37%

CAC 40 +209.65 5268.85 +4.14%

DJIA +216.13 20763.89 +1.05%

S&P 500 +25.46 2374.15 +1.08%

NASDAQ +73.30 5983.82 +1.24%

S&P/TSX +97.98 15712.46 +0.63%

(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,0864 +1,28%

GBP/USD $1,2788 -0,15%

USD/CHF Chf0,9957 -0,02%

USD/JPY Y109,78 +0,62%

EUR/JPY Y119,26 +1,90%

GBP/JPY Y140,39 +0,51%

AUD/USD $0,7565 +0,30%

NZD/USD $0,7013 -0,23%

USD/CAD C$1,3507 +0,09%

08:30 United Kingdom PSNB, bln March -1.08 -1.5

13:00 Belgium Business Climate April -1.6
13:00 U.S. Housing Price Index, m/m February 0.0%
13:00 U.S. S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, y/y February 5.7% 5.7%
14:00 U.S. Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index April 22
14:00 U.S. New Home Sales March 592 582
14:00 U.S. Consumer confidence April 125.6 122
22:45 New Zealand Visitor Arrivals March 1.8%

Major US stock indexes rose more than 1% on Monday, repeating the rally that swept the European and Asian stock markets, after the centrist party candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of the presidential election in France.

The victory of Macron positively affected the mood of investors, as it gives confidence in maintaining stability in France and the eurozone as a whole. Polls showed that the pro-European Macron is expected to defeat right-wing rival Marin Le Pen in a decisive May 7 vote that will ease fears about the collapse of the euro zone. According to the latest IFOP poll, Macron should beat Le Pen in the 2nd round with a score of 60% against 40%. Meanwhile, Opinionway poll revealed that Macron will receive 61% of the vote, and Le Pen - 39% of the vote.

Investors continue to closely monitor the issuing quarterly reports of companies, the publication period of which continues in the US. In particular, this week the focus of investors' attention will be the reporting of such companies as McDonald's (MCD), AT & T (T), Procter & Gamble (PG), Alphabet (GOOG), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), Coca- Cola (KO), etc. It should be noted that the already announced reports helped to improve analysts 'expectations regarding the companies' profit in the first quarter. According to the latest forecasts of analysts, for the first three months of this year, the profits of S & P 500 companies grew by 11.2% y / y, whereas at the beginning of the corporate reporting season, the profit growth was expected to increase by 10.1%.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in positive territory (26 out of 30). The leader of growth was the shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM, + 3.67%). More shares fell The Walt Disney Company (DIS, -0.61%).

All sectors of the S & P index showed an increase. The growth leader was the conglomerate sector (+ 1.8%).

At closing:

DJIA + 1.06% 20,764.54 +216.78

Nasdaq + 1.24% 5,983.82 +73.30

S & P + 1.08% 2,374.08 +25.39

• Trump criticized North Korea's 'belligerence' and 'destabilizing' actions in call with China's Xi

EURUSD: 1.0680 (EUR 260m) 1.0750 (310m) 1.0800 (585m) 1.0950 (550m) 1.1000 (220m)

USDJPY: 108.25 (USD 460m) 108.90-109.00 (1.7bln) 109.50-60 (635m) 110.00 (250m) 111.00 (301m) 111.50 (500m)

USDCHF 0.9905 (USD 200m)

USDCAD: 1.3295-1.3300 (237m)

EURJPY: 117.65-70 (EUR 191m)

• 82 pct chance of fed hiking rates to 1.00-1.25 pct in september vs 72 pct late friday

• 50 pct chance of fed hiking rates to 1.25-1.50 pct in december vs 40 pct late friday

U.S. stock-index rallied as investors cheered the results of Sunday's first-round presidential election in France.

Stocks:

Nikkei 18,875.88 +255.13 +1.37%

Hang Seng 24,139.48 +97.46 +0.41%

Shanghai 3,129.78 -43.38 -1.37%

FTSE 7,248.65 +134.10 +1.88%

CAC 5,285.13 +225.93 +4.47%

DAX 12,422.70 +374.13 +3.11%

Crude $49.95 (+0.67%)

Gold $1,270.00 (-1.48%)

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Upgrades:

Travelers (TRV) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Argus

Downgrades:

Bank of America (BAC) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Berenberg

Walt Disney (DIS) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Loop Capital

Other:

Amazon (AMZN) target raised to $1250 from $900 at Wedbush

Honeywell (HON) target raised to $145 from $144 at RBC Capital Mkts

General Electric (GE) target lowered to $35 from $36 at RBC Capital Mkts

Wholesale sales edged down 0.2% to $58.9 billion in February, following four consecutive monthly increases. Declines were recorded in four subsectors, led by lower sales in the personal and household goods and the food, beverage and tobacco subsectors.

In volume terms, wholesale sales decreased 0.4%.

Sales decreased in four of seven subsectors in February, accounting for 54% of total wholesale sales.

The personal and household goods subsector recorded the largest decline in dollar terms in February, down 1.7% to $8.3 billion, as sales decreased in five of six industries in that subsector. Following an increase of 30.2% in January in the home entertainment equipment and household appliance industry, the industry decreased 14.6% to $846 million. Despite the decline this month, wholesale sales in the industry were 8.7% higher than for the same period in 2016.

Following a flat January, the food, beverage and tobacco subsector reported a 1.0% decline in February to $11.0 billion, led by the food industry (-0.9%).

April 24

After the Close:

Alcoa (AA). Consensus EPS $0.48, Consensus Revenues $2962.20 mln.

Barrick Gold (ABX). Consensus EPS $0.21, Consensus Revenues $2221.00 mln.

April 25

Before the Open:

3M (MMM). Consensus EPS $2.06, Consensus Revenues $7480.07 mln.

Caterpillar (CAT). Consensus EPS $0.63, Consensus Revenues $9271.08 mln.

Coca-Cola (KO). Consensus EPS $0.44, Consensus Revenues $8849.82 mln.

DuPont (DD). Consensus EPS $1.39, Consensus Revenues $7500.97 mln.

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX). Consensus EPS $0.15, Consensus Revenues $3509.17 mln.

McDonald's (MCD). Consensus EPS $1.33, Consensus Revenues $5528.05 mln.

After the Close:

Arconic (ARNC). Consensus EPS $0.24, Consensus Revenues $2996.08 mln.

AT&T (T). Consensus EPS $0.74, Consensus Revenues $41113.48 mln.

April 26

Before the Open:

Boeing (BA). Consensus EPS $1.91, Consensus Revenues $21265.90 mln.

Procter & Gamble (PG). Consensus EPS $0.94, Consensus Revenues $15704.97 mln.

Twitter (TWTR). Consensus EPS $0.01, Consensus Revenues $513.03 mln.

United Tech (UTX). Consensus EPS $1.39, Consensus Revenues $13500.86 mln.

April 27

Before the Open:

Ford Motor (F). Consensus EPS $0.34, Consensus Revenues $34925.80 mln.

Intl Paper (IP). Consensus EPS $0.57, Consensus Revenues $5462.47 mln.

Yandex N.V.(YNDX). Consensus EPS RUB9.23, Consensus Revenues RUB19800.26 mln.

After the Close:

Alphabet (GOOG). Consensus EPS $9.43, Consensus Revenues $24136.47 mln.

Amazon (AMZN). Consensus EPS $1.11, Consensus Revenues $35305.93 mln.

Intel (INTC). Consensus EPS $0.65, Consensus Revenues $14804.98 mln.

Microsoft (MSFT). Consensus EPS $0.70, Consensus Revenues $23618.64 mln.

Starbucks (SBUX). Consensus EPS $0.45, Consensus Revenues $5417.81 mln.

April 28

Before the Open:

Chevron (CVX). Consensus EPS $0.89, Consensus Revenues $35830.85 mln.

Exxon Mobil (XOM). Consensus EPS $0.87, Consensus Revenues $64876.87 mln.

General Motors (GM). Consensus EPS $1.46, Consensus Revenues $37314.55 mln.

EUR/USD

Offers: 1.0880 1.0900 1.0920 1.0935 1.0950 1.0980 1.1000

Bids: 1.0820 1.0800 1.0780 1.0760 1.0730 1.0700

GBP/USD

Offers: 1.2830 1.2850 1.2880 1.2900 1.2920 1.2950-60 1.2975 1.3000

Bids: 1.2775-80 1.2760 1.2750 1.2720 1.2700 1.2680 1.2650

EUR/JPY

Offers: 119.80 120.00 120.30 120.50 120.85 121.00

Bids: 119.30 119.00 118.80 118.50 118.30 118.00

EUR/GBP

Offers: 0.8485 0.8500 0.8520 0.8550

Bids: 0.8450 0.8430 0.8400 0.8380 0.8360 0.8350

USD/JPY

Offers: 110.30 110.50 110.80 111.00 111.20 111.50

Bids: 110.00 109.80 109.50 109.20 109.00 108.70 108.50

AUD/USD

Offers: 0.7580 0.7600 0.7620 0.7650 0.7680 0.7700

Bids: 0.7550 0.7525-30 0.7500 0.7480-85 0.7465 0.7450

The survey of 397 manufacturers found that domestic orders had improved at the fastest pace since July 2014 in the three months to April. Meanwhile export orders recorded the strongest growth in six years, supported by strong rises in competitiveness, particularly in non-EU markets which improved at a record pace.

The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 112.9 points in April from 112.4 (seasonally adjusted) points last month. Assessments of the current business situation improved significantly. In terms of their six-month business outlook, however, companies are somewhat less optimistic. The German economy is growing strongly.

In the manufacturing sector, the index fell slightly. Manufacturers are nevertheless more satisfied with their current business situation this month. After increasing sharply last month, their business expectations, however, are somewhat less optimistic. Production is expected to rise. Companies from the electrical goods sector in particular reported very good business. Capacity utilisation remains unchanged at 86.0 percent, which is above the long-term average of 83.6 percent.

Price of property coming to market increases by 1.3% (+£3,877) this month, the same average rise as in buy-to-let-boosted March 2016.

Monthly rise of this size has only been exceeded once at this time of year since 2007.

Modest annual growth of 2.3% compared to 7.6% in March 2016, highlighting slower pace of increase.

Mighty Midlands leads the rest of the country with East and West Midlands prices at record highs.

East Midlands up by 2.1% this month and 5.7% year-on-year, surpassing £200,000 for the first time.

West Midlands monthly prices also up 2.1% and up 4.2% annually.

EURUSD: 1.0680 (EUR 260m) 1.0750 (310m) 1.0800 (585m) 1.0950 (550m) 1.1000 (220m)

USDJPY: 108.25 (USD 460m) 108.90-109.00 (1.7bln) 109.50-60 (635m) 110.00 (250m) 111.00 (301m) 111.50 (500m)

USDCHF 0.9905 (USD 200m)

USDCAD: 1.3295-1.3300 (237m)

EURJPY: 117.65-70 (EUR 191m)

• Agreed to strongly demand that North Korea show restraint

• Appreciate Trump's stance to show in words and action that all options on table regarding N. Korea

• Had thorough exchange of views over North Korea with Trump

French stocks closed lower Friday after a suspected terror attack in Paris just ahead of the country's presidential election vote, helping to leave the regional equity benchmark with a loss for the week. A gunman late Thursday opened fire on the Champs-Élysées boulevard in Paris, killing a police officer and wounding two others. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the suspected terror attack. The attack could give a late-campaign surge in support for anti-immigration, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, analysts said. Le Pen on Friday urged the government to immediately reinstate French borders and expel foreigners monitored by surveillance.

The U.S. stock market has proved to be quite resilient in the face of multiple geopolitical threats and the next big event-France's presidential election-is likely to have a short-lived impact, according to analysts.

Global financial markets staged a relief rally after centrist French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of voting there and solidified his prospects of becoming France's next leader. The euro saw initial gains of almost 2% versus the dollar, hitting a five-month high, and more than 3% against the yen before pulling back. Other havens including gold and U.S. Treasurys sold off while S&P 500 futures gained 0.8%.

EUR/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.0994 (3117)

$1.0939 (5072)

$1.0894 (4149)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.0861

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.0717 (121)

$1.0688 (131)

$1.0664 (596)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date June, 9 is 63905 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,0800 (5072);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date June, 9 is 66863 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,0400 (5172);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.05 versus 1.03 from the previous trading day according to data from April, 21

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.3107 (1941)

$1.3010 (1363)

$1.2914 (1167)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.2798

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.2687 (223)

$1.2591 (1222)

$1.2493 (4761)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date June, 9 is 21243 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2800 (2253);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date June, 9 is 26187 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2500 (4761);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.23 versus 1.23 from the previous trading day according to data from April, 21

* - The Chicago Mercantile Exchange bulletin (CME) is used for the calculation.

** - Open interest takes into account the total number of option contracts that are open at the moment.