Dow Edges Higher on Disney Rally and Moderate Inflation Data

August 11, 2023

The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a modest increase on Thursday, propelled by a surge in Disney’s stock following their post-earnings announcement of a price hike for ad-free Disney+ subscriptions. The market was also buoyed by a key inflation report that revealed slightly lower year-over-year inflation growth than economists had predicted. The blue-chip index gained 52.79 points, or 0.15%, closing at 35,176.15. While all three major indexes had initially climbed more than 1% earlier in the day, the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 are projected to conclude the week with slight declines of 1.2% and 0.2%, respectively, while the Dow is set for a 0.3% advance.

The inflation report for July showed an annual consumer price increase of 3.2%, slightly under the 3.3% consensus projected by economists polled by Dow Jones. Despite this moderate figure, the core July CPI reading, which excludes food and energy, marked a substantial increase of 4.7% on an annual basis, well above the Federal Reserve’s targeted 2% inflation rate. Additionally, Disney’s positive earnings announcement drove a 4.9% surge in their stock, making them the top performer in the Dow. Other positive contributors included Wynn Resorts, which advanced 2.6% due to better-than-expected earnings. As earnings season continued, more than 90% of S&P 500 companies had reported their quarterly earnings, with around 80% surpassing Wall Street expectations, according to FactSet data.

Data by Bloomberg

On Thursday, the overall market saw a slight uptick of 0.03%. Among the sectors, Communication Services led the gains with a notable increase of 0.43%, followed by Consumer Discretionary at 0.28%, and Materials at 0.09%. Energy, Financials, and Information Technology all saw minor gains of 0.08% and 0.01%, respectively.

However, Health Care experienced a slight decline of -0.04%, while Consumer Staples, Industrials, Real Estate, and Utilities encountered more notable drops, with decreases of -0.20%, -0.28%, -0.31%, and -0.32% respectively.

Major Pair Movement

During the NorAm session, the dollar index initially weakened due to a near-forecast U.S. CPI reading causing a brief drop in Treasury yields, almost touching last Friday’s lows. However, the dollar swiftly rebounded, erasing its losses along with rising Treasury yields. The expected and confirmed 0.2% monthly rise in both all-items and core CPI led to an initial decline in Treasury yields and a temporary weakening of the dollar against the euro and other currencies supported by risk-on sentiment. But the dollar regained strength, propelled by hawkish comments from San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly and driven by a de-risking event after Treasury yields surged post a lackluster 30-year Treasury auction. This shift favored the dollar, causing EUR/USD to lose its earlier gains, while USD/JPY bounced back from intraday lows toward 2023’s highs.

Meanwhile, sterling’s early gains turned into a 0.3% loss as risk sentiment waned, compounded by concerns about the BoE’s potential economic slowdown following its final rate hikes. EUR/JPY approached a 15-year high due to the BoJ’s unchanged policy rate and steady cap on 10-year JGB yields, which was unaffected by a post-BoJ meeting peak. Amid ongoing worries about China’s hesitant economic recovery and trade conflicts, the Australian dollar shed its earlier gains, and the Chinese yuan (CNH) fell 0.2%.

Picks of the Day Analysis

EUR/USD (4 Hours)

EUR/USD Reverses Gains Amidst US Inflation Data and Stronger Dollar

The EUR/USD initially surged above 1.1050 following US inflation data, but later retreated, erasing its daily gains as the US Dollar gained strength. The pair remained confined within a well-known range, influenced by key moving averages, while the robust US Dollar continued to limit its movement. The US inflation report for July indicated an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of 3.2%, slightly below the market consensus of 3.3%, with a monthly increase of 0.2%. Despite the rise, the report resembled pre-pandemic levels and did not signal the end of deflationary pressures. The US Dollar strengthened during the American session due to worsening market sentiment and higher US Treasury yields, with the US 10-year yield reaching 4.10%, its highest in three days. The US Dollar Index was on track for its strongest daily close in a month, surpassing 102.50. The report also highlighted an increase in Initial Jobless Claims to 248,000, above the expected 230,000. The upcoming US Producer Price Index data and Europe’s July inflation readings are expected to impact further developments. The EUR/USD’s price action hinges on USD dynamics, with potential weakening tied to improved risk sentiment and ongoing deflation in the US. However, current momentum still indicates Dollar strength.

Chart EURUSD by TradingView

Based on technical analysis, the EUR/USD created a higher spike as the US CPI data was released lower than expected and reached the upper band of the Bollinger Bands. However, it then moved lower to reach the middle band and is currently experiencing a slight upward movement above the middle band of the Bollinger Bands. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 51, indicating that the EUR/USD is in a consolidation phase.

Resistance: 1.1038, 1.1121

Support: 1.0915, 1.0839

XAU/USD (4 Hours)

XAU/USD Prices React to US CPI Release and Dollar Fluctuations

Gold prices experienced selling pressure, hovering around $1,920 after reaching a peak of $1,930.09 post the United States Consumer Price Index (CPI) release. The XAU/USD pair initially rose as China’s eased travel restrictions lifted sentiment and speculative interest shifted away from the US Dollar ahead of the inflation update. The CPI data, in line with expectations, showed a 0.2% monthly increase in July and a 3.2% yearly rise, slightly below the anticipated 3.3%. The core annual reading, at 4.7%, was a slight decline from June’s 4.8%. These figures supported the idea of a prolonged pause in Federal Reserve monetary tightening, leading to a decline in the US Dollar against major counterparts. However, Dollar strength returned later, erasing rivals’ gains influenced by the CPI data. Optimism waned after comments by Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly, emphasizing data-dependent rate decisions and noting that the CPI data, though as expected, doesn’t signal victory on inflation.

Chart XAUUSD by TradingView

Based on technical analysis, the XAU/USD witnessed a slight decrease on Thursday following a previous upward movement triggered by the release of the US CPI data. The price managed to reach the middle band of the Bollinger Bands during this movement. At present, the price is retracing lower and is marginally positioned above the lower band of the Bollinger Bands. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 37, indicating that the XAU/USD pair is exhibiting a somewhat bearish sentiment.

Resistance: $1,923, $1,936

Support: $1,914, $1,902

Economic Data