On Thursday, financial markets witnessed significant gains, with major stock indices reaching new record highs, fueled by optimism over anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all advanced, driven by strong performances in the technology sector, notably from Micron Technology and Nvidia, and industrial stocks like Stanley Black & Decker. Despite some caution from analysts about overenthusiasm for multiple rate cuts, investor sentiment remained buoyed by the Fed’s recent indications of a dovish turn in monetary policy. Concurrently, currency markets reacted to central bank movements, with the dollar strengthening against major counterparts as traders adjusted their expectations for rate cuts across the Fed, ECB, and BoE, following dovish signals and economic data releases.
Stocks experienced a notable uptick on Thursday, extending gains from the previous session and propelling major indices to record-breaking closing highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a significant rise, jumping 269.24 points or 0.68%, to close at 39,781.37. Similarly, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite advanced, with the S&P increasing by 0.32% to settle at 5,241.53, and the Nasdaq inching up by 0.20% to finish the day at 16,401.84. This bullish sentiment was largely fueled by optimism surrounding the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, with investors anticipating upcoming interest rate cuts, according to Jay Woods, chief global strategist at Freedom Capital Markets.
The technology sector, particularly semiconductors, showcased remarkable strength, buoyed by Micron Technology’s impressive 14% surge following robust earnings, marking its best performance since December 2011. This positive momentum spread across the sector, lifting peers like Nvidia, Marvell Technology, Taiwan Semiconductor, the VanEck Semiconductor ETF, and Broadcom, with gains exceeding 1% for most and reaching up to 5.6% for Broadcom. Meanwhile, megacap tech stocks such as Microsoft and the newly public Reddit also contributed to the market’s upward trajectory, although Apple faced a setback, dropping 4% amid antitrust lawsuit concerns by the Justice Department.
Industrial stocks weren’t left behind, playing a significant role in the day’s gains and underlining the breadth of the rally across sectors. Companies like Stanley Black & Decker, Pentair, and Rockwell Automation stood out with approximately 3% jumps each, reflecting overall optimism in the market. This optimism was echoed by the Federal Reserve’s recent communication, hinting at potential interest rate cuts, which has kept investor sentiment buoyant. Despite the excitement, experts like Julie Biel from Kayne Anderson Rudnick urge caution, noting that the expectation for multiple rate cuts isn’t guaranteed. Looking forward, Wall Street’s focus will shift to upcoming earnings reports from major companies like FedEx and Nike, potentially influencing market directions.
The currency market witnessed significant movements as the dollar index climbed by 0.77%, propelled by a 1% decline in sterling and a 0.59% retreat in EUR/USD. These shifts came in the wake of dovish signals from central bank meetings, including the Fed, ECB, and BoE, aligning market expectations for rate cuts across these major economies in June. The Swiss National Bank’s unexpected rate cut further fueled speculation about a broader shift towards easing monetary policy, impacting currency pairs like USD/CHF and EUR/CHF, which saw increases of 1.27% and 0.7%, respectively.
The anticipation of rate cuts has recalibrated market probabilities, with about a 70% chance of June cuts from the Fed, ECB, and BoE now priced in. However, the U.S. economy’s relative resilience compared to its European counterparts could influence these dynamics. Key upcoming U.S. data, including the core PCE report, early April’s ISMs, and employment reports, will be crucial in shaping Fed expectations and dollar demand. The currency market’s response to initial jobless claims and mixed flash PMIs in the U.S. contrasts with the euro zone’s near-stagnant growth, highlighting the nuanced interplay between economic indicators and currency valuations.
In particular, sterling’s performance was noteworthy, breaking a recent uptrend and hitting a low not seen since early March, influenced by yield spreads and the market’s reaction to central bank policies. The USD/JPY pair also drew attention, potentially setting the stage for further yen intervention by Japan’s Ministry of Finance, especially in light of upcoming inflation data. As central banks navigate through these uncertain times, the interplay between policy shifts, economic data, and market sentiment will continue to drive currency market dynamics, underscoring the global interconnectedness of monetary policy and financial markets.
Greenback Gains Momentum as EUR/USD Faces Downward Pressure Amid Divergent Central Bank Paths
The US Dollar Index (DXY) surged past the 104.00 mark, recovering from its previous dip following Federal Reserve Chair Powell’s dovish remarks, which temporarily halted the dollar’s ascent. This reversal in the dollar’s fortunes coincided with a risk-off sentiment that saw the EUR/USD pair retreating to the mid-1.0800s, exacerbated by disappointing PMI data from Germany. Despite the Federal Reserve’s projections of a gradual approach to interest rate cuts aimed at reaching a 2% inflation target, market sentiment, fueled by the FedWatch Tool, anticipates more aggressive rate reductions beginning as early as June. This speculation, along with the expectation of both the Fed and the European Central Bank (ECB) initiating their easing cycles simultaneously, albeit at potentially different paces, has cast the EUR/USD in a light of vulnerability. The pair now faces the prospect of a pronounced correction, with initial sights set on the year-to-date low around 1.0700, and potentially extending to lows not seen since late 2023, around the 1.0500 mark, underscoring a medium-term outlook favoring a stronger dollar against a backdrop of divergent central bank strategies and the euro area’s sluggish economic fundamentals.
On Thursday, the EUR/USD moved lower, able to reach below the middle band of the Bollinger Bands. Currently, the price is moving slightly below the middle band, suggesting a potential slight downward movement to reach the lower band. Notably, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) maintains its position at 45, signaling a neutral outlook for this currency pair.
Resistance: 1.0911, 1.0964
Support: 1.0840, 1.0796
| Currency | Data | Time (GMT + 8) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP | Retail Sales m/m | 15:00 | -0.4% |
| EUR | Euro Summit | All Day |
