OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
June E-mini S&Ps (ESM15 -0.47%) this morning are down -0.63% and European stocks are down -1.70% at a 4-week low as a selloff in global government bonds pressures stock prices. The 10-year German bund yield soared to an 8-1/4 month high of 0.996% as the plunge in German bund prices accelerated for a second day after ECB President Draghi on Wednesday said markets should get used to greater volatility after the ECB forecast higher Eurozone inflation rates. Another negative for stocks is the impasse in Greek debt talks that have yet to be resolved. Greece has four payments due to the IMF this month that total more than 1.5 billion euros with the first payment due on Friday. Asian stocks closed mostly lower: Japan +0.07%, Hong Kong -0.38%, China +0.76%, Taiwan -2.18%, Australia -1.42%, Singapore -0.14%, South Korea +0.54%, India -0.09%.
Commodity prices are mixed. Jul crude oil (CLN15 +0.08%) is up +0.30% and Jul gasoline (RBN15 +0.06%) is up +0.15%. Metals prices are lower. Aug gold (GCQ15 -0.25%) is down -0.14% on continued fund selling as long gold positions in ETFs fell to a 6-year low. Jul copper (HGN15 -0.83%) is down-0.88% at a 5-week low on technical selling after Jul copper fell below its 100-day moving average. Agricultural prices are mixed.
The dollar index (DXY00 -0.64%) is down -0.71% at a 2-week low. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.71% at a 2-week high as the surge in European government bond yields boosts the euro’s interest rate differentials against the dollar. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.16%.
Sep T-note prices (ZNU15 -0.06%) are down -7 ticks at a 5-1/4 month low on the heels of the rout in German bund prices.
As expected, the BOE maintained its benchmark rate at 0.50% and kept its asset purchase plan at 375 billion pounds following today’s BOE policy meeting.
The latest round of Greek debt talks failed to yield a breakthrough, and according to a Greek official, EU officials are pressing for an agreement with Greece’s creditors by Jun 14. Greek Prime Minister Tsipras said that demands by EU officials and the IMF for cuts in the income of pensioners and increases in value-added taxes on power are unacceptable. Greece has to meet four payments this month to the IMF that total more than 1.5 billion euros, with the first payment due on Friday.
