It was a tentative start to the trading week as markets digest the last few day’s ructions, ongoing news flow around US-China trade and mounting concerns about what is going on between the US and Iran. 

The main European bourses have opened in the red although the FTSE 100 put up something of a fight to just about hold in the green. Can probably thank the weaker pound for this. Italian stocks are being hammered this morning.

US S&P 500 e-mini futures are green now having seen the broad market turn south on Friday. Stocks fell in the last couple of hours of trading last week on reports US-China trade talks were on hold. The market remains at the mercy of commentary and news flashes around these talks and it is wise to try and put some ear muffs on at times. 

Australian banking stocks were the main winners as the win for the Liberal-National coalition removed the risk of certain regulatory moves.  

Forex – Aussie wins

AUDUSD – ScoMo’s miracle victory has lifted the Australian dollar a touch, but bulls shouldn’t get too excited yet. AUDUSD firmed up on the first session of trading since the result of the election became known. Having fallen close to decade lows on the 0.68 handle, the pair has firmed on the 0.6920 level. Resistance seen at 0.69440, the 23% retracement of the down move from the April highs. Whilst the election may deliver some short-term relief for Aussie bulls, it’s the RBA that really matters. The market is betting on a rate cut this summer and seems likely, the question is whether this is the first in a cycle of cuts or is one-and-done.  Nevertheless, having taken a look at decade lows, bulls will be hopeful that we have seen a reversal in the long-term down trend.

Elsewhere in FX, sterling remains under the cost. GBPUSD is struggling below 1.28 and is showing few signs of being able to mount much of a rally. The ongoing political uncertainty and the open war in the Tory party will act as drags on risk sentiment. GBPUSD was last at 1.2730 and with support seen at 1.2710, the Jan 10/11 lows. 

And coming up this week we have a potentially volatile period for GBP given the European Parliament elections take place on Thursday through to Sunday. We should also be on guard for any EUR spasms if there is a surge in populist parties threatening to shake things up in Brussels. We’ve heard all this before, but nevertheless markets remain highly sensitive to news flashes – only last week the euro was moving on a series of comments made by Italy’s ruling populist parties.  

Oil higher

We have some can kicking but it rather looks like OPEC is leaning to an extension and could adjust the volumes. Compliance was at 160% in April, which gives ample scope to raise output or reduce the production curb commitments. Brent remains bid above $73 on this as well as the mounting tensions between the US and Iran