Market Update

In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank said it forecasts the global economic growth to reach 5.6% in 2021, the strongest post-recession pace in 80 years, following the 3% contraction recorded in 2020, per Reuters.

Canada’s merchandise trade surplus with the world widened to C$0.59 billion in April from a deficit of C$1.35 billion in March, the monthly data published by Statistics Canada revealed on Tuesday. This reading came in better than the analysts’ estimate for a deficit of C$0.8 billion.

The goods and services deficit of the US declined by $6.1 billion to $68.9 billion in April from $75 billion in March, the US Census Bureau reported on Tuesday. This reading came in slightly better than the market expectation of $69 billion.

Currency market volatility fell on Tuesday, June 8 to its lowest level since before the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, causing turmoil in the markets in March 2020, as investors refrained from forming positions, waiting for clearer signals about the path of inflation and the reactions of central banks. Currencies …

White House is planning to launch a new “strike force” to combat unfair trade practices, mainly targeting China, Reuters reports, citing senior administration officials.

The German ZEW headline numbers for June showed that the Economic Sentiment Index worsened unexpectedly to 79.8 from 84.4 previous while beating estimates of 86.0. Meanwhile, the Current Conditions sub-index recovered firmly to -9.1 in June as against -40.1 recorded in the previous month and -27.8 expectations.

Data from cryptocurrency management CoinShares released Monday showed that bitcoin funds and products saw a record outflow of inflows last week as investors remained wary of the world’s largest cryptocurrency. Bitcoin outflows amounted to $141 million in the week ending June 4th, representing 8.3% of the net inflows it attracted …

German industrial output unexpectedly fell in April, data showed, in a sign that semiconductor shortages and other supply bottlenecks are undermining the recovery of Europe’s largest economy. The Federal Statistics Office said industrial output fell 1% compared to the previous month, after an increase that was revised down to 2.2% …

European shares rose on Tuesday, June 8, boosted by utilities and telecoms companies, but weak German industrial output and doubts about a UK lifting of restrictions later this month capped gains. The European Stoxx600 index rose 0.2% by euro morning, holding below its highest level ever, while sectors considered more …

Oil prices extended losses on Tuesday, June 8, as Chinese data revealing a decline in the country’s imports of crude in May highlighted concern about the fragility of the global recovery in demand for crude and fuel. Brent crude was down 49 cents, or 0.7%, at $71 a barrel, after …