Market Update

US construction spending rose less than expected in September, as a drop in spending on public projects overshadowed some of the private sector investment gains. The US Commerce Department said on Monday that spending on construction increased 0.3% in September. The ministry revised down data for August to show spending …

FX option expiries for Nov 3 NY cut at 10:00 Eastern Time, via DTCC, can be found below. EUR/USD: EUR amounts 1.1650 622m1.1725 585m GBP/USD: GBP amounts 1.2850 684m1.3000 456m USD/JPY: USD amounts 105.00 425m105.49 1.1bn AUD/USD: AUD amounts 0.7000 686m EUR/GBP: EUR amounts 0.9000 720m

The business activity in the US’ manufacturing sector expanded at an impressive pace in October with the ISM Manufacturing PMI jumping to 59.4 from 55.4 in September. This reading beat analysts’ estimate of 55.8 by a wide margin. Further details of the publication revealed that the Prices Paid Index rose …

The Reserve Bank of Australia cut the interest rate to 0.10%, in line with expectations from 0.25%. The bank cut its target for a three-year bond yield to 0.1% following the monthly board meeting and indicated its intention to purchase $ 100 billion in long-term government debt.

Oil prices rose for the first time in four sessions, supported by expectations that the OPEC+ alliance will continue the current output cuts for longer than previously estimated. Brent crude futures for January delivery rose by $1.03, or 2.7%, to close at $38.97 per barrel. Meanwhile, the West Texas Intermediate …

Gold prices rose on Monday for the second consecutive session, amid increasing uncertainty about the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the US elections. The yellow metal futures for December delivery closed higher by $12.60, or 0.7%, at $1,892.50 per ounce. This comes after gold futures recorded an 0.8% …

The Eurozone gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to shrink by 2.3% during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020, according to recent forecasts by Goldman Sachs. The bank has lowered its expectations for the European bloc, after it previously estimated a contraction of 2.2%. Meanwhile, Q1 of 2021 is expected …

European stocks closed higher on Monday, opening both the week and the month with a positive performance, supported by strong economic data. The Stoxx Europe 600 rose by 1.53% to close at 347.59 points. Meanwhile, the UK’s FTSE100 added 1.39%, while the French CAC40 and the German DAX finished higher …

The Russian Ruble (RUB) declined on Monday against the US Dollar (USD) and the Euro (EUR), on the back of falling oil prices, and rising uncertainty about the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the US elections. Year to date, the RUB has lost 23% against the USD and …

The British Pound (GBP) declined on Monday as the United Kingdom (UK) prepares to enter into a new lockdown to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The GBP is down by 0.34% against the Euro (EUR), with the GBP/EUR pair trading at 1.1085. Meanwhile, the Sterling losses came …