Market Update

The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment improved in August to a reading of 74.1, up from 72.5 in July. The 2.2% monthly increase is accompanied by a 17.5% yearly decline, as the index remains way below its level in August 2019 at 89.8. The Current Economic Conditions index …

The Chicago Business Barometer declined to 51.2 in August, registering its second consecutive reading above the 50-mark, according to data by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) – Chicago. Among the five main indicators, order backlogs was the only category to show a monthly decline, with supplier deliveries recorded the …

Data published by Statistics Canada revealed on Friday that Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Canada declined by 38.7% on a yearly basis in Q2. This reading followed the 8.2% contraction recorded in Q1 but came in slightly better than the market expectation of -39.6%.

Oil prices plummeted, as Storm Laura bypassed the heart of the US oil industry in Louisiana and Texas without causing wide losses to refineries. Brent crude futures for October delivery, which are due on Friday, fell seven cents to $ 44.99 a barrel before the opening of Wall Street. US …

German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told SWR television that he does not expect the country’s economy to suffer from further lockdown measures even if coronavirus infections continue to rise. The minister also told television that many industries in Germany are improving again.

US consumer spending increased more than expected in July, bolstering expectations of strong economic growth recovery in Q3, although the momentum will likely subside as the Covid-19 pandemic continues and the impact of the fiscal stimulus dissipates. The US Commerce Department said consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds …

A survey showed that British business confidence has increased but remains well below its usual levels as the economy struggles to cope with social distancing and employers prepare to cut jobs. The Lloyds Bank’s corporate measure rose eight points to -14, the largest monthly rise in three years and optimism …

A survey published by the European Commission revealed that economic sentiment in the Eurozone rose in August for the fourth consecutive month after a record decline stemming from lockdown measures aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19 in March and April. And while the monthly index measuring confidence in the …

Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute showed that the country’s economic confidence index rose 4.4% on a monthly basis in August to 85.9 points, recording a recovery for the fourth month in a row from low levels resulting from measures to combat the Coronavirus. Economic activity fell sharply in March …

European shares fell as investors sold off technology and healthcare and bought bank shares, after the Federal Reserve (US Central Bank) unveiled a new framework for its policy. The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.6%. Technology stocks, which have risen nearly 11% since the start of the year, fell 1.1% …