By Deepta Bolaky
 @DeeptaGOMarkets

US- China Trade Tensions

Trade tensions are taking new dimensions with China’s major technology companies dominating headlines and weighing heavily on risk sentiment. As we progressed through the week, the markets turned risk-off over a number of escalating trade issues:

• Google surprised the markets when he agreed to comply with the restrictions set by the U.S. government.

• Qualcomm, Broadcom, and Micron Technology, other key American suppliers of Huawei, were expected to follow the restrictions.

• A 90-day licence was issued by the Trump administration to help U.S. companies to keep doing business with Huawei.

• An “Open Letter” signed by 173 companies were sent to the U.S. President and claimed that the American consumers are footing the bill of the trade war.

• China’s ambassador to the United States said that they are ready to continue trade talks with Washington.

• Hikvision and other major Chinese technology companies were reported to be the next target.

In light of this week’s events, reaching a trade deal is becoming more and more challenging deterring investors’ confidence.

Brexit

Brexit related- news was also bearish, and a reminder that Brexit remains painful with no concrete solutions. The chances of the UK having a new Prime Minister is increasing and consequently lifting the odds of a harder Brexit. Britons were also forced to vote in the European elections as the UK is not out of the EU yet.

Theresa May has been resilient so far and clings to her position despite attempts to oust her. The British Pound came under pressure amid fears the May’s successor might leave the EU without a deal.

The GBPUSD pair dropped to 4-months low below the 1.26 level and is poised to further downside pressure if risks persist.

GBPUSD (Daily Chart)

Source: MT4

Equity Markets

Geopolitical tensions have rattled the equity markets which are poised to finish the week in the red. The markets turned risk-off towards the end of the week, and major equity indices experienced a significant sell-off on Thursday.

Chip stocks came swiftly under pressure after the U.S. blacklisted Huawei on Monday and attempted a recovery mid-week on the back of the licence. However, on Thursday, the stocks tumbled again due to mounting pressure from the trade headlines.

The U.S. 10-Year yield slides as risk appetite took a hit, and investor sought safety with bonds.

Source: Bloomberg

RBA Minutes

The minutes released this Tuesday followed by the Governor Lowe’s speech is paving the way to a June-cut.

RBA Minutes dated 7th of May: “… members considered the scenario where there was no further improvement in the labour market in the period ahead, recognising that in those circumstances a decrease in the cash rate would likely be appropriate.”

 Governor Lowe’s speech: “ In this scenario, we judged that inflation was likely to remain low relative to the target and that a decrease in the cash rate would likely be appropriate. A lower cash rate would support employment growth and bring forward the time when inflation is consistent with the target. Given this assessment, at our meeting in two weeks’ time, we will consider the case for lower interest rates.”

 The AUDUSD pair struggled to hold on to the gains on Monday’s opening gap following the election’s result. The Aussie dollar is currently at 68.92 US cents.

AUDUSD (Hourly Chart)

Source: GO MT4

Oil Market

Oil prices had its worst trading day for 2019 on Thursday. Weekly oil reports and trade tensions were both bearish factors that affected the demand and supply side. Traders are increasingly worried about the global outlook, which are overshadowing the oil market.

As of writing, WTI and Brent Crude is trading around $58 and $67 respectively.

UKOUSD and USOOSD (Daily Chart)

 Source: GO MT4 

Monday, 27 May 2019 Indicative Index Dividends Dividends are in Points
ASX200	WS30	US500	US2000	NDX100	CAC40	STOXX50
0.038	0	0	0	0	10.279	3.397
ESP35	ITA40	FTSE100	DAX30	HK50	JP225	INDIA50
0	0	0	0	25.648	0	0

Disclaimer: Articles and videos from GO Markets analysts are based on their independent analysis. Views expressed are of their own and of a ‘general’ nature. Advice (if any) are not based on the reader’s personal objectives, financial situation or needs.  Readers should, therefore, consider how appropriate the advice (if any) is to their objectives, financial situation and needs, before acting on the advice.