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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Waiting for the non-farm payrolls announcement

The US Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, has written to congress to ask for the debt limit to be raised. He stated the Treasury will needed to start taking ‘extraordinary measures’ to prevent the US from defaulting on its obligations. Currently, the US debt to GDP ratio is standing at 104% - it has recently been higher.

US Flag
Source: Bloomberg
For the history buffs, it was 120% in the late 1940’s under the weight of war bonds. The remedy at the time was letting inflation run up to 18%.

Currently on a global basis, inflation is running at 2% - in the US it’s currently at 2.5%.

The cost of oil and associated gasoline products are underlying contributors to the inflation rate, with oil falling below the key $50bl level overnight for the first time since 7 December 2016. This inflation figure looks to be in check for now.

USD strength has again waned overnight, with the dollar basket easing back to 101.88. At the same time, the commodities complex also moved to consolidate some recent falls. There seems to be a risk of sentiment moving through the markets, as traders wait to see the change in the non-farm payrolls due at 12.30am AEDT. The forecasted figure is an additional 200K; any number above this may spur the markets to move higher. This is a sign showing us that President Trump has put the US economy on a path of exponential growth.
 
The President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, left rates unchanged overnight. He stated that asset purchases will reduce to €60 billion from April 2017 until December 2017. His commentary focused on increasing confidence, stating that that the ongoing economic expansion will continue.

The EUR/USD moved back over 1.06. It has clearly found support in the past two-weeks above the 1.05 level. This is a sign of strength and that the parity party for the euro may be on hold for now. 
 
In the commodities complex, copper traded at $2.57lb, which is well under the key $2.70 level of the past weeks. A potential 200,000 tonne shortage of copper concentrate would put the price of copper on notice with traders. If this shortage firms up, the price of copper would be set for a move higher, with some estimates suggesting $3.00lb.

Gold stocks may see some support today. Even though the gold price fell to a low of $1201 overnight, down nearly 5% over the past 10 trading sessions, the AUD price still remains above the key $1600oz level. This may be short lived, as the gold price resumes its primary down trend from the July 2016 highs of $1375.
 
In our Aussie 200 market, a mixed open is expected with the ADR’s showing BHP at $23.61, which is down from yesterdays close of $23.96. The ADR for FMG is flat at $6.27. Financials still remain bid, with CBA’s ADR higher at $84.01 - up from yesterday’s close of $83.53.

Three Australian banks (ANZ, NAB, WBC) are pushing over recent 60-day highs, with CBA recently ex-dividend close by.

The Australian 10Y shows a yield of 2.91% and remains in breakout territory, another potential rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) seems at odds with the forward curve. A resurgence in the S&P coming into the close and the Aussie SPI futures have now turned positive by 10 points; this could bring in a surprisingly positive day.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited and IG Markets South Africa Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. International accounts are offered by IG Markets Limited in the UK (FCA Number 195355), a juristic representative of IG Markets South Africa Limited (FSP No 41393). South African residents are required to obtain the necessary tax clearance certificates in line with their foreign investment allowance and may not use credit or debit cards to fund their international account.