Markets mixed after a volatile week - 26.4.2021

The Dollar weakening is intact currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, fell 0.5% on Friday despite the Markit data showing US private sector output growth hit record high in April according to the flash Composite PMI report.

Both EUR/USD and GBP/USD reversed their sliding Friday despite Markit reports showing a slowdown in growth across Germany’s private sector in April while UK private sector grew at fastest rate since late 2013. Euro is lower against the Dollar currently while Pound is higher. USD/JPY continued its retreating Friday while AUD/USD reversed its sliding with both yen and Australian dollar higher against the Greenback currently.

Futures on US equity benchmarks are mixed currently ahead of durable goods orders report by the US Census Bureau at 14:30 CET today. Earnings session continues with Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet slated to report quarterly results this week. Stocks finished the week marginally lower. The three main US stock benchmarks recorded daily gains ranging from 0.7% to 1.4% Friday.

European stock indexes are mixed currently after ending lower on Friday led by health care shares despite Markit’s reports euro-zone flash PMI readings for April showed the economic recovery was gathering pace across the bloc. Asian indexes are mostly lower today with Shanghai Composite leading losses while Nikkei index ending higher fourth session in a row.