Stocks mixed after reports of rising coronavirus cases - 22.6.2020

The Dollar strengthening has halted . 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, gained 0.1% Friday as the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported US current account deficit narrowed by 0.1% in the first quarter. Both GBP/USD and EUR/USD continued falling Friday. The dynamics has reversed for both pairs currently. Both AUD/USD and USD/JPY continued falling on Friday with both pairs having reversed their sliding currently.

US equity markets are pulling back today after ending mostly lower on Friday after Apple said it will re-close some stores due to rising cases in some states. The three main US stock indexes recorded daily returns ranging from -0.8% to +0.03% while booking weekly gains ranging from 1% to 3.7%. European stock indexes are retreating currently after ending higher on Friday as European Union’s 27 governments started negotiations over a proposal for a 750 billion euro ($841 billion) recovery fund. Asian indexes are mixed today led by Hong Kong’s Heng Seng index as China suspended some Tyson chicken imports after rising coronavirus cases at Arkansas plant despite reports Beijing intends to ramp up buying US agricultural products as China has only reached 13% of the 2020 target under the phase one deal in the first four months of the year.

Brent is edging higher today. Oil prices ended higher last session buoyed by reports China will increase buying of US ethanol in line with a phase one trade deal signed at the start of this year. The US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures ended solidly higher Friday: July WTI rose 2.3% and is higher currently. August Brent crude closed 1.6% higher at $42.19 a barrel on Friday.

Gold prices are extending gains today. August gold rose 1.3% to $1753 an ounce on Friday.