Dr. Copper Update
What’s in Today’s Report:
- Dr. Copper Update
- CPI – The Case for a July Rate Cut Got A Bit Stronger Yesterday
- China & Treasuries: No Signs of a Buyers Strike (Yet)
- Oil Outlook – Supplies Keep Rising.
Futures are marginally higher following a busy night of news, but none of it shifted the current market outlook.
If there is a “reason” for the gains this morning it’s hopes for more Chinese stimulus as Chinese Vice Premier Hu called for more stimulus to help the economy, although no specifics were given and China’s already been aggressively stimulating the economy for months – so this isn’t exactly incremental news.
Geo-politically, Brent crude oil surged 3% after two tankers were attacked via a torpedo and mine strike overnight in the Gulf of Oman (near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz). It’s unclear who is responsible at this point but that’s obviously increasing tensions in an already unstable part of the globe.
The remaining big event for the week comes tonight via the Chinese economic data, so today will be spent watching the headlines for any trade updates, while on the economic front we get Jobless Claims (E: 216K) and Import & Export Prices (E: -0.3%, 0.1%), but neither should move markets materially. Finally, there is a 30 Yr. T-Bond Auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and we’ll be watching to see if there are any signs of a Chinese “buyers strike” for Treasuries (so far, it’s not happening).
