• Market narrative takes a U-turn
• Surprise Swiss rate hike adds to market tensions
• Treasuries slide

Key Events

The market sell-off resumed on Thursday with futures on the , , , and moving back into negative territory, along with European stocks.

US indices rallied yesterday following the in US interest rates by the FOMC. However, a change in sentiment this morning, perhaps spurred to some degree by today’s from the Swiss National Bank, which took markets completely by surprise when it announced a 50 basis point interest —the first hike of any kind for the SNB in 15 years—exacerbated concerns about future global economic growth. The hiked rates 0.25% as .

Bitcoin remains under pressure and continues to trade lower. 

Global Financial Affairs

All four US index futures were deep in the red notwithstanding the view expressed yesterday by many that the Fed’s 0.75% increase in interest rates—the sharpest uptick since 1994—illustrates that the US central bank believes the economy will not move into recession, even with higher borrowing costs.

Traders had priced in such a steep increase—with some even betting on a 1% lift—so the markets were calm immediately after the announcement. That may be a result of US Fed Chair Jerome Powell saying such large hikes would not be the bank’s standard practice.

All four major US indices jumped at least 1% yesterday during the Wall Street session. The tech-heavy outperformed with a 2.5% surge—after the decision was published.

In Europe, the Index opened lower today. While the pan-European gauge broke a six-day losing streak after rallying on Wednesday, it did so before the Fed interest rate decision. Thus we’re not seeing the same fickleness in Europe as we do in US trading.

Of course, we could allow for the possibility that today’s futures have been sold off by foreign traders while US traders are more optimistic, which will manifest in trading when the market opens in New York.

The European index price is holding just above the March lows. If the price falls below 405.61, it will have extended the short-term downtrend, as it establishes a long-term downtrend.

The UK’s opened lower and is trading at its weakest since Mar. 11.

After the rate decision, investor worries increased. The Swiss franc, considered a classic safe haven, soared.

The moved lower from near its high in May 2019. A fall below 0.95 for the pair would complete a Double Top.

Earlier today, Asian stocks were mixed. Many regional indices wiped out the post-Fed relief rally on fears that inflation will continue to increase. Hong Kong’s dropped 2.17%, leading the decline while China’s fell 0.6%. Japan’s outperformed with a 0.4% gain.

Yesterday’s US stock rally ironically ended a five-day decline, which had scraped 10% off the Index.

Renewed concerns about the impact of monetary tightening on economic output and asset valuations sparked a rout in Treasuries, including the note. That sent the up for the sixth time in seven days.

jumped despite dollar strength, perhaps confirming Wednesday’s Inverted Hammer.

The uptrend continues to support the yellow metal’s price.

is down, testing yesterday’s hammer, which upended an eight-day losing streak.

We a Dead Cat Bounce before the price continues lower, along with the long-term downtrend.

fell for the third straight day, to a two-week low, after attempting to rally.

Up Ahead

• On Friday the Bank of Japan announces its .
• Eurozone data is released on Friday.
• Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome is due to speak on Friday.

Market Moves

Stocks

• The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.5%
• The MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell 1%

Currencies

• The fell 0.5% to $1.0393
• The fell 0.3% to 134.27 per dollar
• The rose 0.8% to 6.7180 per dollar
• The fell 0.9% to $1.2066

Bonds

• Germany’s yield rose ten basis points to 1.81%
• Britain’s yield gained five basis points to 2.61%

Commodities

• fell 1% to $117.21 a barrel
• fell 0.8% to $1,819.94 an ounce