Welcoming the Last Trading Week of August
28 August 2023
Welcome to a new week and more importantly, the final trading week of August. As typical of a Monday, things have begun in a rather calm fashion. Yet, we've already received an update from down under: Australia's retail sales data outperformed forecasts, posting at 0.5% in contrast to the anticipated 0.2%. This uplift has evidently given a boost to the Australian dollar, now crowning it as the strongest currency on today's chart.
But let's not overlook another notable snippet for the day – the UK market is observing a closure. While this absence might subdue some of the day’s trading volatility, it doesn’t mean the global financial scene is void of action.
Speaking of action, the Asian market experienced quite the commotion with the re-entry of China Evergrande Group. Resuming trade after a 17-month hiatus, the shares of this company plunged a staggering 87%. For those needing a refresher, China Evergrande Group, recognized as the globe's most debt-laden property developer, was at the epicenter of concerns last year. The fear? That its precarious position might trigger a fresh global recession. However, even with such seismic shifts in its stock, global indices appear resilient, attempting to claw their way upwards. The market had perhaps anticipated such tumult from Evergrande.
Switching our focus to indices, the previous week presented a rather tumultuous ride. The sharp decline we witnessed on Thursday was juxtaposed with a recovery effort on Friday. Yet, the recovery’s magnitude paled in comparison to the initial drop, placing indices in a somewhat bearish domain.
Now, casting our gaze upon the currency realm, the Australian dollar reigns supreme today, bolstered by the positive retail sales data. Other currencies exhibiting vigor include the British pound and the New Zealand dollar. Conversely, the American dollar and the Japanese yen seem to be grappling with some downward pressures.
On the commodities front, we're observing an upward thrust. Silver is lurking just shy of its pivotal horizontal resistance pegged at $24.4 per ounce. Gold, in the meantime, comfortably positions itself above the essential horizontal support level of $1,900. Even oil seems undeterred by last week's mid-week challenges and is on an upward trajectory.
In sum, as we embark on this last trading week of the month, the mood seems cautiously optimistic. Indices are finding their footing, currencies show distinct leaders and laggards, and commodities display strength. A quiet start, yes, but as always, in the world of trading, anything can happen.